You can't have him

chapter 17

It had been over a month now, and his right arm still hurt Dunston to try to wield a sword with it. Word had been received that prince Kapa was within a three day march from the palace, and the King's men were set to leave early the next morning. He was supposed to lead them, but his arm was almost useless to him.

"Let's go at it again." Dunston said to his sparring partner.

The guy swept the training sword at him, and Dunston blocked easily with his left sword however when he tried to attack with the right the movement took too long and the guy blocked it sending a painful shock down his arm. Dunston screamed and threw the sword down on the ground. "God damnit that fucking bastard is going to get his damn throat ripped out!"

Someone laughed from behind Dunston and he turned around to see Bruce standing there with a smile on his face. "What's wrong buddy? Did the big man slow you down? You know if you can't lead the army you can always just stay here and have one of your lackeys do your job. I'm sure no one will think you're a useless piece of shit."

"Get the fuck out of my sight. You and your people are traitors whether the king wants to see it or not. That damn brute attacked me, and he's one of Geoff's men."

"Arjic failed Geoff. He was supposed to help Gabe, but he turned. You can't blame us all just because of one." Bruce said.

"Well I'll just go kill him then, and then you won't have to worry about him being a failure."

Dunston tried to walk past Bruce, but he stopped him. "You know it will be more satisfying to wait until you have Maverick as well."

A smile spread on Dunston's lips. He had never told Bruce that Arjic had been with Maverick, so Bruce had to be working with the brute. Dunston had been trying his best to not trust Geoff's men, and now he had more proof. Dunston turned back around then and grabbed the sword he threw. "Alright let's go at it again. I need to try to be ready for war."

Bruce walked off with a smile. Dunston was only half his normal self now. Bruce went to go find Geoff and tell him the good news about the king's prized fighter.

.......

"You're sure that Geoff and his men are not to be trusted?" The king asked Dunston.

"I know that aren't. That annoying little bastard Bruce knows too much of what happened with Arjic. He's been talking to him, and I think they're conspiring against you." Dunston said.

"Ok. You know what you need to do with Geoff then." The king said.

Dunston smiled. Geoff and his men would be dead before they even got close enough to see the prince and his coming army.

.........

Tristan and Kapa's army were close to the palace. They were getting uneasier the more they rode too. This was going to be a hard battle to win. Kapa's father had an army that was over four times the size of Tristan's, and to facilitate speed they decided to not bring anything that could break the gates. Their only hope was to either get the king to meet them on open ground, or find a way to sneak in.

Suddenly two riders came running towards them. Maverick spurred his horse forward to cut them off, even though Kapa yelled for him to come back. When he got to them he stopped, and after a while the two riders returned to the prince with him. It was Geoff's wife and his son's widow.

"What news do you have?" Kapa asked.

"Geoff wanted me to tell you that you have friends in high places. You're not going into this alone, and many will fight for you to get the throne. Just keep going as fast as you can. They all have a plan." His wife said.