18

“Men, bury the dead and set fire to the fort. We need to leave before the enemy shows up. We’ll head to Glomirum Borough where I know I have support” Corc commanded. “Wait, Corc…no!” Siofra implored.

The soldiers scattered around the fort doing their duties. Corc started to march towards his tent. Siofra’s hands lightly tugged at his arm but he pushed through, slipping through her fingers, leaving Siofra behind.

Siofra stood there motionless, her hand still stretched toward Corc. Her eyes wide and her mouth open and twisted. After a moment a hand touched her shoulder. Cirida came to her side. Siofra looked to her “In the far south there is a small place hidden from war. Where children happily play on the streets and fields without knowing fear. It is not a palace but it is free and full of life. The lord is kind and generous, though you might not think it the first time you meet him. If you wish it, you can come with me” Cirida said, her voice soft and resonant. Her black hair strands waving in from of her face.

Siofra’s eyes widen as a tear fell down to her cheek “…yes…yes…Please take me with you!” Siofra said her voice breaking, as she tilted toward Cirida and put her arms around her. Siofra placed her head on Cirida’s shoulder and gazed blankly at her neck. Her tears trailing down to the rough, frayed garment below. “We’ll make our escape when we get to Glomirum” Siofra whispered, Her voice distant. “That won’t be necessary” Cirida said. “Hmm…what do you mean?” Siofra asked as she took a step back to look into her eyes.

“Army is approaching, get Corc!” a soldier shouted.

Corc pushed the flap of his tent as he stepped out. He had put on all his armor on and was adjusting his leather straps on his arm. He hastily walked to the gate and peeked through the gaps in the wood.

“All soldiers to me!” Corc ordered. All soldiers quickly marched behind him, facing the gate, weapons drawn. “Open the gates!” Corc ordered.

As the gates opened they revealed an army, about forty on the other side. They were on horse and wore armor dark as night. The horseman in the front of the army, most likely the leader wore a an armor so dark it was like he was wearing the night itself and the edges dazzled like stars that shinned too brightly. His skin was pale and his hair black with hints of ash. He had the same fierce, piercing eyes as Corc but his had a clarity like you could see thorough them, like a window to darkness.

“My, Is this how you welcome an ally, with your swords at the ready?” the dark army leader said, his voice had a calm, crispiness to it. “Well if it isn’t King Tomasans’s dog, king, I mean——prince Artas!” Corc said, light sarcasm on his voice. Artas chin lowered slightly and his eyes became unfriendly. “Why so hostile, we are allies are we not?” Artas answered with his own sarcastic voice. “Well, that depends on two things. If King Tomasan will recognize me as the rightful king of Genogen and if he had nothing to do with my father’s undoing” Corc said, becoming more serious.

Artas gazed straight into Corc’s eyes “you already know the answer to both of those” he answered. “I figured as much” Corc said as he raised his sword, as did his men “so Tomasan sent you to try and finish us off. He should have sent someone stronger. I will never lose to a spineless coward who serves the man who killed his parents and took away his kingdom!” Corc declared, his voice confident and bold. Artas eyes squinted at Corc and his jaw clenched. “Oh but you are mistaken, like the brute that you are. I haven't received orders regarding you, as far as I know were still allies. I’m here on a different matter” Artas said.

“Who you calling brute” one of Corc’s soldiers yelled and took a step forward. The rest of the armies reacted by taking a quick step forward as well.

“Hold!” Corc ordered. Corc looked at Artas, who had not even drawn his sword. Corc stance relaxed “If you’re not here to fight, what are you here for” he asked, glaring at Artas. “A servant that one of my villages holds dear got captured by bandits, I was sent here to retrieve her” Artas said. “Your servant? You mean…” Corc was saying as a woman with a ragged cloak and hood that covered her body ran from the inside of the fort, heading for for Arta’s army. “Look Cirida is running to him” a soldier said. As the woman reached Artas she raised her sight to him, high on his horse. Artas looked at her with his eyebrows furrowed and his eyes slightly squinted.

Cirida stepped out from behind some of Corc’s soldiers and started running to Artas as well. “Wait, there a two of them?” a soldier asked, confused. “No” Corc said with a thick voice as he quickly stepped forward. Arta’s army raised their swords. Corc’s army took a step forward and raised their swords as well.

“Siofra what are you doing? Get back over here!” Corc demanded. “Artas looked down on the woman with the cloak “so you’re Princess Siofra…What are you doing here?” Artas asked, his dark eyes piercing into Siofra’s. “We’re taking her back to the village with us, my Lord” Cirida Said as she came up behind Siofra. “I only came up here for you. I have no need of her” Artas told Cirida. “She has talents that can help the village grow. She is strong, I’ve seen it for myself, my Lord” Cirida implored. “Please let me go with you lord Artas” Siofra said, her eyes glazed.

“Siofra get back here now!” Corc yelled. Siofra turned to him “no, I won’t go back so you can imprison me. That is not life for me, brother. I want to be free. Just forget about me!” Siofra cried out. “Didn’t the people say you should marry, my Lord? She is a princess and you’re a prince” Cirida reasoned.