NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14: A Betrayal Unveiled
The battlefield was one filled with chaos. Blades clashed, arrows flew through the skies, and the cries of soldiers echoed back and forth. Liam wore the emblems of the kingdom of Altheris while fighting valiantly among comrades he had just made acquaintance. Clara was an archer covered on a ridge nearby with the supernatural aim of the celestial bow that did not miss any target.
But something gnawed at Liam's heart: ever since he had pledged allegiance to Altheris, a curly doubt started feasting on him. Clara had retrieved some documents that alluded to a darker reality that had been vague in terms of meaning. Now, in the dizzying whirl of war, Liam's instincts told him that all was not how it seemed.
As he buried his new Darkfang sword into the chest of a foe soldier, Liam spotted Lord Kael, the general of Altheris. The man was atop a hill, his red cape flying with the winds. He belched orders to his troops, his voice cutting through the din of battle. But it was not his commands that caught Liam's attention-it was the look on his face.
Cold. Calculating. Merciless.
Liam turned towards one of the soldiers beside him, an older veteran, called Dren. "So, what do you know about Kael?" Liam asked while blocking a strike against him, parrying the attack with his sword.
Dren hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickering to the general. "He's... Matched. Tactically a master. But there are whispers... Things he consorted with to achieve victory before."
"What kind of things?" Liam prodded, tightening his grip on his sword.
Dren didn't answer. Instead, he charged into battle, leaving Liam with more questions than answers.
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Clara Meanwhile
From her position on the ridge, Clara had a perfect view of the battlefield. Liam fought with certain Altherian soldiers, striking down enemy soldiers precisely and with deadly intent. But he noted something else: groups of civilians from the rival kingdom, Eryndor, being herded by Altherian forces.
She watched as heartlessly as these unarmed, terrified civilians were taken into an improvised pen. They weren't prisoners of war; they were hostages.
Clara narrowed her gaze. This was not how things were supposed to go. There's a war between Altheris and Eryndor to liberate the last from the first's tyranny; what was going on now spoke more of conquest than justice.
She trekked down the ridge with a bow in hand and walked toward the enclosure. There were two Altherian soldiers blocking her way, spears crossed.
"Order from Lord Kael," one of the soldiers replied.
"The civilians are a bargaining chip. If Eryndor refuses to surrender, they'll be killed."
Clara's blood froze. "This is wrong. They are innocent!"
"Not our problem," the soldier replied rudely.
Clara tightened her fists, pulled between loyalty to Liam and a sense of rightness. She would have to tell Liam what she had seen.
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The Turning Point
And at last, Alicia is confronted for the fight with an Eryndorian soldier. He was practically a boy, hardly a man yet, all desperate helplessness in his eyes.
"Hold!" yelled Liam as he lowered his sword. "You don't have to fight me!"
He paused with the weapon bared slightly downwards.
"Only because Altheris burned my village," he said, trembling on his voice.
Liam's pants twisted around. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"They came in the night," the boy continued. "They killed everyone who resisted and took the rest as prisoners. They claimed it was to 'restore order,' but all they've brought is death."
And that same instant, a shadow fell on Liam. Lord Kael was descending from the hill," painted by blood the long crimson cape of him.
"Why are you hesitating, Carter?" Kael growled. "Kill him."
Liam shifted his gaze from the boy to Kael, his mind racing. "He's just a kid," Liam said. "He doesn't deserve this."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "Deserve? This is war, Carter. Mercy is a luxury we cannot afford."
Tighter bit the grip of Liam around his sword. "This isn't what I signed up for."
Leering with an icy look, Kael replied, "Then you must not be as useful as I thought."
Incised, Kael immediately charged Liam's way, his blade aimed for the effect. Liam barely deflected it and staggered backward.
"You are either with me or against me, Carter," Kael hissed.
Liam could feel his heart beating like the throb of a hammer against an anvil. This was it - the great moment of truth. He could not bear to sit through that and see Altheris continuing his filthy trample.
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The Betrayal
Through the blows and groans of his fellow soldiers, Liam forced his way into the battle zone with steely determination toward one destination-the truth concerning Altheris. He met Clara on his way. "What did you see at the enclosure?" Clara asked. They made their way to the main artery of the war front, where Altheris' banner stood against Eryndor's.
As they reached center stage, Liam raised his voice calling out to both sides. "Stop! Listen to me!"
The fight stood still as soldiers of both kingdoms turned to look at him.
"Altheris pronounces its fight to be for justice, but, in truth, they are just conquerors!" screamed Liam. "They have burnt villages, slaughtered innocents, and taken people as hostages. This is no liberation: it is oppression!"
Murmurs went through the rank of both armies. Some Altherian soldiers dropped their weapons while doubt crept into their expressions.
Kael stepped forward, his face twisted with rage. "Lies! Don't believe him! He's a traitor!"
But it was already too late. The seed of doubt had been planted by Liam, and the tide seemed to be turning in the battle.
To Be Continued....