DILEmma

The Knights and two generals waited patiently awaiting Gerald's arrival at the same spot they had fought earlier, according to Tyran's orders.

Unlike few hours ago the atmosphere was quiet and peaceful except for a few distant screeches and growls from savages.

The two generals sat under a tree surrounded by their cautious alert knights.

It was customary an ordinary silver knight shouldn't sit with Generals unless when asked to,but their superiors sat unconcerned.

Despite the magic energy they had gotten from the savages,they still felt their bones aching all over.

Tired as they were they sat with flexed knees and heads bowed low but didn't shut their eyes,each wondering into his own world of thought with minds relaxed but ears alert.

Both generals had lost their helmets earlier in battle along with their knights except two who held theirs in their hands.

They had each removed it earlier when battling Savages and now back at the battle field they couldn't find it, none even bothered to.

Afterall,who would wear a helmet under the most unsuitable weather,even the night breeze wasn't any different.

Unable to find it's way through their armours to their bodies it did no good in cooling them but the weather now was better now than before the sun was set.

The hot glaring sun had made it uncomfortable for them to wear their helmets,some could even smell the unpleasant stench from their own sweat.

Their faces now spared from the heat their bodies endured,most felt delighted to have lost their helmets and deep down,they couldn't wait to go home.

A wiff of another demon's scent alerted them and they both raised their heads the moment Gerald appeared.

The Knights bowed and they both jumped to their feet and shook hands with him.

"By god!thank the skies you're alright"the skinny,tall dark haired General said.

Gerald didn't pause take to take in the image of the person he had just greeted as his eyes scanned his surroundings.

No sign of the Emperor,he felt disappointed.

"Young knight...the Emperor went in search of you...you weren't to leave his side!you violated orders!"the older much shorter general scolded.

Gerald turned his attention to him.

He didn't recognize him but from the emblem on his chest,he could tell he was a General from Edor,the second kingdom in Delvin and the most closest to Urah.

"As much as I would love to explain my reason to you,I am afraid I don't have time for chatter...where is his imperial majesty?"

"We have no idea where he went but our orders were to wait here with you till he returns".

Gerald felt uneasy but he had no idea why,he swallowed with difficulty before a cold shiver ran down his spine.

"I_I have to find him"

The younger slim general frowned

"Our orders are to wait here with you knight!...don't add more punishment to the one already awaiting you by going against his Majesty's orders again".

Gerald eyed him as he tried to conceal the fright in his eyes which he knew was already evident.

"What's the matter Knight!...you don't look alright"

Gerald shook his head.

"I just need to get to the Emperor and I'll be_"

Suddenly a knight screamed.

The trio turned in the direction of the scream and watched as the knight gripped his neck with both hands, convulsing till he collapsed dead.

Gerald perceived a demon's perceived a demon's presence.

His eyes followed the scent to the direction it was coming from.

"Don't look her way!"the sturdy general warned,but it was too late,Gerald had looked.

His eyes met a beautiful woman's whom he didn't recognize too well,in an instant he felt a bit dizzy for a split second.

He glanced over at the people beside her,whom he recognized too well,Lord Tydor and Prince Garrith,the eldest son of King Zemah,then his eyes settled on the dead knight not too far from where he stood.

He knew what they were,trouble.

Gerald vanished instantly and all the knights and generals drew their swords.

Lord Tydor made a move for a pursuit when kaugra stopped him.

"No need my lord...I already have his field of vision...he has no where to run".

"Has not Dark returned?"a familiar voice asked from the darkness of the part of the forest behind them.

"He is busy keeping the scarlet prince... busy your majesty" kaugra responded.

"Your magesty?..."the generals rephrased in a chorus to themselves.

They were just as started as the rest of the Knights around them.

When the demon's figure emerged from the shadows into the light of the moon,their mouths went agape at the sight of him.

"You should go after him with his Majesty Kaugra,we will handle things here."

The demon eyes both Generals.

"Will you both be good here Tydor ?those generals don't look so easy to deal with"

"Lord Tydor smirked, exposing an old coloured fang.

"I am not as week as I am old your majesty"

The king nodded satisfied and watched Kaugra let out a hand for him to take.

"I'll take you to him your Majesty"

He took the hand and they both vanished from sight.

Some of the knights tried using telepathy to spread word but all their links were blocked already.

At that moment did they realize the ground was a cemetery prepared for them that day.

*****************†*******************

"I can't believe I am following my rival all the way through this creepy place."Mia grumbled as they walked down an old dark stair way.

Mia held the torch in hand,in front, watching the flame flicker at the same time,cautiously peering into the darkness ahead.

"This is an old passageway connecting the servants quarters with the Empress's..we can't freely walk through the palace with him"

"Uhhhh...why we,why not just you?".

"You're here just incase to help if anything goes south"Carolene replied.

"And why should I help you?"

"What is your name?"

"No need...we aren't friends,you need not know my name!"Mia snapped

"Who says we have to be friends to know each other's name_"

"Mia!....Happy?"

"You sound agited for some reason"

Mia stopped and turned to her.

"Excuse me?why wouldn't I be agitated?...I am here stuck with the one woman who stole my man from me...helping her!...she even kissed him!"

Carolene's eye widened.

"That was you?"

"Yes!....but I wish I heard enough and soon you will tell me..all that I need to know".

"You need not know more than you already have...this knowledge will kill you"

"Oh I am not scared of that phrase and I can assure you...the only one that's going to die is you...if you don't make Gerald love me when he comes back"

Carolene drew closer and peered into her eyes.

"You're lying...your eyes say otherwise"

"Haaa!!!...."Mia waved a hand in the air"what do you know about me?"

"I know nothing...except for the fact that the woman standing before me ain't got the guts to hurt even a fly"

Mia's brows furrowed and she gave her a deadly stare.

"You!....you underestimate me...then fail and I'll just have to add you to my list of corpses".

Suddenly Ramses let out a loud scream and started crying.

"You see....you scared him!"

"I did not!"Mia snapped.

"You did_"

Ramses screamed even louder interrupting Carolene from saying another word,his loud cries resonating in the darkness.

"Shut him up!"

"I am trying"Carolene said as she rocked him.

She placed a hand over Ramses mouth to lessen his scream but he drew pulled on it and bit her index finger.

Carolene yelled and withdrew it immediately

"Arrrggghhh!!"

Mia shook her head and walked on.

"He really is a little monster"she mumbled.

After she walked a few paces away,Ramses fell silent.

"Seems someone wants some peace and quiet"Carolene said after a while.

Mia stopped and glared at Carolene.

She took a step towards towards her and Ramses resumed crying again.

"You see you're scaring him".

Mia hissed and walked on,

immediately Ramses's cries stopped.

She shook her head.

"Why do I get the feeling he knows what he's doing?"

Carolene chuckled softly and looked down at Ramses who laid quietly in her arms staring into her eyes.

"He always knows what he's doing"she grinned.