The king and his kingdom

Chapter 4: Trial by Combat

Chapter 4:

Trial by Combat

A trial by combat was held in the day

The people of Hakem assembled in the amphitheatre.

Before the audience, King David alongside Sofia were standing.

Justice must take its course, proclaimed King David.

Sofia smiled confidently.

Kael stared at General Benjamin.

Lyra watched anxiously.

Kael charged forward.

General Benjamin parried.

Clashing steel echoed.

_The Turning Point_

Kael landed a decisive blow.

General Benjamin stumbled.

Kael hesitated.

Lyra saw her Chance

Lyra sprung into the ring, unsheathing her sword.

"Stop this!" Lyra shouted. "Kael, don't kill him!"

General Benjamin started at this and Kael faltered, letting him in.

"Lyra, what are you doing?" Kael demanded.

Lyra stood firm. "This trial is a farce. Sofia's claim is false."

The crowd whispered, a sense of mystery in the air.

General Benjamin took it when he could.

He followed up with renewed vigour upon Kael.

Kael tripped as he stopped short.

General Benjamin struck at Lyra and she deflected his blows.

Lyra smiled for the first time since before her brother was taken, "Protecting my brother.

Kael's Awakening_

Kael regained his footing.

Kael. realisation, Lyra is right "Sofia deceived me."

The two of them faced General Benjamin.

The tide turned.

The look in King David's face became stern.

King David declared, “Your claim is forfeit Sofia! I shall not be deceived.

Sofia's rage boiled over.

It was a retreat, with General Benjamin pulling out of the fray.

General Benjamin said: "A good battle, Lyra and Kael. "The truth prevails."

Lyra came to King David as General Benjamin withdrew.

“Your Highness,” Lyra began, “the duplicity of Sofia knows no bounds. We have got to get Azalia's hands dirty."

King David nodded gravely.

"I agree," King David said. "Gather evidence. We will bring justice, for Azalia.

Sofia glowered under the censure of King David.

Said King David, “Your treachery will go unpunished.”

King David's judgment was swift.

"Sofia, you're stripped of your claim," King David declared. "Your actions will be investigated."

Sofia's eyes blazed with defiance.

"This isn't over," Sofia spat, before being led away.

_Azalia's Reaction_

King Ryker received news of Sofia's downfall.

" Foolish girl," Ryker muttered. "She was supposed to secure Hakem's throne."

Lord Arin spoke up, "Your Majesty, our plans are compromised."

Ryker's gaze narrowed. "Adjust our strategy. We'll find another way to claim Hakem."

_Lyra's Investigation_

Lyra gathered evidence of Azalia's involvement.

Elara, the spy, was caught and interrogated.

Elara revealed Azalia's network within Hakem.

Lyra reported to King David.

"Your Majesty, Azalia's reach is deeper than we thought," Lyra said.

King David's expression turned grim.

"We'll root out this treachery," King David vowed.

King David assembled his advisors.

"We'll strengthen our borders," King David said. "And eliminate Azalia's agents within Hakem."

A lot of strategy. King David initiated it. “Obadiah, General Benjamin gates,” Hearty David, Lyra, You hunt down Azalia’s agents. Kael volunteered, “I am in too Your Majesty … with Lyra.” King David nodded. Half a dozen Slavers gathered closer; … together you would protect Hakem. Again, Lyra and Kael’s Mission. Lyra and Kael had entered the magma mines, Elf hunters of Hakem’s underworld. One clue led them to an underground tavern, managed by Victor. Sneering, Victor spoken, “You are never going to find Azalia.” Lyra disarmed Victor. “We already have.” Lyra and Kael minimised Victor’s other friends. “Tell us them f***s you work with in Hakem,” Lyra demanded. Cricket; there you have one I’ve been proud of, responded Victor. The the, the words of Victor sshould. W him whispered to me, “Lord Thomas, he is an agent of Azalia.”Scripture to My inspired writing, whispered Tage. Lyra’s eyes widened. “Impossible,” breathed Kael. Should be a. To be fair, said Lyra at last, it is simply determining the traitor’s face; determine the to bring before King David.Lyra and Kael laid out their findings. Lord Thomas will do everything we need, scoffed “Azalia I can’t”. At that King David’s expression was amazed and then it turned cold. genuinely, it 'The chair whined. “Guards, seize Lord Thomas. “The fall of Lord Thomas was brought to the attention of King Ryker. “ Damn i***t Thomas,” Ryker spat, “He failed me again our network is compromised,” Ryker'Lord Arin. agreed. Ryker’s glance narrowed.

Lyra, who had already found a seat, prepared to ask a question. Andrief.

Lyra mingled among Azalia's servants.

She researched, following more rules.

Ryker's schemes unlocked: assault upon the eastern border of Hakem.

Lyra messaged King David

(King David) called together the army that was with him.

General Benjamin- Eastern Frontier Defence.

Kael joined the front lines.

Through alterations and intimidation, Lyra continued to stay on the inside and reveal everything.

Ryker demonstrates his tactics in battle.

Lord Arin expressed doubts.

Ryker silenced him.

“Our means will justify our victory,” Ryker concluded.

_The Battle Begins_

Azalia vs. Hakem's army

Lyra transmitted vital intel.

Kael charged into combat.

Hakem army clashed with the troops of Azalia.

Kael fought hard, felling enemy soldiers for every one of his own slain.

General Benjamin charged against Azalia, and had moved the frontiers of loss.

Lyra proved invaluable with inside knowledge, anticipating each of Azalia's moves.

As victory is close at hand…

_Azalia's Secret Weapon_

Ryker revealed a sorceress of unimaginable strength, Eliana.

Eliana released her dark magic and change the tide of it all.

The army Hakem needed to replace faltered.

Eliana, your sword is useless!—Kael

But Lyra interrupted with a startling statement…

“Sister of my heart, Eliana,” whispered Lyra.

Lyra begged Eliana to free herself from Ryker.

“Eliana, remember our vow,” Lyra added.

Eliana's expression wavered.

Eliana met Lyra's eyes.

“Lyra, you left me” Eliana seethe

Lyra's voice cracked.

Lyra whispered, "I thought you died with our parents."

The grip Eliana had around her magic was slipping.

Ryker seized the moment.

"Eliana, focus!" Ryker commanded.

The green eyes of Eliana were inflamed.

But her magic surged again.

The forces of Hakem were consolidated by General Benjamin.

Kael slammed forward, unrelenting.

Kael was joined by Lyra, who fought beside him.

Eliana's magic raged on.

Eliana's magic began to wane.

Lyra extended a finger to touch her sister.

She blinked as a faint memory stirred…

General Benjamin calls out Hakem's reserves.

Kael: Kael was the one who led in battle with Calvary against Azalia.

You see, Lyra fought her sister Eliana in an epic duel.

Eliana's magic was still rampant, but Lyra stood her ground.

A brazen attack coming in the form of General Benjamin launched.

The army Numbers of Hakem had been advanced;width:760px;height:400px;

He was close to Ryker's control center.

The cavalry Kael sent to Azalia had broken through her defenses.

The forces under Ryker crumbled, became object to the disorganization.

Fuming, Kael drew his sword and got into Ryker's face.

Youll never overcome Azalias dominion, Ryker threatened.

Karl grimaced but plowed on, undeterred.

To be continued.......