Chapter 2: There Is a Fourth Option:
"If In the grand hall of the Grasslands Kingdom, a tension thicker than the air before a storm enveloped the gathered nobles and advisers. The stone walls echoed with the murmurs of anxiety as the news of Dragon Eye's sinister rise to power spread like wildfire.
"If it's true what you said, then that would mean Dragon Eye has gained the ability to use black magic," Adviser 3, a wiry man with spectacles perched precariously on his nose, spoke up, his voice quivering with dread. His concern was palpable, as the tales of dark sorcery were often spun into nightmares that haunted the dreams of the kingdom's inhabitants.
"Cousin Kaimmany, you shouldn't listen to such nonsense," retorted Pentoe E-mete, a nobleman whose arrogance was matched only by his lavish feasts. "Even if Dragon Eye has gained the whole of some black magic, remember, he would have to contend with the combined forces of the four great kingdoms, and that would not end well for him." His smug smile was that of a man who had never known defeat, yet the shadows in the hall whispered differently.
"You're nothing more than a damm fool," Darwnd, a fierce warrior known for his unmatched loyalty, shouted, the words laced with an anger that simmered just beneath the surface. His eyes burned with a fire that dared anyone to challenge his conviction.
Pentoe's face twisted in disgust. "How dare a mere piece of s*ite speak to me in such a manner? You would do well to mine your tongue," he taunted, his confidence an illusion as fragile as glass.
Darwnd's laughter echoed, mingling with the tension in the air. "Are you what? you would have me killed?, Because there is nothing you can do to me, for I am already dead." With that, he dramatically removed his robe, and gasps filled the hall. An arrow was lodged in his heart, the crimson stains of blood blooming on his clothing like dark flowers.
As Darwnd fell to the ground, coughing up blood, Kenif rushed to his side, desperation lining his features. "Your Highness, there is something you need to know," Darwnd wheezed, struggling to speak. "When my party and I were on the way to Novelist, we were… we were intercepted and surrounded by Dragon Eye. We fought them off as much as we could, but in the end, it was futile. They all succumbed to the enemy forces, till I was the only one left."
He paused, pain etching deeper lines across his face. "He took me prisoner, and then proceeded to march east onto the Kingdom of Blast. He sent the ogre tribes to the north to the Kingdom of Wolfect and the goblin clans to the west to the Kingdom of Beast-kind. What I witnessed after that, was… was nothing short of a bloodbath. One by one, three of the Great kingdoms fell. Once he was done, he let me go and shot me with this arrow. I am to deliver this message to you: prepare yourself, Grasslands, you are next. In ten days' head's, I shall arrive. Your Highness, I'm afraid this is a fight you can't win. I beg of you, leave Grasslands as soon as possible.".
darwnd cried then he fell to the ground motionless, he was dead. The hall of Grasslands' castle was filled with tension, the air thick with uncertainty. The flickering torchlight cast shadows on the stone walls, echoing the turmoil within the hearts of those present. The King's court was in disarray. With Darwnd, the once-proud knight, now lifeless on the floor, panic erupted among the nobles.
"What are we going to do? Without the help of the other kingdoms, we have no chance!" cried a nobleman, his voice trembling.
"We're all going to die!" another echoed, his face pale with fear.
The King raised his hand, demanding silence. His presence commanded respect, but even he felt the weight of the situation pressing down on him.
"Enough!" he boomed, his voice strong yet laced with concern. "We cannot afford to succumb to despair. We are still the Kingdom of Grasslands, and we will find a way."
As the nobles fell quiet, an advisor stepped forward, his brow furrowed in thought. Known as Advisor Six, he was a man of reason, often the voice of logic amid chaos.
"Your Highness," he said, choosing his words carefully, "we currently have three options before us. First, we can submit to Dragon Eye and allow him to rule over the kingdom. Second, we can flee, abandoning our homeland to save our lives. The third option is to stay and fight, but that will surely lead to our demise."
Pentoe E-mete, the smug noble who had taunted Darwnd, interjected, "So, we are doomed no matter what we choose? This is a fine mess we find ourselves in."
Kenif, the steadfast general of the knights, addressed the king with a hint of urgency in his voice. "Your Highness, the knights of Grasslands stand ready to follow your command. However, our forces are limited. We have 5,000 knights witch is compose of 1,700 Copper Apprentices, 1,300 Silver Knights, 1,600 Combat Magic Core members, and 400 Golden Star Hand knights."
The King nodded, contemplating the weight of Kenif's words. He felt the pressure of leadership, the weight of the impending doom that threatened his kingdom. Yet, deep within him, a flicker of hope ignited.
"There is no need for despair," the King finally declared, a glimmer of determination in his eyes. "For you see, there is a fourth option."
(SIDE NOTE) THEY ARE FOUR TYPES OF KNIGHTS THAT EXIST IN GRASSLANDS
(1) The Lowest Rank, are known as Copper apprentices. They are knights in training and they have a long way to go to be come full fledge knights but for now they're primary skill is archery. However at this point if they so choose it They can become magic practitioners as well. (2) The Rank above them are known as the Silver Knights, they are the ones that choose to stay normal, and just Master the sword shield and spear,(3) The Rank above them are known as Combat Magic Core,They are known for mixing magic with there Marshall arts To enhance there attacks. (4)The Rank above them all are known as Golden Star Hand knights they have infused all the skills from the other three in to One, and at this point they can choose to become instructor's , are if they so desire it they can become body guard's for those of the royal family, known as Platinum armored knights. But if one chooses to be a body guard of the royals, they must show how long, they can last when out numbered on a battlefield so they are given a test . They must fight against (70)Copper apprentices, (100) of the Silver Knights,(100)Combat Magic Core members and (200)Golden Starhand knights all at once. and they must achieve victory at all cost if not they fail and will be stripped of there Rank which means they would have to start from the beginning no matter who they are. That's the law.
To be continued....