managed to penetrate Elis’s shield. It did not harm Elis, it just made him drop his shield. He kept on running and dropping the shield made him menacingly faster than before. The Orc raised its club and attempted to swing at Elis. But before he knew it Elis’s blade pierced his shoulder blade. It was driven deep into his body. Seconds after the Orc dropped dead.
Elis was now leader of this tribe, He would spend the rest of his days in exile, repeating this, acquiring new tribes and soldiers under his rule. He would give them better training and weapons. Plundering the land of other factions and tribes to feed and strengthen them, He thought them how smelt. Harnessing the raw materials that were abundant from all the volcanic activity. Elis was hell bent on the conquest of all Paradon. But the destiny of his brother and his past is going to stand in his way.
Chapter 8: End Game
It has been five months since Alan and Elis were exiled. They have been strengthened and empowered by their experiences. Allan wakes up in his hut in the Troll settlement. His body was sore from the day's training and intense labour from the previous day. He soon hears a loud knock on the door and before having a chance to respond, it bursts open and Capurnicus rushes in. A great big smile was on his face, whatever it was, he was elated about it. “Sire, you must come to see this” said Capurnicus excitedly. Without a word, Allan stands up out of his straw mattress and walks over to the door. It was quite a sight. It was a massive cloud of smoke in the sky to the far south of Paradon. Incredibly immense this cloud was, it could be seen from the Ranicus Peninsula. “We should head back to Ohith today. You are to be the king now” said Capurnicus, how excited he was. Allan however sighed and said “you know maybe, hat might not be such a great thing”. “What do you mean by that?” questioned Capurnicus. “Well. The months I have had in isolation with new characters and places I have come in to contact with, have been some of the best’ experiences of my life. I don’t know I want to leave this lifestyle. A lifestyle of peace and self-tranquillity. Not like living as a royal in city” said Allan. “You cannot walk away from this now. This is what you have been preparing for all this while. The wheels are in motion and you cannot stop them. You must finish what you have started. We need to head back to the kingdom. Your father and Paradon need you” said Capurnicus, frantically trying to drum some sense into Allan. Allan sighs again and walks back into his hut before sitting on his straw mattress. “We have to go back” said Capurnicus. Allan smirked and looked up at Capurnicus. “You’re right. I cannot stay here, even though I could. Let’s get ready to leave” said Allan, suddenly feeling invigorated. Capurnicus nodded and immediately goes off to ready his things and his horse. Allan then rests his chin on his knuckle and starts to think. Reflecting on all his experiences he has had in the campaign and in exile, he feels he can take anything on. His spirit has been reborn in a sense and it took relatively little time.
The two then began their long journey back to Ohith. Days later when they crossed the Unodos border, they did not feel welcome there, even though no one was there at the border. They knew they were criminals in Unodos for the deaths and misuse of the Unodite soldiers. After making their way through Unodos without any difficulties they entered Hetheil. For Allan, a combination of the sense of dread and excitement overcame him. The reason for this is that Henriet is probably unfit to be king due to his deteriorating health. Allan was worried for his father and just as before the campaign was constantly thinking of him. Riding ever so quickly they eventually got to the city of Ohith. It took several gruelling weeks but they were soon to be in Ohith. “Allan, you are to be the next king. You will soon have Paradon at your fingertips. You can commit the reforms and unify Paradon the way you deem it. Which I completely support” said Capurnicus to Allan. “I will reform Paradon. I just hope I have the support of the people” said Allan. Reaching the gate into Ohith the guards immediately started to open it, to let the new king in, Allan. Still on horseback, the two dismounted as soon as they got onto the main lane of the city. Some people bowed and continued their way while other just briskly walked away. Allan had never been in the presence of negativity before. But now to him it is almost always expected. He was always popular when he was young. Contrary to the present where people who once saw him as the next Henriet, now see him as somewhat legitimate but unfit to rule the kingdom. Allan had come back stronger than he had ever been, emotionally, literally, and fundamentally. He has a goal in mind and is going to do everything in his power to do it. Unlike before his father was not waiting for him at the gate. Terminally ill once again, he needs constant rest and cannot confront his son as staunchly as he has always done before.
Capurnicus went to see his family leaving Allan to see what was left of his in the palace. He walked into the palace after the guards let him in. He immediately goes into his father’s bedroom. “Allan, welcome home” said Henriet. “It is good to see you again father” said Allan. “It is your time to lead and it will soon battle my time to leave. Go to Wilmot, he and you shall lead the kingdom. His age has not stopped him yet” said Henriet with a smile. Henriet then gestures to Allan leave and do what he was just told to. Complying with his father’s instructions, Allan leaves the king’s bedroom and goes to find Wilmot. Now, there seemed to be three kings, Wilmot, Allan and Henriet in power over Hetheil and its diplomatic affairs. Allan now took on the role of king. Thankfully Wilmot was there to guide him. Not being royalty, Wilmot could not directly make decisions but could influence them, through Allan. It was not easy being the leader of a kingdom but it was no excuse for Allan had been given the best childhood and education, it was time for him to put his administrative skills to the test.
Later that day Wilmot himself had to rest and he left to go back to the Temple of Pedna. The two were just discussing policy changes that would be implemented to decrease crime in Ohith. Allan ceased it immediately, once Wilmot left. He was tired from all the paperwork and discussions. Dusk was approaching fast and Allan decided to go down to the palace grounds to think away from quills and paper. He sat down on a bench near the gate to the palace and thought about his brother. The last he had seen his brother was over six months ago, and he clearly remembers the bitter confrontation the two had. Allan knew of his brother’s ambitions and never sopped fearing his unwelcomed return. He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. These short sessions to regather self-consciousness were ever so frequent in Allan due to the many fears that he had. He was soon jolted back to the present when a guard at the gate yelled out to him “sire, there is a man who wishes to have a word with you!” Allan was dazed from the day’s travelling and administration. And without even looking, gestures to the guard to the allow the man to enter. The footsteps came around to him before the man sat on a bench opposite to here Allan was sitting.
Allan became fortunately became grounded and looked at the visitor. He identified the man as Pavis. The man who had turned Lumbre in and exposed Elis. “Why are you here?” asked Allan. “I came here to warn you, Sire” said Pavis. “Warn me? About Elis I presume” said Allan with a pretentious smirk that was masking his true fear to the situation. “Yes. He wants to rule all Paradon and he is going to do whatever it takes to do that. He might try to kill you and possibly your father” said Pavis. “But he does not have the support he needs to do that let alone an army to march against the Human kingdoms” said Allan. “Do not underestimate your brother, King Allan. I have known him in his true colour and mind for some time. I advise you, he is not someone you can afford to not fear or stand ready against at any moment” said Pavis. “He is coming, here, isn’t he?” said Allan, now assured of Elis’s inevitable return”. “He is coming. And there is no doubt in my mind that he is. We are all in danger” said Pavis with his eyes wide open. “I still don’t know how he is going to be able to defeat our armies and alliances” said Allan. “Trust me. He is deviant, crafty, and unpredictable. He has trained for this moment for a long time. This is his dream. He envisions himself as
the next ruler of Paradon. If not, he is going to die trying. Nothing more and nothing less” said Pavis strongly. “I see now. I thought things made sense before, now they are really coming together” said Allan. Pavis then stood up and said “thank you for your time”. Allan watched him go to the gate. Until Allan shouts “Wait!” and goes towards him. He then says to Pavis “what do you do presently?” “I scavenge, do anything for food and just try to gather information for the kingdom” said Pavis. “You have lied your entire life in mess. I need you now to not only provide me with information but work as a full-time soldier. You will be the palace’s link to the unfortunate citizens of our kingdom. You will have your own small group of solders, please keep the people safe. You know the inner workings of a criminal. You know what areas and what people are dangerous” said Allan to Pavis, offering Pavis a position as high ranking national guard. Pavis excitedly accepts the job. Allan has just delegated an important position to a man who has only the past