King Igresi looked at the horde of retreating Sarvski through his bedroom balcony and laughed. It seemed to him that the Sarvski had been defeated and now he reigned supreme. The battle had not been without consequences. Corpses littered the streets, some of them being citizens, some Sarvski, and most being the ten thousand strong military force Avorath had boasted of. However, that was the least of Igresi's worries. He turned to his servants who stood at the doorway and ordered them to bring him wine, in order to celebrate his "victory."
Suddenly, the arched windows flung open and a huge gust of wind broke in, spreading his curtains. He heard a crackling sound from his balcony and he turned to see Arinthal standing there, a smirk on his handsome face.
"It's called teleportation. It's a bit bumpy but I think that's because I just recently learnt how to do it," Arinthal said, brushing his clothes as he said so.
"What do you want, elf?" Igresi frowned.
"Have you forgotten, mister? You promised me a certain map after I held my end of the bargain," Arinthal said, walking past Igresi into the room. He sat by a table with a chessboard on it.
"I owe you nothing, you fool," Igresi laughed, shaking his head.
"Really? Fine. Let's play a game then. Or you're a coward who is even afraid of a chessboard?" Arinthal grinned, his eyes daring the king.
King Igresi cocked an eyebrow and in the bright moonlight, Arinthal could see his lip twitching. "It is on then. One game."
King Igresi sat on the chair opposite Arinthal and the two began to play. The game continued in silence until halfway through the game, Arinthal spoke.
"Do you know anything about souls, Your Majesty?"
"No, why?" Igresi retorted rudely.
"That's why you didn't notice your soul was bound to this chessboard all this while," Arinthal said, unconcerned.
"What nonsense are you spouting out of your mouth?" Igresi growled.
"I simply mean that, if you lose this game, you will die."
"Don't be foolish, bastard elf!" He got up angrily and slammed his fist on the table.
Arinthal didn't lose composure, but he just moved a knight piece and eliminated one of King Igresi's pawns. The dark-eyed man immediately felt a sharp jab to his chest.
"That is what I mean," Arinthal said and gave a wicked smile.
Igresi looked at the elf in horror and staggered back to his seat. "Why are you doing this?"
"Where's the map, mister?" Arinthal questioned.
"It... It's here. Take it... take it," King Igresi stuttered and ran to a shelf in the corner of the room. He pushed a book inwards and activated a lock in the wall. He then drew a rune with his fingers and took out a long, silver cylindrical can and handed it to Arinthal with shaky hands and tone. After close inspection, Arinthal smiled slightly and tucked it away somewhere in his robe.
"Now release the spell," King Igresi ordered, his eyes bloodshot from fear.
"Oh, you poor king. I didn't actually believe you would be so gullible. I'm not capable of channeling such complex velori, so you're free of any soul binding. Besides, your guards are all dead. Nice doing business with you, Igresi Lirael," Arinthal briefed to Igresi's shock and rage. "You can get him, Ivor."
Igresi turned to see Ivor Savis stepping out from the balcony shadows behind him, his dual sabers in hand. Even with charred armor from their recent, explosive duel, the raider lord carried himself with a terrifying composure.
"You...!" Igresi exclaimed in surprise, then rage. "You dare turn on me after....."
Before another word could escape his mouth, Ivor had cut half of his face off, before cutting the other half from his body. The corpse fell down, bleeding on the birch panelled floors.
"Simple tricks bring down the mighty, my old man used to say," Ivor muttered before sheathing his sabers. He glanced sideways at Arinthal, a dangerous glint in his eye. "A bold bluff, elf. If he had known we only formed this little alliance five hours ago in the dirt, he might have actually fought back."
"A gamble that paid off," Arinthal questioned, meeting his gaze smoothly. "So what now, Savis Ivor? He's dead now, so who rules? You?"
The doors swung open and Aetheris walked in, entirely unharmed, alongside another man with blonde hair and red eyes.
Arinthal offered a wry grin toward her. "Ah. Good to see you're not actually sleeping off a heavy dose of sedative."
"It takes more than a few cheap words to keep me out of my own palace, Arinthal," Aetheris replied with a knowing look, stepping past the blood pool. She turned to the group. "This is Lord Joden. The true heir to the throne and Igresi's nephew."
"I like the free Aetheris. No hard feelings now, am I right?" Arinthal smirked.
She smiled at him and cleared her throat. The man walked over to Igresi's headless body, squatted by it, and spat on it. Arinthal could hear him whisper something like, "Rot in hell."
He then faced Arinthal before speaking. "Joden Qyrothein. It's a pleasure." He shook Arinthal's hand but stopped before he could shake Ivor's.
"I'll be leaving," Ivor said to Arinthal and made for the door.
"Wait!" Joden called after him, causing him to stop. "I guess I have to thank you for the riots and mostly the attacks. It gave me hope of ruling after seeing my uncle's corpse," Joden said with a smile.
Ivor cocked an eyebrow but shook Joden's outstretched hand. "Believe me when I say Thavor is finally getting all this kingdom owes it."
Ivor nodded, a grin forming at the ends of his lips. "I'll see you another time. I'm sure of it," he said to Arinthal before leaving.
" I've readied your horses and supplies for the journey tomorrow. Nadindel awaits, young ones."