CHAPTER 131: POWER IN NUMBERS?

Prince Tristan and Olexa stood watching the multitude of people as they knelt, pledging allegiance to him, as their King. He never expected such turn of events. Well, not at this time anyway.

"You may all arise," Prince Tristan told the people.

They all stood to their feet, looking at the Prince. But they were more surprised to see Olexa.

"Princess Olexa," Mr Thorne bowed, "Seeing you alive truly is a sign that there is hope for the five kingdoms. We all are elated to see you alive. We haven't forgotten all that you did. We never will. So, you and the Prince have our undying and unflinching allegiance."

"Thank you, Mr...?" Olexa asked.

"Mr Thorne, Princess," he answered. She smiled, nodding her head.

"We do not see a future that favors any of us under the rulership of King Ron, your Majesty. Not humans, nor even we werewolves. So when we found out that you had been fighting for the good of our future all along, our hopes we rekindled," the commander said.

"So, we're here to join you in securing that future," he added.

"Thank you all, for your faith in me. It truly means a lot. We've all suffered under the rulership of the current monarchy. Our collective freedom has been my driving force, and I will not stop till the current monarchy is displaced. You have my word!" Prince Tristan responded.

The soldiers and the people nodded in acknowledgment, finally feeling a bit more hopeful for their futures.

Prince Tristan looked at Olexa and nodded at her. She took a step forward and began addressing the people.

"I welcome you all to Moonville. This is a home built for all who have suffered the tyranny of the monarchy. You can all stay, as we hope for the best."

"On behalf of the humans, I say thank you, Princess," Mr Thorne bowed respectfully.

"Thian, please, help get rest settled in, as we have a word with the soldiers, and Mr Thorne," Olexa instructed.

"Right away chief," Thian replied and led the people away while the soldiers stayed behind. The members of The Rebellion also stayed behind.

Commander Glenn and Lieutenant Silka both went and exchanged pleasantries with their comrades. They were glad to have them join them.

Prince Tristan walked over to Roweena who was standing alone.

"So, how did you do it? How did you get all these folks to leave the First Kingdom?"

Roweena smirked. "I didn't do much. You did most of the work. I simply reminded them of the obvious, and they all made the choice themselves. That's why not all the soldiers came. Those who stayed back chose otherwise."

"Hmm! You're always full of surprises aren't you Roweena?" Prince Tristan smiled.

"Uh. You know me. That's why I am in a class of my own," she replied boastfully.

"Alright, gather around, everyone," Prince Tristan called on them, having given them time to socialize a bit.

"I am sure you already know that by now they know you have all decamped, and they may be panicking, trying to find a way to strengthen their defenses," Prince Tristan reasoned.

"Over fifty thousand of us left your Majesty. That's a seventy percent loss to them," the commander responded.

"I see. That's good," Prince Tristan nodded.

"Your Majesty, Lan has something to say," the Juror requested, bringing forward the member of The Rebellion that rallied the rest of them and brought them.

"Your Majesty, we were able to get reliable information that the King and General would be going to the Valley of Death, by tomorrow."

"That's a forbidden place. No one has been there for hundreds of years," the Prince furrowed his brow.

"Which makes it the perfect place to carry out heinous atrocities," Olexa remarked.

"We found nothing when we went to the Mountain of Bones. I believe this would be the next best place to move to and carry out whatever it is they were formally doing at the Mountain of Bones," Mona reasoned.

"You're right," Olexa affirmed.

"I say we go there and crush them with all our might, and bring this to an end," Commander Glenn suggested.

"I totally agree," the other commander seconded.

"We the humans are also going to be joining you, your Majesty," Mr Thorne said. "We won't sit back and watch someone else fight for our freedom. We must make our own contribution. Moreover, we have trained men."

"Okay then," Prince Tristan agreed. "But we cannot all go. We'll need to leave some people here to keep watch of Moonville while we're away."

"That's necessary," Olexa agreed.

"So, who is remotely familiar with the terrain of the Valley of Death?" the Prince enquired.

"Here's a map your Majesty," Lan handed it to the Prince.

"Wow. You came fully loaded," the Prince joked. Lan smiled softly.

Prince Tristan looked at the map with Olexa, thinking.

"So, here's the plan."

***

The winter season had fully arrived, and the Valley of Death was covered in snow. The sun was covered with a thick cloud.

The Legion was there, just as Lan had rightly disclosed, moving some cargo from an opening in the wall of the valley.

Prince Tristan and some of the soldiers lay in wait covered in the snow as their bodies as werewolves were adapted to the cold weather. In fact, they preferred the cold.

Having carefully observed the environment, confirming the King's horse and that of General Klaus also, they were confident they were there, probably within the cave.

At his signal, they fired arrows at the soldiers who were carrying the cargo, and they emerged from the snow, charging at the other soldiers who were caught off guard by their surprise attack.

The Prince and his men fought the soldiers, killing them. One of The Legion hurried shot an arrow he lit on fire, as a signal, before Commander Glenn finished him off.

They had transformed into their wolf form this time around, but not the Prince.

More members of The Legion made their way out, also transformed, attacking the Prince and his men. A significant number of them made their way out, fighting the Prince and his men.

As they fought, The Legion was pierced with arrows from the back, killing them instantly. They turned and saw the Olexa with a group of people, charging at them from behind. They were surrounded, as per the plan.

The tides were in their favor as they fought The Legion, taking them out as they had the advantage of numbers and the experience of the soldiers who understood a good number of the tactics of The Legion.

The battle was heated, but Prince Tristan and Olexa's coalition were emerging victorious. Even though they suffered a bit of casualties also.

They were done slaughtering the enemies and some of them shouted for victory. But then, their attention was drawn to the blowing of a horn by General Klaus, who was on his horse. The King also was on his.

"You think you've won?" General Klaus gave an evil laugh.

"We're just getting started," he said. Then, he blew the horn again.

Hundreds of tattered-looking people walked out of the cave-like opening, and stood in formation, looking cold.

"Isn't that Leo?" Mr Thorne asked Teele as he recognized him.

The tattered folks gave way as a woman walked from behind them to the front. Her hair was packed backward, revealing her hardened face and deep blue eyes.

All of a sudden, Olexa's heart began racing, and she walked closer to the front line, standing beside Prince Tristan, as she keenly looked at the woman.

"Mother?" she said softly.