Book 4. Choices through time and space.

Memories of ancient times part 4.

"You... You were... betrothed?". Dumon had turned his face towards him now. "Why did you not tell me? I was... courting her...".

"I did not want to win her that way. Things were arranged. I wanted her feelings for me to be genuine", Nash admitted with a sigh. "Zaira was oblivious as well, had I not told her. But... Dumon...".

His friend surprisingly rose to his feet and pulled him into an embrace. Nash was completely taken aback by that.

"I do apologize Nash. I did not know", his friend apologized. "You must be hurting just as much as I do...".

"Yeah...", Nash mused which was not a lie. The pain radiating in his heart at the moment was indeed swelling at the sheer thought of it.

"I blame Vector!", Nash then hissed out, because his frustrations needed to be vented somehow. Why not blame it on the evil ruler that ruined their lands in the first place?

"He will regret ever messing with me. With us. With her. This I swear!".

"Of course, your highness!", some of his men uttered as encouragement.

"We are at your disposal sire".

Loud cheers from his men could now be heard and Nash appreciated each one of them. However, his eyes were still fixated on the cross at the makeshift pile of rocks. Then he turned towards Dumon.

"And you...?", he asked. Dumon's eyes flickered to the cross again but then knelled down in respect. It was not needed, but he figured Dumon had to do this.

"I am with you as well Nash. Until no longer needed I will always be by your side", the knight swore. Nash nodded.

"Then let us leave towards Victory!". An encouraging shout soon followed.

Time skip.

A heated war began. Between Nash's and Vector's forces. The locations changed due to Nash's pursuit of Vector. Many soldiers clashed and many soldiers died that day as well. On both sides. However, Nash never stopped chasing Vector. Dumon was right beside him of course. The knight and his flying Pegasus were instrumental to his success. Nash was of course very grateful for the help. However, even with Dumon and Mach's help, there was a lot of injured and death in its wake. It left a bad taste in Nash's mouth. The thought of all these innocent people. The thought on how much he had lost prior. His sister as well as Zaira. It made Nash solely focus on the little war orphan Iris who had opened up to him and showed him childish affections. Nash swore a silent oath that regardless of what happened in the war, he would be able to protect Iris. He would never again lose someone precious to him as he had with Zaira and Marin.

"Vector's whole army is down in that valley. Now is our chance your highness. One final attack and victory will be ours. You led us to this point. We are ready to finish this battle once and for all", one of his men encouraged him.

They were currently inside Nash's war tent to discuss the upcoming battle. Just like their scouts confirmed Vector's army was indeed in the valley, but Nash hadn't seen Vector on the battlefield lately. Was he even there or was he planning something else?

"We are at your command your majesty", another soldier added in.

A lot of his other men soon followed. The blinding trust they were having in their ruler was almost admirable. Almost. Nash did in return care for all his men, and he did not want them slaughtered for a meaningless fight. Especially if Vector was not there.

"All right. I let you know what actions to take shortly", Nash promised.

"Yes sire", all the men said in unison and left the war tent. Only Dumon remained.