Chapter Sixty-Eight – Enemies of Justice

Sinley and Demeka followed the march of the kingdom's inhabitants, listening to their declarations of anger rise above the howling wind. The streets were flooded with hundreds of waving banners and letting their voices be heard. Those who didn't take part in the protests watched from their homes, unable to tear their eyes away. Glancing up, the innkeepers could see the faces at the windows changed as they continued deeper into the kingdom's heart. Disdain and doubt morphed into hope with every new protestor that joined the march.

They broke into a jog so that they could join Katelyn at the front of the march.

''I can't believe how grand this has become,'' Demeka said.

Katelyn smiled while her eyes remained locked on the path ahead. ''The people have been angry for a long time. This ordeal has pushed them over the edge.''

A loud snort came from Griff on Katelyn's left. ''Give us some credit. We encouraged this.''

Beside her, Griff and Rene conveyed very different energies with their body language. Rene strolled backwards so that he could instruct the small group of people behind him to chant in tune. With a thick cowl wrapped around his head, it took Sinley and Demeka a moment to recognise Griff.

They continued down the street before coming upon a line of White Knights on horseback stretched across the road. With no way around, the crowd was forced to halt. As Demeka grasped Sinley's hand, they watched several protestors hurl insults at the guards blocking their path towards the castle. There was no way for them to break free and find another path.

Griff clutched his cowl tighter around his face and turned to walk away, whistling nonchalantly. Rene spotted him before he could leave. ''Where are you going?''

''I came here to wave signs. I'm not looking for a confrontation.''

''This is what we've been fighting for. Can't you hear the people sing?''

''Yes, and I don't want to be affiliated with that in case things turn grim.''

Katelyn fixed her gaze on the wall as it slowly parted. She heard the heavy clopping of a Mamethshire before she could recognise the rider. Garbed in pure white with encrusted jewels that glinted under the sun, Bricen struck an imposing figure for many. He beckoned his large steed forward, looking down at the crowd before him.

''We didn't come this far to fall in line,'' Katelyn said.

Raising his hand high and waiting for all eyes to focus on him, Bricen forced a smile. ''People, return to your homes. The day is young and I'm sure there's work to be done.''

More heckling followed. The innkeepers could feel the crowd becoming more riled up as Bricen tried to talk down to them.

His smile slowly faded. ''As your acting ruler, I command that you-,'' before he could finish, a tomato that had been thrown struck him in the face, causing him to reel back and almost fall off his horse.

''We want Kardas!'' Someone shouted. Cheers and more calls for Kardas erupted from the crowd.

As Bricen backed away, he was protected from more projectiles by the White Knights forming a line and raising their shields. He rubbed his stained face and turned to one of his guards with a scowl. ''Bring Kardas here. Now!''

The loudest cheer of the day came from the protestors once they saw the White Knight that Bricen spoke with hurry back to the castle.

Katelyn remained rooted at the front, preventing anyone from breaking off and challenging the White Knights. She looked to Demeka and Sinley. ''Once Kardas is here, you can find another way to get past and search for the king.''

Sinley drew in a sharp breath as he looked over his shoulder at the crowd. ''I just hope this doesn't spill into violence.''

''Don't worry,'' Jozi's voice startled him. Sinley glanced at the woman next to him. A padded jacket rested over her right shoulder, hiding something large bulging around her arm. ''In case trouble brews, I rigged something for defence.''

''It won't be needed,'' Katelyn said. ''All we need to do is keep Kardas and Bricen here. We're not going to start a fight.''

Demeka nodded before turning to Katelyn with a smile. ''Thank you for your help.''

Staring at the woman's face, Katelyn felt a flicker in the back of her mind. She blocked out everything that was happening around her and focused on Demeka's bright smile. It was faint, but it was also familiar.

Noticing Katelyn's perplexed expression, Demeka frowned. ''What is it?''

Katelyn pursed her lips. ''Do you know a girl named...,''

''Here he comes!'' Jozi warned, snapping Katelyn out of her trance.

The White Knights beckoned their horses out of the way as Kardas rode into view. He dismounted from his Mamethshire and approached the crowd. His metal boots scraping against the ground and the grating of his swords arched around his back sent a chill down the backs of everyone standing before him.

In the clutter of frozen protestors, Griff shook his head and pushed his way to the back of the crowd. Despite his protests, Rene followed his companion.

Katelyn almost staggered back under the immense pressure she could feel emitting from the masked swordsman. She grit her teeth and turned her head slightly in Demeka's direction. ''When you see an opening, make a break for it.''

Before Demeka could respond, Katelyn stepped forward to confront Kardas.

All was silent as he stopped and lifted his head. ''What is all this?''

Katelyn pointed her finger at the White Knights. ''This isn't what we were meant to represent! The White Sword was-,''

''The White Sword is no more!'' Kardas barked. ''I used it to bring unity and freedom back to this kingdom.''

''You haven't done that at all! We're more divided than ever because of what you've done!''

Kardas paced from left to right. With his body turned, Katelyn had a better view of his weapons. She felt her heart skip a few beats, but she held her ground. ''This country was on the brink of collapse. It's happened before, and it would have happened again had I not intervened.''

''We needed change, I know that. But, that's the problem, you haven't changed anything. We're still oppressed. The lockdown hasn't been lifted...''

''The lockdown will remain for as long as I deem necessary.''

''How long will that be?'' Katelyn shouted.

''Until the stain of the Arsalan bloodline is gone.''

Emerging from the crowd, Jozi chuckled. ''Have you thought about hiring an assassin? They might not always be effective, but I'm sure it wouldn't be out of character for you.''

After a short moment, Bricen gasped and nearly fell off his horse again. ''You?''

Jozi smirked watching his face pale. ''So, you do remember me? Shame you didn't do that earlier, I might have not felt so inclined to share my little secret that you hired me to kill the princess with everyone. I wonder what would happen if that news spread to other countries?''

The tide began to turn. Closing the distance between them, the White Knights wrestled for control of their agitated horses as the crowd found their voice again.

Bricen quickly got off his horse and rushed to the crowd. ''Wait, if it's the lockdown you're concerned about, you will be happy to hear that we are still receiving food and goods from other nations...''

''Then why haven't we received them?'' a voice bellowed.

''To...we have to monitor everything that comes in and out of the kingdom,'' Bricen stuttered. ''These things take time.''

''That's not true!'' Another voice cried out. ''I worked in the department before I was cast out by them. It would never take this long.''

Before Bricen could think of a response, more voices drowned him out. It didn't matter if he was standing beside Kardas, he wasn't protected from the abuse tossed in his direction.

''If you're against Arsalan, why haven't the raised taxes changed?''

''Why can't we leave the kingdom? Some of us have families outside that we can't even communicate with.''

''How do we know you won't try to kill someone else who is against you?''

Several metres away, Demeka and Sinley made their slow journey to the edge of the crowd. Keeping their heads bowed, they searched for a way around without being spotted. Out of the corner of her eye, Demeka looked at Kardas and she felt her heart freeze.

He was motionless, glaring at the city's inhabitants that barracked him. ''Everything I have done has been for the good of this country.''

Katelyn shook her head, unafraid of taking another step closer. ''Even if that's true, you've become so blinded by revenge that you can't see the monster you've become. You're no hero. You've just another tyrant like Niru Arsalan.''

The booming sound of Kardas dashing forward rattled the windows of houses nearby. A gasp slipped past Katelyn's quivering bottom lip. She felt a sharp pang of pain before she even realised that Kardas had his sword pressed against her neck. From Demeka and Sinley to every protestor and White Knight alike, all stood in silence as they saw a dot of blood roll down Katelyn's skin.

Jozi was the first to react. She removed her jacket and thrust her hidden arm. It could hardly compare to her last creation, mangled together with whatever scrap she could find in such short time, but it would have to do for now. The metallic appendage extended and open like the jaws of a hungry predator. As it was ready to lock around Kardas's head, he summoned a sword from his back and sliced through the metal effortlessly. Without lifting a finger, the sword soared forward and stopped just as the tip touched Jozi's neck, rendering the woman powerless to retaliate.

Some closed their eyes. Some prayed. Everyone held their breath, waiting for what was to come next.

Overcoming the shock, Katelyn narrowed her eyes. ''Go ahead, give execution order...Your Majesty!''

She felt the blade pushing harder against her skin. For a split second, she saw the light in his eyes burn beneath his mask.

He finally pulled his sword away and stormed past her to address the crowd. The sword floating in front of Jozi drifted away and returned to its master, sheathing itself back into place.

''Those who are not with us are enemies of justice! I will do whatever it takes to find Kiros and his daughter. Anyone who gets in my way will no longer be shown mercy.'' He yelled. His words were coated with venom. He turned to the White Knights. ''Arrest them! All of them!''

Their eyes widened with shock. ''Sir?''

Kardas grasped one of his swords and lifted it to his followers. ''Do as I command!''

After sharing hesitant glances, the White Knights nodded and urged their horses to charge. The protestors tried to scatter and escape, but their efforts were thwarted when all of Kardas's swords shot out and circled them, trapping them so that they could be rounded up by the armoured soldiers. Those who could fight back tried. However, it was a futile attempt as they were overwhelmed by the might and magic of the White Knights.

''We will not stop! We will not rest! This will not be over until the Arsalan family are dead at my feet.'' Kardas's voice echoed throughout the streets.

Peering around the corner of a building in the distance, Demeka and Sinley watched on in horror.

''I can't believe this,'' Demeka whispered, resting her head against the wall and trying to make sense of what was happening before her very eyes.

Sinley grabbed her arm and shoulder. ''We can't stay.''

Just as he was about to guide her back home, they noticed four figures standing behind them. The innkeepers stilled and felt their hearts freeze as one of the White Knights approached them.

''Going somewhere?'' Troy smirked.

A/N: Well, that didn't go as well as our heroes had hoped. Do you think Demeka and Sinley will be able to slip away from Troy? How far do you think Kardas is willing to go? I really hoped that you enjoyed this chapter. I'm really sorry for the long wait. Work has been very busy as of late. But, I have written ahead and there will be consistent updates from now on. If you want to help support this story, I have a Patreon where I post chapters a week early. Thank you all for your incredible patience and kindness. I'm determined to make this story something special. Until next time, take care.