Two days later, they heard the Argles again. This time, they were much closer.

Theuses carefully dismounted and grabbed his bow from his horse. Castor and Ilvnag drew their swords, while L'arch snatched her bow and knives. Instead of getting quieter it grew louder to the point where Castor could feel the drumming of footsteps on the ground like a drum being hit by a hammer. Ilvnag's warriors unsheathed their swords and spears. Still the footsteps got louder. Finally, the trees off to their left exploded as the force of Argles broke through. Theuses and L'arch released their arrows which struck down two of the frontal beasts. Surprised at the sudden attack, the Argles were slow to react, giving Ilvnag, Castor, and Aeran time to strike. Four Argles fell to their blades before the beasts countered. Their axes hammered down blows like a smelting hammer on an anvil. Castor dove to the side to avoid a particularly large one, before impaling its owner with his sword.

The Argle howled and fell. Theuses and L'arch continued to pick off the Argles with their bows as more advanced. Somewhere off to his right, Castor heard Ilvnag grunt with effort. Risking a quick glance, he saw the Night elf holding an Argle axe above his head with his sword. A Night elf shaman fired a ball of flame that incinerated the Argle. More Argles charged at them. Castor struck down as many as possible with axe heads swinging down at him.

Once Theuses ran out of arrows, he drew his sword and joined the fight. The Night elf warriors were not half bad, either. Unlike the Forest elves, the Night elves stood their ground and used trickery to slay their foes. Castor saw one warrior release a cloud of black smoke in his enemy's eyes. While he was blinded, the elf killed him with a slash to the chest.

Suddenly, Castor felt an immense pain in his shoulder. He looked up to see a crude throwing knife sticking out of his arm between the gaps in his armor. A few feet away, the Argle that had thrown it charged him. He hastily threw up his sword to ketch the blade of the axe. The force of the axe smashed him into the ground. A hideous grinding sound came from his wounded shoulder. He struggled to get up, but was forced down by the beast's iron grip. It spoke to him in its raspy, thick voice.

"Now you die! Bantu has placed a bounty on your head, king. That money will make me a lord!"

"Not today," Theuses shouted as he plunged his sword into the beast's side. The monster crumpled to the ground with a moan.

Suddenly, elf knights appeared from the forest. With flashing blades they cut down the Argle warriors. Silver arrows flew from the trees, impaling other Argles. Desperately, the beasts searched for the source of the attacks. The knights continued their onslaught to keep the Argles pressured while the hidden archers did them away. Within moments the attacking Argles had fallen and the rest had fled. Castor warily rose, still clutching his blood stained blade with one hand and his shoulder with the other. Theuses looked around with a wild look while Ilvnag lifted his sword to the ready. All the elf knights rose from their attack stances to stand at the ready with their sword points in the ground and handles in their hands. The archers remained hidden. More rustling of leaves told Castor of another figure moving in on them. The figure slowly walked to Theuses before lifting his sword to the point where its tip touched Theuses's throat.

"Hello Ormas."

Ormas looked at Theuses in the eyes with a look of utter hatred. "What is this cousin?" He said looking at the Night elves. "Are you conspiring against the crown of the elves?"

"I am the crown, Ormas. Why would I conspire against myself?" Theuses asked.

Ormas's eyes burned with anger. "You know what I mean, cousin! You think I am foolish?! You think you can give me men to patrol with and I'll be happy?! Do you think I am that dumb?!!"

"You had me fooled."

Ormas lowered his sword and smacked Theuses across the face with his bare fist. Theuses stumbled before recovering.

"Ormas, stop!" L'arch cried; her voice desperate. "Leave him alone, cousin."

Ormas seemed to notice her for the first time. "Well hello L'arch." He stopped and hesitated. "Oh you will present a problem. What will I do with you when your brother's head," He turned to Theuses with his look of loathing, "is on the end of my flagpole?" He turned to his knights. "Take her away."

Two of the soldiers stepped forward to grab her arms, but Night elf warriors blocked them. "Move away, pesky warriors." One of the knights demanded.

The warrior looked to Ilvnag who nodded slowly. The warrior returned his gaze to the knight. "No."

"Very well." The knight drew his sword and swiftly cut down the warrior, but the second was faster. He spun around and cast a spell. Lightning arced from one knight to the other, reducing both to mere piles of ashes.

Ormas looked up in disgust and Ilvnag. "You wish to be slain too? Who am I to disagree?" Arrows shot from the trees and impaled themselves into the Night elves. Several shamans fired back with spells of thunder and fire, but only a few archers fell from their positions. The elf knights charged at the Night elf warriors. Magic flew at the knights and struck them down, but others continued forward. Meanwhile, Castor focused on Ormas. If he could keep him busy, then Theuses and L'arch could do something.

"Ormas, what do you have against Theuses? Why do you do this?" Castor asked desperately.

Ormas spat. "Theuses will lead us all to destruction. Ever since we were growing up, he was the great one and I the shadow. I bet he never told you his line shouldn't be king. Hundreds of years ago, his line killed my great ancestor and stole the throne. I am the rightful king! What does he do? He hordes the throne with his self-centered actions! His father did and his father before him! But not now. I will kill him and take the throne back. I will rule!"

"Is that what this is about? Justice?"

"It is always about justice. More the lack of. I will be a great king that brings my kingdom to victory!"

Castor shook his head. "No. You will bring this kingdom to destruction with your rash acts. Needless blood will be spilled. Surrender, and you can be spared."

"Silence!! You'll always support him! For that you too will be punished. I will rule a new kingdom, without the so-called greatness of Theuses. His blood with mark the new era."

Around them, the battle still raged, though it looked like the Night elves had the upper-hand. Ormas saw this as well. Taking advantage of Ormas's momentary glance, Theuses leaped up from the ground and nocked Ormas's blade from his hand, pushing his against the elf's throat. "Surrender Ormas! You have gone too far."

Ormas gritted his teeth. "I will have my guts poured out and burned in a brazier first."

Theuses also gritted his teeth. "So be it." He brought down his sword, but as he did so Ormas lit his fists with flame and pushed Theuses away.

"Knights, to me!" He turned and ran into the forest with his knights in tow. At the edge of the wood he turned and called out, "This is not over Theuses. One day the kingdom will be purged of your arrogance. We will meet again." He turned again to the forest and ran into its shadows.

turn b[ןOT4