The dark haired maiden cried as she was dragged by heavily armed men, Azera was her name; she recalled her home land of Dechoneus as the misery fell over her. Her tears ran down her already wet cheeks, coming from her purple eyes. Her long lashes blinking twice to rid herself of her soft sob, not because she was done crying, rather because she had mourned for release for three days. Her whaling, to the soldier's pleasure, had ceased to be the cries of banshees. They had left tracks in the sand they had now began to see a safari, and each man grinned with joy as they sat down around the newly beginning grass plains.

They had set camp for the night, the woman having little to no energy left as she sat against a tree, only tears rolling down from her sour and weary body. She was in shackles and chains, even a mighty sorceress such as herself couldn't use magic when constrained. Her thin frame stood no chance against the strong sturdy men who had taken her captive. She now only hoped for solace in her new life of slavery.

Agular began to track the three separate tracks laid before him, another set seemed to carry more people. He assumed this was the one with the woman, and other captives. Azera was said to have the power to enter into the realm of Hell. Volohs could have nothing great planned with this discovery. He was only a day or so behind.

Azera's head was placed into her arms as a soldier walked up to her, kneeling before her to speak, "My lady, please eat."

She looked towards the man, her piercing eyes peering into his heart and soul, "Your actions betray your words!"

The man's eyes fell to the safari floor as he replied, "Indeed they do, however, I will not let a young lass, such as yourself, go hungry. I might not be the greatest man, but I have honor, and chivalry. Will you please eat and drink?"

The man's humble attitude seemed to soften the mourning of Azera, and she took his bread and water. He smiled as he sat next to the woman gazing at the stars.

"Lovely aren't they? The stars I mean." The man said softly, "reminds me of my darling wife at home."

Azera was quit, as she ate the man's supper, letting him continue to his heart's desire.

"I find no pleasure in war, and find myself questioning why we do somethings. All I know is that it's for the greater good."

Azera held her peace, wanting to smash the man's skull in. They had slaughtered her people, and took the survivors captive.

"The beauty of the stars reminds me of hope, and why we are doing this. We do this to bring to pass the will of the gods. Volohs, the son of the king, as foretold in prophecy, has been chosen to form the Helmish Empire. I understand not the gods, only that they have man's best interest at heart and mind."

"If you follow such a holy pleasure why did you slaughter my village?" Azera said, not being able to hold back her rage.

"Woman, I give you peace, for we killed not the defenseless but the armed. If not them, it was us. Do you proclaim that your people have never fought for a god? If so, look upon your history. All men are religious creatures; we worship money, gold, the sword, honor, and even gods. Less none be true, men still would worship themselves if nothing else. At the least, we act in a noble cause. Volohs, our king, has sought peace at every turn. Was it not your king who ignored his father's command? Was it not your king who broke honor? I say, when has Volohs broken his word?"

Azera was quite, there was no argument to be had. After all, it was war, if they had not killed the guard at her village, they would have most definitely would have killed them, but somehow that seemed okay, and alright. It was King Henry who broke his word, not Volohs, King of the West. She knew what the soldier spoke was true, their cause was noble.

"I see the truth in thy words, but are you not mislead?" Azera questioned.

"Why would the gods mislead men?" The solider replied.

The man took his plate from the woman as he left her to her own thoughts. For the first time, she had realized that these enemies where people, good people, not much different than her own people. She understood not why her people were fighting in the first place. She was looking at the situation subjectively. If the gods had indeed said these things, than they had no right to deny them.

Agular saw the fire off in the distance. He tip-toed towards them, and without warning smashed his war-hammer into a poor man's head. Blood pooled over his steel helm as the other two drew their blades; two young women and four men could be seen. The two men attacked the seasoned man. Agular blocked both over hand strikes, pushing them back with his shaft. He took action quickly, smashing his war-hammer into the leg of one man, felling him to the ground. The other man tried to quickly parry, as the hammer came straight for his head. The man was helpless as the hammer met his jaw instead of his skull. The lower part of his face was broken and lying on the ground next to his body, as he tried to scream in pain. The other man slashed his sword at Agular's leg. The thick metal shin guard's strap was slashed off, as a small cut was made into his leg. Agular gripped his leg, as he slammed his knee into the man's chest, and began pummeling his hammed fist into his face. Cuts began to form on Agular's hand from the steel helmet, and the blooded face of the man. He had punched him so hard, and enough that his cheek bone had splintered and was visible. The man laid there unconscious as Agular looked back to the prisoners, in horror. He walked towards them with the key, as each flinched at his movement towards them.

"I'm here to free you, not harm you." Agular replied, "Where is Azera?"

The old man chirped up, with his rough voice, "they split up, they were taking us somewhere else, and she is to be delivered to Volohs."

Agular stood up, brushing the dirt off of his pants, and looked over the people, "Well now you are free. Free to do, and live as you please."

They each looked at each other, their savior was ruthless, but he had the heart the size of the world. He was big a stocky, with hammed fist, and brown hair, but his brutish appearance betrayed his heart. He was a formidable warrior, a soldier.

Agular knew he had failed his mission, he could not continue forward, to do so was a death wish, by the time he would reach Azera, and she would be in Volohs's grasp. Regardless he had won a small victory. He started back alone, towards the capitol Dechoneus, hoping to see his lovely sister there.

It had been only eleven days when Azera was brought before King Volohs, he looked down over his men speaking softly, "Why is she still in chains?"

The men looked at each other, "she was a captive, sir. Simple and stander steps, especially sense she is a witch."

"Loose her from her bonds, and leave us. And this is the great Azera, show her more respect, it is my lady." Volohs replied, turning around from his balcony.

When he laid eyes on the woman, he was shocked to see that even in her filth, she was quit fair. He turned his head, at this point and time she could use her magic, the chains being lifted from her presence. He smiled as she spoke.

"Why did you bring me here? Am I not the greatest threat to you at this point in time?" Azera sneered, still bitter.

"My apologies my lady, that you were treated with such horror, I instructed my men to be kind to our prisoners, unlike those of Helm. And to answer your question, indeed you are."

"You apologize? How can you apologize for killing my father and my mother? I should engulf you in the fires of a spell!"

"Bold words my lady. Though indeed you could, I think you would do more damage to the building. I am no longer a mortal; I have the power of a deity which is why I brought you here."

"You have explaining to do, for the things you speak are not possible."

"All I will say is I wish to bring peace among the kingdoms, lasting peace to last the millenniums, even the end of time. This is my calling." Volohs knelt beside the woman, "I cannot bring your parents back, but I can offer you a home."

"I had a home!" Azera spat back, "And you burned it to the ground! You call this peace?"

"I call it necessary!" Volohs yelled back, "You wouldn't understand! I had to kill my own father! Do you even have the strength to do such a task?"

Tears ran down Voloh's eyes, as he stood up and turned his back against the woman. He quickly turned around, trying to hide his evident tears.

"There was no choice in the matter, to bring to pass the will of Claydrin, he had to die. I feel your pain."

Azera was speechless as Volohs continued.

"I give you my deepest condolences. Tell me the men who killed your parents, and I will punish them accordingly."

Hope filled her heart, perhaps Volohs was not the man people thought he was. He offered justice, honor and accountability. He was strong, unlike those around him; he seemed to have a strength that drew power from nothing.

Agular watched as Almorah rushed into his arms. Her tears wetting his shoulder, as he smiled at her embrace. It had been nearly three weeks sense they had seen each other, there was joy in the simple greeting. War was unpredictable; there was no certainty that one would see the other after each battle. And so their relationship grew, and their hearts became even more inseparable. King Henry stood in the background arms folded as he leaned against the stone wall. He wanted the heart of the young maiden, he had tried everything but she seemed to be uninterested.

Almorah smiled as she pulled away for brief words, "I have missed you my brother!"

"As I have missed you, my baby sister," Agular smiled back.

He could feel her troubled heart, and see it in her face. He knew her sorrow, similar but different than his own. They both missed Cladius, Almorah presumed him dead, but Agular believed him alive. Neither spoke of their thoughts, Agular hadn't known Cladius well but in their short time together; he had grown a brotherly bound with the man. It was in the heat of battle that their relationship was formed, and grew. Cladius was the most trusted person, side from his sister that Agular knew.

"Well, it is certainly nice to see you." King Henry smiled as he shook Agular's hand.

"King Henry, the honor's mine." Agular replied, respectfully.

He felt the tension between Almorah and the young king; it was a thick as smoke, almost suffocating him. He simply smiled, and kept his sister close. He didn't trust the king, not anymore. Sense Cladius had left, he notice many advances. He even realized his missions sending him farther and farther away from his own sister, which was going to change.

"I presume the next mission I will be doing with Almorah?" Agular tested.

"Perhaps, it depends on where your skills are needed." King Henry replied.

"All due respect, King, I cannot afford to part with my sister during this season of war, I have for too long already." Agular replied with real intent.

"Very well, it is permitted to you. I understand well the importance of family bonds."

"It is greatly appreciated." Agular replied as the King Henry walked off.

Almorah smiled a huge grin as she looked at her brother, though concern filled her heart. She spoke up with a smiling voice, "Thank you."

She wrapped her hands around the big man's torso, not completely covering his thick body mass. He smiled back, placing his hand around her shoulder.

"Anything for my baby sister, Almorah, anything."