Cladius walked into the Fort, every soul on their knees worshiping him. In his arm was Agular, a three hundred pound man. Cladius held the dead body as if it was nothing, and to such as him, it was. Even the queen was seen bowing. Her eyes weeping with joy and on the god's finger was the ring of kings. The same ring, his king had given him before his departure, the same ring giving him right and authority to rule in the throne. He was not only their salvation, he was their king.

Cladius heart was heavy, and he couldn't help but ignore their politeness with the recent death of his friend. His face was covered in blood, guts and dirt, his tears, slowly washing them away. He held a firm face, even in his sorrow. Almorah was weeping off into the corner, as soldiers moved to the side. Cladius made his way towards her. The woman was sitting down, defeated, too emotional to give a proper bow. Cladius stood in front of her as he spoke softly.

"Almorah, please stand, if you would." Cladius asked.

Almorah replied, under weeping eyes, "I cannot my lord, for my sorrow over takes me."

"May I bury him?" Cladius questioned.

Almorah nodded unable to look at her dead brother any longer, or even up at the god. It felt as if someone had cut open her chest and ripped her heart out, stomped on it, and put it back. She had been shattered in mind, emotion, and spirit. She was finished, she felt as if her life no longer mattered, that every moment would be living hell. Her brother never said much, but without his support, she didn't know how she would be able to make it. She had no one.

Cladius walked off back to the path, everyone still bowing as they watched him bury the man. Many knew the man he buried as Agular, others only a farmer, and even fewer, just another soldier. After ten minutes had pasted, Cladius turned back, not expecting everyone to still be bowing.

"Rise, go about your way, let me grieve alone." Cladius said politely, "Your dedication is much appreciated."

Each man quickly dispersed, Nerus walked towards the knight as Almorah simply watched the man from behind bury her brother. She had not recognized him yet. She hadn't even seen his face. Yet his voice was familiar to the woman, she knew it as a voice she could trust, rely on.

Cladius knelt down next to the tomb, as Nerus placed his hand on his shoulder.

"It is never easy to watch good men fall, but the greatest thing we can do for them, is to live for them, to not let their legacy fade away, but to continue as they would, aiding others for the betterment of all mankind." Nerus said.

Cladius had no reply; they just stood there for a good minute before the general left the young man to mourn. Almorah had approached from behind the man, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"He was my brother, he meant everything to me. Thank you, thank you for burying him; I barely have the strength to stand."

"I understand, my heart is also heavy, the many deaths bring their own toil but this," Cladius paused, "we lost a good man, a man that can never be replaced."

"I remember when we were just children, and I was bullied for my unnatural eyes and hair. He stood up for me, when I was afraid to do so for myself. He believed in me, when I couldn't believe in me; he was always strong when I was weak. He was there when I lost my greatest friend. He never faltered, he never failed. It's not fair that he is taken like this from me." Almorah said, a lump forming in her throat.

Cladius turned back to meet the woman's eyes. Her pupils grew smaller, as her golden eyes grew wide. Her mouth opened, and her aching heart felt some form of relief. She had not realized until now, that this man was Cladius of Helm. He had a roguish beard, and his hair was tied back, she couldn't believe her eyes. She nearly leaped forward, hugging the man. His embrace was like no other, filling a hole in her heart she had felt for so long, yet it was only to be replaced by the death of her brother.

The woman pulled away, slapping him across the face, Cladius was taken back.

"You will never leave me again. I thought you dead." Almorah replied, weeping into his shoulder.

"Never, never again," Cladius whispered back sweetly.

Almorah felt much better knowing Cladius was the one to bury her brother, it seemed fitting. The sun had long sense begun to set, and now the stars began to show their light. The two mourned that evening together, as one.

Cladius awoke the following morning, tarring the blanket off his body, as he placed his head into his hands. He still felt the loss of his good friend. He glanced around the room; it was none other than the king's guess chambers, recently built here at Fort Crown to accommodate all the King's needs. Cladius, had refused to kick the Queen from her chambers, and had settled at the guest room, not unworthy of praise itself. He quickly placed on his armor, as he walked out the door, his sword on his side. His blade and plated armor were wiped clean, not by servant or by his hand but by the magic of Zelstine.

The servants were waiting to serve him as Cladius waved his hand in dismissal, "I want you all to help those outside the wall care for the dead this day. Your services are not needed here, at this moment."

They nodded in reply, dismissing themselves as the followed their lord's commands. The queen sat eating breakfast as Cladius walked down three steps to the dining area. Nerus sat beside her, talking to the queen. Cladius folded his arms, listening to their final words.

"-Yes, but I say we push through, with Cladius's return, we have plenty of man power to wipe out armies." Nerus said, placing a peace of diced fruit in his mouth.

"Again, general, I have no longer the power or authority to dismiss or accept your council, that belongs to the king, and I say we wait for him to awake."

"Well I'm awake, and while your plan is sound, you didn't account for the demons, or the fact that Volohs, himself, is a god now, or holds the same power." Cladius replied, as he took his seat at the table.

"You're saying you do not have the strength to annihilate our enemies? Are you not what the prophets speak of about our salvation?" General Nerus questioned.

"Hold your tongue." Cladius snapped back, snapping his fingers, and pointing at Nerus, "You don't know of what you speak. I haven't gathered my strength yet; much of my power still awaits me, once I complete my mortal mission."

The room fell silent, and all they could hear was their pulsing veins. Soon soft steps were heard, approaching the table. It had appeared Cladius had slept in, and he was expecting company so soon. Almorah stood, in full armor, the same gifted to her by Cladius. Beside her stood three men, Cladius glanced back to General Nerus.

"These are your five best men?" Cladius questioned.

"And you, I was including you. After all, you were my pupil." Nerus bit into his apple.

"Come, and feast with us." Cladius replied.

Almorah took a seat next to his right arm. The marks of tears were evident in her eyes. Cladius, knew this war had taken its toll on the woman, and that she should be resting.

Nerus leaned into Cladius, "I told Almorah she was invited, but she should stay home and morn."

Cladius nodded, his right hand fell down, holding on to Almorah's hand gently, she squeezed his hand, to show her affection. He smiled, he couldn't help it. She continued to hold his hand tightly, sorrow evident in her behavior. The other three men took a seat at the table, sitting across from Nerus and the Queen on Cladius's left.

"Welcome. You have all received a promotion. Your three are Nerus's best three; I don't care in which way he orders you. Together, you four make up my royal guard, accepting only those who can rival your skills, and gain my approval. Nerus, naturally will be the captain of this guard as he was before. Almorah, while Nerus is on my left, you will be on my right, you two will make my general's council, next to me, you are my second in command, when it comes to ordering my armies. You are my most trusted hand, as for now, I ask your leave." Cladius finished.

"I beg your pardon my lord?" Almorah whipped her hand back, "I am more than capable then fighting!"

Cladius looked among them, "If you all would leave us shortly."

Almorah glanced around as all the men, and even the queen left from their seats. Cladius watched them leave as he looked into Almorah's eyes. They were gorgeous, the golden rim around her pupils giving off a beauty that graced men.

"Almorah, listen to me carefully. You need to relax, and take things easy." Cladius replied.

The woman looked into is deep brown eyes, and strong jaw, "I will not, not until the enemy is dead. I will kill them all by my hand!" Almorah yelled, slamming her finger into the table.

She was standing now, her finger made into a point. Her free hand was made into a fist. Cladius could see the anger radiate off the woman, it would be unwise, for her to fight, if rage was in control.

"If rage is your guide, I cannot have you in the battle field, your emotions rule too much of your judgment at this time, you will have to stay here at the fort." Cladius replied.

"MY EMOTIONS RULE ME?" Almorah yelled in outrage and anger, "What did you just say?"

"You hear me." Cladius replied.

"I can take care of myself! I don't need you! I will go along if I have to! I will do whatever it takes!" Almorah screamed back.

"No you will not. I will not allow it." Cladius said getting up.

"How are you going to stop me?" Almorah challenged.

Cladius stood tall and he took in a deep breath with his stern serious look. He took a step forward grapping the woman's waste with one arm, and slinging her over her his shoulder. She struggled to fight the god. Kicked, screamed, and hit him, struggling for freedom, but Cladius with his unnatural strength had no troubles keeping the woman over his shoulder. He walked into the guest chamber, and tossed her on the bed. Luckily, they hadn't had the luxury of windows for the room. He locked the door behind him as Almorah charged forward. Slamming her hands into the bedroom door, screaming at Cladius with useless threats; He simply ignored them.

"Why! Why are you doing this to me?" Almorah screamed.

"Because I love you, and I won't see you die! I've had enough death!" Cladius yelled back, finally losing his temper.

Almorah slid across the door weeping into her arms. She wasn't going to fight. It was useless; she couldn't get through the four inch thick white doors. Stone was the walls of the room, and nothing but clean sheets and miscellaneous items were left inside. Almorah, wiped her tears on her sleeve, as she made her way towards the desk. She glanced over the paper and quill Cladius left there. Words were scribbled off, and others written. He had been working on the wording of a poem, or other form of literature. She began to read the stories with an occasional word crossed off.

Cladius stood there by the door, as he began to walk back to the table, Nerus gave a face as Cladius looked toward him.

"Didn't sound like that went too well." He frowned.

"Ah, Nerus, you have no idea." Cladius replied.

"Woman are tricky my friend, and if a man is wise, he knows they can never be mastered. But that's the beauty; they're not objects, their partners, someone you can place absolute trust in." Nerus replied.

"Perhaps, some of that is true, though I dare not to debate woman while I'm aware of my guest listening in on my personal affairs. Come on in." Cladius beckoned.

Everyone held their tongue as they made their way towards the table.

"So, what is your plan, my lord?" The queen questioned.

"To leave her in there, until she cools off.' Cladius replied, "You open that door, and you will feel my furry."

Everyone's eyes diverted. No one wished to challenge their lord's words.

"Battle plans, " Nerus replied, "But noted."

"Oh, of course, forgive me. While I meant what I said prior, it brings me to more important matters. We are to make our way to Inger; we must save them from the devils of Hell."

"Say what?" One of the men questioned, "Are enemies?"

Cladius looked towards the man, "The enemy is Volohs. We will need every able man to take on his army. Forged of man, and demon, are only hope is together. They will see reason, even if it is by force." Cladius replied.

"Finally solving this Inger problem, you'll go down in history!" Nerus replied.

"General, I'm already in History." Cladius replied.