Dawn was approaching. As Rya was following Jeremiah and the rest of the 450 mercenaries. As they march to war. Rya was wondering what was going on. She wanted to ask about it but decided against it. Why would they tell her anyway?

Rya looked upon Rudolf who was sporting his plate mail armor. He was the strongest man in the army. His shield had a golden skull on top and the pommel of his sword had a dragon's head with long fangs and horns.

Jeremiah was wearing the same crown of a fallen king of the wood elves. It was made from gold and gems encrusted in the crown. There were small diamonds embedded in the thorns of the crown. His weapon was a wooden sword with a ruby set in the hilt.

He wore a blue cloak that was decorated with silver and gold embroidery while chainmail covered his body. A black leather gauntlet covers his right hand. On his belt is a dagger made of iron with a dragon's claw for the handle. A red stone was set in the center of the blade.

Her gaze shifted to the other soldiers marching alongside them. All of them were wearing their Black Rose armor. Each of the mercenaries had a piece of their armor made special. It was a combination between a gauntlet and a bracer.

All of the mercenary's swords were unique. In fact, each one had a different design. Some of them had spikes, some had flames, and others had designs that were straight out of fantasy books.

"Any signs of who took our men?" Devin asked as he walked beside Jeremiah.

"Our scouts found three bodies that were burned and buried. Rudolf might be right about this being the prince's men. For now, we need to assume that it's them." Jeremiah replied as he looked up at the night sky with a warm glow coming from the horizon. "It looks like dawn will break soon. We'll most likely see if they're here."

As Jeremiah said that a shadow came across the land. The sun was rising over the mountains in the distance casting a deep orange glow on everything around them.

A group of riders rode towards them from the south.

They went straight to Rudolf and his cavalry. The rider was a tall man wearing Black Rose armor. His head was covered by a helm that was similar to a knight's helmet.

"Sir! The prince has raised an army!" One of the officers yelled as he pointed south.

Jeremiah turned back to Rudolf and smiled. "So the prince has come out to play? He may not be a king yet but I'll add his crown to my collection before the day is done."

"Yes, the Toothless Lion is braver than I thought. He'll die like any other royal that comes against me." Rudolf said as he tapped his chest. "Let us finish him off once and for all."

Jeremiah nodded and gave out orders to his troops.

"Get ready men! A royal's blood is going to be spilled today. When the sun rises we shall show them what happens to those who challenge the Black Rose. You may look down at your feet but know that I am looking up at you."

Rudolf's cavalry started to growl and snarl.

Rya heard all of this, 'Like Hell! I wouldn't let you touch Quin! Once this slave collar is off me, so help me God. I'll be coming for you!' she thought to herself as she glared at Jeremiah standing next to her.

She looked him in the eyes and growled.

Jeremiah smirked as he turned away.

He ordered his men to start moving and they did.

***

Quinus stood under the cover of darkness. If it was not for the warm glow of the horizon he would have been able to see nothing.

Sir George was standing next to his Lord. Keeping guard.

Quinus looked up to the mountain peaks as they started getting hit by the sun.

"Sire, you should get some rest, the battle won't start until dawn," Sir George said.

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"I can't sleep, George. Not when I know she's been enslaved. I've got to find her." Quinus said with anger in his voice.

"Aye. You will, but not now. Your body needs to recover. You need to eat something. You look pale." Sir George said, looking at his lord.

"I'm fine. I'll sleep when Rya's safe." Quinus replied with a glare.

"You're sure?"

"Yes," Quinus said with a nod.

Sir George sighed and shook his head.

"I don't like thi~" Sir George was cut off when Hajdah came over to them.

"My Lord, our scouts found them. They seem to be headed east from Mount Galfrei. Just a bit further north from here."

"Thank you Hajdah."

Hajdah bowed then left them alone.

"Well, it's time to free Rya. Sir George moved the army into position." Quinus said with a smirk.

"Aye, I'll move the soldiers to the higher grounds of the Galfrei Plains. We should be able to find them easier."

Sir George began to take action.

"Alright everyone, let's get ready! The Black Roses are on the move! Let us give them a good welcome!"

***

The Black Rose Mercenaries marched towards the plains by the time they reached the open area and dawn had finally broke. Revealing 700 Ironside soldiers positioned on the higher ground of the Galfrei Plains.

They were armed with swords, spears, bows, and crossbows. They wore leather armor made from iron and their shields were made with thick Iron plates.

Quinus, Sir George, Hajdah, and Zellin positioned themselves in the front of the line of soldiers. They all had a frown on their faces. They knew what was going to happen.

They also had the Captain of the Ironside Army, Reeve Wyntor who was in command. He also acts as the Captain of the City Guard. He is in his late 30s and is a human swordsman. He grew up in Ironside and joined the military when he turned 18. He served as captain for many years. Known to be fair, yet merciless if need be.

And there were five other mages from the Guild. Starting with Laika is a dwarf mage. She specializes in Water magic. She likes to cut gems with her water magic. Hajdah was going to introduce her to Rya before she was captured.

The four other dwarven members were Kyan, a Fire Mage; Suhail a Lightning Mage; Akashia a Wind Mage; and Dreshan a Earth Magician.

Zellin also gave a very solemn look.

"We will make these bastards pay dearly for enslaving your friend and dare try to take my city," Zellin said.

"I agree. These scum deserve no mercy." Sir George said.

Quinus had a pained look when he spotted Rya in the distance with the slave collar on. Standing beside the Kings Slayer.

'Rya!... George is right but if I can get everyone out of this without bloodshed then I have to take it.' Quin thought to himself. "Yeah, they don't deserve mercy. But if no dwarves have to die then I will give them one chance to release Rya. Let's go and see how they wish to die peacefully in old age or here on these plains." Quinus added.

Zellin and Hajdah were surprised that the prince would want to talk. They both looked at each other and nodded.

"Your Highness. We, dwarves, will never back down from a fight with cowards. Do what you need to do, Prince Quinus." Zellin said with a smirk.

"My Lord? What are you going to do?" Sir George asked with concern in his voice.

"Don't worry about me. Whatever may happen we will not fall here. No matter what." Quinus said with a smile.

The Black Roses began to march forward and Rya stood there with the Kings Slayer by her side.

They both stared at the approaching army. They were about 1 mile away before they both halted their march.

***

Rudolf was looking over the Ironside army.

'Hmph! The prince thinks having more soldiers will help him win this war.' Rudolf thought.

He still believed he wouldn't lose to such weakling soldiers compared to his mercenaries.

"Commander! Looks like the prince wishes to meet with you. They're waving the emissary flag."

That's when he saw the prince along with four other men riding horses coming towards the middle of the plains, halfway between the two armies.

'A meeting? So, he wishes to see the man that's going to kill him close up first. Pff. The little boy thinks he's a man. Fine, let's see what this boy is going to demand from me.' Rudolf thought.

"Jeremiah, stay here with the asset! Dietrich! Zane! With me! We're going to talk to the prince!" Rudolf shouted.

The three men saluted and followed their commander.

"How much do you want to bet that the Toothless Lion wants his toy back?" Jeremiah asked.

"He's a royal. They can't be trusted. But I won't mind seeing him cry to me begging for his life." Rudolf said before riding off to meet the prince with four of his men.

***

Rya for the first time in her life couldn't help but stare at Quinus. It felt like years since she saw him last. Her emotions were going all over the place. She was happy to see him, but the entire experience made her feel sick.

It was all her fault that Quin was in this predicament. If only she wasn't so stubborn in proving the Goddesses wrong about her not changing mentally into a straight woman. If she didn't try to force things, everything would have been fine. Rya so desperately wished to save him and the army that came here mostly for her. She didn't know what to think really.

'Quin! I swear I'll make this up to you when I get out of this mess.' Rya thought.

Luckily her dark elven eyes and ears let her hear and see everything that was going on with the meeting with Quinus and Rudolf.

***

"So, boy! What do you wish to talk about on this fine morning." Rudolf said in a cold voice.

Sir George gritted his teeth when hearing Rudolf insulting his lord in the way that he did. But held his tongue.

Quinus looked in the distance at Jeremiah first before looking at Rudolf and his men.

"You know what I want. If you don't release her, you and your men will not leave this battlefield."

Rudolf scoffed. "What makes you think I'm going to even listen to some bratty boy who lost his toy?"

"SHE IS NOT AN OBJECT!" Sir George roared.

Rudolf raised a bow after hearing the outburst from Quin's knight.

"Your man seems t~" Rudolf was cut off before he could finish his sentence.

"Make your decision, old man! I'm giving you a generous offer letting you and your men walk away from here with your lives. We know what you’re planning to do, Rodulf. One of your men told me everything!" Quinus shouted.

"I'm still not convinced that we should give her up to you. You know nothing about our plans," Rudolf stated.

"Planning to take over Ironside. Then to help the duke kill the king. We know everything human!" Zellin yelled.

Rudolf's eyes narrowed.

'Hmph! So this kid does know our plans. All the reason to kill him and his dwarves.' Rudolf thought.

"Well, I guess there isn't much choice then," Rudolf sighed.

Rudolf and his men turned around and rode back to his army.

***

"I thought that kid was going to be a little more fun to mess with. Maybe he's going to be worth my time to kill him." Jeremiah said in a voice dripping with sarcasm.

Jeremiah heard the prince yelling at Rudolf from half a mile away.

"Don't play with your food, Jeremiah. That boy is mentally sound compared to other royals we’ve faced. He wasn't afraid of you and I like most other nobles would have been. Don't take him lightly." Rudolf warned in his usual cold tone.

"Got it. SLAVE! Protect the Black Roses!" Jeremiah ordered.

***

Quinus was staring at Rudolf as he rode away. He was furious. He's a spoiled, arrogant fool who sentenced his men to death for no good reason. He's always getting his way and never had to face any repercussions.

"So, this is how it's going to be. Hajdah get the mages ready. Zellin get in the back of the formation and command the men. We need to find where they're going to attack us next. We may outnumber them but they are battle-hardened compared to most soldiers. They might make things difficult for us." Quinus said as he turned to head back to their side.

Zellin nodded. "Yes sir. Captain Reeve, come with me."

“Our magic will be ready, your highness,” Hajdah said.

With that, the stage was set. The battle of the Ironside was about to begin.

***