There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must not be attacked, towns which must not be besieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed

-Sun Tzu

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the quiet village cemetery. Mengus stood alone beside the freshly dug grave. Aena in the back, standing by the entrance to the graveyard, offered a silent presence and support.

Mengus's mother lay at rest beside her husband, his father, her final resting place marked by a simple stone, and yellow flowers next to it. Mengus stared down at the freshly turned earth, his mind racing with the recent events and what the future holds.

Mengus said his final goodbyes and turned away from the graves.

"We should go," he said, "nothing more we can do here now."

* * *

The village did a pretty good job rebuilding, it looked like nothing happened here just 10 months ago. Aena and Mengus sat in a small cottage that had once been his childhood home. He paid a good amount of gold for it to be rebuilt, hoping that his mother could one day go back to her home. Outside the world continued on, not knowing the pain that gripped Mengus's heart.

Aena broke the silence, her voice soft. "What now?" she asked, looking for answers.

"We have to speak to High King Kaladogg, there we can find the answers we're looking for."

* * *

The sun had begun its descent, orange and pink colors painted the sky as Mengus stood alone between to gravestones. He touched both gravestones with his trembling hand.

"Mother, father," he said silently. "I'll get my revenge, for you, for everyone in the village that died by their hand. I'm not coming back until I accomplish my goal, I know you understand." tears started flowing down his face, and his heart felt like it'd jump out of his chest. The pain was unbearable.

* * *

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, Mengus stepped into the dimly lit interior of the smithy. Joriq, the old smith, looked up from his work with a smile.

"Ah, Mengus," Joriq greeted him. "Ready to work?"

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Mengus hesitated for a moment. Taking a deep breath, he spoke up.

"Old man, I won't be coming here anymore."

"What do you mean Mengus? You got sick of me or what?" the old man Joriq laughed a little. His brow furrowed in surprise, his eyes searching Mengus's face for any hint of a joke.

"No, I am very thankful for the time I spent here, and what I learned. But I have some other plans now, some things I have to do, and I won't be able to work here anymore." sadness was felt in his voice.

The old man shook Mengus's hand. "I'm glad we met young man, and I wish you luck in whatever you do next."

"I'll miss this old fucker."

With a final nod of farewell, Mengus turned and made his way out of the smithy. He felt sadness leaving Joriq all alone, he got used to seeing him every day. But he knew that he was making the right decision - for himself, and for the journey that awaited him.

* * *

Mengus stood in the arena, flowers were falling down from the stands around him. He hadn't fought in almost a year, but still, he was amazing to watch. The seats of the arena were filled when they heard that the legendary fighter Mengus, would be fighting again. The word spread like wildfire, thanks to Rekil the Dagger, there was some use of letting him live after all. With the word being spread from town to town, Mengus hoped that it would arrive to Lysa and the others, he needed their help, this was something he couldn't do alone.

Aena also left to Elie to send her instructions on what to do next, Mengus being all alone had no other things to do than to train and plan what his next move would be.

After winning the arena, the opportunity to speak with High King Kaladogg finally appeared. Mengus approached the royal dais, his heart pounding, he couldn't make a mistake. High King Kaladogg sat upon his throne, a mountain of a guy, power, and authority were the correct words that described him.

Mengus bowed before the king. "Your Majesty," he began. "I come before you to seek justice for the people of Nightwind, they were attacked and slaughtered like animals without provocation, their lives taken by those who call themselves Stargian soldiers."

Gasps of shock echoed through the arena, everyone could hear Mengus as he talked to the High King.

"And what proof do you have of these allegations?" he asked, his voice heavy with authority.

Mengus drew himself up to his full height. "I have to word of a woman that lived there," he replied. "She heard the attackers speak in Stargian, a dialect known only to those from the kingdom of Stargia."

"I know about the attack, it happened a while back. My men went to investigate, they found only a camp of dead people near the village. No banners, nothing. If those weren't criminals or looters, that would mean that Stargia wants to start a war with us, trying to weaken us. Was that you that killed all those men back then?"

Mengus nodded, he felt good when he killed them all, but now it bites him in the ass because maybe it would be smarter to actually leave some of them alive for a little talk.

"Take your men, and I'll send some of my men with you. On the border of our kingdom, there are constant attacks, trying and defend our people, and look for answers. They say they are just looters, but some say they are too good in what they're doing. Investigate. If what you say is true, then justice must be served."

Mengus's heart swelled with hope. He bowed once more before the king, he knew that his journey was far from over. But with the king's support, he was ready to face whatever enemies that lay ahead. He will get his justice, one way or another.