“Only a fool wants war, but once a war starts then it cannot be fought half-heartedly. It cannot even be fought with regret, but must be waged with a savage joy in defeating the enemy, and it is that savage joy that inspires our bards to write their greatest songs about love and war.”
― Bernard Cornwell, Excalibur
In a clearing a hundred yards away from the royal family’s hunting lodge. There was a flash of blue light and eight human women stood after the light went away. Lydia pointed to a hill only twenty yards away.
“There it is.”
The hill in question was covered in bright green grass and small rocks and stones.
“The entrance is at the base of the hill.”
Lydia stated.
“Let’s get a move on girls. The royal guards who patrol the hunting grounds are coming this way.”
Nanina’s words proved true when armored men on horseback approached.
“Everyone get to the entrance. How long will it take you to open it?”
Tabitha asked looking at the twins, they both shrugged.
“I don’t know, the magic seal is ancient and powerful. It may take us awhile to find the right sequence to open the cave.”
Lydia said.
“Between the two of us, my sister and I can get that cave open. It won’t be quick, but it won’t be too long either.”
Nanina added. Tabitha nodded and then said to Kasca.
“Kasca protect them while they open the cave, I’ll stay here.”
“Is that wise Lady Tabitha?”
Kasca asked with some concern. Tabitha nodded.
“We are about to have a lot of company. This is not ideal, it’s the middle of the day. But we had to move, the Romantians knows who we are. In the middle of the night would have been best, but it’s time to improvise. Now go.”
“Good luck Tabitha.”
Balca said as she skipped to the base of the hill. Talin shook her head at her friend and said to Tabitha.
“Don’t take too long mate, I like the mortal realm, but it seems we have worn out our welcome indeed.”
Talin followed Balca with a bit more dignity, Malice stepped close to Tabitha and spoke.
“You are strong my friend but remember there are other powers in the world just as strong. Be careful.”
“You got this Tabitha.”
Zula added before she and her mother went off after the others. Lydia and Nanina just looked at Tabitha before Lydia said.
“Please come back.”
“Yeah, I’ll be pissed if you leave us hanging.”
Tabitha smiled at Nanina’s words and nodded. The twins left Tabitha who waited patiently for the royal guards.
“You there, HALT!”
One of the royal guards on horseback commanded, Tabitha did not bother to tell him that she was standing in the middle of the clearing not going anywhere. Instead, she waved at the royal guards.
“Good afternoon, what a pleasant day for a stroll.”
That comment brought the guards up short, they stopped their horses and stared at Tabitha with some confusion. The same royal guard spoke again, Tabitha took him for the leader of this squad.
“You there miss, how did you get here and where are your friends going?”
Tabitha smiled and shrugged nonchalantly saying.
“Oh, my friends and I are from the Southern Region. This is our first time so far north from our home, and we heard the stories of Camelot. We wanted to visit your splendid city and explore the countryside. It has been so wonderful, so many things to see and do. You truly have a wondrous city; my little town is nothing compared to the magnificence of Camelot.”
Tabitha kept talking, laying on the compliments one after the other. The sergeant in charge of the squad looked none plus, the woman just kept prattling on and on. While the women she was with were standing at the base of the hill doing…something?
“What are they doing there?”
The sergeant demanded pointing a finger at Lydia and the others.
“Oh, one of my friends is a botanist. She probably found a flower unique to this region and is studying it. It’s her love of flowers really that brought us here, and it was a chance to visit new places. I must say, I have experienced so many things after leaving my small town. Have you ever left Camelot; I know the capital is a big city. But the King must have you patrol the rest of the country, I’m sure it must be exciting.”
Again, the woman was going on and on. The sergeant was wondering if she would ever pause and come up for air. He had met a few women who just like to talk and talk, and he would humor them if they were attractive. But this woman was something else. Sure, she was pretty. Yet, she would not stop talking. Just then, his communication locket in his left breast pocket began to vibrate. Signaling that there was a call request. The sergeant pulled out the gold locket attach to a gold chain and opened it. The projection of the First Knight of Camelot was the size of the sergeant’s fist. To Tabitha it looked like a hologram from one of those old science fiction movies she use to watch when she was just a kid. “Sergeant, be forewarned. Eight human looking women are in your vicinity, they may look human but do not be fooled. They are demons in disguise, one of them a devil of great power. Be on your guard.”
The sergeant’s eyes could not help but shift to Tabitha who gave him a winning smile and waved. The man’s eyes widen in fear, realizing what was talking to him like a scattered brain girl.
“THERE HERE! NEAR THE BASE OF THE HI—”
That was all he got out before Tabitha sent a wave of fear to the horses. All seven horses reared, the royal guards were not expecting it. So they all fell from their horses. Luckily, the ground was covered in thick soft grass. So, none of them were hurt when they struck the ground. The sergeant quickly got back to his feet, drew his sword, and yelled.
“ATTACK! FOR CAMELOT!”
All seven men charged Tabitha, who sighed heavily. God, I wanted to avoid fighting. I don’t want to kill these men; they’re just doing their duty. The sergeant swung his two-handed sword in an arch, he was quick. Training thousands of hours and being in a few skirmishes has made him an apt warrior. But his sword went through empty space. The sergeant looked left, then right and that’s when he saw a fist coming straight for his head. He had no time to dodge or counter, but she was fighting with her bare hands. And he was wearing a helmet, she would just break her hand on the steel so he had no worries. Then the sergeant remembered what the First Knight Sir Wayne had just said. She’s not human, those were his last thoughts just before the blow struck him on the temple.
Tabitha pulled her punches; she did not want to kill them. She had no desire to slaughter men just doing their jobs. So, she knocked out the leader and moved on to the rest of them. Even though she had taken a human form, Tabitha was stronger and faster than any human that ever lived. The royal guards could not see Tabitha much less keep up with her movements. Tabitha flowed around, avoiding their desperate sword strikes, and delivering non-lethal blows. In just five seconds, all seven royal guards were knocked out.
“They’ll have headaches, but they’ll live.”
Tabitha said to herself before sensing the life force of more people coming her way.
“Dammit, more royal guards.”
Tabitha saw them on horseback, and there were a lot of them. They must have gotten the message from the knight as well. Tabitha sighed in frustration.
“They even brought archers to the party.”
Tabitha sent a telepathic question to Malice through their link.
“How long will it take the twins to open the cave?”
“The sealing magic is more complex than expected. It may take some time.”
Tabitha nodded.
“I’ll buy you the time you need.”
Tabitha declared.
“Be careful.”
Malice said before signing off. Just as soon as Tabitha had finished talking to Malice, the archers released a volley. Tabitha simply summoned the wind and sent it at the incoming projectiles. The twenty arrows were blown off course and fell to earth like rain drops. The royal guards on horseback kept coming, they were charging now with weapons drawn. Like before, Tabitha sent a wave of fear aura to the horses. They promptly threw their riders off and ran away, but that did not stop the royal guards from continuing their charge on foot.
The archers let loose another volley that Tabitha easily swept aside with her wind magic. Then the royal guards reached her, and Tabitha spent her time dodging and countering them. Because there were more of them around thirty, it took her seven seconds to knock them out. Then Tabitha went after the archers, she closed the distant so rapidly. The archers did not have time to reach for their short swords for close quarters combat. Even though the archers were twenty in number, they were not ready for her sudden closing the distance. They were knocked out in six seconds; Tabitha did not even feel winded.
Even in human form, Tabitha still felt stronger than she’s ever been. The fight was filling her with power, and she did not even kill anyone. So long as there isn’t anyone with power to fight. We can get out of here with little trouble. As if to prove Tabitha wrong, three energy projectiles struck her. One in the chest, another in her left arm, and the last struck her in the right leg above the knee. Tabitha grunted in pain and looked down, she saw three arrows embedded in her body. They were not ordinary arrows either, they were magic arrows that gave of holy light. The arrows themselves shined with white light, and they hurt like hell.
Tabitha looked in the direction the arrows had come from and saw three Romantian priests with their hands pointing in her direction. But the priests were not alone, the Bishop General Xander Zachery, the First Knight Sir Sloan Wayne, and the Arcadian woman along with priest Albedo Zaan were here. As well as a contingent of Romantian soldiers, priests, Arcadians, and knights and soldiers of Camelot. Oh yeah, they had Paladins and wizards too. Tabitha shook her head, she figured the Romantians must have sold the Arthurians some story. Why else would she receive such a large reaction from the Arthurians? The Romantians and Arcadians she could understand, and she would expect some reaction from the Arthurians. But from the way the Arthurians were acting, it is as if they believe she threatens the very existence of their city.
“She’s the greater she-devil, surround her and attack from all sides.”
“What about the others.”
A Paladin asked the Bishop General.
“Not to worry, I’ve already sent men after them. They will not accomplish their cursed ritual.”
Xander said with determination. Tabitha was tired of having three holy light magic arrows sticking out of her body. She cast her fire magic on the spots where the arrows had penetrated her body and destroyed them.
“Dear Romanto, how is that possible?”
Sandra heard Albedo say, she turned to see the priest’s wide eyes of shock and then he said.
“Those holy light arrows were blessed by the Grand Bishop of the Holy Church of Romanto himself. For a mere she-devil to destroy them so easily, I can’t believe it.”
“Something tells me she’s more than a mere she-devil.”
Sandra said before leading her warriors in a flanking maneuver around the said she-devil. Sir Wayne was doing the same with his people on the opposite side. The she-devil was just standing there in her human form looking annoyed. Sandra imagines that fighting a bunch of mortals was not challenging enough for her. When she had spoken with the she-devil, Sandra was not getting any evil vibes off her. If she truly wanted to destroy Camelot and take its magical particles. Then why did she come all the way out here? She’s two miles from the city. Again, Sandra had the feeling that Xander was hiding something from her. Maybe today she might get some real answers.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
The she-devil was surrounded in a matter of seconds. Knights, soldiers, priests, Paladins, and wizards all stood at the ready waiting for the command to attack. Then to Tabitha’s surprise more archers came, replacing the ones she knocked out earlier before. And to make things more interesting, there were twice the number of archers than before. It appears the Romantians really want me dead, and they manage to rope in the Arthurians. Tabitha was not too worried; she would wait for them to make the first move. The First Knight Sir Sloan Wayne stepped forward and spoke.
“By the power of his Majesty, King Adrian Pendragon of Camelot. I Sir Sloan Wayne, First Knight of Camelot demands your surrender she-devil. What say you?”
Tabitha cocked an eyebrow as if she did not expect such a question, then she smiled and replied.
“Let me think on it.”
And to everyone’s surprise the she-devil did just that, she was thinking it over. Or gave the impression of thinking it over, Tabitha wanted to buy as much time for the others to open the cave entrance as possible. Sandra watched in amused amazement as the she-devil silently conversed with herself. Shaking her head and nodding, as if trying to figure out if surrendering or fighting is the best option.
“Enough of this nonsense!”
Yelled Xander, he pointed a commanding finger at the she-devil in human form and spoke.
“For the sake of the world! Wizards, priests, Paladins, and archers! FIRE!!”
The Paladins and wizards launched their spells, the priests cast holy magic, and the archers launched a volley of magically enhanced arrows. Magic spells and projectiles came at Tabitha from all sides, there was no way to dodge them in time. Alright then, if I keep holding back I’ll be in serious trouble. Tabitha thought to herself before going into action. Just before the many spells and magic arrows struck the she-devil, a tower of flames erupted shielding her from the attacks. The flaming tower blocked and destroy all the spells and magic arrows, Sandra and everyone were shocked. Is this the power of a devil from the Nether Realm? Sandra had never faced a devil before, fought a few demons yes. Those were deadly opponents, but she never fought any of the higher level demons much less a devil.
The tower of fire finally died down, but in its place stood a 15-foot-tall greater she-devil. Sandra looked at her in awe, the she-devil wore gold armor and a red dress. To Sandra’s eyes the she-devil was one of the most beautiful beings she has ever witness before. Despite the red skin, blue horns, tail, and wings.
“By the gods!”
Sandra heard one of the Romantians say.
“That’s her! I knew it, she’s the one! She’s the one who entered our world through my church!”
The priest Albedo Zaan was screaming in fright and horror. Sandra saw Xander open his mouth, probably to order another attack or perhaps a charge. Whatever it would have been Xander never got the chance. Because the she-devil stretched both her arms to the sides with palms open and unleashed hell. The she-devil let loose a barrage of rapid-fire fireballs, spinning around and shooting them from her palms.
“TAKE COVER!!”
Sandra yelled and dove to the ground, her Arcadians followed the example. Some of the Arthurians did the same including the First Knight, but not all. The Romantians stood their ground and got blown backwards with the fireballs striking the ground at their feet. Smoke and debris flew everywhere as well as fire, the air became heated, and explosions rocked the ground. Sandra thought she was in a warzone if the she-devil could do this. Then what else can be expect?
Tabitha stopped her attack and studied her handy work. The ground was burned and charred with some craters here and there caused by her fireballs. But no one was burned to death, and all her opponents were still alive. Most of them were getting back to their feet, but they did not look eager to launch any attacks. Tabitha figured this would be a good time to give them an out.
“Mortals! You are all still alive because I will it so! I could have taken your lives at any time! If you wish to express your gratitude, then leave! Be gone, for if you stay, I will not be gentle! My mercy has limits even to fools!”
Tabitha said the last sentence with a growl, in truth she did not want to kill any of them. She could subdue and render them unconscious with her abilities. Everyday Tabitha grew stronger and stronger, her magical reservoir within herself grows daily. Tabitha wondered if she would reach her limit, so far, her powers continue to grow. But she would not get cocky, in a multiverse of magic. She could come up against someone more powerful than her. But these mortals, these humans have no chance of defeating her. She would hold them off for as long as it takes for Lydia and Nanina to open the cave. She just hopes that some of the humans would take her offer and run away.
Sir Wayne got back to his feet, his eyes fixed on the devastation the she-devil had caused. He never fought a devil before, not even a demon. But the results of her attack, and then her warning. He could turn tail and run but he was the First Knight of Camelot. He swore an oath to protect the kingdom and its people. Sir Wayne would not falter now, he would face this fiend even though she was so beautiful. Sir Wayne shook his head, it was time to fight, not admire a sexy woman. A sexy she-devil of a woman too.
“Warriors of Camelot! Stand together and fight!”
Sir Wayne charged the she-devil. Xander drew his own sword and waved it over his head.
“We fight for the Holy Church of Romanto! We fight for Romanto himself! The God of Order and Justice!”
He swung his sword forward, and his Romantians charged. But he himself stayed in place, allowing his soldiers to do the fighting. Sandra saw the Bishop General staying behind while his troops charge forward. Why am I not surprise. The Romantian higher ups never put themselves forward in harm’s way, they have others to do that for them. Sandra was disgusted with the way Romantians treat their own people.
“War Leader, what are your orders?”
Cato asked, his sword was out, and he had a large dagger in his other hand. Sandra shrugged and unstrapped her shield from around her back and placed it on her left forearm.
“We attack. There’s nothing else for it.”
Sandra charged and Cato and the other Arcadians followed behind their War Leader. Tabitha rolled her eyes and shook her head. Honestly, what did the Romantians say to get this reaction from the Arthurians? Whatever it was, I’ll just have to take them down before anyone gets seriously hurt. Sir Wayne was the first to reach Tabitha, he thrust his sword so fast. If she was still human, she would not have been able to dodge it. Tabitha did not dodge it. Instead, she used her gold forearm brace to block the attack. Sir Wayne was surprised when his sword bounced of the gold brace. Her gold armor is not normal gold, it must be imbued with the she-devil’s magic. Those were the only thoughts that came to his mind just before the she-devil grabbed him with her large hand and lifted him off the ground.
“Curse you devil!”
Sir Wayne shouted out his defiance as he tried to stab the she-devil’s hand with his sword. But she was moving him so fast, it was impossible to get his sword into a stabbing position. Then Sir Wayne found himself sailing through the air. Before he could wonder what was happening to him, he crashed into his men, and they went down in a heep of limbs and bodies. Sandra saw the greater she-devil toss the knight like a ball into his fellow comrades. But she was not worried about Sir Wayne, he and his men wore armor. They might get some bruises, but they would still be alive and in fighting shape.
Sandra launched herself high into the air, being Arcadian, she was able to do things that normal humans could not accomplish. Sandra brought down her sword in an overhead chop from mid-air. But the she-devil moved so fast, it stunned her. Instead of striking the devil, she struck the ground her sword slicing a grove in the grass. She’s as tall as a house. Yet, she moves so quickly despite her size. Sandra sensed the she-devil behind her, when she turned, she was greeted with an unbelievable sight.
Cato and the rest of her brothers and sisters in arms were down on the ground unmoving. The she-devil was standing behind her fallen brethren, in the few seconds I lost sight of her, she took down my best warriors. Sandra looked down at her warriors, studying them. She frowned, something was missing.
“Do not worry War Leader.”
The she-devil said.
“Your people are not dead, just incapacitated.”
Then that’s when Sandra realized what she was looking for. There is no blood, none of my people are bleeding. She spared them but why? Sandra could not understand the motivations of this she-devil from the Nether Realm. So far, she has done everything to not kill any of us, we are the aggressors here not her. If she truly wanted to destroy Camelot, then she should have been killing all of us. She obviously has the power to obliterate us, but she does not. What is she really after? Sandra knew she was missing all the pieces, maybe she could ask the she-devil.
“Wizards, priests, and archers! Attack! Do whatever it takes to take that she-devil down!”
The words came from Bishop General Xander Zachery, even though he did not enter the fray. It seems he was not idle, Xander had gathered wizards, priests, and archers to his side. He saw how the greater she-devil had taken down both the Arthurian and Arcadian warriors with such ease. Before Xander could give the command to fire, the she-devil spread her blue wings to their full length. She must have at least a 40-feet wingspan. But can she actually fly? Sandra wondered before the she-devil took to the sky so fast that a gust of wind blew Sandra back a few feet.
“Now’s our chance! Fire!”
The wizards, priests, and archers obeyed the Bishop General’s command. The sky was soon filled with magic and arrows, all trying to take down the greater she-devil who avoided them with barely any effort. Tabitha was moving so fast; she was nothing more than a blur in the sky leaving after images in her wake. Xander shook his head in disbelief, he has faced demons before with the Fist of Romanto. Always, always, the Fist of Romanto has been able to defeat every demon that dears to challenge the Holy Church of Romanto. But never had the Fist of Romanto confronted a devil, and it is proving to be a costly education. But Xander must destroy this greater she-devil, their secret must be maintained no matter the cost.
Tabitha had no trouble dodging the spells and arrows coming at her. The wizards were smart, they were using light and white magic which would do a lot against demons and devils. The Romantian priests being smart too, they were casting holy and elemental magic of lightning and water. But no fire, being a devil fire is Tabitha’s main element and would not work against her. The arrows are dangerous too, they were imbued with both holy and light magic. Dangerous and painful, Tabitha had already felt their bite. It hurt but she knew how to handle that type of magic.
“I’ll take down those wizards, priests, and archers. They can’t hit me, but it only takes one to get lucky.”
Tabitha dived like a bird of prey on her foes. She moved so fast that the enemy was unaware of where she had disappeared to. Only when Tabitha landed among them did they realize that the greater she-devil had decided to deal with them up close. Tabitha slammed both her heavy gold booted feet on the ground in the middle of the formation of wizards, priests, and archers. The force of her landing cracked the ground and shook the earth, sending men flying in every direction. But she was not done yet. Tabitha held out her hands with open palms and summoned two balls of dark energy. Before Xander or anyone else could understand the spell, she was casting, Tabitha said.
“Dark energy: Darkness shockwave.”
Then she flung the dark energy balls at either side of her. The resulting explosive shockwave sent men and debris flying away from the epicenter. Sandra found herself sailing throw the air and landing hard on the ground rolling a couple of times before she came to a stop.
“Ah, by the horns of Olana. What the hell.”
Sandra was using her arms to raise herself up off the ground and saw the devastation the she-devil had caused with her spell. Everyone was on the ground; some were moving but others were not. From the way most of them were still breathing, Sandra knew the she-devil had not killed anyone. She doesn’t have to. She’s so powerful killing us would be child’s play. She’s toying with us but why? The she-devil stood with not a scratch on her, she was like a titan among insects. Xander placed a hand on one side of his head, he had a massive headache caused by that she-devil’s explosive shockwave or whatever it was.
“Is there nothing we can do to stop this evil?”
Xander demanded in despair, then suddenly, a ball of orange energy surrounded the she-devil lifting her up off the ground. The spell took her up into the sky, and she looked as if her body was being compressed. Xander knew what type of spell it was.
“That’s a gravity compression spell.”
He declared to no one in particular. Inside the gravity compression sphere, the she-devil looked like she was being folded in on herself. But she fought the spell. From the magical particles used in the spell, Xander could tell that the gravity compression spell was a high level one. Capable of leveling cities, but the she-devil was defying the spell. Not only that, but the she-devil was also pushing back all the gravity away from her center of mass. Then the impossible happened, the sphere of gravity cracked. It was like a gunshot being heard from miles around, there was one long jagged crack on the sphere. Then another and another, it was only a matter of time before the she-devil broke the spell.
“Dear god Romanto, no!”
Xander tried to deny what he was witnessing before his eyes.
“EXCALIBUR LIGHTNING STRIKE!!”
The roaring yell was followed by a thunderclap, and then a huge lightning bolt struck the sphere with the she-devil still inside. The force of the lightning bolt added to the crushing power of the gravity compression spell sending the greater she-devil back to the earth with a great explosion. Again, people were sent flying from the shockwaves. Even Sandra and the others who were yards away fell back to the ground. There was smoke and debris everywhere, but as the scene began to clear and people were getting back to their feet. King Adrian Pendragon and the Wizard Dogan walked on to the battlefield.
“Thank you for the assistance my King, I never would have imagined that a being such as her was capable of breaking my spell. But I should have known better since she is a devil from the Nether Realm.”
Dogan said.
“I too was stunned when I saw a crack on the gravity sphere. But when I witness multiple cracks emerge, I knew I had to act before she broke free of your spell my friend. To think a she-devil was this powerful, thankfully, that creature has been dealt with.”
The King and the Wizard of Camelot stood side by side. Dogan held his long wooden staff, ready to cast more spells. King Adrian held Excalibur in a fighting stance, prepared to use the legendary sword.
“Your Majesty, Chief Wizard!”
The First Knight Sir Sloan Wayne ran up to the two men and bowed.
“Thank the fates you came. We were having real problems with the she-devil.”
The King nodded to the First Knight.
“Sir Wayne, good to see that you are still alive. What are our casualties?”
Sir Wayne stood straight and answered.
“So far your Majesty, none.”
Dogan blinked in surprise.
“What do you mean sir knight? No one has died?”
Sir Wayne nodded.
“Yes, Chief Wizard, the she-devil has yet to take any of our people’s lives. Not even the Romantians or Arcadians have suffered any losses.”
Both Adrian and Dogan were taken aback by this news.
“The she-devil is obviously strong, why did she hold back?”
The King asked with some puzzlement. Dogan was about to say something when all stiffen in shock when a female voice emerged from the exact center of the explosion where their magic had struck the she-devil.
“Because I do not seek the deaths of any of you.”
The last of the smoke cleared to finally reveal the greater she-devil flapping her wings and hovering over a small crater. She hovered passed the crater and landed back on the ground a few feet from the damaged area. Xander’s eyes widen with disbelief. What does it take to kill this bitch?
“Attack!”
The Bishop General ordered forcefully, and his people, the Arcadians, and some of the knights were about to obey. But then a more powerful voices demanded.
“HOLD!!”
The command came from King Adrian, it was so full of authority, everyone obeyed instantly. Even Xander dare not overrule the King of Camelot. King Adrian walked forward towards the she-devil, who kept her eyes on the mortal. King Adrian halted ten feet away from the she-devil, Tabitha studied the mortal king carefully. He was handsome, probably in his mid-30s judging by the few lines on his face. His hair and beard are wine red, and his eyes are bright blue with flakes of grey. He wore full plated gold armor with a red cape but no helm, just his golden crown with seven jewels embedded in the metal. He was tall, at six feet and two inches in height, he stood above Tabitha’s waist.
As she was studying him, the King was studying her. Tabitha gave the King a wicked smile, showing off her fangs. The King’s men stiffened at the sight, many of them held their weapons tightly prepared to spring into action for their King. They did not like that the King was in reach of the greater she-devil, but they held their ground and watched. To everyone’s surprise and disbelief, the greater she-devil bowed saying.
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance King Adrian Pendragon of Camelot, wielder of Excalibur. And here I thought I wouldn’t have the chance to meet the King or the famous sword he wields.”
The she-devil chuckled, it sounded cute which threw off some people. Someone that size and with such power should not sound…cute when she laughs. Sandra thought with bewilderment. King Adrian in turn nodded to the she-devil and asked.
“Before there is any more fighting, may I have a parley?”
The battlefield went silent.