Chapter 138

Chapter 138: Chapter 138

"Your Highness," A Hellhound began after they were given permission to step into the King’s study.

Caedos glanced up, the weariness in his eyes ran deep but he still carried himself with authority, hunched over scrolls laid out on his table.

"It’s meal time," The Hellhound said, her tone stern.

"Have it brought to my study," He said absently, already returning his attention to the task at hand.

"It’s good to share a meal with others ever so often, Your Highness. The people would be relieved if you joined them in the grand hall for dinner."

Caedos fully focused his attention on her now. Dilya, one of the rescued Hellhounds, she had a natural aptitude for organizing, keeping the castle running smoothly while the rest of the city was slowly being revived.

He didn’t mind the background chatter of his people at meal times but although he had always been in the Deep Woods amongst them, they couldn’t be further apart.

He had no interest in taking the throne ans becoming King, lacking the charm needed to endear people to him. He was still deeply respected and revered, but as the last surviving royal and their savior but most steered clear of him.

Only a handful were able to speak frugally with him. Dilya was one of those.

It wasn’t the first time she had tried to get him to eat in the grand hall and usually he would give in, but right then, there were far more important matters to attend to.

In nearly a month, they had achieved a lot but have equally suffered several setbacks. All the stables on the outskirts of Ibaeron had been set aflame, the captive Demons held within their confines returned home.

But closer to the heart of the city, it got more ans more difficult to raid the stables. He had no knowledge of the locations so he could only hunt them down using his senses, but the authorities in Ibaeron had been made privy of the attacks so guards roamed the streets, and the few stables they managed to find were heavily guarded.

"They should hold their relief for when Avalan is whole again." He said without mincing words.

They had procured a map of the city of Ibaeron which he was currently perusing. They couldn’t approach things anymore without plans, they were not wild beasts.

Dilya bunched her apron in a fist, the young Prince was intimidating but she could see that he wanted the best for the kingdom. However she was worried, perhaps it was because she had lost her sons to the battlefield under captivity but she didn’t believe royalty were indestructible.

They were certainly far stronger than the common people but if His Royal Highness carried on in this manner, he would crack under the strain.

"Even for a short while?" She tried to convince him, "Avalan would crumble without you..."

Caedos remained unshaken, even if he took a break from perusing maps, he would rather eat alone. Sitting with everyone at meal time only added to his burdens.

There was a knock on the study door while they spoke and at his approval, Ardan stepped in. The Hellhound was no longer bone thin and covered in wounds. Fully healed, he wore a formal outfit, having been appointed a Captain.

"Your Highness," Ardan said reverently, going down on one knee.

Caedos glanced over him to Dilya, "Have my meal brought to my study." He said with finality, "You may leave."

Dilya knew when not to overstep, curtseying politely before seeing herself out.

"Rise," Caedos turned to one of his Captains, waiting expectantly.

"One of the scouts has acquired news of an attack," Captain Ardan relayed briskly.

Now at full health, the fire in his eyes only burned brighter, the sword at his waist gleaming.

"Threatened by the increasing attacks on stables around the city, a handful of manor lords have come together to launch an attack on the Deep Woods. They intend to nip the bud of revolution and capture all the Hellhounds in one go."

Despite his gruesome report, Ardan kept a stoic expression, like he was merely relaying a harmless update.

"Did you find out when the attack will be carried out?" Caedos asked calmly, unsurprised by the information.

He expected the attack, if anything, they had been lucky to be given so much time to prepare before a retaliation. Recently it has been difficult to carry out rescues, so it was easier to focus on building the military power of Avalan.

"It is yet undecided because the manor lords intent is to take their plans to King Morkoth."

The air grew a little tense at the mention of the Fiend King of Ibaeron. If Morkoth agreed to their plans to squash an uprising and lended them his army, it would go from a mild retaliation to their first battle against a city of Flaeris.

"Have the scouts source out more information. I will personally oversee the training from henceforth." Caedos decided after a pause. "The attack will happen in a short time," He deduced, "The manor lords care too much about protecting their interests."

Ardan bowed and then turned around to leave, walking past Dilya in the hallway. The matronly lady had a younger Hellhound with her, the Demon held the covered tray of food belonging to the Prince, her head lowered.

Dilya knocked lightly, and waited to be given permission. She walked in and curtseyed when she was, the younger Demon behind her doing the same.

"I brought your meal, Your Highness, as well as an attendant to serve you." She said without hiding her intentions.

Caedos didn’t even look up, "I can serve myself. Leave."

There was a hint of impatience in his tone, having to prepare for an impending war with no resources but the dregdes of a dying people.

"M-My name is Anelia, Your Highness," The younger Hellhound spoke up, her long dark hair bound by vines.

"Can you wield a sword, Anelia?" Caedos asked, regaining his calm.

The young, beautiful Demon was at a loss for words at the unlikely question. "N-No? No, Your Highness." She shook her head.

"Then I have no use for you." He said ruthlessly. "Now place down my food or not at all."

Anelia hastily placed the tray on the imposing desk, afraid that the Prince would lose his appetite. Without another word, she left in the company of Dilya.

-+-

Caedos glanced at the tray of food, pausing to eat. His exhaustion was inevitable, it would take a long time to build a sufficient defense, until then, he bore the bulk of the responsibility.

He didn’t neglect to take care of himself, more aware than anyone else of what would happen if something happened to him. But until they had rescued every last Hellhound and won the battle against Flaeris, sleep would remain far from him.

Caedos cleaned the tray quickly, replacing the map of Ibaeron with one of the Deep Woods. The battle would happen here which meant he could use the terrain to their advantage.

It was the main reason he hadn’t thrown down the flag and gathered his people into hiding. Even against just the manor lords, they would be terrible outnumbered.

There was barely two thousand Hellhounds in Avalan, and of that number, only a very small percent were eligible to fight, and an even smaller percent were willing to fight.

Caedos let the people have their choice, unable to force them into battle after centuries of captivity. Not to mention, the strongest Hellhounds were held in the stables belonging to nobility - they were greatly outnumbered.

It didn’t daunt him, even when he had been the only one fighting, he hadn’t let the unfair odds bother him. It was either fight or die, the choice was an easy one.

-+-

The news of King Morkoth agreeing to deploy his army didn’t come as a surprise but his decision after that did. Ibaeron was a flourishing Fiend city but it had too many flaws. Despite that, it had a sizeable military.

Fiends loved battle, constantly at loggerheads with the other faction. So King Morkoth delegating half of his manpower for the cause was cruelty.

Half a million soldiers to trample few thousand survivors was throwing sand in their faces. Morkoth’s intent was clear to see.

Ardan brought him the news, the usually fiery Hellhound wore uncertainty on his face for the first time. The worry furrowing his brows saying more than he ever would.

Caedos’ gaze drifted out the window, the realization that he may not see his mate for a long time reluctantly sinking in. He pushed the thoughts to the side, focusing on the matter at hand.

"It means we have to intensify our preparations." He addressed the crushing news with the same calm he handled most things. "Those who cannot fight with hide in the crystal caves while the battle rages on. The forest will always protect us."

It was easy to be rallied by the Prince’s words, he exuded an otherworldly calm, it made it easy for Ardan to understand how the majority of the people could believe he was indestructible.