STOLEN HEART

A Deal Made Between Enermies

Zane(P.O.V)

There is a light mist of rain falling from above which consequently dulls the colours of all the surroundings; everything became a haze of grey. I aim my eyes at Aphmau, high up on the Pheonix Drop stoney wall, towering over Scaleswind's and my army. She tries to hide it but I see the expression of horror and fear clearly hiding in her intriguing chestnut eyes. Her jaw is slightly dropped, astounded by our numbers of equipped soldiers, archers and warlocks; more skilled and more ruthless than her own. She speaks, but however loudly she tries, it's shaky with fear; I like it.

"Zane, please don't do this!" I tilt my head slightly, very entertained, "I'll marry you, like you wanted, please just stop this now."

I let her words ricochet in the silence for a moment so that everyone can hear just how pitiful she sounds. My stare is locked onto her and I play the scene out in my head of what would happen if I let the vast army in; causing destruction through the streets in their wake. I would like to see Phoenix Drop, that pathetically popular trading town, be burned to nothing but pitiful ashes. However, I am smart enough to think through my options first.

A marriage alliance with Aphmau would be extremely beneficial to O'Khasis, not that the town itself was of much value but rather Pheonix Drop's unnaturally large alliances, for a town its size, with other towns and cities that certainly were powerful; Scaleswind once being one of these. However, after the Lord of Scaleswinds's daughter, Nicole, was 'rumored' to be held captive here his loyalties quickly changed to O'khasis. One might say a little bit too easily, but it benefited me nonetheless.

It wasn't like it was the first time I had offered Aphmau to marry me. Back when Garroth and Nicole were planned to be married I had decided two weddings would be better than one. Of course, that plan slowly deteriorated over time and I hadn't been particularly eager to dig it back up again. However, at this moment it felt like the perfect opportunity. My initial plans were to crush this settlement with her and everyone in it. Yet, now that I was here, a lifetime of Aphmau being miserably tied to me seemed much more enjoyable than a quick death. Besides, the resources and connections that O'khasis would instantly gain would only strength O'khasis's power. If I wanted to truly destroy Pheonix Drop the most rewarding way would be to slowly tear it apart, limb from limb. Starting first, perhaps, with burning the crops and then maybe burning a few houses now and again. Making it truly suffer.

I let out a slight laugh, having made up my mind, and response to her,
"Come outside that wall," I say slowly with a sinister tongue, "and I think...we can arrange something".

Aphmau (P.O.V)

My knees weaken and bolted beneath me at the thought of leaving the safety of the wall, but what else was there left for me to do? Zane had left us with no other options. The thought of marrying him made me feel sick to the stomach but once I had seen his army's numbers I knew that the death toll would be high; mostly on our side. I had hoped Emmalyn and Kenmur would have found Nicole by now and that it would have been our unbeatable bargaining chip with the Lord of Scaleswind. Nicole could have explained everything. She could have stopped this war with a matter of words with her father. Zane could have been stopped here and now. However, that fantasy had quickly faded away as Emmayln and Kenmur weren't even close to finding Nicole and my worry for her safety and Pheonix Drop's had only increased. I can't risk these loyal people's lives in a battle that we are unlikely to win.

Defeated in spirit I turn to climb down the ladder to meet Zane at the gate. Laurence, who has been standing next to me, clamps his hand around my arm to grab it firmly; his white knuckles show no intentions of letting me go.

"Please Lady Aphmau, reconsider. We can defend them off our wall, we can fight them, defeat them even but we can't lose you. Whatever deal you make with Zane there is no way you can guarantee he will keep his word".

Laurence finishes and keeps his look fixed on me for a moment longer than I would like; then I say softly,

"You are a loyal Guard to me, Laurence". I began, "Believe me I don't want to do this. But I can't watch you, or anyone else here, die. Not for me".

"Aphmau, you never asked us to but we are here because we want to. These people are here because they have sworn their loyalty and lives to you! It's their choice to fight, not yours!"

"I don't doubt them or their loyalty Laurence, we could win but Zane has armies to spare. Even if we win this battle it would be slim, could we win the next one and the next."

"Aphmau.," Laurence whispers.

I can tell Laurence is dry of words but his eyes say it all. He wants me to stay, not wanting to lose me to the tyrant grinning below us. There is no doubt in my mind that in some ways he is right but I will not let him or anyone else be killed if there is a chance that I could have stopped it. It seems like a fair bargain. One life to spare thousands. On both sides.

Having made up my mind I lean in and lightly press my lips on Laurence's cheek and he freezes. I can see the water begin to build up in his eyes as he tries his best to retain a neutral expression; he knows what my choice is. His knuckle's white tint fades and disappears along with his grip. Over my shoulder, I see Garroth, who has been standing far away from both of us on the wall, angrily gripping his sword but his eyes are fixed onto numbers of people below us. I want to talk to him, ask him what's been keeping him out of sight for weeks without a word; to say goodbye. There's no time, as I get a glimpse of Zane's impatient expression.

Zane(P.O.V)

The Lord of Scaleswind and I stand together in front of our joint army. The gate rises up with the loud sound of metal chains clanking together. Once opened it reveals Aphmau with Laurence standing obediently at her side; sword drawn. Brian stands near to them with a gloved hand on the gate lever. My stare at him is enough to express my secret gratitude for kidnapping Nicole.

Aphmau stalks closer eventually lifting her head, trying to look confident. What a stupid and pathetic act, she looks ridiculous. My guards form a circle surrounding her, she has no room for second thoughts. Laurence's smoking hot rage is clear as his eyes are narrowed on me; I swear I could see smoke leaving his ears.

"If I agree to marry you," Aphamu begins, "we must first have an understanding. A marriage between you and I must ensure Pheonix Drop's safety as long as our marriage exists. That includes forces of yours and Scaleswind's leaving Pheonix Drop at this moment now and for good. Also that no other settlements of my alliance are punished for choosing to stand with us this day. That is my only condition since I am not expecting you to oblige by many."