218 Duel Between Siblings

"There is still hope. We may still be on to them," Aelfdene said, presenting his argument. 

Lyklor sighed looking at his comrade, he was just as stubborn as the other general, Cleon. 

If not for the fame he would get when they caught the hybrid, he wouldn't have bothered himself fighting it out with Aelfdene or undergone so much stress. 

"Face it Aelfdene. We need to inform his majesty, plan better and if it is to match with more soldiers then we would. But for now, we need to return."

Aelfdene didn't respond. As much as he hated it, Lyklor was right, but there was that part of him telling him to give it a try and he knew he would regret it if he didn't. 

"Are you coming with us or not?" Lyklor asked after some time. He was already getting impatient with the way things were going.

Borak and the other soldier exchanged glances and then returned it to the two generals. The atmosphere became quiet save for the wind blow against them and the ruffling and dancing of the leaves.

It was as though nature itself was awaiting his answer while giving him a calm feeling to decide properly.

After what seemed like forever, he finally spoke, breaking the silence.

"No." At his answer, Lyklor threw his hands in the air, in a frustrated surrender. "I would not be going."

"Are you sure? You would go at it on your own," Borak said, chipping in his question and hoping to convince Aelfdene once more.

"I am sure. You also do not need to go back to the forest peak. Light up the signal, so they would return. Have every soldier retreat. The hybrid has left the forest."

After he finished giving out his order, Lyklor nodded at him and asked once more, "Final decision?"

"Final. I would go through and check where this trail leads, perhaps I may find a cue. At least we need to know where she is headed and prepare well if we are going to chase after her."

"Suit yourself. I would relay your message to the King."

Both of them nodded their heads and with that Aelfdene hurried away, leaving the others behind.

"General!" Borak called out.

"Hmm," Lyklor replied him without bothering to look in his direction.

"Should we wait for him?"

"No. He made his decision, move out."

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~ELVEN KINGDOM – PALACE~

It had been days now and Princess Avery was already discharged from the infirmary and now looked healthier than before, completely out of danger.

In the training grounds, Avery and Terrence are seeing duelling with each other using their swords.

Terrence's moves were swift and precise, making it hard for his sister to actually keep up.

In the whole kingdom, Both himself and his younger brother Prince Blade, where the only ones who were on par with each other.

CLANK!

Before long, their movements could barely be seen with the naked eyes as their speed increased greatly. If not for the fact that they were elves, to a normal human, he would only be seeing flashes and sparks when their swords met.

"Not bad, you have improved since our last duel," Terrence said as he swung the sword to her head, Avery moved in time and ducked.

"I was never planning to remain a kid forever, brother." She moved, this time faster, pushing her sword towards her brother's stomach.

Terrence easily brushed it with his sword, making her lose her footing and was about falling face flat on the ground, when she placed one hand on the ground and somersaulted, directing her other hand with the sword at him, before landing with her foot.

Terrence jumped up, evading the incoming danger his sister sent his way and landed a few feet away from her. "Impressive, but it would take you years to get to where I am."

In no time, he swung his sword at her sides fast, not giving her enough time to react, while she blocked and dodged with her own sword, barely able to parry his attacks.

Swoosh! Clank!

Before she knew what was happening, her sword was thrown out of her hands and the tip of his sword was on her neck.

"I told you so…"

At that moment, when he lowered his guard against her, she pushed his sword with her fingers and tilted her head and body back, then kicked at his sword.

Everything happened so fast that Terrence least expected it and got his sword thrown off his hands as well and landed on her outstretched hand. He quickly moved back, out of range from her next attack.

"You were saying, brother?" A small smile spread across her lips as her sharp gaze stared at her brother.

"Nice," as soon as he said that, he kicked her sword with his leg, raising it and caught it with his hands. "But, it would take a much better skill to defeat me."

On and on they went, clashing swords against each other, no one ready to concede defeat for the other. Minutes later, the match seemed to have come to an end with Terrence holding both of her hands together at her back and placing his sword in front of her neck with his free hand.

"Surrender, you lost," his deep voice echoed in her ear, ringing his victory into her brain.

"Are you sure?" Avery whispered back to him.

"What do you mean?"

"You'll see." She stepped on his foot hard, hoping it would make him drop his sword and yell in pain. Unfortunately for her, he saw it coming.

Although it was painful, he gritted his teeth, bearing the pain and whispered back, "If I were a real enemy, you would have your throat slit before you can make a move."

"If you were a real enemy, then I wouldn't have gone for your foot. I would have gone for a weaker point if you know what I mean."

Just then, she raised her left leg to the back, a little distance from his groin. Sensing the danger, Terrence quickly spoke up. "You wouldn't dare."

"Call it a draw and I won't. Still claim to be the winner, brother and you can't blame me for surviving," Avery replied him, her voice filled with a hint of mischief.

"I would take my chances."

He pushed his blade closer to her throat the moment he sensed her leg going higher near his manhood.

At that very moment, Queen Aelinor happened to pass by the training grounds with some maids tailing behind her. Upon noticing the scene in front of her, her heart skipped. She squinted her eyes, getting a closer look at the situation.

Her eyes met with Avery's leg just some inches away from Terrence member, then trailed up to see the other danger, Terrence sword, pressed against Avery's throat.

She couldn't believe her children were playing such a dangerous game. The next second her voice rang out, reverberating in the entire training ground.

"AVERY! TERRENCE! STOP THIS NONSENSE AT ONCE!"

Hearing the queen's voice, Avery immediately dropped her leg and Terrence, rather than lowering his weapon and ending things, he kicked her leg, making her fall on her knees and moved swiftly to her front with his sword underneath her chin.

"Never you lower your guard, no matter the distraction."

"Pff, if not for mother, I would have been the one telling you that now," she retorted, not still willing to accept her loss.

"In that case, you did well. I am willing to call it a draw." His lips curled up into a smile watching her eyes pop open at his statement, but that soon changed when he heard his name again.

"Terrence!"

"Damn"

Avery could only smile now. 'Who has the last laugh now, brother? I would enjoy mother scolding the living daylight out of you for threatening her precious daughter.' Avery thought, feeling triumphant at the turn of events.

Terrence immediately lowered his sword the very same time, his mother arrived at where they were.

"Crown Prince Terrence. Explain the meaning of this nonsense."

"Mother, hehe, I am sorry. We were just training, nothing more," he said, scratching his head as he turned to look at her.

"Training? Who said she is fit for training? And you," Aelinor pointed at Avery who was no longer kneeling on the ground, "Who told you, you were well enough to duel with him?"

"Mother, relax, I am fine."

"You see mother, it was just a friendly training."

"It was just a friendly training," she mimicked her son's voice before looking at them with an intense gaze. "Let it not repeat itself. Your father wants you both in the throne room in an hour. I suggest you o get cleaned, eat and move there."

"Yes mother," they said in unison and waited for her to leave.

"And why are you still standing here, move it! Oh and Terrence, your fiancé is around. Meet her in the garden."

"Thank you, mother."

Quickly, Avery and Terrence rushed out of the training grounds to prepare.

Queen Aelinor watched as both of her children left, then moved her hands up to pat at her chest. "Hmm, I wouldn't die because of them."