Enoch stayed close to the disguised queen as they headed toward the meadow. He was still in disbelief that Ivy not only knew a siren, but she had figured out all the enemies and their plans. She had become a master spy or perhaps detective was a better fit to describe her abilities. How had she found a siren in Lunaris that understood polymorphic magic? This was a story he hoped she would share later. The siren had disguised herself as an elf and ran off to stake out the plan with Ivy while Enoch, Queen Galadriel, and the royal guard headed toward King Hexion. If things worked out right, the queen would draw out the Grim Guild Master and force the truth out of the king. Enoch had his doubts about their plan, but no one else had a better idea.

  Enoch led the way exiting the dark store through the wooden door with an excitable queen behind him. He was baffled by her excitement to jump into battle. Although Queen Galadriel was a warrior elf queen, he never imagined how happy she would be to run onto the battlefield. To others, Queen Galadriel appeared to be an insane royal guard itching for battle while the actual royal guard was acting like a dignified queen, treading lightly behind him. This was weirder than him shifting an orc soldier and a wolf. He kept reminding himself that this was all for his clan, his kind, and his friends. Jalen, Ivy, Karis, and Aura were all here somewhere fighting to protect the future of beast shifters in Lunaris. The only sad part for Enoch was he had to entrust the future of shifters to the insane, battle-loving elf queen beside him. ‘God, help us!’ He prayed to himself as they left the village in their wake.

  The smell of blood and rotting flesh permeated the air. The lilies in the meadow were crushed and bleeding red with bodies littering the meadow. Such a beautiful place became a wasteland because King Hexion didn’t like what the queen was trying to achieve for Lunaris. Enoch had gone to war because of King Hexion and the Grim Guild, only for this battle to break out a week later. It all seemed so selfish and ridiculous when the truth behind it all was revealed. Enoch pulled himself away from his thoughts as they approached the egotistical monarch himself.

  “King Hexion,” Enoch called out. “King Hexion! Rejoice! The queen has returned unharmed!”

  “Laying it on a bit thick, aren’t we?” The disguised queen whispered to Enoch.

  “I am supposed to play the hero who finds and guards the queen, and that is what I intend to do.” Enoch retorted under his breath as the king approached. The disguised queen immaturely stuck out her tongue in response to his words.

  “Ah. The orc soldier returned with Queen Galadriel. What is your name, soldier?” King Hexion grinned at Enoch.

  Enoch thought to himself about what name to use when he smiled back at the king, “They call me Blade, my king.”

  “Blade! What a fine name for a good soldier. Will you stay and defend Queen Galadriel through the battle?” King Hexion asked, place his hand on Enoch’s shoulder.

  “Of course, my king. I would give my life for her.” Enoch bowed his head in respect. He was good at playing the part of being a dedicated soldier.

  “Very good,” King Hexion squeezed Enoch’s shoulder. Although this whole thing was only an act by the king, Enoch was tempted to believe him. “Come all! We must support the knights and guards in battle. We will win this battle and put an end to the shifters’ raid on this village!” All the guards and knights cheered at the king’s words. They all marched back to the red meadow with the dignified decoy queen and stewing, disguised queen in tow.

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  Just as they settle in a formidable spot, a wave of dark magic washed over the bloody meadow empowering the beast shifter to continue their crusade. Enoch cringed at the sight of the shifters viciously attacking the knights and royal guards. He had second thoughts about letting the disguised queen enter the battle, but she was a warrior first and queen second. Enoch surveyed the meadow and spotted Jalen and the dwarf woman attacking as a unit to keep the shifters at bay. He could faintly smell Ivy and the siren in the tree line to the right, watching and waiting to strike. Enoch was waiting for the moment to strike as well as King Hexion did his best to speak with the decoy queen. The king was likely trying to distract the decoy queen away from the battle.

  Another group of shifters charged at the defensive wall surrounding the royals. The disguised queen gave a small wicked laugh as the defensive wall of guards began to break apart. A bear shifter ran toward the decoy queen only to be stopped by Enoch and the disguised queen.

  “I got this, Blade,” The disguised queen said with excitement in her voice.

  Enoch stepped away to allow Queen Galadriel her time with the bear shifter. He watched as Queen Galadriel zigzagged in front of the bear, playing with her opponent. The bear swiped and struck its arms in frustration, trying to attack the disguised queen. Enoch chuckled at Queen Galadriel’s tactics. He supposed the warrior queen truly had this fight well in hand.

  “Blade!” Enoch turned to see King Hexion looking fakely frantic. “Protect the queen! Hurry!”

  Enoch saw the decoy queen standing between two monkey shifters, and he went off into battle. The monkey shifters took the decoy queen’s sword from her hands and swung it about wildly. Enoch drew his sword and began to make strategic swings with his blade, wounding the monkey shifters. The monkeys double-teamed Enoch with each attack trying to catch him off guard. Another burst of dark magic rolled over the meadow strengthening the shifters once more. Enoch fought harder against the monkey shifters to keep them away from the royals.

  “King Hexion, perhaps, it’s time we joined the battle,” The decoy queen suggested as she watched Enoch and the disguised queen fight harder to keep the shifters at bay. Rosalie may look like Queen Galadriel, but she still desired to fight alongside the true queen who was in a heated battle with a bear.

  “Queen Galadriel, where is your faith in our guards and knights? We must stay here and be strong to keep up their morale. That is our place in this battle.” King Hexion lectured her.

  Rosalie felt her hand twitch on the handle of her ax. She hated sitting on the sidelines and thought carefully of how the true queen would respond to the egotistical king. Queen Galadriel would surely challenge the king. Her royal guards were out there fighting, and she would make a point to join them. “King Hexion, I have stayed on the sidelines long enough. Our people are dying, and I intend to help them instead of being moral support as you suggest. You can stay here if you wish, but I am entering the battle.” Rosalie said, trying to act just as Queen Galadriel would since Rosalie was her decoy. Her hands gripped the ax handle as she walked away from King Hexion. Suddenly, swords blocked her path to the meadow. She turned back to the smirking king.

  “Queen Galadriel, why must you be so difficult? All you had to do was stay here. You already disappeared once, making the shifters’ job harder. I had to send people after you to bring you back. Honesty. Why do you make it so hard for the shifters to kill you?” King Hexion revealed his true colors.

  Rosalie signaled Ivy with her ax subtly to inform her of King Hexion’s admission. “Did you orchestrate all of this to kill me? I don't know whether I should be flattered or appalled,” she stated.

  “Just to kill you? Heavens no. I brought this plan together to destroy you, your policies, and these damn beast shifters.” He chuckled. “Now, will you play your part like a dignified royal or in brave little pieces?” His hands settled on his dual blades ready to draw them and attack the elf queen.

  “I have never been one to play a part, Hexion,” the decoy queen retorted. “Ready to dance, Hexion?” She grinned. She was going to put Hexion in his place. All the guards watched as the two royals crossed blades amidst the battle in the meadow, which had come to a screeching halt. All attention fell to royals and their blades.

  Enoch watched the monkey shifters fall to the ground like the bear shifter that the disguised queen had been fighting. He turned to see commotion by the royals, which sent the disguised queen charging toward the royals, but before Enoch could join them, he heard Jalen Scream from further in the meadow. He could see a dusty gray wolf dying in Jalen’s arms. “Karis…” Enoch whispered as he felt her tethered connection to him tense like it could snap at any moment.

  “Blade!” The disguised queen beckoned him. “Hurry, we need you!” She cried.

  “Damn, royals,” he muttered in frustration torn between his family and his duty. “Damn, everything.”