Forged in the Flames

Chapter 93

Forged In The Flames By Karima Sa’ad Usman

Chapter 93 The Rise Of Hill (Piotr’s POV)

It had finally happened. I knew Nikolas was up to something when I arrived at Forest for the committee meeting and found it almost empty. His audacity impressed me, but it hurt that he did not trust me with his plans.

There was also a possibility I had put the idea in his head.

I sat in my chambers, wondering how everyone would respond to Nikolas’s actions.

This was a defining moment for all of us, and I was very eager to see the outcome. I wasn’t lying when I said he would have my support. Whatever the outcome may be, I was willing to support him.

Title of the document

Avoiding my father, I linked my trusted Beta, Gerald, to gather our top officers and meet me in the training room. I did not know who my father would side with or what the alphas of Hill would do, but I owned my father’s army, and I planned to lend Nikolas a helping h*and.

The fight wasn’t his alone. Nikolas being King would mean a bright future for Natasha and me, and I won’t let him do all the work so I can reap the benefits if he succeeds. I plan to work with him and ensure he succeeds.

I wore my shirt and headed to the training room to commence the meeting. I asked two trusted warriors to position themselves at the entrance to ensure no one would eavesdrop on the meeting. They could hear our discussion posted outside, so they won’t be excluded.

Gerald was surprised and confused about the impromptu meeting because it was unlike me. The look on his face showed he knew what I had to say was serious.

“What is the occasion, your highness?” Gerald asked me, and I took a seat.

“Prince Nikolas Kowalski has decided to crown himself as king of Forest,” I said, and they looked confused.

I could understand their confusion because it had nothing to do with us on the surface.

“My father might sit on the fence on this one, but I do not plan to. I plan to support the prince, “ I said, and there was worry etched on their faces.

“If I may speak, your Highness. Don’t you think we would be stepping on King Fredrick’s toes?” he asked with worry, and I nodded.

“My point precisely. Hill isn’t Snow, so why should Fredrick have so much influence here? NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

We are disrespected and disregarded by Snow citizens because they feel we bow to their King.

Our need for peace has made us the joke of our region.

Prince Nikolas is doing something we wouldn’t dare do out of fear.

I do not know if Fredrick would object and attack Nikolas on this. Still, I want us to seize the opportunity to liberate ourselves.

When I become King, I refuse to bow to Fredrick. It is best we join forces with Forest and take him out than allow him to take over Forest and become a more powerful enemy in future, an enemy we would have no choice but to bow.

This is the time to nip his tyranny and evil in the bud,” I said, and they understood my point. The comprehension in their eyes showed they were convinced.

“Any objections?” I asked, and there was none. “So, what should we do?” Gerald asked, and I nodded.

“Prepare yourselves and our warriors secretly. Fredrick is yet to react, so we will wait and see. If he does, we will claim to be neutral. We know what he would do next. He will seek support from our King and the alphas of Hill. After he has convinced them, I will call a meeting with alphas to feel for their allegiance. Mind you, this is not a move to ask them to join us; this move will be to feel for those likely to side with Fredrick and to ensure they cannot lend the tyrant a helping h*and..” I said, and an evil grin went across Gerald’s face. Most of the officers present understood my plan, and they liked it. “It seems you have it all figured out,” Gerald said, and I nodded.

He had no idea how long I had thought of this and how I was finally happy it was happening. From the moment I saw Nikolas, I knew his presence would signal a new era. I was glad to see it happening.

We ended the meeting, and they all went to work.

Two days later, Fredrick arrived at our Kingdom. It was unlike him to pay my father a visit. He would usually settle for letters and summon my father if there was a need for a face -to-face discussion.

This was unusual behaviour, but I already knew why.

My father disagreed with him when they attended the meeting in Forest. I knew Fredrick was being careful because he would need my father’s support on this one. It was no longer between him and my father anymore. A third Kingdom was being resurrected, and the majority would likely win.

I was curious to know the purpose of his visit. Still, I dared not approach the King’s office without being summoned, so I waited in my office nervously.

“Join me in my office, Piotr,” I heard my father’s voice in my head, and I was ecstatic. I did not care about the outcome of the meeting, but I was interested in the context of the discussion.

I got to my father’s office and walked in. Fredrick was surprised and a bit offended to see me.

“Good afternoon, you Majesty,” I said, bowing to Fredrick. He managed to respond.

“What is the meaning of this, Aleksander. This is the meeting of Kings,” Frederick protested, and my father nodded while I sat on the couch in his office.

Frederick was seated on the comfortable chair before my father’s Desk. My father was sitting behind his Desk.

“Piotr is the next King. I will be stepping down in four years, so I should carry him along to make the transition easy.” My father explained.

“But this matter would be resolved in your time,” Fredrick protested.

“Do not assume the future, Fredrick, and do not underestimate Prince Nikolas; he isn’t feared and called a savage for nothing,” My father said, but Fredrick would not have it. Too bad for him; he was a guest in our home and had to abide by our rules.

“Very well then,” He reluctantly said, and I remained quiet. My purpose was to listen.

“I want you to join me in taking over Forest. Nikolas’s behaviour is disrespectful and cannot be trusted with power, or he would abuse it,” he said, and I fought a laugh.

“Like you have?” My father said, and he frowned at my father.

“It is amazing to see that you need my help, Fredrick. You are always bullying our Kingdom with your might. Suddenly you are afraid that Nikolas will do the same to you,” My father said, and Fredrick

shook his head.

“I am not afraid of Nikolas, but we both know what he will do when he becomes King. Our regions depend on the slave trade. We need people that would build our city and carry out our chores. We need Loyal people. The werewolves are more loyal and trustworthy than the Lycans. Nikolas has a werewolf bitch he is screwing; there is no doubt he would abolish the law,” He said, and my father nodded, i “He never said anything like that, nor did he act that way. Besides, you have a werewolf mistress, too. Why haven’t you abolished the law? We both know I have no problem letting the man have his rights. Forest belongs to Nikolas; it belonged to his family and was stolen. The man single- h*andedly created an army and took it back. He does not need our permission to be King, he has earned his place as King, and you have no right to oppose him,” My father said, stating his part.

My father was right. As long as Nikolas did not break the unity law, Fredrick had no justification for attacking Forest. He will be breaking the law doing so, but no one was brave enough to tell him to his face. I was glad to see my father pushing back.

“So, what are you saying, Alex? Because it seems you have already chosen a side,” He said, and my father shook his head.

“I will sit on the fence on this one. I will not waste the lives of my son and the military just to please you, Fred. You know I voted we give him his crown, and my vote hasn’t changed. If you want to fight Nikolas and take over Forest, you will be doing it on your own,” My father stated adamantly, and Fredrick looked at me. I remained silent and bore no expressions on my face.

“You have to support me because other than being colleagues, we will be family soon. Miles and Lena are together,” he said as if it was a secret, and my father laughed. 1

“You mean I will be in-laws with Nikolas soon since Miles is his older brother. Besides, my children’s love interest does not affect my decisions,’ my father said, and technically, he was right. Miles was

Nikolas’s half-brother.

Frederick began to laugh.

“You are such an idiot. Your alphas are willing to help me. My men have contacted them, and they are willing to help me. I do not need your army or your support. I only wanted to carry you because I thought we were friends, so we could share the spoils of Forest, but I know better now. You are just as weak as I remember.” He said and stood up.

My father was silent, unaffected by his words. I had never seen my father push back so hard before. I guess he had had enough.

“I am laughing at you now, Alex, because if you do not choose a side, and I go after Nikolas and finish him off, I will come for Hill. I will take everything dear to you, and you can do nothing about it,” he said, promising my father to come for him.

I would have loved to kill him on the spot for threatening my father, but I did not want a war in Hill. He had come on a friendly visit, and there were rules of engagement. It was hard knowing this asshole would leave Hill unt*ouched. But I consoled myself, knowing I might have a shot at him on the battlefield if he dared to proceed and fight Nikolas.

“I would watch my tongue if I were you, Fredrick. You are no longer the one to be feared anymore. Nikolas has quite a reputation. In fact, I will implore you as a friend to let it go and keep your head on your neck because if you meet that boy on the field, he will take you out,” My father said. Fredrick laughed and started walking toward the exit.

“I expect your son and his army on the battlefield, Alex, and they better be on my side,” he said arrogantly before walking out the door. I guess his visit was over.

I remained sitting on the couch, silent. I did not want to be the first to break the silence. A few minutes later, my father spoke.

“Fredrick is leaving; I have instructed Obadia to ensure everyone he came with leaves Hill with him,” My father told me the situation.

I used that as my cue to leave. I got off the couch, and my father stopped me.

“Nikolas is your friend, and I know you have formed a friendly bond with the prince. You fight all my battles and lead my wars. I am putting you in charge of this. Whatever you decide to do, I am okay with it, Piotr, but above all, please bring honour to Hill,” he said, and I understood his words perfectly well. I smiled evilly and nodded.

“Thank you, Father. I won’t disappoint,” I said and headed out.

On my way out, I linked Gerald to arrange a meeting with all the twenty-six Alphas in Hill. I needed to figure out those that planned to fight for Fredrick and ensure they would not keep their promise. I went to my office and took out a pen and paper to RSVP Nikolas’s invite and inform Fredrick we were on his side.

We can only have victory with inside information, and I planned to get it myself. I knew the battle would commence between now and the new moon. My letter would have to be delivered to Forest in person as there will be issues I would want to be clear about.