His life is not mine to take.

"You life is not mine to take." I looked at Sura and then at the lord of the castle who Cassandra stood behind. "Perhaps his lordship should take the ladies somewhere."

Sura and came over grabbing the hatchet out of the dead orcs head. Sura showed him anything but mercy. She didn't go right for the kill as she hacked away at him starting with his legs as he screamed out in pain until he finally died of blood lost though that didn't stop her from keeping hacking into him. The dark elf witch sadly had vanished but I knew we would cross paths with her again. I
went to find the girls which were in a room nearby off the main hall were they were with the last of the princesses guards who was rubbing her arms now that the shackles were off.

"Is it over?" Seren asked as she came over.

"Almost." I nodded. "I have the ring so they will do whatever I say."

"Then order them to kill each other." The young man said stepping forward.

"That isn't up to me. They where following orders. Orders they couldn't refuse." I shook my head.

"It doesn't matter. You know how many of my people they killed. Give me the ring and I will do it." He held out his hand.

"I am sorry but no. They will face the queens judgement."

"How can you say that? They killed your friends as well." He poked me in the chest. I expected him to swing at me.

"And I killed theirs. More then I could count."

"As lord of this castle I order you to hand over the ring." He balled up his fist.

"I don't answer to you my lord."

"Stop it. Both of you." Princess Seren yelled. "The orcs will leave today and brought before my mother. Those without collars who followed the general and willingly attacked the castle will be left behind to be punished as his lordship sees fit even if it means ****."

"Fair enough your highness." I nodded.

"Fine." The lord frowned. Someone had to answer for this so it may as well be those responsible. The rest was a bit of a blur as the rest of the orcs came with us to the capital. While the princesses would travel back by ship along with the dead guards.

The queen granted them a pardon on the condition that the male orcs serve in the army until the wars end after which they would be allowed live in the orc provenance while the few females would be allowed to go their now. Though they were only two hundred of the two thousand orcs the general had procured. It was clear the generals goal was to attack the kingdom to the south. He may have been dead but someone had to still be behind this all and more attacks like this were to come.

The fallen guardsman were laid to rest with the exception of Araseli who's body was burned on a hill. Her ashes left to scatter into the wind as was the custom of her people.

"Can I ask you something?" I said looking at the princess as we watched the pier burn. "How did you know when to teleport in to aid us?"

"A little bird told me." She shrugged.

"A Robin?" I nodded. I had heard of the magic that allowed people to share senses with an animal but had yet to try it. Maybe when things settled down. After the funeral I headed home and tried to get back to normal life. As normal as things got for us.