I Won't Back Down

''They what?'' Prince Bane barked in disbelief.

''I told you before that they were likely to do this.'' Xavier shook his head with disdain as he sat in front of his nephew who now towered above him.

''Yes, you did, but you didn't tell me so soon.'' Prince Bane continued to scream at the top of his lungs.

Xavier shrugged. What was the essence of waiting for how long before Prince Bane started taking action? Xavier had made it clear that Magus had the upper hand already. They will stop the supply of their quota of food to Persia, and they had just done so.

It didn't even take anyone up to two weeks to notice that there was a shortage in the supply of food because Magus was respomsible for more than seventy percent of that supply.

''Wait, Uncle Xavier, are you serious right now? It's either I sign the treaty or face hunger with the entire Persia?'' Prince Bane asked.

Sent had been at the door of the throneroom eavesdropping because of late, Prince Bane had stopped her from getting involved with the business of running the kingdom.

When Sent heard what had happened, she didn't know if she should be happy or sad. If she were to be happy, it would be because, Prince Bane would realise that without her, he was as good as in fact, dead, but on the other hand, she could be sad because hunger will eventually kill her if something was not done.

''Pathetic fool.'' Sent sneered as she turned around to walk away from the scenario that burnt her chest with anger.

So far, Prince Bane had done nothing but sit on his throne and think about what to do while time was going, while his enemies were taking action. If only he would allow Sent do what she knew how to do best, they would not be in their current situation, that was what Sent thought.

''Okay then, lets just sign the treaty.'' Xavier suggested, hoping that his nephew would give in this time but to his dismay, Prince Bane adamantly shook his head.

''Not so easy.''

Xavier heaved a tired sigh.

''Bane, Persians will soon start to drop dead.''

The truth was that, Persians were the most spoilt nation among all the kingdoms that existed, and the least amount of discomfort would make them sick to the point of death so the Vandersar Princes didn't have to starve them for long.

In fact, there had already been reports of one death follwoing the unavailability of a specific type of food that Persians were used to.

''Would they not be happy to sacrifice themselves for a greater good?'' Xavier was shocked by the statement that Prince Bane had just made.

''I beg your pardon?'' Xavier wanted an explanation.

''Would it be in my reign that Persia will be defeated? Will any Persian want to see themselves under the strong holds of any of the eight kingdoms which they have ruled for many deacdes?'' Prince Bane asked.

There was silence.

''It is a rather unfortunate one to be honest, but Bane, nobody would love to die of hunger. I don't think so.'' Xavier made it clear to his nephew that the chances of him winning the people of Persia over in this case was slim.

Orince Bane was uncomfortably pacing the throne room as he listened to his uncle.

''But, those Princes do not have the right to do this at this time. They are still very much under Persia. The damn treaty has not yet been signed so who gave them the audacity to quit their supply? Of course, I am not going to allow that to happen,'' Prince Bane said and suddenly sat back down on his throne, grabbing his seal and penning some words down.

''Take this, go now to Magus and warn Harry. Harry is the leader of those three. Tell Prince Harry to back out of his plan or else, he would face consequences that he cannot handle, I assure you.'' Prince Bane said as he stretched his hand towards Xavier and handed the piece of information over to him.

''Bane, Magus has an upper hand. I bet you, Harry will also ignore this command just as he has been ignoring other commands you have sent to him. Can't you get it? Are you not tired of sending out commands that will only end up landing back on your lap? My goodness.'' Xavier was obviously tired of everything.

''Uncle Xavier, I am not going to go down so easily.'' Bane's eyes look like death as they glared into that of his uncles'.

Xavier swallowed hard and nodded once, grabbing the memo that Prince Bane had written, intending to start his journey back to Magus.

''You have to look for a way to do something about those Princes. Uncle Xavier, I won't sign the treaty . If I have to die, then so be it, but I won't give up my throne.''

Xavier glared at his nephew.

''You must watch your tongue, you know that for sure, right? Watch your tongue so that we don't regret losing you. You are the Prince, so your words carry meaning and would most likely not be ignored by the higher powers...'' Xavier was scolding his nephew when Bane suddenly interrupted him.

''You should better ask the higher powers to act concerning this treaty thing. If they would not ignore my words, then why won't they stop those Princes from trying to take over the kingdoms from me?'' Prince Bane said with sarcasm.

Xavier nodded.

''That's fine then, but I must tell you that the Usylon girl showing up is something that every single kingdom has looked forward to. She carries a greater cause than just making Magus free from the leadership of Persia. There is more to her my Prince. Yet, just as you have ordered, I will go to Magus with your letter and ask the Vandersar Princes to resume sending food supplies to Persia.''