"I wouldn't get so cocky if I were you," Gilgen said in a cold voice. "If I retreat with my army and return empty-handed, I'll only be ridiculed and face some embarrassment, but you'll be facing far more severe consequences. Once Cameron arrives, he'll be sure to force you into staging a rebellion, and you'll have to either kill him or be killed yourself. Do you think the Effer Kingdom would be willing to follow a traitor like you? Mass rebellions will rise up from all across the kingdom, and everyone will be out for your blood. How are you going to deal with that?" 

Both of them knew what each other was afraid of, and neither side was able to gain an upper hand in the negotiations.

"Alright, then what do you propose?" Lazaar asked as he looked at Gilgen with an intrigued expression. "Don't tell me you came here today just to see whose cavaliers are superior in battle."

"Seeing as the people around Cameron are encouraging him to face me in a final showdown, then I can grant him that opportunity. Judging from how much time has already elapsed, his army should be here in a day or two. When that time comes, I'll personally issue an official challenge to him for a showdown in five days, which is the 15th of February, on the Marrod Plain. What you do then will be up to you," Gilgen said in a decisive manner. "I hope you won't still be sitting...