《Flames of Dawn》


 Prologue

    First Aeon, the year 934 After Dawn

    Seagulls circled the mast of a sailing ship. The wood was creaking over the waves crashing into the bow on a bright and sunny day. The mast bore a sword sigil wrapped in thorny vines. On the horizon, there was nothing but stretching sea.

    Inside the ship''s hold, dozens of people were sitting in rows, tied up and only wearing dirty, ragged clothing. It was dead silent. Some vomited because of the rocking ship, but the slavemasters didn''t care. As long as their bile didn''t get in their path, all they did was put up a smug smirk seeing everyone suffer so much. If it did, you would bear the painful consequences. They just slowly paced around, dragging their whip across the floor with them. The dragging sound was a way of them to scare people. Reminded them what they were holding in their hands.

    One of those prisoners was restless, like most of them, darting her weak amber eyes around all the time. When one of the slavers was far enough and not facing her, she used her toes to nudge the one sitting in front of her.

    No reaction.

    With a quiet, whispering tone, she nudged the person again while keeping an eye on the slaver. The sound of her whisper had a shiver in it. "Where are we going?"

    She could see the person''s back covered in red whip marks. Some were bloody, and some turned the skin around black and purple. Seeing that made her feel sick. But at the same time, it made her sweat, even more, realizing the situation she was in was even worse than she thought.

    Because she didn''t get a response, she sighed within herself, closing her eyes for a short moment. But all of a sudden, she felt an extreme wave of pain radiating throughout her entire body, making her release a piercing yelp, followed by the sound of a whip echoing through the hold. She didn''t notice there was another slaver behind her.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    "Quiet, scum!" he growled. His brown leather uniform squeaked a little bit with every step. His jack was sleeveless, and it revealed intimidating tattoos on his arm. The elegant way they spoke hinted their Eryan origin.

    She moaned softly, tilting her torso towards the side that got hit with quick, painful breaths. When both keepers were far enough, she heard a quiet voice behind her.

    "Volaria."

    "Volaria?"She thought to herself. The Land of Sand, as many called it.

    Jarring bells sounded above. Even though it wasn''t that loud, it was still ear-piercing. It meant there was land in sight, so who knows what would happen next. About ten minutes later, the ship started docking. She could tell by the slow and sharp turns the ship made. But something was wrong. The prisoners'' heads rose up, looking towards the ceiling when they heard thumps and muffled screams above. She heard it as well.

    "What are you waiting for? Figure out what''s going on!" said one of the slavers to the other. The slaver rushed towards the door that led to the stairs, but immediately flew back and crashed onto the ground as the door was kicked in.

    "There''s no need for that!" a deep voice emerged from upstairs. Someone walked down the stairs. A muscled man in full steel armor, fine black hair braided in thin locks touching his shoulder pads. Four men in the same steel armor accompanied him. Two were holding bows while the others held swords. With the one slaver on the ground, the other still didn''t know what just happened. Without remorse, one of the archers sent an arrow right into the standing slaver''s shoulder. A loud groan filled the room before he fell on his knees.

    "Tie these slavers up and lock them in the dungeons." The leader said, then looked back up the stairs, calling more people over.

    "The hold is clear, as well. Free these prisoners and bring every single one of them to the infirmary."

    A dozen men walked down the stairs, and every single of them bore the same sigil on their chest. A flame encircled by the sun. They started untying the prisoners and helping them up. Some were even too weak to be standing on their own feet. When someone approached the girl, she immediately wanted to know answers.

    "What is happening? Where are we?" her voice still having a hint of pain from the whip she received earlier.

    The man helped her up and cut her ties. "You have been freed from slavery by order of commander Marlock. You''re in the city of Jiron. Just liberated by our cause."

    "Cause? What cause?"

    "The Flames of Dawn, our rebellion. Our goal is to overthrow the seat in the Citadel in Erye. As you might already know, they''re the cause of all of this. Follow the other soldiers, and they will lead you all to the healers'' infirmary. Welcome to Jiron."

 Chapter I: The Angel of Death

    Act I

    The Dark Dawn

    "That''s a mean mark you have there. Don''t worry, though. It didn''t penetrate your skin. With some rest, it should heal pretty quickly. Others seemed to be less fortunate than you."

    The healer softly dipped a damp cloth on the girl''s skin where the whip mark was while she was sitting straight on her bed. A strong herbal scent filled the room, along with cries of pain of other people. The girl nodded, sometimes retracting her body from the healer''s hand when it hurt, inhaling sharply.

    "What''s your name?" the healer smiled warmly. She wore a simple cloth robe with a hood that rested half on her head, with beautiful black curls showing.

    "Kiera," the girl replied, observing the healer''s movements.

    "Oh, that''s a gorgeous name. My name is Ayska." the healer smiled. Judging by the darker color of her skin and her name, she must''ve been Volarian. She then noticed Kiera''s trembling hands. With a soft touch, she grabbed one of them in both her hands and kept it steady.

    "Don''t worry; you''re safe here. The entire city is under control of commander Marlock. He''s planning to expand even further."

    "My family, they''re still in Etheon. You have to go save them, please." Kiera''s eyes began watering up and turning red. She started talking faster and faster, "They will kill them, especially my brother, he will never be a slave, he will-"

    Ayska muted Kiera by hushing and holding a finger across her lips. It was only then she noticed that Kiera had a small old scar across her mouth. She decided to ignore it.

    "I will inform commander Marlock of this and we will get your family out of there, okay? But for now, you need to rest. Even the infirmary is guarded, nobody can touch you here."

    Somehow, Ayska''s warm and comforting words calmed Kiera down. She still wasn''t fully convinced that she was safe, though. She just wanted to go home.

    "I will apply some salve from the Yogiil plant. It will ease the pain and moisten the skin to make it heal faster." Ayska said, taking a small wooden bowl with a transparent substance, dipping her finger into it before softly rubbing it out on the bruise. She felt a strange feeling of relief, as the pain quickly faded away. It felt cold and refreshing.

    "Woah, that..really works." Kiera smiled softly.

    "Of course, it''s supposed to!" Ayska giggled, wrapping a clean cloth around Kiera''s hip, "There. All good! All you have to do is rest, and it should be healed very quickly. If you need something, there''s always going to be a healer around."

    Ayska wanted to leave, but Kiera raised her voice. "Wait."

    With a questioning gaze, Ayska turned around.

    "Thank you," Kiera muttered. Ayska replied with a simple smile and nod before tending to other wounded.

    Since it was already getting dark, and she had a long sleepless journey in that slaver ship, Kiera went to sleep.

    <hr>

    Night fell upon windy islands. Where once seagulls squawked, crickets chirped. A chirping, that was barely audible due to the loud singing of drunken pirates. Six big galleons anchored around the island, and torches gave the shores an orange tint. There was one place on the island where it was quiet though. An eerie silence loomed around inside a wooden shack. Pirates filled the room, all aiming their heads to one person sitting behind a desk, listening to a story like admiring children.

    "So you''re asking me if this captain can promise you prizes, plunder, adventure..and freedom?" the mysterious man''s voice sounded rather raspy and deep. As he wore his black tricorn hat, the light of the lantern on the ceiling shaded his entire face.

    "Aye. He''s rather new to this pirate life, but he picked up on this game faster than any lad ever did. He''s amongst the most clever. There was a time when I thought of me''self the deadliest scourge of these seas." with a soft chuckle, he continued...If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    A hurricane raged over the middle of the Sleeping Sea. The waves were almost reaching the top of the masts, but that didn''t stop the little brig ship to defend herself against a massive Valquen galleon, carrying black sails of a gryphon spreading its wings. Their sails fluttered with the devastating winds.

    "Batten down the hatches!" The captain of the small brig screamed. His voice barely caught any wind to his crew because of the storm. Luckily he still had his quartermaster, who carried his voice to the rest of the crew. One by one, the hatched opened, and the cannons were pushed through. Sailors engaged themselves with keeping the ship in one piece, while others tended to the cannons, loading in cannonballs and lining them up, ready to fire.

    The captain''s quartermaster returned, panting heavily.

    "Captain, they''re going to crush us, we have to lose ''em in this storm! We are faster than them!"

    "There''s no time! This ship will never survive the rest of this hurricane!"

    The captain''s quartermaster replied with widened eyes. "What?"

    "We either take their ship or turn into food for the sha-" his sentence was interrupted by a rain of cannonballs flying overhead and digging into the ship, making them duck instinctively.

    "We''re making water, captain!" it sounded in the distance.

    "It doesn''t matter lads, we''re ramming her straight into them!" the captain answered his crew''s worries, again, his voice barely cut through the air.

    "Brace!" the quartermaster screamed. With all of his might, the captain turned the wheel and made the bow face straight towards the galleon.

    "Release the traveling sails; we need full speed!"

    "Aye captain! Release the traveling sails!" the quartermaster yelled. With all sails catching the raging winds, the little brig seemed to be flying over the waves, approaching the galleon with incredible speed. As the ship wasn''t controllable anymore, the captain released the wheel and unsheathed his two curved blades. His black hip scarf and long black hair violently fluttered with the wind as he ran towards the forecastle, holding onto a mast pole.

    As a flash of lightning lit up the pouring skies, the massive Valquen galleon seemed to be much closer than they thought when it revealed their intimidating silhouette. Unfortunately, too close for comfort. Nobody prepared for the impact as the little ship dug its way into the galleon''s hull, snapping planks and throwing them around in the air. Despite holding on, almost everyone lost their balance, except for the captain...

    He was nowhere to be seen on the brig anymore. Vanished like a shadow. Instead, the Valquen captain saw his silhouette on the bow of his own ship when another lightning lit up the skies.

    "The Angel of Death..." he muttered, "Kill that man!"

    Valquen soldiers charged the captain with raised swords and axes. Like a ghost, he cut his way through dozens of them, parrying and countering every attack with the rasps of blades and reaching starboard in almost an instant. When he saw an archer aiming at him, he immediately grabbed a soldier and used him as a human shield before throwing one of his swords straight between the archer''s eyes.

    Having to tend to other attacks immediately, he slaughtered soldiers on the deck in a brutal fashion.

    The Valquen captain couldn''t believe his eyes. Another lightning struck, and never before had this captain seen something like this before. It revealed his deck covered in his soldier''s dead bodies, only with the captain of the brig standing between them, looking right at him.

    With a calm pace, the Angel of Death approached the galleon captain, who fearfully took steps back, a shiver in his voice.

    "S-stay back! Devil curse you, you''re a monster."

    The ship still rocked over the tall waves, but that didn''t bring any imbalance to this mysterious brig captain. Another lightning revealed his face for just a split second, a wide scar across his entire mouth and left cheek.

    "No, that''s where you''re wrong. I am Captain Valmir, and this is my ship now."

    "...so if his fortune and adventure you seek, then Captain Valmir Valquen is the man you need."

    Some sailors looked at each other before the squeaking door of the shack opened. It was him, captain Valmir himself. He wore black leather gear, mixed with red cloth underneath. Tight boots and his hip scarf topped it off as the glow of the torches outside reflected onto his dual curved blades.

    "Stop sharing these stories, Harper. We need to get ready to set sail." his voice sounding the complete opposite of this storyteller. Young and warm.

    "Are we now? Where are we headin''?"

    "Jiron. We received a letter from the rebellion calling themselves the Flames of Dawn. They promise a lot of gold if we help them fight."

    Harper grunted and snorted loudly before spitting onto the ground next to him.

    "Since when do pirates meddle in political affairs?"

    "They don''t only promise gold, but land to call our own as well. Away from these tiny cursed islands. They''re fighting for freedom. Isn''t that what we pirates want?"

    Harper slowly stood up and looked at the sailors around him. "Choose your captain, and scurry off to prepare our fleet to set sail."

    Valmir stepped aside from the doorway when all the sailors left the shack, and Harper took a few steps towards him.

    "This trip better not disappoint me, mate. Think about your reputation. You don''t want them to think the ''Angel of Death'' is nothing but a royal puppet." he said before leaving Valmir as well. Standing alone, he watched Harper for a short moment as he muttered something to him, which he clearly couldn''t hear anymore.

    "Reputation is not what drives me for this life, my friend..."

 Chapter II: A Display of Power

    Soft chatter filled the streets of Jiron on the next bright and sunny morning. In the center of the city stood the royal palace where a Valquen king once ruled. After the rebels took it, it turned into their headquarters and war room.

    "Pirates? Are we seriously recruiting pirates?" a fierce voice echoed throughout the war room. A small chamber with a table in the center, displaying a map of Oryn and carved wooden pions resembling war assets. Wall torches colored the walls and ceiling in an orange hue.

    "We need every asset we can use. As you can see, we might have this city, but we''re still surrounded by enemies." Marlock answered, as usual, his voice sounded warm and calm. He wore his full polished steel armor with his usual red cloak.

    "Pirates are not an asset. They''re a burden. Why do you think they would follow us? They follow no one."

    "This time it''s different. The leader of that fleet isn''t just a pirate."

    The person on the other side of the table furrowed his eyebrows and closed his eyes. "He''s a Valquen, Marlock. He''s carrying the name of the people we fight. This is madness."

    "Why do you think he''s become a pirate? Because he doesn''t give a sword''s end about his family anymore. He is the first pirate captain in history to unite a thousand pirates. I already made my decision, and my decision is final. The letter was sent two days ago." with a firm hand, Marlock picked up three ship pions at once and placed them at Jiron on the map.

    "Now if you''ll excuse me, I got some more work to do," he said before heading to the door and opening it.

    "Why am I even in this war council if I have nothing to say here?" the other man asked.

    Marlock sighed and looked back as he stood in the open doorway. "It''s good to have a second opinion, Edward. But sometimes I''m certain of what''s right. And no other opinion will stop me from doing that." he said as he closed the door behind him to the throne room.

    It was empty. No guards, no one to sit on the throne. A thin layer of dust covered the marble floor as visible rays of sunlight shone through the open arched windows. Only now he noticed someone standing beside the throne. A girl, it seemed. When she turned around, he recognized her.

    "Ah, Yira, isn''t it? Already recovered from your wounds?" he asked, slowly approaching her with his footsteps echoing through the hall.

    She wore a green robe, wrapped tightly around her hip with a belt. Her auburn hair was neatly braided into one long ponytail. It made her amber eyes stand out more.

    "I wasn''t a big deal, but most of the others are. And it''s Kiera, by the way," she said in a soft and gentle voice.

    "I see." Marlock said, changing his gaze to the throne, "Beautiful throne, isn''t it?" Stone carved vines and flowers decorated the throne.

    "It is. It makes you wonder why the Valquens could do such horrible things." Kiera said.

    "We will put an end to this, Kiera. Maybe not too soon, but we will." Marlock reassured her and then paused to think about something. "Why are you here? I suppose you only came here for answers."

    Kiera nodded and cleared her throat. "I am actually. I''ll cut to the chase. I''m asking you to save my family back in Etheon. They''re still slaves. And I''m here with the possibility to drink wine and sleep all day. I can''t do that. It doesn''t feel right."

    Marlock sighed and observed Kiera''s stressed expression. Sharp eyes and frowned eyebrows. "Archhealer Ayska told me about it. She told me you were scared. But what makes your family have more priority than everyone else''s family?"

    Kiera blinked a few times rapidly before gazing away from Marlock and taking a deep sigh. "I get it. You cannot risk your men for three people. But you can risk me, can''t you?"

    For a short moment, Marlock didn''t quite understand what she meant by that and paused. He rubbed his firm beard and shook his head softly when he realized.

    "Kiera, you''re not going out there alone. The reason why I''m not sending my men down there is that they will never make it back with or without your family. Not even my best men."

    Kiera followed up his message immediately with a more firm tone. Her eyes hinted a sudden determination.

    "Then give me a ship, and I''ll find my own crew to save them."This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

    Marlock sighed and took a glimpse at the golden doors that lead outside the palace. "I can''t Kiera. I still have a lot of work to do. We will save your parents, but right now we don''t have the men or time to do so. As the leader of this rebellion, I am very sorry."

    He turned around and started walking towards the exit. His cloak partially dragged across the floor. But then Kiera clenched her teeth, and her face started flushing red as she raised her voice, echoing throughout the room.

    "My parents can die at any moment! You can''t expect me just to stay here and do nothing, let alone take orders from you just because you stole me from those slavers!-" Suddenly, Marlock turned around aggressively and raised his voice above Kiera''s.

    "Then do as you wish, Kiera! But if you ever yell to me this way again, you will be banished from this rebellion and walking the Silent Waste all by yourself! That is not an order, that''s a threat! The choice is up to you! You should be grateful damn it!"

    He didn''t give Kiera a chance to answer as he continued his walk towards the exit, disappearing behind the golden doors. It turned silent in the throne room. Kiera stood there all by herself beside the throne. She was muted and didn''t expect Marlock, to react in such a way. "Why does he not understand my frustration?" She thought to herself. It didn''t take long for her to shed some tears before sliding down on the ground with her back against the throne.

    She felt so helpless and miserable. She literally couldn''t do anything to help her loved ones. Sometimes, even the thought of them already being dead crossed her mind and she couldn''t bear that.

    <hr>

    Unintelligible chatter filled the throne room high on top of the royal White Tower of the Citadel. Long and elegant tables of white spruce wood displayed rows of food and wine, and everyone wore dresses, tunics, and doublets in all sorts of colors. Candles and chandeliers lit up the hall as the dark skies were pouring down rain outside the windows. A band of violin players kept everyone''s mood up during the feast.

    "Sir Graham, I didn''t expect to meet you here on this royal feast."

    A man in a light brown leather suit, adorned with gold chains along his flank approached a knight leaning against a pillar. With a scar diagonally across his entire face, the knight turned his head towards the man.

    "And I didn''t expect to see your ball-shaped head in here, Lord Omen." his voice sounded rather hoarse and deep. The balding man laughed in response, nudging the knight''s shoulder.

    "Always a funny one, you. Did you see any fine ladies around here, hm?" The man asked, watching over the people with a wide smirk. Graham rolled his eyes.

    "Knights have a vow, imbecile. Is all that gold making you dumber, or is it just you?"

    Still trying his best to keep smiling, the rich lord''s smile faded away. "Right."

    "Now if you''ll excuse me, I''m gonna have to try this wine. Considering the emperor is taking his bloody time to get here, I''m gonna have all the time in the fucking world." the knight groaned before pushing himself from the pillar and walking away.

    He reached towards a big can of wine, but got interrupted by a young and fine lady, wearing a green elegant gown, adorned with sewn jewels. Her red curly hair was neatly packed into a knot.

    "Sir Graham...I heard lots about you." she smiled seductively. Graham couldn''t deny her blue eyes were gorgeous, but the knight returned a cold expression. "Not interested." But right when Graham wanted to reach for the can of wine again, a raised voice coming from the throne grabbed everyone''s attention. It was the emperor''s advisor, standing on the elevated plateau where the throne rested on. The violin band stopped playing, and the room turned silent.

    "Welcome, lords and ladies to this very special feast, in honor and celebration of our emperor''s conquest of our realm. I hope you all enjoy the top vintage wine coming all the way from Vraleth, and the dishes made by the greatest chefs in Erye. But what is this feast without the emperor himself? Speaking of which, here is Lord Areyn Valquen, Emperor of the Oryn Realm, Sentinel of the Great Kingdoms and King of the Citadel of Whitehollow."

    Everyone started clapping and smiling when the emperor entered the chamber, guarded by seven heavily armored men who wore white cloaks and a big golden gryphon engraved on their chest armor.

    The emperor himself was quite heavily built, a golden crown rested on his long and black curly hair. His firm beard and white iris eyes made him look fierce, and he wore a long under-tunic made of silk and embroidered with gold thread. His outfit was topped off with a small gryphon pendant placed on his heart area. They stopped clapping when he stepped on the throne steps and turned around, facing his people as the royal guards spread around the throne.

    "My lords. My ladies. Today is a day that writes history. For years, Great Houses have fought for this very throne. For years, they brought unbalance to the realm, raiding, pillaging, reaving, spilling blood in front of the Three Deities. No more. With my House being guilty of those things as well, our goal was always and always will be to bring peace and prosperity to all the Great Kingdoms. Today is a toast to the victory of House Valquen, her alliances, and the ongoing build of my brand new city I will call ''Blackhall''"

    He raised a goblet, and everyone followed. They drank their wines and continued chatting and laughing. But suddenly, someone fell on the ground, creating a few gasps and brewing commotion. The emperor only continued his speech.

    "House Blackbear, House Bladesong, .."

    More and more people started dropping to the ground. Goblets clanked on the marble floor, spilling red wine as if it was blood.

    "..House Omen, House Redclaw.."

    Sir Graham didn''t know what was happening, noticing everyone was dropping down lifeless to the ground around him. His eyes widened, and his breath quickened.

    "..I thank you all for your great services to my family.."

    They grabbed at their throats, choking and clinging on to tables and chairs, but no avail. Not long after, only a few people were left. The red-haired woman that was with Graham, Graham himself, the maidens and the guards. The entire room was filled with bodies, and the emperor stepped down the throne steps, stepping over some bodies as he left the room with all his guards following him. The silence that loomed around was so eerie that even a fearsome knight as Graham felt cold chills running down his spine.

 Chapter III: The Hunt of Blood

    Dawn rose above the city of Jiron. The skies were tinted orange, and the heat of the sun slowly warmed the desert. People were pouring out of their homes to continue daily leisures when Kiera stood on top of one of the city walls, wearing a white garb and leaning her body on the balustrade and staring into the vast and empty desert.

    She held an Opal Clove. A gorgeous blue flower in Volaria that could survive without water, and glowed at night. It was quite peaceful, despite the rubbles and aftermath of the battle, but she couldn''t stop thinking about home. Her mother, her father...her brother. She missed them so much.

    "They''re never going to help my family." she thought. For the entire night, it kept swirling around in her head. What if they''re already dead? What if they''re tortured for not complying with their masters? All she knew is that no matter how comfortable and safe this place was, she couldn''t stay here forever.

    "Up early as well, I see?" Kiera turned around at the voice behind her. A girl she never saw before, but she did recognize the voice. A darker tinted girl with black curly hair stood in front of her, wearing the same white garb. She had intimidating black claw markings on both sides of her face.

    "You were on the ship.," Kiera said, a little caught off-guard.

    "I was." the girl joined Kiera''s view. She leaned on the balustrade as well while staring into the distance. "You were in front of me, and you got hit."

    The girl was behaving quite strange. She barely made any eye contact with Kiera, and she had a strange accent and manner of speaking. Kiera caught herself gazing at her, but then realized it was pretty rude. She moved her eyes back into the distance.

    "Yes...we''re lucky Marlock took this city before we came here. I don''t know what they''d make us do if he didn''t." Kiera said.

    "They thought Volaria was still under control of the Emperor. They were planning to sell us, that''s what these slavers do. They rip you away from your home and family, then sell you like you''re an object. A thing." Kiera could hear a sense of anger in the girl''s strong voice.

    "Well...all I know is that we''re not things." Kiera answered, "We''re humans, enslaved by a monster."

    The girl remained silent as if she lost herself to the dunes on the horizon. Kiera considered an opportunity to ask about the claw tattoos beneath her eyes.

    "Those markings...where do they come from?"

    The girl turned her gaze towards Kiera, the sun reflecting into her brown eyes. "They''re not just markings. They''re Inanhill. A mark that defines a girl into a woman."

    "You''re from the Volarian tribes?" Kiera asked.

    "Melachir to be exact. I was supposed to be a warrior. A dageima. Unfortunately, my initiation got interrupted by unwanted visitors."

    "The slavers?" Kiera asked.

    "The slavers." The tribal girl confirmed. She pushed herself away from the balustrade and sighed. "Thank you for the talk. I need some time to meditate. My name is Areiya by the way."

    Kiera cracked a little smile. "Kiera."

    "It was a pleasure meeting you, Kiera of Etheon." Areiya returned the smile before walking towards the stairs leading down the wall. But she stopped at the top of the staircase when horns were blazing in the distance �� a long, deep and piercing tone.

    "Do you hear that?" Kiera asked with widened eyes. Areiya looked down the wall and saw people running to their houses in a panic. Commotion brewed in the streets.

    "Those are war horns," Areiya said, running back up beside Kiera to the balustrade and looking into the distance outside the city.

    "Kisu.." she muttered. Noticing Areiya''s shocked expression, Kiera immediately joined her in the view. Her heart skipped a beat, and it felt like she had a ball in her throat. Across the entire horizon, an army marched in from behind the hills. Thousands of specks marching closer and closer, with massive trebuchets rolling with them. The horns kept blazing as Kiera tried to see what sigil was painted on their banners.

    "I hope you enjoyed your time as a free citizen because it''s about to end pretty soon," Areiya said, her voice sounded way more serious. As if the adrenaline started to affect her voice. "Come, we have to go."

    "Where to?!" Kiera asked with shaking hands and parted lips.

    "Anywhere BUT here!" Areiya yelled, grabbing Kiera''s arm and pulling her with her down the stairs into the streets. There it was, Kiera''s veins were pumping with adrenaline as well now, pumping with a primal will to survive. She dug into the panicking crowds with Areiya. People were pushing each other; Kiera was being squished between everyone, struggling to breathe. She had to hold onto Areiya''s hand for dear life. "Areiya!" Kiera yelped, pushing someone away herself.

    Above the panicking screams and chaos, guards were desperately trying to calm them down, but that was a lost cause as they were almost being swallowed by the panicking stream themselves.

    When they reached the closed gate, the crowds stopped, but they were only pushed together tighter. People were passing out, being trampled by others. A big group of guards tried to push them back from the gates as the citizens screamed towards them. "Open the gates! Let us out!"

    Kiera started to slip away from her grip on Areiya until the trampling forced her on the ground. People stepped on her as she desperately gasped for air, grasping at their ankles. She couldn''t breathe at all and was slowly choking. The many times she tried to breathe, people would trample her chest. Countless of silhouettes blocked the sun. She felt herself slowly losing consciousness when all of a sudden, she heard Areiya''s voice and a hand reaching through the crowd. "Kiera!" She grabbed Kiera and pulled her up, who loudly gasped in air.

    "They''re locking down the entire city. We''ll have to find another way out!" Areiya shouted, "Come!"

    Along with the sound of blazing horns and screaming people, Kiera and Areiya ran through the streets in the opposite direction of where everyone was fleeing to.

    "Turn back!" it sounded in the crowd, but Areiya completely ignored it. She headed straight towards one of the sandstone houses along the street. She bashed in the door and gestured Kiera to get inside. "Come on!"

    Seeing no other option, Kiera ran into the house before Areiya closed the door behind her. She immediately went for a big cupboard.

    "Help me push this!" she groaned, waving over Kiera. Using their combined force, they pushed the cupboard in front of the door. Only then, they both noticed muffled explosions in the distance. With careful steps back and quick breaths, they looked at the surroundings. A small and cozy interior. It had a burnt out fireplace and a little kitchen in the same small room.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

    "They began the siege," Areiya mumbled.

    "What do we do now?" Kiera asked with her shaking voice, looking around restless.

    "It won''t be long until this city is overrun. Volarian houses usually have a basement. If we can find one, we should be safe." Areiya answered. When she recuperated from running, she sounded way too calm to Kiera''s comfort.

    "How are you so calm?-"

    The next thing she knew or rather remembered was something big and rumbling breaching through the house, and then, everything went black.

    "Kiera!"

    ".....Kiera!"

    For a moment, Kiera thought she was dreaming. A voice, calling her name. It sounded exactly like her mother. That warm voice. It''s been so long since she heard it. She believed it was her mother until the tone changed. It was Areiya''s, looming above her. Kiera woke up with a piercing headache, blurry sight and nothing but echoing sounds. Her muscles were utterly paralyzed.

    "Kiera, we have to go!" Areiya yelled. Kiera could see all sorts of blurry silhouettes before her. Areiya kept looking back, but Kiera didn''t have the power to do anything...she felt helpless. She couldn''t move her body.

    She saw silhouettes dropping down behind Areiya. The grunts, the metallic screeches, she was fighting them! When she killed them all, she turned back to Kiera and shook her shoulders. "Kiera!"

    She wanted to respond, but everything in her body and mind prevented her from doing so. But not everything was shut down, no. Not her hearing.

    "Ma Redi.." Areiya mumbled.

    With the explosions in the background, and Areiya''s silhouette disappearing, Kiera lost all hope. In an attempt to stop her from leaving, she used all her might to lift her arm, but to no avail. Areiya was nowhere to be seen...

    Waves of pain pulsed through her entire body. Pulses so intense that she lost consciousness again.

    "Kiera!"

    There it was again. Was she having the same dream?

    "...Kiera..."

    She then saw her mother and stood in a black void. For some reason, Kiera could walk again. She didn''t feel any pain at all. Without hesitation, she walked over to her mother. A tall woman with long, auburn hair. The same color as her daughter. Her mother''s hair curled at the end, and she was wearing a green dress with a white undershirt. Ocean blue eyes, she was gorgeous.

    "Mama.." Kiera said, approaching to hug her. But she phased right through, making her mother vanish in smoke. With a shocked gaze, Kiera starting breathing heavier.

    "Nonono..mama! MAMA!"

    In the distance of the void, she heard a rumbling. Looking further up, a massive tide of water was approaching her with deadly speed. She tried to run away, but the wave caught her, swallowing her down into its unlimited depths.

    She abruptly woke up with a failed gasp as her throat filled with water. Her eyes were wide open as she realized she couldn''t breathe and was floating. Instinctively, she swam up as fast as she could until she reached the surface, coughing out all the water before desperately gasping for air.

    She felt something nudging her as she dabbled in the water, and when she turned around, she crashed into a panic. Floating dead bodies filled the water. They were all thrown into whatever this pit was. They probably thought she was dead as well. Realizing she shared the same water with all these bodies, she floundered towards the edge like a drowning dog. When she reached the side, she pushed herself out of the water with whimpering moans. She tried to rub off the red liquid, and even though it wasn''t helping at all, she couldn''t stop trying. Only now she started whimpering tears, knowing in what kind of position she stumbled into. In the distance behind the forest, she saw stacks of smoke.

    "Jiron.." she thought. What happened to Areiya? What happened to commander Marlock? Did they all just die? Was this the great rebellion everyone talked about? Gone...just like that. She tried to stand up, her garb completely ruined and soaked to the core. She wanted to leave, but couldn''t run away in these clothes.

    In a battle with herself, she tried to motivate herself as her hands were shaking. "Come on, Kiera. You can do this." She saw the body of a woman in full leather armor a little further, washed up on the shore. There was a hole in the corset, penetrated by something, but it didn''t matter. She got rid of her garb, and shamefully undid the woman of her armor. She wasn''t proud of this. She was even surprised by herself that she could do something like this, grabbing the woman''s cold hands to untie the cords. She dipped the armor in the water and took a few minutes to try it on.

    It fit, surprisingly. She pulled the last straps and took a deep shivering breath while closing her eyes.

    "Okay...where the hell do I go?..." she asked herself. It was quiet. The leaves of the forest next to her rustled with the breeze. She looked back, and all she saw was a barren wasteland. The other side led back to the city and the sea. But it seemed she wasn''t allowed to catch a break...

    "We got a live one over here!"

    She darted her head towards the sound and saw four leather armored soldiers with bows running at her. They had to be Valquen...they had to be the Emperor''s forces.

    Without hesitation, she instinctively turned around and bolted into the forest. She heard arrows flying over her head as she dashed through the vegetation, cutting herself on a lot of branches and sharp leaves. She heard unintelligible shouts of the archers behind her, but that didn''t stop her. She hopped over roots, dodged trees and jumped over ridges.

    Her sleek body figure made it a lot easier as well. But then she heard barks. Barks? Were they using hounds to track her down as well? That was no good. All she could think was that if this forest would ever end, or if she was running around in circles. The barking sounded closer and closer and made her feel dizzy because her heart riveted fast. Because of the dogs, she kept looking back, which made the evitable, inevitable. She tripped over a root and crashed into the dirt with a loud shriek.

    Was this the end? When trying to get up again, her ankle caused so much pain even adrenaline couldn''t get rid of. With small whimpering moans, she crawled back while hearing the barks and shouts approaching.

    There they were. A group of six, holding chains of fierce brown Volarian hounds.

    "There she is. We got her." one of them panted, "Bring the hounds back to Chief Moreyn. Me and Juzo will take care of her."

    Three soldiers left with the hounds, leaving it to the two archers. They approached her and grabbed her by the shoulders.

    "Get up!" one of them grunted. Kiera tried to get loose by squirming.

    "Let me go!" she shouted, barely able to stand with her twisted ankle. Only then she could see the symbol on their chest up close �� a golden gryphon spreading its wings, surrounded by a ring of vines.

    "Let me-" she grunted loudly. But then one of her captors dropped to the floor like a bag of potatoes when an arrow pierced his throat. The other one looked at it in shock and froze in place, darting around his head. Kiera saw this as an opportunity. She grabbed the archer and wrapped her arm around his neck, squeezing as hard as she could. The man made choking sounds, trying to pull away Kiera''s arm, but he drew his last breath and relaxed all his muscles. Kiera dropped him and took a few steps back, looking around cautiously. But she couldn''t believe her eyes when she saw who showed up from behind a large cluster of vegetation.

    Commander Marlock. He was right there. His dented armor covered in dried up blood, and his hair locks soaked with sweat. But he wasn''t alone. The Archhealer Ayska, a bunch of pirates and...Areiya...

    Ayska immediately ran up to Kiera and tended to her.

    "By the Deities, how do you feel?"

    Kiera''s adrenaline faded, and the pain increased. She couldn''t hold it back, the urge to fall in tears. She started sobbing. "They tried to-" Ayska stopped her from finishing her sentence as she hugged her tightly.

    "I know, sweetheart. I know."

    Marlock took a few steps forward, nudging Ayska. "We have to go; they will be back."

    Ayska nodded and called over Areiya. "Help me pick her up."

    Hesitantly, Areiya approached Kiera and helped her up by the shoulders together with Ayska. She didn''t dare to look in Kiera''s eyes, as she just followed Marlock and the pirates towards the shores. Reaching the beaches, a massive fleet of ships were floating on the horizon. The Angel of Death himself seemed to wait for them with a few rowboats, surrounded by a few pirates.

    "This the girl?" Valmir asked.

    "Yes, Areiya was right," Marlock said as he approached him.

    "Good. We''ve already wasted enough time here. It won''t be long before they notice my fleet. Get her on the boat. We''ll be sailing for the Ferronian Islands."

    They put Kiera into a rowboat together with Ayska. "Ferronian islands? I thought those islands were swallowed by the sea after the Great Storm?" Marlock asked.

    "That''s what everyone thinks. The islands survived, and they''ve become a haven for all my men. We''ll discuss our next move there." Valmir said, pushing the boat into the sea.

    Everyone pushed their rowboat into the water. As for Kiera, she just stared in front of her. Ayska was saying something, but she wasn''t listening. Whatever just happened, it felt like she was in a dream again. There was no way she could''ve possibly survived all that.

    There was one thing she knew. Now that the emperor destroyed the rebellion, she embraced the fact that she won''t see her family anytime soon. If not, ever.

    It turned into a game of survival then. Only a matter of staying alive. And this was just the beginning...

 Chapter IV: Perished Flames

    The blazing sun shone upon a metropolis of tribal cloth tents, settled in the middle of the Silent Waste. It created mirages and heat waves that made the white smokestacks wiggly and deformed.

    "Amei''ake aga xir ragaha." (We will never become your slaves.)

    Inside the chief''s tent, the leader himself sat on his knees. Red tattoos covered his entire sweaty body, but the whip marks stood out more. He scowled at Valquen slavers intensely with dilated nostrils.

    "Why do you savages never speak the common tongue?" one of the slavers said, raising his arm to go for another forceful swing with his whip. A loud crack reverberated inside the tent as the chief only moved his hips with the impact, not even showing any emotion at all. The slavers weren''t wearing a lot of armor, as they had no choice due to the deadly heat. All they wore were regular clothes with some leather pads and scarfs to cover their heads and mouths.

    One of the slavers took a step forward and looked down upon the chief. "Bring him in front of his people. We have to teach them a lesson about rebelling against the Emperor''s orders."

    Without hesitation, three slavers grabbed the chief by his arms and shoulders and pulled him up.

    "Up you go, big guy." one of them smirked, forcing the chief out of his tent. When the leader of the tribe looked around, it was worse than he thought. It was a massacre. Countless bodies were decorating the tainted red sands, and the city was crawling with Valquen soldiers, tossing bodies onto piles. There had been a big fight.

    Shamelessly, the slavers made the chief walk through his doomed metropolis until they reached the outskirts. Hundreds of his people were forced on their knees, tied down altogether like cattle with hundreds of Valquen soldiers around them. When the tribesmen saw their beaten leader brought in front of them, most women started crying.

    "Shut your mouths!" it sounded around the soldiers, followed by many cracking whips. It only made the chief angrier, giving an aggressive pull to the slavers that held him.

    And then, there he was. A commander, guarded by two bannermen holding the famed Valquen gryphon symbol. He wore a steel sleeveless cuirass and a red cloak. His balding head started to grey, but the man still looked like he could take down a group all by himself. When he spoke to the crowd, his raspy and robust voice cut through the air.

    "My name is Varros Vayn of House Valquen, and I have come here with a message."

    One of the soldiers that stood beside him was from Volarian origin and translated his sentences.

    "Da gama e Varros Vayn ro House Valquen, e gama re''ma edari gamafa."

    "By order of Lord Areyn Valquen, Emperor of the Oryn Realm, Sentinel of the Great Kingdoms and King of the Citadel of Whitehollow, you have all been renounced from your homes and become his property."

    "De''ri marfi sa Dakehl Areyn Valquen, Saroah sa di Oryn Maga, Solara sa di M?ga Damar se Da mar ri Segara mar Whitehollow, vi gara ga''raso sov?ra ramea vi marra se ramar se gamarfi."

    "Look around you! These dead are all on you! All this could have been prevented by obeying and doing what you are told to do."

    "Me gavii vi! Rira s?ja gama ra vi! Ga''mar vise vi garaso masora da marmirda se goda ragei''vi gama sajeli."

    "For these acts of violence, are acts against the Great Kingdoms. You all have to atone for this grave mistake. And your atonement starts here."

    The commander unsheathed his sword from its sheath, a long metallic screech that pierced through the tribal chief''s ears. Varros raised his blade, but then the tribal head turned around like a snake, grabbed the commander''s wrist before he could plunge down his sword. Varros'' guards were too late when the chief could land a forceful punch in the commander''s face. When the guards reached him, they grounded him by plunging a sword through his leg. In the meantime, a lot of commotion started brewing in the herded crowd. People stood up and ran towards their chief, while others began attacking soldiers.

    A fight broke out almost immediately. The commander had lost control.

    "Slaughter them all! These beasts aren''t tamable!" the commander screamed, wiping off blood from his nose. He then approached the chief again, grabbed a dagger from his boot, and stuck it through the chief''s throat. Blood sputtered out, and when he pulled out the blade, blood gushed out before he descended, coloring the sand with his blood.

    Surprisingly, some Valquen soldiers were killed by the tribesmen''s bare hands, but nobody had a weapon when the fight started. The entire city had been wiped out before they knew it.

    "Burn up the rest of this rat hole and grab the horses. Rally up in traveling formation. I''m done with this damned place." the commander growled.

    <hr>

    Areiya leaned over the railing of a sailing ship, watching the rest of the fleet sailing along. Her tattoos had a soft glow because of the sun. Seagulls were screeching around the masts as the fleet rocked over the waves in formation. She looked at the decks of the other ships. It was like watching little ants working and walking around the ship. She also noticed almost none of the vessels were bearing the rebellion symbol. As if the entire cause ceased existing. She turned her head to her side when she heard footsteps approaching behind her.

    "Hello, Areiya."

    It was Marlock''s usually deep and warm voice, joining her view, placing a hand on the railing as support. His steel armor was clean again, despite the dents and cuts.

    "We will figure something out, you know that right?" he said. Areiya wore a new full set of leather armor, padded with steel plates and adorned with a hood she could wear.

    "Do I have to remind you the Emperor has over five-hundred thousand people supporting him? All the rest are his slaves, and we are like..what..six hundred strong with all these pirates included?" Areiya turned her gaze towards him, carrying dark circles under her eyes.

    "Everyone thinks the Ferronian islands don''t exist anymore. We can catch our breath there, think of a new plan, rethink our strategy. We could even settle in and make it our home." Marlock said.

    "My home is in my tribe in the Silent Waste, commander. We can''t live off of coconut every day. I don''t want to sit here and do nothing. I want to help my people. They''re still out there." Areiya said.

    "These pirates have lived off of these islands longer than anyone else. They are masters in fishing, they''re-" Suddenly, Areiya interrupted his sentence with a sigh, shaking her head. "Whatever.."

    She turned around and wanted to leave.

    "Hey, Areiya.." Marlock said, making her stop, "You should visit Kiera.."

    "She doesn''t want to talk to me." Areiya shook her head and looked down.

    "Which is exactly why you have to visit her. Hey, you made the right choice."

    Without saying anything in response, she headed towards the trap door that led to the crew''s quarters �� a room filled with beds with fur blankets. With the creaking of the ship, she walked down the steps, hearing Ayska''s voice.

    "...So we had to run before mother could see us. It was so fun." Ayska chuckled. But then, Areiya heard Kiera''s voice as well.

    "Wow, I can imagine."

    Areiya turned around the corner and saw them both sitting on a bed, smiling. Last time she saw Kiera, she was covered in dirt and blood. Now, her brown hair was neatly tied into a ponytail again, and her set of leather armor she stole from a woman was replaced by a clean one, bearing the flame mark of the rebellion �� a sleeveless corset with steel plated bracers and tight leather trousers.

    Kiera noticed Areiya, and her face drained of happiness. Ayska looked at them both and decided to stand up, clearing her throat. "We''ll continue our talk later, Kiera. You can walk around, but don''t strain your ankle too much."

    "That''s alright. I was going to walk around anyway. I''ll walk with you." Kiera said, standing up and ignoring Areiya in any way possible.

    "Kiera, just wait, please. We need to talk." Areiya said, standing in her way.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    "Get out of my way," Kiera growled, pushing Areiya out of the way and walking up the stairs towards the deck with Ayska. She didn''t want to talk. Areiya didn''t exactly blame her, but she wished that she would at least give her a chance to explain her side of the story.

    Since she didn''t have a reason to be here anymore, she went back up to deck as well when she noticed the fleet took a halt. One of the ships anchored down right next to Valmir''s. Valmir, Marlock, Kiera, Ayska..they were all there together.

    "Ah, Areiya. I was looking for you." Marlock said, "We''re going to discuss our next plan, and we need you with us. Meet me at my cabin."

    "Why do you need me with this?" she asked, but something else grabbed everyone''s attention. Planks were being thrown down by sailors on the other ship, and a deep and raspy voice raised above the sailors.

    "You ain''t planning to bring damnation upon these mug faces without me, eh?"

    A tall pirate captain showed up from behind his sailors, wearing his black tricorn hat and coat, adorned with gold buttons, braids, and ornate fabrics. It was Harper, Valmir''s best friend.

    He walked the plank bridge like it was nothing. Valmir smirked and gave him a firm arm shake when his boots touched the deck. "It''s good to see you, Harper. How''s your crew faring?"

    Harper took a quizzical look behind him before walking towards the cabin door. "These lads are hungry for gold, Valmir. Where is this big rebellion you''ve been blabbering all day about? All I see is a bunch ''o'' fishing boats with washed up soldiers."

    Valmir rolled his eyes at Marlock, who was in the background, crossing his arms. "Their commander still has the gold he promised. He has a plan, so come with us so we can discuss it."

    "Whatever you say, mate. Lead the way!" Harper said.

    <hr>

    Bells rang in the busy Citadel of Whitehollow. Crowds were filling the streets during a typical labor day. Guards on horses roamed the city, and massive Valquen banners were fluttering in the wind on the high towers made of white stone.

    In one of the streets walked the knight, Graham, with an unknown person.

    "Everyone''s gone mad in this fucking city," Graham grumbled through the muttering crowd and the clanking of his steel armor. The person next to him wore a red woolen tunic, belted at the waist that had been embroidered around the hem and sleeves. Over that, he had a black woolen cloak fastened with a clasp.

    "Be glad, Graham. At least you''re not on the receiving end of our emperor''s funny idea''s."

    "The only time I will be glad is when Areyn stops making everyone hate his guts, so I have to protect his arse again. Right now he''s not doing very well." Graham said, looking around the crowd while trotting through the street.

    "Oh come on, what could go wrong? Everyone who was ever against him is gone." the nobleman said.

    "The emperor has over a million slaves by now. Everyone but the people in this province are enslaved. When all these people decide to rebel, we''re horrendously fucked. You won''t see me here if that moment ever happens."

    "Where will you be possibly going to?" the noble asked.

    "To Vraleth, to drink myself to death with the finest wine. Tits in one hand and a chicken leg in the other." Graham chuckled. The noble smiled with him and replied. "That is indeed a fine way to let out your last breath."

    "Make way! Make way!" it suddenly sounded a little further in the crowd. Graham and the noble halted, when a big group of Valquen cavalry riders in full steel armor gait through the street, forcing people to jump aside. By then, the knight and the noble were already at the side of the road.

    "I wonder what happened." the noble said when the riders passed.

    "I don''t, because I don''t give a shit. You should try it. Makes living a lot easier." Graham answered. The noble laughed it off, and they both continued their stroll through the street.

    "I heard the emperor has gotten rid of this rebellion in Volaria?" the noble asked.

    "Aye, he butchered all of them. They shouldn''t be a threat anymore." Graham answered.

    "You don''t look so pleased?" the noble questioned, noticing Graham''s grim expression.

    "I look however I damn please. If Areyn banishes expressions too, I will kill him myself and send his balls to Etheon where those boring oracles can study how the pure-blood Valquens get their white eyes at birth."

    "If that ever happens, count me in with your plan." the noble smirked.

    "What a tale. The tall knight Graham and the fat noble Gillian that ended slavery once and for all." Graham said.

    "Wouldn''t be a bad story honestly. Am I really that fat though?" the noble asked, rubbing his belly hesitantly.

    "Fat?" Graham scoffed, "You could stuff three pigs in that belly of yours, and you still wouldn''t see the difference."

    "Now that''s rude," Gillian said.

    "No, that''s just me," Graham answered with a smile.

    <hr>

    Valmir, Edward, Kiera, Ayska and Areiya were in Marlock''s cabin, where a big round table stood in the middle of the room with chairs. It displayed a big map of Oryn. In the back of the room, was his office, stacked with paper and scrolls. They all settled into a chair, except for Marlock. He began his speech, pacing around the chamber.

    "Alright people. I think we can all agree that the Flames of Dawn has suffered immensely after this brutal attack. We have lost nearly everyone. From eight-hundred strong, they left us with ten, including all of you."

    "Then why are we still here?" Harper groaned, "Valmir? Why don''t we go back to raidin'' and plunderin'' ships like we used to? This plan is going to get us all killed."

    "Hear this man out, Harper," Valmir responded. Marlock continued.

    "The emperor has many armies all across the realm. He even has allies in Vraleth. Each of them is highly two-thousand strong. There is no way one small rebellion can overthrow such power. We had to learn that the hard way. But now I will propose to you all, my new plan."

    He looked at the two pirate captains, "Valmir and Edward. We''ve all seen your fleet as it is right beside us. How many other pirates do you know that might join our cause?"

    Suddenly, Valmir stood up. "I know where this is going. There is no way they will all cooperate in your cause. You know that, right? You forget they''re pirates. I''m only following you because I seek justice for my own family. Harper follows you because he trusts me. If you want the other fleets to follow you, you''ll need something more than a promise of gold and a piece of land."

    "Right, and what better way to convince them is a word from pirate to pirate?" Marlock said, "They won''t follow me, but they might follow you. You will have your own armada."

    Valmir shook his head and sighed. "I don''t know, Marlock. I''ll think about it."

    Marlock nodded. "Good." and turned his look towards Areiya.

    "And you, Areiya."

    She was a little surprised by the mentioning of her name, darting her eyes around as everybody was watching her.

    "Great Volarian tribes are known for their skill in combat and high numbers. They have been suffering from the Valquens as well, haven''t they?"

    Areiya looked down, twiddling with her fingers. "Yes."

    "Then they will find a reason to join our cause and fight for their land, won''t they?" Marlock asked.

    Areiya sighed. "The tribes have been fighting for their land even before House Valquen won the Meriaku. My people have suffered longer than anyone else in this room ever did. They won''t leave their homes because they are afraid there will be no home left to return to. At this point, it''s each tribe for themselves."

    "Then what if we could unite them all? Imagine the numbers, imagine the pure skill all these soldiers would have."

    "Warriors." Areiya corrected Marlock with a piercing gaze.

    "Warriors." Marlock corrected himself, "I heard one great tribe had ten-thousand warriors. All of them united, including the smaller ones...we would almost be unstoppable by land." Marlock said, his voice sounded determined as if he was discovering something great. A tinge of euphoria.

    "Volarian tribes are stubborn and proud people. You wouldn''t be able to convince them, especially not an outsider." Areiya said.

    "Not from an outsider, no. But you aren''t." Marlock replied. Areiya peered at Kiera, who was looking at her with an emotionless expression. Areiya saw this question coming, but despite that, it still caught her off-guard. That is a lot of responsibility.

    "I-I''m not sure, I..I mean. My people are not fond of outsiders. If they see I''m following someone else, I...they''ll despise me too. Might kill all of you as far as I know. We already lost a third of our population to the Valquens. I was a part of that third until you saved me." Areiya said.

    "We will not go with you. What if we get you safely to the rest of your tribe? You can tell them you escaped, then slowly convince them to support us. Support the Flames of Dawn." Marlock asked.

    "Small chance that would work. But what then? The Melachir tribes have a lot of enemies. There is no way we will get them all working with each other. We''ve raided each other''s villages and murdered families." Areiya said.

    "Areiya. I am offering you a way back to your people. I already know you don''t like being here. You won''t like staying in the Ferronian islands. So why not take that offer, and see if you could do something there? If it doesn''t work, we''ll find other allies. But at least you''ll be back with your own people." Marlock said. His voice was very calm and heartening, and everyone could tell he was speaking very sincerely.

    Areiya paused for a moment, then nodded. "Okay. I will try, but I can''t promise anything."

    "Good," Marlock said, but Areiya wasn''t finished.

    "But if I''m going, I''d like to offer Kiera to come with me as well." she continued, looking at Kiera. Kiera looked at Areiya with wide eyes. She didn''t expect this at all.

    "What?" Kiera asked.

    "I''m sorry for leaving you back in Jiron. If I didn''t go, we both would''ve been dead. But come with me, and I''ll show you that I''ll protect you from now on. My people can help you save your family. I can convince them to."

    At first, Kiera wasn''t bought. But when Areiya mentioned her family, she immediately became a lot more interested.

    "How do you even know that?" Kiera asked skeptically.

    "I know...because they will listen to the daughter of a Dakehl. A king, in your tongue."

    This left Kiera with wide eyes once again, and not only her, but the rest of the table as well.

    "You''re a princess?" Kiera asked with pure amazement, leaning more towards the table.

    "I guess you can call it that, yes. Both my parents are still in enslavement though. Knowing them, they would rather let themselves get killed than to be puppets to the slavers. I considered them dead from the moment they took me into that slaver ship."

    Marlock finally sat down his chair. "Why didn''t you tell us?"

    "Why would I? It only makes everyone behave differently toward me. I don''t want that." Areiya answered. She then switched her gaze back to Kiera.

    "What do you say? Life in the tribes isn''t as bad as you think. We will teach you how to fend for yourself, then save your family. You can still decide where to go after that."

    There was a long pause. Everyone was looking at Kiera. Her face flushed red, noticing all those eyes on her. But then, she took a deep breath.

    "Alright. I''ll go with you."

    Hearing those words, cast a smile upon Areiya''s face, and she let out an unnoticeable sigh of relief. Then, the Angel of Death raised his voice.

    "If the tribes won''t work, I may have an alternative."

    This raised Marlock and everyone else''s attention to him.

    "I have a sister. Saenna. She''s a pure-blood Valquen as well, just like me. But just like me, she abandoned her family as well. The last time I heard of her was ten years ago. She told me she was going to the Forbidden Land, and start her own colony there."

    "The Forbidden Land?" Marlock asked, "I thought that place was cursed. That''s why it got its name."

    "Well, you can''t exactly tell a Valquen what to do, as shown by my mad uncle. Ten years later, I mean...who knows how far she''s become."

 Chapter V: The Forbidden Land

    Birds were singing their songs in a birch forest. A colorful forest of white trees with green canopies and green grass. A soft breeze rustled the leaves, but also carried someone''s voice...

    "We mustn''t be far. These tracks are fresh, and this path isn''t made for the wildlife."

    Two men were venturing through the forest, threading a small crinkling path. One wore a leather jerkin with a white undergarment, while the other wore a red cloth tunic and a short red shoulder cloak fixed with a clasp on his chest. Both had a sword sheathed into a scabbard on their belt, a backpack and a hood that shrouded their face.

    "By the Three Deities, I thought this place was just a tale people tell their children. Do you think actual Dragons are living here?" the red-clothed man asked.

    "I don''t know, and I don''t want to find out. We must stay vigilant. We don''t know anything about her. She might even kill us at first sight for as long as we know." the other man replied, "And remember, I''m not Roderick, and you''re not Palavan. Until we know it''s safe, we''re just lost adventurers that discovered this land."

    "Yeah, I got it." Palavan nodded before pointing in front of him.

    "There, through the canopy. Several smokestacks. I think we''re there. We''ll just have to climb this hill."

    Both messengers climbed the hill, groaning and grunting while helping each other up.

    "This trip-" Roderick said, grunting as he was the first to be on top of the hill, "-better be worth it."

    He stood up and looked in the distance. His wide eyes were glistening in the sun and his posture frozen in the dirt. "Ara be with us..."

    "What is it?" Palavan asked, pulling himself up one last time before reaching the top as well. He immediately joined Roderick in his view and was just as amazed as he was.

    A massive city covered the horizon, built along a mountain with crinkling staircases that led to rows of houses built on the mountain walls. The big castle was the highest point in the city. It looked like the city was part of the mountain, and the castle was the summit. Of course, the city wasn''t even close to reaching the real summit of the mountain, but it surely seemed to be part of it.

    Flocks of birds were flying by, and most houses had a smokestack coming out of their chimney. It was a beautiful sight, and a city design nobody had ever seen.

    "How did she manage to do this...all by herself?" Roderick asked, the tone in his voice was shaky. The lower city was on the foot of the mountain, surrounded by stone walls.

    "Remember what I said about this entire task being a waste of time?" Palavan asked, gazing towards the city. But Roderick remained silent.

    "I totally take that back. I think we''re in for quite the show."

    <hr>

    "Are you sure you''re not staying, Kiera?" Marlock asked. The entire fleet was anchored down beside the biggest island of the Ferronian Islands. People were leaving the ship, except for Kiera, Areiya, and Marlock.

    "I''m sure. I won''t be of much use here. If I go with Areiya, I might have a chance of seeing my family again. I''m not turning down such a chance."

    Marlock nodded. "I understand. You''re in good hands, Areiya is a great warrior."

    Areiya scoffed. "You''ve never seen me fight."

    "I don''t have to see you fight to know you can. You''re from the Melachir tribes, that says enough." Marlock smiled.

    "I assume you''re right." Areiya smirked and gave Kiera a nudge, "Come, my ship is about to leave."

    "Be careful, Kiera. I wish you two good luck on your journey. The leather armor suits you." Marlock said. Valmir approached from down the bridge plank, having an impatient posture.

    "Come on, Marlock. We have to discuss things about my sister and the other pirate captains."

    Marlock looked behind him and nodded. "Aye, I''ll be there in a moment." He looked back at Kiera and reached into his back pouch. He revealed two black berries in his hand �� a grim expression on his face.

    "These are called ''Blackshades.'' When you eat them, your body will be shut down within a few seconds. There will be no pain. Only use it when you see no other way to escape the situation. These slavers treat rebels differently. You''re better off dead than being in their hands, trust me."

    Kiera accepted the berries hesitantly, taking a quick look to Areiya, who was looking at them as well.

    "We won''t need them," Areiya said.

    "I trust you won''t. Now go. When you succeed in your task, you know where to find us...farewell." Marlock said before turning around and leaving the ship. His steel armor clanked with his steps.

    A moment later, Kiera and Areiya entered their ship. Sailors pulled the plank from the pier and spun the wheels to raise the anchor.

    "Okay. Normally Jiron would be the best way to reach my tribe, but since we can''t go there anymore, we''ll go around to the east of Volaria. There will be no stopping point to rest...but we can make a simple camp somewhere." Areiya reached the captain''s cabin by now and opened the door as she continued talking. "Do know Volaria is massive, and it will be a long journey through the desert."

    Areiya went to a table as she ruffled between some scrolls and papers. "Just leather armor will suffice for most of the time, but we will face sandstorms. Not to mention the cold nights so you will need thicker clothing as well."If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    Kiera was slightly confused. "What are you looking for?"

    Areiya gave some papers a quick read before throwing them away again. "Valmir''s friend said he had some maps of hidden stashes in this ship. The pirates used those stashes to smuggle gear to each other to prevent them from being stolen by nomads or...my people. If we find those, our chances of surviving the desert will be much higher."

    "Okay...so what if we find your tribe..then what?" Kiera asked.

    "Let''s think about that later. We need to get there, fi-..yes!" Areiya suddenly chuckled, holding up a map of Volaria, with stashes marked by crosses.

    "Found it!" she said as she placed the map down on the captain''s desk, pointing at them with her finger, "There are stashes..here..here and here. The closest one to the shore we''ll be entering on is....at least a day''s walk."

    "Is it doable?" Kiera asked, watching the map as well.

    "Well, it depends on what that stash has to offer us. If Ragohda is generous, we can last for a few days."

    Areiya noticed Kiera pacing around while listening, and sighed. "Kiera, you''re safe. Can''t you just relax, there''s no use being so tense all this time."

    "I''ll relax as soon as I saved my family," Kiera answered, holding her hands on her hips.

    "This might sound harsh, Kiera, but most slaves don''t do well, hence why they keep having to get new slaves all the time. Hasn''t it crossed your mind yet that they..might not be alive anymore?"

    Kiera glared at Areiya. "How could you even say that? They''re strong. I know they will survive. I know they will..."

    The tribal girl looked back at Kiera. "I''m sorry. I''m just saying; I don''t want you to get your hopes up too much. I''ll be in my quarters when you need me."

    Kiera watched Areiya leave the room. When she closed the door behind her, Kiera shuffled towards the chair behind the desk and sat down. The silence made her think, memories flooded in. The attack on Jiron, Areiya leaving her to die, swimming in a lake with floating bodies, running away from the hunters. Thinking back to all of that, she released a small puff of breath as a tear ran down her cheek. After all that she''s been through, she still couldn''t believe she was here. Alive and well.

    <hr>

    "There''s the gate. But it''s closed and unguarded...that''s unusual." Roderick pointed at the gate of the mysterious city of the Forbidden Land in the distance.

    "Do we approach?" Palavan asked, holding his hand on the hilt of his sheathed sword. Roderick started threading towards the gate with care, and Palavan followed. When they approached the gate, white banners were hanging off the walls next to the big steel gate with a black gryphon symbol. Suddenly, the gates unlocked and opened, making Roderick and Palavan take quick steps back. A group of cavalry poured out.

    They were in full steel armor and held halberds and spears while others were bearing a flag of the same sigil on the walls. They ran towards the two messengers and encircled them. The horse hooves trampled together, letting the dust fly up around Roderick and Palavan. They didn''t know what was happening, so all they could do was look around helplessly as these heavily armored riders surrounded them.

    Their horses nickered impatiently, and then they made way for someone coming from the gate. Another mounted warrior, but without a helmet this time. He was bald and covered in scars. He held his helmet beneath his armpit and the reins with his other hand.

    "Drop your bags and weapons." his voice deep and cold. The messengers did what they were told.

    "We don''t mean any harm. We''re here with a message from Emperor Areyn. Saenna''s uncle." Palavan said with his hands slightly raised.

    "You mean Queen Saenna. She doesn''t want to talk to anyone outside Lunarion, and I have orders to behead anyone entering her lands. Give me one reason not to." The man growled.

    "Just wait, please. This letter is very important, and it might determine the fate of your queen''s..kingdom."

    The bald warrior paused for a moment. "Knock them out."

    Both Roderick and Palavan''s heart skipped a beat when they heard it, darting their eyes around.

    "Wai-wai-wait! I swear we''re not-" Some mounted warriors approached the messengers and knocked them out both with the hilt of their spears and halberds.

    Sometime later, they started waking up. Other than their ringing ears, it was silent. Roderick was the first to wake up fully. When his blurry vision restored, he noticed he was inside some hall. A castle hall. But he wasn''t alone. While Palavan woke up as well, they were surrounded by at least six soldiers in steel armor. At the end of the room stood a big elegant throne shaped as a high-backed chair with armrests, adorned with ivory and shark bone plaques carved with mythological, heraldic and life scenes of the history of Oryn.

    A squeaking door echoed through the room, followed by many footsteps. Roderick saw who entered the throne room, and he was astounded. A gorgeous woman, with snow-white iris eyes, light blonde hair and a white gown with a wing-like cloak in a subtle tone, made from woven feather-like, textured fabric. She wore a beautiful necklace, made of blue and white gemstones.

    When she approached the two messengers, one of her royal guards went to stand beside her, gazing in front of him. The woman''s advisor started the introduction.

    "In front of you, stands Saenna Qoheris Valquen, Protector of the Last Guardian, Sentinel of Lunarion and Queen of Lunaria City. You are the first to ever set foot on this land after the queen and her people. What is it you desire?"

    Roderick looked at Saenna in admiration. "We have a message from the Emperor. The queen''s uncle."

    "You mean the usurper that enslaves the entirety of Oryn?" Saenna spoke. A surprisingly young and fragile voice, "I have no quarrel with him, yet do I not support his ways and want anything to do with him. What does he want?"

    Palavan presented the letter, sealed by the original symbol of House Valquen. "See for yourself..your grace."

    The advisor took the letter instead and looked at Saenna, who nodded. She opened the letter and started reading out loud.

    "My dear niece, Saenna. After all these years, I thought you were dead. During my conquest, you seemed to have disappeared from the realm. That was a tough wound to bear. But then one of my ships saw one of yours with a symbol they never saw before, headed towards The Forbidden Land. After the report, I knew it was you. Considering you have your own sigil and ships, I assume you have a great queendom of your own.

    That is why I have sent these humble messengers to carry out my offer to you. Join my kingdom, and our family will be even more powerful than we are now. We can be the greatest House ever lived, and ever will live on this world. You won''t have the need to hide in a lone and forgotten land anymore.

    I will gladly await your reply. For the realm, for Valquen.

    Paint the skies, make it ours.

    Sincerely

    Your uncle, Areyn."

    For a moment, it was silent when Saenna''s advisor was done reading the message. Saenna took the letter from her hands and paced towards one of the wall torches, letting the letter catch fire and disappear into the air like dust. She had a blank expression this whole time and paced back to the messengers.

    "Behead them and send them to my uncle. Attach a letter, telling him that if he ever dares to send his tainted foot on my land again, I will burn everything he has to the ground, including himself."

    Palavan and Roderick started panicking. "Wait! No!"

    "Right here, your grace?" one of the royal guards asked, holding Palavan by the collar of his shirt.

    "Right here," she answered.

    "No, please! Plea-" Palavan''s head flew off his body with one mighty swing of a sword, a sharp rasp of the blade cutting through flesh and bone. Roderick tried to escape, but alas, to no avail. First, he was impaled by a greatsword, then beheaded as well. Two puddles of blood were expanding on the marble floor beneath their lifeless bodies. An eerie silence loomed in the throne room as Saenna walked away.

    "Make sure to clean up the blood, and prepare my army for war in case my uncle gets any funny ideas."

    "Of course, your grace." the advisor nodded and walked off, doing as she was told.

    End of ACT I

 Chapter VI: Tribes of the Silent Waste

    Act II

    The Gathering

    Two days later on the Sea of Rubies, Kiera abruptly woke up with a gasp, sitting up straight in bed as she noticed Areiya touching her shoulder. The creaking ship rocked over the calm waves.

    "I''m sorry to wake you up. You seemed to be having a bad dream."

    Kiera ran her hand over her sweaty forehead and shook her head. "It''s fine. Are we there?"

    Areiya nodded. "Yes. Prepare for the heat, though. It''s way cooler on the sea than on land. Dress up, and we''ll be off to our first stash."

    Kiera nodded, "Okay." before the tribal girl left the crew quarters back on deck. She sat on the edge of her bed and dug her face in the palms of her hand, rubbing off some more sweat while releasing a sigh.

    Areiya provided her with a new set of clothing for the blazing desert, folded up on the end of her bed. A white leather padded garb with a brown scarf around the waist. She climbed into the outfit and inspected her own arms and lower body.

    "Not too bad," Kiera mumbled to herself. She also noticed the garb had a hood and another brown scarf around her neck. Judging by the clothing, she might''ve been underestimating the treacherous path ahead. She discarded the thought and went on deck. Areiya commanded a few sailors around, towing down a boat into the water. Most of them were topless.

    "Vote for your new captain. But if I have any to recommend, it''s Sewa. He''s a great leader. Now go and prepare to turn this ship around."

    The sailor nodded. "Aye, captain."

    Kiera went to stand beside Areiya, looking at the vast desert in the distance. Heat mirages were coming off of the ground, blurring the dunes with a shimmering effect.

    "Volaria...don''t you think it''s the most beautiful continent in Oryn?" Areiya asked while she kept her squinting eyes on the horizon. The sunlight reflected in her eyes.

    "It is beautiful," Kiera said, already feeling the blazing heat on her face. And she wasn''t even off the ship yet. "I heard there are a lot of nomads and bandits roaming the desert. Is that true?"

    Areiya nodded in response. "It''s true. They stay away from the Melachir tribes though. If you stick with me, we will be fine."

    Those words didn''t comfort Kiera further in any way, but did she have a choice at this point? One of the sailors shouted that the rowboat was ready.

    "You hear that? Let''s do this." Areiya smiled, heading over to the ladder to descent onto the rowboat. She gave Kiera a hand to get her on as well. With a final goodbye to the crew, Areiya started rowing towards the shore.

    A moment later, they beached onto the shore. The crashing waves rushed over Kiera''s feet as she looked back at the ship on last time. Areiya had a similar garb as her; it only suited her more than it did to Kiera.

    The heat was almost unbearable. Two minutes out in this desert and Kiera''s face already dripped with sweat. Areiya took out a map and then looked at the sun.

    "Alright. I know where to go. Stay with me, and don''t lose pace. The quicker we are at the stash, the better."

    Areiya immediately started climbing the first dune. Kiera pulled up her hood and covered her mouth and nose with the scarf around her neck before following Areiya. When they reached the top of the dune, they had a better view of the rest of the waste. There was nothing but sand on the horizon. It shocked Kiera a little. Other than the oasis of Jiron, she had never been to the Silent Waste before.

    "Welcome to the home of my people." Areiya said, descending the dune.

    <hr>

    The entire fleet anchored around the main island of the Ferronian Islands, and the shores crawled with pirates and improvised tent camps. In the biggest one was the leading force of the fleet. Valmir and Marlock. They stood around a war table in the largest tent, the entrance protected by a pair of pirates.

    "Kiera and Areiya are out to unite the tribes in Volaria. If they succeed, we will be at least fifty-thousand strong." Valmir said, pacing around the table while looking at the map that was displayed, "With those numbers and their skill in combat, we''ll probably beat them in the open field. But that won''t be enough. They''re not trained for sieges. We need a backup plan, and I have a proposal for that."

    "What proposal?" Marlock asked, leaning over the table with his fists supporting himself.

    "My sister, Saenna, abandoned my family and is rumored to have her own city in the Forbidden Land. She might have the men we''re missing." Valmir said.

    Marlock looked at him as if he said something wrong. "I thought your sister fled to that forsaken land to escape exactly what we are doing right now?"

    "She did. But perhaps I might convince her. I''m her brother, after all." Valmir replied.

    "And what if that fails too? Huh? How can we be sure she won''t take your head the moment you set foot in that place? We''ll lose the only force we have, and we''ll have no chance left to gain back people''s freedom." Marlock asked.

    The deadly pirate captain took a step closer to Marlock, looking him straight in the eyes. "I''m her brother. She despises Areyn, so if she has a chance to stop him, she''ll take it. Besides, if you have any better ideas, feel free to inform me." He headed to the flaps of the tent to leave. "If I haven''t returned within a week, consider me dead. Harper is my second. He will continue helping your cause when I''m dead."

    And then he was gone, leaving Marlock alone in the tent. He couldn''t say anything back. After all, Valmir was right. Without other allies, the dream of having a free world would crumble into pieces. He let out a sigh, and one of his assigned pirate guards entered his tent. The pirate guards were equipped with scavenged leather armor and looted swords.

    "Captain, one ''Ayska,'' wants to speak to you."

    "Let her in." Marlock said, "And it''s commander. Not captain."

    The pirate nodded and left the tent, letting Ayska replace him. The gorgeous eastern healer in a white robe, and long, loose curly hair

    "Do you have a moment, commander?" she asked.

    "Of course," he said.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.

    "The only reason I did not go with Areiya and Kiera is that I don''t have a home in Volaria anymore. The emperor destroyed it all. But these pirates...I cannot stand them. They''re obnoxious and loud. They''re like children." Ayska said. Only now, Marlock noticed the bags under her eyes.

    "I know. But when it comes to fighting, they''re reliable."

    "Since when are pirates reliable?" Ayska whined, her voice carrying an angry tone.

    Marlock approached her with a calm posture. "Look, Ayska. I know everything doesn''t look great right now. Especially after we lost everything in Jiron. But we have to rebuild. We cannot do that without these pirates."

    "Is it even worth our time to try to rebuild? Every time we tried, the emperor brought us back to the ground. Do you really think these tribes will all unite with each other against the crown? They''ve been each other enemies since the dawn of men, and you expect them just to forgive and forget? That is ridiculous, even for you." Ayska growled, but immediately realized she might''ve gone too far with her words.

    "Watch your tongue, Ayska. You may be my friend, but I''m still your commander." Marlock said, raising his chest in front of her. A stern look on his scarred face. "Right now, these are the only options we have. No matter what happens, whether one or both fail...our cause will never die. Not when I still live."

    They both paused as Marlock sat down on his chair behind his desk. "Anything else?"

    Ayska glared at Marlock disappointed. He wasn''t even looking at her anymore. "No."

    "Then I''d like some time for myself. I need to think." Marlock said.

    Without saying anything else, Ayska left the tent. Once again, Marlock was left alone in silence. He sighed and closed his eyes, rubbing his temples.

    <hr>

    Bells chimed in the Citadel. Flocks of birds flew by the White Tower, where the emperor was looking through the window with a golden goblet of wine on the top floor. The throne room. He wore a black doublet embroidered with gold thread. His golden crown rested on his short and black curly hair.

    The doors leading into the throne room opened, creating an echoing sound within the hall. He turned towards the footsteps. It was a guard in steel armor.

    "Your highness, he''s here," he said, bowing respectfully.

    "Bring him in," Areyn said, walking up to his throne and sitting down. Two more guards entered the hall, dragging a man in dirty, ragged clothes across the marble floor towards Areyn. When they reached him, they threw the man on the ground. The man wanted to stand up, but one of the guards kicked him back on the ground.

    "My apologies, I can''t remember me saying you were allowed to stand up...Sir Graham." Areyn said, lounging in his throne.

    Graham raised his head, covered in bruises and sweat. His hair wasn''t looking that great either.

    "What do you want from me?" Graham asked. He stared Areyn right in his eyes. Those cold snow-white eyes.

    "I don''t like the way he looks at me," Areyn smirked. Both guards grabbed Graham by his hair and pushed him down with his cheek on the marble floor. He growled and resisted, but this only made the guards push harder.

    "You should know why you''re here, Sir Graham." Areyn stood up, still with the goblet of wine in his hand. He paced towards the grounded knight.

    "When I make you an anointed knight to serve within my royal guard, I expect you to be loyal. After all, you made a sacred vow in front of the Three Deities. Did you forget?" He crouched down in front of Graham

    "I have served you loyally since I started growing hair on my fucking balls," Graham growled. Suddenly, Areyn grabbed him by his chin and forced him to look in his eyes while screaming with anger.

    "I am your emperor!" His face flushed red, "Chop off his thumb for lying to me."

    The guards grabbed Graham''s arm and fixed it on the ground, which made him flail about, trying to squirm free from their grasp.

    "No! No, no, no, no! Wait!"

    "Do you really think I don''t know about your talk with Gillian? Do you really think I am that stupid?" Areyn yelled while the guards were fixing Graham''s hand for the chop. At that point, Graham wasn''t even listening to Areyn.

    "Stop!" he groaned.

    "You''re all big mouth, Graham. But when it comes down to it, you''re smaller than a bloody peasant." He slapped Graham''s chin up. "Look at me."

    And before Graham knew it, one of the guards chopped off his thumb in one swing. Blood poured on the floor as he screamed in pain. His thumb lay separated from his hand. The guards released him, and Graham curled up on the floor trying to stop the bleeding on his hand. Areyn stood up and took a sip from his wine.

    "I hereby discharge you from duty, and renounce you from your knighthood...bring him to the dungeons after the healers fixed his bleeding. I''m not done with him yet."

    The guards pulled Graham up and dragged him out of the throne room. When everything was silent again, the emperor sat back into his throne, his face showing no emotion at all.

    <hr>

    Areiya and Kiera roamed the blazing desert of Volaria. Kiera was a bit behind, clearly slouching through the sand.

    "Areiya..wait.." she panted. Areiya looked back and noticed she was getting behind. Kiera''s face dripped with sweat.

    "How much water do we have left?" Kiera asked.

    "One bottle, but we should be close to the stash. It''s at an oase. We''ll be able to rest there. Will you be okay?" Areiya asked. She was sweating as well, but not as much as Kiera.

    "I will. Does the sand sneak up in your pants as well?" Kiera whined, which made Areiya let out a giggle.

    "You''ll get used to it. Now come on! You''re slacking off!"

    "I''ll slack off your face," Kiera mumbled.

    Areiya was the first to get to the top of the next dune. "You have to be kidding me...it''s not here?"

    Kiera''s eyes opened widely as she picked up her pace to get to the top as well. "No no no no..what?"

    When she reached the top, her panicked expression transformed into annoyance when Areiya started laughing. "Do you think that''s funny?"

    In the distance was the oase. It had a few groups of palm trees and a small pond. It surely was a sight for sore eyes after wandering the dry desert for almost the entire day.

    "Oh come on, admit it, you almost chuckled!" Areiya smiled as Kiera walked past her, sulking.

    They quickly reached the oase, and Kiera sought up the shadows to collapse into the grass.

    "Shadow...I love you..." she groaned. Areiya was only out for the stash, looking at her map.

    "According to this map, it should be close to the pond." Areiya looked around, "I don''t see anything."

    It took a while for them to notice, but the tribal warrior was first. She perked up her head and froze. Then Kiera heard it as well.

    A distant trampling sound. It could''ve been horses, but it could''ve also been a stampede. Though, Areiya knew better.

    "We have to leave," she said in a quick and severe tone. Kiera crawled up and followed Areiya.

    "But what if it''s your people?" Kiera asked, barely catching up with her. The trampling started to sound more like a stampede of horse hooves, which confirmed Areiya''s worries.

    "No questions, just-" but the trampling horses surrounded them. Areiya took a halt and darted her head around in a panic, swearing in her own language.

    "Sekh!"

    The rhythmic thudding sound of the horse hooves digging in the sand revealed many tribal mounted warriors, wearing light padded clothing and curved swords. They all had black hair and red war paint around their eyes.

    "Don''t...make a sudden move," Areiya mumbled, raising her hands as Kiera did precisely what she was told to do. The warriors surrounded them completely. Their horses nickered and trampled impatiently as a warrior moved up front, seemingly the leader of this group.

    "Osmani nizze sa satjinsat gieri merji?" the warrior asked. (What are you two outlanders doing here?)

    Areiya responded in Volarian. "Jin''gi jin satjinsat. Jin''jinven geh qafnisatjin Melachir. Qaf nizze gi sat fehqaf!" (I''m not an outlander. I''m with the Melachir Tribes. We are not your enemy!)

    The warrior gazed intimidatingly towards Areiya before deciding what to do. "Qisqaf geh Melachir firqaf, zze geh satjinsat gi geh fehni''." (Seize the Melachir one and throw the outlander to the hyena''s.)

    "Areiya?" Kiera asked as warriors were approaching her. Areiya didn''t even look at Kiera as she closed her eyes and remained silent as the warriors grabbed her.

    "No, wait! Get off of me!" Kiera screamed while trying to struggle free from the warriors'' powerful grasps. "Areiya!"

    They dragged her away as they captured Areiya as well, forcing her down her knees. Though she didn''t fight back. They tied her up on a horse to force her to walk along. As for Kiera, they stung her with a strange dart.

    Immediately after, she felt dizzy. The warriors in front of her doubled, and then...darkness. Finally, Areiya looked back to see Kiera''s unconscious body being left behind. Every signal in her brain told her to stay, but the mounted warriors continued their travel, tugging Areiya''s bindings on the horse. Once again, she left Kiera to die, and it pained her dearly.

 Chapter VII: Kieras Endeavor

    Kiera slowly opened her eyes. Disoriented and dehydrated, she turned on her side to feel the hot sand under her hands. Her head pounded, and her outfit covered with sand. She struggled to breathe as she tried to move her muscles.

    "A-...Areiya.," she mumbled. With her vision still blinded by the bright sun, she could barely see anything. But Areiya wasn''t here...

    She felt a stinging pain in her neck. When she ran her hand over it, she felt a little knob. Then she remembered.

    "No.." Kiera groaned, attempting to crawl back up. Though, with her attempt her arms gave in and made her fall flat in the sand again.

    "Areiya!!" she exclaimed weakly. But all there was, was her own echoing voice. The hot breeze whistled past her ears when she decided to crawl towards the shadows of the oasis. When she reached one of the palm trees, she made herself sit straight against it.

    Even though she remembered everything, the hoof prints of the warriors'' horses were already washed away by the wind. There was no trace left whatsoever. Stranded in the middle of the desert with nothing but an oasis, she couldn''t stop thinking about why she didn''t stay with commander Marlock in the Ferronian islands.

    She started feeling dizzy as her breath quickened. Thoughts of her own lifeless corpse shrinking and cooking in this blazing heat filled her head as her panic only became worse. She heard her own heartbeat as the gruesome images flooded her mind.

    Struggling to breathe, she grasped into the sand, trying to snap out of this attack. Her heart was pounding so fast that she even thought that she was about to have a heart attack. Her quick wheezing sounded like death in her own ears. But then all of a sudden, she screamed. "Stop!!"

    She covered her ears with her hands and closed her eyes, replacing all the bad thoughts with good ones.

    "It''s just a panic attack. It will be over if I relax."

    Over and over again she repeated the sentence until her breathing finally slowed down.

    "Come on, Kiera. Open your eyes...you''ll still be in the desert, but if you stay calm you will survive," she mumbled to herself before opening her eyes. Her panic attack was over. Her breath stabilized, and her heartbeat slowed.

    "Okay...uh...water. Drink water."

    When she regained some of her strength, she crawled on her hands and knees towards the pond and filled her hands to drink from it. Despite everything being so hot, the water was quite cool. She didn''t even hesitate and jumped into it with all her clothes.

    It felt so good. The refreshing water seemed to have made Kiera recover immediately. She even dipped her head under, but then she felt something..solid and hard underneath her feet. When she looked in the clear water, she saw it. A silver glimmer of light. "The stash?"

    She took in as much air as possible before going underwater to pull out whatever it was. Hearing nothing but the water and her own blood rushing in her ears, she dug in the pond bottom, revealing more and more from this object. It became more clear that this was a chest. Most likely the stash Areiya talked about.

    After quite a while of digging, Kiera finally managed to pull the chest out of the pond. She was drenched, but considering the heat, she didn''t care at all. All that mattered was opening that rattling chest.

    Surprisingly it wasn''t even locked. She opened the lid with her hands.

    The chest seemed to be watertight, containing a sword with a hilt decorated with the head of a dragon. The steel was in excellent condition. Not only the sword was in there. Two bags of smoked fish and an empty leather canteen rested on a neatly folded outfit and a rug sack.

    Kiera cracked a smile and let out a sigh of relief, taking out all of the chest''s content. She filled the rug sack with the food and filled the canteen with fresh water of the pond. She placed the sword on the ground and took the outfit to unfold it. It was pretty light, but the clanking sound made Kiera realize that this outfit was armored with steel plates. It only had one shoulder pad, which was adorned with another dragon head. Even the steel belt was shaped in the form of dragon wings. The rest of the outfit was made of grey cloth with leather straps. But then she dropped it and stood up, leaving the armor behind. She did take the sword though.

    She walked up to the edge of the oasis, looking at the stretching horizon of nothing but sand and dunes. She took a deep breath, then looked back to the oasis, pondering on something.

    Not long after, she wore the new armored suit and left her old clothes behind. It fit her surprisingly well. It felt light, despite the steel plates and shoulder pad. It also had a grey hood. To protect her head from the sun, she pulled it over her head and left the oasis behind, traveling towards the sun.

    <hr>

    The dungeons weren''t the most charming part of the Citadel. Long hallways with countless little jail cells that were patrolled by guards with torches. In one of those cells, sat Graham. His back against the wall in his dirty, ragged garment. Bare footed, his hair greasy. He wasn''t looking too good. His head fell a little to the side as he felt incredibly weak because of starvation.

    His cell door opened with a squeak. Someone walked in with a torch in their hands. It was Gillian. The noble friend of Graham, in the same red noble wear as usual. The defeated knight raised his head to look at Gillian as the guard closed the door behind him.

    The noble looked around the cell in an inspecting way. "I imagined these cells bigger."

    Graham remained silent, staring in front of him as if he intently wanted to ignore Gillian.

    "Don''t tell me they cut your tongue? Do I have to-" - "..Give me one reason why I shouldn''t strangle you and drown you in my own bucket of shit?" Graham interrupted the lord. He was left confused and tilted his head.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

    "What do you mean?" he asked.

    "I know it was you," Graham mumbled.

    "Who ratted you out? Why would you even think that? I''m your friend, Graham." Gillian said as he approached, sitting down in front of him and placing the burning torch on the floor, "I can assure you it wasn''t me. But I think I have an idea of who it was."

    The renounced knight gained more interest, perking up his head to look at Gillian.

    "You see, the emperor has his own little group of agents as you might know yourself."

    Graham knew what he was talking about. "The Eyes of the Crown."

    "Exactly. They stick to the shadows and work in secrecy, but they are the emperor''s most trusted people, hand-picked by himself. My guess is that they overheard us talking about him in an...ill way."

    "Then why haven''t they put you in chains as well?" Graham asked.

    "Graham, I''m from House Berendas. Chaining me will sack the entire citadel. My house funds most of the Valquen''s projects in turn for an alliance."

    Graham shook his head and growled. "I thought he wiped out all his alliances."

    "Not all of them. He simply can''t. But just like you said...as soon as everyone turns on him, House Berendas won''t be there to protect House Valquen."

    The cell door opened again, and a guard showed up in the doorway. "Time''s up."

    Gillian nodded and shoved a little bag towards Graham before standing up. "I''ll visit another time."

    When Gillian and the guard left, Graham opened the bag. It had pieces of bread and vegetables. Without hesitation, he ate all of it like a starving dog.

    <hr>

    The sun was about to set in the blazing hot desert of Volaria. Kiera still trudged the sands in her new armor. Her sword was sheathed on her belt as she climbed a dune. She seemed to be repeating something in whispers to herself.

    "You''re going to be alright...you''re going to be alright...you''re going to be alright."

    It was the only way to keep herself calm. The armor did a great job of deflecting a lot of the sun''s heat, but that didn''t stop her from sweating profusely. A screech sounded above her head. When she looked up, she saw a majestic eagle floating underneath the sun. Where was it heading?

    All of her instinct told her that she should follow this eagle. It wasn''t circling around, just heading towards one direction.

    "Alright, little bird. I hope you''re not leading me to my demise," she mumbled. Only then she started noticing something. Something in the far distance where the eagle was headed. It looked like smoke stacks. Were they mirages? It couldn''t be. Mirages don''t show up that high in the skies. It had to be real. With that information, Kiera picked up her pace. The closer she got, the more she realized that what she saw was actually real. A metropolis of tribal tents stretched across the horizon with thin smokestacks above them.

    Part of her told her to stay away. Only recently she discovered these tribesmen were dangerous. But they captured Areiya, and she had no other way to go. When she gathered all her courage, she threaded forward.

    She expected to be greeted by a horde of mounted warriors capturing her in an instant, but she could enter the city of tents with no problem at all. Hundreds of tribesmen and women laboring, barely paying attention to her. She could walk between tents as women carrying bowls of water on their heads walked past her.

    A foul odor filled the air when she passed some tents. Finally, someone recognized her being out of place with a gasp. An old woman stared at her, almost as if she was in awe. In awe? Kiera''s heart quickened immediately as she thought they were going to rip her apart. But they didn''t. The old woman released a Volarian word.

    "Sinha.."

    Sinha? What did that even mean? When others heard the woman saying that, they looked at Kiera the same way the old woman did. What was going on? They kept repeating that word.

    ''Sinha.''

    And before she knew it, she found herself surrounded by tribesmen, no way to go and trapped like an animal. Some touched her, wanted to feel her skin. She felt uncomfortable in ways she cannot describe herself.

    "Sinha!" it sounded, pierced through Kiera''s head over and over again. The crowd suddenly started dispersing away from her as she heard men shouting. There they were...the warriors. They still watched, but from a distance.

    "Please don''t.." Kiera whined, putting her hands in front of her while stepping back. But then she couldn''t believe what she saw. Even the warriors stopped in their path to gaze at her. They all kneeled and held their curved swords against the ground.

    "Anhi sa''an Sinha." one of the warriors said. They rose up again and took her hand gently, leading her through the thin street of sand. She was surrounded by warriors, pushing away people that wanted to get to her. They kept shouting the word ''Sinha''. She was led to a big tent. Probably the biggest of this massive camp.

    One of the warriors guided her through the flaps, entering the tent. The smell of burning candles filled the air as well as a bit of smoke oozing around, spreading the aroma. At the end of the tent sat the probable tribe leader. His topless body covered with black tattoos and intentional scars. He stood up with his muscular body. His eyes surrounded with black paint and finished with curls heading all the way to his chin.

    "Kat''hi semid rago''ma...Sinha." he said. His voice deep.

    Scared out of her mind, Kiera managed to squeak out a few words. "I d-don''t...common tongue?"

    "How come the Rashekh send us a white Sinha that knows not our tongue? It does not matter. We welcome you to Vardehk. Our home...your home."

    "My home? I don''t t-think.." Kiera stuttered. The chief noticed her sword and smiled.

    "How rude of me to not offer my seeing of your skill in fighting first. Sinha''s are supposed to be better than the best warriors of Volaria. Come, Sinha.." he held his hand on her back and lead her outside. He was heavily guarded by at least a dozen of warriors. This was not good at all. For some reason they started seeing her as ''Sinha''? Was it supposed to be some sacred god they were worshiping? But then again, why her? An outsider that doesn''t even know their language? And then they wanted her to fight...

    The chief stopped at an open area, where the sand was covered with dry blood. This clearly was a fighting arena, with people already surrounding it with cheers and drums. The rhythmic drum beats made Kiera''s heart race to unhealthy levels as she stood in the middle of the arena. The chief started shouting sentences excitingly as her opponent entered the arena as well. A sleek warrior with nothing but a cloth skirt and boots. His hair packed into a ponytail, and he held a curved sword.

    Like a raging animal, he hit his own chest and screamed towards the crowd to pump himself up. The horn blazed, and the drums were being hit more intensely. Kiera wanted to unsheathe her sword, but it was stuck in the scabbard. While she felt like she was about to pass out and on the brink of a panic attack, the warrior approached her with a smirk.

    "Sahn!" (Stop!)

    A feminine voice interrupted the fight. The drums stopped and everyone looked towards the voice. Someone angrily burst through the crowd, yelling Volarian words towards everyone, pushing them away. When Kiera saw the person, she felt overwhelmingly happy. It was Areiya! She changed her attention towards the chief and even yelled at him.

    "Yeri ha feri folat Sinha she jin lekh-tiholat! Akka tat ei jin chomak fin zhorre alikh? Ferik akka Sinha!" (How dare you welcome Sinha like that you beasts! Don''t you know how to treat a woman? Especially Sinha!)

    Areiya approached Kiera and grabbed her by the hand, leading her away from the crowd. She didn''t look very calm as her pace only increased.

    "For now, act like you''re their goddess. If they know you''re just an impostor wearing this armor, we both won''t make it until nightfall."

 Chapter VIII: The Fires of Volaria

    Areiya pulled Kiera into her tent and made her sit on a chair. Kiera wanted to say something, but her friend was so worked up that she didn''t even have the chance to say anything.

    "Stop speaking the common tongue and just remain silent. It''s better to have a mysterious Sinha than an outsider. Act like a queen, and I will try to get us out of this situation as soon as possible. But whatever you do, don''t stare into the warriors'' eyes for too long. In these tribes, it means you''re challenging them for a fight-" Areiya started brushing Kiera''s hair and changing the subject when the tribe leader walked in with his warriors.

    "Ra''gija minjo akka re''kne mejah." (Your hair looks wonderful today.) Areiya said with a smile. The chief approached Kiera and crouched down to her level.

    "Sinha, please forgive me. It was rude of me to force you to fight. I am Dakehl Merronir. Do I have the honor to know yours?"

    Kiera took a glimpse of Areiya, who stood in the background with beads of sweat on her face. She looked back at the leader with her amber eyes.

    "Ayska," Kiera said.

    "Chehni nomos." (Beautiful name.) Merronir said, "I will leave you be. Our chekehl (maidens) will bring you what you desire."

    Kiera nodded as the chief rose up, leaving the tent with his warriors. Areiya released a deep sigh. "That was close...you really couldn''t think of a Volarian name yourself?" she smiled nervously.

    "Don''t make me think what would''ve happened if I didn''t meet Ayska..." Kiera said, looking pale.

    "Stay here, they will come back. I''ll scout the area and try to find a way to get out of here by nightfall." Areiya wanted to leave, but Kiera stopped her.

    "Wait...I can''t fight. What if they realize I''m just a northern impostor? I can''t just let them kill me..." Kiera said with a dulled expression.

    "It won''t come to that if you stay here and remain mysterious, I promise. I can''t teach you here, but I will when we get out of here."

    "-If..we get out of here." Kiera corrected her.

    "When..we get out of here, Kiera. Trust me for once." Areiya said before leaving the tent. Kiera was left alone, with her eyes darting around the tent. Her heart pumped with adrenaline ever since she got here. Unfortunately, her body finally ran out of adrenaline as she felt a wave of exhaustion hit herself harshly, and then patiently, she waited for Areiya''s return.

    <hr>

    Valmir''s ship approached the Forbidden Land as dusk settled in. His sails had skeleton themed angels painted on them. An eerie, yet powerful symbolism of his reputation as the Angel of Death. Lanterns hung from the bow of the ship. He wore black leather gear, mixed with red cloth underneath. Tight boots and his hip scarf topped it off. His loose black hair fluttered with the sea breeze.

    "Loosen the anchor and release the rowboat!" Valmir shouted as he left the helm and stepped off the stairs to the main deck. He helped his crew get the rowboat on water and turned his attention to one of his crew members.

    "You''ll be in charge of the Harbinger. Keep her ready to sail tomorrow. I''m not leaving this place until I have what we need. But if I don''t return, you know what happened to me."

    The sailor nodded. "Aye..captain."

    Valmir stepped on the rowboat with a burning torch, and a crew member rowed him towards the shore.

    A while later, the double doors of Saenna''s throne room opened with a loud squeak. A pair of guards walked in as she sat on her throne. Beautiful like always, wearing a blue gown with the usual wing-like cloak, made from woven feather-like, textured fabric. She also wore her necklace, made of blue and white gemstones. Her advisor stood beside her as well as some royal guards along the pillars of the hall.

    The entering guards escorted Valmir in the room. Saenna''s expression was somewhat unexpected. She furrowed her eyebrows as her lips parted.

    "Valmir," Saenna said.

    "Sister," Valmir replied with a smile. He looked around the throne room, nodding in encouragement. Saenna stood up and turned her gaze at her guards. "Could you leave us alone for a moment?"

    "Impressive...and fancy." Valmir said while the guards were leaving, "Makes me wonder how you managed to build this entire city without anyone else outside the Forbidden Land knowing about it, let alone get all the resources from this forsaken land."

    "This land is not forsaken." Saenna defended herself, "This city was rebuilt from the ruins of the ancient Arm''eison people. I obviously had help...every single citizen of Lunaria stands behind me. Without them, this wouldn''t have been possible. In turn, I let them live a peaceful life away from western troubles."

    "Aye.." Valmir mumbled. Saenna looked at him with squinting eyes.

    "That''s why you''re here, aren''t you?" she asked.

    "I''m surprised you still know me too well," Valmir smirked.

    "Well, whatever it is, you can forget it. People already seem to find this place with no trouble. I don''t want to put them in any more danger. Hence why I decided to flee from everything." The queen said.

    "I know, sister. But what if I have something greater than..this..to offer?" Valmir asked.

    "First tell me why you need my help. For as long as I remember, you''re a pirate who fled from the same family to lead a different life. Looking at you now, that hasn''t changed."

    Valmir nodded and lowered his head. "It hasn''t. But I made a deal with the Flames of Dawn. If I help them overthrow our uncle, they will grant the other pirates and me a land of our own, and lots of gold."

    Saenna stood up from her throne and walked down the steps, looking around the hall. "Look around you. I already have all of that. I made an army just in case people want to take what''s mine. I''m not starting a war."

    The pirate captain sighed. "There''s already a war. Look, I understand. I really do...but without your help, this rebellion will not succeed. You know his army will keep growing, and one day he will be here at your doorstep as well. This time, you won''t have that big of an advantage anymore."

    "The more time Areyn takes to raise his army, the more time for me to do the same," Saenna answered with a stern look. Valmir took an impatient step closer.

    "Come on, Saenna. Don''t you get it? Once Oryn is free from our uncle, your people will have all the land they need. If you really care about them, you-"

    "I do care." Saenna interrupted him with tensed facial muscles.

    "Then join us and end this." Valmir insisted, furrowing his brows.

    "I will not." Saenna growled while also taking a step closer, glaring Valmir in his eyes, "I will let you sleep in the inn tonight, but I want you to leave before the next sunset, is that understood?"

    Valmir remained silent while looking in the queen''s eyes as well. She could tell he was disappointed, but she just couldn''t do it. He turned around and started walking away. "You''re making a grave mistake," he mumbled.

    <hr>

    A starry night sky veiled over Vardehk. Kiera just had her last visitor in her tent, a woman who offered one of the many gifts Kiera received. She only thanked with a nod and smile, and when the visitor left the canopy, she almost fell asleep when Areiya finally returned. She was in a hurry.

    "It''s time, I know a way out. Come."

    Kiera expected this to happen, but for some reason, this still caught her off-guard. "Right now?"

    "Yes, right now. Come on!" Areiya answered, but she suddenly froze in place and perked her head up. Horns. Blazing horns in the distance.

    "What is that?" Kiera asked, a shiver in her voice.

    "I think we''re either in luck or deep shit," Areiya said.

    "What do you mean?" Kiera asked. Her breath quickened, and her eyes widened.

    "This tribe is being attacked. But it might be my own people."

    What nobody expected was their tent instantly catching fire when a stampede of screaming horse riders passed by. Areiya pulled Kiera out of the tent, and chaos ensued. Mounted warrior slaughtered everyone on their path. , and a warrior attacked the two fleeing girls, charging them on his horse.

    Areiya grabbed her curved sword and fixed herself in position, spreading her legs. "Stay back!"

    The warrior held up his sword and screamed at them as he charged, but Areiya tackled his horse by cutting off its leg. A loud painful scream of the horse followed as the warrior crashed into the ground. It was now between Areiya and the warrior. He swiftly stood up and swung his sword towards her when she deflected it with screeching steel. She pushed the warrior with great force and feinted her swing, when, in fact, she intended to plunge the sword through his body. With succession. Her sword came out through his back, and then she retracted it, pushing his lifeless body on the ground.

    "Follow me!" she yelled with blood on her face. There were fighting tribal warriors left and right, and ordinary tribe villagers were running around in panic. Areiya ran through the narrow sandy streets, trying to avoid everyone.

    Kiera heard those shouts again, but this time...with voices of despair and agony. "Sinha!"

    They were calling for her name, but she couldn''t do anything at all. And then, once again, they faced another one of the attackers. This time, unmounted.

    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    Out of breath, Areiya tried to communicate with the warrior. "Se''li Melachir?" (Are you Melachir?)

    The warrior nodded, and that''s when Areiya smiled again. "Si mi akka derin''ia Melachir, ensi mi''a. Sa medi anslavi. Si mi Dageima Areiya." (I''m Melachir as well, she is with me. We were captured. I am Warrior Areiya.)

    "Rema san minja." the warrior smirked and left.

    "Alright, this changes everything! Come, we need to find horses!" Areiya shouted.

    "Right behind you!" fretted Kiera. The girls made their way through burning bloody chaos. Horses without mounters ran around in panic everywhere.

    Areiya saw a group of horses stuck between collapsed tents, flailing in panic with loud whinnies. She approached them and started driving them out. "Hya!" she shouted, "Grab the black one!"

    Kiera caught the horse by his reins and managed to climb on his back in this chaos. The horse still followed his own will. But Kiera tried to calm him down, and it was slightly working, even though she was tense herself.

    "Easy now, buddy! Easy.."

    Areiya got her own horse under control as well. "I hope you know how to ride a horse! Don''t fall behind!"

    "Just get us out of here!" Kiera yelled, a squeak in her voice revealed her intense fear once again. Horses ran by on fire, and the entire city turned into a slaughter field. Areiya took out her bow while riding her horse, ready to shoot anybody trying to get in her way.

    Embers filled the air, burning on their skin as they plowed through the tainted sands. Areiya''s worries then became a reality when some of her own people charged her and Kiera with horses. She had no other choice but to nock two arrows at once and fire at the attackers. The first one she hit in the shoulder, who fell off his horse, while the second arrow pierced straight through the other one''s throat. What she didn''t keep in mind is that the horses didn''t lose any momentum, bashing into Kiera''s horse and throwing her off into the sand.

    "Kiera!" Areiya yelled, turning back immediately.

    The harsh landing made Kiera winded for a moment as she struggled to breathe. Areiya jumped off her horse and ran towards Kiera, but she didn''t see the warrior at her side, who tackled her into the ground.

    If you could ever describe a sticky situation to be in, this moment would be one of them. Caught off-guard, Areiya struggled herself while Kiera was utterly defenseless. Kiera managed to pull herself up, noticing the warrior was on top of Areiya, trying to choke her. She took a look at the sword in her scabbard, and when she decided to unsheathe it, she saw another warrior running towards her.

    Her heart skipped a beat, and the warrior''s beastly expression only struck more fear into her. The warrior suddenly threw a knife, which struck Kiera''s shoulder. She released a painful yelp, and then the warrior bashed her off her feet. Whimpering, she crawled backward with one of her hands on the handle of the knife as the warrior circled around her with a smirk and out of breath.

    "Qi''si ne Sinha.." (You''re no Sinha...)

    In the meantime, Areiya still struggled to fight the warrior as he was choking her. Her face turned blue when she finally got the idea of grabbing a handful of sand and throwing it in his eyes. The tides immediately turned as the tribal warrioress punched the man''s face before throwing him off of her and finishing him off with her sword. She couldn''t do anything else as she had to recover, coughing until she realized Kiera was about to be executed in front of her eyes.

    She approached the warrior and dug her sword in his back while screaming, letting blood splatter all over her and Kiera. Areiya threw away the body and crouched before her friend, noticing the knife that was stuck in her shoulder.

    "Don''t pull that out yet, we have to go now!" she yelled, pulling up Kiera and wrapping Kiera''s arm around her neck to support her.

    "I''m not leaving you again, I swear." Areiya groaned while walking through the battlefield.

    Kiera smiled weakly. "I''ll hold you onto that."

    And then, at last, they reached the outskirts of the city. While chaos still ensued behind them, the desert in front of them was dark and silent.

    "We''ll stay put here until the fight is over. Let''s just hope my people win. Let me patch you up now." Areiya said out of breath, crouching in front of Kiera.

    <hr>

    Valmir stayed in a room of the local inn. He had a view of the entire lower city as the moon shone brightly. The moon also seemed slightly bigger as usual as well in this place. A lit candle livened up his cozy room on the corner of his nightstand. He was drinking a glass of wine when someone knocked on his door.

    He sighed and stood up from the squeaking chair, heading over to the door to open it. When he opened it, two guards stood in his doorway.

    "Apologies to disturb you, my lord. Our queen requests your presence at her personal quarters." one of the guards said, his voice rasping through the metal helmet.

    "About time she changed her mind..." Valmir mumbled, "Lead the way."

    He closed the door behind him and followed the guards to Saenna''s castle. It was always such a pain in the arse to climb the hundreds of steps. When they finally entered the keep, the guards escorted Valmir to Saenna''s tower. Only a door separated them now. One of the guards knocked on her door. The door opened, revealing the gorgeous queen Saenna in her bright blue evening gown.

    "Ah, Valmir. Come on in," she said, letting him come in. She turned to the guards. "Continue guarding my door."

    Her room was neatly decorated with golden trinkets and flowers. Candles lit up her room. "Take a seat," she said, pointing at the round table with two chairs.

    "Why did you need me to come here, Saenna?" Valmir asked, not yet sitting in his chair.

    Something bothered her. "I may consider to help you," Saenna said, sitting down in her chair and resting her arm on the table. Valmir didn''t quite expect this, and his brows drew together as he slowly sat in his chair as well.

    "How did you change your mind so quickly? You seemed quite keen on turning down my request."

    "Valmir, look into my perspective. I got everything I always wanted. My own people, my own banner, my own castle, even my own city. I secretly ship food and resources from Volaria and Etheon. For years I thought I was invisible...safe and unable to be harmed. Until people started showing up every day coming to this place as if it has never been hidden at all."

    Valmir paused for a moment. "What do you want me to do?"

    "I''m scared, Valmir. I may have a big army, and I did send a message to my uncle that if he ever tries to set foot in Lunarion again, I will burn him down to the ground...but what if he actually lays siege? I can''t think about it...about my people having to go through that."

    "Then join us. Marlock has a plan about...convincing the slaves to rebel. Just think about it. It''s genius. If every single slave rises up against their masters, we won''t even need our own armies. That''s their only weakness. Numbers. But we need back up armies just in case his plan doesn''t work."

    "Wait...Marlock?" Saenna asked, interrupting Valmir.

    "Sorry. He''s our rebellion leader. He''s a good lad, but we don''t have enough men to face our uncle. Not without you."

    Saenna stood up and paced towards her window, looking over her city with the bright moon lighting it up. "I can''t believe I would ever say these words...but you have my support."

    Valmir smirked. "Our rebellion, now."

    He stood up as well, "Welcome to the Flames of Dawn, sister. It''s going to be a lot more interesting from now on." and headed over to a jug of wine and filled two glasses.

    "I''d say we drink to that." he said, handing her a glass and raising his, "To the future death of our beloved uncle."

    Saenna raised her glass as well with a soft smile.

    <hr>

    The next morning, the sun rose in the Silent Waste of Volaria. An entire horde of mounted warriors traveled through the sands. So were Kiera and Areiya. Kiera took off her dragon armor and replaced it with a brown painted leather vest and horsehair leggings cinched by a bronze medallion belt, similar to Areiya''s apparel. Her shoulder was wrapped up with a cloth that was already bloodied again from the wound. The two girls followed the horde as if it was their own. For Areiya, that was exactly the case.

    "I can already feel it getting hotter. My skin is already burnt by the sun," Kiera said as her horse whinnied.

    "Only a few days and you''ll be used to the heat. I''ll get some salve for your skin when we reach Melachoron." Areiya said. She then looked around the sandstone arches and mountains. "Talking about Melachoron, I recognize this. I think we''re here. Come!" she said, tapping her horse with her feet with a loud "Hya!" to command it into galloping. Kiera did the same, following the tribal girl to the front of the horde.

    She noticed Areiya halted on top of a hill. "Come look at this!"

    When Kiera joined her view, her eyes gleamed to the stretching city across the full horizon. This time, it wasn''t just tents, but sandstone houses as well. There were actual streets. This place must have been twice as big as Vardehk was. No wonder the Melachir tribes destroyed them so easily.

    "This place is amazing, Areiya."

    "I told you! Welcome to my home! Now let''s convince my people to join our cause shall we?"

 Chapter IX: The Scion

    Fear reigned over High Harbour, the capital of Etheon. Citizens that weren''t enslaved stayed inside their homes as much as they could, which filled the streets with nothing but slaves and masters. It was raining in Etheon that day. Grey clouds made the capital look even grimmer. One of the fishing ships entered the docks and anchored down beside a pier bearing black sails with the sigil of a menacing shark pierced by a sword. The plank was thrown down, and a row of slaves was waiting to leave the ship.

    "Okay, move it!" the slavers yelled as they pushed the slaves off the ship. One of those slaves was an athletic young-adult boy, short black hair, and amber-coloured eyes. Bruises and whipping marks covered his naked torso as hee followed in line, off the plank onto the pier. The slavers led him and the others through the ghost streets. He could see people closing their window hatches in a hurry in the corners of his eyes. Suddenly he heard a loud crack of a whip followed by a feminine shriek of pain behind him.

    "Move your arse you''re falling behind!" a slaver shouted. When they turned around the corner of the street, everyone took a halt. Even the slavers. The black-haired boy wanted to see what was going on, peering over the shoulders of his fellow slaves. And then he saw it. A handful of city guards were slaughtered, puddles of blood running between the cobblestones, which put the slavers on alert immediately, unsheathing their swords.

    "Watch the slaves, and search every bloody house in this street! I want these bastards to be-" the slaver''s voice got cut off and changed into a disturbing gurgle by an arrow that pierced right through his throat. The boy didn''t notice it before, but mysterious men in black shrouds showed up from the roofs and dark alleys, swiftly moving like shadows with bows and daggers. They were killing all the slavers with ease, not even giving them a chance to fight back at all.

    "Sound the bells! We''re under attack!" one of the slavers yelled. Some of them tried to escape, but the shadows were too fast, intercepting them in their sprint. Another hooded man seemed to fall from the sky right in front of the athletic boy, but he caught his fall with a roll and aimed his bow while crouching and firing it straight towards another fleeing slaver. Despite the long distance, the arrow still managed to find its way through the slaver''s leg, grounding him for good. Their aim was amazing. The boy didn''t know what was happening around him, let alone who these mysterious people were.

    With widened eyes, he looked towards the shrouded man beside him who just shot the arrow. "Who are you?" he asked, and the man answered with a low toned voice.

    "For you, I am nobody."

    Only then, the black-haired boy noticed something he didn''t before up close. The man''s hands were scaled? Amid brewing chaos, the boy felt a sting in his neck. He felt at it with his hand and found a dart. His heart rate quickened, and his vision faded, falling to the ground as everything went black.

    <hr>

    The massive tribal city stretched across the horizon, with thousands of villagers labouring, and thousands of warriors fighting each other for sport or guarding the city. While the sun was blazing hot in the middle of the day, Kiera found the right spot in the shade beside Areiya''s house.

    When Areiya returned with a basket of fruit, she noticed her sitting on the bench, hunched over. She immediately knew something was wrong. Areiya placed down the basket and walked up to her. "Kiera?"

    She sat down beside her on the bench and noticed Kiera''s face was red and wet of tears, immediately placing her hand on her shoulder. "Hey, what''s the matter?"

    Kiera sniffed and wiped her nose, looking in front of her. "I haven''t had much time to think...until now," she said.

    "Well..what are you thinking about?" Areiya asked.

    "Everything. If the Three Deities are so great, then why are they letting us go through all this?"

    The warrioress sighed. "I don''t believe in the Three Deities, but I know that all gods are the same. They want what''s best for their people. For us."

    "By letting one evil bastard enslave us all?" Kiera asked, her voice shaky.

    "No." Areiya said, "You know what I like to believe? I believe that we, as humans, are going through a trial. A trial made by the gods. It is their way to see if we are capable of surviving anything the world throws at us. Even slavery. It is our task to unite...and fight for our freedom. If we succeed, then we made our gods proud. If we fail...then I suppose the gods should''ve done a better job creating us."

    "I like your way of thinking," Kiera said, smiling weakly.

    "But there''s something else isn''t there?" Areiya added, pulling her brows together as she looked in Kiera''s amber eyes.

    "I''ve come to the conclusion that my family will probably be dead." Kiera nodded, pressing her lips together, "And that I shouldn''t hope for an opportunity to save them anymore."

    Areiya''s expression twisted instantly, her eyes widening. "What? No, stop it! You don''t know if your family survived or not. They could be in the same situation we are in. I mean, it''s a big world. There might be other rebellions that we don''t know of. There are a lot of ways they could have died, but there are also a lot of ways they survived. Don''t give up hope so easily, Kiera. I know you''re stronger than that."

    Kiera finally smiled genuinely after that, wiping off a tear under her eye. "I guess you''re right..."

    "Come here," Areiya said as she pulled Kiera to herself for a hug. Kiera returned the hug and rested her cheek on Areiya''s shoulder.

    "We''ll be alright," Areiya whispered.

    "Thank you," Kiera mumbled.

    They stopped hugging, and Areiya stood up, offering her a hand. "How about I give you some training? Finally, teach you how to fight?"

    Kiera took her hand and nodded. "Sounds good to me."

    <hr>

    Water drops echoed in the slave boy''s ears. He only saw the orange glow of torches, but the darkness and dripping water hinted that he was in a cave. He also felt it by the cold ground underneath him. He saw a tall silhouette of a man standing in front of him. When his vision returned, he saw the man wore a robe made of black and red silk and black painted shoulder plates that perfectly mixed with his black shoulder cloak, fixed on his broad chest with a clasp. A hood and golden face mask concealed his identity.

    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    "What is your name?" the strange man asked, a deep voice rasping through the mouth hole of the mask.

    "I-...where am I?" the boy said, darting his eyes around his surroundings.

    "I asked you a question." the man continued.

    "A-Aidan...I''m Aidan...Aidan Bloodcrest," he said, crawling back until he hit a wall. The strange man nodded with his hands behind his back.

    "Good. Then I shall introduce myself. My name is Xinz''r ''Ittk Senhara, Master of Scion and Founder of the Circle of Eight."

    "M-master of Scion?" Aidan asked, confused.

    "Only a few remember this, but our race lives in dedication to the Bright Mother. The Hinos of Lunarion.

    "Hinos? I never heard of them..." Aidan said, slowly regaining his ability to stand.

    "That is because I and my fellow brethren are the only ones that are left of our kind. Left, in the shadows." Xinz''r answered and continued.

    "During the Aeon of Dawn, we were at war. I can''t deny we were a violent race, but we all had a heart. Mother''s presence manifested in Lunarion to show she hasn''t forgotten her most loyal Hinos worshippers. She gave them a mighty magic artefact to be used to aid Lunarion, should some serious threat arise to her and her people. Because of the artefact''s appearance, the Hinos gave it the name of "Black Rose". The artefact was offered to a selected few who proved worthy of Mother''s blessing, and clues show it was used in various places across the land. Some say the artefact was used for defeating invading armies while others claimed it could be used to move large stones, enabling the Hinos to build various stone buildings, the most famous of which are stone pyramids known as ''Seihul'' which you can find all across Lunarion. Now, in ruins."

    Xinz''r paced around with his hands behind his back. There was this sense of mystery about him.

    "With our reduced need for outside help or intervention, the Black Rose made us able to become a powerful and autonomous civilization. Mother also bestowed certain secret powers to the bloodlines of the most loyal worshippers. These Hinos formed an occult secret society to preserve their legacy, a brotherhood that echoes the powers given by the Lady of the Moon. A family named ''Echo of Silence''."

    When Xinz''r seemed to be done talking, two other members of his cult showed up and stood beside him in similar robes and masks.

    "These people are the Echo of Silence. I am the last remaining Master of Scion of the Circle of Eight that founded this family. Our kind has suffered enough, and it is time for us to get the upper hand now slavery reigns over your people."

    Aidan still didn''t understand why they took him and not the other slaves that were with him. "What does that have to do with me?" he asked.

    "Your father was an important asset to our family. He ensured our survival when we needed it the most. We are in his debt, but since he gave his life to the Bright Mother, we can repay that debt to his son. And his son is you." Xinz''r answered.

    This was all too much to take in for Aidan, which left him with curved brows and wide eyes, not knowing what to say.

    "This is your home, Aidan. Welcome to the Echo of Silence."

    Lunaria, Lunarion

    Saenna and Valmir stood on top of the city''s battlements, watching over a massive army in divided formations. At least ten thousand men were stationed in divisions, with their commanders leading upfront on horseback. They all wore full steel armor, some carried the blue banners of Saenna''s city. The majestic white gryphon with its broad wings spread.

    There were also a few divisions of cavalry. Even the horses were extremely obedient. It was clear that this army had been through stern and fierce training.

    "This is it, sister." Valmir said, caressing the hilt of his sheathed sword, "Your army is waiting for you down there. Are you ready to give your speech?"

    The young queen remained silent for a moment, overlooking her own soldiers. "I have to be. This is the moment they waited for. Finally, they will be able to put their training to good use."

    "We don''t like to step into a war, Saenna. Nobody does." Valmir said, "But all ten-thousand of these men are standing there for you because they believe in you and nobody else. Give them a speech even the gods will tremble upon. Your horse is waiting at the gate."

    Saenna smiled to Valmir before heading down the wall towards her white horse, which the guards already prepared.

    "She''s ready to ride, my queen." one of the guards said, handing the reins to Saenna. He helped her hop on the horse before she corrected the skirt of her white gown. She took a deep breath and walked her horse through the gates towards her army.

    Saenna rode through the spaces between divisions in silence, inspecting her men while her horse''s hooves were muffled by the grass. In the meantime, Valmir watched from above the wall with a smirk.

    "Brave soldiers of Lunarion!"

    After her yelling this, all of them stamped their feet together simultaneously, generating a loud but powerful grunt in unison.

    "Since the dawn of our colony, we have always lived in peace and prosperity! For years we have been invisible to the realm! Our only worries were what we were going to eat for dinner every night. Unfortunately, such is no longer possible. Not with the current reign of the Poisoned Emperor that lives in my homeland. My own uncle!"

    She turned her horse around, watching over her people as she started to get into her own speech.

    "He enslaved all of Oryn, and now knows where we live! The very city where all your families live, where all your friends, wives and children live! And take my word, this foul demon WILL come and take what is ours, just to add all of us to his rank of slaves! But I can tell you this. With the help of my brother and his rebellion, we will unite and STRIKE down every slaver we can get our hands on! The emperor''s life will be mine to take!"

    She walked by a division of spear infantry, watching their emotionless expressions. "So what do you say? Let''s take back the lands that were ours, and let the Lands of Trinity live in peace and freedom once again!"

    After her speech, she managed to get her entire army pumped as they plunged the blunt side of their spears into the ground in rhythm, while others bashed their shields and released war cries. Ten-thousand men doing that all together created one of the most ear deafening and intimidating sounds war one could ever hear. Amid all the noise, Saenna took a glimpse to Valmir and smirked.

 Chapter X: A Flame Reborn

    Two wooden swords clashed together in the outskirts of Melachoron. With the blazing sun high in the sky, Kiera and Areiya were training their swordplay. Kiera managed to parry a few of Areiya''s swings.

    "That''s it. You''re getting the hang of it!" Areiya panted. Kiera didn''t expect Areiya''s sweep with her feet as she crashes into the sand, dropping her sword.

    "Ow!" Kiera grunted.

    "But not your stance! Don''t just focus on what happens above. Use your feet. It''s essential in combat as well. Come on, get up." Areiya said as she pulled Kiera up with her hand.

    "Here, let me show you. Your stance is still a little clumsy." Areiya said as Kiera put herself in her combat stance again. Areiya corrected her feet.

    "If you''re going to stand like that, it''ll be very easy to ground you. Spread your legs more."

    When Kiera did what she was told, the tribal warrioress put up a smile. "Good! Now keep your sword up at all times. The moment you don''t, you''re dead. It''s as simple as that. As an addition, you can keep circling your opponent. That way it will be a lot easier for you to dodge attacks if you cannot parry."

    "Ary!" a child''s voice emerged behind them. They both turned their heads, and Areiya immediately smiled. "Senida!" She shouted and opened up her arms, allowing an eight-year-old girl run to her and jump into her arms. The girl''s mother was behind her, smiling warmly. "Athchosi yeronn akka yeri Rehjsheth. Fonolat se jin lekh-tiholat?" (I thought you were in Rehksheth. When did you move here?) Areiya asked the girl. The mother stepped forward and answered the question for her daughter.

    "Athche it''tka veni rahsek sen luana. Sa''ciat bian mehdi se gih ra''hu munjadi." (We moved here two moons ago. The men in steel armours are getting closer to our cities.)

    Areiya and Kiera glimpsed at each other with knitted brows. "Verid da...athche m''enjoni Radakehl Zaheem." (About that...we have to talk to Radakehl Zaheem...)

    About an hour later, a crowd of tribe villagers gathered around in front of the chief''s house and formed a circle, playing the drums and singing exciting melodies. Kiera and Areiya stood in the middle of that circle, waiting for the chief to come. People were mostly eyeing Kiera since she was the only one that had lighter skin, but still wearing the traditional Volarian tribal armour. All these heads aiming at her made her quite uncomfortable.

    "I got a feeling your people don''t like me," Kiera mumbled.

    "You''re an outsider to them, but you''ll be fine," Areiya said. It was the first moment Kiera saw her friend become quite anxious. Her facial muscles were tense, and her brown eyes were glaring at the entrance.

    "You okay?" Kiera asked.

    "Don''t worry about me," Areiya answered. Finally, Dakehl Zaheem arrived with four warriors beside him as the crowd made way. Tattoos covered his entire torso, even his face.

    "Ta''ki sewa da naho?" (What do you want?) Zaheem asked with a raspy voice. He seemed annoyed because he paced around as if he didn''t have much time. Areiya unsheathed her curved sword, generating a few gasps in the crowd and the Dakehl''s protectors took a step forward, assuming combat position. But then Areiya just drew a curved line in the sand before sticking her sword into the ground and kneeled.

    "Dakehl Zaheem, athchosi Dageima Areiya Chos'' Melachir sa''he vinjo ta''ki Kiera Bloodcrest. Athche chi''n akka senu beda vahir suu''m soni." (Dakehl Zaheem, I am Warrior Areiya of the Melachir tribes and my friend Kiera Bloodcrest. For the sake of my friend, let us continue this conversation in the common tongue.) Areiya said. The chief gazed upon Kiera, inspecting her from top to bottom.

    "What is it this white girl wants?" Zaheem asked.

    "We are here with a very important request. Something that would stop the other white people from enslaving ours." Areiya said, standing up, but keeping her sword stuck into the sand.

    "Slavery cannot be stopped. It is something we have to fight against ourselves. How does this whore have to help us with this?" Zaheem asked, his tone turning aggressive. So were his warriors, taking another step forward. Kiera stood her ground, looking the chief straight into his eyes. That didn''t mean she wasn''t afraid, though.

    Areiya sighed. "Please, Dakehl, hear us out. There is a rebellion and-"

    "-I don''t want to hear any more." Zaheem interrupted Areiya, accepting his sword from one of his servants. He then stomped towards the two girls. "You shame yourself and us for working with such a snake that stands next to you."

    "Uhh, Areiya?" Kiera asked with a shivering voice. The crowd surrounded them, and they had no way to go. Areiya closed her eyes and sighed, wrapping her hand around the hilt of her sword that still stuck in the sand.

    "Damnit..." she mumbled. "Va''atchosi ri''haga semiir va se cochesik, Dakehl Zaheem." (Then I challenge you to a fight until death, Dakehl Zaheem)

    Her entire expression changed, glaring at the chief as she stood up with the sword in her hand. Zaheem inhaled deeply and returned Areiya''s glare. "Ni Seha e''ttk vira so''ka Dakehl, chakma." (Women cannot become chief, you stupid bitch.)

    Areiya squinted her eyes and tightened the grip on her sword. "Prove me wrong." and swung at the chief, who dodged it with ease. Areiya took another attempt, but he avoided it again and punched her in the face. Kiera stepped back, her legs shaking and her breath quickening.

    Areiya staggered from the punch, allowing the chief to grab her by her armour and throw her to the ground, but she knew better, catching her fall and rolling backwards to pounce toward him with her sword. This time he had to block it with his, a screech of steel sounded through the air. At that moment, it was either him or her.

    The chief unleashed swift swings, which Areiya dodged and parried. She didn''t even hear the shouts and cheering from the crowd anymore. She dodged another attack, took her knife from her boot and thrust it towards his side.

    She missed because he grabbed her thrusting arm and pulled her to him, turning her around and keeping her in a neck hold. She felt his muscles tensing up to snap her neck but decided to grab his thumb and twisted it as hard as she could, feeling the bone snap.

    He groaned out loud and released her. It worked.

    With the tables turned, she kicked into his stomach and sent him to the ground, winded. She crawled on top of him and bashed his face with her fists over and over again, releasing maniacal grunts every time.

    Suddenly, an overwhelming surge of pain radiated through her side as she yelped out loud. He plunged her own knife into her side and then threw her off of him into the sand.

    Blood splatters covered her face mixed with sand. She ignored the knife; for now, the adrenaline took away the pain anyway. Both disarmed, the Dakehl dashed towards her and sent his fist flying, but Areiya recovered just in time to duck underneath it and grab the arm, turning around his body and slamming her elbow on the back of his head. Not releasing his arm, she forced him to kneel by kicking the inside of one of his knees. But what she seemed to forget is how strong Zaheem was. He used all his might and jerked the arm Areiya held, pulling her off her feet and tossing her into the crowd, dispersing for her and the chief. But this time, she was winded. With bleeding cuts and bruises on his face, Zaheem stomped towards her with a sword in his hand. "Teotchi ni Dageima." (You''re no warrior.)

    Areiya, struggling to breathe, could only watch how the chief raised his sword. Seeing someone approach him from behind, Areiya groaned. "Kiera, no! This is my fight!"

    The chief turned around, but Areiya knew he was going to kill her any second. With all the remaining energy she had left, Areiya swung both her legs across Zaheem''s feet, watching him collapse on the ground, revealing a shaking Kiera with her sword in her hand. With no hesitation, Areiya pulled out the knife from her side and reached out her arm, plunging it right into his heart. Life withdrew from his eyes, and the Dageima panted heavily. Kiera watched her in shock. And then, the whole crowd went silent.

    Kiera gazed around, noticing the four protectors of the chief looking at their dead leader and each other with disbelief. The crowd distanced themselves in fear, while one of the four glowered at Kiera and Areiya. He raised his sword and charged towards Kiera, screaming in anger. She held up her sword and spread her legs, her heart pounding in her throat. When he reached her, a knife flew right into his left eye, splattering Kiera''s face with blood and instantly descending into the sand. When the scared girl looked behind her, Areiya was weakly standing up. She was the one who threw the knife.

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    Kiera dropped her sword in the bloodied sand while Areiya carefully looked around the crowd, her body covered in blood. The warrioress changed her gaze to her friend. Her pupils widened, like an animal that just fought for their life.

    "Dakehria!" a voice emerged from the crowd.

    "Dakehria!"

    Kiera went over to support Areiya while more and more people started praising the same Volarian word.

    "Dakehria!"

    Kiera remained careful, darting her eyes around. "What does that mean?"

    "It means...queen," Areiya mumbled. As soon as she said that, everyone started kneeling, even the warriors. Dozens, hundreds, thousands of settlers and warriors gathered around Areiya and Kiera. Areiya looked at her friend and smiled.

    Three days later

    The sun was setting, cooling off the heated sands as Kiera and Areiya rode on top of a tall dune on horseback. They had a view of the abandoned city of Menja. A big city of ruined sandstone houses, and broken down city walls. One would think that place would be infested with ghosts.

    "We could make something of this," Kiera said.

    "I don''t think we have much of a choice," Areiya answered, holding the reins of her horse, squinting her eyes to the orange sun. Kiera looked behind her.

    "You think they will be able to adapt?" she asked. Areiya looked behind her as well, looking over the massive horde of mounted warriors and walking villagers following their new female leader.

    "No doubt. The Melachir are strong people." Areiya answered.

    "I bet they are, I mean look at you." Kiera smiled, "The strongest girl I''ve ever met."

    Areiya chuckled and put up a fake Eryian posh accent. "Oh thank you very much, kind lady, ~"

    Kiera tapped her horse with her feet, ordering it to continue walking with a smile on her face. "Come on, let''s enter the city of the dead! We have to wait for the others." but Areiya didn''t follow.

    "You won''t have to wait very long then," she said, looking over the horizon, even further than the city. Kiera followed her gaze, and her eyes widened as her lips parted.

    "By the gods..." she mumbled.

    Innumerable ships stretched far across the horizon of the sea, approaching Menja. A massive armada of ships bearing sails with the sigil of Flames of Dawn, the golden sun with a flame inside. Even the pirate ships bore those sigils, and the other half bore Saenna''s. The majestic gryphon with spread wings. A counterpart representation of the real House Valquen eagle banners. They finally arrived.

    "Ready to make history?" Areiya asked.

    Kiera didn''t answer just yet, turning her head to her friend. For some reason, her hands were shaking.

    "Why am I nervous?" she asked.

    "It''s okay to be nervous. The entire fate of our realm is about to change." Areiya answered.

    <hr>

    Xinz''r and Aidan walked next to each other through a lit cave tunnel. Xinz''r, as usual, was as mysterious as he could be. Masked from his chin to the top of his head, hooded, and a plated robe that looked religious but battle-ready at the same time. His mask was very strange, ancient-looking, even.

    "The Circle of Eight collapsed when one of them betrayed us by using the Black Rose against us. Six of them were killed, except for me. I was the only one that inherited the strongest form of magic the Bright Mother could provide us. It is called Void magic, a talent only given to those who were dedicated the most to Rysia. The traitor, Xhiak, perished by my own hands."

    Aidan gained more interest in this cult''s story. Especially the magic Xinz''r mentioned.

    "What can you do with that magic?" he asked.

    "Void magic can enshroud you with total nothingness. It can turn you unable for the eye to see, bend the weather to your will to create devastating storms. It allows you to use what the power of the Rose could. The only difference is that it requires a lot of your own energy. Using the Rose doesn''t." Xinz''r asked.

    "Where is the Rose now?" Aidan asked.

    "Easy there, brother. In time, you''ll see. I do want to talk with you about something else, though." Xinz''r said, halting in the middle of the tunnel.

    "What is it?" Aidan asked.

    "My Emissary told me his birds caught wind of a rising rebellion in the east. Supposedly called the ''Flames of Dawn''. Does that ring a bell to you?"

    Aidan moved around his gaze as he thought, but shrugged after. "No, it doesn''t."

    "Well, it should. You told me you had a sister that got captured and shipped to the east, no?"

    "Yeah, I did...why? She''s probably dead already." Aidan said, clearly a sensitive subject for him as it felt like he swallowed a rock.

    "Close your eyes," Xinz''r said, taking a step closer to him. Aidan was a bit sceptical about this but closed his eyes anyway. "Why?"

    "Just think about nothing and let your mind do the rest," Xinz''r said, placing his gloved hand on Aidan''s head. And right after, Aidan''s mind was flooded with short visions and images of his sister, Kiera.

    The slaver that whipped Kiera in the slaver ship. "Quiet, scum!" he growled.

    The emperor''s attack on Jiron, a boulder crashing into Kiera''s shelter house.

    Kiera and Areiya arriving in the Silent Waste.

    Kiera and Areiya arriving in Menja with their army.

    Then, Aiden gasped when the vision ended and regained consciousness of his own mind. He was shocked, his hands were shaking, and his heart quickened. With wide eyes, he looked at Xinz''r, eerily looming over him.

    "T-..they''re in Volaria? She''s...she''s alive?" Aidan scoffed with colour draining from his face.

    "Menja, to be exact. It''s an abandoned city. The rebellion will probably be mobilizing over there. My Emissary''s birds mentioned an army. We will be there when they strike. We will strike with them...and they won''t even know." Xinz''r said.

    "Count me in. I can''t let them take away my sister as well."

    "Good. Then let''s get started. This is a great opportunity for both of us. The Hinos race will have a chance to be reborn, while this world is rid of foul creatures like the emperor." Xinz''r said.

    "Something tells me there''ll always be people like the emperor..." Aidan mumbled.

    <hr>

    Torches were placed around the ruined city as Marlock padded around the ruins with his hands behind his back. His grey cloak hid his hands, and the light of the torches glistened in the commander''s steel armour. Patrols of Saenna''s soldiers and Valmir''s pirates passed by sometimes.

    "Last time I''ve been in these lands...all my men were slaughtered, and I had to flee like a coward," he said. He then turned around, looking at Kiera.

    "How did you and Areiya do it?"

    Kiera put up a smile and nodded, putting her fists on her hips. "If I have to be honest, I have no idea."

    "...And your family?" he continued.

    "They''re not our concern yet," Kiera said while having to swallow deeply. Marlock decided not to continue this topic seeing her reaction.

    "I see you have a sword now...and scars," he said, looking at her bare shoulders, noticing the still healing stab wound from the attack on Vardehk.

    "We''ve been through a lot, Marlock. It better be worth it..." she said. It could have been Marlock''s imagination, but it seemed like he heard a shiver in her voice.

    "I promise you...slavery will soon be over. And we will have the emperor''s head on a spike."

    Saenna''s voice emerged from Kiera and Marlock''s flank. "Commander?"

    Marlock turned his head to her. "Yes, Your Grace?"

    ''Your Grace?'' Kiera thought to herself. While she stood there, not understanding yet why he called her like that, she listened to Saenna first.

    "My army is ready. It''s time to make amends," she said.

    Marlock nodded and looked at Kiera, but it seemed she had a question first as Saenna left.

    "Your Grace?" she asked with a smile.

    "I plead my life to Queen Saenna as her Lord Commander. I will lead a big part of her army now," he answered.

    "Well, congratulations then. I suppose we have somewhere to be." Kiera said whereas Marlock nodded to that. "Indeed. Let''s go."

    A few minutes, Kiera, Areiya, Valmir, Saenna and Marlock gathered around the new improvised war room in a ruined house. Saenna''s men heavily guarded it. By then, the sun also disappeared beneath the horizon, casting a starry night above the city.

    Saenna placed her hands on the table and leaned forward, looking on the map.

    "So, where do we start?"

    End of ACT II

 Chapter XI: The Demon of Death

    Act III

    The War of Trinity

    The sun rose above the ruined city of Menja. Guards patrolled the streets, and tribe villagers assisted the builders in building a new wall. In the middle of this city, walked Areiya and Kiera, having a chat.

    "So Saenna set out to take back Jiron. I don''t even know what Marlock and Valmir are up to." Areiya said, looking around while strolling through the street with her friend.

    "Marlock is Saenna''s Lord Commander. Why isn''t he with her?" Kiera asked.

    "Valmir needed him with something that had more priority, apparently" Areiya answered.

    "I wonder what could have more priority than taking the most important city in Volaria." Kiera scoffed.

    "Don''t ask me. My people and I still have to adapt the way yours wages war." Areiya said, her gaze switching over Marlock in the distance, waving the two over.

    "Kiera! Areiya! I want to talk to you two!"

    "Speaking off, there he is. Let''s see what our Lord Commander needs from us this time." Areiya said.

    They followed Marlock into the war room, where Valmir stood behind the table with his arms crossed. A sharp and concentrated look on his face as his attention was towards the map.

    "We might be in trouble." The pirate captain said, pointing at the mountain pass that separates Erye from Volaria, "Seguja Pass is known to have an impregnable fort, which is in Areyn''s control."

    Marlock leaned over the table, and the two girls stood behind him. "Then how do you suggest we do this? If Saenna''s siege is successful, we''ll have Jiron back. The most strategic placed city in Volaria." he said.

    "Hold on." Areiya interrupted the two, "Remind me why we''re here?"

    Marlock looked at Valmir. "He wanted you two to be here, but he wouldn''t tell me why."

    Valmir nodded and unfolded his arms, letting them hang loose beside him. "You know what they say about pirates, Marlock."

    Marlock didn''t quite know what he meant by that, taking a glimpse at the two girls before carefully pushing himself off the table. "What?"

    Suddenly, a large group of pirates entered the room with raised crossbows and swords, all aiming at Marlock and the two girls. Marlock turned around his axis, looking at every single pirate, and growled. Areiya wanted to reach for her dagger, but she realized she was too late. There were way too many to take on by herself.

    "A pirate''s loyalty is bought, not earned. I may not be a true pirate, but I still prioritize gold over honour. My uncle simply offered me a greater deal. Bring you and your two errand girls to him, and he would give me tripled what you would''ve given me."

    "Valmir...you don''t have to do this-" Marlock mumbled, clenching his fists.

    "And that''s where you''re wrong, Marlock. You see, I''m not running my whole fleet to their inevitable death." Valmir said with his hands behind his back, "Tie ''em up. Some of my boys made a window for us to get to my ship unnoticed by the girl''s savages."

    "Aye, captain!" a few of his henchmen said, tying him and the two girls with their hands behind their back. But Marlock was still desperate for answers. "What about your sister?! You worked so hard to convince her to bring her here. Why did you even try?"

    Valmir stepped closer to the tied commander, glaring in his eyes. "Why do you think, Marlock? For years I had to reave and pillage for my own survival. My own family abandoned me while she was up there on her island living the perfect life. She never bet an eye to anyone. She''s walking straight into a trap. Areyn knew she was going to siege that place long ago, and it surprises me you didn''t even consider that."

    The pirate tied Kiera''s hands too tight, making her groan and whimper. "Don''t do this, Marlock! I beg of you. You know we have a chance!"

    Completely different from Kiera, Areiya was pulled up from her knees while death-staring Valmir. They even put rags in their mouth and wrapped them around their heads.

    "Bring them to my ship." Valmir tilted his head, turning his back to them. One by one, they were marched out of the tent.

    <hr>

    In the meantime, in the middle of the day, Saenna approached Jiron leading her massive army on her white horse. A confident look on her face as she squinted her eyes in the sun. She wore an armoured gown with elegant platings and jewels, and her hair was braided in several locks that lifted in the wind. The distant blazing horns in the city reached Saenna, telling her they were ready to defend their homes. She saw hundreds of archers on the battlements of the walls, but what she didn''t see, was that they all already fired away, sending a volley of hundreds of arrows towards the sky. Her army halted.

    "Shields up!" the commanders screamed as Saenna''s royal guards used theirs to form a shield roof above her head.

    The arrows arched into the air and rained down straight in front of Saenna''s army. It was a warning, but it didn''t do anything to her. One of her commanders needed her attention.

    "My queen, we''re about to begin the siege. It is best for your safety to stay in the back," he said.

    Saenna paused for a second. "Very well. You know your orders. Areyn doesn''t turn slaves into soldiers. They all decided to follow him. Leave no one alive."

    She turned around and made her way through the lines of her army to the back when she noticed the wind picked up. And then she heard something, which made her entire army stiffen. Distant roars from a war horn. Firstly to the east, then to the west and lastly at the south. Saenna didn''t her commanders to tell her what was happening. They walked into a trap and were now surrounded. Her commanders immediately sprung into action, riding around their men, shouting orders.

    "Squared formation! Spears and shields! Spears and shields!

    All men with shields and spears marched into a large square formation, protecting every side and the rest of the army by shield walls, with spears sticking through the cracks.

    "Archers! Nock!"

    The bowmen in the middle nocked an arrow into their bow. It was at that moment, that fear struck everyone, but not the queen.

    "Swordsmen, protect your queen!"

    To top off the defensive formation, footsoldiers surrounded Saenna. With hearts pumping, and adrenaline rushing through everyone''s veins, they anticipated the approaching enemy. The commander of the cavalry division led his men of spear-wielding horseriders out the formation, readying them to harass any incoming armies.

    For a moment, it was silent, until the first banners showed up on the top of the surrounding hills and dunes around Saenna. She was filled with hate and anger the moment she recognized them. The black banners with the menacing eagle of House Valquen. Areyn''s eagle. Not only Areyn''s, but other houses in Vraleth like the falcon of House Rethia and the tiger of House The commander of the foot soldiers approached the queen, grimacing.

    "Your grace, we''re in trouble. They outnumber us three to one. It will be a slaughter. Please...you always said you cared about us. Show it to us, and surrender."

    Saenna returned a cold look to him. "I do care for every single one of you. But I swore to myself and my ancestors I will make Areyn burn. I will not break that oath."

    She looked towards the clouds, which confused the commander slightly. When he followed her gaze, he noticed an eagle flying in the air, releasing a screech. Without saying anything or changing her expression, she looked back at the commander before leaving her protected circle.

    "My queen, what are you-"

    "Do not follow me. Only defend your men." she interrupted him, walking her horse out of the circle, straight towards Areyn''s armies.

    Her armoured gown glistered in the sun while her horse anxiously approached the surrounding line of cavalry and banners. They didn''t attack. Maybe they thought she wanted to negotiate or offer her surrender. But Saenna herself knew, it was far from that. The eagle descended from the skies and landed on her shoulder, darting its head around and releasing another screech. Without showing any fear, Saenna shouted towards the menacing armies in front of her.

    Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

    "My name is Saenna Qoheris Valquen, Protector of the Last Guardian, Sentinel of Lunarion and Queen of Lunaria City. You all doomed the lands of Lunarion, called it cursed! It was not cursed! It was blessed!" Saenna looked around, the entire army paying attention to her. Even her own men.

    "I want you to remember my name before you die. Even if one of you survives what I''m about to unleash, remind my uncle what happened here! Tell what happened when he sent his men to kill his own niece!"

    And then, she spoke the three eerie words.

    "Val Qoh Huen!"

    Her eagle jumped off her shoulder and surrounded itself with a bright light before starting to change form. Its wings grew colossal, and its body formed itself in one of a dragon, growing a large, spiked tail and eventually growing in full size. A menacing, enormous dragon the size of a castle with its wings shaped like a curved moon. It immediately roared in the air and breathed a deadly blast of green fire on the surrounding army. They screamed in agony, flailing around as they tried to disperse. Some tried to fire arrows onto the dragon, but they deflected and broke as soon as they hit the rock hard scales of the Guardian. The green fire scorched hundreds of soldiers when one of Saenna''s commanders saw this as a unique opportunity. The firm bearded commander raised his sword and whipped his horse, releasing his war cry.

    "Charge these fuckers!"

    He and his men charged the enemy forces while Saenna''s guardian significantly reduced their numbers. Two thousand of Saenna''s cavalry knights cut through the enemy lines like butter, ramming everyone who stood in their way. Out of all the things, Saenna''s guardian was something nobody ever expected. The enemy forces began retreating, or instead, running for their lives whereas Saenna''s men cheered loudly, raising their weapons and chanting her name.

    "Saenna! Saenna! Saenna! Saenna! ..."

    Her guardian flew overhead, flapping its massive wings before shapeshifting back to its eagle form, landing on Saenna''s shoulder. She turned her gaze to the city with a determined look on her face. In the meantime, they were well prepared to defend it.

    "Let us take this city!" she yelled. But then, the inevitable happened. The city gates opened, and two horseriders rode out bearing two white flags. They were surrendering, which put a smile on Saenna''s face. "I win."

    <hr>

    A creaking ship rocked over the waves of the Sea of Rubies. The lanterns inside the cargo hold dangled around. The air loomed with an eerie silence, a silence Kiera remembered, back when she was captured as a slave, in the same kind of cargo hold like this. She realized that all she had been through so far seemed to haven''t changed at all. She looked to the ground, a grim expression that revealed her lack of life lust. She was bound on a wooden pillar, as well as Marlock and Areiya on the same one. The rag in Kiera''s mouth started to hurt her jaws, and it even started tasting strange. And then, the hatch to the deck opened, revealing the silhouette of the Angel of Death himself.

    His boots squeaked as he stepped down the creaking stairs. Two cutlasses fixed on his belt.

    "I see my guests are still alive and well." he said, approaching them with a calm but intimidating posture, "I suppose you lads are thirsty. I got you a jug of water, and you can share it."

    A pirate walked down from deck with a full jug of water, placing it in front of Marlock.

    "Tomorrow we''ll arrive at Graywatch. Areyn himself will be receiving you there. Then I can finally get my bloody payment." Valmir squinted "Nothing personal, Marlock."

    Marlock looked up at Valmir intensely, his nostrils flaring with his heavy breath of anger. He groaned through the rag in his mouth, which only made Valmir smile.

    "You forgot one thing, Marlock. I''m a Valquen. My uncle''s blood runs through my veins. How long do you think Saenna will keep up her alliance with you? Embrace the fact you lost. You will never end slavery with your puny rebellion. Not even with all the men in the world. My uncle will always outsmart you, and that is something you still refuse to see. Now drink up that water, I prefer to hand you over alive."

    Valmir turned around, giving Kiera and Areiya a final look before heading back upstairs with his pirate. When he left, Areiya began rubbing her bindings against a splinter in the pillar. Marlock and Kiera didn''t even notice yet.

    <hr>

    A pair of guards walked through the dungeon halls with flickering torches. Their clanking armour echoed along with the coughs and whines of prisoners. They took a halt at Graham''s cell, and put their torch through the bars to light up his room. And there he sat, a lot skinnier, dirty, and weak.

    "Graham, by the order of the emperor you have regained your freedom, only if you swear your oath that you will protect and command the Fifth Archery Division."

    Graham weakly turned his head to the guards with furrowed eyebrows. "Archery division?"

    "You didn''t think Areyn would allow you back into his royal guard, didn''t you?" the guard answered. Graham sighed deeply and cluttered up. His back hunched a little, and his legs were weak as he slogged towards the guards.

    "Tell him he can stick his archery shit division up his arse. Now leave me be and allow me to die in peace." Graham growled.

    "Think about this, Graham. You can work your way back up again. You''ll be among the royal guard in no time." the guard said.

    "I''d rather die in this cell in my own shit right here than being degraded from an anointed knight to a commander of a petty army of fucking bowmen," Graham answered with an intense gaze.

    "So be it Graham, but you will rot in this cell like all the rest of these savages here!" the guard angrily responded, when suddenly two men in brown cloaks and hoods appeared from both sides of the hall, catching the two men off-guard and swiftly cutting their throats. The guards crashed down onto the floor, with puddles of blood expanding between the cobblestones. The two hooded men immediately unlocked Graham''s cell with the guard keys.

    "There''s a boat waiting for you down at the sewers. You''ll get out of the city undetected from there."

    "Sewers?" Graham asked.

    "Unless you want to stay here, feel free to. We advise you to get to Volaria and join up with the rebellion of Flames of Dawn. Shit''s stirring up over there. It might as well become an all-out war. Now get out of here, we owe you nothing anymore." the mysterious man said while Graham''s cell door squeaked open.

    "Aye, we''re even. What took you so long, anyway?" Graham asked, stretching his arms and legs.

    "When we heard of your captivity we were all the way in Murdheim. It wasn''t easy to get here. Now go, before they start missing these guards." the mysterious man said as he disappeared with his companion. Graham watched them leave, then turned his head to the other direction of the tunnel, and took a deep breath. Before he continued, he took a sword from one of the corpses and held the grip tightly before going on his way. Other prisoners began shouting and screaming, but he just ignored them, walking down the stairs to the sewer entrance.

    And there was the boat. A small rowing boat. He crawled in and rowed through the water until he reached the exit. A bright light shone in his eyes, a light he hadn''t seen for so long. He squinted his eyes, and when he exited sewers, he was greeted by an endless sea. A chilly breeze blew through his greasy hair as his small rowboat danced over the calm waves. He looked behind him and only saw the menacing towers of the citadel high above him on top of the cliffs.

    "Areyn, be cursed. You damn cunt."

    And on he went, rowing far away from the citadel to get on land and to travel to Volaria. Though, will he be on time? Now that Kiera and Areiya are captured, the civil war only rested on the lunaric queen''s shoulder.

 Chapter XII: Unity

    Another day dawned. It was a dark morning in the Citadel of Whitehollow. Grey clouds rolled in, swallowing the top of the White Tower. Inside the throne room, stood Areyn with hunched up shoulders and hands behind his back, looking over his city through the window.

    "How many did we lose?" Areyn grumbled. A man in full steel armour stood behind him, wearing a red shoulder cloak typical for Valquen commanders. A carefully trimmed greying beard revealed his old age.

    "Four-thousand and still counting Your Grace." the commander answered, "But two-hundred fled the battlefield and told us everything they know. She will have to go through Seguja Castle. A hundred men can withstand thousands. With your word, I will send more of my men to defend it. But she still has a lot of power overseas. Her ships are a threat, too."

    Areyn took a deep breath, watching the clouds pouring rain over his city. "Go ahead. I''ll have my naval forces take care of that problem, but that wyvern of hers, whatever it is, will be the greatest threat. Make sure to provide your archers with additional training."

    The commander nodded and said, "Of course, your grace. Anything else?"

    "If you ever manage to come across her, bring me her head," Areyn growled before turning around and walking past the commander, leaving the room with his black fur cloak dragging across the floor.

    <hr>

    Inside the cargo hold of Valmir''s ship, Kiera, Marlock and Areiya tensely awaited their fate when the hatches finally opened. Valmir walked in with two of his men. "Alright, ladies. It''s pay-" Valmir halted, nailing himself to the ground as soon as he noticed Areiya wasn''t tied up anymore. She seemed to have disappeared. His first instinct was to get back up on deck, but a bump on his back, a sharp splinter on his throat and warm breath on his neck immobilized him completely.

    "Any scream or cry for help and I will cut this man''s throat. Move it!" Areiya growled, pushing Valmir further into the hold. Kiera and Marlock stood up, and their bindings were removed as well. They just pretended. Valmir''s two guards didn''t know what to do, so Marlock and Kiera bound their hands together.

    "Alright, Kiera, watch the hatch. Warn us if you hear someone coming." Marlock commanded with his deep, hoarse voice. Areiya went up to Valmir and took one of his blades, rasping from its sheath, and smiled, "I''ll take that," She walked over to a bunch of crates.

    The immobilized pirate captain pretended to have everything still under control, rolling his eyes. But deep inside, he knew he didn''t. "Do you really think you can keep this going long enough? We arrived at Graywatch. Areyn is waiting outside, what do you think happens when they think something''s wrong?"

    Marlock stomped over to him and sent his fist flying into his face, forcing saliva to shoot out of Valmir''s mouth. "Shut up. I don''t want to hear a word from you, traitor."

    Areiya pried open a crate with the blade. Its content was not useful, for it was only mere bottles of rum. She tried another box, and again, it revealed the same thing. "Kisu pii''thias..." (Fucking pirates) Areiya muttered while trying the third one. And finally, she exclaimed excitingly when the crate was filled with steel swords and cutlasses. She grabbed two swords and handed them over to Kiera and Marlock, keeping Valmir''s for herself. "Here, take these. We''ll probably need them."

    Kiera took it by the grip and inspected it. Brand new pristine steel, with the dangling lantern''s light reflecting on it, serving as a mirror. Her attention went to Marlock when he began speaking.

    "Alright, you know the plan. Since they''re pirates, they''ll follow whichever captain is stronger. Areiya and I will go upstairs and try to convince these pirates to let me lead them. And remember, violence is our last resort. Make sure he doesn''t go anywhere, Kiera." Marlock said, glancing at Valmir. "If he tries anything...kill him. Good luck," he added before heading upstairs. "Come on, Areiya. We got some work to do."

    And so, they opened the hatch onto the main deck of the ship, closing it behind them. It was just Kiera and Valmir now. She leaned against the wooden beam, eyeing the pirate captain, who was looking towards the ceiling, trying to hear what was happening and then mumbled, "I should''ve just killed you all and be done with this damn thing."

    Kiera didn''t reply. She only observed him carefully. She didn''t really want to say anything at all, considering she wasn''t out of this mess just yet. Even though she got quite good at hiding her emotions to the cold-hearted look on her face, inside she was still nervous. A mixture of adrenaline and a deep fear of ending up a slave again. Putting her right back to the start.

    Valmir scoffed, "What? Have you lost your tongue? Are you really that surprised that I betrayed you? Come on. I''m a pirate. Your excuse for a rebellion will never win against Areyn."

    Kiera rolled her eyes; she couldn''t hear any more of him and finally opened her mouth. "Shut up."

    Valmir chuckled and hung back, looking back to the ceiling. "You guys are determined, I''ll give you that."

    Suddenly, Kiera pushed herself off the wooden beam and crossed her arms, glaring Valmir intensely. "Why are you such a cunt? I honestly can''t tell. What was it? Bad parents? Or were you bullied just a little too much?"

    Valmir exchanged Kiera''s cold look. Some strands of hair fell in front of his eyes, dripping with sweat. "None of those, I''m afraid. In this world, the only way you''ll grow old is by looking out for yourself. The Valquen name has been around for centuries. The Citadel of Whitehollow is built by a Valquen. But there is no going around this; we are dying. Centuries ago, we were all around the world. Everywhere you went, there was a Valquen ruling a city. Now, the only Valquens that are left is me, my sister and my uncle. Everyone else is gone, and you know why? Because they gave too much of their own, and people took it for granted. People broke down houses we built for them, and they revolted against the people who fed them more than enough. They tore the family apart that built this bloody damn world. House Valquen is the foundation of everything this world can be. I can''t save my family anymore. We''re already doomed. But I can still make sure I can live out my life like I always wanted. That is why I am a cunt, whether you like it or not."

    Kiera couldn''t help but feel at least a little bit of sympathy for Valmir. After all, he had a point. But she still had another. "That doesn''t mean you can take away the lives of others who might have the same dream as yours. If that''s who I''m going to be, then I''d rather die earlier knowing I always did the right thing."

    Valmir and Kiera both looked towards the ceiling when they noticed commotion brewing upstairs on deck. Dull thumps and muffled groans. This only made Kiera even more nervous, tightening her grip on the sword. Bang! The hatch flew open, and a pair of pirates poured in. Kiera held her sword in front of her, and her heart began thumping inside her throat. One of the pirates charged at her with a swing of his sword, but Kiera blocked it, clashing their swords together, the sound of metal against metal filling the hold. They exchanged swing after swing until she suddenly saw Valmir charging at her with his bound hands. He bashed against her with full might, forcing her onto the ground and drop her sword, sliding a bit further.

    Valmir crawled on top of her, and wrapped his bindings around her neck, pulling as hard as he could.

    Kiera desperately reached to the bindings, groaning and moaning, trying to ease the tension on her throat, but he was way stronger than her. Unable to breathe, she clasped and scratched Valmir arms, but to no avail.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    "I might be a cunt-" Valmir grunted, raising his voice even more as he increased his pulling power, his face twisting and flushing red, "But I''m not letting you shits humiliate me!"

    Kiera''s mind went blank. Nothing else roamed her mind but the will to survive, and the need for air. Her face turned red, then blue, then purple. Her vision slowly began fading as she struggled less and less. It was over. This was how she was going to die. Her fingers twitched, and her arms slowly descended to the ground. Before the last bit of her vision faded, she saw big arms wrapping around Valmir''s neck before pulling him off of her along with a loud and angry roar. It was Marlock, throwing Valmir against the wall and bashing his head against it over and over. Blood splattered around as Marlock didn''t stop, fully covered in blood, he completely crushed the Angel of Death''s skull. In the meantime, Kiera gasped for air, grabbing at her throat. Even though she was released, she could still feel Valmir''s phantom hand wrapping around her throat.

    Marlock stood there, watching over Valmir''s lifeless corpse, covered in blood and wounds. Areiya ran down and immediately sprinted towards Kiera, looking as if she saw a dead person. "Kiera! Are you okay?!" she crouched down, pulling up her head. "Stay like this, it''ll be easier to breathe!" she panted. And she was right. Holding her head like that opened up her airways much easier. Kiera felt so good to feel the air filling her lungs again finally. Her facial colour slowly returned to normality. Areiya looked at Marlock and noticed something was wrong. He just paced around, breathing heavily.

    "Marlock?"

    He didn''t react. He stared at Valmir''s corpse, disregarding anything happening around him. Areiya stood up and approached him with care.

    "Hey, Marlock? It''s over, but we still have to go."

    Still not a reaction...

    "Don''t look at the body, Marlock, you hear me? Don''t look at it. We won, all we have to do now is leave before Areyn sends his armada after us."

    Marlock slightly turned his head but didn''t say anything. He then just walked off and went back upstairs with heavy steps. Areiya watched him leave before tending back to Kiera, pulling her up. "Come on, big girl. It''s time to go..."

    "Where?" Kiera asked weakly.

    "We don''t know yet," Areiya answered, helping her get on the stairs. When they reached the deck, Marlock was throwing bodies overboard. In the distance stood Whiteridge. Tall houses and towers of white stone stuck above the walls. It was terrifying to know that Areyn could be in seeing distance.

    "Marlock, please take the wheel. You''re better experienced in this than all of us." Areiya asked. Marlock only responded with an approving grunt and went to stand behind the helm, turning around the ship.

    "Kiera, help me lower the sails again," Areiya asked.

    On the walls of Whiteridge, Areyn watched the ship turn around. "Wait, what is he doing?" he asked to himself, "What is that damn knucklehead doing!"

    His advisor, confused as his emperor, shook his head. "Maybe he changed his mind, Your Grace."

    "Changed his mind?!" Areyn exclaimed, "I want Valmir here, and I want it now!" he turned to his commanders. "What are you all standing there for?! Send ships after him, damn it!"

    His commanders nodded and immediately left the vicinity. All Areyn could do now was watch to see his opportunity of ending the rebellion once and for all sail away into the horizon.

    <hr>

    A certain air of victory loomed above the captured city of Jiron. Areyn''s banners burned in piles along the streets, and new flags of Saenna''s griffon proudly fluttered in the wind, decorating the walls and palace. She changed her colours again, to the griffon spreading its broad wings, painted in gold on a white background. Her guardian flew high above the city in eagle form. People were leaving their homes, and Saenna''s guard escorted a massive crowd of slaves towards the city centre to wait for the speech of Jiron''s new ruler.

    She made her way through the streets, watching and observing everything. The city was all hers. She made her way towards the city centre, followed by guards and her new Lord Commander following her.

    "How many slaves did we free, Vaegir?" Saenna asked.

    "They haven''t done any official counting yet, but they estimated at least a thousand. Possibly more." the commander answered. A bead of sweat rolling into his black, firmly shaven beard.

    "You don''t have to stand beside me during my speech. I need you to find Marlock and Areiya. We cannot afford to lose the Volarian tribes." Saenna added, turning around a corner of a street.

    "The tribes already went back into the Silent Waste, Your Grace. Without a leader, they had no reason to stay." Vaegir said.

    Saenna rolled her eyes and sighed, seeing the city centre at the end of the street. "Great. Things really couldn''t be any worse. Saving them is our best shot. Areiya might return the tribal hordes, and Marlock''s plan is still a go, with or without him."

    Vaegir nodded. "Of course, Your Grace. What about the girl from Etheon?"

    "Kiera?" Saenna attempted to confirm, "Save her too if possible, but she''s not our priority."

    He then left her to do as he was told. Saenna continued down the street. Her guards already split the crowd in two to form a path for her to reach the temporary wooden podium. When the freed slaves saw her approaching, they all began cheering and praising her name, sticking out their arms trying to touch her. Horns were blazing victorious, upbeat tones, cracking up everyone''s mood as she walked between the crowd, smiling to the people before walking up the podium. Once she stood high, her choice of clothing stood out once again. A regal white dress with a leather gorget around her neck topped off with a belt that tightened the soft silk at her waist. Her light blonde braided hair rested on her shoulders, and her white iris eyes glistened in the sun.

    The crowd didn''t stop shouting her name until she began the first words of her speech. One by one, they silenced.

    "People of Jiron! My name is Saenna Qoheris Valquen, Protector of the Last Guardian, Sentinel of Lunarion and Queen of Lunaria. I need you to remember today. The day you have been set free from the vile hands that are my uncle''s. Yes, I am a Valquen, that I cannot deny, but once, my people represented freedom and prosperity. My family originates from the lands you stand upon. House Valquen began as a minor family of former slaves serving the kings and warlords that once ruled Volaria. Now, because of the emperor, my entire family and her descendants are doomed forever. But that doesn''t mean you are! I will make sure my uncle pays with blood! I will take the White Throne and crucify those that ever supported that monster. I will make them suffer in the Silent Waste and let their bodies rot in the blacking sun."

    She raised her voice louder and louder. "Once all of those goals are achieved, I can assure you. You will live in peace and safety within the walls of your cities. There will be no more fear of being torn from your homes and die as a slave. But I cannot do this on my own. I will need help. Your help!"

    When Saenna said that, some people looked at each other, some murmuring in confusion.

    "I need you to spread a message to every city existing with slaves! I need you to tell them to unite together with the Flames of Dawn in four nightfalls. Rebel against their oppressors, and end this tyranny once and for all! If we do this all together, we will prevail!"

    Unfortunately, the crowd wasn''t that convinced yet, continuing the confused murmuring.

    "I know this will be hard. Many people will die. But know that they will not die in vain. They will be the sacrifice that is necessary for all of you to gain back your lives! Isn''t that what you want? Do you want these slavers to keep hitting your children? Or your grandchildren? Or taking them away from you? While these monsters are doing this, they are sitting behind stone walls, sipping tea and mocking everything you stand for. They are not better than us; they are worse! This. Ends. Now!"

    With those final words, Saenna''s guardian released a loud shriek echoing through the skies. Turned into a giant wyvern, it flew overhead and stirred up sand, making Saenna''s hair dance along. It startled some people, but then the unthinkable happened.

    A single person in the crowd started muttering a name. He kept repeating "Flames of Dawn". Then, more and more followed. It soon became a loud chant of a thousand people shouting the rebellion''s name. It surely did cast a smile on Saenna''s face. She succeeded, and it filled her with indescribable joy.

    "Prepare for long journeys! You can have anything you want. I will provide it for you! Go out there, and send my message!" Saenna added.

    And then, they dispersed, preparing to leave the city. It was pretty clear that everyone knew that the end was nearing whether it be good or bad. In four nights would be the fall of slavery, according to Saenna. Even though she was victorious, with this knowledge, she couldn''t help but feel extremely nervous. The enemy isn''t someone to take lightly, and it''s almost certain that there will be losses...

 Chapter XIII: The Battle of Lichcairn

    "Move it!" the crack of a whip echoed in the streets of Qinja; The wealthiest city in Volaria, and one of the few remaining cities that were still under control of the mad Emperor. An old slave in ragged clothing looked towards the golden dome roofs of the houses, carrying two massive boulders underneath his arms, beads of sweat dripped off his pale, grim face. His master reminded him to keep on moving and following the line as he felt a flat hand shoving his back. But then some commotion stirred up at the front. The whole range of slaves was forced to halt as a slaver pulled a young man out and on his knees. The guard pinned him against the stone wall of a house along the street, screaming at him.

    "Tell me! What is this sign!"

    The man avoided all eye-contact, his fearful eyes staring in the hot sand. "Master, p-please.."

    The slave''s begging only angered the slaver as he received a punch across his face, a cut in his lip leaking red.

    "I''ll tell you what this is! That is the symbol of the Flames of Dawn!" The master turned to the rest of the slaves, grabbed the man''s arm and violently presented a black tattoo in the shape of a flame.

    "Anyone caught wearing these will have that body flayed! The Flames of Dawn is done. No one is coming to save you! Let this be a warning for you all!" He took out his knife and started cutting away the skin of the slave''s arm, making him scream and squirm in pain. The high pitched shrieks pierced through everyone''s ears. It seemed like the sound of a dying rebellion �� the sound of false hope. It only took a while for the man carrying the boulders to notice something else which his masters didn''t yet see. In the shadows between two houses in an alleyway, he saw the same symbol painted in white. Another flame, with words written underneath that said, "Flay the masters, four moons."

    He wasn''t sure what all these symbols meant. The march of slaves continued, and the old slave saw the same symbol over and over again. It then struck him. Something was going to happen within four nights, and his assumptions were only confirmed when more and more people looked towards the skies in curiosity. A flame burned brightly on top of a guard tower, and a massive banner of the Flames of Dawn hung proudly underneath the roof, fluttering in the high winds. The masters were getting anxious, shouting orders to the guards.

    "Cut that flag down now! And ring the bells, we might be attacked!"

    <hr>

    A pair of squawking seagulls glided past the sails of Marlock''s stolen ship. "Guys, there''s a ship on the horizon! Heading right towards us!" Areiya shouted on the front deck, squinting her eyes as she tried her best to see the distant ship.

    "Can you see its sails?" Marlock asked, holding the ship''s helm. In the meantime, Kiera joined Areiya in her view.

    "No...it''s too far!" Areiya replied.

    "We''ll go around. We can''t risk it!" Marlock said, turning the ship around by spinning the wheel.

    "No...it can''t be," Kiera muttered. Areiya noticed Kiera''s questioning gaze.

    "What?" Areiya asked.

    "It''s Saenna''s colours..." Kiera answered. But then, the hair follicles on her arms raised as a menacing roar reverberated through the skies. It came from behind them.

    "What was that?" Kiera asked, swallowing a ball in her throat. They all turned their heads only to notice a silhouette of a black dragon diving through the grey clouds and spreading its enormous wings and approaching their ship. Kiera''s heart started thumping in her throat as Areiya stepped in front of her with wide eyes, her breath quickening.

    "Areiya?" Kiera mumbled anxiously. Marlock didn''t even know what to do as he watched the beast fly right towards them. When it approached the ship, its throat started glowing red and revealed a ball of fire when he opened its terrifying mouth. And right when he seemed to spit fiery death upon them, it released a beam of scorching fire in the air and flew overhead. Everyone ducked when its flapping wings created a robust downward wind. It headed back to the distant ships. Kiera gathered her courage to look back, gazing at the dragon with awe and parted lips.

    "Raheija..." Areiya muttered. She looked back at Kiera, "It''s a Lunarian Guardian...the last one to be specific."

    "How do you know?" Kiera asked, still pumped with adrenaline, watching the silhouette of the dragon get smaller and smaller.

    "Most of Volarian religion is based upon these. Guardians that were birthed from the Moon. They are the protectors of the "Liefa tronk''eda", or what you call the Tree of Growth. The one tree that holds this world together." Areiya said. The smile on her face when talking about it showed her passion for her religion.

    "Incredible...the Creed of the Three is quite similar to your religion," Kiera answered. For a moment there, she felt at peace when her fear of the dragon faded �� standing on a ship rocking across the waves with her best friend. No slavery or danger around. When Saenna''s ships were drawing near, Kiera moved her hand towards Areiya''s, and gently held it. To her surprise, Areiya allowed it. Two hands interlocked in front of the setting sun with ships on the horizon. Areiya''s hand felt so warm and soft. The sun made Areiya''s bronzed skin glimmer.

    Though, both knew it wasn''t over yet. They knew that only a little while later, they would be confronted with the harsh reality again. They still had to fight a war. But one thing was sure. The end was approaching.

    Kiera swallowed, and Areiya felt her hand getting sweatier.

    "When this is over...will, you stay with me? I have nothing left." Kiera muttered. She didn''t even look at Areiya. But the warrioress saw Kiera''s tension. She put up a little smile.

    "I will..." Areiya softly nodded.

    Three of Saenna''s ships finally arrived. Saenna herself was on one of those ships, anchoring down right beside them. Sailors threw down a plank as a bridge connected Saenna and Marlock''s ship. The queen wore a white gown with golden epaulettes and jewels, and her golden hair was braided like a thick rope.

    "Saenna? We thought you fell into Areyn''s trap? We thought you were dead." Marlock puzzled, but he was filled with relief when he realized she didn''t.

    "I had a trap of my own." Saenna smiled when an eagle descended upon her shoulder, tilting its head towards Marlock, ruffling its feathers. "Now come, we''ve been searching for you for quite a while. We have things to discuss. The entire world is ready to stand beside us against my uncle. In two days, their world will become ours again."

    Marlock remained silent. His eyes twinkled with the setting sun. This was all he ever wanted, and this was his one true goal. To make a rebellion and restore the Lands of Trinity to its freedom. He nodded and held his chest up high. "Kiera and Areiya, put the sails on travelling speed. Let''s finish this...once and for all." Marlock said.

    "So you''re the fuckers who have been ruining Areyn''s days lately, eh?" a man giggle emerged behind Saenna. The renounced knight Graham revealed himself, in brand new steel armour bearing Saenna''s griffon sigil. His curly hair appeared washed and groomed into a man-bun.

    "Who is that?" Marlock asked.

    "Sir Graham of House Thornsvale at your service. I want the same ass clown of an emperor dead, just like the rest of ya! Now, are we going to keep gawking at each other or kick some Valquen ass? No offence, my queen." Graham bowed. It only put a smile on Saenna''s face.

    "Let us not waste any more time."

    Two days later...

    Two massive mountain ranges separated the two continents of Erye and Volaria. Only one path existed in those mountains that allowed passage. That path was guarded and claimed by a great fortress under control of Emperor Areyn. That fortress decided who could enter or leave the forest lands of Erye. It was also known to be the strongest fortress in the realm, having a reputation of being "impregnable". Officially, its name was Seguja Castle, but this intimidating reputation of a fortress gained its nickname, "Fort Lichcairn". With this information, Marlock, Saenna and Graham gathered around in the war room in their military camp on the road to Lichcairn. The sun was setting, and a few oil lanterns lit up the tent while Marlock gazed at the map. He sighed, shook his head and said, "This is not going to be easy."

    "I''ve stood by Areyn for years." Graham said, "He would defend this fort no matter the cost. I wouldn''t be surprised if half his army is waiting for us over there. We can only defeat them in the open field, and Areyn won''t do that."

    "He''ll wait us out in the castle," Saenna added, holding her hands behind her back. "Then, we have to find a way to force his forces to come out. Force an open battle."

    "How?" Marlock asked.

    "By performing perfidy." Saenna firmly answered.

    Marlock and Graham met eyes for a second, both disagreeing with no words. "You want to fake a surrender?" Marlock asked.

    "It is the only way we could win this, even with Niru." in which she referred to her Guardian.

    "Your Grace, listen to me. You''re saying you are willing to sacrifice a big batch of our army with no certainty that this plan is going to work."

    "It is going to work." Saenna asserted, "Because besides owning everything he ever wanted, there''s still one thing he doesn''t have."

    Marlock squinted his eyes, puzzled. But then it struck him, and he shook his head and raised his eyebrows. "No way."

    "If he can get ahold of me, he would do anything in his power to do so. I will stand with my surrendering forces. They will come out to...most likely kill us, and that''s when you strike."

    Marlock licked his lips and switched his stance. "With all due respect, Your Grace, I''m not using you as bait. It only takes one arrow, and this whole rebellion falls apart. Do you even know how important you are?"

    Saenna glared at Marlock with her snow-white eyes. "We will never win this war if we don''t take risks. If I''m not part of the surrendering forces, Areyn will know it''s a trap. But if I''m with them, his emotions might overrule his sensibility. That is the only way we are going to win this war."

    "Your Grace, I-"

    "That''s enough," Saenna ordered. "My decision is final. Half our army will perform the perfidy, and the other half will ambush them in a pinching manoeuvre. It''ll be your jobs to convince the surrendering forces they won''t die in the process."

    Marlock closed his eyes and sighed. "Let us attack at night at least. Our forces will be easier to hide from the scouts that will definitely be all around the place. Only the surrendering force will carry torches, and the others will navigate in the darkness with the help of your Guardian, Niru. How does that sound?"

    The Valquen queen paused, then nodded softly. "Good. It seems like we have a plan."

    <hr>

    Meanwhile, in fort Lichcairn, Emperor Areyn and his small army of royal guards and armed retainers rode into the gate from the Eryan side, carrying torches. His expression was tense and angry. His servants helped him off his impatient destrier. The castle''s commander approached him and kneeled, pinning his sword into the ground in front of him. He wore a red cloak above his steel armour. Long, brown hair touched his shoulders. He was about his forties.

    "My Emperor, the castle is yours," he said.

    "Rise, Lord Crasmond." Areyn gestured, "Any news on the situation in Volaria?"

    The commander rose, strolling with Areyn towards the battlements. Areyn''s black fur cloak brushed over the ground. "Yes, Your Grace. There''s an increase in revolting slaves. Symbols are going around, inspiring people. It might become a problem."

    Areyn scoffed, watching the soldiers working hard to prepare for an inevitable battle. The metal chimes of blacksmiths forging weapons, people rolling barrels of oil around. "She''s cunning, my niece. I''ll give her that. I hope the revolting slaves have been made into an example?"

    Crasmond nodded, caressing the hilt of his sword. "They have, Your Grace. But they will keep turning against us as long as the Flames of Dawn is still active."

    Areyn growled, walking up the stairs towards the battlements. "Marlock and his rebellion be damned. Such a pain in my arse. I want every soldier here, well-rested and prepared."

    "Already done, Your Grace. My men are as ready as can be." Crasmond said. By now they reached the top of the wall, and Areyn took a halt to watch the distant lands of Volaria.

    "And the dragon?" he muttered.

    The commander gazed along with Areyn, sighing silently. "There are no records in our history on how to defeat them. But I learnt something else."

    They both turned to each other as Crasmond continued, "The dragon that butchered our ambush in Jiron is a Guardian from the Forbidden Lands."

    Areyn pulled his brows together and tilted his head. "Excuse me?"

    "No one knows how she managed to have one fighting for her, but she does. They can shape-shift into any living being."

    Areyn closed his eyes and sighed, supporting himself on a stone crenel. "I thought they were all gone thousands of years ago."This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    "All but one," Crasmond added, "But we can''t focus on how she got it following her. We have to focus on how to kill it."

    "Anything can be killed. Find a way." Areyn commanded, turning around to leave, but the commander stopped him.

    "We might already have one. I commanded fifteen scorpions to this castle, and my contacts in the Academy of Windlight have sent a few mages."

    "Well, are they already here?" Areyn spread his arms.

    "No, Your Grace."

    "Then make them hurry up," he snapped, turning around and walking back down the battlement, "They can attack us at any moment."

    <hr>

    A few hours later, clouds rolled into the night, obscuring any moonlight to assist Saenna''s perfidy army to navigate. All they had were torches and lanterns, and they were at least a thousand-five-hundred strong. A tense silence ruled over the marching soldiers. In the middle of the march rode the queen, Saenna, together with her royal guard on her white warhorse. A division of cavalry rode into the formation behind her as well. Her army needed to look as real as possible.

    The queen looked up, and for the first time, her Guardian, Niru, wasn''t around. They were guiding the rest of her army in complete darkness. She couldn''t help but feel nervous, feeling chills down her spine. It was listening to the hundreds of hoove beats of the horses that prevented her from losing it. The chilly wind wasn''t helping either.

    "It shouldn''t be long before we arrive, Your Grace." one of the commanders accompanied her.

    "How''s our morale?" Saenna asked carefully.

    "A lot of the soldiers believe Areyn will accept our surrender." the commander said.

    Saenna paused for a moment. "And the others?"

    "They question your decision. A handful has deserted." the commander answered.

    The queen sighed, only to notice a few orange twinkles of light in the far distance. The commander saw it too.

    "That''s Lichcairn."

    Saenna closed her eyes to remain calm, then opened them again to look at one of her retainers intensely. "Ride to Marlock and tell him to prepare the ambush. We only have one shot at this. If this plan fails, we''re done."

    The retainer nodded and turned his horse around. "Of course, Your Grace." and rode off.

    Only a few minutes later, the moment of truth came to dawn. Saenna''s army halted in front of the castle. She couldn''t see much of it even though their walls were lit up by many torches. Seeing such a strong and sturdy castle between sky-high mountains made her realize how a siege would''ve been nearly impossible. There wasn''t much movement at first on the castle, until finally, the gates opened, revealing one horserider riding out to meet her. Saenna rode past all her waiting soldiers, followed by her guards to the front of her men.

    And there the horserider appeared, halting in front of the queen while his horse nickered impatiently, waving his torch around. "You stand in front of Seguja Castle, fief to Lord Areyn Valquen, Emperor of the Oryn Realm, Sentinel of the Great Kingdoms and King of the Citadel of Whitehollow. Your Highness is willing to give you two ways to end this."

    Saenna and the commander glanced at each other while the negotiator continued, "Lay down your weapons and surrender. Every soldier and commander of your army will be spared and taken into Areyn''s legion instead, and you will face a fair trial along with Marlock. Or refuse, and feel Areyn''s wrath rain down upon you."

    Saenna looked at the negotiator with a blank expression, the light of her torch flickering in her face. "If there''s one thing I learned fighting my uncle is that nothing he does is fair. How do you expect me to believe he will stay true to his word?"

    The negotiator, bronze-skinned, let out a soft smirk. "You''re right. He never expected you to believe him. But he did expect you to be more clever than whatever you are trying to do."

    Saenna didn''t notice it yet, but some of her soldiers were looking left and right in fear. But when she did, it struck her like an earthquake. Her heart skipped a beat, and she didn''t dare to look to her flanks. Instead, she stared at the negotiator who turned around, saying his last words while walking away. "He won''t take prisoners."

    Saenna slowly turned her head towards the commotion. And there it was, hundreds of torch lights surrounding her ambushing armies, hearing the clashing of swords all the way from there. She knew they were being slaughtered. Only the enemy had lights and Marlock was completely blind. The army protecting her raised their guard, not knowing which way to face. For Saenna, she felt like she was inside a bubble. She heard her own racing heartbeat; everyone else''s voice was muffled. Her breath quickened, and she felt like she was about to pass out at any moment. And when things couldn''t get any worse, a loud painful shriek of her Guardian echoed through the skies, snapping her out of her panic attack, darting her head towards it, wide-eyed.

    She saw Niru crashing down. Her whole world was crashing down. Her eyes swelled up, tears rolling down her cheeks. The commander beside her needed her attention, seemingly in a panic as well.

    "Your Grace, we need to retreat right now!"

    But she was too shocked to respond.

    "Your Grace!" he insisted. But still nothing. He grunted and turned his horse around...hearing distant screaming from the darkness. Screaming? And then everyone else heard it too. Hundreds, no, thousands of approaching hoofbeats. A screaming stampede.

    "Damnit!" the commander shouted in frustration, terrified to his soul, "Everyone shields up!"

    In desperation, the trembling soldiers raised their guard, preparing for whatever was charging at them. Some even dropped their weapons and ran away. But not Saenna. Regaining most of her senses, she released a sigh of relief instead. When the stampede arrived, thousands of horseriders rode past her army towards the castle, ignoring her entirely. Everyone except for two, halting their horse right in front of her army, carrying torches. It was Areiya and Kiera.

    "Whatever your plan was, it didn''t seem to work." Kiera smiled, "Why don''t we save Marlock and take that castle?"

    The queen looked at her flanks, seeing Areiya''s tribal warriors were breaking Areyn''s ambush. She took a deep breath and turned towards Lichcairn. A sudden look of determination appeared on her face. "Let''s mobilize and hit them with everything we''ve got. They''re weakened."

    Suddenly, the gates of the castle opened, and hundreds of soldiers marched out, creating a wall of shields across the entire width of the canyon. Kiera, wearing a leather corset with a flame symbol engraved in the chest area, rode her horse beside the queen.

    "Seems like we''ll have to get through them first."

    In the meantime, Marlock''s forces joined Saenna''s. He approached, covered in blood and his armour dented. "My Queen, I''m sorry about Niru." he panted.

    Saenna shook her head. "There''s no time for grief. We still have a castle to take."

    Marlock nodded and stepped forward on his horse. "Let''s show these fuckers the fury of the Flames of Dawn!" he raised his sword over his head, "CHAAAAAAARGE!"

    And then, thousands of riders and footsoldiers charged the castle, following Marlock up front. Even Kiera and Areiya joined the attack. Saenna, on the other hand, had a different place to go. She turned around her horse and rode towards the place where Niru crashed down. Her royal guards followed her. And there it lay, motionless on the ground in the form of a griffon. A giant scorpion bolt stuck through its belly.

    She dismounted and broke down in tears. It was weakly breathing in pain, releasing soft cries. She fell to her knees beside it in the sand, not even caring whether her dress got dirty or not.

    "I''m sorry, Niru." she sobbed, gently running her hand over its feathers. It pained her so much to see it suffering greatly. It then released its final breath and began dissolving into tiny glimmering particles, flying into the sky. The last Guardian of the World Tree was no more. Saenna watched the dust disappear, only crying harder. A loud explosion forced her attention to the castle, watching Areiya''s riders breach through the shield wall, forcing openings for Marlock''s army.

    Marlock charged first, screaming with his sword raised above his head. He charged into the enemy lines, swinging his sword. The enemy deflected it, but he failed to deflect the second as Marlock plunged his sword through his stomach. The rings of hundreds of swords clashing together and the screams of dying men haunted Marlock. Suddenly, Marlock faced a spearman, thrusting his spear towards him. He moved his shoulders just in time to dodge it and grabbed the pole, yanking the man closer so he could toss him to the ground. An approaching scream from behind startled him as he felt their sword digging into his steel pauldrons. The commander turned around and grabbed the man by the throat before plunging his sword through his stomach.

    "PUSH, MEN!" he screamed, his face dripping with blood.

    Tribal warriors rode criss-cross across the battlefield, picking off enemies one by one. The increasing gap in the enemy lines told Marlock they were retreating. He wanted to shout but had to jump back to avoid getting hit by a panicking horse.

    "Charge the walls! Get the ladders!"

    Groups of soldiers ran towards the castle carrying ladders. The retreating forced bashed on the closed gate, but it didn''t open. They screamed in fear and desperation, suffocating each other. Marlock''s men closed in, pinching these panicking forces together and slaughtering them like pigs.

    When they reached the walls, the men on the battlements were tossing boulders and pouring down boiling oil on top of Saenna''s army. They raised their shields to form roofs, but that didn''t always work. Oil still flowed through the gaps. Marlock heard a lot of screaming to his left, and when he darted his head towards it, he saw a ladder falling down along with a dozen soldiers clinging onto it.

    "Damnit! Get the ram!" he shouted, feeling oil pour on top of his shield. Some of it ran down his arm, making him groan in pain as his skin sizzle and steam. The pain got so bad that he began screaming in pain. He couldn''t hold on, and he had to let go. He let go of his shield, but it didn''t fall? Grasping to his scorched arm, he noticed someone else held his shield above him. It was Kiera, covered in blood and bruises as well. Her pupils were wide, and she had this animalistic look of fear in her eyes.

    "I got you!" her voice cracked, panting. This wasn''t what she expected from war at all. It seemed like the world around her played in slow-motion. She saw soldiers drawing their final breaths when arrows stuck through their bodies. They fell down ladders, breaking bones with their heavy armours. She could see Areiya''s tribe warriors weren''t used to sieges either. She didn''t even know where Areiya was. She lost her during the battle. Kiera. Kiera!

    "Kiera!" Marlock snapped her out of it. She looked at him with shaking hands.

    "I got this!" Marlock added, taking back his shield. By now the roofed battering ram arrived, rolling in front of the wooden gate.

    "Stay under the ram. You''ll be safe there!"

    Kiera nodded and squeezed through attacking soldiers. She yelped out loud when a boulder crushed someone right in front of her, blood splattering on her face. She stepped over bodies, losing her footing several times. She had to be careful not to be trampled when she did. Then she finally reached the gate, but it was already overfilled with soldiers taking shelter underneath.

    "Let me through!" she shouted, trying to squeeze and push her way underneath the canopy of the ram. But they weren''t moving.

    "Let me...through!" she groaned, almost whining. Her heart pounded in her throat, and she had nowhere to go. Being on the verge of a panic attack, she decided to run away from the castle, jumping over bodies and not looking back. She was breathing so hard she felt like she was about to pass out. And right when she was about to pass out, a piercing pain radiated through her lower back, forcing a painful yelp out of her and she crashed into the crimson dirt. The pain only worsened as she felt at it, noticing an arrow tipped with her blood sticking out of her stomach. Her hands covered with her own blood, she started sobbing. "No, no, no.." and desperately tried to stop the bleeding. Why was it bleeding so much? Only then she realized, blood poured out in the rhythm of her heartbeats. Releasing weak cries, she looked towards the grey skies, and the last thing she heard was approaching hoove beats. She lost unconsciousness.

    "Kiera!" Areiya screamed, jumping off her horse and falling to her knees beside her friend.

    "No, no, no, no! Kiera!" Areiya shook her, but she didn''t respond. Noticing the arrow sticking through her stomach, she took out her knife and cut off the tip. Her hands were shaking.

    "GET THE HEALERS!" she howled, pulling out the arrow from the back, blood pouring out. She ripped off a large piece of her own cloth corset and began wrapping it around Kiera''s waist. It didn''t seem to have any use as blood merely leaked through it.

    "WHERE ARE THE HEALERS!" Areiya cried, pressing her hands on both holes.

    Finally, after it felt like hours, a group of healers and soldiers arrived. They pushed Areiya aside and snapped at her. "You shouldn''t have pulled the arrow!"

    They were white-robed, and all wore a gold necklace of a spiralling symbol. They worked together in perfect rhythm.

    "Someone, help her on her side!" one of them said. While a healer pulled the unconscious girl on her side, another one rubbed her hands together, sparks shooting out of her hands, muttering something in a strange language. "Fa Firnia!"

    When the healer removed her hands off of each other, her palms were blazing red. She crouched down and placed both her hands on both bleeding holes, scorching them. Kiera''s skin sizzled, but the wounds melted together. Areiya could do nothing but watch, crying. She never saw Kiera like that. So...lifeless and pale. Two other healers chanted something else, turning their hands into gentle lights. "Hi Hoarfeiya"

    They gently pressed their hands on Kiera''s head and chest, closing their eyes. Seconds of silence went by, and the healers busy trying to heal Kiera started sweating and panting. Kiera did not respond whatsoever. One of the healers watching turned to Areiya with their brows pulled together, softly shaking their head. The warrioress broke down in tears and crawled towards her. The healers gave up and provided Areiya with space. She sobbed, grabbing Areiya and putting her head on her lap.

    "Please...don''t do this." Areiya cried, gently running her hand through Kiera''s hair. "I love you..."

    "Where am I?" Kiera asked, standing between strangely shaped mountains. "Am I dead?" The sky was green, and the clouds raced by as if time fastened. Her hair wavered with the rushing wind, and a giant bright and white owl-like creature towered in front of her. When it raised its voice, it sounded aetherial, angelic.

    "I have been watching you, from the very start, Kiera Bloodcrest."

    Kiera gazed at the owl in awe as it continued. "While you may have run from this fight, you never ran from the fight within yourself. You have fought those battles courageously and with sacrifice. But your fight is not over yet, Kiera."

    "Who are you?" Kiera asked.

    "My name is Ara. I am what your people call the Deity of Life. My soul resides deep within the Tree of Growth and its roots. You will not remember any of this, but I have forged this destiny for you. I knew this moment would come that I would have to speak to you. That there would be a moment where you would lose hope. That moment is now, and your destiny is not yet fulfilled. Return now, to Areiya, and unify your brothers and sisters. That is, and always will be your destiny."

    Ara spread their giant wings, and Kiera''s vision went white.

    Suddenly, Kiera gasped for air over and over again, her eyes wide open. Areiya couldn''t believe it at first, but she then smiled widely and cried tears of joy. "Kiera! I can''t believe this!"

    "Impossible..." one of the healers muttered.

    Kiera looked at Areiya, and a weak smile cast upon her face. Areiya then hugged her tightly, maybe a little bit too tight as Kiera groaned and chuckled. "Ow!"

    "Don''t ever leave me again!" Areiya sobbed in Kiera''s shoulder. A distant howling horn divided them, and as they both turned their heads towards the castle, Marlock''s men were celebrating on top of the walls, raising their weapons and shouting in the air. Lichcairn had fallen.

    A few hours later, commander Crasmond and his fellow commander were brought before the queen on their knees in the courtyard of the fort, having Kiera, Areiya and Marlock stand beside her. Piles of bodies burned outside the gate, creating an awful stench.

    "I have come here with only one goal. To overthrow Emperor Areyn and rid of all the slavery that is happening under his wings. What my uncle doesn''t understand is that I will crush everyone who stands in my way. Usually, I would kill you two right where you stand, but I am feeling generous, and willing to give you a choice. Join me, and when this is over, you can return to your homes without the need of watching your back. We will leave this world a better place than we found it. Or..."

    She looked at Areiya and Kiera and nodded. They both headed over and walked behind the two commanders with a dagger, holding it against their throats. "You die."

    "W-we will join you, q-queen Saenna." the commander next to Crasmond stuttered.

    The queen turned to Crasmond, who looked at her with a grudge. "How about you, Lord Crasmond?"

    "With all due respect, Lady Saenna, but you will never be my queen. What you don''t realize is that every man burning in these piles never had a choice. It was either fight for Lord Areyn or become a slave. That is why you will never take the Citadel. What you''ve seen here is nothing compared to the army waiting for you in there. Besides, where is your Guardian now?" he spat on the ground, smirking.

    Saenna didn''t bat an eye and remained her cold, blank look. "Those soldiers did have a choice. You said it yourself." She slowly stepped forward. "I''d rather die a slave than die fighting for such a disgrace of a human being."

    Crasmond nodded. "I''m sure Areyn would like to have you as his slave. He would fuck you bloody every day. Tell me, are you a virgin? I won''t surprise me, to be honest. Just a fierce woman like you-"

    Saenna nodded to the two girls behind as they slit their throats, blood gushing out as they collapse, gurgling and grasping at their throats.

    A lot of people watching had chills down their spine.

    "Send the bodies to the Citadel. I want my uncle to know that his fate will be the same."

    She walked past the bodies and the two girls, followed by four tall royal guards.

 Chapter XIV: The Love of a Warrior

    The sun loomed high above Lichcairn. It wasn''t long before the sun started setting again. If everything went right, this night, all the slaves around the Lands of Trinity would rebel against their oppressors. Everyone was anxious about it, but few showed it. Saenna''s army garrisoned in the fort, recovering and preparing for the true battle. The battle for the Citadel, to finally end Areyn''s tyranny once and for all.

    Kiera crouched before a stream of water in the courtyard, ruling out any noises. She was cleaning her sword with a rag, washing off the dried blood from the blade. It was on that moment she actually realized that she ended lives and almost died in the process. Only a few weeks ago, she never would''ve been capable of doing that. What would her family think if they knew what had become of her? A killer. A stone-cold killer.

    "Kiera!" she looked behind her, noticing Areiya approaching with a smile on her face. Kiera returned the smile weakly. "Hi!"

    "Queen Saenna wants to talk to us. She might have a special task for us before we attack the Citadel." Areiya said, but then her smile faded. "I know that face...what''s wrong?"

    Kiera stood up and shook her head, sliding the sword back into its scabbard. "It''s fine. I''m just remembering who I''m actually fighting for."

    "You know you don''t have to do this, right?" Areiya reassured.

    "I know." Kiera answered, "But I feel like I have to. To avenge my parents. My entire family. I mean, what else can the last of the Bloodcrests do?" Kiera said, putting up a weak smile again.

    "And avenge you will." Areiya finished softly, "Come, let''s not leave the queen waiting."

    Kiera followed her friend inside the keep, passing a pair of guards at the door. When they entered, an oozing smoke and the smell of melting candle wax filled the hall. Surprisingly, this castle had a throne as well. It was made of black, sharp stones, shaped in the form of a lion''s head. At the front of the throne stood Saenna, surrounded by captains and commanders. Once again, in her elegant, winged armoured gown. When the girls approached, a few commanders stepped aside, watching them almost judgingly.

    "My queen, we''re here," Areiya said.

    The queen nodded. "Good.", then waved her military leaders away, turning to the black throne and brushing her hand over the smooth stone of the armrests. "My grandfather used to sit on this throne during the Valquen Reign. This very castle was his fiefdom. I''m not sure if he made this throne himself, but it wouldn''t surprise me. Volaria wasn''t part of the Lands of Trinity back then. This castle was originally built to keep out foreign invaders. I remember my father telling stories about him. How he fought off all the attacks from the Volarian kings. Thousands of Volarians died, and only a few of my grandfather''s men." she circled around the throne, resting her hands on the sharp manes. "And now I''ve retaken it. Never will Areyn dishonour my family again." she then gazed at the two girls and continued.

    "But this war is not won until he is dead. I know you two are capable of great things. You have shown me during the battle for this castle. That is why I have a task for you before I lay siege to the Citadel. This task will even our odds, maybe even give us the advantage. A better chance for victory."

    Kiera and Areiya glanced at each other, both wondering what''ll come next.

    "I want you to sneak into the capital, use whatever asset necessary, but don''t show around your faces. I will provide you with a few bowmen who will help you get whatever you need to get inside, but they will not come with you inside the city."

    Kiera and Areiya stalked between bushes and trees along the treeline beside a trade route, wearing hoods and keeping their heads low. A cart approached, pulled by two horses and a rider. It was escorted by two Valquen mounted guards. Areiya took the lead, crouching down and gesturing two bowmen in the same hooded ponchos, pointing towards the trade cart. They took a position, nocked an arrow and waited for the riders to come closer. "Wait," Areiya whispered, squinting her eyes, her pupils wide. Her face was covered with stripes drawn with dirt, so was Kiera''s. The cart approached, and Areiya took out her own bow and took an arrow from her quiver.

    "Take the shot."

    And so, the two bowmen drew their strings tightly and released them, sending arrows straight towards the guards. And before they knew it, both guards grunted in pain after the thud of the arrows plunging their bodies. Their lifeless bodies slid off their horses who run away in fear, even the cart rider''s horses trampled and nickered anxiously. Before he could tell them to bolt, Areiya jumped out of the vegetation and aimed her recurve bow at the trader.

    "Where are you going?" she asked confidently.

    "T-the c-capital, please don''t hurt me!" the trader stuttered, his hands shaking.

    "Get out of the cart," Areiya commanded, still pointing the tip of the arrow at the man as he did what he was told, keeping his hands up. She relaxed the string and put the bolt back into the quiver and wrapped her bow around her torso, taking the man''s hands and tying them down on a tree. "Kiera, check his ledger."

    Kiera climbed onto the squeaky cart and looked into the man''s travelling bag. A compass, pouches of gold, dried meat, and then finally, a small notebook. She opened it and read what was written inside.

    "It''s steel from Etheon, a whole bunch of it. Supposed to be for the Citadel. We''re in luck." she said. Talking about Etheon reminded her that her homeland was still thwarted by Areyn''s slavery. A reminder that her family is dead.

    Areiya walked up behind the tied trader and sent her fist across the side of his head, knocking him out. "Let''s hope he''ll be gone for a while so he can''t raise the alarm."

    She then waved off the bowmen. "Alright, here''s where we part. Go back to Saenna and tell her the first stage is complete. If we''re not back within a day, something went wrong. Don''t risk the rebellion saving us."

    She then climbed on the cart, taking the reins. "Alright, Kiera. I think you should hide into the back. It''ll already be suspicious if one guardless woman approaches the city. I''ll do the talking."

    Kiera nodded, "Alright." and jumped off, climbing into the back of the covered cart, hiding behind the goods. Areiya whipped the reins, shouting "Hya!" as she rode towards the city.

    The two girls approached the capital. A massive city with three tall towers standing high inside the capital. The fattest one was the White Tower, serving as the Royal Keep, housing the Sky Throne. A ring of thick, stone double walls encircled the city, with a moat in between them. A pair of guards with spears and light steel armour halted Areiya.

    "Halt! State your business. This city is in lockdown, best scurry off."

    Areiya showed the trading agreement and permit. "Emergency. Etheonean steel for the Emperor''s soldiers."

    The guard walked up to her and inspected the permit. "Konan Vesmir? Seems like a name for a man to me. You''re clearly a woman. What''s a woman doing trading work anyway?"

    Areiya scoffed. "Why do you think I have such a name? My parents wanted a boy, so they raised me like one."

    The guard sighed and looked to his friend, who shrugged. "Alright, you can come in. But don''t cause any trouble, the city is on edge."

    And just like that, Areiya and Kiera got inside thanks to the naive guards. The massive gates opened, and Areiya calmly rode through them. The mood in this city was way different like all the others. It was as if this was the only city that didn''t have to deal with the fear of being enslaved. People smiled, children were playing across the cobblestone streets. It felt like a whole different world. Areiya rolled down the road towards the Lower District, where they could dump it into a forgotten alleyway. When they did, Areiya jumped off her horse, and Kiera jumped out the cart, both taking off their hoods to avoid suspicion and walking through the street as if nothing happened at all. Kiera looked up, seeing clouds brush against the top of the White Tower. She knew Areyn was so close, and that she walked into the lion''s den. Then, Saenna''s voice played back in her head.

    "Once you get inside, I need you to sabotage their defensive weapons. Mounted crossbows, ballistas, trebuchets, anything that can do a number on our army."

    A few guards just walked past the two girls as Areiya kept her eyes in front of her. "I saw some weapons on the northern wall. It''s exactly where Saenna will attack."

    "Since getting to those weapons will not be easy, I also informed my few spy contacts in the city to help you. They will be disguised as two city guards guarding the tower closest to the blacksmith. Just say the words..."

    Areiya and Kiera approached the two guards by the blacksmith''s tower that connected to the city''s outer walls. "Paint the skies, make it ours."

    The guards nodded and stepped aside, letting Areiya and Kiera in. They walked up the spiralling staircase, ending up on the battlements of the northern wall. The spies followed them, and there were weapons. Just like Saenna expected. A row of giant ballistas, similar to the ones in Fort Lichcairn that killed Niru, Saenna''s Guardian.

    "These things are deadly," Areiya muttered.

    The wall had many guards patrolling them, that is why the spies pretended as if Kiera and Areiya were siege inspectors, role-playing each time a guard passed by. When the guard passed, Areiya used her knife to cut the strings and hiding them at the same time. And on they went to the next, and the next, until they arrived at the final one. Kiera noticed the sky darkening. She looked up towards the setting sun. Nightfall wasn''t too far away anymore.

    "Hurry up, we''re running out of time," she said.

    "Right. Cutting the string." Areiya said, sabotaging the final siege weapon."

    "When you''re done with the siege weapons, the spies will take you to your next and final task. Thanks to the information Sir Graham gave me, you will sneak into the dungeons and open up the way into the sewers. But it''s going to be easy. The dungeons are right below the White Tower. That place is crawling with guards. But manage to do this, and a third of my men can sneak inside and surprise Areyn from within."

    The girls followed the two spies down the wall towards the White Tower. More and more guards patrolled the streets, the closer they got to the tower. This time, Kiera and Areiya pretended to be prisoners, captured by the spies. They approached the guards at the dungeon entrance, once again asking, they asked about their business. One of the spies did the talking.

    "These two scoundrels were trying to steal a poor woman''s necklace. A few days in a cold cell will do them good." The guards nodded and grunted.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    "Damn thieves..."

    And in they went, walking down the stairs into the chilly hallways of the dungeons. Kiera couldn''t help but look inside almost every cell she passed, and every time it was occupied. Scrawny, starving men and women. She stopped watching when it became too much. They arrived at another staircase that went down, the same staircase Graham used to escape. It indeed leads to the sewers, but the hatch was sealed...as expected.

    "Since Graham escaped through there, they probably sealed it. The spies will handle it, but this might be the most dangerous moment of your task. They will try to break through, it will make a lot of noise, and take a long time. The closest cell to the hatch will be opened and unoccupied. When a guard approaches, get into the cell, and the spies will do the rest."

    The spies were hammering onto the steel seals of the hatch with chisels while Areiya and Kiera stood on watch.

    "We''re making too much noise..." Kiera muttered.

    "Saenna warned us for this. Just get ready to get into that cell." Areiya answered. It was strangely silent behind her all of a sudden, and when she looked, she noticed one of the spies raised his sword to strike her down. With quick reflexes, she grabbed the spy''s sword hand with a groan and twisted it, followed by a kick in his stomach.

    She then diverted her attention to the other spy, equipping her dagger and stabbing it right into his throat after a quick spin with her body. She finished off the other spy by kicking the spy''s stomach, sending him flying against the wall.

    "No...they defied Saenna?..." Areiya asked sceptical, with blood on her face and dagger, watching the two lifeless bodies.

    "Alright, keep watch Kiera, I''ll continue trying to get this hatch open! No time to waste!" Areiya said, grabbing a sword and smashing the hilt against the steel seals.

    "Uh, Areiya, s-stop." Kiera stuttered.

    "No need for that, girls." a voice emerged from the hall. Areiya stood up and spread her stance, gripping the hilt of her sword tightly. "Get behind me, Kiera!" she growled.

    Kiera walked behind Areiya, and her heart started racing when she saw who it was. A robust built man, wearing a tunic with black boiled leather and a thick black fur cloak. Black curly hair and a golden crown with jewels resting on his head. It was Areyn. He approached them, with at least twenty soldiers behind him. He rubbed his firm beard and let out a smile.

    "A shame for these men. They were very loyal to me. Even more loyal than my own niece." he said, looking offended.

    "Stay back. I can cut through ten of you like butter. My friend will do the rest." Areiya muttered, keeping her sword in front of her.

    Areyn chuckled, but his smile quickly faded. "Drop your weapon, or your death will be slow and painful. I hate asking a second time."

    Areiya was breathing heavily, eyeing every soldier, and especially Areyn. But Kiera laid her hand on Areiya''s shoulder carefully. "Areiya...we''ll never get out alive."

    She kept glaring at the Emperor, then dropped the dagger with a grunt, casting a smile on Areyn''s face again.

    "Good. Shoot the tribe girl in her legs." Kiera''s eyes opened wide, throwing her hands in front of her "NO!"

    Two men holding crossbows fired their bolts into Areiya''s legs, making her groan in pain and fell to her knees. "Please stop!" Kiera whined, holding our her hands.

    "Shoot the other girl too and bring them to my throne room," Areyn said coldly. Kiera stepped back as another bolt pierced right into her shoulder, yelping loudly. When both girls were shot, four soldiers approached them and grabbed them by the shoulders, dragging them through the dungeon. Areiya, despite being shot in both her legs, still struggled like a captured wild animal. "Let us go!"

    "LET US GO!" she screamed.

    <hr>

    Saenna watched into the Eryian horizon on top of Lichcairn''s keep. Vast stretching forests and crinkling roads and rivers. The sun was setting, and the two girls haven''t returned yet. She noticed a presence next to her. It was Marlock.

    "Those girls should''ve been back by now. Do you think something happened?" he asked.

    Saenna kept looking into the horizon. "I hope not. Haven''t heard anything of the spies either." she turned to Marlock, and for the first time, he saw the worry in her eyes. "If Areiya and Kiera fail, I might have my doubts about winning this war. Even with millions of revolting slaves."

    Marlock sighed and supported himself on a stone crenel. "They still might return. If they don''t, we just have to give it our all. We''ll even die trying if that''s what it takes."

    "We''ll die trying." Saenna repeated, "I hope you''re ready."

    "Are you?" Marlock asked.

    "No.." Saenna answered, looking down. Seeing Saenna like this was strange. Losing confidence, scared. But then again, he didn''t blame her at all. The odds were very much in Areyn''s favour.

    "I can stay by your side during the fight, Your Grace. So that you''re not alone." Marlock said with a softened tone.

    "I already made my plans, Marlock," she said while digging into her chest underneath her gown, taking out a small golden pin representing a griffon with two elegantly spread wings.

    "Marlock of House Borgon. Are you willing to be my Hand? To be my sword and shield and guard me and the realm with your life? Will you counsel me to the end of your days?"

    Marlock smiled a little, a playful expression. "Are you going to execute me now as well?"

    Saenna returned the smile uncontrollably, with a small puff of breath.

    "I do.." Marlock said, sliding his sword off his scabbard and kneeling in front of her, holding the tip his sword on the ground.

    "My sword is yours, my queen. Until the end of my days."

    Flocks of birds flew by the top of the White Tower. The setting sun shone the last faint light it could provide through the windows. Kiera and Areiya were shackled by their necks, the chains fixed to one of the six pillars, closest to the throne. Their wounds were patched up, stitched and bandaged. They sat against each other, awaiting whatever fate was next. Areyn hung back in his throne, drinking a cup of wine. It was only him and the girls. He groaned and stood up, placing the cup beside his throne and pacing towards Kiera and Areiya.

    "You know, I feel honoured. The two famous girls that brought an army of savages to fight against me are sitting...right in front of me." Areyn smiled, "But, I heard that didn''t go quite as planned, did it?" his tone hinted to the fun he was having in using his intimidating posture and speech to scare the girls. Though Areiya wasn''t easily scared. They both remained silent.

    "I mean, they''re savages. Couldn''t expect any more of them, right?"

    "Watch your tongue, rihtkha" (manwhore) Areiya growled, death-staring into Areyn''s eyes.

    Areyn opened his eyes widely to Areiya and chuckled. "No. You''re a savage? I mean, I should''ve known by those ugly markings on your face but really? You got abandoned by your own people?"

    He burst into laughter, infuriating Areiya even more. She couldn''t keep her eyes off of him. In her mind, she was killing him in thousands of different ways.

    "I''m sorry. I think I remember how they abandoned you. By the work of my sweet nephew Valmir, eh? He was supposed to bring you to me a while ago already. But I knew when his ship turned around, he didn''t survive. Did he?"

    Areiya couldn''t hold her mouth. "Oh, it felt great seeing his pretty face bashed into a pulp. The same is going to happen to you."

    Areyn paused, looking at the tribal warrioress. "Is that so?" he started pacing towards her and crouched, rubbing his beard again. "I don''t like your attitude. Getting shot in both of your legs didn''t cut it did it?" he said, once again, eerie air looming around him. He reached inside his cloak and showed a dagger in his hand. In the meantime, Kiera was looking out the window to see the sun nearly setting completely. She knew what was going to happen when night fell.

    "This is what freedom does to people. It makes them feel strong...confident. Another reason to REBEL!" on his final word, he stabbed the dagger into her leg, making her release a loud shriek. He twisted the blade slowly as well. Areiya screamed in pain, it echoed around the room, even the birds on the window sill flew off.

    "STOP!" Kiera screamed, the rattling chain stopping her from getting to Areiya. He pulled out the dagger, giving Areiya time to breathe. "I have given everything for my house to thrive. I am not going to let it get destroyed by a mere savage and a damn peasant!" once again, he stuck his dagger into Areiya''s other leg, yet making her release another scream of pain.

    "Your kind of people needs to be taught what discipline and obedience mean! Once I dealt with my sister and this petty rebellion, I will deal with whatever is left of YOUR people!" Areyn shouted, showing his teeth and holding his face close to Areiya''s. Breathing heavily, Kiera watched the sun disappear. She closed her eyes in full anticipation.

    Areyn pulled out the dagger again. "Do you think I will keep enslaving people? Once my cities are built, they will be released. I can see it. I have seen it. People remembering House Valquen as the greatest house there ever was, owning the biggest cities Oryn had ever seen made of black stone. Our banners fluttering in the wind as they praise our name. Yes...your rebellion is built on embarrassing misunderstandings."

    "If you had to enslave people to get it, you don''t deserve it," Kiera growled, getting Areyn''s attention. He chuckled.

    "According to...who, exactly? I am the most powerful man in Oryn, nobody can tell me what I deserve and what I don''t deserve."

    Kiera noticed Areiya''s pale face, a puddle of blood forming underneath her bleeding legs. "Areiya needs help, or she will die, ple-" Kiera said.

    "Kiera, it''s okay." Areiya interrupted her weakly.

    "No, you''re not okay. Areyn, please, killing us won''t gain you anything." Kiera begged.

    "You''re right. It won''t. As a matter of fact, I can''t kill you both." Areyn looked at Areiya, "Just one." and stabbed the dagger into Areiya''s side once again. An ear-deafening scream followed as Kiera could hear the crack of her ribs.

    "NOO!" Kiera yelped, desperately trying to get to Areiya, but she was still bound to the pillar. Areyn pulled out the dagger, and more red flowed onto the marble floor.

    "Don''t do this, please!" Kiera cried as Areyn cleaned his blade. "I will be right back."

    He trotted out of the throne room as Kiera pulled on the chains, seeing Areiya closing her eyes halfway, losing all the energy from her body.

    "Don''t give up, Areiya! We''ll get out of here!" she whined, using her hands to pull the chain as hard as she could, but to no avail.

    "K-Kiera," Areiya muttered weakly.

    "No, shut up! I will get us out of here!" Kiera said, straining herself on her binds, groaning.

    "Kiera, please stop." Areiya continued. A flash of lightning followed by a loud thunder filled the throne room.

    "Kiera, look at me!" Areiya raised her voice, at least to the extent that she still could. Kiera looked at her, tears rolling down her cheeks.

    "Areiya, please...don''t do this to me." she whimpered, reaching her bound hands to Areiya''s, and held her hand.

    "It''s time," Areiya whispered.

    "No. No, it''s not." Kiera sniffed.

    "Kiera..." Areiya groaned, resting her head on the pillar, her breath still heavy. "We both knew something like this could always happen when we joined the Flames of Dawn."

    "We can still save you, I just need to get out of these binds, and then I can stop the bleeding and get you to Saenna, she will get the best healers, and you will be fine, you will-" Areiya muted her by hushing and squeezing her hand.

    "You''ve come a long way. I want you to know that. When I met you, you were a scared little girl. Look at you now, I made a warrior out of you." Areiya smiled weakly, having difficulties with breathing, sucking up the little bit of air she could.

    "Don''t leave me, please..." Kiera cried, her hands were shaking.

    "We don''t have a choice, Kiera. Can you promise me that Areyn will pay? He deserves to die."

    "I promise..." Kiera answered, her voice squeaking and shivering. Her face flushed red.

    "You''ll be able to live in a better world with Saenna as the Empress. I know it."

    Kiera felt Areiya''s grip on her hand weakening. It pained her so much to see her like this. Kiera was too overwhelmed by emotions to respond.

    "I love you..." Areiya added. It only made Kiera cry more, staring in her beautiful eyes.

    "I love you too." Kiera closed her eyes and looked away with tears dripping on the ground. And then just like that, Areiya''s hand relaxed, and she released her final breath. Kiera wailed. At that point, she had lost everything. First her family, now the only friend she ever cared about. She kept holding her hand tightly and didn''t want to let go. She wanted to hug her so bad, but it was such torture that she couldn''t. Suddenly, she started singing a lullaby, with a shivering voice.

    Goodnight, my angel,

    Time to close your eyes,

    And save these questions for when the dawn will rise,

    I think I know what you''ve been asking me,

    I think you know what I''ve been trying to say,

    I promised I would never leave you,

    And you should always know it on a clear light day,

    Wherever you may go,

    No matter where you are,

    I never will be far away.

    When her lullaby was over, several distant explosions reverberated through the skies, shaking the tower.

    Saenna''s siege began.

 Final Chapter: The Last Flame

    Thirty minutes ago...

    Saenna rode her white mare up the hill, this time, wearing an armoured gown with fiery colours, symbolising the flame of the rebellion. Fire-red silk ran down from her shoulders along her back, like the wings of a phoenix. Graham and Marlock rode beside her, the light of the rising moon glistening on their armour. Behind them marched twenty-thousand men carrying torches and banners of the Flames of Dawn. Their morale was high. They''ve won every battle, and freedom''s grasp had never been so close. When Saenna reached the top of the hill, a giant metropolis stood proudly in the distance between thick forests. Three tall towers, hundreds of twinkling lights and a massive wall. There encircling the city. Even the field in front of the capital was lit up by burning fortifications. Spikes, trenches, effigies. But if they could see the capital, Areyn could see them.

    Thousands of soldiers poured out the citadel gates, and hundreds of archers manned the battlements on the walls with flaming arrows. The soldiers kept marching through the gates, there didn''t seem to be an end.

    Marlock gawked at the devastating size of Areyn''s army. "That''s at least thirty-thousand footsoldiers, ten-thousand cavalry and twenty-thousands archers. That''s thrice our men."

    "Remember what we said," Saenna answered, swallowing visually.

    "We''ll die trying." Marlock nodded, turning around his horse to face Saenna''s army, "Formations!"

    His order echoed around by the other repeating commanders, and the entire army marched up in formation, ready to approach the opposing enemy.

    "March!" With rhythmic steps, the twenty-thousand men strong army began marching down the hill with fluttering banners. Cavalry first, footsoldiers second, the bowmen third and then the siege weaponry at the back, escorted by a division of swordsmen.

    The Queen fixated on the city determinedly while she led the entirety of the Flames of Dawn towards it. This was her moment. In only a few minutes or less, the final battle would ensue. She would finally face her uncle. Holding the reins tightly, her horse nickered while crunching the dirt beneath its hooves. Marlock then exclaimed another order.

    "Drums and horns!"

    And so began the drummers, playing a consistent low beat to assist the soldiers in keeping their marching rhythm. Then the war horns blazed, reverberating through the skies, definitely reaching the ears of Areyn''s men. When both armies faced off in the field, Saenna raised her hand, forcing her men to halt. Once again, commanders shouting the order left and right. The sight surely was intimidating, with the entire horizon stretching with torch lights and bannermen. This fight wouldn''t be easy.

    There was an eerie silence. Saenna expected Areyn to send someone to negotiate, but minutes passed by and nobody came. Marlock carefully looked around the surroundings. "Your Grace, I don''t think Areyn is willing to talk. I don''t even see him."

    "He''s hiding in that tower of his," Saenna answered, "Is there any word about Kiera and Areiya at all?"

    "No, Your Grace," Marlock muttered, putting on his helm.

    "My spies are gone too. They''re in trouble. Which means we have to take this city as soon as possible." Saenna added, "Fire the trebuchets."

    "Trebuchets!" Marlock shouted. When his order repeated to the back, the trebuchets rolled forward, and boulders were drenched in oil and lit up before they were placed into the sling nets.

    "My Queen," Marlock said, a cloud of his breath oozing through the holes of his helmet''s mouth holes, "I think it''s time for you to join with the back safely. It''s about to get nasty."

    Saenna looked towards the Citadel. "Not yet." she softly said before turning to her soldiers, staring in front of them with discipline.

    "Warriors of the Flames of Dawn!" She exclaimed, pacing around the frontline on horseback. Every soldier grunted in unison to response to their Queen.

    "For years the Lands of Trinity have been subject to cruel deeds by the hands of my own uncle! For years our people have suffered greatly. Men, women and children, treated like cattle. Like tools. Today marks the day we break their chains and free this land from a tyrant''s grasp!"

    Everyone released another grunt of war in unison. "We are outnumbered, it''s true. But the difference is that they are afraid! We have the strength of twice as many men because we fight for the greater good! We have the flame radiating within us. And then I promise you, together, we will stand strong and defeat the enemy! We''ve threaded a long way, and the end is right there!" she aggressively pointed towards the White Tower. "Let us take it and free our people once and for all!"

    The entire army cried out loud, plunging the back of their spears into the ground in rhythm, casting a smile on Saenna and Marlock''s face. She turned to the Citadel, and with one word, she began the final battle. "Fire!"

    One by one, the line of trebuchets slung their blazing boulders towards the walls of the city. As soon as they flew overhead of the enemy, their thousands of cavalry riders began charging. Marlock saw it and raised his spear, his heart thumping in his chest. "Cavalry! Chaaaaarge!"

    The boulders impacted, severely damaging the outer walls and blasting off small groups of archers that manned the battlements. And thus, two stampedes of mounted warriors charged at each other, leaving a trail of dust behind them. The closer the enemy got, the faster the adrenaline pumped through Marlock''s veins. It was like a wall of horses and men approaching fast, the horses so loyal they would blindly follow their rider headfirst into a collision. It was a matter of twenty meters, down to fifteen and then ten before the commander screamed and crashed with his men into the enemy. It felt like riding right into a hard stone wall, the thousands of colliding thumps, screams of both horses and men. Marlock impaled someone with his spear before he was thrown off into the ground, the weight of his armour winding him on impact. A dead horse fell on top of him, he was unable to breathe. Desperately trying to push it off, his senses ran wild. He heard the sound of tearing flesh and breaking bones, and smelled blood, sweat and piss. But he saw nothing but darkness. Grunting loudly, he finally managed to free his torso while a body fell right beside him, one of his punctured lifeless eyes leaking fluids. Already completely covered in mud and blood, Marlock used the horse to further stand up. Other than his charging spear, he still had his sword, which he unsheathed from the casing and heard someone charging him on foot. Marlock spread his legs and prepared to deflect, but a horse on full speed wiped the soldier away from Marlock''s line of sight. He was disorientated, not knowing which way was to the capital. Between the criss-cross of horses and dismounted men, Marlock ran towards an unsuspecting enemy soldier and plunged his sword through the back of his knee before snapping his neck. He couldn''t react in time to the scream behind him when he felt a sword trying to puncture through his armour, but it only made a dent. He turned around and swung his steel, clashing with his opponent''s, but then another horse crashed into Marlock instead, tossing him like a doll into the bloodied mud once again. Another volley of blazing boulders flew overhead, rumbling loudly and leaving embers that twirled down into the piles of bodies and fighting men. The explosions of impact overruled the sounds of battle. Marlock cluttered up once again, his voice cracking when he exclaimed. "Stay together! Wait for our infantry!"

    His cries were heard. Several of his men joined him, their eyes shot with fear and their armours dented and bloodied. Panting and sweating, Marlock tried to regain his senses. "Stand your ground!"

    He looked around to see whether the next wave of infantry joined the battle yet, but he couldn''t. The enemies were retreating though, but Marlock knew it wasn''t to flee. It was to regroup. His remaining men rendezvoused on him, some still on their horse, but most of them lost theirs. Then he finally heard the screams of reinforcements behind him. Thousands of swordsmen with shields following their commanders. Looking at the numbers of the enemy, Marlock realised the first charge made it seem like they barely decreased their numbers at all. He turned to the remaining riders on horseback. "Join the ranks of the shock cavalry, everyone not a horse, follow me! Let''s kill these sons of bitches!" A bolt of lightning flashed the battlefield, followed by a loud clap of thunder and rain softly pouring down.

    Meanwhile, within the White Tower, Kiera still sat bound to the pillar next to Areiya''s pale body. She could hear the low rumbles of the explosions of the boulders from there, but other than that, it was silent. There was no one in the throne room. She almost managed to get bindings loose after fiddling with it for so long. And then a sense of eureka struck her when they finally broke, but it was still nothing compared to what she felt about losing Areiya. She rubbed her red wrists and walked over to Areiya with her brows pulled together. She untied her and gently laid her head down.

    "Yu wagrenja rsi''oron." (Your fight is over.) She whispered. She jumped when the big doors of the throne room opened, and her eyes widened. She froze, not knowing what to do. She turned around to see two armoured men walking in, noticing her.

    "Hey, stop right there!" one of them exclaimed, both rasping their swords out of their sheath. Kiera''s heart started beating, and she looked around to see anything of us at all. But the only way out of the White Tower was past them, and she didn''t have a weapon. She didn''t have a choice.

    "I''ll do what you say. I surrender." She raised her hands. One of the guards chuckled while they approached her.

    "Girl, we''ve been sent to kill you, I''m afraid."

    Kiera stepped back, and her hands began shaking. This was bad. She kept keeping distance between them until she hit the wall with her back. The guards approached and smirked. "Don''t worry; it''ll be all over soon."

    One of them raised his sword, but then dropped it and grabbed at his own throat, choking. So did the other, grunting and desperately gasping for air. Kiera was so confused about what was happening, still keeping a cautious stance. When they both dropped to the floor, someone stood behind them, holding arm forward and his hand spread out, looking intensely. Kiera couldn''t believe it. There, stood an athletic young-adult man with short black hair, and eyes radiating with bright indigo colour. A purple smoke oozed around his hand.

    "Aidan?" Kiera asked, gazing at him with an open mouth. The indigo in his eyes faded to amber, just like Kiera''s, and the swirling smoke around his hand dissipated. He wore boiled black leather armour, adorned with several strands of silk and bearing the symbol of a rose on his chest.

    "Hello, Kiera." his smooth, soft voice said, smiling.

    Kiera froze, but her heart began feeling overwhelmed with a sense of joy. It radiated from her toes to the top of her head. She really couldn''t believe it. And then her body took over as she ran towards him with tears shot in her eyes and hugged him tightly. He returned the hug as she cried on his shoulder. She clasped on the silk on his back and didn''t want to let go. For a moment, she felt the most vulnerable.

    "I thought I lost everything." Kiera sobbed, her words barely intelligible between her cries.

    "Shh, I''m here now, sister," Aidan said, softly cradling her.

    "What about mother and father?" Kiera asked.

    "They''re gone." Aidan muttered, "They died to save me, even though I told them not to."

    Kiera was always prepared to hear this, but for some reason, it still got to her. Deep inside, she always hoped there was the tiniest chance for them to survive all of this. But they didn''t. Kiera stopped hugging and looked at her brother with red eyes, who seemed strong and confident. "How is Saenna''s siege going?"

    Aidan shrugged, "From what I''ve seen, they''re still fighting outside the walls."

    Kiera was confused. "You didn''t come with her?"

    Aidan sighed and shook his head. "It''s hard to explain. I''m with...a cult."

    "A cult?" Kiera puzzled.

    "I can''t tell you much about it, but I needed saving a second time, and they were there when I needed them. I learned their magic and all that goes with it." Aidan answered before turning to the throne room entrance. "We can''t stay for too long. Areyn might shelter here when the Flames of Dawn breach the city. And then it won''t be just him."

    "I can''t!" Kiera said, standing her ground when Aidan wanted to pull her with him. "What?"

    "I''m waiting here. Areiya''s final wish is that Areyn pays for what he''s done. Tearing thousands of families apart, destroying thousands of innocent lives." Kiera turned around and picked up a sword from one of the fallen guards, and inspected it. "I''m going to kill Areyn." She turned around, looking back to her brother. "Aidan...Areyn has to die."This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Aidan looked towards the windows, seeing rain pour outside, pondering. "What if he returns with an army? I might be strong, but I''m nowhere near as good as my masters."

    "He won''t," Kiera said, tightening the grip on her sword, "There''s no reason for him to have guards up here. They''ll be waiting for Saenna all the way downstairs."

    Aidan turned to the entrance tensely and nodded. "If he''s alone, it''ll work. I won''t let anything happen to you, Kiera. I promise."

    "Thank you, brother," Kiera answered, "Now all we can do is wait for Marlock to push through the walls."

    Aidan swallowed. "I guess you''re right."

    <hr>

    The pouring rain washed away the dirt and blood on Marlock''s dented armour when he pulled his sword out of a fresh corpse. A peal of thunder rumbled the skies when he looked around. Piles of bodies, dismembered and pale, his men struggling to fight. Their numbers were too high. After the short pause, he heard someone charging at him with a scream. He turned and held up his sword to block the attack before turning his body and slamming the man in his helmet with his elbow. Having dazed the man, Marlock grabbed him and threw him into the bloody mud. He crawled on top and raised his sword, but something stopped him from plunging it right into the man''s stomach. His eyes. The fearful eyes inside that battered helmet. The man held out his shaking hand, and Marlock hesitated.

    "Why?" his voice cracked.

    "We had no c-choice..." the man stuttered.

    Then, with one forceful thrust and showing his teeth, Marlock plunged his sword through the weak part of the steel armour, into the man''s gut. He gurgled and coughed up blood before letting out his final breath.

    "We always have a choice," he muttered before turning back to the frontline. Areyn''s forces began overwhelming everyone. They couldn''t breach through their defences. He had to do something, or this entire war might be lost. A group of shock cavalry ran past the commander, charging towards the enemy. He needed a horse and looking around the battlefield, the ones that didn''t die were either fleeing in panic or freezing in place out of fear. He went for one that froze and tried to calm it down. Another volley of blazing boulders rumbled overhead, hitting Areyn''s men this time. It took out quite big groups as it continued rolling over people and crushing them. The horse trusted him, and he mounted. With one whip, he and the horse galloped towards the frontline.

    "Archers! With me!" Marlock kept repeating. Most archers ran and regrouped with Marlock. Hundreds of them, ready to do what they were told.

    "Fire on my command! I need a perfect volley! Nock!"

    Another peal of thunder reverberated through the sky.

    "Draw!"

    Every single archer aimed their bow towards the skies and drew the string tightly.

    "Loose!"

    What followed, was a rain of arrows heading straight towards the enemy. He couldn''t see how many they took out, but he was confident they didn''t expect it. When he looked to his right, he saw a group of enemy cavalry charging at him and the archers. Hoping his own shock cavalry would''ve noticed it, he ignored it and turned back to the Citadel, putting his faith into his men.

    "Nock!"

    "Draw!"

    "Loose!"

    Hundreds of arrows made their way through the skies once again to rain down upon the heads of the enemy. He looked to his right again and saw the enemy chargers were intercepted by friendly cavalry, fighting each other. Not only that, but the arrow volleys created windows for his footmen to push further.

    "Yes!" Marlock exclaimed. But then, ear-deafening explosions caught his men off-guard. Did it sound within the walls of the Citadel? It stopped raining, and Marlock looked towards the skies, only to notice a full moon shining brightly. A scream of one of his men snapped him out of it. "Commander! Our flanks!"

    He darted around his head, and his heart jumped into his throat. His entire world crumbled into pieces. What he saw were more than a few thousand cavalry riders bearing Rethian falcon banners charging Marlock. Areyn''s reinforcements from Vraleth. It was over. They were all going to be slaughtered. After everything, could it all have been for nothing? But then something struck Marlock from within. They weren''t going to take prisoners.

    "They''re going to slaughter Saenna..." he muttered to himself, "They''re going to slaughter the Queen." His eyes widened, and he whipped his destrier to run on full speed, abandoning all of his men. It was as if everything went slow-motion. He looked back and saw the impending doom approaching closer and closer. He saw her standing there, protected by her personal division. He forced his horse to stop in front of her, pushing aside a few soldiers and offered his hand. Saenna could see the panic in his eyes. "Marlock! What''s happening?"

    "Just jump on! We lost, and I''m not going to let you die!" he screamed. Hesitantly, the Queen grabbed Marlock''s hand as he pulled her up on the saddle behind him. And off they went, abandoning everything. Abandoning the entire lost rebellion. But everywhere Marlock looked, he saw an orange glow in the horizon. The light of thousands of torches.

    "We''re surrounded!" Marlock shouted, looking around in a panic, panting, his heart pounding in his throat. "Fuck it!" he rode towards a pair of large rocks and jumped off, helping Saenna off as well. "We''ll hide. Here, cover yourself with mud and we''ll hide between these rocks."

    Saenna was so incredibly confused. He was scaring her. "Marlock, I-I don''t know what-"

    "Just do it!" Marlock snapped, "If you want to live, do it!"

    With her hands shaking, Saenna grabbed a handful of mud and started rubbing it all over her and her gorgeous jewelled gown, ruining it entirely. Marlock noticed she was sobbing and grabbed her wrist.

    "My Queen, look at me. We will be okay, you hear me?"

    Saenna''s wet and red eyes looked at Marlock. Her face was covered in mud. She felt so helpless and scared.

    "I don''t want to die," Saenna stuttered, staying low.

    "I won''t let anything happen to you, Your Grace. I promise." Marlock reassured her, hearing something in the distance. He perked up his head. "Horns..."

    "What?" Saenna asked. And then she heard it too. Dozens of horns blazed in the distance, coming from every direction. But Marlock knew those weren''t just typical war horns. He heard these before.

    "The tribes," Marlock muttered, squinting towards the horizon. And there was the sound �� the intimidating beats of thousands and thousands of horses. The trees in the forests ahead were moving left and right before a whole horde of tribal riders breached out, shrieking and charging towards the Citadel. They kept pouring out the woods, and there didn''t seem to be any stop. It must''ve been tens of thousands. Not only that, but they were accompanied by hundreds of militia carrying improvised banners of a flaming phoenix. More explosions caught Marlock''s attention towards the docks this time when Areyn''s fleet was under attack by a whole armada of pirate ships. Saenna and Marlock were speechless. Did word really spread? Did their plan to turn the entire realm against Areyn actually work? Marlock offered his hand to Saenna. "Come!"

    She grabbed his hand, and they both ran out of hiding, watching the tribal horde cut through the Rethian army like butter. The sight of the Citadel falling cast a smile upon Marlock''s face. Saenna still watched the fires with awe. She still couldn''t believe it. Marlock turned to her and hugged her tightly. "We did it! We fucking did it!"

    <hr>

    In the top of the White Tower, Kiera watched the carnage from the skies. She saw the citizens inside the capital revolting and attacking guards. They were too many, and the guards were quickly overrun. Barracks and stables were set ablaze, and the naval battle with the pirates and Areyn''s fleet sounded faint.

    "Saenna won," Kiera said, turning around to Aidan, who sat against a pillar. He nodded and pulled himself up. "That''s good. We better prepare then." But right when he said it, the doors of the entrance barged open, revealing Areyn and a few royal guards. He seemed to be in a panic, but he didn''t notice the siblings yet.

    "Guard the door and don''t let ANYONE in!" he growled, "I''m taking my shit, and I''m leaving."

    When he turned around, he finally saw them, standing next to each other. Areyn''s guards unsheathed their sword and ran towards Aidan, who threw his arms forward and sent them flying against the wall, so hard the impact broke a few bricks. Aidan stared at the Emperor intensely while Areyn stepped back. The door slammed closed behind him, including the bars locking it, and he sighed. "Seems like you weren''t alone after all, Kiera."

    "It''s over, Areyn!" Kiera exclaimed.

    "Eight continents," he said, "This realm has eight continents to offer for men to conquer. Erye, Volaria, Etheon, Vraleth...my conquest was far from finished."

    "And now it ends," Kiera glared, taking steps forward with the steel sword in her hand. Her gripping hand flushed white by the force of which she held it.

    "Unfortunately, yes. It is." Areyn''s black cloak brushed over the ground. His long and black curly hair wet with sweat. "You know, when I heard a slave called Kiera Bloodcrest escaped captivity and joined the rebellion in Jiron, I could care less. Slaves escape all the time, rebellions form all the time, but they usually don''t last long. But then it got to me." He started walking towards her very slowly.

    "You''re a Bloodcrest, and so is your brother. The one House that served House Valquen since the Dawn of Men. Do you know that?"

    "Don''t listen to him, Kiera. Let''s end him right now." Aidan said, his hand filling with his magic.

    "It''s true, whether you believe me or not. When I knew, I wanted to find you. It was never my intention to kill you. Everybody thought the Bloodcrests were gone. But it turned out there were remainders. Like your mother and father."

    "My mother told me different stories," Kiera said.

    "Why do you think? Your family served the House that was enslaving people since you were born. No parent wants their child to become like us." Areyn said, his slow and soft footsteps echoing.

    Kiera shook her head. "My parents never lie to me."

    "Oh, you naive child." Areyn sighed, "You see, Whitehollow was built a long time ago by my ancestors. The White Throne is meant for House Valquen. But there was one House that contributed to its construction. Have a look for yourself." Areyn said, pointing to one of the six pillars supporting the roof of the throne room. Kiera looked to his brother, who nodded. She sceptically furrowed her brows while walking to the column, brushing off some dust. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw what it was.

    The pillar had two symbols etched in. An eagle and a rose. The rose is the famous symbol for House Bloodcrest. "No.." Kiera shook her head, taking steps back.

    "Not everything is what it seems, Kiera. What about your brother? Did he know?" Areyn asked.

    Kiera looked at Aidan again. He had this guilty look. It already told her enough. "You''re kidding."

    "Kiera, I didn''t tell you because it didn''t matter anymore," Aidan said.

    "Didn''t matter anymore? Mother and father lied to me all this time, but told you the truth?" she said, her tone changing to anger.

    "Yes, we supported House Valquen, but we stopped supporting them as soon as they began practising slavery," Aidan said.

    "I can''t believe this." Kiera said, tightening her grip on the sword and looking to Areyn, "All these innocent people, you always saw them as tools. Not human."

    She walked closer to and closer to Areyn. "You ripped me from my home...from my family...and you put me in a ship. I was supposed to spend the remains of my days in agony and pain. But you didn''t know Jiron was only recently taken by the Flames of Dawn. That is where I was set free. That is where you made your first mistake. Setting me free."

    Areyn took steps back and dug into his cloak. He took out a strange purple stone and threw it on the ground before Aidan. "Jai rii mat!" A peculiar sort of magic surrounded Aidan and crippled him. His entire body cramped up, and it seemed like his own magic was turning against him. Kiera looked behind her. "Aidan!"

    But then she sensed movement behind her, and immediately turned around, blocking Areyn''s swing of his sword just in time. Sparks shot off their swords. This was it �� the final battle.

    Areyn kept swinging his sword at Kiera, who blocked it each time. Areyn took another swing, but Kiera led him to a pillar, making his sword hack into the stone. Then, Kiera took a swing for him, but he jumped aside.

    "I will NOT give up everything I have fought for!" Areyn shouted, a peal of thunder striking at the same time. He swung his sword, striking against Kiera''s again. Areyn then suddenly grabbed her by the collar and threw her against a pillar. Some chunks flew off of it. For a moment, Kiera was winded, but she could step aside just in time as Areyn hacked into the pillar again.

    Kiera kicked Areyn, and followed it up with a swing, this time cutting his arm.

    "Now we''re talking," he growled, attacking her with even more viciousness. He hacked and slashed at Kiera, she only had time to block his attacks, but she was getting tired. She stepped back into a wall, panting. Areyn''s sword once again clashed with hers and kept them in position. He looked her straight in the eyes.

    "This is...your END!" he growled.

    Kiera shook her head. "No...it''s YOURS!" on her final word, she swept his feet, unbalancing him and making him fall on the ground. Without hesitation, she raised her sword and brought it down with a scream, impaling Areyn. He grasped onto the sword, gurgling as blood sputtered out of his mouth. Kiera left the sword stuck in his stomach and walked in front of him. Her posture loomed over him.

    "Your reign is over...and a new era has begun." she pulled out the sword and stuck it through his throat again, killing him instantly. And then, she stood there. Her sword covered in blood �� Areyn lifeless on the ground in his own throne room. The stone''s magic faded, releasing Aidan from its grasp. The sun began to rise. It was over.

    She dropped her sword, the metal clinging on the ground. A puddle of blood expanding underneath Areyn. Then she heard Aidan''s voice.

    "Kiera?"

    She looked to him, tears of joy rolling down her cheek. "It''s over."

    Aidan carefully stood up and walked up to her, hugging her tightly. "Let''s head downstairs, shall we?"

    Minutes later, Kiera and Aidan left the tower, carrying Areiya''s body. Everyone was waiting for them �� Saenna, Graham, Marlock, captain Harper, tribal chief Merronir and all the militia commanders. Saenna walked up to Kiera, her face washed up, but her dress still dirty from the mud.

    "I''m sorry for your loss. Is he dead?" she asked.

    Kiera nodded. "He is."

    Saenna closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Okay." She turned to Marlock. "Marlock, gather all the lords of the Lands of Trinity. We need to restore the damage my uncle has done."

    He nodded, "Of course, my queen." and left.

    "Thank you for everything, Kiera," Saenna added.

    "Her sacrifice was not in vain," Kiera said, hiding her pain.

    "It wasn''t." Saenna smiled, "It will take a while to cleanse my family name. In the meantime, I will provide whatever is necessary to rebuild your homes."

    "We don''t have a home anymore." Kiera said, "I''d like to stay in the capital if that''s okay."

    "I can arrange a house for you to live in. It''s the least I can do for everything you''ve done for this cause."

    Saenna left with her guards. The fight was over; the struggle was over. Oryn once again found peace and prosperity. With blood, sweat and tears. But most importantly, with the fires that burned within them. The fire of the Flames of Dawn.

 Epilogue

    One year later...

    A servant girl in a white dress tied Saenna''s blue gown together on her back. It was adorned with silver thread, and she wore a silver necklace depicting two wings of a griffon. A second servant girl finished the final spiralling lock of her long, blonde hair.

    "You look gorgeous today, my Empress," Marlock said, standing in front of her in his steel armour, holding his helmet under his arm.

    Saenna glimpsed at the sun rays shining through the windows of the throne room and smiled. "Thank you. Are they ready?"

    The commander nodded. "They''re all waiting for you. The people are happy to see you talk to them."

    The servants were done and stepped back, letting Saenna step off the throne steps. Marlock offered his hand, and she took it.

    Marlock smiled too, guiding her to the exit. "You know it''s a lot easier now that the throne room is at the bottom of the tower, not at the top. It was always a hassle to climb all those steps."

    Saenna chuckled and smiled with her silver eyes. "Well, I don''t want to be an Empress that hides from her own people high in the White Tower. I want to be as close to them as possible."

    The closer she got to the giant doors, the louder she could hear the faint cheering and yell of thousands of people. Two guards at the gates began pushing them open, revealing a strip of sunlight that expanded as the doors opened. She was also greeted by an ear-deafening cheer of the citizens of the Citadel, praising her name, throwing flowers. She immediately smiled widely at everyone, waving at them. Her blue griffon banners stood proudly, and a flock of birds flew by. Marlock and the royal guards escorted her to the balcony right before the splitting stairs. She could watch over the entire population from here. Her people looked happy. She kept waving and smiling until the trumpets started blazing a victorious tune, turning everyone silent. It was time for the Empress to speak. Saenna cleared her throat.

    "People of the Lands of Trinity!" her voice echoed through the city centre, "Only one year ago, the only thing this land knew for years was nothing but suffering and pain. Under the grasp of Areyn the Tyrant, captivity and forced labour was the only thing you and your families knew."

    Marlock stared proudly in front of him, caressing the hilt of his blade, standing alongside the royal guard behind her. She continued.

    "But those days are done. With this tyrant overthrown, we can live in peace and prosperity once again. One thing is certain. I could not do this all by myself. It was you, that truly shone that day. Together, you revolted against your masters. You fought for your own dignity, took back your lives, and barged through the doors of this very capital. For that, House Valquen will always be grateful. I know Areyn gave my family a bad name, but I am going to prove that we are not like that. I promise you; I will keep the peace, I will rule and cleanse the land the previous Emperor had poisoned. For now, enjoy the markets, enjoy the feasts, and let it be one step closer to a possible alliance with other Houses."Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    Marlock stepped forward, standing beside her. "Long may she live!"

    Then, the entire crowd repeated him altogether in unison. "Long may she live!"

    In the middle of the crowd, someone was tugging on Kiera''s hand. It was a little girl. "Kiera! Kiera! Come, it''s time to teach me how to shoot a bow!"

    Kiera giggled and took the girl''s hand, wearing a sleeveless steel cuirass with red undergarments and a fur cowl. "Alright, but you''ll have to listen carefully, okay?"

    "Okay!" the girl exclaimed happily, pulling Kiera out of the plaza into the streets. "Where is Aidan?"

    "Aidan is very busy. He is off beating up the bad men!" Kiera said, guiding the little girl through the streams of people roaming the street.

    "Oh. Are there bad men in the city?" the girl asked.

    "There might be, that is why you always have to be careful when you walk alone. And that is also why I will teach you how to shoot! But first, we need to greet a few people, don''t we?" Kiera said, approaching a cosy house made of white bricks. She opened the door and let the girl walk in first. A calm odour of smoke filled the house coming from the lit fireplace.

    "I''ll pick the flowers!" the girl said, running to the backyard. Kiera smiled and took off her belt and scabbard, placing it down beside a counter of the kitchen. After taking off her fingerless gloves too, she walked into the backyard also, looking at three graves laying next to each other. The first two stones said "Elisabeth Bloodcrest" and "Aldrin Bloodcrest", and the last one said "Areiya". They were already covered in flowers. Areiya''s sword lay on the grave as well. The girl gently placed down a rose on top of every tombstone as Kiera gazed at them, her smile slowly fading.

    "There, all set!" the girl said, walking up to Kiera. Feeling her hand touch hers cast a faint smile on her face again, but a single tear rolled off her cheeks.

    "Was Areiya a good fighter?" the girl asked.

    Kiera nodded, rubbing off the tear and sniffing. "Yes, yes, she was."

    "I wish I could''ve met her." the girl said, still holding Kiera''s hand.

    "You would''ve liked her," Kiera said, putting herself together and smiled again, "Come, let''s shoot some bows!"

    "Yay!" the girl beamed as Kiera lead her back inside the house, closing the door behind them.

    And so, my journey ends. Though this won''t be the last, I have learned great things from it. One of the greatest is the will to survive. No matter what, life will always throw things at you. It is how you deal with it, that alters the true outcome. You can be brave, you can be bold, but none of that matters if you have the determination to strive to your goal. In Areyn''s case, he fought for his purpose the wrong way. But if no one were to stop him, he''d still be successful. Anyhow, what is done, is done. And I am a changed woman.

    My name is Kiera Bloodcrest, and I send this message to anyone out there who is struggling. Fight, never give up. And one day you will succeed in reaching your goal. Believe not only in the ones who love you but also in yourself.

    Follow the example of...

    The Flames of Dawn

    THE END