The place was dark and filthy. The sobbing of around twenty women locked inside the cells echoed through the barracks, each fearing the fate that awaited them.
Tonight, the barbarians of Barges and Kaizer's rebel soldiers would hold a victory banquet.
The Bargesians, known to practise a pagan religion, would perform a special 'ritual' involving virgins on the night of the full moon after their triumph in war.
Among them was Anna, a nineteen-year-old princess and the last remaining heir of Ardel's dynasty.
After losing her family, Kaizer Ronan, the prime minister, became regent of the dynasty, temporarily replacing her, as she was deemed frail and unready to rule.
Despite having dominion over the administration, the appointed regent was not granted authority over the military, which remained solely under the princess's control.
Failing to persuade her to relinquish that power, Kaizer conspired with the enemy to ignite a rebellion that led to her capture...
Soft moonlight filtered through the barred window, doing little to ease their sorrow. Thick metal grilles sealed the opening, while the Bargesian guards patrolled the barracks closely.
Even if she managed to leave the cell, the soldiers swarming the area would easily capture her again.
There was no way to escape.
The sound of heavy footsteps grew louder as they approached, stirring panic among the captives. The women clung to one another; some whispered prayers, begging not to be taken away.
The banquet was to begin in an hour.
"The other cells are full already. Just put her in any one of them. It won't be long anyway. This one will do!" A coarse male voice barked orders.
"Get inside, you b*tch!" a guard shouted, shoving the new captive forward.
When the cell door opened, two guards threw a woman inside. She hit the ground hard, her hands bound behind her back, her face narrowly missing the floor.
"Hey! Careful! Don't ruin her look. I still want to enjoy her tonight!" the man who brought her grunted. From his tone, it was clear he outranked the others.
"I apologise, sir!" Both guards bowed hastily. The door slammed shut once more.
Another victim had arrived. Over the past few days, they had all been gathered in this same barracks.
The women's delicate wrists were restrained with heavy metal cuffs—except for the newcomer, who was tied with rope. The soldiers likely no longer cared, with the ceremony so near.
The woman braced her feet and forced herself upright.
"Here, let me help you." Anna moved closer and supported her.
"Your Highness… It's me. Clara." The woman spoke as recognition struck her.
Anna stared at the familiar face. The dark-skinned, long-haired woman was none other than her escort—Clara, the only knightess in the castle.
"Oh, my God… It's you! Thank goodness they didn't kill you too!"
Relief surged through Anna's chest. If not for the handcuffs, she would have embraced her at once. Tears welled in Clara's eyes.
"Everyone else is gone," the knightess said, her voice breaking.
"I saw them take you away. I tried to save you, but I failed. Forgive me, Your Highness." Her eyes brimmed with grief.
"No! It wasn't your fault," Anna said fiercely. "Kaizer did this to us. He's a betrayer!"
Rage burned within her. What Kaizer had done was unforgivable.
When the guards retreated to their posts, the willowy knightess leaned close and whispered into Anna's ear.
"I'm here to save you, Your Highness."
Anna turned to her, brows drawn together.
'But how?'
The words nearly escaped her lips before Clara subtly shook her head, glancing around to ensure they were not overheard. Only when she confirmed it was safe did she carry on.
First, help me untie myself. I'll explain the plan," she murmured.
Anna quickly reached for the rope. Working awkwardly with her cuffed hands, she struggled but eventually loosened the knot.
Freed, Clara stepped towards the wall. She pulled several buttons from her clothing and pressed them into the cracks between the stones.
"What is that?" the princess whispered.
The knightess turned back once she was done.
"Myrth stones," she replied quietly. "I'll blast the wall open and set the place on fire."
"What?" Anna gasped, her voice rising in shock.
Clara immediately pressed a finger to her lips.
"But that's dangerous! There are innocent people here," Anna whispered anxiously.
"I have no choice, Your Highness," Clara said quietly. "I need to divert the soldiers' attention. There are too many of them, and I have no reinforcements of my own, except my eagles."
Clara was a knightess who specialised in training eagles for combat. She hailed from the Sunik tribe, famed for raising and deploying them for hunting and war.
With myrth stones—a rare explosive—she could command the eagles to carry out an aerial bombing run.
"But… what about the others?" Anna hesitated.
"I'll rescue them," Clara said firmly. "Once the wall collapses, you must leave immediately. Promise me you'll survive, no matter what it takes."
She gripped the princess's hand, her eyes pleading. Anna nodded, unable to refuse. Clara exhaled in relief.
"How will you start the fire?" Anna asked.
The knightess smiled faintly, raised a finger to her mouth, and let out a sharp whistle.
Moments later, a distant roar answered.
'Boommm!'
Then another.
'Boommm!'
Closer.
'Boommm! Boommm! Boommm!'
The captives froze, staring upward in confusion and fear.
Panic erupted as the explosions drew near. It felt as though the camp itself was under siege.
Then—
'BOOM!'
The barracks shook violently. The Bargesian camp plunged into chaos. Screams rang out as smoke billowed into the night. Fire ignited almost instantly.
"Fire! Fire!" the guards shouted.
In moments, the camp was engulfed in flames. Orange light devoured the darkness as fire licked the walls and climbed the structures. Thick grey smoke filled the air.
The captives screamed. Some soldiers scrambled to douse the flames, while others fled in blind panic.
Anna coughed violently, choking on the acrid smoke. Her emerald eyes burned and watered, her vision blurring as heat scorched her skin.
The wall embedded with myrth stones exploded and collapsed, opening a path to freedom. Clara shoved Anna forward.
Just then—
'Thump!'
A burning beam slammed into the knightess's back. Wood cracked and embers scattered.
"Clara!" Anna screamed.
She rushed to push the beam away, but the searing heat forced her back.
"Go! Leave now!" Clara cried.
Tears streamed down the princess's face. How could she abandon her to the inferno?
She feared the flames, but she was no coward, as she had been taught the value of life—every life.
A kind-hearted princess could not leave her people behind.
"No, Clara! I can't!" Anna shook her head desperately.
"Please, Your Highness—run!" Clara begged.
The knightess had made her choice. She would not fail again. Even if it cost her life, she would save the princess.
The barracks began to collapse as fire devoured the structure like a ravenous beast.
Anna had no option.
She turned and ran.
Tears blurred her sight as she fled, unnoticed amid the chaos. The forest loomed ahead as she pushed her body beyond its limits.
She stopped briefly to gasp for air, then forced herself onward, the night wind cutting against her face.
The princess ran without direction, swallowed by darkness.
All she knew was that she had to get far away, before the Bargesians realised she had escaped.
Her bare feet screamed with pain, scraped raw as if by broken glass.
At last, she reached a massive tree and collapsed against its buttress roots. Her body gave in to exhaustion.
As consciousness slipped away, her eyelids fell shut—unaware of what awaited her next.