MidReal App
Thêm
Chia sẻ
Câu chuyện MidReal
Scorned Princess: The Rise of a Villainess
Bối cảnh:I am Reckonora Aishlama,
Daughter of the current emperor,
Born out of wedlock,
Mistreated by all that are around me,
How could they, how could they do this to me?
I'll show them all what a true villainess looks like.
Tạo phiên bản của tôi cho câu chuyện này
Reckonora Aishlama
scorned princess, relationships with her family are strained, tall with dark hair and piercing eyes, cunning and vengeful.
Emperor Thalos Aishlama
Reckonora's father and the current emperor, estranged from Reckonora's mother, imposing figure with greying hair, authoritative and distant.
Queen Elara Aishlama
stepmother to Reckonora, married to Emperor Thalos, elegant with fair hair and a cold demeanor, manipulative and jealous.
I was born a princess, but I was never treated like one.
My father, the Emperor, never once acknowledged me.
And my mother, the Empress, hated me with every fiber of her being.
I was a mistake.
A secret that should have been buried and forgotten.
But I lived, and I grew.
I grew into a woman who would bring the entire empire to its knees.
Reckonora Aishlama.
That was my name.
And I would have my revenge.
The palace was abuzz with excitement as the Emperor's procession made its way through the gates.
I watched from the shadows, my eyes never leaving my father’s regal figure as he rode through the palace gates.
The crowd cheered, their voices a cacophony of blind adoration.
They were oblivious to my presence, just as they had always been.
My father’s face was a mask of stoic authority, but I knew better.
He was a man who ruled with an iron fist and a heart of stone.
Beside him, Queen Elara sat tall and proud, her cold smile hiding the venom that lay beneath.
I clenched my fists, feeling my nails dig into my palms.
Years of neglect and abuse flashed through my mind like a relentless storm.
I could still hear the harsh words, still feel the sting of her hand across my face.
“Reckonora,” she would sneer, “you are nothing but a stain on this family.”
The procession continued its grand display, the horses’ hooves clattering against the cobblestones.
I slipped away from the shadows, moving silently through the throng of people.
No one noticed me; they never did.
I made my way to a hidden chamber deep within the palace walls.
It was a place I had discovered years ago, a sanctuary where I could plot in secret.
The room was dimly lit by flickering candles, their light casting eerie shadows on the stone walls.
Maps and documents were strewn across a wooden table in the center of the room.
I had spent countless nights here, planning every detail of my revenge.
My mind raced with thoughts of dismantling the empire from within.
I approached the table and spread out a map of the palace grounds.
Every secret passage, every hidden door was marked with precision.
I traced my finger along one of the routes, envisioning how I would bring it all crashing down.
A sudden noise startled me.
I spun around, my heart pounding in my chest.
“Who’s there?” I demanded, my voice echoing off the walls.
A figure stepped out from the shadows, and I recognized him immediately.
It was Kael, one of the few people I trusted.
“It’s just me,” he said softly. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
“What are you doing here?”
Kael stepped closer, his eyes filled with concern.
“I heard about the procession. I wanted to make sure you were alright.”
“I’m fine,” I replied curtly. “Just... busy.”
He glanced at the table covered in plans and raised an eyebrow.
“Still plotting your grand revenge?”
“Of course,” I said, meeting his gaze. “It’s all I have left.”
Kael sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
“You know this is dangerous, Reckonora. If they find out—”
“They won’t,” I interrupted sharply. “I’ve been careful.”
He looked at me for a long moment before nodding slowly.
“Just promise me you’ll be careful.”
“I promise,” I said, though we both knew it was a lie.
Kael turned to leave but paused at the doorway.
“If you need anything...”
“I know where to find you,” I finished for him.
He gave me one last look before disappearing into the darkness.
I returned to my plans, my resolve stronger than ever.
The empire would fall, and I would be its downfall.
But first, I needed to gather more information.
There were still pieces of the puzzle missing.
As I studied the map once more, a new idea began to form in my mind.
It was risky, but if it worked...
I grabbed a cloak and pulled it around me before slipping out of the chamber.
The palace corridors were quiet now, most of the servants busy with the day’s festivities.
I moved swiftly and silently through the halls until I reached a small door hidden behind a tapestry.
Pushing it open, I found myself in another secret passageway.
This one led directly to Queen Elara’s private chambers.
If there was any place to find incriminating evidence against her, it would be there.
My heart pounded as I crept closer to her rooms.
The passageway ended at a small grate that allowed me to peer inside without being seen.
What I saw made my blood run cold.
Queen Elara stood in front of her mirror, speaking in hushed tones to someone just out of view.
“I want her found,” she hissed. “Reckonora must not be allowed to interfere with our plans.”
My breath caught in my throat as realization dawned on me.
Queen Elara’s voice was sharp and filled with urgency.
“There is no room for error,” she continued. “Our ally will not tolerate failure.”
My mind raced.
Who was this mysterious ally?
I needed to find out.
I slipped away silently, careful not to make a sound.
Determination fueled my every step as I made my way back through the hidden passage.
Later that night, I found myself hiding near Queen Elara’s chambers.
The palace was shrouded in darkness, the only light coming from the occasional flickering torch.
I pressed myself against the cold stone wall, waiting for her to leave.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly, each minute feeling like an eternity.
Finally, the door creaked open, and Queen Elara emerged, cloaked and cautious.
She glanced around, ensuring no one was watching before moving swiftly down the corridor.
I followed her, keeping a safe distance.
The corridors were dimly lit, shadows dancing on the walls as we moved deeper into the palace.
My footsteps were silent, my breathing controlled.
Elara’s pace quickened, and I matched her stride for stride.
We reached a secluded part of the palace, an area rarely visited by anyone but the highest-ranking officials.
Elara stopped in front of a heavy wooden door and knocked three times in quick succession.
The door creaked open just enough for her to slip inside.
I hurried to the door and peered through a crack, my heart racing with anticipation.
Inside, Queen Elara stood before a hooded figure whose face was obscured by shadows.
Their voices were low, but I strained to hear every word.
“The Emperor grows suspicious,” the hooded figure said. “We must act soon.”
Elara nodded. “Everything is in place. Reckonora will be dealt with.”
My blood boiled at the mention of my name. They were plotting against me.
“What about our ally?” Elara asked. “Will they support us?”
The hooded figure hesitated before replying. “They have assured me of their loyalty. But we must deliver results.”
I leaned closer, desperate to catch more details. My mind raced with possibilities. Who could this ally be? And what were they planning?
Elara’s voice grew colder. “Reckonora has been a thorn in our side for too long. She must be eliminated.”
The hooded figure nodded. “Agreed. But we must be cautious. She is resourceful.”
My heart pounded in my chest as I absorbed their words. They were planning something big, and I needed to stop them.
Suddenly, the hooded figure turned towards the door as if sensing my presence. I held my breath, praying they wouldn’t discover me.
“We should go,” Elara said abruptly. “We’ve been here long enough.”
The hooded figure agreed, and they began to move towards the door.
Panic surged through me as I realized I had nowhere to hide. The door creaked open slowly.
Without thinking, I turned and sprinted down the corridor, my footsteps echoing off the stone walls.
I didn’t dare look back; I just ran.
As I rounded a corner, I heard voices behind me—Elara and her accomplice had discovered my presence.
“Find her!” Elara’s voice rang out with fury.
I pushed myself harder, weaving through the labyrinthine corridors of the palace.
My lungs burned, and my legs screamed in protest, but I couldn’t stop now.
Ahead of me was another hidden passageway—a potential escape route.
I dove into it just as footsteps thundered behind me.
The passageway was narrow and dark, but it offered temporary safety.
I pressed myself against the wall, trying to calm my racing heart.
Voices echoed faintly from outside the passageway as Elara’s search party scoured the area.
“Spread out! She can’t have gone far!”
I took a deep breath and steadied myself.
This wasn’t over yet.
I would uncover their plans and expose their treachery.
Dust motes floated in the dim light filtering through cracked windows.
The air was thick with neglect, the scent of old wood and forgotten memories.
I knew I needed allies, and there was only one place to find them.
I made my way through the winding corridors, my footsteps echoing softly against the stone floors.
The underground tavern was a haven for discontented nobles and disgraced soldiers.
It was a place where whispers of rebellion thrived.
As I descended the narrow staircase leading to the tavern, the murmur of voices grew louder.
Pushing open the heavy wooden door, I stepped inside.
The room was dimly lit by flickering lanterns, casting long shadows on the rough-hewn walls.
Smoke hung in the air, mingling with the scent of ale and sweat.
Eyes turned towards me as I entered, some filled with curiosity, others with suspicion.
I scanned the room until my gaze landed on Lord Varyn.
He sat at a corner table, his once-proud figure now slouched in defeat.
A former general wronged by Elara, he had every reason to join my cause.
I approached him, my eyes burning with determination.
"Lord Varyn," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil within me. "I need your help to bring down Elara."
He looked up slowly, studying me with a mixture of surprise and intrigue.
His eyes were weary but still held a spark of defiance.
"Reckonora," he said, his voice gruff. "What makes you think I can help you?"
"Because you know what she’s capable of," I replied. "And because you want justice as much as I do."
Varyn leaned back in his chair, considering my words.
After a moment, he nodded slowly. "We must act swiftly," he said. "Elara's grip on power is tightening."
Relief washed over me as I took a seat across from him.
We began to outline our plan, each step fueled by our shared desire for vengeance.
"We need to gather more allies," Varyn said. "There are others who have suffered under Elara's rule."
"I know," I agreed. "But we must be careful. We can't afford any mistakes."
Varyn nodded. "We'll start with those we trust. Discreetly."
As we spoke, more figures joined our table—disgraced soldiers and disillusioned nobles who had lost everything to Elara’s machinations.
Each one brought their own grievances and skills to our cause.
"We’ll need weapons," one of the soldiers said. "And a safe place to train."
"I know just the place," Varyn replied. "An old barracks outside the city. It's been abandoned for years."
We continued to plan late into the night, our resolve growing stronger with each passing hour.
"The palace guards are loyal to Elara," one noble pointed out. "We’ll need a way to neutralize them."
"I have contacts within the guard," another soldier offered. "They’re not all loyal to her."
As dawn approached, we had a solid plan in place—a network of allies ready to strike when the time was right.
"We'll move in three days," Varyn said, his voice filled with determination. "Be ready."
I stood up, feeling a sense of purpose like never before.
The alliance was formed; the rebellion had begun.
As I left the tavern and made my way back through the labyrinthine corridors of the palace, my mind raced with thoughts of what lay ahead.
The stakes were high, but failure was not an option.
Suddenly, footsteps echoed behind me—quick and purposeful.
I turned just in time to see a shadowy figure lunging towards me.
"I'm here to help," the figure whispered urgently.
I hesitated, scanning the figure's face for any sign of deceit.
The dim light from a nearby torch flickered across his features, revealing a familiar insignia on his cloak—a former royal guard.
Recognizing it, I lowered my guard slightly but remained cautious.
"Who are you?" I demanded, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me.
"Captain Jareth," he replied. "A loyalist who despises Queen Elara."
His words piqued my interest, but I needed more. "Why should I trust you?"
Jareth stepped closer, his eyes earnest. "Because I have crucial information about Elara's next move. And because I can lead you to a hidden cache of weapons."
I studied him for a moment longer before nodding. "Alright, Captain Jareth. Lead the way."
We moved swiftly through the dark alleys, our footsteps muffled by the thick layer of grime and dirt that covered the cobblestones.
The air was cool and damp, carrying the faint scent of decay and neglect.
Shadows danced on the walls as we navigated the labyrinthine passages, our resolve hardening with each step.
"Elara plans to strike soon," Jareth said quietly as we walked. "She's consolidating power and eliminating any threats."
"I know," I replied. "That's why we need those weapons."
He nodded. "The cache is hidden in an old warehouse near the docks. It was once used by the royal guard before Elara disbanded us."
As we approached the docks, the sound of water lapping against wooden pilings filled the air.
The moon cast a silvery glow over the scene, illuminating the weathered buildings and abandoned ships.
Jareth led me to a decrepit warehouse, its doors hanging loosely on rusted hinges.
"This is it," he said, pushing open one of the doors with a creak.
Inside, the warehouse was dark and musty, filled with crates and barrels covered in dust.
Jareth lit a lantern, casting a warm glow that revealed rows of weapons—swords, spears, and crossbows—all neatly arranged and ready for use.
"We'll need to move these quickly," I said, inspecting the weapons. "Elara's forces could be here any moment."
Jareth nodded in agreement. "I've already arranged for transport. We just need to load them up."
We worked quickly, our movements efficient and synchronized.
As we loaded the weapons onto waiting carts, my mind raced with thoughts of our impending rebellion.
This cache would give us the firepower we needed to challenge Elara's reign.
"How many men do you have?" Jareth asked as he hefted a crate onto one of the carts.
"Enough," I replied. "But we'll need more if we're going to succeed."
He paused for a moment before speaking again. "There are still loyalists within the palace guard. If we can reach them, they might join our cause."
I considered his words carefully. "It's risky, but it could give us an edge."
With the last of the weapons loaded onto the carts, we secured them with ropes and prepared to move out.
The night was still and quiet, save for the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore.
"We'll take these to Lord Varyn's barracks," I said. "It's secure and well-hidden."
Jareth nodded in agreement. "Lead on."
As we made our way back through the dark alleys with our precious cargo, my thoughts turned to what lay ahead.
The rebellion was gaining momentum, but there was still much to be done.
We needed more allies, more resources—and most importantly—more time.
Suddenly, a shout rang out from behind us.
"Stop right there!"
I spun around to see a group of Elara's soldiers blocking our path.
Their swords gleamed menacingly in the moonlight.
"Go!" I shouted to Jareth as I drew my own weapon.
He didn't hesitate, urging the carts forward while I stood my ground.
The soldiers advanced, their eyes filled with determination.
The narrow alley was dimly lit by the moonlight filtering through the gaps between buildings.
The air was thick with tension, and I could hear the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore.
"Reckonora Aishlama," one of the soldiers called out, his voice dripping with contempt. "Surrender now, and we might spare your life."
I tightened my grip on my sword, feeling the familiar weight of the hilt in my hand.
"Surrender is not an option," I replied coldly.
The soldiers closed in, their footsteps echoing off the cobblestones.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the fight ahead.
With a swift motion, I lunged forward, my blade meeting the first soldier's sword with a resounding clash of steel.
The force of our collision sent vibrations up my arm, but I held my ground.
He swung again, but I parried his strike and countered with a precise slash across his chest.
He stumbled back, clutching his wound as blood seeped through his fingers.
Another soldier charged at me from the side.
I pivoted on my heel, narrowly avoiding his attack and delivering a quick thrust to his abdomen.
He gasped in pain and fell to the ground.
The alley was filled with the sounds of battle—grunts, clashing swords, and the shuffling of feet.
Suddenly, from the shadows, a group of cloaked figures emerged.
Their movements were swift and silent as they descended upon Elara's soldiers with deadly precision.
Daggers flashed in the moonlight, and within moments, several soldiers lay lifeless on the ground.
Confusion erupted among Elara's men as they tried to fend off the unexpected attackers.
Seizing the moment, I cut down two more soldiers with calculated strikes before retreating towards Jareth and the carts.
The cloaked figures nodded to me in acknowledgment before vanishing into the night as quickly as they had appeared.
Breathing heavily, I sheathed my sword and turned to Jareth.
"We need to move now," I urged him.
He nodded, his face pale but determined.
We pushed forward through the dark alleys, our pace quickening with each step.
As we approached Lord Varyn's barracks, I felt a renewed sense of resolve.
The rebellion was gaining momentum, and we had just secured a crucial cache of weapons.
But there was still much to be done.
We reached the barracks without further incident.
Jareth and I unloaded the weapons swiftly, storing them in a hidden chamber beneath the old building.
The air inside was cool and musty, filled with the scent of aged wood and dust.
"These will make a difference," Jareth said quietly as he placed a sword on a rack.
"But we'll need more than just weapons. We need people who believe in our cause."
I nodded in agreement. "We'll find them. One way or another."
As we finished securing the last of the weapons, I took a moment to catch my breath.
My mind raced with thoughts of our next steps—the allies we needed to recruit, the plans we needed to finalize.
But for now, we had taken an important step forward.
"Thank you," I said to Jareth. "For your help tonight."
He gave me a small smile. "We're in this together. We'll bring Elara down."
With that, we parted ways for the night.
I made my way back through the darkened streets towards my temporary hideout.
The city was quiet now, save for the distant sounds of nightlife winding down.
As I walked, my thoughts turned to Queen Elara and her mysterious ally.
They were planning something big—something that threatened not just me but everyone who opposed her rule.
But I wouldn't let them succeed.
The room was dimly lit by the early morning light seeping through the small, grimy windows.
Dust particles floated lazily in the air, and the scent of old wood and sweat filled my nostrils.
I knew I needed to act quickly.
I dressed swiftly, donning my worn leather armor and securing my sword at my side.
The barracks were quiet, save for the occasional snore or rustle from the other rebels still asleep.
I made my way through the narrow corridors, my footsteps echoing softly against the stone floors.
Captain Jareth had mentioned potential palace guard loyalists.
I needed to confront him about it.
Finding him wasn't difficult; he was always an early riser.
I spotted him in a secluded corner of the barracks, sharpening his blade with methodical precision.
"Jareth," I called softly as I approached.
He looked up, his eyes sharp and alert despite the early hour.
"Reckonora," he greeted me with a nod.
"We need to talk about those loyalists you mentioned," I said, getting straight to the point.
He set down his blade and whetstone, giving me his full attention.
"I've compiled a list of names," Jareth said, reaching into his tunic and pulling out a folded piece of parchment.
He handed it to me.
"These are guards who have shown discontent with Elara's rule. Their locations are noted as well."
I unfolded the parchment and scanned the names quickly.
There were more than I expected—this could be a turning point for us.
"We need to approach them discreetly," I said, folding the parchment back up and tucking it into my belt.
"If Elara catches wind of this, we're finished."
Jareth nodded in agreement.
"I'll help you make contact with them," he offered.
"We can start tonight."
As we discussed our plan further, the door to the barracks creaked open.
Lord Varyn entered, his expression grave.
"Reckonora," he said urgently, striding towards us.
"We have a problem."
My heart sank at his tone.
"What is it?" I asked.
Varyn glanced around to ensure no one else was listening before speaking in a low voice.
"We have a spy within our ranks."
The words hit me like a punch to the gut.
"A spy?" I repeated, trying to process the information.
"Who?"
Varyn shook his head.
"We're not sure yet. But someone has been feeding information to Elara."
Suspicion and tension rose between us as we realized the urgency of uncovering the traitor before our plans were exposed.
"We need to act fast," Jareth said, his voice tense.
"If Elara knows about our plans..."
"I know," I interrupted, feeling a surge of determination.
"We'll find this spy and deal with them."
Varyn nodded grimly.
"I'll start questioning people discreetly. We can't let this derail us."
As he turned to leave, I grabbed his arm gently but firmly.
"Be careful," I warned him. "We can't afford any mistakes now."
He gave me a tight smile before heading off to begin his investigation.
Turning back to Jareth, I took a deep breath.
"We need those loyalists on our side more than ever now," I said quietly.
Jareth nodded in agreement.
"I'll gather some trusted men and we'll start reaching out tonight."
As we finalized our plans, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over me like a heavy cloak.
With everything set in motion, I prepared to leave for my first covert mission of contacting the palace guards listed by Jareth.
Just as I was about to step out into the dim morning light filtering through the barracks' entrance, Lord Varyn reappeared.
"Wait," he called out urgently, causing me to stop in my tracks.
"What is it?" I asked, turning back towards him.
He looked around nervously before speaking in a hushed tone.
"I think I've found something. A clue about who might be feeding information to Elara."
My heart pounded in my chest as he handed me a small piece of paper with hastily scribbled notes.
The symbols and letters seemed to dance before my eyes, but I forced myself to focus.
My mind raced as I began to decipher the code, piece by piece.
"These are meeting times and locations," I muttered, my anger growing with each line I translated.
"Someone's been coordinating with Elara's forces right under our noses."
Jareth leaned in, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"Can you tell who it is?" he asked.
"Not yet," I replied, frustration evident in my voice.
"But these notes mention a rendezvous at the old mill tonight. We might catch them in the act."
Varyn's jaw tightened. "We need to expose this traitor before they can do more damage."
I nodded, my resolve hardening. "We'll set a trap. Jareth, gather a few trusted men. We'll feed false information and see who takes the bait."
Jareth's eyes gleamed with determination. "I'll get on it right away."
Varyn stepped closer, his voice low and urgent. "What kind of false information?"
I thought for a moment before responding. "We'll say we're moving the weapons to a new location tonight. If the spy reports back to Elara, they'll send soldiers to intercept us."
Jareth nodded in agreement. "And when they do, we'll be ready for them."
I looked at both men, my eyes cold with resolve. "Let's finalize our plan."
We gathered in a secluded room within the barracks, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows on the stone walls.
Maps and documents were spread out on the table before us.
I pointed to a spot on the map. "We'll say we're moving the weapons here, to the abandoned chapel outside the city."
Varyn nodded. "It's isolated enough that we can control the situation."
Jareth added, "I'll have our men positioned around the area, ready to strike when Elara's forces arrive."
I glanced at each of them in turn. "This has to be flawless. One mistake and we're finished."
They both nodded solemnly.
As we finalized our plan, I couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal that gnawed at me.
Someone within our ranks had been feeding information to Elara.
Someone we trusted.
"We'll meet back here an hour before dusk," I said, standing up from the table.
"Make sure everything is in place."
Jareth and Varyn nodded before heading off to make their preparations.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart.
The weight of our mission pressed heavily on my shoulders.
But I wouldn't let it break me.
As dusk approached, we gathered once more in the secluded room.
Jareth reported that his men were in position around the chapel.
Varyn had discreetly spread word of our false plans among our ranks.
"Everything is set," Jareth said quietly.
"We just need to wait for them to take the bait."
We moved swiftly through the darkened streets towards the abandoned chapel.
The air was cool and still, filled with anticipation.
We took up positions around the building, hidden among the shadows.
Minutes turned into hours as we waited in silence.
Every rustle of leaves or distant sound made my pulse quicken.
Finally, movement caught my eye.
A group of figures approached cautiously from the direction of the city.
Elara's soldiers.
I signaled to Jareth and Varyn, who readied their weapons silently.
The soldiers moved closer, unaware of our presence.
As they reached the entrance of the chapel, I gave the signal.
Our men sprang from their hiding places, surrounding Elara's forces in an instant.
"Drop your weapons!" I shouted, stepping forward with my sword drawn.
The soldiers hesitated for a moment before complying.
Their leader glared at me with defiance.
"You've walked into a trap," I said coldly.
"Now tell me who sent you."
The leader remained silent, his jaw clenched tightly.
I stepped closer, pressing my sword against his throat. "Who is your contact within our ranks?"
He finally spoke through gritted teeth. "You'll never find out."
"It's him," I whispered urgently to Jareth, who was crouched beside me.
He followed my gaze and his expression darkened.
"Lorian," he muttered.
Lorian had been a trusted palace guard before he betrayed my mother.
Anger flared within me, and I stepped forward, drawing my sword.
"Lorian!" I called out, my voice cutting through the night air.
He turned to face me, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Reckonora Aishlama," he said mockingly. "Still playing the rebel princess, I see."
"You betrayed my mother," I snarled, taking another step closer.
"And now you'll pay for it."
He laughed, a cold, hollow sound. "Your mother was weak. She deserved her fate."
Rage surged through me, and I lunged at him with a fierce cry.
Our swords clashed violently, the sound ringing out in the night.
Lorian parried my strike and countered with a swift slash that I barely managed to dodge.
Around us, Jareth and Varyn's men engaged Elara’s forces in a chaotic battle.
The alley was filled with the sounds of clashing steel and shouts of combat.
I focused on Lorian, our swords meeting again and again in a deadly dance.
"You'll never win," he taunted as he blocked another of my strikes.
"Elara is too powerful."
"We'll see about that," I retorted, pressing the attack with renewed fury.
I feinted to the left before delivering a powerful blow from the right.
Lorian stumbled back, momentarily off balance.
Seizing the opportunity, I disarmed him with a swift twist of my wrist.
His sword clattered to the ground, and I pressed the tip of my blade against his throat.
"Tell me Elara’s plans," I demanded, my voice cold and steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me.
Lorian hesitated, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.
"Speak!" I ordered, pressing the blade harder against his skin.
He winced but finally relented. "There's a secret meeting place," he said through gritted teeth. "In the old ruins outside the city. That's where Elara's planning her next move."
Before I could question him further, Lorian's eyes rolled back and he collapsed to the ground, blood seeping from wounds sustained during our fight.
I looked around quickly; Jareth and Varyn's men were holding their ground against Elara's forces, but we needed to regroup and plan our next move based on this new information.
"Jareth!" I called out over the din of battle. "We need to get out of here!"
He nodded and signaled for our men to fall back towards the barracks.
As we retreated through the darkened streets, my mind raced with thoughts of what Lorian had revealed.
The old ruins outside the city—if we could intercept Elara there, we might have a chance to turn the tide in our favor.
