The days that followed Thorian's departure was marked by a strange oppressive quiet. Akin drowned himself in his responsibilities, running Valion Keep and overseeing all its affairs. Despite the bustling activities within the keep, a palpable sense of unease settled over the fortress. The ever-present worry about his father's safety gnawed at him
Four days after Thorian had left, a rider arrived at Valion Keep on an exhausted horse lathered with sweat. The sight of the rider, riding through the gates at full speed sent the keep into a flurry of activities. Servants and guards rushed to the courtyard and Lady Elara masked all signs of emotion on her countenance as she calmly met with the rider at the entrance.
Akin watched from the stairs, his heart racing. He recognized the urgency in the rider's posture and his mother's grim expression. As the rider dismounted, he went down on one knee before Lady Elara.
" My lady," He panted "I bring urgent news from the capital."
Elara's gaze was steady, but there was a tightness around her eyes that betrayed her concern. "Speak," she commanded, her voice calm but edged with a steely resolve.
The rider took a deep breath, his face pale. "There has been an assassination attempt on General Thorian's life."
Akin felt his breath caught in the back of his throat. His father's name went through the courtyard laden with anxiety, "Is he… is he alive?" He managed to asked, his voice, a mixture of fear and hope.
The rider nodded quickly. "Yes, my lord. Though the general survived, he had lost several of his men in the ambush. He's currently holed up, hiding in the capital."
When Akin realized his father was alive, he felt an overwhelming sense of relief that quickly gave way to the gravity of the news. "Who was behind the attack?" he firmly asked, though his heart was racing.
The rider paused, casting a furtive glance at Lady Elara before replying. "It was Lord Daemon, my lord. He led the ambush."
The name, when it hit Akin's ears seemed to be a physical blow. Lord Daemon had been one of Thorian's most loyal lieutenants, someone who stood by his side through countless campaigns. His betrayal was a rather shocking reality to face.
Elara's expression darkened, her eyes narrowing. "Daemon?" She said, her voice cold with disbelief. "Are you certain?"
The rider nodded again. "Yes, my lady. He has sided with one of the factions who are in opposition to the General's rule. They aim to take the capital."
Elara's composure was admirable, but Akin could feel the storm of her emotions raging beneath it. She turned towards her son, her gaze intense and commanding, "Akin, we must act swiftly. And if Lord Daemon has turned against us, who knows how many more has betrayed us."
Akin nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility weigh upon his shoulders. His father's life was threatened, which ultimately put the kingdom in jeopardy. There was no time to lose. "I will gather the men," he replied, his voice steady, despite the turmoil within.
Elara placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Be cautious. We cannot trust anyone beyond these gates blindly. Choose your men wisely. For our part, we should make preparations for any sudden betrayal or attack and ensure our safety as well."
Akin hurriedly assemble a team of fifty elite soldiers available. Every one of them was a veteran, they were loyal to his father (General Thorian), and known for their skill and bravery. And he personally select them himself, knowing their loyalty would be crucial in the days ahead.
Akin immediately depart the keep with his men as the sun was starting to set. The journey to the capital would be long and dangerous. During their ride, Akin was consumed with a torrent of preparation and concern. His father's foes were now his, and he had to be ready for whatever they sent.
It was a difficult journey, with the sun setting and darkness following closely behind. The team rode the road in awkward silence, save for the steady clip-clop of their horses hooves and occasional murmur from one of them. Akin stared straight ahead — his mind buzzing over the countless outcomes.
Around midnight they stopped to camp in a hidden clearing. Akin and his trusted lieutenant, Captain Jarek sat around a map before the flickering campfire light. The fire cast dancing shadows against their faces, and the warmth was a stark contrast to the cold reality they faced.
"We need to get to the capital before Daemon's forces do," Jarek said, his voice low and serious. "If Daemon is leading a faction against us, he won't be the only one plotting. We could be walking into a trap."
Akin gave a curt nod, his eyes never leaving the map. "We approach the capital from the east then. It is less guarded, and we can avoid detection until we are closer."
Jarek grunted in agreement." We should also consider sending a few scouts ahead. They can scout and guide us through a possible ambush."
Akin nodded, his mind focused on the task at hand. "I will pick the scouts in the morning. For now, we need to rest. We can't afford to be exhausted when we arrive at the capital."
The soldiers settled down for the night and Akin found a moment alone, he stepped away from the camp fire resolving to go take in some fresh air at one corner of the clearing. The sky was clear that night, the stars shining brightly against the darkness. He took a deep breathe, trying to calm the raging emotions inside him.
He thought of his father, the warrior who conquered kingdoms out of anarchy and in return he was betrayed from within. Akin was always prepared for the burden of leadership, but this—this is what he never saw coming.
He also thought of his mother. Lady Elara was never one to panic, and her mere strength had always been a source of comfort in dark times. Even she herself had shown fear upon hearing the news of Thorian's attack.
The leaves rustled through the trees, and carrying with it the distant sounds of the forest. A pang of nostalgia gripped Akin again for the simplicity of his training and the clarity of battles, where the lines of right and wrong were starkly defined. Now the lines had grown blurry and the stakes were as high as they could get.
As he turned to head back to the camp, he caught sight of a solitary figure standing by the campfire, a man he recognises as Garrick -- one of his better young soldier. Garrick was only slightly older than Akin and had always looked up to him with a mixture of respect and admiration.
Garrick turned towards him and asked "Is everything alright, sir?" His voice breaking the silence.
Akin smiled, or tried to. "Everything's fine, Garrick. Just thinking about everything and what lies ahead."
Garrick nodded, his expression streaked with determination. "We're with you, sir. We'll see this through."
Akin found himself grateful for it. Amidst all this uncertainty and danger, the only thing that kept him believing was the loyalty his men had shown. "Thank you, Garrick. We will need every bit of that resolve."
And with that, Akin went back to the fire once more, determined to face whatever come next in their way. He found solace from the companionship of his men as they whiled away the hours of night together, bound by a common cause. From that moment on, they were no longer fighting for Thorian or Elaris; they fought alongside one another.
The journey to the capital would be one fraught with danger in every corner, just that, Akin was prepared to face them all. The enemies of his father had struck, and Akin would prove he was not just the Warlord-General's son. He was a leader in his own right and would take care of it, saving his father and the kingdom history.
With dawn rising, the light of day starting to break through. This made Akin all the more determined and prepared for what was to come. He had no idea what dangers the road to the capital would hold, but whatever they were, he and his men beside him would face it all together as One.