The pale orange and pink hues of the Elaris countryside stretched from the horizon as dawn's light tore through. The air was cold and smelled of fresh morning. Akin and his men had already been preparing their camp to move out. It was a hard journey to the capital, but they had to outpace any forthcoming dangers.
The way to the capital of Eldoria is winding and bisecting the dense inland forests, which broke only for rolling hills that on an opening, exposed breathtaking views of the land below. And it was a long, nerve-wracking journey for the soldiers. Every spec of rustling leaves from the underbrush, every snatching at a twig was indicative. The specter of betrayal draped about them, weighing each step heavier than the others before it.
Akin stopped the advance as they neared a high ridge that overlooked Eldoria. The city sprawled out below, its towers and spires catching the early morning light. Once a grand and thriving city upon Elaris, Eldoria seemed enshrouded in an eerie silence.
"Captain Jarek," Akin called, signaling his lieutenant to approach. "We'll set up a watch here. We need to assess the city's defenses and gather any intelligence we can."
Jarek nodded, his eyes sharp as he surveyed the city below. "Understood, my lord. I will have some scouts take a closer look."
Akin watched as Jarek dispatched the scouts with a mix of anxiety and anticipation. The scouts were experienced, and skilled in moving unnoticed and gathering information without raising an alarm. They would be crucial in determining the best approach to enter the city and identifying potential threats.
While waiting for the scouts to return, Akin took a moment to reflect on the gravity of the situation. His father's situation was unknown, and the kingdom's stability hung in the balance. The capital, Eldoria, once a symbol of order and prosperity, is now a potential battleground.
His thoughts went to his mother, Lady Elara, who had stayed behind at Valion Keep. There was an air of relief to her strength and composure, but Akin knew well that she was very concerned. He had always leaned on her for strength; now it was time to live up to her expectation.
A soft rustling sound from behind drew Akin from his thoughts. He turned to see Garrick approaching, the young soldier's face etched with concern. "My lord, can we talk for a moment?"
Akin motioned him to sit beside him on a boulder. "Of course, Garrick. What's on your mind?"
Garrick took a deep breath before speaking. "I mean… I am apprehensive to see what lies in the capital. If Lord Daemon has support then he is every bit a threat as we suspected, possibly more so."
Akin placed a reassuring hand on Garrick's shoulder. "I understand your concern. We all share it. Nevertheless, we need to keep what is within our control on track. Our preparation and training are the things that will help us overcome the challenges that lie ahead."
Garrick nodded reluctantly, still uneasy. "I pray we aren't too late."
Akin gave a small, reassuring smile. "We won't be. We are moving quickly and carefully. We will go all out to reach my father and protect the capital."
The scouts came back after the sun had gone up. They made it as far as the territory cemented around Eldoria, and kept close to its walls, observing. The city was buzzing with the alarms, there were more guards in all important places and roads had barricades.
Captain Jarek passed the information to Akin, his expression grim. "Daemon's forces have occupied several strategic locations within the city. The main gates have been fortified and have double patrols in place. It won't be easy to get inside unnoticed."
Akin focused his attention, thoughts running through the strategies he could use. "What about the inner city? Did you detect any trace of Daemon?"
The scout shook his head. "It's difficult to say. The city is vast, and Daemon's men are spread out. But we did spot a few high-ranking officers. And if Daemon is in the capital, he will likely be in the palace or the more secure strongholds."
Akin's brow furrowed in thought. The palace was heavily guarded and would be a formidable stronghold. They needed a plan to reach it that took into account the city's defenses. As well as, the internal threat of Daemon's forces.
"We'll have to approach this carefully," Akin said, his voice resolute. "We will use the cover of darkness to get close to the city without being seen and figure out a way in. Once we are inside, we'll make our way to the palace and assess the situation."
The soldiers nodded in agreement, their expression a mix of determination and apprehension. At sundown, they were ready to march in the dark. The chill of the night seemed to amplify their need for haste, and Akin's mind was focused solely on their mission.
The journey to the city's edge was fraught with tension. The soldiers moved in silence, their boots hardly making a sound on the forest floor. They moved closer to the city walls, speckled with torches and patrolling guards. It was like stepping into a hive of frenetic activity from the utter stillness of the damp forest.
Farther along the Castle walls, Akin and his men found a well-covered area close to one of its smaller less-guarded gates. It was a calculated risk, but they needed to get in. While Jarek and a few others got to work disabling the lock on the gate, Akin stayed alert.
The rusty iron door inched open on squeaky hinges and the sliver of light spilled into a long walkway leading to the capital. Akin could feel his heart racing as he gave the signal to his men that it was time. They moved swiftly, vanishing into the darkness and quietly moving about the dark streets of Eldoria.
The city was alive but it felt tense. The normally lively markets and squares were subdued, and the streets were patrolled by soldiers who moved with an air of vigilance. Akin and his team of elite soldiers made their way through the busy, narrow streets from memory based on a map they had studied before, making them look as though shadows creeping across an empty field.
Akin thought over his father as they neared the royal district. Thorian was the strong and powerful image that everyone looked up to when it came to having some confidence in his actions, so one could say a massive weight of worry settled on his shoulder. Akin had always admired his father's ability to lead and inspire, now it was up to him to protect that legacy.
The palace was an ominous figure on the horizon, as if to warn them of how difficult their task would be; with its spires stretching into the sky and walls standing high. The gates were fortified with additional defenses and more guards were on patrol in its confines. Akin realized access would be tough but it was a challenge he set out to overcome.
As they found a concealed vantage point overlooking the palace, Akin's thoughts were interrupted as Garrick spoke softly. "My lord, I have an idea. There's a sewer system that runs beneath the city. It's not heavily guarded and could provide a way into the palace."
Akin's eyes widened with interest. "A sewer system? That could work. Lead the way, Garrick."
The young soldier guided them to a secret entrance, partially obstructed by overgrowth. The entrance leading to the sewers was dank and dark, but it could lead directly into the royal district. Akin led his men down with a mix of both dread and optimism following him into the darkness.
The sewer tunnels were narrow and filled with the stench of decay, but it was relatively quiet. The passage was dimly lit by the occasional flicker of torches, and the air was thick with dampness. Akin and his men moved cautiously, their footsteps echoing softly in the confined space.
Akin's mind was focused on their objective, as they made their way through the tunnels. They had to get into the palace, assess the situation, and find a way to rescue his father. The journey was treacherous, but Akin's resolve was unwavering.
After several hours, they finally came to a rather secluded place near the palace, where they could climb up and away from those horrific sewers. The palace grounds were eerily silent, but the guards stationed on both sides of the gate seemed to be on high alert. Akin signaled his comrades to remain in cover while he investigated the situation.
They noticed from their vantage point that the palace was well-defended. Gates were made even more fortified and the patrols moved with a sense of urgency. Daemon's forces were taking no chances.
Akin gritted his teeth, trying to think of a plan as everything flooded his mind. It was as desperate as can be, but he had to fight his way out. He had made it this far, and he was not going to falter now.
As the night wore on, Akin and his men continued their careful observation; primed for an opportunity. The stakes were high, and every decision they made could mean the difference between success and failure.