Ludwig sprinted through the dense forest, Adalyn's limp body held tightly in his arms. He knew he had to get her to safety, and the only place he could think of was the hidden cabin he and his best friend had built as kids. He didn't know if it was still a safe place to go, but he didn't know who else he could trust.
As he ran, his mind raced with thoughts of what had just happened. The betrayal of Sir Richard and the conspiracy against him and his kingdom left him with a feeling of dread. He couldn't believe that people he had trusted had turned against him. He also wondered when his magic would return. He had expended so much energy during the battle and he still had not fully recovered from restoring the barrier.
Despite his exhaustion, Ludwig pushed on, determined to get Adalyn to safety. He couldn't afford to rest until they were both out of danger. As he ran, he thought about Adalyn's injuries and how he needed to find something to help her heal. He searched the bodies of the fallen guards, hoping to find something useful, but there was nothing but their weapons and armour.
Finally, after what felt like hours of running, Ludwig spotted the small cabin in the distance. He slowed his pace, approaching cautiously. The cabin was hidden deep in the forest and he hoped that no one else had found it.
He couldn't help but feel grateful for the cabin that he and his best friend had built so many years ago. It had been their secret hideaway, a place where they could escape the pressures of the kingdom and just be boys. Now, it was serving as a sanctuary for him and Adalyn, a place where they could regroup and plan their next move.
As he entered, he laid Adalyn down gently on a makeshift bed they had created long ago. He looked around, taking in the familiar surroundings. It had been years since he had last been here, but everything seemed just as he remembered it.
Ludwig sat down on the floor, his back against the wall, and waited for Adalyn to wake up. He didn't know what to do next, but he felt like he could trust her. She seemed to know more than she had told him, and he wondered if she could shed some light on what was happening.
As he sat there, he felt a sense of calm wash over him. The forest outside may have been chaotic, but in the cabin, it was peaceful. Ludwig closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, and focused on recovering what little of his magic would come to him.
After what felt like an eternity, Adalyn finally stirred. Ludwig's eyes snapped open and he rushed to her side. "Are you okay? are you feeling any pain?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
Adalyn nodded weakly. "I'll be fine," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Ludwig. I know who's behind all of this."
Ludwig's heart raced with anticipation. "Tell me," he said, his voice urgent.
Ludwig moved to sit next to Adalyn on the bed in the small cabin, listening as she spoke. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. The Council of Elders, the very group of wise and respected leaders who were supposed to serve the kingdom, had orchestrated this entire conspiracy against him. And Adalyn had been a part of it.
He felt a mixture of anger, betrayal and confusion as he listened to her story.
"So, it was the Council of Elders all along," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Adalyn nodded weakly. "Yes, they made the five houses turn against you. They promised them more power and influence if they helped depose you."
Ludwig clenched his fists, his anger boiling inside of him. "And you were a part of it too?" he asked, his voice rising.
Adalyn's brown eyes filled with tears. "I was, but I couldn't go through with it. I couldn't stand the thought of betraying you like that."
Ludwig took a deep breath, trying to process everything. "Why did you decide to betray them in the end?"
Adalyn wiped away her tears and looked at Ludwig with a determined expression. "Because I realized that what they were doing was wrong. They were putting their own selfish interests above the good of the kingdom. And I couldn't be a part of that anymore. That's why I tried to get you to run away with me."
Ludwig sighed heavily, feeling a mix of relief and disappointment. "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked.
"I wanted to, Ludwig. But I was scared. I didn't know who to trust," Adalyn said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ludwig looked at her with a mix of empathy and frustration. He knew that she was telling the truth, but he couldn't help but feel angry that she had kept such a significant secret from him.
"And Sir Richard?" Ludwig asked, his tone hardening.
Adalyn's expression darkened. "He was their man. He knew about the plan and was helping them execute it. I overheard him talking with the Elders."
Ludwig's hands shook with anger. "And you knew about this all along?"
Adalyn nodded, tears streaming down her face. "I did. That's why I was so nervous around him. I knew he couldn't be trusted."
Ludwig looked away, his thoughts racing. He couldn't believe that his own advisors had plotted against him, and that Adalyn had been involved in their plans. But he also knew that he needed to trust her if they were going to make it through this.
"We need to find out who else was involved in this conspiracy," Ludwig said, his voice firm. "And we need to bring them to justice."
Adalyn nodded weakly, her eyes filled with sorrow. "I know, Ludwig. But right now, we need to focus on getting you back to full strength and figuring out our next move."
Ludwig nodded, his eyes flickering with determination. "We'll make them pay for what they've done," he said, his voice filled with resolve.
As the sun began to set, Ludwig and Adalyn continued to talk, planning their next moves and trying to piece together all the information they had. They knew they couldn't trust anyone, not even those who were supposed to be their allies. But they had each other, and they were determined to uncover the truth and bring justice to those who had wronged them.
As they talked, Ludwig couldn't help but feel small surges of power building within him. His magic was something that had been given to him and his ancestors by the Gods, marking him as the rightful heir to the kingdom. It allowed him to do magic beyond what is thought at the magic towers. It allows him to create impenetrable barriers, restoring broken metals and plants, and manipulating the elements of nature to his will. But without it, he felt powerless and vulnerable.
Ludwig sighed and ran his hand through his platinum hair, frustrated that his magic had not fully returned. He knew he needed it now more than ever, with the Council of Elders and the five houses conspiring against him. But he also knew that he had to be patient and wait for it to fully return.
He couldn't understand why they would want to end his life and bloodline, it would destroy everything that he and his ancestors had worked so hard to protect. The barriers that he had created with his magic were the only thing keeping their kingdom safe from the rifts and monsters that lurked beyond.
He leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes, trying to calm his racing thoughts. He couldn't let fear and uncertainty cloud his judgment. He had to think logically and strategically if he was going to reclaim his throne and bring justice to those who had wronged him.
Adalyn could sense his frustration and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Ludwig," she said softly. "We'll get through this together."
Ludwig looked up at her and forced a small smile. He was grateful to have her by his side, but he also knew that they were facing an uphill battle. The Council of Elders and the five houses had a lot of power and influence, and it seems they would stop at nothing to see Ludwig's reign come to an end.
But Ludwig was determined to fight back and protect his kingdom, no matter the cost. He had a duty to his people and to his ancestors and Gods, and he would not let them down.