*Nemesia's POV*
The battle raged on around me, but I forced myself to stay focused. The most critical part of our plan had been executed—David was safely on his way to the monastery. But now, we needed to ensure our withdrawal was smooth and unnoticed, blending into the chaos of the battlefield as we made our exit.
The Bears, emboldened by their initial success, were pressing the Lycans hard, driving them back with relentless force. The sounds of clashing steel, guttural growls, and the cries of the wounded filled the air, creating a symphony of chaos that reverberated across the battlefield.
I moved through the fray, cutting down enemies with precise, efficient strikes. My mind was a blur of calculations, constantly assessing the flow of the battle and adjusting our tactics on the fly. We needed to maintain the pressure just long enough to ensure David was securely in the hands of the women at the monastery, then retreat without raising any suspicion.
As I fought, I caught sight of Alice and James, their expressions grim as they led our forces in the retreat. They were doing their part, ensuring that our team pulled back in an orderly fashion, preventing any unnecessary losses. Rowan was close to Alice, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and determination as he followed her instructions. He had kept to his word, staying close and not doing anything reckless.
"Good," Athena murmured in my mind. "He's learning. But you need to keep moving, Nemesia. The battle isn't over yet."
I nodded internally, pushing myself to stay focused. The adrenaline coursed through my veins, sharpening my senses as I dispatched another Lycan who had strayed too close. The battlefield was a maelstrom of violence, but I had to keep my head clear—there was no room for error now.
As I pushed forward, I saw Murphey engaging a particularly fierce Jaguar warrior. The Jaguar was a skilled fighter, his movements swift and lethal as he tried to overpower Murphey. I could see the strain in Murphey's expression, the sweat beading on his brow as he parried the Jaguar's relentless attacks.
Without hesitation, I moved to assist, slipping into the fight with a fluid motion. My blade struck the Jaguar from the side, catching him off guard. He snarled in pain, turning to face me, but Murphey took advantage of the distraction, driving his sword through the Jaguar's chest.
The Jaguar fell with a gurgled cry, his body crumpling to the ground. Murphey shot me a grateful look, nodding in acknowledgement before he turned to scan the battlefield for the next threat.
"We need to start pulling back," I called out to him, my voice barely audible over the cacophony of the battle. "David is on his way to the monastery. We've done what we needed to do here. The Bears will handle the rest."
Murphey nodded, his expression grim. "Agreed. I'll signal the others."
He raised his arm, giving the prearranged signal for te rest of our forces to begin the retreat. The rebels who had been fighting alongside the Lycans began to pull back, moving with practised efficiency as they disengaged from the battle. The Lycans were too focused on the Bears to notice our withdrawal, their attention entirely on the ferocity of the Bear Clan's assault.
As our forces retreated, I kept close watch on our surroundings, ensuring that no one was left behind. The Bears were holding their own, driving the Lycans further back with every passing moment. The plan was working, but we needed to get out of there before the Lycans realized what was happening.
"Nemesia!" Evar's voice cut through the noise, drawing my attention.
I turned to see him approaching arriving from the forest, his sword bloodied but his expression calm. "The Bears are pushing them back hard. We need to get out of here and head to the monastery before they break."
"Agreed," I replied, my voice firm. "Let's go."
Together, we moved through the battlefield, guiding our remaining forces toward the tree line where the Bears had secured a temporary fallback position. The retreat was controlled, but there was an undercurrent of urgency—every moment we lingered increased the risk of discovery.
As we reached the edge of the battlefield, I took one last look back. The Bears were pressing the attack, their warriors moving with a ferocity that was almost terrifying to behold. The Lycans were faltering, their lines breaking under the onslaught. The battle was turning into a rout, just as we had planned.
But even as I watched, a sense of unease settled over me. The Bears were winning, yes, but the cost was high. The ground was littered with the bodies of the fallen, and the air was thick with the stench of blood and death. This was the reality of war—brutal, unforgiving, and utterly devoid of mercy.
Athena's voice was a whisper in my mind, laced with a hint of sadness. "This is what we wanted, Nemesia. But it doesn't make it any easier, does it?"
"No," I admitted to myself, the weight of the day's events pressing down on me. "It doesn't. No army ever fallen under my command... and right now I feel like I lost a battle even though the plan worked..." Not to mention the unsuspecting soldiers. I saw some faces which greeted me with smiles in the camp, now lying motionless on the ground, their eyes empty.
With a final glance at the battlefield, I turned and followed Evar and the others into the safety of the forest. The retreat was swift, our forces moving through the dense underbrush with great skill. The Bears had given us a head start, and we intended to make the most of it.
As we moved deeper into the forest, the sounds of battle began to fade, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of birds. The tension in the air gradually lessened, though it never fully disappeared. We had escaped the worst of it, but the danger was far from over.
Finally, we reached the clearing where the Bears had prepared to help escort David to the monastery. The atmosphere was tense but controlled, the Bears working efficiently to secure the area and prepare for any unexpected pursuit.
When we arrived, I saw Tom and a few others assisting with the transition. David had already been moved, and the Bears were ensuring no tracks would lead back to the monastery. The women there were skilled, and their secrecy was assured.
Gunnar approached, his expression serious. "David is already being treated. The women know what to do."
I nodded, but there was one last order I needed to give—one that would ensure David was no longer a threat to the future I was fighting for. "Gunnar, I need you to give the women a final instruction. David must not be able to father children. Ensure they understand this is a priority." I knew that they'd listen to him, as they were all from the Bear Clan even though they lived in a monastery.
Gunnar looked at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. But he finally nodded, understanding the weight of what I was asking. "I'll see to it personally."
As Gunnar walked away to relay the message, I turned back to Evar and Murphey. "We'll stay at the monastery for now, regroup and plan our next steps. But we need to ensure that nothing leads back to us. David's forces will be looking for answers, and we can't afford to leave any clues behind."
Murphey nodded, his expression grim. "We've covered our tracks well, but we'll make sure nothing ties us to this."
Evar's gaze lingered on me for a moment before he spoke. "Nemesia, what you're doing to David… it's necessary, I know. But it's also cruel. Are you sure about this?"
I hesitated, the weight of the decision pressing down on me. "I don't take pleasure in it, Evar. But you said I should think of a way so I wouldn't have to kill him, right? David can't be allowed to sire an heir. It's the only way to ensure the deal with the Queen is not broken..."
Evar nodded, though I could see the unease in his eyes. "I understand. Just… sorry... guess I'm a guy feeling sorry for another guy, Nemesia."
His words made me smile slightly and for a moment, I almost forgot what we were doing here... as I looked into his eyes. It always made me surprised how he was a different person when with me and when with others. Did his humour switch turn on only with me around? "I know, Evar. But I have to see this through. Glad you're here with me..."
As we prepared to move to the monastery, I caught sight of Rowan, his expression troubled as he watched the activity around him. He had been so strong, so brave throughout all of this, but I knew that the weight of what we were doing was beginning to settle on his young shoulders.
I approached him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Rowan, how are you holding up?"
He looked up at me, his eyes wide and filled with a mixture of emotions. "I'm okay, Nemesia. It's just… you won't abandon me here, right?"
I nodded, understanding his feelings all too well - the last time he saw people packing and all, he was abandoned. "Of course, we won't abandon you! You're not staying here longer than we are... we'll leave soon. You've been so brave, Rowan. And I want you to know that everything we're doing… it's for a better future. For you, and for everyone."
He managed a small smile, though I could see the uncertainty in his eyes. "Thank you... I just hope… I hope no one is hurt."
I squeezed his shoulder gently, offering him a reassuring smile. "No Rowan, everyone's fine. I promise you that." Aside from the people who were killed, but not going to tell him that.
As we began the journey to the monastery, I couldn't help but feel the weight of everything that had happened pressing down on me. The battle was over, but the war was far from won. And as I looked ahead, I knew that the hardest part was still yet to come.
But for now, we would regroup, plan our next move, and prepare for the battles that lay ahead. David was out of the way, the Bears were our allies, and the pieces were falling into place. But the cost of victory was high, and I couldn't help but wonder how much more I would have to sacrifice before this was all over.
The last thing I had to do was... to talk with David...