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The sound of hooves pounding the earth was thunderous as Nelson led his knights through the narrow pass that wound toward Ryker's stronghold.
The landscape stretched endlessly before them—jagged cliffs on either side, ominous clouds swirling overhead, as if the heavens themselves were echoing Nelson's turmoil. His heart beat in rhythm with the pounding hooves, a steady thrum of fury and desperation.
Felicia. He couldn't get the image of her out of his mind—the way her eyes had shone with determination, the fire she had shown on the battlefield. She had proven herself so much more than he ever expected, and now she was gone, taken by Ryker's men, heading toward danger.
He could feel his pulse racing with a primal need to protect her. No one had ever made him feel like this. Not even in the darkest of moments.
Arion rode beside him, his expression just as grim. "The scouts reported that Ryker's stronghold is heavily fortified," Arion said, breaking the tense silence. "It won't be easy to breach."
Nelson's jaw tightened. "I don't care how fortified it is. I'm getting her back, no matter what."
Arion nodded, though doubt flickered in his eyes. "Your Majesty, we need a plan. Charging in headfirst will—"
"I don't have time for plans!" Nelson growled, his voice harsher than he intended. He saw Arion flinch but didn't apologize. His focus was singular—get Felicia, crush Ryker, and bring her home.
As they pushed forward, the path became more treacherous, the rocky cliffs narrowing around them. The air grew colder, the tension among the knights thick enough to cut with a blade. Nelson's senses were heightened, his eyes scanning every shadow, every crevice. He knew Ryker's men could be waiting at any turn, ready to ambush.
Then, just as they rounded a bend, one of the scouts came galloping back toward them, his face pale with fear. "Your Majesty! There's movement up ahead. Ryker's forces—they're waiting for us."
Nelson's grip tightened on the reins. "How many?"
"Too many to count, sire. They've blocked the main road."
Nelson pulled his horse to a halt, his mind racing. They couldn't go back. They couldn't turn around. And Felicia was getting further away with every passing moment. He looked toward Arion, whose brow furrowed in thought.
"We could try to flank them," Arion suggested. "There's a path through the mountains. It's narrow and dangerous, but it would give us the element of surprise."
Nelson nodded, his decision made. "We'll take it. I don't care how dangerous it is."
Without wasting another moment, Nelson spurred his horse forward, leading his knights toward the mountain path. The terrain was rough, the trail barely wide enough for their horses, and jagged rocks jutted out from the cliffs like the teeth of some ancient beast. But Nelson pressed on, his determination unwavering.
As they ascended, the wind howled through the cliffs, a chilling reminder of the peril they faced. But Nelson felt no fear. Only rage. Rage at Ryker for taking Felicia. Rage at himself for not protecting her. And a deep, burning need to make things right.
They were halfway up the mountain when the ambush came.
Arrows rained down from above, clattering off the rocks and striking the knights' armor with deadly force. Nelson barely had time to react, pulling his horse to the side just as an arrow flew past his shoulder. Arion shouted orders, his voice barely audible over the chaos.
"Defensive positions! Shields up!"
Nelson drew his sword, his eyes scanning the cliffs above. Ryker's men were perched on the ledges, raining death down upon them. But Nelson's knights were well-trained, their shields forming a wall of protection as they pressed forward, step by step.
"Keep moving!" Nelson shouted, his voice cutting through the din. "We need to get to higher ground!"
The path was steep and treacherous, but Nelson and his knights fought their way up, deflecting arrows and returning fire with their own. The battle was brutal, every step a fight for survival. But Nelson's mind was focused, his body moving with a deadly precision. He couldn't afford to falter. Not now. Not with Felicia's life on the line.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they reached the summit of the mountain. Ryker's men were scattered, their forces retreating in the face of Nelson's relentless assault. But the victory felt hollow. Nelson knew that this was only the beginning. The real fight was still ahead.
As they paused to catch their breath, Arion approached Nelson, his face grim. "We've pushed them back for now, but Ryker's stronghold is still a day's ride from here. If we move quickly, we can reach it by nightfall."
Nelson nodded, his eyes fixed on the horizon. He could almost feel Felicia's presence, distant but tangible. He had to reach her. There was no other option.
The wind picked up again, colder than before, and Nelson felt a shiver run down his spine. He didn't have time to dwell on it. He mounted his horse once more, signaling to his men to press forward.
As they rode through the mountain pass, the silence became suffocating. The weight of what was to come pressed down on Nelson's shoulders like a heavy cloak. But he refused to let it break him. He would get Felicia back. He would face Ryker, and he would end this.
Suddenly, the sound of hooves echoed from behind. Nelson turned, his heart racing. One of the scouts was riding toward them at full speed, his face a mask of panic.
"Your Majesty!" the scout called out. "Ryker… he's taken Lady Felicia to the Black Fortress."
Nelson's blood ran cold.
The Black Fortress. A place of legend and fear, hidden deep within the mountains. It was said that no one who entered its walls ever returned.
"We have to move," Nelson said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Now."
Arion's face paled. "The Black Fortress? Sire, that place… it's a death trap."
Nelson's gaze hardened. "I don't care. We're going."
He spurred his horse forward, his mind racing. The Black Fortress. Ryker had made his move, but Nelson wasn't about to back down. Not now. Not ever.
As the shadows of the mountains deepened, Nelson's heart pounded with a mix of fear and fury. The Black Fortress awaited them, and with it, a battle that would decide everything.
Felicia's life hung in the balance.
And Nelson was willing to risk it all to save her…