~~~~~
The wind whipped through the narrow mountain pass as Nelson urged his horse onward. The Black Fortress loomed ahead, a dark silhouette against the sky, shrouded in mist and legend. Even from a distance, it radiated an ominous presence.
Nelson had heard stories of the fortress as a child—tales of prisoners who were never seen again, of horrors lurking behind its stone walls. Now, he was riding straight toward it, with Felicia's life hanging by a thread.
Arion rode at his side, his face set in grim determination. The rest of the knights followed close behind, their armor clinking as they pushed through the rocky terrain. Silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by the sound of hooves and the distant howl of the wind.
As they neared the fortress, Nelson's mind was consumed by thoughts of Felicia. He could still see the fire in her eyes, the fierce determination that had burned through her when she declared herself queen of Evaria on the battlefield. That fire had taken Ryker by surprise, but it had also put her in the crosshairs of a dangerous man.
"Hold on, Felicia," Nelson muttered under his breath. "I'm coming for you."
The closer they got, the more the air around them seemed to shift. There was something unnatural about the fortress—its walls were impossibly tall, jagged, and slick with age, as if the very stones were alive, watching their approach.
The mist that swirled around it seemed to move with a purpose, clinging to the ground and creeping up their legs like cold fingers.
Nelson felt the weight of dread settle in his chest. He had never felt fear like this, not even in the fiercest battles he had fought. But this was different. This wasn't just a war—it was a rescue, and the stakes were higher than they had ever been.
"Your Majesty," Arion's voice cut through the tension, "we need a strategy. We can't charge in blindly."
Nelson's jaw tightened. He knew Arion was right. They couldn't afford to lose more men, not here. But every second they waited felt like a lifetime. He forced himself to think, to push past the desperation clouding his mind.
"Send scouts to find an entrance. We need to know what we're up against inside," Nelson commanded, his voice sharp.
Arion nodded and gestured to a few of the knights, who broke away from the group and disappeared into the mist. Nelson's heart pounded as he watched them go. Every minute felt like torture, the unknown gnawing at him.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed from the shadows. Nelson drew his sword, the blade gleaming in the faint light. Arion and the other knights followed suit, ready for anything.
A figure emerged from the mist, limping slightly but moving with purpose. It was one of the scouts, his face pale and streaked with blood.
"Your Majesty!" the scout gasped, stumbling forward. "We found a way in... but it's heavily guarded. Ryker's men—there are dozens of them. And... they've fortified the inner chambers."
Nelson's heart sank, but he refused to let doubt take hold. He had no choice. Felicia was inside that fortress, and nothing—not even an army—would keep him from reaching her.
"Show us the way," Nelson said, sheathing his sword. He turned to Arion. "We need to be swift and silent. If we're caught before we reach the inner chambers, we'll lose the element of surprise."
Arion nodded, and the knights tightened their formation. They moved forward, following the scout as he led them toward a hidden path that wound around the side of the fortress.
The mist thickened as they approached, obscuring their vision and making every step feel perilous.
After what felt like an eternity, they reached a narrow tunnel carved into the rock. The scout motioned for them to follow, and one by one, the knights slipped inside, their armor clinking softly in the tight space.
The tunnel was dark and cold, the air thick with the scent of damp stone. Nelson's pulse quickened as they moved deeper into the fortress.
At the end of the tunnel, the scout paused and pointed ahead. "Through there... is the inner courtyard. Ryker's men are guarding the entrance to the main keep."
Nelson peered around the corner and saw them—Ryker's soldiers, lined up in formation, weapons gleaming in the torchlight. They were heavily armed, and their numbers were far greater than Nelson had expected.
"We'll need a distraction," Arion whispered, his eyes scanning the courtyard.
Nelson's mind raced. A full assault would be suicide. But if they could divert Ryker's men long enough, they might have a chance to slip inside.
"Arion, take half of our men and create a diversion on the far side of the courtyard," Nelson said, his voice low but firm. "The rest of us will sneak through while they're distracted. Once we're inside, we'll regroup and push toward the inner chambers."
Arion nodded, his expression resolute. He signaled to the knights, and they split off into two groups, ready to execute the plan.
Nelson's heart pounded in his chest as Arion and his men moved into position. Moments later, a loud crash echoed through the courtyard, followed by shouts and the clashing of swords. Ryker's men turned toward the commotion, their attention fully diverted.
"Now!" Nelson whispered urgently, leading his group across the courtyard, keeping low and silent.
They moved swiftly, slipping past the guards and making their way toward the entrance of the keep. The heavy stone doors loomed before them, but Nelson felt a surge of hope. They were close. So close.
But just as they reached the door, a shadow moved in the corner of his vision.
Nelson froze, his hand instinctively reaching for his sword. From the darkness, a figure stepped forward—tall, cloaked, and unmistakably familiar.
Ryker.
"Going somewhere, Your Majesty?" Ryker's voice was smooth, mocking. His eyes gleamed with malice as he drew his sword, the blade catching the light.
Nelson's blood turned to ice. Ryker had been waiting for him.
Before he could react, Ryker raised his hand, and from the shadows, more of his soldiers emerged, surrounding Nelson and his men.
"Did you really think it would be this easy?" Ryker sneered, his lips curling into a cruel smile.
Nelson's heart pounded as he tightened his grip on his sword, his mind racing. The odds had just shifted drastically, and Felicia was still somewhere inside the fortress.
"Where is she?" Nelson demanded, his voice trembling with rage.
Ryker's smile widened, his eyes dancing with cruel amusement. "Oh, your little queen? She's safe… for now. But how long that lasts depends entirely on you."
Nelson's breath caught in his throat, his worst fears realized.
Felicia was still in danger.
And now, so was he….