The castle room was poorly illuminated by torches. Under the prints of her domain on the walls, Elara realized herself being enclosed in her own isolation, every step accompanied by a noise against the cold stone floor. General Bael stood near the table, leaning over a map that detailed the positions of the enemy factions. The princess's eyes darted over the layout, but her mind was elsewhere—on the swordsman, on the mercenary whose presence now loomed over her like a shadow.
Princess," Bael said, gravely, "The advance of the Fireborn Dynasty is taking place more quickly than we anticipated. Without taking any action, they'll be at the doorstep in 3 days, .
Elara stopped pacing and turned to face him. "Then we act. Right now, we cannot wait idly for them to take initiative.
What shall we do with the Silver Fang Clan, and the Jade Lotus sect? We cannot defend against all three at once."
Elara's gaze moved to the aperture in the wall and the howling wind that swept in with the biting steel grip of winter. The northern air always felt like it held secrets, like it whispered of things long buried in the past.
[The Silver Fang Clan will not make a direct counter now]," she answered quietly, but surely. "They'll wait for us to weaken ourselves. But the Jade Lotus Sect—they're the real threat. They have a worldwide reputation for their espionage operations and for their capability to infiltrate the best protected fortresses.
Bael hesitated, then spoke again, his eyes shifting uneasily. "What of the Crimson Blade? He's a mercenary, after all. Can we truly trust him?"
The princess met Bael's gaze with a steely resolve. "He's here for a reason. It doesn't matter whether he's loyal to me or to the Silver Fang Clan now. He's the only one who can match the Jade Lotus Sect's assassins. ".
Bael raised an eyebrow. "You trust him?"
"I trust that he's capable," Elara replied, her tone sharp. "For now, that's enough."
A topmost coincidence to the coming of Bael, the black wood walls of the battle room shuddered as they violently gave way and, with a ringing echo, from the ceiling the Dynasty Crimson Blade shone into existence, his crimson plated hauberk bright against the gloom of the battle room. Sense of arrival seemed to reduce both temperature, air quality in particular.
I've been listening," he remarked (his tone, a soft whisper). "Your plans are flawed. You're dividing your forces too thin."
Elara turned, her expression unreadable. "And what would you suggest, mercenary?"
The swordsman's eyes darted to the table's map. "You need to consolidate. Recharge as much of your capital as possible with a majority of your personnel, however, send a scouting force to assault the Silver Fang Clan's flanks as soon as it can stand whole. Their beasts are strong, but not fast. That's the only way it can delay them long enough for us to deal with the Dynasty and the Sect.
Bael's grip on the hilt of his sword constricted, but Elara raised a finger to prevent him. "I'll consider it."
The Crimson Blade kept going, his eyes on the map. "Your biggest mistake is underestimating the Jade Lotus Sect. They will be in situ for a week with their men in the palace. If they haven't already. You're already surrounded."
Elara's mind raced. "How do you know this?"
The swordsman's lips curled into a very subtle smile. "I've crossed paths with them before. They move like shadows."
A cold silence settled in the room, each person weighing the implications of his words. Elara felt the pressure of it on her chest. She already knew that her court watched her every move and that she could not afford to appear feeble. Not now. Not when everything was at stake.
"Very well," she said finally, her voice steady. "We'll consolidate our forces. General Bael, prepare the troops for immediate deployment. But we're not moving until we've dealt with the threat inside the castle. ".
Bael looked up and turned to go but the swordsman's words held him. "Don't trust anyone," he said. "Not even your own generals."
Bael froze at the door, his eyes narrowing. Elara turned back to face the mercenary. "What are you implying?"
The Crimson Blade's gaze met hers with cold intensity. "Your people are scared. Desperate. That fear makes them dangerous."
Elara held his gaze for a moment before speaking. "And you think you can protect me from them?"
"I don't protect," the swordsman replied, his tone clipped. "I fight. And I'm going to wage war against your demise until those on the opposing side have suffered theirs.
The princess stood silently, her thoughts swirling. She had no choice but to trust him—for now. However, as she witnessed him go from the room, her heart felt a curious urge. Was he just another piece in the game for her crown? Was there a deeper secret under his hard shell?
Trust no one.
That night, as the princess retired to her chambers, she found herself standing before the mirror, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. The ice-toughened steel beneath her fingers actually vibrated beneath her touch in response to her own force, a validation of the power she had inherited and the burden she had to carry.
The knock on the door came softly, but it sent a ripple of tension through her.
"Your Highness," the voice of General Bael came from outside. "There's been a development."
Elara opened the door, finding the general standing there, his face grim. "What is it?"
Bael opened and in stalked, clutching a knick–knack of blood splatter notes in hand an active duty man.
"It's from the Jade Lotus Sect," Bael said quietly. "They've infiltrated the court."