The oppressive weight of the stronghold seemed to ease slightly as we led the freed vassals and maids out of the dungeon's depths. Each step forward felt like a small victory, but the gnawing dread of my sisters' fates kept my heart heavy. As we emerged into the open air, the dawn's light cast a golden hue over the battle-scarred courtyard, a stark contrast to the darkness we had just left behind.
Our triumphal procession was met with cheers from our forces, their spirits lifted by the sight of the rescued prisoners. But amid the celebration, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. The absence of my sisters was a gaping void that threatened to swallow my resolve.
Galen approached me, his expression grave.
"We've searched every cell, every hidden chamber. There's no sign of your sisters, my lord."
I clenched my fists, my mind racing. The celebration around us felt like a cruel mockery of my despair. Galen's words echoed in my ears, each syllable a dagger to my heart.
The air grew heavy with a sense of resignation as I took in the grim surroundings. The distant echoes of the battle outside seemed to fade, replaced by the oppressive silence of my disappointment.
"They must be somewhere else," I thought, the realization hardening my resolve. My sisters were still out there, somewhere in the clutches of our enemies, and I wouldn't rest until I brought them back.
The mercenaries, sensing the shift in my demeanor, fell silent and exchanged uneasy glances. I took a deep breath, pushing down the turmoil within me. There was still work to be done, and I couldn't afford to lose focus now.
"We need information. The commander might know something." I spoke.
"I'll make him talk," Arnold offered, his voice a low growl.
I considered the offer for a moment before shaking my head.
"No," I said, my tone measured and calm, though beneath the surface, rage simmered like a dormant volcano. "I'll do it later. This is personal."
Arnold just nod without asking questions, I shifted my attention to Galen.
"How many of our men survived?" I asked.
"Eight hundred fifty-six of the mercenaries survived and are able to fight," Galen replied, his voice echoing the gravity of the situation. "If we include the freed Eisenhart soldiers, we have a total of one thousand two hundred thirty-eight able bodies that can fight."
I nodded, a tight, controlled motion.
"Good. Make sure that those injured are treated. Provide them with meat to feed them selves and something to drink. If there is anyone who is severely injured, let me know so that I can heal them."
"Understood," Galen replied, "What about the Three Thousand prisoners? What do you plan to do with them?"
Right, what do we do with those who have surrendered? If we leave them here they might hit us in the butt once we advance to Velrois.
While I was contemplating our options, an idea sparked.
"I can just store them inside my ring," I suggested, my tone calm yet decisive. "That would make it easier."
"That's a good idea but would they consent to it?" Galen asked, his brow furrowing. "For it to work they need to consent to it, right?"
I grinned, a hint of cold amusement in my eyes.
"Don't worry, they will. They don't have a choice."
We made our way to where the commander, Vex, was being held. He was bound to a chair, his once-pristine armor now marred with dust and blood. His eyes burned with defiance as I approached, but I could see the flicker of fear beneath the bravado.
I held up the seal, letting it dangle before his eyes. "You know what this is. You know what it means."
He spat at my feet, a weak attempt at defiance.
"You won't get anything from me, boy."
I ignored the insult, keeping my voice calm and controlled.
"I'm looking for three girls. They would have been brought here recently, under heavy guard. They're my sisters."
"You think I keep track of every wench that passes through here?", Vex sneered.
My hand tightened around the Aetherblade, the spectral energy humming in response to my anger.
"You'll want to cooperate, Commander. I can make this very unpleasant for you."
He laughed, a harsh sound that grated on my nerves.
"You think you can break me? You think you can-"
His words were cut off as I pressed the Aetherblade to his throat, the spectral energy crackling against his skin. His eyes widened, the defiance melting away as he felt the cold bite of the blade.
"Let's try this again," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Three girls. Where are they?"
Vex swallowed hard, his eyes darting to the side.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
I pressed the blade harder, drawing a thin line of blood.
"Wrong answer."
He flinched, the fear in his eyes growing more pronounced.
"Wait! Wait, I might know something."
I eased the pressure on the blade, giving him room to speak.
"Go on."
"There were girls," he admitted, his voice strained. "Brought in under special orders. They weren't kept here long. A day, maybe two. Then they were moved."
"Moved where?" I demanded, my heart pounding in my chest.
Vex hesitated, his eyes flicking away briefly before meeting mine again.
"Somewhere far. I don't know the exact location. I just heard rumors."
I leaned in, the Aetherblade still pressed against his throat.
"What rumors?"
He swallowed hard, his voice dropping to a low, almost fearful tone.
"They were taken to the Holy Empire. That's all I know, I swear!"
My mind raced as I processed this revelation. The Holy Empire, infamous for its ruthless tactics and vast reach under the guise of faith, had been hunting our bloodline for centuries. If my sisters were indeed taken there, the stakes had just risen exponentially.
"Why the Holy Empire?" I asked, my voice cold.
Vex shook his head, his eyes wide with genuine ignorance.
"I don't know. I swear, I don't know why. I just heard the rumors. That's all."
I stepped back, lowering the Aetherblade. This information confirmed my father's suspicions: Count Aumale and the Holy Empire were working together. The implications were grave, and the need for allies became even more pressing.
Galen, who had been silently observing, spoke up.
"The Holy Empire is a formidable enemy. We'll need more than just our mercenaries to take them on."
I nodded, my mind already forming a plan.
"First, we need to go to Count Velrois' domain. He's been our family's ally for so many years, and he needs our reinforcements. Plus, we need to investigate who else might be working with the Holy Empire."
Arnold, ever the silent shadow, nodded in agreement.
"I'll scout ahead and ensure the path is clear."
"Prepare the men. Make sure they have plenty of food and something to drink. We leave at dawn. We'll need every advantage we can get if we're to face Count Aumale," I ordered Galen.
Galen nodded, his expression grim but determined.
"I'll see to it, my lord."
Before we set off, there was one more thing I needed to do. I made my way to the tent where Suzy, Wendy, and Mecca were resting. The three maids had been through so much, and I wanted to ensure they were recovering well. As I entered the tent, I saw Wendy and Mecca sleeping peacefully, their breaths deep and even. Suzy, however, was awake, her eyes reflecting the soft glow of the lantern.
I approached her, my heart swelling with a mix of concern and affection.
"Suzy, how are you feeling?" I asked softly, my voice barely above a whisper.
She looked up at me, her eyes filled with gratitude and something more profound.
"Much better, thanks to you, Draven," she replied, her voice gentle.
I reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face. The moment felt intimate, a connection that went beyond words. I leaned in, pressing my lips to hers in a tender kiss. It was a moment of solace amid the chaos, a reminder of why I fought so hard.
As I pulled away, memories of the first time I met Suzy flooded back. It was love at first sight, a feeling that had only grown stronger with time. She reminded me of a K-Pop artist when we first met, and coincidentally, her name was also Suzy. It was as if she had reincarnated with me into this world. I cared deeply for Wendy and Mecca as well, their well-being as important to me as my own.
Suzy reached up, her hand cupping my cheek.
"Draven, you've done so much for us. I don't know how we can ever repay you."
I covered her hand with mine, pressing it gently against my face.
"You don't need to repay me, Suzy. Knowing you're safe is enough."
She smiled softly, her thumb brushing against my cheek.
"You're a good man, Draven. We're lucky to have you."
I leaned into her touch, closing my eyes briefly. When I opened them, I met her gaze, seeing the depth of her feelings reflected back at me. I leaned in again, this time the kiss was more passionate, filled with the emotions we both felt. Her hand slid to the back of my neck, pulling me closer. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tightly against me.
As the kiss deepened, I felt a surge of desire. My hand moved from her back, tracing the curve of her side, and slowly moved up towards her breast. But as my fingers grazed the soft flesh, Suzy gently caught my hand, stopping me.
She pulled away slightly, her breath ragged.
"Draven," she whispered, her voice filled with both longing and resolve. "You need to save your strength. The war is coming, and we need you at your best."
I looked into her eyes, seeing the wisdom and the love reflected back at me. I was a bit disappointment but she was right. I nodded, pressing my forehead against hers.
"You're right, Suzy. I'm sorry, I got carried away."
She smiled softly, her hand still holding mine.
"There will be time for us, Draven. After the war, after we've won. We'll have our time."
I pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, lingering for a moment before pulling away.
"I've missed you, Suzy—more than words can express. I swear to you, our time will come, and when it does, it will be nothing short of extraordinary."
She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips.
"We missed you too, Draven."
I left the tent, my heart filled with a mix of love and determination. The road ahead was fraught with danger, but with my allies by my side and the love of those I cared for, I knew we could face anything.
As dawn broke, we prepared to leave Ebonstone. I knew time was of the essence. We needed to move swiftly and efficiently, and that meant utilizing every resource at our disposal. I turned to Galen and Arnold, my voice steady with resolve.
"We need to move fast, and we can't afford to be slowed down by a large army on the march. We'll use the Celestial Vault to store our troops inside."
Galen nodded, understanding the necessity.
"It will be uncomfortable for them, but it's a small price to pay for the speed we'll gain."
Arnold agreed, his expression determined.
"I'll ensure the path ahead is clear and scout out any potential threats."
As we prepared to depart from Ebonstone, I approached Eleanor. She stood resolutely with her two guards and maids by her side. Their faces bore the marks of worry and fatigue, yet within their eyes flickered a spark of hope. I realized that the proposition I was about to make would be unsettling, but it was a necessary step.
"Lady Eleanor," I began, my voice gentle yet firm. "We need to move swiftly and safely. I have a way to ensure your protection, but it will be... unconventional."
"What do you mean?" She asked, looking at me, her eyes wide with curiosity and a hint of fear.
"This artifact can store people within it, keeping them safe and unseen until they are released. I want to place you and your guards inside it for the journey." I said, helding up the Celestial Vault, the ring pulsing with a faint glow.
Her guards exchanged uneasy glances, their hands tightening on their weapons. Eleanor, however, looked thoughtful.
"You mean to hide us within your ring?"
I nodded. "Yes. It will be uncomfortable, and you will be in a timeless void, but it is the safest way to travel without detection. I promise you will be unharmed."
One of her guards, a stern-faced looking guy, spoke up.
"How do we know this is safe? How can we trust this... magic?"
I understood their hesitation.
"I have used this ring to store my entire army. It is powerful and reliable. You have my word that no harm will come to you."
Eleanor looked at her guards, then back at me.
"I trust you, Draven. If this is the best way to ensure our safety, then we will do it."
Her guards looked at each other, their expressions still uneasy, but they nodded in agreement.
"We trust your judgment, my lady," the guard said, his voice steady.
With their consent obtained, I activated the Celestial Vault, and one by one, Eleanor and her guards were pulled inside, their forms vanishing into the infinite void. The process was quick and efficient, and soon, they were safely stored within the ring.
With Eleanor and her guards secured within the Celestial Vault, I turned my attention to the remaining Eisenhart soldiers, the house staff including Suzy, Wendy and Mecca who had been freed from Ebonstone. They looked to me with a mix of hope and uncertainty, awaiting my commands. I knew that our journey ahead would be perilous, and I needed their consent and support.
I gathered them all in the courtyard, their faces a blend of weariness and determination. I stood before them, my voice steady and resolved.
"Soldiers and staff of Eisenhart," I shouted, "our enemies have taken my sisters, and we believe they have been taken to the Holy Empire. We must move swiftly and with all our might to rescue them."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, a mix of concern and resolve. I continued, my voice unyielding.
"The journey ahead will be fraught with danger, and we need every advantage we can get. I have an artifact, the Celestial Vault, which can store you safely within it, allowing us to travel swiftly and undetected."
I held up the ring, its power pulsing visibly.
"This will not be comfortable, and you will be in a timeless void until we release you. But it is the safest and most efficient way to ensure our success. I need your consent to proceed."
The soldiers and staff exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of unease and determination. One of the senior soldiers, a grizzled veteran, stepped forward.
"My lord, we have heard of the power of your artifacts and your leadership, we will follow your command."
A chorus of agreement echoed through the crowd, their voices filled with resolve. I nodded, grateful for their trust and support. "
Thank you. Everyone!"
With their consent secured, I activated the Celestial Vault. One by one, the Eisenhart soldiers and house staff were pulled inside, their forms vanishing into the infinite void. The process was swift and efficient, and soon, the courtyard was empty, save for Galen, Arnold, and me.
Galen watched the proceedings, his demeanor unusually serious.
"They are brave souls, my lord," he said, his voice unusually solemn. "Their trust in you is a testament to your leadership."
I nodded, my resolve unwavering.
"I will not let them down. I will rescue my sisters and bring an end to Aumale's ambitions."
Arnold, ever the silent shadow, materialized by my side. "The path ahead is clear, my lord. We should move swiftly."
With our forces secured within the Celestial Vault and our path clear, we set out for Count Velrois' domain. The journey was swift, thanks to the artifact's power.
As we neared Duskvale Fortress, chaos unfolded before us. The stronghold, Count Velrois' vital bastion, was besieged by Count Aumale's thirty thousand troops. The air was heavy with the thunderous boom of siege engines and the crashing of battering rams against the fortress walls.
I must devise a plan to win this battle. The pressing question is, how?