The ambush was swift and merciless. Shadows danced against the jagged walls of the mountain pass as blades clashed and the cries of battle echoed through the valley. Lian moved with precision, her training taking over as she deflected strike after strike.
Kael was beside her, his movements a blend of grace and brutality. Despite her lingering doubts about him, Lian couldn't deny his skill. He fought with a confidence that suggested he had seen more than his share of bloodshed.
One of the attackers lunged toward her, a curved blade aimed for her heart. Lian sidestepped, her sword flashing in the dim light as she drove it through the man's side. He crumpled to the ground, his weapon clattering beside him.
"Focus, Princess!" Kael called, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Lian didn't respond, her attention snapping to another figure emerging from the shadows. The attackers were skilled, but disorganized, their strikes wild and uncoordinated. It gave her and Kael's group an advantage—though it was a small one.
---
The Turning Tide
Jian's training had prepared Lian for moments like this, and it showed. As the attackers began to falter, she pressed forward, her blade cutting through their defenses. One by one, they fell, their dark robes pooling on the ground like spilled ink.
Kael dispatched the last of them with a swift, brutal strike. The man collapsed, his weapon slipping from his grasp. Silence fell over the pass, broken only by the heavy breathing of the survivors.
Lian lowered her sword, her chest heaving. The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood, and her hands trembled from the adrenaline coursing through her veins.
"Is anyone injured?" she asked, her voice steady despite the chaos that had just unfolded.
One of the soldiers, a young woman with a gash across her arm, stepped forward. "Just a scratch, Your Highness."
Kael approached, his sword still in hand. "This wasn't a random attack," he said grimly. "They were waiting for us."
Lian's eyes narrowed. "The Zhào Confederation?"
Kael shook his head. "No. These men weren't soldiers—they were mercenaries. Someone paid them to stop us."
A chill ran down Lian's spine. The realization that someone within the kingdom could have orchestrated this made her blood run cold.
---
The Message
As they searched the bodies for clues, one of the soldiers uncovered a small, sealed scroll tucked into the robes of a fallen mercenary. He handed it to Lian, who broke the seal with careful fingers.
The message was brief, written in an unfamiliar script. Kael leaned over her shoulder, his expression darkening as he read the words aloud.
"Do not let the princess reach the Jin Kingdom."
Lian's grip on the parchment tightened. "They knew our route. Someone in the palace must have leaked it."
Kael's gaze flicked to her. "Or someone close to you."
Lian bristled at the implication, but she couldn't dismiss it entirely. Trust was a fragile thing, and the walls of the palace had ears everywhere.
"We'll discuss this later," she said sharply. "For now, we need to keep moving. If they know our route, there may be more waiting for us."
---
A Dangerous Decision
The group pressed on, their progress slow and cautious. The mountain path was treacherous, the jagged terrain offering little protection from another ambush.
As night fell, they set up camp in a secluded hollow, the fire casting flickering shadows across the rocky walls. Lian sat apart from the others, the weight of the day's events heavy on her shoulders.
Kael approached, his expression unreadable. "You should rest, Princess. Tomorrow will be even more dangerous."
"I can't rest," Lian replied, her voice soft but firm. "Not when the enemy could be anywhere. Not when someone might be betraying us."
Kael crouched beside her, his dark eyes studying her intently. "You're stronger than they think. Stronger than even you realize. But strength alone won't win this war. You need allies you can trust."
Lian met his gaze, searching for any hint of deception. "And can I trust you, Kael? Truly?"
A shadow passed over his face, and for a moment, he looked almost vulnerable. "Trust is a rare thing in times like these. But for now, our goals align. That's all I can offer."
It wasn't the reassurance Lian wanted, but it was enough—for now.
---
The Road Ahead
The following morning, the group resumed their journey, the tension between them unspoken but palpable. The Jin Kingdom was still several days away, and the road would only grow more perilous.
As they descended into the lowlands, the terrain began to shift, the jagged cliffs giving way to dense forests. The change in scenery brought no comfort, though. The trees seemed to press in around them, their shadows long and menacing.
Lian couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig set her on edge.
"We're close," Kael said quietly, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "The Jin Kingdom's border is just beyond this forest."
Lian nodded, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. The end of their journey was in sight, but she knew better than to believe it would be easy.
The enemy was still out there, lurking in the shadows. And as they moved deeper into the forest, Lian realized that the real battle was only just beginning.