Lady Zelda darted through the bustling marketplace, her heart pounding in her chest. The towering, armored guards of Lord Joel's army were hot on her heels, their boots thudding heavily on the cobblestone pathways. She could hear their gruff voices shouting after her, barking out orders.
The guards' voices rang out, echoing through the busy market like a warning.
"Stop her!"
The words cut through the chaos of the marketplace, sharp and commanding, as Lord Joel's soldiers pushed past vendors and shoppers to give chase.
In desperation, Lady Zelda stretched out her hands, channeling her magic. With a flick of her wrists, she sent nearby carts and goods toppling onto the road, creating a makeshift barricade that blocked off the pursuing guards.
As the carts and goods crashed down, creating a tangled mess of wooden boxes and stray produce, Lady Zelda took advantage of the distraction. She weaved through the confusion, slipping quickly into a narrow alleyway, eager to put some distance between herself and her pursuers.
Footsteps echoed through the passageway as the guards, slowed but not deterred, followed after her. They pushed through the tangled rubble, determined to bring back their fugitive.
Lady Zelda darted down a dead-end alleyway, only to find herself trapped. The high walls around her were too tall to scale, and the narrow space offered nowhere to hide. She pressed her back against the wall, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath.
The sounds of the guards grew louder as they drew closer, their heavy footfalls resonating through the alleyway. Lord Joel's soldiers would be upon her in mere moments.
One of the towering guards confronted her with a stern voice.
"Yield, Lady Zelda."
His armored form stood before her like a towering monolith, blocking her escape path. Behind him, the other soldiers formed a semi-circle, their weapons drawn, their faces stern and emotionless.
Lady Zelda swallowed hard, her mind racing for a way out of this predicament.
Lady Zelda tried to draw upon her magic once more, hoping to incapacitate the guards or at least fend them off.
But to her horror, her magic didn't respond. Her powers, usually so reliable, seemed to have abandoned her in her hour of need. She glanced from one guard to the next, panic beginning to rise in her chest.
Why now of all times... she thought to herself.
One of the guards smirked, speaking with a hint of mockery in his voice.
"We're wearing protection spells, my lady."
Lady Zelda felt a sudden surge of realization. That explained why her magic had failed her. As her hands were bound with magic restraints, her powers were now completely neutralized.
With a sense of dread, she was forced to her knees, unable to resist as the guards dragged her towards the town square.
The onlookers gathered around, their faces a mix of confusion and shock as Lady Zelda was dragged through the town square. Murmurs and whispers filled the air, curiosity turning into speculation.
"What has our council woman done?"
"Why is she being arrested like this?"
The crowd's curiosity grew with each passing moment, their eyes fixed on the spectacle before them. What could Lady Zelda have done to warrant such drastic measures?
In the center of the crowded town square, Lord Joel sat on a platform, his face twisted into a sinister smile as he watched Lady Zelda being dragged before him. The villagers surrounding the platform murmured, their whispers growing louder as they took in the sight of their councilwoman bound and brought to justice.
Lord Joel's beady eyes fixed on her, his lips curling into a cold grin.
Lady Zelda's heart pounded as she was forced onto the stake, its rough wood rubbing against her wrists and ankles as ropes were tied tightly, binding her in place.
The crowd around her fell silent, all eyes fixed on her as she stood bound to the stake, vulnerable and defenseless.
Lord Joel stepped closer, his words dripping with cruelty.
"Any final words, Zelda?" he taunted, his eyes locking onto hers.
Lady Zelda bit her lip, refusing to show any sign of fear, no matter how terrified she truly felt. She met his gaze with defiance, her face stoic even as she was bound to the stake.
Lady Zelda's face twisted into a look of fierce determination. Despite her vulnerable state, she found the strength to spit at Lord Joel's face defiantly.
Her voice, firm and unwavering, cut through the quiet air as she spoke.
"You'll meet your end, Joel," she warned, her voice echoing through the silent crowd. "One way or another, you will."
Lord Joel's face contorted with anger, a twisted smile playing at his lips. "Light her up," he commanded, his voice loud and clear.
Two royal mages stepped forward, fire crackling in their palms as they channeled their magic.
With a flick of their wrists, they launched fireballs at the stake where Lady Zelda was bound.
The dry wood caught flame quickly, sending plumes of thick, dark smoke churning into the air.
Tor, overcome with emotion, pushed through the crowd and ran towards the burning stake. Rachel followed close behind him, tears streaming down her face as she saw the flames licking at Lady Zelda's form.
"Mother! Please!" Tor cried out, his voice cracking with desperation.
"Please, put out the fire!" Tor pleaded, his voice trembling with despair. He dropped to his knees before the blazing stake, tears streaming down his face. "Don't do this, please! She's innocent!"
As the flames grew more and more intense, Lady Zelda's screams of agony pierced the air. The fire reached her face, the heat and smoke seeping into her lungs. The smell of burning flesh and hair filled the air.
Tor continued to beg, his voice hoarse from grief. "Please, stop this! Have mercy!"
Lady Zelda, through her ragged breaths, managed to look down at Tor. A weak smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she spoke in a hoarse, strained voice.
"Be happy, my son," she croaked, her words thick with agony yet brimming with love.
The flames danced higher, enveloping Lady Zelda in a writhing mass of fire. The air was filled with the sound of crackling wood and sizzling flesh as the blaze devoured her.
Tor watched in horror, tears streaming down his face, his heart shattered.
His mother was gone.
And in that moment, Lady Zelda died.