Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The views from the hills of Aelwyn were always mesmerising; a Kingdom full of colourful light and a great castle that radiated wisdom and protection from every white brick. The air had always carried the scent of pine and rain. But as I stood there in the distance, that air now tasted like ash and stagnant magic.

Every road I used to know, the buildings, even the landscapes, were utterly strange. The memories of them were brighter and more energetic than these doomed lands; they almost seemed as if the green grass and tall trees had been replaced with grey sand and long wooden skeletons.

When I finally descended the hills, I pulled the reins of my mare, slowing her to a rhythmic trot as the mist parted to reveal the jagged spires of the Fortress. It had been almost eight years since I last saw those big towers and stone walls, almost eight years since I traded the meaningless life inside this place for the cold, honest weight of a dual blade at my back.

Something about the place made my ribs vibrate with an utterly familiar sensation. But the longer I held my gaze at the walls, the weaker they appeared, and the stronger my chest would itch. The feeling was enough for me to stop looking finally.

“Steady, girl,” I whispered, patting Nyx’s neck. My companion slowed her pace until the heavy iron gate stopped our road.

The soldiers at the post reacted to our presence. Of course, they wouldn’t recognise me, even if they were the same as before. The clack of their movements uneased Nyx as they let out their swords. It was close to dusk, and no soul was out in the castle at this time of day.

“State your business,” the guard barked, tightening the grip on his weapon.

I held his gaze for a long second before reaching into my cloak. I moved my hand around the deep pocket until I found the rolled parchment. When I took it out, the golden seal with the royal emblem glowed with sparkling motes. The moment they noticed the light, they put back their words and straightened their postures.

Hesitant, the guard took the letter and inspected its value. I didn’t even let him finish reading.

“I am the protector requested by the Crown,” I said, my voice sounded foreign even for my own ears. “I’m here to see the Queen.”

The guard handed me back the parchment, and with a wave of his hand, ordered the others to open the gates. The heavy metals creaked with the weight of the pulling chains as it slowly went up. Without waiting any longer, I commanded Nyx to trot inside the grounds.

“Wait! Let us take you to Her Majesty!” The same guard shouted, trying to keep up with Nyx.

But I didn’t stop.

“It’s not necessary, I know my way.”

And Nyx paced faster, neighing.

We finally passed the grounds, and the rhythmic clatter of the hooves on the cobblestones echoed against the dense, silent night outside the castle, where not even a soul could dare to breathe. The stables were just next to the outer courtyard, where I led Nyx. I dismounted in one motion, making the weight of the blades shift against my spine.

The stable boy—looking around fifteen—stood up quickly at my arrival. He took off his hat and greeted me with respect. I noticed his frightened look and bowed my head toward him.

“Good evening, gentleman,” I whispered, leading Nyx gently by the rein. “Please, take care of her. She’s travelled a long way.”

The boy nodded, taking the rein while accepting my silver coin with his free hand.

I didn’t wait, as I began walking towards the side entrance of the castle. His soft voice echoed shyly behind my back.

“What’s her name?”

Without turning around, I smiled at his consideration. I wore the hood of my cloak as I answered.

“She’s Nyx. And she loves apples.”

I giggled internally at the sound of the boy calling Nyx to the stables, promising her a stack of green apples. I didn’t need to worry about Nyx’s accommodation, as she seemed to be in such gentle and noble hands.

I stepped on the stairs and adjusted my cloak one last time with the royal parchment still clutched in my hand. In a motion, the heavy oak doors opened, and as expected, another group of guards were already waiting in the corridor.

They followed my gaze, motioning to a guard position as I walked past them. I held the parchment in their gaze so they could see it and not ask me too many questions. But two guards crossed their halberds, blocking the path to the next room. I didn’t flinch, nor did I stop my steps. I held the parchment high at them so they could move out of my way.

“State your business,” one of them demanded, for the second time today.

I handed him the parchment, but he only glanced at it quickly before turning his gaze back to my eyes. The room was dim, lit by flickering torches, casting dancing shadows on the walls and over my face. But I could feel his eyes pierce into mine, looking for something.

And I paid deeper attention to him. He wore a bit differently from the others I’d seen so far: he had the same silver armour, but with a purple cape tucked by the shoulders, his sword was slightly bigger and apparently heavier than the rest, and on his face, unlike the others, he wore a mask that covered his upper face. I could only see a pair of green eyes sparkling with inquisitiveness, rather than scepticism, and a pair of static lips.