Zephyra and Nerya reached the square where the market stood, now completely deserted after the warning.

  They continued on, passing overturned stalls, goods scattered across the ground in various places.

  “Mom, what’s happening? Why are you panicking like this? And why did the alert sound five times?” Nerya asked, out of breath.

  But Zephyra did not answer her, merely motioning with her hand for Nerya to follow.

  They arrived before the great gates, where the entire village had gathered, waiting anxiously to know what was happening.

  Zephyra did not stop and slipped through the crowd, grabbing Nerya’s hand so as not to lose her.

  Along the way, Nerya saw the worried faces of the villagers, some whispering to their neighbors.

  They finally passed through a door and climbed stairs, arriving atop the ramparts that surrounded the village.

  “Eldran, what is it? Why did the alert sound like that?” Zephyra asked.

  “We don’t know yet, the scouts returned in haste, telling us they saw banners flying among the trees,” he replied, staring at the forest edge.

  As they spoke and Nerya listened closely, a horn suddenly sounded loudly from deep within the distant woods.

  All conversation below ceased at once, the villagers freezing as they stared toward the gate.

  “No one could see the sigil drawn on the banners? We know nothing, not even whether they’re coming here,” Zephyra murmured.

  “No, they saw nothing because of the density of the trees. But from what they said, they are indeed marching this way, and they are many,” Eldran explained.

  But he was cut off, movement now clearly visible among the trees.

  The passing seconds felt like an eternity, each breath becoming a precious resource.

  Nerya watched the forest edge as well, her heart racing as she imagined countless visions of what was coming.

  Then, after an endless wait, a mounted man emerged from the woods.

  Nerya remained perplexed by the sight, not understanding why a single man would come out of the forest.

  But very quickly, her expression froze.

  Across the entire length of the forest, as if it were endless, other armored men emerged.

  Perfectly ordered lines of soldiers, endlessly pouring forth as they advanced across the plain.

  Thousands of men whose marching steps made the very dust on the ground tremble, the sound of metal ringing through the air as if no other sound could exist.

  Eldran watched the scene intently, and at last saw the standards clearly.

  Banners of vivid red, emblazoned with a wolf’s head that seemed to be howling as it held a man’s head in its jaws.

  “The King’s army? What are they doing here? We haven’t received any messenger beforehand. If they’re going to war, they could at least have warned us so we could prepare,” Eldran murmured, relieved.

  “Perhaps the situation didn’t allow it. If the Kingdom’s safety is threatened, they come directly to the site,” Zephyra replied.

  “Wait for me here, I’m going to see what’s going on. Zephyra, tell the soldiers to prepare. If we have to join their ranks, they must be ready to leave as quickly as possible,” Eldran ordered.

  Zephyra nodded, while Nerya, for her part, did not understand the situation.

  “You… you’re going to leave, mom? You’re going to leave me all alone,” she asked sadly.

  Zephyra stopped attending to the soldiers who had begun to stir, turning to look at Nerya, troubled.

  “I don’t know, my dear, but don’t worry, all right. Even if we have to leave, Grydhor will be there for you while we’re gone, all right,” she replied.

  Though she tried to reassure her, Nerya felt her heart begin to race.

  The idea of seeing both her parents leave far away from her was not something she had ever imagined.

  She lifted her head and forced a smile, not wanting her mother to worry about her.

  “Go wait for me down below, all right. It’s going to turn into a mess with all this agitation. I’ll join you as soon as I’m done,” she added.

  Nerya did as she was told and went down the steps, joining the crowd that had begun to disperse upon learning that it was not a threat.

  Some grumbled that the alert had frightened everyone for nothing, creating unnecessary panic.

  “Honestly, having scouts who can’t even recognize the Kingdom’s banner. They should toughen up their selection methods, really,” muttered an elderly woman.

  “Come on, granny, imagine if it had been a real attack. You’d have been the first to complain that they didn’t sound the alert in time. The older you get, the more you contradict yourself,” replied a young man at her side.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Nerya sketched a faint smile as she heard them talking like that, partly relieved that the village was not, in the end, in danger.

  But the idea of seeing her parents leave, and not return, kept circling in her mind.

  “OPEN THE GATES,” a voice shouted distinctly.

  The sound of creaking wood followed, the two massive doors slowly opening.

  Nerya then saw her father arrive on horseback, his gaze briefly settling on her before he gave her a sincere smile.

  Then he snapped the reins and set off toward the plain, the sound of hooves quickly fading away.

  A hand rested on Nerya’s shoulder, making her jump as she turned to see Telyssia standing beside her.

  “Don’t worry, even if they have to leave, nothing will happen to them. You’ve seen the army the King has under his command, you’d have to be mad to attack this Kingdom,” she said with a smile.

  “I know, but… I’d never considered the possibility that they might leave. And if an accident happened and they didn’t come back,” Nerya replied, tears threatening under the pressure.

  “They’ll come back. You’ve seen your mother, with her temperament she’s not the type to let herself die. She scares off even monsters, she’s that frightening,” Telyssia continued.

  But she froze in place as she felt a breath at the nape of her neck, Zephyra standing behind her.

  “I’ll let you handle this, I’m not responsible this time,” Nerya whispered with a discreet laugh.

  “Scaring monsters away just with my presence? I think I let you have a bit too much freedom all that time you were coming to our home,” Zephyra murmured, her gaze firm.

  Telyssia stammered, unable to form a single word, but to her surprise Zephyra pulled her close and took her in her arms.

  “I’m counting on you to watch over Nerya during our absence if we leave. I know very well you can’t come, so make sure she doesn’t abuse the sweets Melphina gives her,” she said gently.

  “I would have preferred to accompany you, protect all our companions and family with you. But I promise, I’ll take care of Nerya while we wait for your return,” Telyssia replied.

  “I can hear you, you know. You have to stop thinking I’m still a baby, mom,” Nerya sighed.

  Zephyra released Telyssia and stepped toward Nerya, taking her in her arms despite her daughter’s protests.

  “I know, my dear, but let your mother enjoy your childhood a little longer,” she said, stroking her hair.

  Nerya rested her head against her mother’s chest, closing her eyes and savoring the moment despite grumbling at her mother.

  Then she pulled away and turned toward the gates, Zephyra and Telyssia also shifting their gaze toward the army that had flooded the plain.

  “I’d really like to know what they’re saying. The King himself speaking with Eldran, that’s not something we’ll see every day,” Telyssia said.

  Zephyra clenched her fists slightly, never taking her eyes off her husband.

  “I only hope it isn’t too serious. One does not move such an army for pleasure, the situation must be worse than we think,” Zephyra replied, tense.

  Silence then settled between them, each watching the scene and waiting for Eldran’s return to finally know.

  The entire village had resumed its course, only the soldiers continuing to bustle about in preparation.

  Some were troubled by the thought that they might leave, while others burned with impatience at the idea of going to war.

  After several minutes had passed, a neigh rang out as Eldran took the path back.

  As he drew closer, the sound of hooves striking the ground, they noticed that Eldran’s face was closed.

  He reached them and dismounted without giving them a glance.

  “CLOSE THE GATES, IMMEDIATELY,” he shouted sharply.

  “What’s going on, Eldran? Why are you rushing like this?” Zephyra asked.

  “Telyssia, come here, right now,” he said, his voice still firm.

  Telyssia hesitated for a moment, not understanding why the order was so cold.

  She stepped forward, passing beside Nerya, who watched the scene, troubled.

  “Go to our place with Nerya, prepare belongings for several days. You must leave now,” he explained.

  “My love, what’s going on? Stop ignoring me, it’s something that seriously irritates me,” Zephyra breathed.

  “The situation is more serious than expected, the village is too close to what is coming. We must put Nerya in safety as quickly as possible, that’s all,” he replied.

  “Telyssia, take Nerya and do what I said.”

  Telyssia remained shaken, still not understanding, hesitating before finally turning toward Nerya.

  She held out her hand, but Nerya did not take it.

  “No, I don’t want to. Why should I leave? And… and if something happens to you?” she said, trembling.

  “NERYA. I am not asking your opinion, you will go with Telyssia and you will do as I say. No matter what happens, all that matters is that you are safe, my daughter,” Eldran said.

  Nerya did not reply, frozen as she saw her father so firm for the first time.

  He who had never raised his voice to her, she felt as though she no longer knew her father in that precise moment.

  “Do what he tells you, my heart. I know it’s hard, but if he’s asking you to leave with Telyssia, it’s because he understands the situation better than you,” Zephyra said then.

  Nerya looked at her mother, who kept a steady expression, her gestures betraying no fear.

  Nerya stepped toward her and took her in her arms.

  “All right, mom, but promise me you’ll come back, all right. Promise me you’ll be careful,” she said, her voice shaking.

  “I promise you, go now. We don’t know how much time we have before we leave,” Zephyra whispered, holding her.

  Nerya pulled away from her and approached Eldran, her gaze averted, her movements hesitant as she saw him so cold.

  Then she hugged him as well, resting her head against him.

  “I’m sorry, dad, I didn’t mean to make you angry. I don’t want you to leave, I don’t want anything to happen to you and to end up all alone,” she babbled, trembling.

  “I’m not angry, my little one, but your safety comes before everything for us. I know it’s hard, but we are soldiers and this day could have come at any time. Go prepare your things, your mother will join you,” Eldran explained in a gentler voice.

  Nerya took a deep breath, hugged him one last time, then followed Telyssia.

  Eldran quickly called Telyssia back and, without a word, handed her a small piece of paper before telling her to go.

  Once they were far enough away, Zephyra stepped closer to Eldran, her gaze hardened.

  “All right, you’re going to explain to me what’s really going on. How serious is it for you to be this tense?” she asked.

  Eldran did not answer immediately, his gaze drifting for a moment.

  Zephyra gave him a light shove with her shoulder, snapping him out of his thoughts.

  “He… he knows,” Eldran said, trembling.