Only a faint, flickering light crept into her cell as Iliana awoke to the cold metal around her wrists.

Where was she?

Rising from the simple, cloth-draped board, she looked around.

Cold stone met her bare feet as she placed them down, and her chains tightened as she stepped.

Iliana tugged on her bindings but only the flesh of her wrists tore against the rough metal.

“Awake?” Asked a strange, yet familiar voice.

Iliana turned to the bars at the far end of the cell. The light was dim and she couldn’t make out the features of the figure, but she didn’t have to. He was bulky, with misshaped shoulders, hunchbacked and balding, bow-legged, and tilted to one side.

“What are you doing here?” Iliana sneered.

“Why, looking after you, of course.”

“Why?!”

“You know The Mother, she wouldn’t want you damaged. You’re far too entertaining to allow that to happen. Besides, the big reunion has yet to happen.”

“Fuck you, Jackel,” Iliana screamed and darted forward but was thrown back by her restraints.

“Please, remain calm, girl.”

“What… what you did to my sister... you'll suffer” Iliana seethed between labored breaths.

“Oh, but there's a surprise. Is she dead or alive, you'll just have to find out."

"She's alive?" Iliana's eyes widened. "Tell me, Jackel!" She pulled against the chains.

"The Mother would have me hung for ruining her fun. You’ll have to wait for the big reveal. It’s going to be a blast, really.”

“I’m going to peel your skin from your body, Jackel. Then break each of your fing-”

“Save your breath, my dear girl. The Mother wishes to see you healthy again.”

“STOP PLAYING WITH ME!”

“Oh, the games have only just begun,” Jackel began to chuckle slowly as he melted away into the shadows.

She hadn’t heard from The Mother or her vermin in years, not since she crossed the Clain after escaping her. Why now? And could her sister really be alive? She had watched her die. And it had been real, no one, not even that woman could have faked her death in front of her eyes. But her means were almost above comprehension. Could she have brought her sister back, or was something else at play?

Damn it!

Iliana hated being made a pawn in that woman’s sick games. But as usual, she knew exactly how to sucker her in. Even if the chance was small, she couldn’t ignore the possibility that her sister was alive.

She would have to chase them down, but that was exactly what that witch wanted. She wanted Iliana angry. This was all just a game to her.

“This time, I’ll have your head. I swear it,” she mumbled under her breath.

A second later, metal clicked and her cuffs loosened. Iliana rubbed her reddened wrists a moment, then made her way across the cell. The moment she reached the bars, another click sounded and the door swung open.

Outside, a small table stood with her bow and belongings sprawled across it. Within moments, Iliana had dressed herself and held her bow at the ready with an arrow notched.

If that bastard Jackel was dumb enough to be hanging around this place, he was getting an arrow through the eyes.

However, the dark, narrow corridors were completely empty as Iliana carefully trudged through them.

Candles flickered across the occasional bench or stand, and even the odd plate still covered with half-eaten food lay atop the furniture, but there wasn’t a soul in sight.

It was another of her tricks, Iliana knew. This place, like hundreds of others was used for little more than entertainment. Her slaves no doubt once operated it as a prison. Perhaps for others, maybe many, or maybe just to play games with her. Their time wasn’t important to The Mother.

Bluish light crept through windows as she climbed a narrow staircase, and moments later Iliana found herself stepping out and into a small yard.

From the outside, it appeared as nothing more than a rather modest home surrounded by gardens. And likely it had been. She had probably commanded her slaves to build a dungeon beneath the simple house, such extravagant acts were not out of character for her.

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Iliana shook her head and her hands trembled. She wanted to shoot something. Anything to release some anger at the thought of being dragged back into that horrid witch's games.

Panting, she placed a hand over her chest and listened to her heart race as she attempted to slow it.

She wouldn’t be here, nor would her slaves. This had been planned long ago and there was no point in getting riled up now.

“Calm,” Iliana breathed. “Don’t let her get to you. This is exactly what she wants.”

Then she noticed it, an envelope hanging from a post a few meters away.

She didn’t want to see it, she wanted to run past it and pretend this was all a bad dream. Just keep running for as long as she could and ignored that witch's existence altogether, but she couldn’t.

Her heart fluttered and she closed her eyes as she ran a finger along the envelope. Opening the letter, she found several pages within and unfolded them with a deep breath as she opened her eyes.

Immediately, she froze and her eyes widened. It was her writing, there was no mistaking it.

“Dear sister,

I hope this letter reaches you well, as It has been too long.

I miss your smile, your smell, and your touch.

In seven days I shall be at, Mont On’Mor in the Lards Valley, it would be so marvelous to see you there.

Yours truly, Annabey."

“Damn her,” Iliana stuttered as tears ran down her face. It wasn’t fair. To use her sister like this, to play games with her. Dropping to her knees, she released a whaling sob. Emotions that had been stored deep for years all erupted in a sudden outburst.

Tightening her grip around her bow, Iliana brought it up and began flinging arrows at anything she could see, smashing windows and puncturing walls. Once her quiver was empty, she just stood a moment, panting.

Lards Valley, where had she heard that name? Iliana searched her memory. She had seen it on a map of Ome. It was within the interior, circled by high mountains and usually only accessible by nobles or the rich, but of course, The Mother had an answer, and the envelope came with a stamped letter of entry; as she unfolded it, another note slid free.

“P.S. wear something appropriate. The guards likely will not allow you entry, even with the stamped letter if you do not look like you belong. A dress, preferably.”

She had even included a banknote, signed and registered for the withdrawal of several hundred silvers. Iliana wanted to tear it up and storm off, but instead, she folded it into one of her pockets.

Only a single path led from the country house, and within an hour of following it, Iliana had found herself on the main road to Ome. But she wasn’t alone, the road was filled with wagons and swarms of disheveled people, many looking as if they had fled their homes in the night and not looked back.

Beside her, a small, rickety wagon jostled against the uneven road, with a stout, mustached man sitting at its helm, guiding the reins of the single horse pulling it.

“Excuse me,” she asked, turning to the man. “Do you know why so many people are on the road to Ome?”

“Huh?” The man turned his head and raised a brow. “Road to Ome? Where else would they be going?”

“I don’t remember this road being so crowded, is all.”

The man eyed Iliana suspiciously. “Where have you been the last few days, young miss? You do know scars have opened up across the kingdom, do you not? People flee to Ome in the hope that its high walls will keep them safe.”

Iliana nodded, remembering the chaotic scene during the hunt. Could that have spread all the way to Ome? She couldn’t imagine it, but then again, she had never seen nor heard of anything remotely similar to what they had experienced. Could The Mother be related to it as well?

No, Iliana shook her head. She would likely be enjoying the spectacle, but she doubted anything so grandiose would be the work of the mother. She simply didn’t care enough to put such plans into motion, and her slaves would not be capable of such feats on their own.

“Something wrong, young miss?”

“No, everything is fine,” Iliana nodded.

“You’re not an adventurer, by any chance?” The man asked, eyeing Iliana’s bow.

“I am.”

“Sir Gryland, Knight Captain of the Silver Battalion has an open invitation for adventurers if you’re interested. They’re looking for all the help they can get.”

Iliana nodded coyly. “I’ve important plans, unfortunately.” She offered a short bow to the man. “Thank you for answering my questions. But I must be off." She skipped a step as she created distance between herself and the wagon before the man could reply.

She didn’t need people remembering her face. Not that she expected trouble from the old man, but once she reached Ome, she would be reinventing herself. An adventurer without a name nor royal decree had no place within the Lards Valley, and she couldn’t fail now.

The cobbled road passed farmsteads and tiny hamlets that mostly consisted of an Inn for travelers and a few homes huddled around them. New to the road were the makeshift checkpoints, where knights and militia stood glaring over the procession of refugees. But they weren’t stopped, at least not most people and Iliana was able to walk by uninterrupted, though she did pull her cowl over her head. Chimeras weren’t entirely unheard of in Ome, but they weren’t common either, and Iliana didn’t like the thought of taking unnecessary chances during such troubled times.

Soon, the towering gray walls of Ome lined the horizon. Several times the size of Caedstad, they seemed to zigzag as far as she could see, though they paled compared to Saner. The arched gateway that led into the city was as tall as the great Gate of Caedstad, with the archway dozens of meters above her head. Inside buildings ranged from three to five stories in height, and were huddled into tight lanes, with busy streets.

“Ahem,” an armored guard coughed as she marched into the streets, redirecting Iliana’s attention. “Stated purpose?”

Iliana tilted her head. This was new. “For entry to the city?”

“What else, darling?”

“What about them?” She questioned, pointing out several others who entered the city without question.

“I’m not asking them. I’m asking you. Now, let me repeat. Stated purpose?”

“The Silver Battalion, I plan to sign up.” Iliana nodded with a toothy grin and pulled on her bowstring.

“Fancy yourself a hero,” the guard’s brow raised. “Your funeral. You’d make better coin working the streets if you know what I mean.” A suggestive grin creased the greasy man’s face, showing crooked teeth.

Iliana grimaced but tried to hide her disgust. “Is that all?”

“Move on!” The guard barked and his tone suddenly soured.

Not wanting to test her luck, Iliana immediately shot off into the city, disappearing down one of the nearest alleys.

It had been a while since she had been to the capital, but she knew her way around well enough. Not that she intended to stay long. She would get what she needed and head straight to the Lards Valley.

Her heartbeat quickened every time she thought of her sister and The Mother. But all she could do now was force the feelings down.