The sleds lined up on the snow as their group stared at the white tent in the distance. The giant structure blended in with the snow, a blinding sight as it loomed against the backdrop of the setting sun.

The dogs barked as they were released to drink. Gear was jostled around as the miners dismounted from their sleds.

Derek and the other parents gathered their picks and headed into the tent. Finn led the way. It was a solemn and quiet walk as they made their way in. Hope and fear clashed in their hearts. Their hands clenched their tools tight.

As they approached, they heard screams and pants coming from inside the tent. Finn and Derek shared an uneasy look. No one was supposed to be here. What could that possibly be?

A high-pitched scream was all it took for the group to burst through the tent.

With their picks in the air, the miners glared ferociously, ready to tear up the one who would dare stand in between them and their children. Their enemy would finally get a taste of their resentment and hate.

The children quieted and stared.

Turns out, the owner of the scream was no enemy at all.

Ria was barely fazed as she glared right back at them, hair frazzled with sweat dripping down the side of her face. “Do you guys mind? Kinda busy!”

She focused back on her task.

Finn and the others stared at the crowbar in the girl’s hand. Unbeknownst to them, a confused Blaze had reluctantly handed it to the girl, warning her that if the tool was used to off herself, their deal was off.

Ria brushed the loose strands of hair out of her face. “Are you guys seriously just gonna stand there and watch me do this myself?” She wrenched the crowbar in between the metal bar and heaved.

Chastised, the group hurried forward. With the might of ten grown adults, the metal bars gave easily and the doors were bent open. The children eagerly crawled out. They surged forward, shoving one another out of the way. Every one of them was desperate to be free of their prison.

“Mom!” a child called out.

The mother gasps and pulls her kid into her grasp, sobbing into their hair. That first cry stirred the others into motion as the sound of reconciled voices filled the air.

What had long been a prison of death and silence was suddenly filled with laughter and tears.

The reunited parents sobbed as they hugged their child. The ones that weren’t looked desperately through the crowd.

Ria sighed. A hand landed on her shoulder. The girl glanced up, staring at a grinning Finn.

The boy crossed his arms and taunted, “Surprised you made it, Your Highness.”

Ria rolled her eyes. “Figures you would be late.”

“Hey!” protested the boy. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Ria laughed. She patted his shoulder, “You did good, Finn. I’m… thanks for coming.”

Finn flushed and looked away. He grumbled, “Derek wouldn’t let me run away. Trust me, the old man is stubborn as a rock, nothing I could do to convince-”

“Finn! You lazy brat, come help with the sleds.” One of the women waved from the tent flap. “Oh, hi Four.”

“…Hi,” greeted Ria awkwardly. She glanced at Finn.

“Greta,” whispered the boy.

“Greta!” parroted Ria.

The woman beamed at the acknowledgment. She looked around, elbowing her fellow Port-Dogs. “Four knows my name! Guys, Four knows my name!”

“Lucky bastard!”

“Four, mine’s Edgar!” waved a young man with a chipped tooth.

“Wait, what? I always thought you were a Paul?”

“I’m Lola the Butcher… or former butcher hah!” The woman snort-laughed, a beautiful sound of carefree joy. “Although, I’m not really a miner either, am I? Hah!”

Ria hid a laugh behind her hand at the eager offering of names between the miners.

There was no place for names in the mines where every day was a struggle for survival. But Ria suddenly felt that something as simple as a name was incredibly precious. Sure, it didn’t change a person or hold any monetary value but… it gave a person an identity. It made a nobody… a somebody.

Staring at them, Ria wondered. Would the guards have still starved and beaten them if they knew the ones they were harming weren’t filthy Port-Dogs, but Lola the former butcher, Edgar whose tooth chipped in a bet, and Greta who waved like the world would end if she didn’t? Ria didn’t know the answer to that, but part of her held on to hope in human decency.

A warm feeling grew in the girl’s chest as she watched the different interactions. It was the liveliest she had ever seen the miners. And she had been stuck with them for Admin knows how long!

Finn shot Ria a look as if to say, “See what I have to deal with?” He clapped her shoulder twice and whispered, “You might want to say bye before we leave.”

Before she could dwell on Finn’s words, Ria was startled as two small hands grabbed onto her.

The girl glanced down. Teary brown eyes looked back up at her.

“Thank you,” blubbered the boy. “Thank you for coming back, Four.”

Ria lowered herself to his height. She gently patted the boy’s back. “I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner, Bran. Thank you for hanging in there.”

Bran rubbed his eyes and nodded. Ria suddenly realized how young he was. How young all of them were.

“Darcy? Jacob! Where are you brats? Brandon!”

Bran slowly looked up. His eyes widened in recognition. “Mr. Jerrel!”

The man froze, his eyes widened as they met the boy’s. Meanwhile, Bran kept rubbing his eyes as if the boy couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

Jerrel waved a hand in the air and hurried as fast he could toward the boy. “Brandon!”

“Mr. Jerrel?” questioned Ria.

Bran smiled slowly, the stunned look still present on his small face. “Mr. Jerrel used to run a school in Oceanport. It was the best thing in the world.” He paused, “When the ministers shut it down, he let those of us that didn’t have homes stay in the school. I heard when we went missing, Mr. Jerrel closed the school to search for us.”

The man hobbled over. He grabbed Bran’s face. “Let me take a look at you. Dear Admin, it really is you. Brandon.” The gruff man looked a bit teary-eyed. He looked around desperately. “Did you see the others? Where are they?”

Bran shook his head. “I think I’m the only one left, sir… even Jacob, he-” The little boy wiped his eyes. “What happened to your leg, sir?”

“Nothing for you to worry about,” Jerrel sighed. “Niamh. I’m so glad to see you.”

The boy smiled cheekily. “Never thought you’d see the day, right?”

The old man clunked the kid on the head but still kept a tight arm wrapped around the boy’s shoulder. Bran began to chatter his head off to Mr. Jerrel, trying to recount all that had happened in the last years to the man as fast as he could.

Suddenly, Bran stopped. He broke out of Mr. Jerrel’s hold and ran to Ria. Tugging something out of his pocket, he placed it gently into Four’s hand. “I’m returning this to you now… my queen.”

“Come, Brandon!” Jerrel called. “I shall show you our sled. Have you ever seen a wolf-dog, my boy?”

“Coming! Wait, a wolf-dog? What’s that?” asked the boy, eyes lighting up in excitement. He ran until he was by the man’s side and tightly grabbed the offered hand.

Ria couldn’t decide if they made for a happy or sad image as the two walked to the entrance. The last two survivors. Seeing the smiles that even the years of sorrow hadn’t been able to take away, Ria decided that some things were beyond the capability of words to describe.

A thought struck her. She looked around. Where was Derek?

Her eyes scanned the slowly emptying tent.

“You might want to say bye before we leave.”

Ria’s eyes widened. She glanced at the handkerchief Bran had returned to her. The girl stumbled through the slowly emptying tent, going against the current of people as she headed for the back.

It wasn’t long before Ria found herself in front of the Ocean. In front of Daisy.

She kneeled in the snow and closed her eyes. I’m sorry I couldn’t do more, Daisy. Her fingers clutched the bottom of the hill which was now covered in snow. The ice was cold and made her hands numb.

The girl dug through her pockets. She pulled out two Hawaiian rolls and placed them in front of the Ocean. Daisy had never eaten them before, but Ria just knew the little girl would have loved the sweet bread.

“I should have brought something more. I was thinking of some cut little buns shaped like rabbits from my world, but I got a bit caught up in everything.” Ria sniffed, “I hope you’ll forgive me.”

The girl sighed, “To be honest, I don’t really know what I’m doing… “The girl looked up, hands clenching in determination. “But you were the first one to believe in me when I didn’t even believe in myself. So, I won’t give up. I can’t.”

She exhaled shakily, nails digging into her knees. “I’ve decided that I’m not going to be a nobody anymore. I’m gonna become… someone. I don’t know who yet, but I hope she’ll be worthy of your faith in her.” Ria took out the handkerchief and placed it in the snow, next to the two buns.

“Goodbye, Daisy. Until we meet again,” she murmured.

Wiping her face, the girl pressed her hands against her knees, ready to get up. A sudden gust of wind blew through the area. The handkerchief flew up into the air. Ria gasped. She reached out to grab it before the cloth could fly away. As soon as her hand touched the fabric, the wind died down.

"She wanted to make sure if anything happened to her, you would always remember her.”

Ria let out a startled laugh. Could it be… Ria let out a small smile.

She glanced up at the snowy sky as the sunset painted it red and orange. “I’m sorry. I’ll keep it with me, okay?” Her eyes shined. “I’ll never forget you, promise.”

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

No one responded but Ria thought she could hear a childish laugh in the far distance. The girl tore her eyes away, tears stinging as a laugh bubbled out of her. The two buns hadn’t moved one bit.

Ria glanced at the slouched figure standing a good distance away. Derek.

The man stared into the snow, staring at something only he could see. He didn’t even look up at Ria’s approach. The girl wasn’t sure what to say… But Derek did.

“I was a rotten father in Oceanport, and I was a fool to think I’d suddenly become a better one here. As a slave, hah!” said the man. The girl had never heard the other sound so vulnerable before. His words oozed with self-loathing.

“Derek,” started Ria. “You tried your best-”

“And it wasn’t enough,” he snapped. Derek sniffed, “It will never be enough.”

The wind howled. With the pile of snow and ash in front of them, a heavy silence bore down on them.

“Part of me doesn’t want to leave here,” admitted Derek. “I don’t know if he’ll forgive me if I leave him behind again.”

Ria thought of Daisy. Would that be how the little girl would think of her? Would she see the escape as abandonment?

“Maybe,” murmured the girl, “Or maybe he wouldn’t forgive you for staying in a place that has only been cruel to him. To both of you.”

Derek’s brows furrowed.

“Wasn’t Oceanport a place where he laughed and got to play in the sun?” Ria looked earnestly at the Ocean, unable to look away from it. She clenched the handkerchief. “If he’s truly watching you… then don’t you think he’d want to see his home again?”

Derek stared at the girl, hair whipping in the wind. Her young face held an indiscernible expression. Finally, the man looked away.

He sank to his knees.

Ria stared as the man bowed his head to the ground. Once. Twice. And finally, he did it a third time, keeping his head lowered.

The girl didn’t know how much time passed with the man frozen in his final salute before he finally rose to his feet.

“Promise me, Ria,” said Derek, his voice gravely and thick. “Promise me, we’ll avenge them. Make a world they deserve.”

The girl nodded solemnly. Ria had no idea what the future had in store. But at that moment, she felt powerful for the first time in her life. A surge of determination surged through her. She may not be the queen Oceanport deserved, but she was the one it got.

Ria took out the Sacred Piece and stared at it for a moment. She had wrapped it in a small satchel Blaze loaned her.

The girl leaned down and swooped a handful of ash and snow into her hand, letting it fall between her fingers. She watched as it fell into the satchel. Ria repeated the process until the mini satchel was round with ash. She tightened the string, knotting it delicately.

The queen straightened.

“Let’s bring them home, Derek.” She held a hand out.

There was a pause.

A hand reached back and gripped hers tight. “Yes, Your Highness.”

—

Muscular arms drew the bow string back. A soft breath released and the arrow soared into the air. It buried itself into the target.

“Fabulous, my lady,” commented the page. The boy handed another arrow to Eres.

The queen huffed a laugh. “You are too easily impressed, boy.”

The boy who was no older than eight flushed but smiled brightly.

“It seems you already have the makings of a great mother, my queen,” said a soft voice.

Varae, the giant wolf, who had been digging in the snow looked up and barked happily. Eres lowered her bow and turned.

A pregnant woman in a light green dress approached, assisted on both sides by attendants. Eres handed the bow to the page. “What are you doing out in this weather? You should be resting.”

Varae padded over and nosed the belly softly.

Sefa sighed. She placed a hand on the great beast’s snout before resting it back on her belly. “I wish I could, but the little one takes after her father. Always wanting to be on the move.” Her smile faltered at the mention of her passed husband.

“Stefan’s boldness was something I always admired,” said Eres. She placed a hand on Sefa’s shoulder. “I’m sure it will be something we cherish in this little one as well.” The queen smirked, “After all, she is to be the pawn of the great Citadel.”

Sefa covered her snort daintily. “I can already tell the pawn will be spoiled rotten.”

The two women walked together. Their respective cloaks dragged in the snow. Varae watched as they went. The wolf chuffed once before continuing its digging.

Sefa laughed at the puppy-like manner of the fearsome beast. Eres, in turn, rolled her eyes.

The other woman raised a concerned brown at the dark circles under her friend’s eyes. “And you? Have you been taking care of yourself, Eres?”

The queen remained silent.

“The burden is heavy, isn’t it?” Sefa pursed her lips. “Kira?”

Eres’ head snapped to face Sefa, lips downturned in disapproval. But Sefa remained unfazed. “Fiona told me about the miners.”

The queen glanced behind them. All of the attendants, including the page boy stood a respectful distance from the two, giving them their privacy.

Eres sighed, “Do you believe it to be cruel of me?”

The sun was setting in the distance, its golden rays disappearing under the mountains. The Extermination should be halfway done by now, if not already completed.

A hand landed on Eres’. The queen stared down at it.

Sefa’s eyes were solemn. “Sometimes we have to be selfish to survive.” Her eyes hardened. “It is something I learned after Stefan…”

She sighed, shaking her head. “My friend, this world is cruel, if it is not them then the ones dying will be us”

The woman let her hand drop back to its place on her rounded stomach. “Let us make the sacrifices so that the young will live in a better world than we did.”

“A better world,” repeated the queen.

Eres stared at the sunset once more. The sight was breathtaking as the light reflected off the snow. It was proof that the end of something could be beautiful too.

“Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one that sees it, Sefa. They don’t know it yet, but the future of the Citadel,” Eres let out a breathless laugh. “It’s going to be glorious.”

Sefa said nothing but grasped Eres’ hand, squeezing it once to show she understood.

An attendant suddenly burst in. They landed on their knees in front of Eres. “Your Highness, a letter from the Temple.” They paused, “And a message from the elite guard.”

Eres let out a long breath. “Let us head in, Sefa. No harm in watching the sunset from the safety of the indoors.”

Sefa nodded in agreement.

The two women headed for the castle.

—

“Niamh!” Finn scratched his head.

Ria stared at the fallen trees and boulders blocking their path. She glanced at the side of the cliff. A hundred-foot steep drop stared back. Yeah… going around wasn’t an option. They also didn’t have the climbing gear to go up the mountainside.

With only one road leading towards it, the West Gate was the least inaccessible of the three gates. It was why it was the least guarded. But now, the road ahead was blocked. Even if they left the wolf-dogs behind, it would be impossible to climb over and they didn’t have time to try and hack away at the blockage, much less move it.

Ria wanted to scream in frustration. How was she supposed to know an avalanche would occur in the last pass? It was almost cruel how everything from the Sick Area to now had gone without issue. Was fate laughing at them?

Although they spoke in low voices, the miners began to panic.

“What do we do now?”

“We’ll freeze to death out here!”

“The guards will catch us! They’ll catch us!”

It was hard to believe that these were the same people that had been ready to just roll over and die a mere day ago. Hope was a heady drug.

The dogs barked, uneasy with the halt of pace and the stench of stress from the humans.

Ria glanced at Finn who shook his head. When she looked at Derek, the older man sighed and looked away.

The girl was at a total loss. They had come so far… and more than that, every eye was looking to her to solve the problem! “I don’t know!” she wanted to scream. “I’ve been bluffing this whole time” she wanted to admit. But she couldn’t.

Ria didn’t think she could breathe, her air coming in shorter and shorter puffs as dozens of eyes bore into her. She was way in over her head!

Some of the miners at the front shuffled forward.

“Four, what do we do now?”

“How do we get to the gate?”

Bran’s voice tried to reassure everyone. “Don’t worry, Four will have a plan!” But the words only served to stress the girl out even more.

Ria swallowed, “Uhm, well…” Her knuckles were white as she gripped the handle of her sled. Even the dogs were looking at her for direction!

Finn got off his sled. “Your Highness? You good? You’re not looking so-”

A low horn sounded in the distance.

The miners’ eyes widened. “It’s the Elite Guards! They’ve caught up to us!”

If the group was in a panic before, they were in total hysteria now.

Ria wanted to scream. Of course, the Elite Guards chose now of all times to catch up! Her eyes searched around frantically. Maybe-

“What about that tunnel?” asked a scratchy voice.

Ria’s brows furrowed. She turned to stare at the owner of the familiar voice. Her eyes widened. It was Old Luce, the crazy guy! His milky white eyes glinted.

That’s right, thought Ria. The man had also been caught by the Recruiters, but…

“Where the Niamh did you come from?” wondered Finn.

Old Luce shrugged, not acknowledging the fact that he had either done a fabulous job blending in with the crowd or was just that forgettable.

Finn scratched his head. It was true, the crazy old man messed with him a lot at the beginning of their term at the mines, but he had subtly disappeared. Finn had been slightly worried, secretly wondering if the man had accidentally wandered off and died. Great to see that that wasn’t the case.

Ria’s eyes narrowed, but it wasn’t the time or place to get the details. Her eyes moved to the tunnel Old Luce was pointing at. Although it was covered by some hanging vines and tucked away from view, Ria knew that the tunnel had most definitely not been there before! She had looked around at least a couple hundred times since they arrived.

The other miners murmured their doubts. How could a tunnel suddenly appear out of thin air? And right in front of them? Many of them rubbed their eyes in disbelief. Maybe it was there, and they had all just glanced over it?

“How do we know it’s safe?” asked Ria. It all felt too weird.

Old Luce shrugged. A dazed look returned to his eyes as he shuffled back into the group. Pointing out the mysterious tunnel was his contribution for the day.

Ria bit her lips.

Another horn sounded in the air. Ria gritted her teeth. It was like those stupid guards were taunting them!

“It’s your call, Four. We’ll follow your lead,” said Derek calmly.

No one objected to the statement.

The girl wanted to dive off the cliffside. Kinda. She sighed. Group projects made her exhausted, and now the universe decided it was a good idea to put the lives of so many in her hands?

Oh well. Blame the universe. Or Admin. Whatever. Ria sighed again.

“Not like there’s much of a choice,” she muttered. Without another word, Four picked up the reins to the sled and urged the wolf-dogs onwards. Her small pack yipped excitedly and burst forward into the darkness of the tunnel.

God, Ria thought, I hope that looked cool. Soon enough, she was submerged in the darkness of the cave. She shivered at the chill.

Could dogs see in the dark? The “mighty” Four paused. Maybe she should have thought this out a little bit more.

“I thought we were done with caves!” Finn loudly complained behind her.

—

THUD!

The table rattled as Eres’ fist pounded against it. Her flashing eyes sought out the trembling attendant. “How could this be?”

“I’m afraid I, I don’t know the contents, of the, the letter,” squeaked the man. He quickly added on, “Your Highness.”

Eres scowled.

The doors opened as Fiona entered the room. “I heard the news. Disappearing miners, who could have guessed, dear sister?”

“We ride out now,” demanded Eres. She turned her fiery eyes to the attendant. “Tell Nikolai that I will meet him at the Gates.” The queen turned to Fiona. “Bishop, ride with me.” Her scowl deepened. “I will deal with those miners myself if I have to.”

Fiona shook her head. “I’m afraid we can’t, my queen. The Temple has sent some scribes-”

“Then, you stay behind and deal with them,” snapped Eres, reaching for the door.

“Sister!” protested Fiona, eyes wide. “Now, is not the time to be brash, the Elite Guards will locate the miners. There is no need for you to go! Do not be blinded by your pride!”

“I ride not for myself, Bishop,” Eres’ blazing eyes turned on her sister. “I ride for the future of my kingdom. Ready my horses at once!”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Eres stormed out.

Fiona shook her head. A feeling of unease settled around her. Why were things suddenly falling apart?

—

The group stared at the mighty vision of the West Gate. Made of black stone, it stood out amongst the snow, its mighty height towered over them like a beacon of hope.

“Old Luce, you doggone genius,” praised Finn.

Ria shared the sentiment. The tunnel had actually worked!

Their sleds came to a halt as they approached the mighty gates. Freedom was so close. Ria glanced at Finn who stood beside her. After everything, it almost felt too easy. Derek stood behind them, a silent pillar of assurance.

Their group shuffled towards the gates. Two guards stood at the bottom while the lever to open the twenty-foot-tall metal gate was located at the top of the wall.

The guards eyed their large group weirdly. “Identification?”

Ria tried for a smile. She nudged Finn, who dutifully held up Marge’s badge.

She cleared her throat. “We’re escorting these traders to their destination, so if you could just open the gates, we’ll happily be on our way.”

The guards looked at one another, as well as the carts of wares being pulled in the sleds. “Traders? Why are you guys so far out? Aren’t you supposed to use the North or South Gates?”

“Well, obviously they’re here for the Port,” said Finn. “Doesn’t make sense to go out the North Gate and have to circle back, does it?”

“They’re traveling by river in the winter?” asked the weary guard. The second guard watched the whole interaction, silently judging.

Ria shrugged, “Fellas came to try and trade for Dust but just couldn’t afford it. Should’ve brought more goods. Bad planning on their part, if you know what I mean.” She shrugged again. “I mean, if you don’t believe how desperate they are, I heard they’re traveling to Oceanport next! Trying their luck with those Port-Dogs, hah,” explained Ria, making it all up on the spot. “As if those idiots will…”

As the girl rambled, Finn pressed some coins into both guards’ hands. Their eyebrows rose but they said nothing.

“She’ll just keep going if you don’t stop her,” he whispered.

Meanwhile, Ria was waving her hands in the air. “Honestly, I’m no business person, but with the state of the economy as it is-”

“All right, that’s enough,” said the first guard, cutting Ria off. “You got the identification, so you might as well pass through before you talk my ear off.” As if to emphasize his point, he rubbed his ears.

“Sure thing,” said the girl. Thank the heavens for improv classes, she thought.

Ria turned to the others, waving them forward. Their party headed for the gates. The guards waved up at the men at the top of the wall to operate the levers.

Ria gaped as the gate began to lift, raising itself higher and higher. To think they were able to do this without the help of modern engineering…

“Hold it right there!”

Another two guards emerged from an office within the wall and came to join the two guards outside. One of them wore a different color uniform and approached with a cocky stride. Ria cursed mentally. It seemed to be a higher supervising officer. When the two original guards saluted, Ria’s uneasy fears were confirmed.

“Traders, you say? Seems more like traitors,” the officer smirked like he had just won the world's cleverest blockhead award.

Finn groaned and Ria rolled her eyes. Their actions were ignored.

The officer squinted at them. “Now, explain to me just how exactly did you get clearance if this area has been sanctioned off for the Extermination?” They smiled cruelly. “Care to explain… Port-Dogs?”