The castle’s hallways were grand and spacious, boasting a rich collection of portraits, landscape paintings, and majestic wooden sculptures depicting the ancient celestials. The windows were strategically placed in the outer corridors to provide an awe-inspiring view of the city and sea below. The former monarchs had insisted on illuminating all the passageways at night to ward off any lurking shadows. A fruitless endeavor.

Margaret’s eyes widened in fury as she realized what had happened. “Get her!” she screamed, pointing towards Sarai. The band of swordsmen behind her rushed forward, their swords drawn.

Another arrow pierced through a swordsman’s head. And another, and another. Sarai watched as every attacker closest to her would immediately fall limp. Her attention turned to Dimir who fought to stay awake and tried to help him to his feet.

Margaret charged towards them, wielding her sword and using another swordsman as a shield. The arrows ceased, and Margaret approached with confidence, shoving the swordsman aside and raising her sword high

“I guess I could just say killing you was an accident.”

Sarai, barely keeping Dimir on his feet, flinched at the sight of Margaret’s sword bearing down on her and closed her eyes. The clang of metal crashing into each other forced her eyes open to bear witness to a 2 meter tall, silver-haired dark elf standing in front of her with a long blade crossed with Margaret’s longsword.

"C-commander..." she breathed.

She had only seen him a handful of times in her life, and only once on his dragon. There were very few elves within the ranks of the Halian military faction and only one with a dragon. Tears of joy fell from her face.

“Are you and Dimir alright Your highness?” Illiah said, eyes fixed on Margaret who was beside herself in fear and rage.

“I am okay, Commander, but Dimir is badly wounded and needs help,” Sarai whimpered. “I cannot carry him out of here.”

Illiah’s eyes narrowed, “This will be over soon. I knew something was wrong when Thomas, of all people, asked me to look out for you. He's so old, it was a wonder he even made it to me alive."

“Thomas did?” Sarai said, confused. Did father send Thomas to fetch the commander? Did he know this was going to happen?

Margaret stepped back and regrouped with the remaining two mercenaries. “Kill them and take her at once,” Margaret sneered, her eyes fixed on Sarai and Dimir.

With deliberate grace, Illiah drew a second long blade from the horizontal sheath on the small his back and lunged towards Margaret with unnatural speed. In a single swift stroke, he expertly disarmed her, sending her sword soaring from her hand. Then with a seamless motion, he spun around and dropped to one knee, plunging his blades deep into the mercenary's chest that stood beside her, piercing through his leather-studded armor.

The final swordsman stopped in his tracks, and with one look from Illiah, dropped his sword and ran in the opposite direction.

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“Where are you going?” Margaret screamed. “Get back here and finish the job.”

“His will is broken, woman, now stand down,” Illiah said coldly.

Sarai blinked in amazement. She had heard many tales about the legendary commander of their Halian military who received many accolades, including the title, Slyhorn Dae Halia from his elven brethren. She had no idea what it meant and had a mind to ask him one day. But something about personally witnessing his greatness up close was awe-inspiring. “I cannot thank you enough, Commander Illiah,” Sarai said.

“Oh, piss off b–” But before Margaret could say anymore, Illiah immediately stood before her with his blade pressed against her neck.

“I would advise you to mind yours in the presence of the princess,” Illiah responded. “Princess, shall I erase this one for you and accompany you safely out of the castle?”

Sarai tried to compose herself, but the pooling blood underneath Dimir strengthened her resolve. “Do not kill her Commander, she was bested,” she looked back at Dimir before continuing. “We must help him now.” The irony in her words almost made her smile out of pity for her illness.

Illiah deftly withdrew his blade and slid it back into its sheath on his back. As he stepped away, Margaret sprang to her feet and sprinted out of the hallway without a moment’s hesitation. Illiah shook his head and then turned to take hold of Dimir, prying him out of Sarai’s grasp. The sudden release of weight caught Sarai off guard, causing her to unconsciously gasp for air as she struggled to keep her balance.

Illiah threw Dimir over his broad shoulders then turned to Sarai, “Will you be able to move on your own princess?”

“I will be able to manage, Commander, thank you,” she said comfortingly. She knew elves were not capable of hiding their emotions very well. Illiah even less so. Their open and honest nature was something the humans of Halia city could stand to learn.

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As they descended from the upper floors of the castle, Sarai sensed that something was troubling Illiah.

“Commander,” she asked as they made their way towards Dimir’s laboratory, “Is something troubling you?”

Illiah glanced at her briefly before turning his gaze forward. “Although I do not like to make assumptions, I fear something may be amiss within the city.”

“I would imagine. My father left the castle alone, and–”

Illiah abruptly halted in his tracks and spun around to face Sarai. “What?” he demanded.

“I am truly sorry Commander, I assumed you had been informed by my father,” Sarai replied. She noticed that Illiah’s expression had grown stern, and his usual calm demeanor had been replaced by a sense of urgency. She knew he was not one to jump to conclusions without a solid reason, and this only added to her growing sense of unease.

Sarai hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to continue, but then decided it was important to tell Illiah everything. “Margaret told me my father left the castle alone some hours ago. She did not see any guards or attendants with him,” she began. “I can only imagine that he left to go in search of a cure for my illness.”

Illiah’s face darkened further, and Sarai could see the concern etched across his face. “That is concerning,” he said, his voice grim. “The city has been plagued with unrest for weeks now. There have been rumors of a rebellion brewing, and the military has been unable to quell the growing dissent.”

Sarai’s heart sank as she realized the gravity of the situation. “The nobles are behind it all, Commander,” she confessed and watched as his face contorted with rage.

Father had always been a strong and capable ruler, or so I was told, but the moment my illness came to light…

“I need you to go to him,” she said, her voice filled with determination. “We can’t leave him to face this alone.” Illiah reluctantly nodded in agreement. “I will make haste, Princess,” he said, his voice resolute. “But first, we must ensure that Dimir is safe and secure. He is too important to the kingdom to be caught up in this turmoil.”

“We will reach it soon. His laboratory lies in the basement level of the castle. No more than ten more minutes. If you can carry him to the door, I can handle the rest with him,” she said, a hand held tight to her chest over her heart.

“Fair enough,” he replied and quickened his pace. Sarai quickly adjusted but felt the strain and gripped her chest tighter.