As the sound of the cannons fills the air, I can't help but wonder how my father's army is faring. The sky is alight with flashes of white every time the thunderous boom echoes through the night. Despite the lack of rain, the air feels heavy and oppressive.
Albert seems optimistic, but from my vantage point at the window, I can see blue uniforms clashing with blue uniforms in the distance. It's a bleak sight and one that fills me with a sense of foreboding.
"Helen, may I ask something?" Rachel's voice breaks through my thoughts, and I turn to face her.
"Go ahead," I say, pulling back the curtain to fully focus on her.
"Why are Mom's adventuring boots in our room?" she asks, a hint of confusion in her voice.
"Because I might need them, according to Albert," I explain, lying regarding my plan of escaping this mansion. The boots in question are made of leather, rising to just above my knees. They're not the sort of modern combat boots you might expect in a world like this world, but they'll serve the same purpose well enough.
The thought of running through the chaos of battle in high heels or the dainty shoes that nobility tends to wear on a day-to-day basis is practically suicide. And while I won't be alone on the run, I have a feeling that I might end up running away with just Rachel by my side. My mother will have her own bodyguards, as will my father, but I doubt it will be enough to protect us from the enemy's attack.
"Are you planning something?" Rachel asks, her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
As I speak, my heart races with concern. “I’m planning of getting out of this situation, alive.”
I can feel the weight of the situation pressing down on me, threatening to suffocate me. The thought of going up against Alduria's armed forces is terrifying, mainly because my sister will immediately become a liability if we have to run away. She is reluctant to use guns, and she doesn’t have any military training.
But despite my fear, I'm determined to find a way out of this mess. I refuse to let our father's naivety and honor get both of us killed. I have to find a way to get us out of here, alive and unscathed. I can see the worry etched on my sister's face as she watches me. I’m concerned, and she’s terrified, but we have to put on brave faces and find a way to get out of this situation.
I take a deep breath and steel myself, trying to focus on my plan, step-by-step. But as I turn to face my sister, I can't help but feel a sense of huge responsibility washes over me. I can only hope and pray that we'll be able to make it through this confrontation and come out on the other side relatively unharmed.
As I stand there, staring at my M4 carbine resting on the windowsill, I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. I know that I will have to use it soon, ready to fire back at anyone who dares to shoot at us. But as I peer out the window, I see a brief flash of light and I can't help but feel a sense of dread wash over me. I know what that light means - it's the telltale sign of a Gatling gun.
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
I've seen the devastation that a modern M61 Vulcan can cause before. With their ability to fire automatically and the sheer number of soldiers that Alduria has at their disposal, I know that they will be able to suppress us, even with the advantage that my M4 offers.
I try to come up with a plan to defend against these deadly weapons. Will I be able to hold my ground and protect my own sister, or will I be stupid enough to be killed by the great-grandfather of the GAU-8 Avenger that the A-10 uses? Only time will tell.
Suddenly, someone knocks on my door.
“Come in,” Rachel says.
As my mother walks into the room, I can see the worry etched on her face. She's carrying a tray with a pot and three cups, and I can't help but wonder what she wants to talk about at a time like this. The sound of cannons and guns ringing through the air outside is a constant reminder of the danger we're in. But somehow, we still have time for tea.
My mother sets the tray down on my table and takes a seat on my sister's bed. I walk over and pour the tea into the cups, I nod my head to my mother. My mother reaches out to pat Rachel's head, and I can see the fear in her eyes. She's still traumatized by the gun that took her thumb, and I'm sure the constant gunfire outside is only making things worse for her.
But my mother is here now, and I know she's going to do everything in her power to protect her. Truth be told, my relationship with my mother is not that tight. I’ve only been in this world for less than a year, and I spent my time more often with either Rachel or Albert. Plus, she is younger than the old woman that I was back in America. However, the case is different with Rachel.
As I sit on my bed, sipping my cup of tea, I can't help but feel a sense of unease wash over me. The continuous explosion and gunfires outside are a constant reminder of the danger we are in. But despite all this, I remain eerily unchanged and unshaken.
I know that my calmness may seem strange, especially for a 10-year-old. But the truth is, I have faced my fair share of bombings and explosions like this. And while I like to be scared, I know that panicking will not solve anything.
I turn to Rachel, who is sobbing uncontrollably. "Mom, I'm scared," Rachel says, her voice shaking with fear.
My mother places a reassuring hand on her shoulder and says, "I know you're scared, Rachel. But you have to be strong.”
I give a loud sigh and take another sip of my tea. I really want to panic, but to be honest, it won't solve anything. We just have to stay calm and think logically. That's the only way we'll get through this. I know that it won't be easy, but I am determined to do whatever it takes to keep Rachel safe.
"Mother, why are the soldiers fighting against one another?" I ask, trying to understand the chaotic situation unfolding before me. Internal conflict within the military is a serious issue and a clear sign of a fragmented force.
My mother sighs, seeming just as clueless as I am. "I'm not sure, Helen. All I know is that your father and his army are trying to defend against the attack from the Alduria military. It's a difficult situation, but I have faith in your father's ability to handle it."
I nod, but I can't help but feel a sense of unease. With the army blocking all access in and out of the region, it seems unlikely that my father will be able to smuggle a courier through the various checkpoints and patrols. And even if he could, it seems unlikely that a military operation against a noble would go unnoticed by the king.
“So, are we in the middle of a civil war?” I ask my mother a question that the real Helen won’t even think to ask.
“We were in a civil war, but we are not at civil war right now. I think that someone still has a grudge against your father after what he had done in Alduria Civil War,” My mother answers, with a concerned tone.
Rachel still sobs while being patted by my mother. The cannons are louder, and sooner or later, this mansion will be in the range of those cannons. When that happens, I only hope that I am long gone from this mansion.