"Hurry up, you fools!" Devalosfang's voice cut through the night air like a blade. "Are your horses lame? By the gods, move faster!"
The knights spurred their mounts harder, desperate not to lose sight of their captain. He'd already shed his heavy plate for lighter armor, knowing the agility it offered in battle. The dark-blue enamel of his armor gleamed, almost untouched by battle - a testament that during the Siege of Crivi, none who faced him had lived to strike back. His knights strained to match his pace, though it wasn't their lack of speed but rather their captain's supernatural haste that created the gap. The moment word of the ambush reached him, Devalosfang had been first across the river, not even pausing for his helm. Now over twenty knights of his Seventh Squad followed, their concern for their ambushed comrades matching their captain's furious determination.
They rode like the wind itself.
"There!" A voice cracked like a whip, drawing all eyes to the road ahead. Scattered figures coalesced in the distance, like ants swarming around a fallen crumb.
Devalosfang drew his sword - a magnificent blade that shimmered with ethereal blue light. Twin channels ran the length of its slender form, the mark of Elnya Steel from the Duchy of the same name. He raised it skyward, voice ringing with authority: "Yuri Hika Milis, Triad of Destiny, hear my oath upon this blade!" The knights echoed his gesture, raising their swords in solemn unity.
"Let our flesh become your steel, our blades your sight! When enemies stand before us, strike with our undying spirit; when our kin lie fallen, water the earth with our crimson tears!" The knights took up the oath as one. "We swear it now! Living or dead, we return our brothers home. Should we fail, we'll rest beside them in this foreign soil!" Their voices merged into a battle cry.
"We ride with the wind!" One knight shouted, others joining the chorus. "Yes! We ride with the wind!"
As their voices faded, Devalosfang pressed his lips to the gleaming blade.
"And return upon it."
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"Carl!?" The girl's cry pierced the silence as she bolted upright, the damp cloth sliding from her fevered brow.
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Her first conscious act was to shield her eyes, the candlelight blazing like summer sun after her long darkness.
The door burst open, admitting a young woman who flew to the bedside. "Madam! She's awake! Madam!" Joy colored her every word as she pressed a palm to the child's forehead. "The fever's broken! Madam, come quickly!"
Another woman burst through the door, gathering the child into an embrace that threatened to steal her breath. "My daughter! Thank the heavens!" She loosened her grip only enough to kiss the girl's forehead. "Five days you've slept! The gods be praised!" Her hands formed the triangle of the Triad in grateful prayer.
"Five days... is that very long?" The child's head tilted, voice soft with innocence.
"An eternity, my darling." Tears streamed down her face as she held her daughter close. "Since your father joined the expedition, the fever's held you. First came the delirium, your voice drifting between sense and shadow. Then you slipped into silence, lost to me. But now..." She pressed her face to her daughter's hair. "Now my prayers are answered. You've returned to me."
She cradled her child, checking her temperature with gentle touches. The maid's relief mirrored her own. "Blessed news, Madam." The mother turned, eyes red but joyful. "Thank you, Elisa." She rose to embrace her faithful servant.
The estate's sole true maidservant.
"Madam," Elisa whispered, watching the girl suck her fingers in hunger, "that man returned earlier. I sent him away - you were resting. I hope I didn't overstep."
"The suspicious one from this morning?" The lady's voice dropped as she noticed her daughter's attention.
"Yes, Madam." Elisa's gaze wavered. "The supposed Governor's Secretary." Her face darkened. "Though I didn't let him state his purpose, I... I can guess his intent." She studied Daisy's worn brown eyes, their usual sparkle dimmed by endless vigil.
Daisy met her look with bitter understanding. "Yes... Elisa." She drew her close. "I should have confided in you sooner. After all," she studied the young woman before her, "you're a woman now."
"Thank you, Madam." Joy flickered briefly in Elisa's eyes. "But if that's truly what he seeks... I could-"
"Enough, Elisa. We'll face that storm when it breaks. For now..." Daisy cupped the maid's thin face, "let's celebrate Amy's return to us."
"Strange," Elisa murmured, clasping Daisy's weathered hands. "Mother always said Lady Lundyll was harsh and quick to anger." Her smile formed twin crescents. "I've never seen that woman."
Daisy closed her eyes against the memories threatening to surface. "It's late. Rest now."