Katherine:

She walked into a cave for refuge.

A territorial bear, enraged by her intrusion, charged at her with thunderous roars.

Katherine ran, unaware that her path led to a larger opening encircled by icicles. Inside, she heard the heavy thuds of an approaching animal. Despite the slippery ice, the bear fixated on her with unblinking eyes. If she didn't find an escape soon, she knew she'd be in serious trouble.

Sniffling in the cold, Katherine withdrew a modest hunting knife. It was her turn to hunt. The bear halted just before her, staring at the glinting blade in her hand, then charged without hesitation. Katherine maneuvered within the cramped space, adrenaline surging. Using the icicles to her advantage, she positioned herself carefully.

The bear lunged, claws poised for a strike. She dodged to the side, narrowly escaping, feeling the rush of wind as claws grazed past. Knowing her knife alone wouldn't suffice against such a formidable foe, she recalled the few runes and a makeshift polearm in her bag.

As the bear turned to face her again, Katherine thrust forward, aiming for its flank. The blade drew blood, but only further enraged the bear. With limited options, she attempted to lead it toward the cave's entrance, seeking an opportunity to create distance or escape. Heart racing, she deftly avoided the bear's relentless assaults.

With another roar, the bear charged once more. Katherine's mind raced for a solution. Spotting a narrow passage to the side, barely wide enough for her, she made a split-second decision. Darting toward it, the bear closed in. With a desperate effort, she lunged into the passage, narrowly evading the bear's massive reach.

Standing firm in the narrow confines, Katherine locked eyes with the advancing bear. Her heart pounded loudly, every second critical as she prepared for the imminent confrontation.

She switched weapons, gripping her makeshift spear tightly, the fire rune pulsating in her other hand.

As the bear lunged forward, propelled by primal fury, Katherine summoned her resolve, channeling every ounce of courage she could muster. With a sudden surge of determination, she smashed the rune between her fingers. A brilliant burst of flames erupted from the crushed artifact, blossoming into a wall of scorching blue heat between Katherine and the charging beast.

The bear reared back in shock, its massive form momentarily halted by the inferno. It roared furiously, confusion evident as the blaze danced around it, searing the air. The intense heat radiated through the cave, casting wild shadows on the walls as the flames licked and clawed at the space between Katherine and the angered creature and the ice around them. Katherine's heart raced with adrenaline, her breaths shallow and quick. She held her ground, maintaining a steady gaze at the blazing barrier she had summoned. The bear, unable to withstand the intense heat, retreated with a series of growls and snarls, finally conceding to the searing flames and retreating further into the cave's depths.

With the bear now at bay, Katherine released a sigh of relief. The flames gradually subsided, leaving behind water and a lingering warmth.

Taking a moment to compose herself, Katherine realized she had only bought a moment of rest. Breathing deeply to steady her nerves, she carefully made her way back toward the cave's entrance.

The bear had vanished, presumably seeking refuge deeper within the cavern. Keeping her senses alert, Katherine cautiously emerged from the cave into the fading daylight, relieved to be free from the immediate danger.

Outside, the golden hues of the setting sun painted the landscape. Katherine scanned her surroundings, her heart still racing from the encounter. However, she wasn’t done yet.

She burst out of the forest into the deep snowy land, gasping for breath, her senses heightened by the adrenaline rush. With a mix of relief and urgency, she navigated through the terrain, putting as much distance as possible between herself and the cave.

It wasn't until she felt reasonably secure that she slowed her pace, her breaths steadying as she scanned her surroundings. The forest enveloped her in its calming embrace, the distant sounds of wildlife restoring a sense of normalcy. Katherine found a secluded spot to catch her breath and assess her situation. The runes had been her last resort, a desperate gamble that had saved her life. She only had a couple more. She would have to keep them safe. Katherine was lucky to survive the ordeal.

But even after the terrifying experience, the nights were the cruelest and the darkness seemed to conspire against her. The freezing winds whipped through her clothing, seeping into her very core. She often found herself seeking shelter in makeshift caves or huddled beneath the meager cover of a rocky outcrop. The frigid cold gnawed at her spirit, threatening to extinguish the flickering flame of her determination. Yet, the princess persisted, drawing strength from the small times she got to think about her family and her extreme desire to wield magic. Every single night, she would be lying on a different hard surface, thinking about what she left behind.

And Katherine also started crumpling and twisting the map sometimes in fear that she would never get out of the mountains, especially because it always seemed like she would arrive in the city the next day.

Still, even in the harshest of circumstances, her resourcefulness shone through. On one particularly brutal night, as the princess battled against the bitter cold that threatened to claim her, she managed to gather enough dried twigs and branches to kindle a fire. Those sparks danced in the air as the flames roared to life, casting a warm glow that offered a respite from the icy grip of the night. Throughout her journey, she realized that the crackling fire became her lifeline, providing not only warmth but also a glimmer of hope amidst the desolate wilderness.

Finally, as if a reward for her unwavering perseverance, the outpost emerged on the horizon like a long-awaited sanctuary. Katherine’s heart leaped with joy and relief as she beheld the sight, knowing that her arduous journey was coming to an end.

However, the toll of her journey had taken its toll. As Katherine stumbled towards the outpost’s entrance, she felt her body give up on her. The surroundings blurred, and the edges of her consciousness grew hazy. With a final gasp, she collapsed at the outpost’s threshold.

After what felt like days later, her eyes finally fluttered open as she mechanically rose up in a makeshift infirmary.

The princess saw many people around her taking a few steps back with their hands out in fear. Katherine tried speaking, but the only thing she could do was cough from exhaustion and fatigue.

“There! there now. Are you okay?” A woman with a white robe caringly asked.

“Yes! Yes! I am fine...” She coughed out in the Lutrian language.

“Right, so, young woman. How did you find yourself in the mountains? Did you go close?!”

“No, Ma’m, I was from the other side." She stumbled a bit on her words for a moment. "The Riders, they pushed me out through this side.”

“Are your parents okay? Do you want us to send you back towards Winterfront? At least that is what I assume. Since you came from that direction.”

Katherine continued to deceive the woman with lies upon lies, until she finally left her alone.

The only difference she could find between herself and the Lutrians there was their skin. It came in so many different colors, whereas everyone Katherine had known since she was little always had that pale, snow-like look.

Katherine sank into the armchairs scattered around the dark area, amidst the scattered belongings that the nurse was organizing into a few bags. She had come to memorize the map of the region, at least the names of the cities and their locations. Winterfront, a city she desired to avoid due to the Riders, was on the other side of the Aiyimorean plain, to the left of the palace. The princess panicked and checked her pocket. Thankfully, the map was still safe inside.

“Ma’am, I would prefer not to return to the Riders. I would love to live in Bridgemond. I’ve heard it’s a wonderful place,” Katherine expressed.

The nurse that previously introduced herself as Alice regarded her with a knowing look.

“Traveler, if you’re avoiding the Riders, I suggest you reconsider going there. They have recently caused havoc in that area as well.”

“Do people still live there?” The Aiyimorean princess asked.

Alice pondered for a moment before responding.

“I believe the city is still inhabited, although it has been rampaged. Everyone should still be living there under the Kingdom's strict rules.”

Katherine inquired in turn, “Do you know how I can get there?”

Alice sat down on the edge of the bed, placing a hand on her arm. “Darling, do you even know where you are right now?”

The princess made an educated guess. “Sleekmaw? We should be relatively close to Bridgemond.”

“No, my dear. You are in the snowy outposts. Wildedrift. There is no direct travel from here to Bridgemond. In fact, we keep a range of mountains as a barrier because we suspect that the cursed area doesn’t extend this far. The Riders, however, venture into the mountains for resources.”

The princess tried to conceal her shock. If they discovered her home, what would happen to her family?

She needed to dissuade her acquaintance and the people from Wildedrift from venturing into that territory.

“I experienced extreme weather conditions in that region. The cold became more intense towards the center, and I encountered numerous wild animals. It was an arduous journey, and I wouldn’t recommend anyone going through that pain.”

Alice nodded, understanding the gravity of Katherine’s words. “I will tell your concerns to them. We will exercise caution when we are approaching. Is there anything else I should know?”

She hesitated and almost cursed under her breath. Katherine didn’t want to reveal more information that could endanger her family.

“That’s all I remember.”

The kind nurse laughed. “You talk like a royal-folk.”

She followed. “So do you.”

Alice put a hand on her chest. “I’m the sister of Duke Everton.” She said with pride.

“Really? I myself used to hang out with the nobles. Anyways, It’s a pleasure to meet you, my name is Katherine.”

Katherine attempted to rise and curtsy, but Alice gently stopped her with a touch. Katherine obliged, feeling the aches and pains throughout her body.

“You are well-versed in etiquette too. Just remember, you don’t have to adhere to formalities here.”

Katherine nodded, grateful.

“You know, this situation is more precarious than I had thought.” The princess replied, realizing the chaos she was getting into.

Alice nodded solemnly. “I understand. Wildedrift is perhaps the only place that hasn’t fallen victim to the chaos and infighting among the main Kingdoms. This region lacks significant political or strategic value, so we remain relatively undisturbed.”

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Katherine grasped the significance of Alice’s words and kept it in mind.

“How long until I can get up?”

“Give it another day, give or take. Do you have anywhere else to go?” Alice asked, her concern evident.

“No, I don’t have anywhere else,” Katherine admitted. “I would prefer to stay.”

Alice sympathized. “I understand. If you choose to stay here, it should be an interesting experience. However, do keep yourself in fighting shape. Lutra is embroiled in conflicts with various factions. We don’t know if the Riders will attack Everpeak and take us all to the mines.”

Katherine listened intently, her mind processing Alice’s words. She understood the importance of maintaining her physical abilities amidst the turmoil surrounding Lutra.

The Royal lifted her legs and hit them against the mattress in boredom, longing for the moment when she could finally step outside and bask in the sunlight.

But a smile extended itself across her face. The princess was in Lutra, the land that they had swore to hide from but protect from the shadows. And today, she had seen her first Lutrian.

Alaric (7 Days Ago):

Alaric scanned the room, his eyes darting over unfamiliar faces. “So you tested me.”

“Precisely. I even drugged one of our students to ensure he’d fight you, but the fool rambled about history instead. So, you should forgive me for the encounter this morning.”

Alaric’s gaze shifted to Astrid, a pang of sadness washing over him before he pushed it aside. “Don’t you feel any shame in doing this, especially considering my low status?”

Fitzgerald’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Richard had quite a lot to say about you, and I was curious. For my purposes, I needed to gauge your potential.”

He leaned in slightly, his dark blue eyes glittering. “And I see a great deal of it.”

Alaric scoffed, but Fitzgerald merely twirled his beard, his expression unchanging. “I know you’re running from something. This Academy was your first refuge, probably with the idea of hiding right under their noses. But with a single word from me, it’s all over. What Richard gave you weren’t even acceptance papers for the trial—they were visitor passes.”

Alaric’s eyes widened, the revelation hitting him like a punch. He hadn’t seen this coming. “I see, that old man and you concocted this elaborate scheme just to test my abilities.”

Fitzgerald chuckled, the sound deep and resonant. “Don’t be so quick to dismiss our methods. Testing your abilities is far from nothing. It reveals potential allies, threats, and valuable assets.”

Alaric’s jaw tightened, his hand instinctively moving closer to his sword hilt. “So, what now? Am I too much of a threat?”

Fitzgerald sighed, his expression one of amused patience. “Youngsters are so quick to assume. But now, I understand. So, go ahead and ask your questions. Richard promised you that, I assume?”

Alaric gritted his teeth, slowly calming down. "Very well, Fitzgerald."

Ignoring the hissing from the Rebellion members around him, he asked about the King. Why was he acting so differently?

The room fell silent, every eye on the Eleventh Member as he pondered Alaric’s question. “Starting with a hard one, huh,” he mused aloud. A member of the Rebellion approached, handing him a cup of tea adorned with a phoenix. He took a slow sip before continuing.

“The truth is a very sad one, at that,” Fitzgerald said, the weight of his words settling in the air. “I wouldn’t want to tell anyone, but let’s say that it was a reward for my people’s and your hard work, eh?”

Alaric remained still, his focus entirely on Fitzgerald. “Our crown prince vanished into thin air along with his entire entourage—about a hundred people. The civilians who witnessed the wedding were too terrified to speak. The investigation hit a dead end, and as our King’s health deteriorated, a few people claimed to know his whereabouts. Desperate, the King promised anything to get him back. Now, I believe he's under their control.”

A wave of chills ran through Alaric, pain gripping his body. He looked directly at Fitzgerald. “Did they have the crest of a Raven?”

Fitzgerald shook his head. “I don’t know.”

Alaric slammed his hand on the table, shattering it into pieces.

If he could, he would have fell to the ground.

Pain surged through his scars, magnifying a thousand times over. Memories he desperately wanted to forget flooded back. This was all his fault. He had been too weak to escape sooner, too weak to protect his people, his future. The weight of his past mistakes crushed him, leaving him gasping for breath in a horrible dreamland.

Moments later, he shoved all of his emotions away and stood up. “I understand. Then, my last question is a simple one.”

Fitzgerald raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. “Very well, I’ll forgive the spilling of my tea and the breaking of the table for now. What is it?”

“Why does the Rebellion aim to destroy the mines and kill the Riders?”

Fitzgerald scoffed. “You must be dense not to understand.”

“Then explain,” Alaric demanded.

“First off, building riots. By portraying ourselves as saviors, many of the townsfolk have taken on our name and done deeds on our behalf.”

“That still doesn’t explain anything politically,” Alaric countered.

The man paused, and a smirk slowly crept up his face. “You’re right not to trust simple morals in the real world."

He continued. "The Riders and guards feed into the mines under the control of three Wardens, and above them, The Master Warden. We can’t fight them yet, due to the coffers being in the Royals’ hands and not in the Nobles’. So, by killing off the Riders, there are fewer guards defending the King. By telling everyone we aim to destroy the mines, the common folk ally with our cause. In the end, it’s just politics. But rest assured, whoever among the Twelve that becomes the King will not make the fatal mistakes of their predecessor.”

Alaric’s eyes narrowed. “And you believe this will work?”

Fitzgerald’s eyes glimmered with a cold certainty. “It’s already working."

Alaric was conflicted. The correct choice was to stay with the Rebellion and kill his father, unfolding the perpetrators and getting rid of them, but how could he do such a thing?

“Well,” Fitzgerald said, leaning back in his chair, “I think that’s enough for now. But don’t think I’ll forget about the confidential information I told you, or my tea. You will pay it all back, one way or another. Count yourself indebted to me for the time being.”

He clapped twice. "Everyone except Alec and Astrid, you are dismissed."

As the others filed out, Fitzgerald turned to Astrid with a sigh. “Now, onto silly matters. Astrid, you told him your real name, didn’t you?”

She perked up but stayed silent.

“You don’t always need my permission to speak. Say it quickly. Did you?”

“Mayyy-be…”

Fitzgerald placed a hand between his eyebrows, exasperated. “You know how it goes. You will receive an adequate punishment for defying orders.”

Astrid turned to Alaric, eyes wide. “Save me!”

“Is she going to get the death penalty?” Alaric asked.

“No,” Fitzgerald replied.

“Then I don’t care what happens,” Alaric said.

Astrid stuck her tongue out at him as he walked out, leaving the room behind.

Feeling frustrated, Alaric walked through the halls. People instinctively stepped back, giving him enough space to walk forward with ease.

As he started towards the inn, a bubbly voice called out behind him.

“Hey! Hey!”

Alaric ignored it at first, but then felt a firm grip on his arm. It was Astrid.

“How are you already back?” Alaric asked, his tone clipped.

Astrid looked earnest, holding his arm firmly. “I’m sorry for deceiving you, for being part of the archers. I truly want to be your friend.”

Alaric’s anger simmered beneath the surface, but he kept it in check. “We’re still friends,” he said with a shrug. “Nothing’s changed.”

Astrid’s expression faltered. “That makes it sound like it means nothing,” she said, a hint of hurt in her voice.

“Maybe it does,” Alaric replied coldly.

Her demeanor shifted, a flash of anger crossing her face—a side of her Alaric hadn’t seen before. “Imagine lying to yourself so much that you’re losing who you are,” she said sharply. “Remember when we first met under that statue? That boy's eyes showed everyone around him that he’d sacrifice everything for his goals. Yours? They’re filled with pity, loss, and regret. Useless emotions.”

Alaric felt a pang of discomfort, Astrid’s words hitting closer to home than he expected. He pulled his arm away gently, turning to face her fully. “You don’t understand,” he murmured, his voice quieter now.

"Make me then. Make me understand."

"I...don't know."

Suddenly, the red tinge in her eyes faded away. “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice constricting. “ Something came over me. Please, forget everything I just said.”

She bowed her head, her pink hair fluttering over her face, and started to walk away.

“Wait,” Alaric called after her. “I need your help anyway. I’d prefer if you didn’t leave yet.”

Astrid paused, a smile slowly returning to her face as she turned back to him. “Really?” she asked, her bubbly demeanor resurfacing.

It was almost as if she had already forgot what she had just told him.

"Astrid, I think I want to buy a gift for someone. Can you help me pick one out?"

Alaric (Present):

For the last week, he had been forcing himself to train for hours every single day. He was at the point where even Astrid pleaded with him to stop overworking.

On another note, he had also met a lot of the top tier students at the Academy. Alaric also learned how to navigate the pavilion and had been reading an abundance of books from the libraries scattered around the inner circle common rooms.

Usually, pupils had to fulfill a glorious act to get more prestige.

After going and claiming prestige, the leaders would vote to promote the pupil and give them specialized cards that allows them to get more in depth and complicated literature.

In every library, there were more secrets and more interesting forms that you wouldn’t find normally.

A voice rang out when he was trying to peacefully enjoy the scenery. "Hey Alec! Can you give me more tips on the sword later?”

“Sure Soren, I’ll be on it in a few hours, just give me some time.” Alaric twisted his head and saw a throng of students waiting.

After the news of his duel with the History Master spread, people either revered Alaric like a god or despised him. Despite his patience, the sheer number of students seeking his help was overwhelming.

Time was another luxury he lacked, unable to attend to everyone's needs. He even considered charging a few gold coins for tutoring sessions.

With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the students, hiding a shy smile. Shooing them away reminded him of bossing around his guards when he was younger. Teaching, he realized, was truly enjoyable.

After that incident, Alaric walked to the gardens. The plethora of colors looked so beautiful from far away, but looking at the flowers separately evoked different feelings within the prince. The seemingly complex simplicity allowed him to realize some more concepts he could implement in the monotonous sword movements Alaric had been practicing.

In the middle of the garden, the prince drew his swords to experiment with something new. The students watched from a distance, but they dared not disturb him due to his newfound status. Alaric appreciated the solitude, burying his emotions as he meticulously walked through common maneuvers, adjusting them to flow more smoothly.

As darkness fell, he completed his practice, feeling invigorated. Fitzgerald had expressly forbidden dueling until morning, or he might have challenged a prideful noble.

In fact, he had a meeting with Richard and the Eleventh Member tomorrow. Even worse, they were going to show up at the inn a few hours after dawn.

He headed home carefully, avoiding all of the dangerous routes that tourists usually fell into. Lying on his bed, the old prince couldn't help but reminisce.

“May the moon’s gentle glow cradle your dreams tonight,” he whispered to himself as he closed his eyes.

The next morning, he woke up in a cold sweat, haunted by another bad dream.

“It doesn’t matter,” he muttered to himself, getting out of bed and starting to get ready for the day.

As he moved around, getting ready, he felt a vibration through the ground. Alaric froze, closing his eyes and focusing. There was someone in the living room. He grabbed his weapons and blended into the shadows, inching carefully toward the room.

The intruder’s red eyes glowed eerily under their hood. Alaric swiftly put a sword to their throat, but somehow, in a single moment, the figure had escaped its grasp and was looking at him straight in the eyes. The hood fell back, revealing light pink hair.

“What in all of the Lutrian Abysses are you doing here? How did you get in?” Alaric demanded.

But more than that, she shouldn't have been able to avoid his sword that way. It reminded him of that girl by the fountain who had somehow disappeared in thin air to somehow attack him from the side a second later. Her eyes had glowed purple.

A thought struck him, and he reached out, taking Astrid's face in his hands and opening her eyes wider.

“Stop, I didn’t know you wanted to see me this bad!” she exclaimed, pulling back.

Alaric turned away, whispering to himself, “I’m probably just seeing things.”

“What?” Astrid asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

“Nothing. Moreover, you know it’s dawn, right?” Alaric’s voice was firm, each word punctuated with growing frustration.

“What! I thought you'd be excited to see me!” Astrid pouted.

Alaric put away his weapons and started to change into his Rebellion uniform. Since the Kingdom only guarded within the streets by maintaining a curfew and taking their quotas, the Rebels were regarded as heroes within the inn. Now, his rent had been reduced even further, to a measly three coppers.

"Hey! I'm still here, you know?"

Alaric turned to her, an annoyed expression on his face. "We both know you don't mind."

"Heh."

After he put on the red phoenix uniform, he turned back to Astrid, who was watching him with an amused glint in her eyes.

“Ready to go?” she asked, bouncing on her heels.

“Let’s just get this over with,” Alaric muttered, heading towards the door.

They walked through the inn’s common room, where a few early risers gave them nods of respect. Outside, the streets were starting to come alive with the morning hustle.

“So, what’s the plan today?” Astrid asked, falling into step beside him.

“We’re meeting Richard and the Eleventh Member,” Alaric said, keeping his voice low. “They’re supposed to show up in a minute.”

“No! I know about that, anything else?” Astrid’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Alaric sighed, already feeling the weight of the day pressing down on him. “Training and research for me. How about you? I don't see you around often, do you usually stay back with your family?"

He noticed a sudden change in her demeanor. Turning to her, he saw her eyes wide open, a solitary tear falling down her cheek.

“Astrid?”

A moment later, she was completely back to normal.

"I guess we have more similarities than I thought," he told her.

Astrid just laughed. “Yeah, I guess so.”

"Just forget about it."

Before Alaric could say more, the door swung open. Richard and the Eleventh Member strode in, their steps brisk and determined. In one fluid motion, they shrugged off their black robes. Richard’s uniform, a familiar sight, bore the red phoenix with gold highlights. Beside him, the Eleventh Member stood out, clad in a striking uniform of gold with red accents.

Once they settled down, the meeting started.

Fitzgerald, their grizzled leader, fixed his gaze on Alaric with a steely intensity. “Alaric, we’ve come to collect on that debt you owe me,” he said in a low, gravelly voice.

Richard chuckled heartily. “You got him this time, Fitz! Who would’ve thought Alec would fall into your trap?” He clapped the Eleventh Member on the back.

The Eleventh Member, usually reserved, allowed himself a rare smile. “Luck favors the bold, Richard. Alec underestimated my patience.”

Alaric took a deep breath. If they had come to meet him and Astrid in person, it had to be a big deal. There were many members of the Rebellion under Fitzgerald, and he hadn't come to visit him since his recruitment.

"Now..." The Board Member said, leaning forward.

"The time has come for your first mission."

Alaric expected as much, and...

"But you are going alone," Fitzgerald said.