Within a vast kingdom encircled by towering stone walls, five individuals stood around a table inside a large tent, a sprawling map unfurled before them.
“General Asmari, all innocent civilians have been safely transported into the kingdom.”
“Good,” I replied, my deep voice resonating through the tent.
A scar marked my cheek, my black hair tightly bound, and my deep orange eyes surveyed the people inside the tent.
“What about the people from the safe camp?”
“The people from the safe camp, including your daughter, are en route.
They’ll camp a few hours from here overnight and arrive by noon tomorrow.” A smile crept across my lips, but I concealed it immediately.
“What about provisions?”
“We have enough to sustain everyone for a month.”
“Brilliant!” boomed another man, delight colouring his voice.
“So, we just need to overthrow the emperor within a month.
That shouldn’t be too hard, right?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Bolde,” a woman interjected, crossing her arms.
“We can’t simply storm the capital and assassinate the emperor; he still has far too many imperial guards.” Bolde scratched his chin awkwardly.
“I suppose you’re right, Sky.”
“Of course I am.” I watched their exchange with amusement—until a sudden interruption.
“General!
General Asmari!” a faint voice called through the thin tent walls.
The tent fell silent as all eyes turned to the entrance.
A knight burst in, panic etched across his face.
“Gener—General Asmari.” He gasped for breath, bracing himself with both hands on his knees.
“What is it?” I asked, my voice steady.
“And why are you panting like you’ve run a marathon?”
“G-General, it’s urgent,” he managed between breaths, worry clear on his face.
My playful demeanour vanished, replaced by a steely seriousness that mirrored the others.
“Speak,” I commanded.
“The emperor has declared us all rebels.” Silence fell.
I blinked at him, confused.
“He declared us rebels?” Lukas, the blond-haired man, repeated, as bewildered as the rest.
“Yes, he declared all of us rebels.” My confusion only deepened.
“Hello, did you just wake up?
Or did you lose your brain somewhere on the battlefield?” Sky snapped, irritation clear in her voice.
“Yeah, seriously, did you just land on our planet?” another woman chimed in.
Why do you think we’re fighting this war in the first place?” The room fell silent, everyone wondering the same thing.
The man shook his head vigorously.
“No, you don’t understand.
He declared all of us—every last one—rebels!
All!” My eyes widened in astonishment as the realisation dawned.
“Wait—all of us?” I asked.
“Yes—all, including the refugees who just arrived.
All two million people in Rafilana are now considered rebels, to be killed on sight.” Shock registered on every face, but the man pressed on.
“And the emperor is sending half his royal guard toward us in a final, desperate move.” My brow furrowed.
“Is he stupid?” Lukas asked.
“No,” I replied at once.
“The emperor is many things, but he is not a fool; that much I know.” The others nodded in agreement.
“You’re right, Asmari, but half his troops aren’t enough to secure a victory against our full force on our home turf.
Even if he’s plotting something, sacrificing so many must be devastating.”
“What other choice does he have?” the second woman, Jasmin, said.
“If he waits for us to attack, he’s certain to lose.
But if he divides our forces with his own, he stands a better chance of defending the capital.”
Lukas nodded.
“Jasmine’s right, Sky.
This is probably his last desperate move to increase his odds in the final war, even if it means losing the battle.” Both Bolde and Sky fell into thoughtful silence, considering if there was another motive.
I, however, was certain there was a hidden motive.
Having served directly under the emperor—a ruthless, cunning man devoid of mercy—I knew he never made such sacrifices lightly.
The small increase in his chances of victory didn’t justify the cost.
So what was he really after?
“I’m stepping out for some air.
Try to discern any hidden objectives while I’m gone.” Before anyone could protest, I left the tent.
The star-filled night greeted me, a cool breeze brushing my face and drawing my eyes closed in brief tranquillity.
When I opened my eyes, I saw rows of small tents and knights in medieval armour, either polishing their blades or duelling for sport.
I reached beneath my shirt and pulled out a necklace.
The golden necklace was actually a locket.
Inside was a photo of a young girl with orange eyes in a man’s arms—she looked about five, kissing the cheek of a man with matching black hair and orange eyes. Enjoying the story? Read on at novelping . com.
The image brought a soft smile to my face.
I missed her deeply—my daughter, Aria.
I hadn’t seen her for months because of the war, but she would arrive tomorrow.
I wondered how she’d react when she saw me.
I snorted.
Who was I kidding?
She would probably leap into my arms and start complaining, tears streaming down her face.
It would go something like,
“Papa, you lied!
Sob… you said you’d only be gone a moment.
Sob, sob… do you know how long I waited?
You’re a meanie—a big, fat, ugly meanie!” Then she’d start hitting me with her tiny fists.
A chuckle escaped me, and a broad grin tugged at my lips.
I couldn’t wait to see her.
Even after my parents’ deaths, she was my sole reason for living.
I never knew her mother.
Aria was left on my doorstep years ago, after my only family was taken by the corrupt, tyrannical emperor.
I knew instantly she was mine.
I was the only one in the empire with those orange eyes, and I recalled a brief fling from years ago—it wasn’t hard to connect the dots.
From that moment, I raised her as my own.
She brought light to my bleak world and gave me a reason to go on.
I joined the war solely to give her a future free from the emperor who caused my parents’ deaths.
I gazed at the pendant, my heart finally at ease—until I heard another guard sprinting toward me.
“G-General,” he managed between ragged breaths, distress clear in his tone.
My mood soured instantly, but I masked it, tucking the locket back beneath my shirt.
“We just received word from one of our spies,” he said, drawing a shaky breath.
“The royal guards will be attacking the group coming from the safe camp—at dawn.”
My blood ran cold, dread seizing my chest.
“D-did you say…from the safe camp?” My voice trembled, unwilling to face my worst fear—yet his next words confirmed it.
He nodded, confirming my nightmare.
My daughter, Aria, was in danger.