5:00 AM The sky had not yet brightened, but streaks of orange stained the eastern horizon.
Not the sun, smoke.
Kael stood on the second, floor balcony, clad only in a thin cloak, the morning wind biting at his wounds.
Luna stepped out, carrying a wool blanket, and draped it over his shoulders.
“You see it?” Kael nodded, his jaw set tight.
“The eastern fields.” In the distance, roughly five hundred paces beyond the walls, Blackmoon’s last grain fields burned.
The fire was not yet large, but thick black smoke rose high into the sky.
“Who held watch last night?” Kael asked, his voice rough.
“Elder Alden’s men,” Luna replied.
“I have already sent for him.” Footsteps clattered up the stairs.
Elder Alden came running, breathless, his tunic still unfastened.
“Alpha.
Forgive us, we arrived too late.” Kael turned to him.
“Speak.” “At four, twenty, the watch spotted light in the fields.
By the time we reached them, the culprits had fled into the forest.
We tried to douse the flames, but the wind was too strong.” Kael gripped the stone railing until his knuckles whitened.
“How much is lost?” “Half the fields, Alpha,” Alden said.
“Enough food to last a month.” Kael closed his eyes for a moment.
“They mean to starve us out, then strike when we are weak.” Luna stepped forward.
“We must put it out now, before all is lost.” “I am coming with you,” Kael said.
“No,” Luna said at once.
“You have a fever.
You remain here.” Kael started to protest, but a cough shook him.
“Very well,” he said.
“Take twenty men.
Be wary, this is likely a trap.” “I know,” Luna said, meeting his gaze.
“Wait for me here.” AT THE FIELDS 5:30 AM Luna rode at the head of twenty mounted warriors.
The air was cold, and the stench of smoke had drifted all the way to the castle gates.
Upon reaching the fields, fire had already consumed three strips of grain.
Farmers were already there, carrying buckets and soaking sacks.
Luna dismounted.
“Form a line!
Pass the buckets forward, beat the flames with wet sacks!” All moved with haste.
Smoke stung their eyes, and ash drifted through the air.
Luna joined the effort, hefting buckets, dousing the flames, beating the embers with sackcloth.
Her hands grew black with soot, her face streaked with grime.
“Well done,” she called.
“Keep at it, do not stop.” Suddenly, from behind a pile of hay, came the crunch of footsteps.
“There!” one of the guards shouted.
Three figures burst into view, carrying torches, their faces masked.
“After them!” Luna commanded.
Two warriors gave chase toward the treeline.
Luna paused, scanning the surroundings.
Too quiet.
Too easy.
“Far too easy,” she murmured.
BACK AT THE CASTLE Kael paced his study, unable to sit still, his chest growing tight.
Mira entered carrying ginger tea, set it upon the desk, and stepped back.
“Alpha, the Lady has reached the fields.” Kael nodded, unfolding the map upon his desk.
A map of Blackmoon lands.
His finger traced the eastern fields, the western gate, the storehouses.
“The sun rises in the east,” Kael whispered.
“All eyes will turn eastward.
Even the guards.” He froze.
The western gate.
“GUARDS!” Kael roared.
Two guards rushed in.
“Yes, Alpha?” “Reinforce the western gate with ten men.
At once, and bring torches.” “At once, Alpha.” Kael sank into his chair.
His head throbbed.
He prayed he was wrong.
AT THE FIELDS The fire was nearly out.
Luna wiped sweat and soot from her brow.
“Good work.
Only one strip remains.” Suddenly, a long trumpet blast rang out, from the direction of the castle.
Once…
Twice…
Thrice…
The signal for peril.
Luna’s face paled.
“Ride back to the castle!
Now!
Leave this!” The warriors mounted at once.
As they turned, arrows streaked from the forest’s edge.
One struck the foremost rider in the shoulder; he tumbled from his horse.
“TRAP!” Luna cried.
“Spread out!
Take cover behind your horses!” Arrows rained down, though not in great numbers.
Luna reined her steed around.
“Fall back!
Toward the castle!” They galloped away from the still-smoking fields.
AT THE WESTERN GATE 6:00 AM The western gate was smaller than the main gate, ordinarily used by merchants and farmers.
Now it stood half, open.
Five masked figures slipped inside, bearing torches and daggers, fanning out.
One hurled a torch into a small storehouse.
Another into the stables.
A third into the guardhouse.
“RAIDERS!” the sentry cried.
But only five guards were stationed here, the rest had been drawn east by the earlier ruse.
Kael arrived at the head of ten men, rushing from the great hall.
“Surround them!” he commanded.
Battle erupted.
Kael engaged one attacker.
His movements were sluggish from fever, yet his strength remained.
His blade slashed across the man’s shoulder; the assailant screamed and fled.
Two more fell wounded.
Three escaped into the woods.
Kael pursued as far as the gate, then halted, chest heaving, seized by a fit of coughing.
“Alpha!” a guard cried out, rushing to him.
Kael raised a hand.
“I stand.
See to it, ensure no attackers remain within.” ON THE ROAD BACK Luna and her party galloped up to the western gate.
She leapt from her horse the moment she saw him.
Kael sat upon the stone steps, cloak smudged, a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth.
“Luna,” Kael said faintly.
“You are unharmed?” “I am well,” Luna said, kneeling before him.
“It is you who are not.” Kael gave a weak smile.
“Clever.
Strike two places at once, split our strength.” The physician came running, medical chest in hand.
“Carry the Alpha inside, now!” Kael was lifted by two guards.
He did not resist.
He knew he could barely stand.
IN THE CHAMBER The physician examined Kael, unwrapping the bandage upon his shoulder.
“High fever.
The old wound has reopened from exertion,” he said.
“He must rest for three days.
No movement whatsoever.” Kael closed his eyes.
“I cannot.” “You must,” Luna said firmly.
“If you fall, who shall lead us?” Kael opened his eyes and looked straight at her.
“You shall.” Luna stared, taken aback.
“Me?
I cannot do this, Kael.” “You can,” Kael said.
“I trust you.
Temporarily, until I am healed.” Luna searched his gaze.
She saw exhaustion, and absolute faith.
“Very well,” Luna said softly.
“I shall try.” Kael nodded, then let his eyes fall shut.
IN THE GREAT HALL 7:00 AM Luna stood before the Council of Elders.
It was her first time presiding.
Her hands trembled beneath her sleeves, yet she stood tall and straight.
“Half the eastern fields are lost to fire.
The western gate was assaulted.
Our food reserves will last but three weeks.” Silence settled over the hall.
“We cannot wait to be starved,” Luna continued.
“We must secure provisions, and we must strike back.” Elder Alden rose.
“You speak truly, My Lady.
But how?” “Send parties to the surrounding villages.
Purchase grain, trade silver from the treasury,” Luna said.
“And send scouts into the forest.
Locate their encampment.
We cannot remain penned up forever.” “But who shall lead these parties?” one Elder asked.
Luna drew a breath.
“I shall.” The Elders exchanged glances.
Some frowned, but none dared speak in opposition.
“So be it,” Alden said.
“We shall obey your orders, My Lady.” MIDDAY 12:00 PM Luna and Mira inspected the food stores together.
Grain was nearly depleted; salted meat was all but gone.
Mira bowed her head.
“I am sorry, My Lady.
All of this is because of me.” “Cease apologizing,” Luna said.
“Help me, and write down every stock we have left.” Mira nodded, and began inscribing upon a scroll.
Luna looked at her.
“Can you prepare meals for fifty people?” “I can, My Lady.” “Good.
Starting tomorrow, you shall assist in the communal kitchens.
Prepare porridge, it will stretch our supplies.” “It shall be done, My Lady.” THAT EVENING 9:00 PM Luna sat beside Kael’s bed.
He slept; his fever had abated slightly, his breathing more even.
She took his hand in hers.
“I do not know where to begin,” she whispered.
“But I shall try.” A soft knock came at the door.
“Enter,” Luna said.
Mira stepped in, carrying a basin of warm water and cloths.
“My Lady.
To cool the Alpha’s brow.” Luna nodded.
“Thank you, Mira.” Mira set the basin down, hesitating.
“My Lady, should you need help sewing banners, or preparing meals, send for me.” “I shall,” Luna said.
“Rest now.” Mira withdrew.
Luna turned back to Kael, gently laying a cool cloth upon his forehead.
“I shall watch over everything, until you wake.” IN THE WHITEFANG FOREST 11:00 PM Darek sat before a massive bonfire.
Before him lay a map of Blackmoon Castle, marked in red ink at the eastern fields and the western gate.
A subordinate knelt.
“The plan succeeded, Alpha.
They face hunger, and their Alpha lies sick, unable to fight.” Darek smiled.
“Excellent.” He picked up a stick and cast it into the flames; sparks scattered upward.
“Tomorrow, send another letter.
One sentence only.” “What does it say, Alpha?” [Surrender Luna, or we come with a thousand men.] Darek stared into the fire.
“Let us see how long she holds out without her Alpha to lean upon.” MIDNIGHT In the castle chamber, Luna remained awake, writing letters upon her desk, petitions to the surrounding villages, begging for grain and aid.
Outside, rain began to fall once more.
And far out in the eastern fields, beneath the ash, small embers still glowed.
A shadow poured oil over the ground.
The tiny flames caught once more.
At dawn, when all eyes were elsewhere, the fields would burn again.
And once more, Luna would be forced to choose, chase the fire… or guard the gates.