Matthew Wild
The night air was crisp and biting as I crouched low behind a cluster of trees on the outskirts of the Valorian base camp. The faint sounds of soldiers moving about the camp carried through the darkness, mingling with the rustle of leaves and the distant call of an owl. I adjusted my position slightly, trying to stay as still as possible while keeping my eyes fixed on the large tent in the centre of the camp. That was where the Valorian general was staying, and I was waiting for the signal to confirm he had left.
Arney was somewhere deeper within the shadows, hidden near the camp's perimeter. We had crept our way through the back roads and narrow paths of Cowgate, arriving just before dawn, when the Valorian patrols were changing shifts. The timing had been perfect; we'd avoided detection so far, but now came the most dangerous part.
The camp was illuminated by the faint glow of dying fires, casting eerie shadows over the tents and makeshift barricades. Valorian soldiers moved like ghosts through the camp, their faces obscured by helmets and the darkness. I had counted at least twenty of them since we arrivedâmore than I had expected. But there was no turning back now.
As I kept my eyes fixed on the general's tent, a sudden flash of light caught my attention. A fire had broken out near the supply tent, where several barrels were stored. Flames licked up the sides of the barrels, spreading rapidly and casting a fierce, orange glow across the camp. Panic rippled through the soldiers as they rushed to contain the blaze, their disciplined movements dissolving into chaos.
My heart skipped a beat. The fire was dangerously close to where Arney was supposed to be infiltrating the general's tent. I felt a surge of fearâwhat if he was caught in the middle of it? What if the fire spread to the tent before he could get out?
The flames grew higher, crackling as they devoured the barrels and anything else in their path. Smoke began to billow into the night sky, thick and suffocating. The light from the fire illuminated the camp, turning it into a scene of frantic activity as soldiers shouted orders and tried to douse the flames with water.
I scanned the area desperately, searching for any sign of Arney. The fear that he might be trapped or discovered gnawed at me, making it hard to stay still. The plan had been risky, but now it was teetering on the edge of disaster.
Finally, I saw movement near the tent flap. Arney slipped out, clutching a bundle of papers to his chest, his form almost lost in the chaos. Relief washed over me, but as he darted between the tents, weaving through the growing confusion, I lost sight of him. The fire cast long, flickering shadows that made it impossible to track his movements. My heart pounded in my chest as I scanned the camp, searching for any sign of him, but all I saw were soldiers rushing to and fro, their armor gleaming in the firelight.
Panic gripped me. Where had he gone? Had he been spotted, or worse, caught? I cursed under my breath, every second of his absence stretching into an eternity. My mind raced with worst-case scenarios, each one more terrifying than the last. I knew I couldn't wait much longerâif I stayed, I risked getting caught myself. But leaving without him was unthinkable.
I raised two fingers to my lips and let out a soft, sharp whistleâthe signal for Arney to make his way back to me. The sound was low, just enough for him to hear, but not loud enough to draw unwanted attention.
For a moment, nothing happened. The fire continued to roar, and the soldiers kept moving outward, their search patterns widening. My heart sank as I realised that I might have to go in after him. But just as I steeled myself to take action, I saw a figure darting through the shadows, moving swiftly and purposefully toward me. It was Arney.
Relief flooded through me as he closed the distance, his face tense with urgency. There was no time to celebrateâwe had to move, and fast.
The soldiers were already spreading out, their search now focused on the outskirts of the camp. We exchanged a quick, tense nod before turning and slipping into the cover of the trees. The camp behind us was a scene of confusion and flames, but the sounds of pursuit were growing fainter as we put distance between ourselves and the Valorians.
We moved quickly, keeping low and sticking to the shadows. The adrenaline coursed through me as I listened for any signs that we were being followed, but the night remained eerily quiet. The fire had caused enough chaos to give us the cover we needed, but I knew it wouldn't last long.
Once we were far enough from the camp, Arney glanced over at me, his breathing heavy but controlled. "That was too close," he muttered, still clutching the papers tightly.
"We got what we came for," I replied, though my heart was still pounding. "But we need to keep moving. They'll figure out soon enough that something's missing."
Arney nodded, and we pressed on, the weight of the mission still heavy on our shoulders. The information we had stolen could change the course of the war, but only if we made it back in time to use it. The night was far from over, and the danger was still very real.
...
We made it back to the inn under the cover of darkness, the night still thick around us. The streets were silent, only the occasional gust of wind rustling the leaves. Our footsteps were soft against the cobblestones, but the weight of the night's events pressed heavily on my shoulders. I kept glancing over my shoulder, half expecting to see Valorian soldiers lurking in the shadows, but the town remained eerily still.
As we neared the inn, Arney broke the silence, his voice low and strained. "I met two people there."
I stopped short, turning to face him. "The soldiers saw you?" Panic edged into my voice. If he'd been spotted, we were in more trouble than I'd thought.
"No," he replied quickly, shaking his head. "Two men, not soldiers. They were looking for information like us. I think they were from the Kingdom."
I frowned, confusion mingling with the unease that had been simmering all night. "That's odd. The Kingdom doesn't usually have guards working undercover like that. It's a little too... criminal for them."
Arney hesitated, then said, "One of them mentioned being an ally of Prince Sebastian."
My heart skipped a beat, a cold rush of longing and uncertainty surging through me. Prince Sebastianâthe name alone brought back memories that I wish I could experience again, even just for a day.
"Are you sure?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Arney nodded, his expression serious. "He seemed certain. We overheard that fucking general say they are planning to kill the Prince by dawn."
"What!" I exclaimed, startled. The thought of any harm coming to Sebastian shattered my composure, breaking my heart into pieces. "Arney, we have to stop them. They can't kill him."
"I know" Arney replied, "The two men, although they work for the kingdom, seemed genuine, not like what Clive told us about, seemed like they cared about the people too"
I clenched my fists, feeling a surge of determination. "Not all of them are bad Arney, hell, I was one of them too, and if they work for Sebastian, then they are on the right side, and that's our side"
"Yeah, I know," Arney said, the resolve in his voice wavering slightly. "So I told them I'll meet them in an hour. Then we're killing that fucking general once and for all."
"Okay, we'll take the papers back to the inn and then make our way there," I said, the plan beginning to solidify in my mind.
"No, Win, you can't come," Arney replied firmly, crossing his arms.
"What do you mean? I have to come! I need to make sure everything goes okay," I insisted, my voice rising with frustration.
Arney shook his head, a serious expression on his face. "This is dangerous, they are from the Kingdom, you know they are still looking for you, they could kill you on sight"
I felt a mix of anger and fear rising within me. "You can't just decide this for me! Are you forgetting who Sebastian is to me?"
Arney stepped closer, his eyes piercing mine. "And the King has more power than him, all the soldiers work for the King. Take the papers back to Clive. That's your priority."
"I'm not leaving you here!" I shot back, my heart racing. "Clive said I can't go back, not until those women who work for the Kingdom leave."
He sighed, clearly torn. "Winny, please. Trust me on this. I'll be back in Abbyhill by tomorrow evening"
"But what if you don't make it back? What if something goes wrong?" My voice cracked with the fear of losing him, the very thought gnawing at my insides.
"I'll be careful, I promise," he said, his tone softening just a little. "I have to do this, and I can't do it with you at my side. You have to trust me."
I stared into his eyes, desperately searching for any sign of doubt. I knew he cared about my safety, but this was bigger than both of us. "I just can't sit back while you take all the risks."
"Sometimes, it's about playing it smart, not playing hero," he replied, stepping back as if to distance himself from my frustration. "You'll only get in the way."
"But I know Sebastian! I can help him!" I protested, my voice rising again.
"You can help him by staying alive," Arney countered, his patience waning. "And right now, your best shot at that is getting the papers back to Clive. If you go with me, you risk everything we've fought for. Please, just do this for me."
My heart sank at the thought of parting ways, but I could see the resolve in Arney's eyes. "Fine," I finally relented, frustration mingling with worry. "But you'd better come back in one piece. I won't let you face this alone if something goes wrong."
"I will," he promised, a hint of gratitude softening his expression. "Just keep your head down. I'll be back before you know it."
As he turned to leave, I felt a pang of dread settle in my stomach. I wanted to shout after him, to remind him of all the reasons he shouldn't go, but I knew it was too late for that. Instead, I watched as he slipped into the shadows of the night, a silent prayer on my lips for his safe return.
...
The streets of Abbyhill felt more ominous than before, each shadow threatening to swallow me whole. The chill in the air sent a shiver down my spine, and I couldn't shake the anxiety gnawing at my insides.
As I approached Clive's hidden entrance, the familiar worn door loomed before me. I knocked softly, my heart thudding in my chest, but the sound echoed in the quiet night like a drumbeat. After a moment, the door creaked open, revealing Clive, his brows knitted together in surprise.
"What the hell are you doing here, Winston?" he barked, stepping back to allow me inside. "I thought I told you to lay low. You shouldn't be back until I said so."
"I know, but I needed to talk to you," I replied, my voice barely steady. I stepped into the dimly lit room, the smell of smoke and old wood filling my senses.
Clive crossed his arms, his expression hardening. "You don't just get to waltz back here whenever you please, especially not with the Kingdom's people snooping around. Do you have a death wish?"
"I came here for a reason, Clive," I said, feeling the weight of his glare. "It's about Prince Sebastian. They're planning to kill him by dawn."
Clive's expression shifted from annoyance to concern, but he quickly masked it with a scoff. "And how do you know this? You think you can just run around, gathering intel and playing hero? You're not invincible, Winston. You'll get yourself killed."
"I overheard some information that I thought you should know," I pressed, trying to keep my frustration in check. "I can't just stand by while someone I care about is in danger. Arney's with the two men he met, and they're planning to kill the general before dawn. We need to send reinforcements."
Clive's brow furrowed, his tone icy. "Reinforcements? Are you out of your mind? You really think that's the best course of action?"
"Yes! If we send people to back him up, we might have a chance to save Sebastian and stop the general from carrying out his plan," I pleaded, desperation creeping into my voice.
"And what do you think is going to happen if I send reinforcements?" Clive shot back. "We'll draw more attention to ourselves, and before you know it, the entire Kingdom will be looking for you again. You think they won't notice a bunch of wanted men marching into their camp?"
"I don't care! We can't let Arney go in alone," I insisted, my heart racing. "He could get himself killed, and I can't just stand by while he does that. Please, Clive. We have to do something."
Clive shook his head, his expression unyielding. "I'm not sending anyone. You think throwing more bodies at the problem is going to help? You're being reckless. The more we involve ourselves, the more dangerous this becomes."
"Reckless?" I repeated, incredulity rising in my chest. "You're the one who doesn't understand! This is Sebastian's and Arney's life on the line, and we can't just let that slip through our fingers because you're scared of the Kingdom."
Clive's gaze hardened. "You're not thinking straight, Winston. This isn't just about you and Sebastian. It's about the entire operation. We've been careful to stay off the Kingdom's radar, and you want to risk all of that for what? A hunch?"
"A hunch?" I felt the panic rising, erratic and frantic. "This isn't just a hunch! I can't just sit back and wait for Arney to potentially die. I won't lose him too, Clive!"
"Then you need to accept that you can't save everyone!" Clive snapped, his voice rising with impatience. "I won't risk my men for a foolhardy mission that has no guarantee of success."
"Please," I begged, desperation spilling over. "You have to understand what this means to me. I can't let history repeat itself. I lost him once, and I can't let him go again. I'll do whatever it takes!"
Clive stepped back, his frustration palpable. "Winston, you need to get a grip. You're not in charge here. I'm not sending anyone into that mess just because you're having a panic attack. Get it together!"
I felt erratic energy coursing through me, frustration boiling over. "You don't understand! This is more than just a mission for me. It's about saving someone who means everything. I'm begging you, Clive!"
"Begging won't change my mind," Clive said, his tone final. "You need to leave. Go home and keep your head down. I'll figure something out, but you're not part of this plan."
The weight of his refusal settled heavily on my shoulders, a mix of anger and fear bubbling up inside me. "You can't do this! You can't just turn your back on someone who needs our help."
"Enough!" Clive's voice rang out, cutting through my spiraling thoughts. "I'm done with this conversation. You want to put yourself in danger, that's your choice. But I won't risk my men for your emotional attachments."
With that, he turned away, leaving me standing there, erratic and shaken. I felt the ground shift beneath me as the reality of the situation crashed down. I couldn't just walk awayânot when so much was at stake. As I left Clive's place, uncertainty clawed at my insides, and I realised that I had to find a way to help Arney, no matter what it took.
...
My mind raced haphazardly, the weight of my frustration almost suffocating. I didn't know what to do, how I could help. Clive's refusal echoed in my head, each word igniting the fire of my anger. I couldn't go homeâto Arney's home, where his mother waited for him to return safely. I was stuck in this limbo of worry and helplessness.
In a fit of rage, I slammed my fist against the wall, the impact reverberating through my bones. Pain flared in my knuckles, but it was nothing compared to the turmoil swirling inside me. "Fuck!" I shouted, my voice mingling with the stillness of the night.
"Matthew?" a voice called out, startling me from my thoughts. I turned, eyes widening in surprise to see Alice and Elizabeth approaching from the shadows.
"Oh my god! Matthew!" Alice exclaimed, rushing forward and pulling me into a tight embrace.
I stood there, too shocked to respond, disbelief flooding my senses. I couldn't believe they were here, in the middle of this chaos. "Alice, Elizabeth... What are you doing here?" I managed to stammer, pulling back to look at their faces, searching for answers.
Alice's eyes were filled with tears as she pulled me in again, wrapping her arms tightly around me. Her shoulder shook as she wept, the emotion pouring out of her. "We have been looking for you for so long," she sobbed, her voice muffled against my shoulder.
"About five years now," Elizabeth added from behind her, her tone a mix of relief and sadness. "We thought we'd lost you for good. Thought you must have been dead when you didn't reach Wallucia."
I felt a wave of guilt wash over me, the memories of that night flooding backâchaos, fear, and the desperate need to survive. "I couldn't make it. The guards caught up to me, I would be dead if it wasn't for Arney"
Alice pulled back slightly, her eyes wide with concern. "What do you mean? What happened?"
I took a deep breath, recalling the adrenaline and panic as I fled from the prison. "I was almost free, but a patrol intercepted me just outside the walls. I thought I was done for, but Arney showed up out of nowhere. He killed the guard, tended to my wounds, then took me home."
"Lucky you met him then." Elizabeth said, her admiration clear.
"Yeah" I replied, a mixture of gratitude and dread tightening my chest. "And now he's going after the general alone. I can't let him face this without backup, especially with the Valorian forces involved."
Alice's expression turned serious. "What do you mean?"
I hesitated for a moment, weighing the risks. "He overheard some information about a plot to kill Prince Sebastian. He met two men who are Sebastian's allies' they are planning to kill the general tonight"
"If they are Sebastian's allies, then it should be fine, Matthew. Arney should be in good hands," Alice said, trying to reassure me.
"But what if something happens?" I countered, anxiety creeping into my voice. "What if these allies aren't who they say they are? What if they're using Arney to get to the general for their own agenda?"
Elizabeth placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "We can't let that fear paralyze us. If Arney believes in these allies, we should trust his judgmentâat least for now."
Feeling a bit of the tension ease from my shoulders, I took a deep breath. "I just.... I can't shake the feeling that something is about to go wrong."
"Then let's get to the tavern," Alice urged, her tone determined. "We can gather our thoughts there and figure out our next move. If Arney is with Sebastian's allies, they'll likely have a plan in place, and we can strategize."
With renewed focus, we made our way back to the tavern, moving swiftly through the shadowy streets. The familiar sights of the town began to emerge as we approached, but my mind was racing with thoughts of Arney and the danger he was in.
As we entered the tavern, the warm glow of the lanterns enveloped us, providing a comforting contrast to the cold night outside. The murmurs of patrons filled the air, but my thoughts remained with Arney. We quickly found a secluded table in the corner, allowing us to speak freely.
"Sebastian will be over the moon to know that we've found you," Alice said, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Yes, he's been going crazy these past five years," Elizabeth added, her expression a mix of relief and concern.
"How has he been doing?" I asked, my heart racing at the thought of Sebastian. The mere mention of his name stirred a whirlwind of emotions within meânostalgia, longing, and a bittersweet sense of what we had lost.
Alice's smile faded slightly as she glanced down at the table. "It's been hard for him. After you... disappeared, he took on a lot of responsibility. He's been trying to keep things together while the kingdom is falling apart. The war with Valoria has made everything worse."
Elizabeth nodded, her voice steady but filled with sadness. "He's grown up a lot, but he's still the same at heart. He misses you, Matthew. We all do. But he's determined to bring peace back to the kingdom, even if it means putting himself in danger."
I swallowed hard, the weight of their words sinking in. "I wish I could have been there for him. I never wanted to leave him like that."
"We know. He knows that too. That's why he's got people looking all over for you," Alice replied, her voice gentle yet firm.
"Wait, so it's been his people looking for me, not the Kingdom?" I asked, my heart racing as the realisation hit me.
Elizabeth nodded, a serious expression on her face. "Yes. After you disappeared, Sebastian sent his trusted allies to find you. He couldn't bear the thought of losing you for good, especially not after everything you went through together."
I laughed, the absurdity of it all hitting me. "So I've been going on a wild goose chase to stay hidden when it was just him trying to find me?"
Alice chuckled softly, the tension in the air easing slightly. "Pretty much. Made our job real tough you know"
I laughed, then paused. "What of everyone else at home? My mother, my fatherâ"
"They're good, heartbroken after your sentence. I think your mother has some resentment towards Katharina. They went back to Canterbury after the war broke out," Alice replied.
My heart dropped at the mention of Katharina, pain flooding my chest. "How is she?"
"That bitch is well too, about to give birth soon," Alice said bluntly.
"Birth?" I echoed, my brow furrowing in disbelief.
"Yep, finally got what she wanted, and by force at that," Alice continued, her tone turning bitter.
"What!" I exclaimed, my shock mingling with anger.
"Sebastian went through a lot with her after you left. He was broken. Wanted to abdicate the throne and everything, but the Queen had other plans. She would drug him, and then the bitch would... you know... It kept happening until she fell pregnant."
I struggled to absorb this new reality. "So for about five years, Sebastian went through that?"
"Yeah," Elizabeth chimed in, her voice filled with sympathy. "He was trapped, Matthew. And all the while, he never stopped searching for you. I think that was the only thing keeping him going."
I felt a wave of anger surge within me, not just at Katharina, but at the entire situation. "He shouldn't have had to endure that. No one should be forced into something like that."
"Winston," a voice called out from the other side of the tavern. I turned to see Throne, a familiar figure who had always been a source of support, ushering me outside with a nod of his head.
"Who's that?" Alice asked, curiosity etched on her face.
"Just someone I know. Stay here; I'll be right back," I said, pushing back the worry that flickered in my mind.
As I stepped outside, Throne moved quickly, his grip firm as he grabbed my arm. "Come on, we need to get you away from them," he said, urgency lacing his tone.
"What are you talking about?" I protested, trying to pull free. "I'm fine! They're my friends!"
But Throne seemed convinced that he was saving me from danger. "I know who they are, Winston! They're from the Kingdom, trying to harm you," he insisted, his grip tightening.
"No! You don't understand!" I shouted, struggling against his hold, but Throne was always stronger than me.
"Let me go!" I yelled, feeling a surge of panic. I fought against him, but he pulled me further away from the tavern, each step dragging me deeper into confusion and frustration.
"Winston, you need to trust me. They'll turn you over to the Kingdom!" Throne urged, glancing back toward the tavern as if expecting them to burst out after us.
"I won't let that happen! They're here to help!" I cried out, desperation creeping into my voice as I struggled against his hold.
"Help? They're probably spies!" Throne shot back, his face a mask of determination.
In that moment, I realised I had to break free. "You're wrong, Throne! They're not the enemy! I know them!"
But it was no use. Throne was too strong, and as he pulled me further into the shadows, I felt my heart race with the fear of losing my friends and the chance to protect Sebastian and Arney.