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The midday sun beat down relentlessly on the makeshift outpost, forcing most of the soldiers to seek solace under the scant shade of a solitary tree. Among them, the only one undeterred by the oppressive heat was Daisy. She stood atop a weathered rock, her keen eyes peering through a spyglass at the distant horizon.
"Captain! There's a village to the south!" she called out, her voice brimming with excitement. The village in question was a forlorn sight, its decrepit structures suggesting years of abandonment.
Seliph took the spyglass from Daisy, his gaze following her direction. "Aye, I see it," he said, his tone contemplative. "A small village, no signs of Imperial presence. We'll rest there for a few days, gather our strength before the ambush."
The journey had been a long and arduous one, yet the camaraderie among the soldiers had grown strong. Daisy, ever the spirited thief, had swiftly become a beloved member of the militia. Her cheerful demeanor and penchant for mischief brought a sense of levity to their otherwise grim mission.
As the army prepared to depart once more, Daisy tended to her steed, her fingers running through the horse's brown fur. "Are you ready, boy?" she whispered, a smile playing on her lips as the wind tugged at her black ponytail.
Mounting her horse with practiced ease, Daisy looked back at Seliph, who watched her with a mixture of admiration and concern. "She's something, isn't she?" he remarked to Oifey, his trusted advisor.
"Indeed," Oifey replied, his thoughts distant. "She truly is."
Hours of riding brought the army to the outskirts of the village, near the looming walls of Conote's capital. The castle's formidable fortifications stood as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead. Guard towers punctuated the perimeter, manned by Imperial soldiers who seemed blissfully unaware of the approaching threat.
The village, though abandoned, offered a temporary haven. As night fell, the soldiers set up camp, strategizing for the imminent assault. The flickering campfires cast long shadows, mirroring the uncertainty that hung in the air.
Seliph returned from a routine patrol to find one of his men waiting anxiously. "Sir, we have reports of strange happenings in the southeastern forests," the soldier informed him.
"Strange happenings?" Seliph echoed, his brow furrowing.
"Aye, sir. A platoon we sent to investigate has vanished without a trace."
"Vanished?" Seliph's voice sharpened. "What do you mean?"
The soldier's expression was grim. "We fear they may have met a dire fate. Another division has been dispatched to search for them."
Seliph stroked his chin, pondering the news. "We'll hold our position until the division returns."
"Sir, with respect, the enemy might not take kindly to our presence here," the soldier cautioned. "There's talk of an impending attack."
Seliph weighed the options, his mind racing. "I understand the risk, but attacking now without support is folly."
"But what if they don't return in time?" the soldier pressed.
"They will," Seliph insisted, though doubt lingered in his eyes. "Their magical defenses should protect them."
"Not all of them," the soldier admitted quietly.
Seliph's resolve hardened. "Very well. I'll go myself."
Oifey interjected, shaking his head. "You're the commander, Seliph. You cannot risk yourself."
Seliph hesitated, then addressed his troops. "Who among you will volunteer?"
"I will," Daisy declared, her voice firm. She rested her hand on the hilt of her light sword, her eyes alight with determination.
"No, Daisy. I need you here," Seliph countered, his tone unyielding.
"It'll be fine," she reassured him with a smile. "I'll be back by dinner."
Seliph's heart ached with the weight of his concern. "It's too dangerous. I can't lose you."
Daisy was accustomed to such arguments. She placed a comforting hand on his arm. "I can handle myself, Seliph. You know that."
He sighed, recognizing the futility of further protest. "I'll send more soldiers with you."
Daisy shook her head. "A larger force would draw too much attention. I'll be quicker alone."
Seliph's eyes searched hers, seeing the resolve that mirrored his own. "Very well. But take at least one more soldier."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Seliph watched Daisy and her companions disappear into the forest. The night grew colder, the tension palpable. He ordered his men to stand ready, preparing for whatever might come.
Daisy and her escort navigated the dark woods with practiced stealth. They reached the enemy camp, a sea of tents and fires dotting the landscape. Mages and soldiers milled about, some relaxed as if war were a distant memory.
The camp seemed vulnerable, yet Daisy knew the real challenge lay in what awaited them at the castle. She steeled herself, her thoughts turning to Seliph. She would return, no matter the cost.
Seliph waited, his eyes fixed on the path Daisy had taken. The night stretched on, fraught with anticipation. He could only hope that the gods favored their mission, and that Daisy's return would herald a new dawn for their cause.
Daisy scanned the camp from the shadows, her eyes narrowing as she counted the soldiers patrolling the perimeter. She moved like a shadow herself, her steps silent on the forest floor. Stopping a few feet before she could be noticed, she whispered to herself, “Fifty soldiers… no, at least seventy. If we take out the scouts, we can take the camp.”
She turned and slinked back to her comrades hidden behind a tree. “Their sentries are weak. We could take them down tonight.” She pulled a small knife from her pocket, its blade gleaming faintly in the moonlight. “There are six patrolling the camp. If I take them out silently, it would make everything easier.”
As she surveyed the camp again, her eyes landed on a young man with long black hair and a sword at his belt. Her heart skipped a beat. “Asaello…” she whispered. What was he doing here?
“I’ll go in and check the camp by myself,” she announced suddenly.
One of the soldiers looked at her with concern. “What if something happens to you? Seliph won’t be happy.”
“I can handle it,” she assured them. “But if I fail, take care of my body.”
“God, I hate it when you talk like that…”
Daisy laughed lightly. “Then I guess I have to make sure I survive. See you soon.” With that, she moved off again, slipping through the trees like a wraith. She approached the camp cautiously, making sure not to step on anything that might make noise.
Two soldiers stood a distance apart, their attention focused elsewhere. Daisy crept up on the closest one, her movements deliberate and silent. She crouched down, inching closer.
“Asaello…” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
The soldier turned, peering into the darkness. “Who’s there?”
“Asaello… It’s me, your sister…”
The soldier squinted, trying to make out the figure in the dark. “Daisy?” he asked, disbelief in his voice.
Daisy stood up slowly, revealing herself. “Yes, Asaello, it’s me.”
He reached for his sword, startled. “What are you doing here? Are you spying on us?”
“No, Asaello! I just wanted to make sure you were safe.” She stepped closer, trying to reassure him.
“I don’t need anyone to take care of me,” he said angrily.
Daisy shook her head in frustration. “Listen, Asaello, what do you think you’re doing? Don’t tell me you let Bloom buy your bow arm! What did he promise you this time? Land? Wealth?”
“I joined because they’re going to pay for my food and our village’s medical care. Where were you, anyway?”
“You’re in a precarious position here. You need to leave before it’s too late. The Empire is corrupt, and they’re losing the war.”
He looked around nervously. “Shut up! Someone might hear us. Conote could fall like Miletos if you stay with them!” he urged.
“Miletos didn’t fall. It was liberated. But if they keep going this way, yes. Look, I don’t have time to convince you. If you’re set on staying, find"
“Why are you with the rebels?” Asaello asked, realization dawning.
“I fight for what I believe in. Right now, that’s the Liberation Army.”
“The Empire may be corrupt, but the rebels are no saints,” he argued. “I’m not fighting for the Empire, but I’m also not fighting for the traitors. The people caught in the middle suffer the most.”
“We’re fighting to protect the people. We’ve come this far by working together, and we’re going to stop Bloom. Join us. There’s strength in numbers, and we need an archer like you.”
“I can’t. They’d kill me if I did.”
Daisy’s face softened. “I don’t want you to die.”
“Then go back home.”
“I can’t. I have to help end this war. Come with me, Asaello. Don’t die for a corrupt government that doesn’t care about you.”
“I can’t risk it.”
“Then I’ll stay with you until the end,” she said, determined. “But remember, we’re fighting for a future where our village can thrive without taking dishonorable jobs. It's Bloom who you want to rule us?”
After a tense silence, Asaello finally spoke. “I’ll join you. You’ve certainly come a long way, Daisy.”
She embraced him, relief flooding her. “Thank you, Asaello. We need to plan.”
Asaello nodded. “I’ll recruit some brave fighters under my command. We’ll make a difference.”
“Perfect. Now, tell us everything about their attack plan.”
Asaello shared the details he knew, including the ambush planned for the next night. With this information, Daisy led him back to Seliph’s camp, where preparations were underway for the coming battle.
When they arrived, Seliph looked surprised to see Daisy with a stranger. “Who’s this?” he asked.
“My brother, Asaello,” she replied, smiling.
Seliph extended his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Asaello hesitated before shaking it, wary of the prince. “Why is he here?” Oifey asked suspiciously.
Daisy explained the situation, and Seliph considered it carefully. “Can we trust him?” he asked.
“He’s risking everything to bring us this information,” Daisy insisted. “If he’s lying, he has nowhere to run.”
Seliph nodded. “We’ll see if he’s telling the truth. Asaello, return to your camp. Disrupt their division and join us when we arrive. If you’re loyal, you’ll be spared. If not…”
“I understand,” Asaello said nervously.
As he prepared to leave, Asaello noticed Seliph whispering to Daisy, their closeness unmistakable. “Are you dating my sister?” he demanded, his voice rising.
Seliph looked taken aback. “I am.”
Daisy stepped in, her voice firm yet filled with a hint of desperation. “He’s my boyfriend, Asaello. I love him.”
Asaello fumed, his eyes narrowing into slits. “How can you stand to be around him? He’s a noble! The very people who ruined our lives!”
Daisy’s eyes flashed with anger, her stance unwavering. “Status doesn’t matter to me, Asaello. I won’t let it get in the way of our relationship. Seliph is not like the others.”
Asaello’s face twisted in disbelief. “Are you so blind, Daisy? Nobles are all the same. They look down on us, use us, and discard us when it suits them. Have you forgotten everything we’ve been through?”
“Everything I’ve been through has led me here,” Daisy retorted, her voice shaking with emotion. “Seliph is different. He’s fighting for a cause we both believe in. He’s kind, and he respects me. Can’t you see that?”
Asaello’s anger gave way to a weary sigh, his shoulders slumping. “But if he hurts you, I’ll kill him. I swear it.”
“Watch your mouth!” Daisy snapped, stepping closer to her brother, her eyes blazing with protective fury. “Seliph is risking everything for us, for our freedom. Show some respect.”
Seliph, who had been silent, finally spoke. His voice was calm, yet carried a weight of conviction. “I’ll take good care of her, Asaello. I swear it on my honor.”
Asaello looked between his sister and the prince, his expression torn. He hated nobles with every fiber of his being, yet he couldn’t deny the sincerity in Seliph’s eyes. He had seen too much betrayal to trust easily, but he also knew the bond he shared with Daisy was unbreakable.
With a heavy heart, he nodded slowly. “Alright. But mark my words, Seliph. If you ever betray her, no title or army will save you from my wrath.”
Seliph met his gaze evenly. “You have my word. I will protect her with my life.”
Daisy placed a hand on Asaello’s arm, her touch gentle but firm. “Asaello. Trust me, this is the right path.”
Asaello sighed, pulling his sister into a tight embrace. “Just be careful, Daisy. The world is a dangerous place, and I don’t want to lose you.”
As they parted, Asaello’s gaze lingered on Seliph, a silent promise passing between them. Seliph nodded in acknowledgment, understanding the weight of the responsibility he now carried.
“Come, we need to finalize the battle plans,” Seliph said, turning to Oifey and Daisy. “Time is of the essence.”
Daisy squeezed Asaello’s hand one last time before following Seliph. Asaello watched them go, a mixture of pride and anxiety churning within him. He knew the road ahead was fraught with danger, but for the first time in a long while, he felt a glimmer of hope.
Asaello rode back to his camp, the words of his sister and the prince echoing in his mind. Trust was a fragile thing, easily shattered but desperately needed in times of war. He resolved to watch over Daisy from the shadows, ready to step in if the need arose. No matter what happened, he would protect his sister, even if it meant working alongside the very people he had sworn to hate.
That night his mind was churning with the events of the night. He hated nobles, but maybe, just maybe, Seliph was different. He would never admit it to anyone, but a part of him hoped it was true.