The girl had no control over the horse as it raced ahead, following its own course. All she could do was cling to its mane, willing herself not to fall, despite the stabbing pains coursing through her battered body.
Eventually, the castle came into view, and the horse skidded to a halt at the gates, where two guards stood on alert.
"You there—declare yourself!" one called out.
"What business have you at Castle Magnus, stronghold of Sir Akio, at this time of night?" the other demanded, both drawing their swords and stepping into fighting stance.
But the girl had nothing left to give. The wild ride had consumed her last shred of energy. Without a word, she slumped forward and collapsed to the ground with a thud.
When she groggily came to, she found herself lying in a small but clean bed. Candlelight flickered gently across the modest room. Beside her, a man in his late twenties sat at a desk, carefully grinding medicinal herbs in a mortar and pestle. He wore a long white cloak.
"Where... am I?" she croaked weakly.
"Ah! You're awake. See? The wonders of healing magic!" the man said brightly, smiling.
He had soft, almost delicate features. Pale, straw-coloured hair stuck out in unruly tufts around his head, and his bright blue eyes sparkled in the dim light. Though covered by his robe, it was clear he had a slim, almost frail build.
The girl sat up cautiously, eyeing him with suspicion.
"You must have gone through a lot," he said gently. "When you arrived at the castle, you were practically at death's door. You're lucky you made it here at all."
She didn't answer, still wary.
"Oh—how rude of me," the man continued cheerfully. "My name's Edmund, but you can call me Ed. I'm the castle's magic healer and physician, under the service of the Ironwolf Knights. I know this is all sudden, but my commander needs to speak with you. I'd advise you to answer honestly. He's not a cruel man... but he does have a bit of a temper."
Edmund gave her a sympathetic look before leaving the room to inform Akio.
Moments later, the door opened and in walked Akio.
Tall and imposing, he fixed the girl with a sharp, assessing stare as he sat beside her bed. His presence was commanding, his expression unreadable.
"What's your name?"
The girl hesitated. After everything she had endured, trust did not come easily—especially with men, and even less with nobles. But they had treated her wounds, given her a warm bed. That was more than anyone else had done in weeks.
"Agnes," she murmured.
"How old are you, Agnes?"
She hesitated again. It had been so long since someone had used her real name instead of the vile slurs the rebels spat at her.
"Sixteen," she said quietly.
Akio's expression shifted. A flicker of something softer crossed his face, the edge of his voice dulling as he spoke again.
"I need you to tell me everything that happened—from the beginning. Don't leave anything out. I promise you... the people who did this to you will be punished."
Agnes took a shaky breath and began.
She told him how she had been kidnapped months ago from the distant kingdom of Kavala, dragged across the continent by bandits and eventually sold to the Bannerless Brothers. Their latest stop had been in Magnus, to find more girls to abduct.
"I overheard them talking about a property they use... a small inn on the southeast outskirts of the city," she said softly. "That's where they were supposed to take us."
Her voice faltered, tears threatening.
"They said we had to remain pure... that keeping our 'innocence' made us more valuable," Agnes whispered. "But it didn't stop them from beating us. From... using us in their sick, twisted games."
A tear slipped down her cheek, and Edmund gently passed her a handkerchief.
"We were meant to be moved together, but one of the men disobeyed orders. He took me to a hut, alone. To use me."
She fell silent again, fighting the lump in her throat.
"They would have done... unspeakable things to me. But I was saved. By an angel."
Akio raised an eyebrow. "An angel?"
Agnes nodded, her voice breaking.
"She was the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. She fought them off and helped me escape. She put me on the horse—she was right behind me—but... but they got her." Her words cracked as she broke down. "She sacrificed herself for me. And I didn't even know her name!"
She sobbed harder now, crying out,
"All I remember is her silver locs... and her skin, it was the most beautiful shade of mahogany."
At that, both Edmund and Akio froze.
For a moment, the room was still.
Then Akio shot up from his seat as if struck by lightning.
Without a word, he turned and bolted out the door.
He raced up the stairs two at a time to his chamber, flinging the door open with such force it slammed against the wall.
The door was unlocked. He had not left it that way.
He tore across the room and yanked back the bedcovers—only to find a pile of pillows and clothes arranged beneath them.
No body. No wife.
Akio's face twisted in a storm of fury and panic.
Without hesitation, he grabbed his sword from its resting place and stormed to the stables.
Within moments, he was on horseback, galloping into the night.