Chapter 1: Blood-Drenched Dawn
The first light of dawn filtered weakly through the heavy mist that clung to the ancient stone walls of House Valenwood. What had been a proud, noble estate now lay in ruin — the charred remains of a burning manor, scattered remnants of broken weapons, and the distant echo of screams fading into silence.
Elias Valenwood staggered through the shattered courtyard, his bloodied hand pressed against a deep gash across his side. The acrid smell of smoke burned his nostrils, mingling with the metallic tang of fresh blood. His heart hammered fiercely, both from the wound and the terror that still gripped him.
Behind him, the dawn revealed the full horror: black-cloaked soldiers moved methodically through the village, extinguishing any spark of life connected to his fallen family. The Council's forces had come, swift and merciless, leaving no room for mercy or mercy's memory.
Elias's breath caught as a shadow darted from the ruins — a slender figure cloaked in the deep green of the Valenwood crest. A familiar face, pale and wide-eyed, emerged from the smoke.
"Isabella," Elias gasped, his voice hoarse.
She reached him quickly, her small hands trembling as she tore a strip from her sleeve to bind his wound. "You must leave, Elias," she whispered fiercely. "They will be back soon. We can't fight them here."
Elias nodded, swallowing the pain. "But my father... my sister..."
Isabella's eyes burned with tears she refused to shed. "They're gone. We're the last."
Together, they fled into the thick forest bordering their lands, the sounds of the burning estate fading behind them. The world they had known—the life they had cherished—had been erased in a single night.
The forest was dense, ancient trees towering above, their leaves whispering secrets in the early morning breeze. Elias stumbled, the pain in his side growing unbearable, but Isabella's grip on his arm kept him steady.
"We'll find safety in the village of Greyhaven," she said quietly. "My uncle can hide us."
Elias wanted to believe her, but the weight of betrayal settled deep in his chest. The Council's soldiers had come with knowledge — a traitor had betrayed House Valenwood. But who?
His mind flicked back to the council meeting two months ago, where whispers of dissent had filled the stone halls. Allies had smiled behind their backs, and enemies lurked disguised as friends.
As the shadows lengthened and the forest grew darker, Elias knew that escape was only the first step. The real fight — the fight for justice, for truth, and for revenge — had only just begun.