Chapter 1: The Ash of Arcanumgard
Arcanumgard, the Ducal Hold of Aetheria's Northern Province.
"Aelis! Where are you?" my mother screamed. I hid behind the door, poised to bolt toward the training fields. "Young lady, this is no longer a game. You come out this instant!"
I rolled my eyes, staying pinned to the wall until her footsteps faded. As I leaned against the frame, a single, stark white lock of hair fell across my vision—a strange contrast to the rest of my dark tresses. I tucked it behind my ear with a smirk; it was a small mark of my lineage I usually forgot about until I was hiding like a thief in my own home.I heard her voice drifting from down the hall: "...no... she is not in her room."
Exhaling, I crept out from my hiding spot. "I hate these 'ladylike' lessons. Ugh," I muttered. I sprinted out of my room, down the stairs, and burst out of the hold. A biting winter breeze cut against my bare skin. I rushed toward the stables, startling the stable boy as I passed.
"Sorry! And don't you dare tell Mother you saw me!" I called over my shoulder. I hurried to my horse. "Nyx, are you ready?" He neighed in response. "Let's move before she finds us."
I saddled him quickly, and we galloped toward the field where the knights trained. I'm going to hear so much nagging later, I thought, but I'll deal with that then. On the way, the castle workers greeted me with knowing smiles.
"The Young Lady is at it again," one woman remarked, grinning. "At fourteen, she's already better than half our knights," a man grunted, straining under the weight of an apple crate.
Upon arriving at the training grounds, I was met with an ironic smile from Captain Dominic, the commander of my father's special guard. Having trained me since I was a child, he knew my tricks well.
"Is there something on my face?" I asked, returning his smirk. He stepped closer, causing Nyx to snort. "You ran away again? The Duchess gave a direct order not to let you step foot on this field."
I dismounted and patted Nyx's neck. "Really? Then just say you're getting old and starting to forget things. Besides, Father is fine with me being here."
Dominic laughed. "And that is the only reason I'm letting you stay."
I grabbed my sword and bow. The knights nearby greeted me with slight bows. "I come here almost every day, yet they keep bowing even when I tell them not to," I whispered to the Captain. "Dom, what do I have to do to make them treat me like everyone else?"
He coughed. "It's a trait of being the Duke's daughter, Aelis. You can't escape it. Now, less talk and more work."
Training lasted until dawn. I held my own with several weapons, but archery remained my favorite; I could feel my skills sharpening with every arrow. After a while, I looked around, but the Captain was nowhere to be seen. I walked over to Sid, his aide.
"Sid, where is the Captain? And why is everyone in such a hurry?" Sid raised his shield, looking distracted. "He was summoned by the Duke." "Why?" I asked, a knot forming in my stomach. "We weren't given details, my lady. You should hurry back; it's getting late. Lord Arion is expected back today. If you need an escort..." "No, no," I waved him off. "I can manage on my own."
Someone brought Nyx to me, and we began the trek back to the hold. I was riding toward the castle, the stone walls already in sight, when the world suddenly ended.
An explosion ripped through the air. Everything seemed to slow down—a massive blast that reduced the proud castle to stones and debris. A tremor shook the earth, startling Nyx and nearly throwing me. Once I regained my composure, I urged him into a gallop, racing toward the ruins.
Chaos swallowed me the moment I reached the walls. My nanny came running toward me, her face pale. "My Lady! My Lady! You must leave this instant!"
I stumbled, disoriented. "What? What happened? Why should I leave? Where is my mother? My father? The twins? I can't leave them!"
"My Lady, please! Your life is at stake!"
Before she could finish, another blast knocked us both off our feet. I felt strong hands grab me, forcing me back onto Nyx's saddle.
"YOU MUST SURVIVE!" a voice screamed.