Raising hope

The rain lashed against the canopy, a relentless drumbeat that echoed through the dense, emerald forest. Nienna, once a queen, now a fugitive, stumbled through the treacherous terrain, her once-regal white hair now hidden beneath a tattered cloak. A week had passed since the war had erupted, a week since she had fled her kingdom, a prisoner in her land.

Her stomach rumbled, a constant reminder of the meagre rations she'd subsisted on. Nuts and berries were the only sustenance she could find in the unforgiving wilderness. Her ankles, swollen and blistered, throbbed with each step. Every breath was a laboured effort, her lungs burning with exertion.

The forest, once a place of tranquillity, had become a hostile environment. The once-familiar sounds of nature were now overshadowed by the distant rumble of war. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and fear.

She paused, leaning against a moss-covered oak. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her vision blurring. She closed her eyes, trying to calm her racing heart. The memory of her kingdom, once a beacon of hope, now reduced to ashes, filled her with despair. She had lost everything: her home, her people, her identity.

With renewed determination, she pushed herself forward. The thought of falling into the enemy's hands was unbearable. She would rather perish in the wilderness than surrender to their mercy. She thought of her people, the brave souls who had fought and died to protect their homeland. She vowed to honour their sacrifice, to keep their legacy alive.

As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the forest floor, Nienna found a small, sheltered clearing. She collapsed onto the damp earth, her body aching with exhaustion. The forest was silent, save for the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant cry of a night bird.

As she drifted off to sleep, she dreamed of a time when peace reigned, when her people lived in harmony. But the dream was shattered by a nightmare, a vision of the enemy soldiers, their faces twisted with hatred, closing in on her. She awoke with a start, her heart pounding.

The night was long and filled with restless sleep. The morning sun filtered through the canopy, casting dappled light on the forest floor. Nienna emerged from the clearing, her body stiff and sore. She knew she had to keep moving, to stay one step ahead of her pursuers.

As she ventured deeper into the forest, she came across a small stream. She knelt beside the water, cupping her hands and drinking deeply. The cool, refreshing water soothed her parched throat. She washed her face, the cold water invigorating her weary spirit.

A sudden noise made her freeze. A twig snapped, followed by the sound of footsteps. Her heart pounded as she strained to listen. The footsteps grew louder, and closer. She ducked behind a large oak tree, her breath held.

A group of soldiers emerged from the undergrowth, their armour glinting in the sunlight. They were searching for her, their faces etched with determination. Nienna watched them, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew she had to move quickly, to disappear before they could find her.

With a silent prayer, she slipped away, vanishing into the dense foliage. She ran, her legs burning, her lungs aching. She didn't stop until she was far from the soldiers' reach.

As she rested, catching her breath, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. She glanced around, but there was nothing to be seen. Was it her imagination, or was someone truly following her?

She looks around, her heart beating with trepidation

"H-hello," she squeaks out, her eyes scanning the environment for a place to hide if anything goes awry. There's no movement apart from the rustling of leaves and the whistling of the wind. It sends a chill through her.

She sighs, concluding that it may just be the wind as she bends to fill her canteen with water. Who knows where she'll find it next

She continues her journey, her fingers toying with the necklace her mother gave her before she plummeted to her death, what was it she said again...

"Nie, have courage, fight for what you believe in" How was she supposed to fight...the sheltered daughter of a monarch and most importantly what did she believe in, she wasn't taught much, wasn't taught anything that could help her in this situation.

She continues walking, her fingers now at the hilt of her dagger.

The wind whipped through the desolate landscape, carrying with it the biting chill of the approaching winter. Nienna, her cloak drawn tight against the cold, pressed on. The map, a faded parchment, was clutched tightly in her hand. It was her only hope, a beacon in the vast, unforgiving wilderness.

The lost city, a legendary place of ancient power, was her destination. A place where rumour had it, a hidden army awaited, ready to rise against tyranny. It was a long shot, a desperate gamble, but it was all she had left.

Her journey had been fraught with danger. She'd escaped her uncle's clutches by the skin of her teeth, narrowly avoiding capture and certain doom. The hostile takeover of her kingdom had left her a solitary figure, a hunted fugitive. Yet, she refused to surrender.

The map, a relic from a bygone era, was her guide. Its intricate lines and cryptic symbols held the key to the lost city. She studied it intently, deciphering the ancient script. The journey would be arduous, filled with treacherous terrain and unforeseen challenges.

Meanwhile, at the castle, Malachi's fingers tap restlessly on the throne where he is seated

"What do you mean you can't find her, she mustn't have vanished" he growls glaring at the guard a shadow already materialising behind the soldier

"S-sire the men and I have been searching for days now I-" the soldier is cut off by the shadow already choking the life out of him

"Useless, all of you are simply useless" Malachi gets up and starts to pace the length of the dias.

"Killing one of your pawns again, I was so sure it was going to be Dax today" the troubled king turns to his second in command with a glare

"Now is not the time to be smart kael, the dark one is getting antsy and my head is on a pike if I cannot find the girl and free him" Malachi scowls pinching the bridge of his nose

"I thought you said she was barely of age, how could she be so slippery" Kael frowns walking around the corpse of the shadow-strangled soldier

"I haven't seen her in my life, I just know what they told me about her, look the point is, unless she's found I won't know peace" kael sighs like the weight of the world had suddenly dropped onto his shoulders

"Fine, since you're begging I'll find the girl" Malachi straightens, a sigh leaving him "I'm going to need supplies, clothes, food and all that"

"You aren't taking troops?" Malachi frowns not liking that idea very much

"Of course not, if you want to catch a mouse you've got the think like a mouse"