A Daring Escape

he wind howled like a banshee, whipping Clive's hair around his face as he scrambled across the rooftop. The sky was a canvas of fiery orange, illuminated by the inferno consuming the castle below. Smoke choked the air, stinging his eyes and making him cough. This castle belonged to the northern kingdoms. Clive's mission was to sneak into the castle and indentify any weaknesses which the Rosarian armies could exploit during their attack. Since this castle was the last hope the northern kingdoms had against Rosaria, If Rosaria were to capture this castle, the northern kingdoms would have no choice but to surrender. However his mission failed when he and his comrades were captured.

Thirty minutes. It had only taken thirty minutes for their meticulously planned escape to crumble to dust. He clutched the coarse rope, its fibers digging into his palms.

As he was retracing his steps Clive wondered ,"I wonder if Joshua is here with Father..."

Just as he was thinking he saw several flaming boulders doused with oil being hurled at the castle walls. Explosion shook the castle." Fuck!, i must make haste now."

He found Tyler and Wade huddled on a ledge, grim faces illuminated by the dancing flames. Tyler, his usually vibrant eyes dull with pain, clutched his left arm, blood staining his armor. Three knights clad in obsidian armor that gleamed eerily in the firelight, circling Tyler. As soon as one of the knights caught sight of Clive he mocked "Looks like the little prince finally decided to join the party "

As Clive locked eyes with Tyler, an unspoken understanding passed between them. With a nod, Tyler threw himself against two of the knights. Their swords sank into his torso. Using every last ounce of his strength Tyler pulled down the two knights with him as they fell to their deaths from the battlements. Fury surged within Clive as he squared off against the remaining knight. Even beneath the knight's helm, Clive could sense his fear.

The warrior remarked " Time to meet thy maker...."

Clive Lunged at the warrior, " Time to end this....!"

Within seconds their swords clashed against each other. However, Clive's anger led him to make several reckless moves. He aimed for the knight's throat, but this exposed a vulnerability in his stance. Sensing this, the knight seized the opportunity, disarming Clive and landing a deep gash in his upper torso.

"Aghh…" Clive grimaced in pain.

"I.... won't… let you… win!" Each word was punctuated by the grunts and groans of exertion, his breaths coming in short, ragged gasps.

Before Clive could even react the warrior charged at him, ramming him against a nearby wall and he clasped his hands around Clive's throat and squeezed hard.

"Hnnnn...."Clive felt the air leaving his lungs and his windpipe being crushed. Clive tried desperately to free himself but it was of no use. His vision began to blur out but the warrior's grip suddenly loosened and he collapsed to the ground' Clive sank to his knees, gasping for breath. His vision swam, the castle walls swaying before him. He felt a hand on his shoulder, steadied him. It was Wade, his face pale and drawn, his own armor dented and bloodied.

"Your grace, are you alright?

Clive coughed

A sense of relief and gratefulness washed over Clive's face "Wade.... you saved me. Thank you"

Clive helped Wade stand and together they scaled down the castle walls.As they passed Tyler's fallen form, Clive stopped. He closed Tyler's sightless eyes, tears blurring his own vision. A silent prayer escaped his lips, a vow whispered into the roaring wind. Their long and Arduous journey was over and Elvin now had what he needed to subdue the rebellious kingdoms in the northern areas of the Duchy.

Clive was successful in his first mission, although it came at a heavy cost....

Elwin had complete control of the castle, the key to controlling the northern regions. But Clive had lost more than just a mission. He had lost a friend, his innocence, and a piece of his own soul.

He stood, his body wracked with pain and fatigue. He looked at Wade, their eyes meeting in a shared understanding. As they melted into the shadows, the flames of the burning castle reflected in their eyes. It was a fire that wouldn't be easily extinguished, a fire that would consume them and propel them forward, towards an uncertain but inevitable future.