"But if we won't be back by sunset - send everyone..."

The overwhelming blast of light in a subtle sound of explosion turned the crowd into still silent as the bomb continued rushing into the sky.

The eerie silence turned back into an uproar after realizing what just happened. Everyone panicked and cried for their lives.

A bomb just exploded in the far northeast of the border.

Queen Vana couldn't help but think of the people who could've been there at the moment.

"Ryvna," the Queen called for her knight.

"Yes Queen Vana," she responded while still having her eyes on the after-explosion but is ready for whatever her Queen commands.

"Get these people to safety and..." the Queen breathes trying to regain her composure.

"...and gather me, warriors, I'll go to the borders myself." she turned her back to return to the palace.

"But Queen Vana, you have to stay here." Ryvna get passed the Queen to stop her way but the Queen stared pointedly at her in coldness.

"Get men ready to leave Ryv. I'll go back to get my armor, make sure they're here." She said not making negotiations with Ryvna. She had no choice but to follow the Queen. "Find Von and Philip." she added.

After the explosion, the barracks were in chaos. They prepared themselves for orders and came rushing towards the Queen's Knight, Ryvna, as they get ready to take orders.

"The Queen is going to the place of the explosion. Ready a hundred men right away. You are going to protect the Queen." Ryvna said.

"Right away ma'am." the battle warrior, Dreeyan, first in command responded.

"And..." Dreeyan stopped as Ryvna still have something to add.

"The training warriors.... send them back to the palace. We'll be taking precautions just in case." Dreeyan nodded.

"Leave these two warriors here, we have to escort the people inside." she went to the gate and the guards opened it as Ryvna gestured.

There revealed to her a crowd of which she presume only about a hundred people. A little less than what she had expected.

"Get inside!" she shouted so the crowd can hear.

Ryvna, together with the two warriors and a bunch of palace guards escorted them inside the inner court. She ordered a few guards to send them bread and water from the royal kitchen to serve these people.

"What is happening madam? Have we been attacked?" A mother holding her son's hands asked Ryvna.

"I have no answers right now but the Queen is going to check what happened for herself." She assuredly said to the mother. She pats the head of the child and added, "Don't worry, we will be protecting everyone." She said with reassurance.

Moments later the Queen rallied out of the palace together with the hundred men Ryvna gathered. Right away before the Queen speeds up her pace, Ryvna came close to the Queen "I will go after you Queen Vana. I just need to find Sir Philip and Sir Von. If ever.... don't retaliate." with great concern, Ryvna said.

She looked over to Dreeyan who is beside her and said, "Protect the Queen." Dreeyan nodded and without delay, they finally left the place. She should've been with the Queen as the only knight who is around right now but she did not insist anymore.

As Ryvna went back inside and called upon the two warriors "Where are the others?" She asked.

"All of the warriors are preparing battle defenses as the Queen instructed before leaving. A messenger was also sent to the training barracks, they will be here soon." one of them said.

"I am leaving to look for Sir Philip and Sir Von. If they come here, tell them to go straight ahead the borders." She said commanding them.

"What about these people here?" he asked worried by the amount of responsibility she is about to leave to them.

"If they want to get out here, let them. If somebody wants to get in let them in. Keep them inside this court not inside the palace. Keep a guard there." the guards nodded hiding their hesitation.

"You'll be fine. We'll be back." She added.

"But if we won't be back by sunset - send everyone. Let these people get inside the barracks if they still want to stay for the night. We still don't know what is going so we can't really be sure what to expect." she continued.

"We will keep it in mind." Ryvna went into the stable and straight to Castle Town.

She entered Castle Town with great chaos. The people were so disoriented. So she hid back.

They are talking among themselves trying to understand what's going on. Some even carry bags ready to leave.

Ryvna assumed Sir Philip and Sir Von are not there. Because if they are, this place can be less chaotic. They are rather good with people than she does.

So before Ryvna is seen by anyone, she left and journeyed straight to the first town she passes until he finds Sir Philip and Sir Von.

She assumed it was going to be a very rough ride as people might stop her along the way to ask some questions or help evacuate.

Castle Town is disordered what more are the rest of the towns?

So she trailed back to where she passed last night to go after Sir Philip.

She reached the woods and after a while passed across a shallow river, circled a lake, and went straight ahead to the open grassland where furthermore is the Takèif border.

Immediately she passed into scattered debris of smoke and stones. The air is ashy and gray. It is even blurry from ahead.

She could barely see from afar shadows of people in horses and some spaced out on their feet.