Hellion's Reckoning

The king had wiped Ashryn’s entire clan from the vale like mere shadows in a storm. They had taken her grandmother hostage, a sweet old woman, and locked her away to rot in a dungeon. Ruvyn could feel the searing heat of anger rising within him, consuming his heart, and clouding his thoughts. The once revered king, now a sinister puppeteer, pulling the strings of their destruction with cold, calculated cruelty. He had forced her to betray her friends, pimped her out to his nephew, and forced her to live with the shame of it all.

Ruvyn encountered evil in many forms, but it usually wore grey or green skin, bloody caps, and iron talons. Never did he imagine it seated on a throne, promising a gilded age where all could live without fear. The borderland forests were a brutal frontier, but they had formed a bond in their shared goal. In the kingdom’s heart, they broke their oaths and forsook their souls in the quest for greater power. They had become a pack of ravenous wolves, tearing into each other with insatiable hunger.

The scent of pine and smoke mingled in the air, filling his lungs. His comrades moved around him, sharpening blades, checking armor, and preparing for the imminent clash with the Magistrate’s forces. The memory of her grandmother, locked away in a dungeon and left to suffer at the hands of their ruthless enemy, fueled the fire within Ruvyn’s chest. She had always been a beacon of kindness and wisdom, a guiding light in the darkness of their world.

When he beheld the tears shimmering in her hazel eyes, Ruvyn tried to make his way through the crowd. They were already gone. He’d only learned the reason for Ashryn’s tears when a girl collecting bottles relayed the heartbreaking truth to him. Those tears, he could feel the guilt in them, the loss. Inias convinced her it wasn’t hopeless. There was still a chance. They still had time, but not the three weeks it would take to enact their plan.

As dusk descended upon the forest fort, Ruvyn found himself deep in thought. He stepped away from the crowd and into the brush to remove any distractions. There was no hope for Endolyne if they waited for the battle. The city walls were impenetrable, but hellions would not stay within them. She was too old for the labor of the fields. He had spent weeks trailing the forests and sneaking around outside the walls, looking for any weak points. They would keep a member of the high court away from prying eyes, potential spies.

During his scouting, he had found a small fort a couple of miles south of the city. The fortress had minimal guards, but it took little to keep one old woman detained. As the soft glow of the campfire danced against the tree trunks, Ruvyn’s mind raced with possibilities. He knew the risks involved in attempting to rescue Ashryn’s grandmother. But one of them deserved a happy ending after all this. The Ravenmoon’s forest would burn, and they would all be forced to leave their beloved kingdom for the unknown forests of the north. Many were leaving their family and friends behind.

Feeling a sense of urgency weighing heavily on his shoulders, Ruvyn knew he had to act swiftly. There was no reason to assume she was dead, at the very least perhaps Ashryn could have some closure. They would find her body and give her a proper burial.

Taking a deep breath, Ruvyn knew he had to find Ashryn, to share his plan, and offer her a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness that surrounded them. With determination etched in his features, he adjusted his armor and set out on the long journey across the fortified camp towards Ashryn’s tent. The winding path was dimly lit by torches that cast a flickering glow over the bustling activity of soldiers preparing for battle. Ruvyn navigated through the maze of tents and makeshift structures, his heart beating with determination.

Upon reaching Ashryn’s tent, Ruvyn found her staring off into the distance, her expression a mixture of sorrow and resolve. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder, offering a silent gesture of support. “Sorry we haven’t talked,” Ashryn’s voice was barely above a whisper.

Ruvyn’s gaze met Ashryn’s. “No apologies needed. We will have time to talk, but first, I need you to hear me out,” he said with a sense of urgency in his voice. Ashryn turned to look at him, curiosity in her eyes. “Oh really? Do tell,” she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of skepticism.

“I’ve been scouting around, and I think I found where they might be keeping your grandmother. It’s a small fortress a few miles outside the city, not heavily guarded. I think we could pull off a rescue mission.” Ruvyn explained, going on about his reasons for thinking she’d be there.

It took a moment for Ashryn to process Ruvyn’s words, her gaze shifting from him to the flickering fire. The possibility of rescuing her grandmother from the clutches of the Magistrate seemed too good to be true. Hope fluttered within her chest, fragile yet persistent. “How can we be sure she’s still alive? And even if she is, it’s a dangerous gamble,” Ashryn replied, her voice tinged with apprehension. “Not one we can afford to take.”

Ruvyn understood her doubts, but he shook his head. “I know it’s a long shot. But we can’t just sit back and do nothing. We owe it to your grandmother to try,” he said, his eyes reflecting the flickering firelight. A wicked smile spread on his lips, and he stepped forward, lightly brushing her hair aside as he reached out. “You can’t waste that beautiful sword dueling with me,” He continued, reaching down to trace the hilt of her blade. “I thought you liked danger, or are you all talk?”

His words brought a smile to her lips. “Is that a challenge?” Ashryn asked, the warmth of the campfire casting a soft glow on her features. “This isn’t some duel we’re talking about. We could both die out there. The magistrate could decide to siege the forest if he finds out.”

“And I know you’re not one to back down from a challenge,” Ruvyn told her, lifting his hand to take hers, “Together, we can make this happen.” Something in his eyes inspired her. She couldn’t imagine losing or failing when he had that bright smile. As Ruvyn gazed into Ashryn’s eyes, a warmth spread through her, mixing with the flickering firelight to create a sense of determination within her. She felt a surge of adrenaline at the thought of embarking on this risky mission, knowing that she had Ruvyn by her side, his unwavering confidence in her abilities bolstering her own resolve.

“I can’t imagine losing when you look at me like that,” Ashryn clutched Ruvyn’s hand firmly, a smirk playing on her lips. “We go tonight,” she declared, a fire burning bright in her eyes.