Episode 17

Continuation

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The dawn was a quiet promise of bloodshed.

Valerie stood in the castle courtyard, her sword strapped to her back, her gaze fixed on the horizon. Around her, soldiers prepared for battle—armor clanking, horses snorting, and quiet prayers being murmured into the cold morning air. The scent of damp earth mingled with the metallic tang of steel.

Liam approached, his presence a steady force amidst the chaos. “The scouts have returned. Lucien’s camp is fortified, but their numbers are thin. They’re expecting reinforcements within the day.”

Valerie’s eyes narrowed. “Then we strike before they arrive.”

“You’ll lead the charge?” Liam asked, though he already knew the answer.

“This ends today,” she replied, her voice unyielding. “No more waiting. No more running.”

Liam studied her for a moment, his brow furrowed. “Just promise me one thing.”

She turned to him, her expression softening ever so slightly. “What?”

“Come back,” he said, his voice quieter now. “No matter what happens, come back.”

For a moment, the weight of his words silenced her. She saw the worry in his eyes, the unspoken fear of losing her. But she couldn’t make a promise she wasn’t sure she could keep. Instead, she rested a hand on his arm. “I’ll do my best.”

That would have to be enough.

The ride to Lucien’s camp was swift and silent. Valerie led the charge, her soldiers following her like shadows. The northern woods were dense and treacherous, but they moved with purpose, every step calculated. When they reached the edge of the enemy’s encampment, Valerie raised a hand, signaling them to stop.

The camp sprawled below, tents pitched haphazardly amidst the trees. Fires flickered, casting shadows across the faces of Lucien’s men. She could see him, standing near the largest tent, his posture as arrogant as ever despite the blood-stained bandages wrapped around his side.

Liam crept up beside her, his voice a low whisper. “What’s the plan?”

“We split into two groups,” Valerie said, her eyes never leaving Lucien. “One will attack from the west, drawing their attention. The other will flank them from the east.”

“And you?” Liam asked, though again, he already knew the answer.

“I’m going straight for Lucien,” she said, her grip tightening on her sword.

He didn’t argue, but his jaw clenched as he nodded. “Then let’s end this.”

The attack was a blur of steel and fire.

Valerie’s forces descended upon the camp like a storm, their war cries shattering the morning calm. Chaos erupted as Lucien’s men scrambled to defend themselves, but they were outmatched and outnumbered.

Valerie moved through the fray with single-minded determination, her blade cutting down anyone who dared to stand in her way. Her eyes searched the battlefield until they found him—Lucien, standing amidst the chaos, his sword drawn and his expression dark.

Their gazes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to fall away.

“You just don’t know when to quit, do you?” Lucien called, his voice carrying over the din of battle.

Valerie didn’t respond. She charged.

Their swords clashed with a fury that echoed through the trees. Lucien was faster this time, his strikes relentless, but Valerie matched him blow for blow. Every swing of her blade carried the weight of her pain, her anger, her need for justice.

“You think this will change anything?” Lucien snarled as their blades locked. “Killing me won’t erase the past.”

“No,” Valerie said through gritted teeth, pushing him back. “But it will end your reign of terror.”

She struck again and again, forcing him to retreat. The fight was brutal, and every blow she landed brought her closer to victory—but Lucien was as cunning as ever.

He feigned a stumble, drawing her in. The moment she moved to strike, he spun, his blade slicing toward her side. She barely managed to dodge, the edge of his sword grazing her armor.

“Is that all you’ve got?” he taunted, his smirk returning.

But Valerie didn’t falter. She stepped forward, her movements precise and unrelenting. With a cry that echoed through the battlefield, she drove her blade through his chest.

Lucien staggered, his smirk fading as blood bubbled from his lips. His sword fell from his grasp, clattering to the ground. He looked up at her, his expression one of disbelief.

“This… isn’t over,” he choked out, his voice barely a whisper.

“It is,” Valerie said, her voice steady. She pulled her blade free, letting him fall to his knees.

The battlefield grew quiet as Lucien’s men saw their leader fall. One by one, they dropped their weapons, surrendering to the inevitable.

Valerie stood over Lucien’s lifeless body, her chest heaving. She didn’t feel relief—only an emptiness that echoed in the silence.

Liam was at her side moments later, his hand resting on her shoulder. “It’s done,” he said softly.

She nodded, her gaze fixed on the horizon. “For now.”

Because while this battle was over, the scars it left behind would never truly fade.

To be continued.....

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