Secrets Beneath The Surface

The escort had settled into a cautious rhythm, moving steadily through the dense forest that marked the border between Entrinnia and Ivor. The morning mist clung to the leaves and grass, softening the edges of the towering trees and lending an eerie quiet to the journey.

Inina sat upright on her horse, her senses sharpened by the memory of the ambush the day before. Though no one had been seriously hurt, the attack was a stark reminder that enemies lurked in the shadows, ready to strike at the first sign of weakness.

Commander Corval rode beside her, his expression grim but composed. “We cannot afford to be complacent,” he warned. “Our path leads through contested lands, and the loyalty of those who dwell here is uncertain.”

Inina nodded. “Do you think the attackers were from Ivor?”

Corval hesitated. “It’s possible, but we cannot be sure. There are those who profit from chaos, regardless of allegiance.”

A silence settled between them, broken only by the soft clopping of hooves and the distant call of a hawk. Inina’s thoughts drifted to the mark beneath her gown — the star-shaped birthmark she had hidden all her life. It was more than a birthmark; it was a symbol of ancient magic, one that connected her to powers both feared and misunderstood.

Her fingers traced the fabric near her collarbone, a silent reminder of the destiny she could no longer escape.

As the hours passed, the escort came to a narrow river crossing, where the water flowed swift and cold. The knights led the horses carefully down the rocky bank, securing the animals before setting up a brief rest.

Inina dismounted, her boots sinking into the damp earth. She knelt beside the river, cupping the icy water in her hands to wash her face. The coldness cleared the fog in her mind, sharpening her resolve.

Nearby, Corval approached quietly. “Princess,” he said, lowering his voice, “there is something you should know.”

Inina looked up, curiosity mingling with caution.

“There are whispers in Ivor,” he continued, “of a prophecy tied to your mark. That it heralds the rise of a ruler who will unite the kingdoms or bring them to ruin.”

Inina’s heart quickened. “A prophecy?”

“Yes,” Corval said, eyes serious. “Some believe the mark carries a power that can tip the balance of this fragile peace.”

She swallowed hard. The weight of the secret she had carried alone was suddenly shared — and yet, the burden felt heavier.

“Do you believe it?” she asked quietly.

Corval met her gaze. “I believe in the strength of those who choose their own destiny. Not in fate dictated by symbols.”

Inina drew a steadying breath. “Then I will choose my path.”

The day waned as the escort broke camp and resumed its journey. The forest began to thin, revealing rolling hills that stretched toward the distant city of Ivor.

As dusk settled, Inina gazed toward the horizon, where the sun dipped low, setting the sky aflame with hues of orange and violet.

The road ahead was uncertain, fraught with danger and political intrigue, but also with the faint promise of something new.

For the first time since her departure, a flicker of hope stirred within her heart.

She was no longer just a princess fleeing a broken past.

She was a force—one destined to shape the future of two kingdoms.

And she would not be denied.

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