EXT. ENEMY CAMP – NIGHT
The rival camp burns with torchlight. Around a fire, ENEMY COMMANDERS sit, drinking and laughing.
ENEMY GENERAL
So the king sends a girl to command his men?
SOLDIER
They say she’s his daughter. Pretty little thing, I’m sure.
ANOTHER COMMANDER
What’s next? A royal tea party at the frontline?
Laughter erupts. One of the soldiers throws a dagger at a tree trunk — hitting off-center.
ENEMY GENERAL
Let them bring silk to a sword fight.
We’ll write her name in the dirt by sunrise.
EXT. HILLSIDE – DAWN
Aurevia rides at the front of the army. Behind her: rows of soldiers, banners flapping in the wind. The sky is turning pale gold.
Her eyes look forward — but her heart is steady.
Liora rides beside her on a silver horse, unseen by the others. Her presence like the moon walking beside the sun.
LIORA (whispers)
They laugh now.
But tomorrow… the world will remember your name.
Aurevia grips her sword. Her voice is calm.
AUREVIA
Let them laugh.
She raises her hand — signaling the march forwar
EXT. WAR CAMP – NIGHT
Hundreds of tents stand in neat rows under the night sky. Torches flicker. The warriors have gathered around a large map tent at the center — murmurs fill the air.
INT. STRATEGY TENT – CONTINUOUS
A long wooden table stands at the center, covered in maps, markers, and scrolls. Around it are ten high-ranking generals, war chiefs, and field commanders — all hardened men.
PRINCESS AUREVIA walks in wearing her battle cloak, a silver circlet on her brow, and a map scroll in her hand.
She walks to the head of the table — but not a single soldier rises. They glance at her. Some smirk. Others look away.
Aurevia unrolls the scroll.
AUREVIA (steady voice)
I’ve studied the terrain around Black Vale. If we reposition the eastern flank near the canyon wall and split the archers—
She’s cut off by soft chuckles.
GENERAL #1
We’re receiving battle plans… from a royal tea girl?
COMMANDER #2 (muttering to another)
Is she going to ask the enemy to surrender with manners?
The laughter spreads — quiet, bitter, cruel.
GENERAL #3 (loudly)
Forgive us, Your Grace, but some of us prefer to survive this war.
AUREVIA (still calm)
I do too. That’s why I suggest flanking their blind side during sunrise. They’ll be moving from the east—
COMMANDER #2 (interrupting)
—And how would you know that?
Read it in a fairy tale?
AUREVIA (voice sharpens)
I know because I’ve walked the cliffs of Black Vale at dawn.
I’ve studied every valley, shadow, and weak point since I was thirteen.
A tense silence falls. A few shift awkwardly. But the scoffing returns.
GENERAL #1 (sarcastic)
Then perhaps next you’ll teach us how to braid our swords.
Aurevia clenches her fists. Her breath shakes. Her eyes sting—but she doesn’t let tears fall.
Suddenly, a soft silver glow begins behind her.
LIORA appears in the shadows of the tent. No one else sees her — only Aurevia. Her voice is quiet and firm.
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