Recovery

The kingdom of Solgrad is the best defended kingdom of the five realms. The walls of the kingdom remain undefeated, and it is often regarded as the impenetrable fortress.

With walls thick enough to withstand five rune spells and soldiers on guard at all times, it is impossible to exit or enter the kingdom without notice. Even approaching the kingdom is said to be a task under heavy surveillance.

Advanced weaponry allows Solgrad to maintain its prestige. Large mounted crossbows with arrows of magic to be fired at speeds of light, or shields created from preserved magic are just some of the technologies that allows Solgrad to keep its people safe.

Such technology is a must. Solgrad, and its realm, Midthold, faced many years of attack from the other realms. Although they have been successful in defending the kingdom, the threat of attack always remains.

Even so, the people of Mithold believe in Solgrad and its strength. Their worries are driven away by the royal family and the five captains of the Solgrad army.

Yet, on one day, the kingdom was reminded that no wall is without weakness.

·

A group of 40 soldiers guarding the southern wall of Solgrad stare at the three strangers that appeared from thin air.

It should be impossible; they have defenses for such magic. Even the greatest of communication magic is unable to make it past their barriers, but there is no mistake about what they see.

“Prir Spore.” The shortest cloaked figure whispers their spell, every soldier within the vicinity falling asleep as balls of spore surround their bodies, “See, a much better option than letting Astrid slaughter them all.”

“Quiet, Leif. Keldan, if Torsten is weakened it will be difficult to deal with one of the captains. I hate to ask this.”

“Torsten sacrificed himself for us, I’ll fight the five captains alone if I must.”

“Hey, I’m here too.” Leif said as he waved his arms in between the two much taller captains of the revolutionary army.

“But you must survive.” Astrid said.

“I have every intention to.” Keldan said.

“What about me? Wish me luck, who knows what could happen to little old me. Such a dangerous mission, we could all die. Ohh, the stories I’ll be able to tell.” Leif said as skips around the wall.

“Leif.”

“Yes, Astrid darling.”

“Thank you.” Astrid and Keldan disappear.

“Ahh, you know I prefer when you act like you don’t care about me.” Leif stretches, “But I will compliment you, I made sure to arrive here undetected.”

Across from Leif stands a young man in the white and blue cloak of a Solgrad captain, “Golden hair, silver eyes, and quite short, you’re Leif of the revolutionaries. Your mistake was using runes as well as you did, few soldiers can use them with mastery as you do.”

Fifth captain of the Solgrad army, Dagrmir, is the youngest captain at only 16 years old. Known for his jet black hair and rune magic talent, the young captain is believed to be Alvis’s heir. Such talent is stifling however, Dagrmir often struggles to live up to his expectations. Even now, he doubts his ability against a captain of the revolutionaries.

“My own talent gave me away. You’re much younger than the other captains, I have no intentions of killing someone with a bright future. I’ll give you advice, turn away and allow us to pick up our friend.”

“Your friend is a terrorist, you all will be captured here today.” Dagrmir said.

“See, I could care less what plan to do with me. But threatening a friend is a dangerous decision. Ready, young captain?”

“I’m not young! I’m older than you!”

“What? You’re 16, correct?”

“I was born in May!”

Leif, 16 themselves, and born in June, is filled with unbridled rage at the idea of being younger the Dagrmir. In seconds, he unleashes a four rune spell, the fight to free Torsten begins.

Solgrad trembles for the first time in its honored history. The southern gate is covered in hailstorms and lightning, powerful runes covering the area to keep the damage near the wall, but the spells are strong enough to send shockwaves across the kingdom.

The citizens of the capital have all bunkered within their homes. Despite the safety of the kingdom, plans for a surprise attack such as this one have always been in place. There was never an expectation for the plans to be needed, the shock coursing through the bodies of the citizens.

Across the southern wall, near the barracks of the kingdom, Keldan faces off against three of the Solgrad captains.

Their battle has destroyed the nearby barracks, but the four warriors keep their battle in the area, aware that a single swing of their blades cold wipe out an entire lane of buildings.

Tyran, however, grows frustrated with their battle. Were it up to him, he would change to an unrestricted form of battle but he is stopped by the two captains next to him. One unwilling to bear the monetary loss from damages caused by their battle, the other the only one who cares for the people of the kingdom.

Keldan tosses aside his broken sword and grabs an axe near his feet. Runes cover the axe after his hands touches it, empowering it with strength and the element of Keldan’s choosing.

Keldan blessing is known as endless armory. He’s able to carry a set number of weapons in an item box with special attributes, but the true power comes from his ability to empower any weapon he touches so long as he holds it in his hands or his item box. As such, whenever Keldan has a weapon in his hands, he is a terrifying force.

Astrid crashes through the tall windows of the Solgrad castle, landing inside the hall that leads to the throne room.

In the dark hall stands a young woman wearing a purple and white dress, and a crown. She stands still as Astrid lands, a blade of magic near her neck appearing as Astrid takes notice of her. The young woman is unafraid; she even gives Astrid a smile.

“You must be Astrid, the blade dancer. You have my compliments, no one has ever made it this far before.”

“You must be the princess. Is it wise to be alone like this?”

“I asked to have no protection at the moment, the people are much more important. And, you all are not killers.”

“Yet you treat us as such.”

“I’m sorry, if there was another way I would. There may be, I have a favor to ask.”

“The princess whose kingdom has tortured my people wishes for a favor. You must not understand what position you are in.”

“Your son, he is blessed isn’t he.” Countless blades of different shapes and sizes surround the princess, Astrid holds a blade up to the young girl’s neck, “I’d like to meet him.” The princess said with no fear in her voice.

“If you touch my son, you will understand why they call me the perfect killer.”

“A disappointing epithet for magic so beautiful. Astrid, if your son has not turned, that may be a way for us to stop all this.”

“My son will not become your experiment.”

“But he could become the beacon of hope.”

“He is not ready. And… where is Torsten?”

“The dungeon below the castle. The stairs behind you lead straight there. My request stands.”

“My answer is no, sorry.” Astrid disappears.

“No, I am sorry.”

Astrid arrives at the dungeons, Alvis standing at the bottom of the stairs with the cell keys twirling around his fingers.

“You left the princess alone, are you an idiot?”

“For any other attacker I would have stood by her side, but you’re different. We were once comrades you know.”

“A long time ago.”

“Did you hear the princess’s request?”

“So it was you that told her. How did you find out?”

“He has no mark, but there is a great focus of magic in his brain. It’s strange, it’s as if there were hundreds of strings of magic coursing there, I can’t imagine what his thinking is like. It’s a wonder he hasn’t turned.”

“You’re amused by it?”

“Have you always thought of me this way? I’m relieved. The son of my dear friends is safe, but you must understand why he would be of great benefit to us.”

“Even he doesn’t know why.”

“Then we will find why. Astrid, I’ve begged Torsten. Please! I hate this as much as you do, but it will worsen now. The princess and I will not be able to stop the nobles and people requesting retaliation.”

“We will defend ourselves.”

“Agh! Stubborn as always.” Alvis tosses the keys to Astrid, “The moment you change your mind, please, contact me. I will do all I can to mark this as an opportunity. We’ll stop it all, even if for the time being.”

“Alvis, you are always welcome to our side as well.”

“I know. But I am loyal to the royal family and Solgrad, I will find a way to fix everything here.”

“You will fail alone.”

“Fortunately, I am not alone.”

Alvis leaves Astrid and Torsten alone.

Torsten is kept in full body wrappings that prevent him from using runes. His body also floats because of the wrappings, only his mouth left uncovered to feed and drink water.

“What took you so long?” Torsten said.

Astrid breaks through the cell, her blades destroying the wrappings around Torsten in an instant. She embraces Torsten, relief building through her body as she catches him in her arms.

“Sorry, it was the only way.”

“Keldan told me. I’m sorry I couldn’t help.”

“Oh please, you just gave birth. How are you?”

“I’m fine, but I miss my dear babies. To think I left by newborn daughter just moments after she was born. I’m a terrible mother.”

“Not at all. But, I’m sorry, we won’t be able to return immediately.”

“I know. I was prepared for this. Shall we?”

“A grand exit?”

“Not this time, the princess was quite hospitable.”

“I agree, if only we could find common ground.”