Infiltration

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Elenore stared at the market square from her chamber window. Three days had passed since the burnings, but she could still smell the smoke.

It was the first time anyone had expected anything from her, even if it was a Karshan governor. However, the weight of the responsibility was heavier than what her shoulders could yet bear.

There had been no trial. The two women who survived had been exiled from Bornia. She'd tried everything. Spoken to her father. To Simone. But Lucifer Valeris walked free.

Even though the events were over, they hadn't left Bornia. The Duke had to visit Karshan to settle matters. Thomas had been making visits to the estate, attempting to negotiate, but nothing had been resolved.

They were leaving for Fort Barzaan today.

Elenore had insisted repeatedly that her father take her, but he refused. However, she could not let any chance to meet the black horse slip away.

She made her way to Adrian's chambers. He was already outside his room in the hallway, getting ready to leave.

"I need to speak to you," Elenore said quietly.

Adrian glanced at her. "Go on."

Elenore looked pointedly at the soldiers standing nearby. Adrian understood. He led her into his room and closed the door.

"Make it quick," he said. "We're leaving within the hour."

"I need to go with you."

Adrian's head snapped toward her. "What? You know you can't go with us. Father has already told you off."

"I need to meet the black horse," she said.

"You can't go. It's too dangerous, and I agree with Father on this," Adrian said.

"I have to go," Elenore insisted.

"You want the black horse, right? I'll bring it to you," Adrian said.

"How?" Elenore asked.

"I'll buy it from that man. If we offer a good enough price, he'll sell it to us," Adrian said.

"I don't think he will sell that horse, especially to us."

"How would you know?" Adrian asked.

"I don't, but the way he handled things in the market—" She paused. The image of his blade hovering at Lucifer's throat flashed in her mind. "I don't think he'll give us anything. Especially after we just let Lucifer go."

"I think that if we give him a good price, the horse is as good as ours. We can give him any price he names," Adrian said.

"Let me come with you," Elenore insisted.

"NO!" Adrian's voice sharpened.

"Alright." Elenore's expression hardened. "If you won't let me, I will find other ways to go and meet the horse." She meant what she said. Adrian knew this side of her—when she committed to something, nothing could change her mind. He'd learned that lesson in childhood.

Adrian placed his hand over his face in defeat. "Alright. I will sneak you into the convoy."

Elenore smiled.

"But Rian stays with you at all times."

Elenore rolled her eyes. "When is he not with me?"

"And you will not go anywhere without me. Understood?" Adrian said firmly.

"Alright," Elenore said, her face twisting in displeasure.

"Meet me at the stables, and bring Rian with you."

Elenore returned to her chambers and grabbed her traveling cloak. She didn’t bother to dress up—she wasn’t going there to be seen. She simply grabbed her cloak and two small daggers, slipping one into each of her sleeves. After all, she was going to enemy territory.

The Duke had taken the recent events seriously. So seriously that he appointed Rian, one of his top guards, to protect Elenore constantly. Rian was tall and broad-shouldered, with a soldier's build. He accompanied Elenore everywhere and took his duty so seriously that even Aurelia was disturbed by his constant presence.

She made her way to the stables, Rian following behind her.

Adrian was waiting for her near the end of the convoy.

He quickly led them toward a carriage at the very back.

"Both of you are going to remain inside for the whole trip," he said quietly, opening the door. "Try not to make any noise. I will keep checking in on you."

The carriage was filled with wooden crates full of ransom payment for Karshan. Elenore didn't mind and hopped into the carriage, making space among the boxes.

Rian followed her in but stayed near the door.

As Adrian closed the door, darkness surrounded them, broken only by faint light from a small window on the side of the carriage.

The convoy began moving. Hours of travel passed in uncomfortable silence, the carriage swaying with each bump in the road. Through the small window, Elenore watched the sun sink lower until the carriage finally came to a stop for the night.

The temperature dropped quickly. Elenore pulled her thin cloak tighter, but it did little against the cold seeping through the wooden walls. She curled into a ball, trying to keep warm, but the chill found its way through easily.

"Lady Elenore," Rian called softly.

She looked up at him.

He extended his own cloak toward her. "If you don't mind, this will help."

Elenore took it gratefully and smiled at him—a small, genuine smile. "Thank you, Rian."

His eyes went wide. He stared at her as though seeing her for the first time.

The intensity of his gaze made her self-conscious. She quickly pulled both cloaks over her head, wrapping them around herself, and curled back into a ball.

The night dragged on. Rian shifted restlessly beside her. The carriage creaked with each movement. Elenore kept still, hoping no one outside would notice.

On the dawn of the third day, footsteps approached the carriage. The door opened.

Adrian stood there with a soldier's uniform in his hands.

"We're almost at the gates. You need to change now and get into position."

He handed the uniform to Elenore. "The soldiers who were driving this carriage are being reassigned. You two will take their place on the driver's bench. Elenore, cover your hair and face completely with the visor. Don't speak. Don't draw attention."

He looked at Rian. "You'll drive. Keep your head down and follow the convoy."

Rian nodded and stepped outside.

Elenore changed quickly into the uniform. The armor was too large, hanging loose on her frame, but it would have to work. She adjusted the pieces as best she could, then pulled the helmet on, making sure the visor covered her face completely.

Rian was already on the driver's bench. Elenore climbed up beside him.

The pre-dawn air was cool against the small exposed parts of her skin. The convoy began moving as the sky lightened, and by the time the sun had fully risen, they approached the gates of Fort Barzaan.

Karshan soldiers stood at the entrance. A group of them, led by a short man, came forward, stopping the convoy. Elenore recognized him immediately—it was the same short man she had seen with the Karshan governor during the burning in Bornia.

The Karshan soldiers began checking the carriages. They opened doors and inspected contents, one by one.

Elenore kept her head down, her hands resting on her lap as the soldiers passed their carriage.

Once satisfied with their inspection, the convoy was led into the fort by the Karshan soldiers.

The streets were nearly empty. The few people she saw looked hollow-eyed and thin, their clothes worn and patched. They moved slowly, as if each step required effort they barely had.

Buildings stood with shattered windows and scorched walls. Doors hung from broken hinges. Piles of rubble lined the sides of the roads, waiting to be cleared.

Elenore had never seen destruction like this. The fort looked like a wound that hadn't healed.

The convoy moved through the damaged streets until it stopped before an inn. It was smaller than the estates Elenore had lived in, but larger than the surrounding buildings.

The short man approached the Duke. "This is the inn prepared for you. If you need anything, you can let one of our people know. The Emir will meet with you shortly."

Adrian came up to Elenore and Rian. "You two will be coming with me to take the horses to the stables."

Elenore's heart hammered. This was her only chance.

Both Elenore and Rian climbed down from the carriage and followed Adrian, each taking a horse's lead rope.

Walking in the armor was harder than Elenore had expected. The weight pressed down on her shoulders, and her legs felt clumsy beneath the heavy plates. She stumbled, nearly falling, but Rian caught her arm and steadied her.

She continued carefully, focusing on each step.

The stable was large, far larger than she'd expected. Multiple horses occupied the stalls, all looking well-cared for despite the state of the fort.

Beyond the stables, a wide training ground stretched out, enclosed by wooden fencing.

And there, in the center of that ground, the black horse grazed.

It was even more magnificent than she remembered. The midday sun seemed to disappear into its coat, making it look like a living shadow. Every movement was fluid, graceful.

Her feet moved before her mind could catch up. She stepped onto the dirt ground and walked toward it.

This was what she'd come for.

"Hey! You there!" A Karshan soldier called out sharply. "Where are you going?"

But Elenore couldn't stop. Her feet carried her forward, drawn to the horse.

The horse lifted its head and turned toward her, ears swiveling forward. It stood there, watching.

Elenore extended her hand toward it slowly.

The horse's ears flattened.

Before she could react, the stallion spun. Its hind legs shot out.

The impact slammed into her chestplate with a deep crack.

The force lifted her off her feet and threw her backward. She hit the ground hard.

The air left her lungs. Pain spread across her chest like fire.

She tried to breathe, but nothing came. It was as if something blocked her throat.

She reached for her visor, but her hands wouldn't move.

Her body twisted on the ground as she gasped soundlessly. Muffled shouting reached her ears. Her fingers dug into the dirt, clawing weakly as she fought for air.

Her vision dimmed. The edges darkened, curling inward until the world became a shrinking circle of light.

In what remained of her vision, she could see the Governor crouched above her before his face was swallowed by darkness.

Thank you for reading Chapter 8!

New chapters will be posted every Sunday from now on.

Thank you so much for reading and supporting the story.