“Silakmensk stands. But at what cost? Most of the city is in ruins. The outskirts, stained by the blood of our countrymen. Our children, cut down by monsters with no sense of honor or morality. The forts and castle that protected the city, a shattered husk. The refugees that sheltered here, died anyway. What exactly have we done? What did we accomplish? Would it not be better for us to have died with them? ”

  - Boyar Vladimir Keriga, Ingramarian Peoples Militia, “Last Stand Of Silakmensk”

  This is a stupid plan. You will surely perish.

  Why must this be the way forward?

  Do not do this, child. Those dogs will pay in their own way. Risk not yourself.

  You are a coward, you’ll see.

  Adrianna took a deep breath and reorientated herself. The incessant nagging of the voices in her mind only sinking their claws ever deeper into what remained of her psyche. The people of her past, the warnings, the questions. None of it mattered anymore.

  When she watched her friend and life turn to ashes in the blaze, she felt numb, the only thing that had given her life was the thought of vengeance. Yet the moment she began on her journey was the moment she already faltered. Who was to blame? Who was responsible? What could she even do?

  The scene played out in her mind. Some nameless lord that patronized her. The emperor or one of his repugnant generals. They would talk, drink, and celebrate one campaign or another. Then, while the wine flowed, she would plunge a dagger into their neck. While the crimson flowed from his veins into the crimson of the wine. She would either fight to the end or escape and set her sights on another of the villains.

  But it was those first few questions that stopped her. She didn’t even know who to blame. Only that their actions had cost her the closest friend she had.

  In the first few weeks, her rage burned hotter than the blaze. A scorching fury as she sought to mete out vengeance that she had no ability to carry through. Only Amir’s comforting words had soothed her at the time, dulling her flame enough that a modicum of normality returned, though nothing could be the same anymore.

  She had almost given up. Accepted fate. She tried to start again.

  Then they struck once more. One warm night as she planned to rendezvous with Amir after a particularly grueling extra shift. He was to meet her at her new residence in a run down inn. The perfect place for a quiet night.

  Yet when she arrived. He seemed odd, almost like he had been told something strange. When they disrobed and he caught sight of the necklace that Maria had given her, he suggested something along the lines of selling. When she refused, he grew more insistent, telling her that it looked valuable, the same as what Maria had said. But unlike Maria, he appeared oddly fascinated by it, suggesting that they could potentially pawn it for hundreds of golden Artes.

  After one last refusal, he then tried to grab it.

  Whether fate was on her side or simply making a mockery of her, she did not know. But in his haste, he exposed himself to a swift kick in between the legs. The moment gave her enough time to just grab her clothes and what little she had before she fled. It was then that she knew the Traxians had talked to, or likely asked around in the right places. The bird-like necklace stood out almost too much from the local jewellery. They had offered a price, perhaps not directly to him, but enough that it caught his ear. And though they loved each other, he made his choice and shattered her even more.

  She didn’t know how long she had cried when she finally stopped running. Her heart then, far colder than the sands of Saryama in the night. Her feet were cut by the fine grains, her muscles aching from the journey, her soul torn asunder by the betrayal. Neither rage, nor hatred could warm her up. Only a quiet acceptance that she had lost everything and everyone.

  She had run from a war, run from home. She struggled, fought viciously, and emerged scarred but alive. She carved out a life, even made a friend from her homeland. Found work that did not scar her even more. Managed to even fall in love.

  Now it was all gone. Lost like the history swept away in the sand dunes. Hopes, dreams, desires, all nothing but ashes that settled beneath the fading ember of her heart.

  A hollow husk. She walked. Taking shelter where she could, she simply walked. Wary of what Amir’s betrayal meant. Wary of the danger that had influenced him and the people that could potentially be looking for her, or rather, the necklace. So she pressed ever onwards.

  It had been an amusing journey in its own way. Now that she had nothing, she had a chance to see everything.

  Half starving and delirious from loneliness, she caught a glimpse of the mighty fortress of Old Kyne. Walls taller than even the highest buildings in Saryama, maybe even rivaling that in the Imperial city. A majestic, glorious display of might, if not for the shifting black hordes that seemed to assail one side of it. A monument of might to the land that only saw it being eternally challenged.

  By then, she had already resorted to crawling across the ground to catch what she could. So the slow shift to a more mountainous but lush climate was a cruelly fortunate gesture of fate. There were now berries, nuts, and other potential sources of sustenance past the city of Old Kyne. A way to survive. A way for her miserable existence to continue. She wanted to give up, but she couldn’t.

  So close she had come to something amounting to a graceful surrender. So close, but not enough. For whenever life would reach out to give her just that much more of a hand, she would take it, no matter how deep in her own despair she found herself.

  Perhaps it was a vain hope or some delusional attempt at redemption, she couldn’t tell. Only that once she passed Old Kyne, her heart grew heavy with the solemness of loneliness and the unquenched rage at the indignity of it all. An ever enlarging hurricane of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her completely.

  So now she rested. Haggard, broken, tattered and lost. She had gone too far to simply turn back. Too far even before she reached Old Kyne. She wondered what would’ve happened if she had simply given the necklace away. If the promised gold would’ve come. For if it did, and they weren’t killed for it. They would live a happy life together. Now, those were but fleeting, unattainable thoughts.

  The tree she sat under rustled, a strange looking mountain creature with the head and torso similar to a rat, but the tail of a snake. It peered at her down from the branches above her. A sign that even nature saw her as nothing more than the one who should’ve long since surrendered before trudging so bitterly across the lands.

  She couldn’t even muster out a grunt to scare away the thing, only watch as some sound or another sent it scurrying away into the tree top. Waiting a few more moments, she made sure that it wasn’t returning before letting out a weak groan and forced herself to stand. Her weakened frame wobbled as it moved. The rat snake things or whatever creatures in the trees nearby letting out their harsh cackle like noises that seemed to be mocking her. Even if she knew that they were simply animals living their own lives.

  After taking a small breath. She then slumped back down, unable to push herself forward. The days of exposure to the elements had taken its toll. With the unpredictability of weather within the Trannoire region, she had hoped to at least end up somewhere like Tarandium or Ostia before long. But her lack of outdoormanship had seen her make slow progress coupled by ineffectual navigation due to underestimating the distances involved.

  Thoroughly exhausted, she tried to close her eyes. If anything, sleep had become easier and easier the past week. With her energy reserves already running dangerously low, she didn’t even have the strength to confront the nightmares and doubts in her mind. Just a muted acceptance that all that was happening was now beyond her control.

  She still wished for vengeance or to seek some form of justice for Maria’s passing and Amir’s corruption. Yet that goal had only grown further and further away. Now, she didn’t even know what she wanted to do anymore.

  “I swear someone was there.” A voice cut into her thoughts.

  Her unfocused eyes quickly stared directly ahead. Her body trying to repower her broken form with whatever it could muster. Fate it seemed, had given her the answer once more. They had come for her. She knew she should’ve discarded the necklace. Logic dictated that much. Either risked it with Amir to sell it, or to have pawned it off herself. And yet, as her fingers tightened around it, only pleasant memories of a spoiled brat squawking at her come to mind. The cheery times that she had once shared with others. Joy in spite of the hard work that they had to do.

  Heavy footsteps now echoed nearby, frightening a flock of birds that took flight nearby.The flapping of their wings sending a gut wrenching twist into her stomach. The end was coming .

  “Even if that was the case, what would you have us do?” A sterner, gruff sounding voice came from the trees.

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  “Is it an ambush, perhaps?” A younger but cautious masculine voice suggested.

  “Weapons at the ready.” The second snarled.

  The predators were closing into their prey. She wondered how she would meet her end. Would it be to try one last time to flee, to prolong this agonizing journey? After all, she had already gone so far, to stop now would make it all meaningless. Or to try to fight, to show that she had not surrendered completely, that she would remain defiant to the end. Or perhaps find some way of regaining what little dignity she had left, doing what she could’ve imagined Maria doing if confronted by ner-do-wells. With one hand she grabbed the necklace, clutching it tightly, the last reminder of better days. Her free hand held up a jagged rock, it was no dagger, but it would have to do.

  “Did you hear that?” The first softer, more feminine voice chimed in.

  “This is a bad idea.” The second growled, “No reason to venture off the path.”

  “Nothing here.” A fourth, more robotic and soldier-like man interrupted.

  That confirmed her worries, they were military troopers. Be they Traxian or simply bounty hunters, she already knew she would be no match for them. She took one last breath and prepared herself. She had done all that she could have. She had been a fool, an idiot, an impulsive coward who had simply run. But she had done it of her volition. She supposed that much would have to be enough.

  Stupid child.

  Fool.

  Idiot.

  The voices scolded her.

  Then she heard it.

  The crack of a branch underfoot.

  She would make it count.

  She sprang into action, pulling herself around her tree to face her attackers. Then she froze.

  In her half delirious state, she had imagined them being just around the bend, ready to tear into her. To her shock and horror, they had been exploring a different area entirely and had now revealed herself.

  “Ambush!” The older gruff voice called out.

  Six blades were pointed at her, shields held out like a tortoise to the flanks. A miscalculation. Her end.

  “Wait!” A petite looking figure in between the soldiers cried out, her shrill call silencing even the animals nearby.

  It was a girl, staring at her with wary dark brown eyes as wide as saucers. She seemed young, but clearly held some sway over the soldiers that now shielded her. Her shoulder length hair reflected the light from the sun, looking almost too smooth and silky. Her attire almost wholly civilian, a long flowing tunic though oddly combined with a piece of armored plate that protected her chest.

  “Madam.” One of the soldiers pleaded.

  “Wait.” She spoke again, staring directly at Adrianna.

  Adrianna remained frozen. Uncertain of what to do.

  “You there, are you alright? Who are you?” The girl spoke up.

  They locked eyes, the girl’s narrowing in suspicion and concern.

  “Can you understand me?” The girl slowed her speech, almost condescendingly so.

  Agitated, Adrianna realized there was no way forward with violence. Instead dropping the rock in her hand. If they were to end her, so be it. She would meet it with not a submissive fright, but a defiant smile to at least remind herself that she had tried. Her other land let go of the necklace, letting it hang there for all to see. And see they did. For she could immediately see the girl’s eyes locking onto it. A variety of expressions crossed her face. So they know.

  Though the sight of the young soldier distressed her, she knew that this would be the end.

  “Who are you?” The girl repeated.

  She would face her end with gusto. Not the sad decrepit thing that she had become. She held out the necklace as if that alone was proof of her identity.

  The girl narrowed her eyes before seemingly scrutinizing her even further.

  “See, that doesn’t help.” The girl frowned, “Because there shouldn’t be that many pieces like that around. After all, it was custom made for an acquaintance of mine. And you don’t look like Maria to me. So I’ll ask, one last time. Who are you? ”

  Adrianna froze. Custom made? Maria?!

  “Ahh…” She tried to speak only to start spluttering, the hoarseness in her throat sending sharp pains shooting throughout her body, “Ah!”

  The girl stared at her suffering for a few moments before tapping one of the soldier’s shields and gesturing towards Adrianna. The man looked uncertain but when the girl didn’t budge, he carefully reached into a back pack and held out a flask.

  “Ah?” Adrianna managed to utter, still too frazzled to properly react.

  “You are wearing my acquaintance’s necklace. Who are you?”

  The girl nudged the soldier once more and the man reluctantly broke formation, carefully extending the flask towards Adrianna while inching forward like a viper. With her adrenaline running out and at wits end, she simply stood there, unable to process what was happening.

  “Area looks clear, mam.” One of the other soldiers spoke up.

  “You, stay with me. The rest of you, fan out. Keep an eye out. Clear or not, we’re in foreign terrain.” The older soldier commanded.

  “Sir yes sir.” The troopers began scouring the surrounding area.

  As they moved, Adrianna collapsed, her willpower having faded as she was left a husk of herself. The man with the flask looked towards the girl for instruction when she sighed and grabbed it out of his hand and marched towards Adrianna.

  Adrianna could hear her heart beginning to race as the girl drew closer, the intensity of her gaze making Adrianna wither on the spot. Yet, to her surprise, the girl opened the flask and slowly tip-toed her way forwards.

  “It’s okay, it’s just water. Easy now.” She tried to reassure Adrianna.

  “Huh?” Adrianna managed to mutter.

  She flinched when the girl’s hand touched her shoulder. But instead of dragging her forward, she just offered the tiniest touch of support as she brought the flask towards her lips.

  “Rest, rest, drink a little. Easy.” The girl soothingly spoke.

  Adrianna meekly complied, the first drop of liquid tasting like a refreshing wave that started washing over her parched mouth. Then came the second drop, then the stream. And then she started to cry, or at least she felt as if she was crying. Dehydrated as she was, she wasn’t even sure if any tears flowed out.

  “Shh, shh, just drink a bit. Easy there, easy. You’re safe now. Guardsmen, clear the caravan!”

  “Mam!” The younger soldier saluted and hurried back towards wherever they had come from.

  Adrianna sobbed into the flask as she mustered the strength to grab onto it, greedily chugging the liquid even as the last of her energy was spent expending it almost immediately.

  “I don’t know how you got her necklace or what happened. But you don’t seem too dangerous, unless you are?” The girl let out a sad chuckle, “If you can understand me, are you… alone?”

  Adrianna emphatically nodded, her shattered soul glueing itself together just enough to remain present.

  “Alright, alright. Take your time. But, do you need some place to stay for a while?”

  Adrianna whined, afraid. But as the girl stared at her, she couldn’t help but nod, suddenly more self conscious than she had been for the past weeks.

  “Okay, whew, okay, stay calm.” The girl spoke, though mostly to herself.

  Adrianna’s sobs finally came to a halt as the last of her emotions were expended and gone. A new wave of exhaustion taking hold of her as she slowly collapsed into the girl’s arms.

  “Right.” She let out a breath, “Heheh, umm, rest up, hmm? Ah, right. Uhh, my name is Alodie.” She gestured towards herself, “I’m going to meet my family at a trade summit in Tarandium. So I have a place there, is that okay with you?”

  Adrianna had no more energy and replied with a barely perceptible nod.

  “You don’t look mean, so I assume Maria trusted you with that.” She tapped the necklace, “I met her two years ago. She was nice, very sweet.” Alodie let out a dry chuckle, “So don’t worry, alright? Everything will be fine. I promise.”

  “Mam, the rest of the convoy’s passing.” The old soldier called out.

  Adrianna could vaguely hear the approach of dozens of more boot steps. A brief stab of terror made her quiver as her fear of hunters or Traxians seized her mind once more.

  “Woah, woah. It’s fine, it’s fine. Just my people.” Alodie gently intoned, “It’s fine, there’s nothing to worry about. They’re good people.”

  Despite the reassurances, she still shuddered.

  “Sir, convoy at the ready!” The younger soldier rushed back to his compatriots.

  “Very good. Have the doctor be ready for treatment.”

  “Yes sir! Mam!” The young man saluted before rushing back.

  Around them, the ones who had scattered out in defensive formation slowly regrouped as they found no other threats within the area. The old soldier barked a few more commands and they all slowly took up positions around the two. The man gave Alodie a questioning look. The girl grunted at him and he seemed to acknowledge the gesture. Whatever unspoken conversation between the two of them established something that Adrianna couldn’t even bother to try and decipher.

  “Can you stand?” Alodie asked her.

  Adrianna just grunted.

  “Renè, help me lift her.” She told the soldier.

  “Understood, mam.” The man moved to support Adrianna’s other shoulder, “You lot, help clear the way.”

  “Yes sir!” The others affirmed.

  Around them, the other soldiers coalesced to lend a hand. Their arms now stowed away as they moved to ensure the shrubbery and brushes would not impede the return.

  “You’re safe now. Okay? It’ll be alright.” Alodie tried once more to reassure her, “Look, if it’s any consolation, this feels a lot like something that happened to a friend of mine. And she turned out quite swell and kind. Hah! So you’ll be alright, believe me.” Alodie offered a smile.

  Touched, afraid, and confused. Adrianna could at least hear the sincerity in the girl’s voice. With what she could muster as they lifted her up, she tried her best to flash a faint smile back to the girl. For now, it would seem to her, fate had seen fit to deliver her a savior. Had seen fit to bring her nightmare to an end, even if only temporarily.

  “Adrianna.” She managed a hoarse whisper.

  Alodie made a startled squeak and jumped a little. The girl was now staring at her intently.

  “Name.” She croaked, “Maria. Best friend.”

  Alodie’s eyes widened in shock. And in them, Adrianna saw not a shred of malice or ill intent. Only a genuineness that she hoped would not run out.

  Content that whatever happened, she had already experienced a kindness, she closed her eyes and let exhaustion take hold. Finding comfort in a rest that was long overdue. She only prayed that this wasn’t some cruel dream and that she would indeed, wake up alright.