Out in the vast fields of the North-West of Zeral, there are sprawling, lush green fields hidden between the mountains. In those fields, there are a very few select Towers and Fortresses, which used to be armed by some of the most experienced knights in the world.

  Atop one of these Towers, a young man stands overlooking the area. His blond hair sways tactfully above his eyes. He adjusts his light armour, which has been dyed green to mark his status as a novice, trying to get a bit of comfort while standing in the cold, blowing winds.

  He can hear loud clanking down the steps leading up to his post. The sound of heavy steel boots pounding against the thick stone. They ascend.

  “Franz!” A gruff, commanding voice calls from the clanking. A large, strong man steps up to the top. His heavy armour contrasts with Franz’, just like his serious, experienced face and black sleek hair. No one would blame anyone for mistaking him for a giant.

  “Yes sir?” Franz turns and salutes.

  “No sign of the Vapians?” The Knight approaches, looking over the same fields.

  “No sir Gilliam, no dust clouds either. Just storm clouds, coming from the East”

  “Hmn..”

  The two stand in silence. Strangely tense.

  “Peculiar. If they had any sense, they would’ve been here three days ago”

  “Sorry, sir, but how are you able to estimate these kinds of things?”

  “I have a very keen sense Franz. It comes with experience”

  “Perhaps Ephiram's forces have done more damage than we expected then?”

  Gilliam looks down at the youngling with a raised brow.

  “Perhaps. But we cannot make such assumptions. The Prince has no way of communicating with us”

  “Sir.. If I may propose my idea again..”

  “No Franz. What you speak of is suicidal”

  “But sir, I’m sure me and a couple of cavaliers could easily evade the Vapian forces and find the Prince! Or at least confirm his condition”

  “Franz! We are already short on soldiers as it is, not to mention experience. My King sent me here to aid your forces in your time of peril. As it stands, you either obey my command, or you can join the rest of Zeral in its occupation”

  “...I’m sorry sir…” Franz looks away, disappointed and slightly ashamed.

  Gilliam nods and places a hand on the young cavalier's shoulder.

  “Your heart is in the right place, my boy. There is no lack of honour in wishing to save your Prince. But we must remain vigilant and patient. Besides, do you not believe that Ephiram is the greatest strategist of Zeral? I have heard your loud declarations amongst your peers”

  “Ah-.. y-yes sir! Of course I do!”

  “Then you must believe in his ability. Take with pride the knowledge that he is either leading his forces valiantly still, or has perished in the most chivalrous way a man can”

  “Yes sir…”

  A silence dawns over the young lad, still not content with this. A passion and fury burn in his heart, but above all, he feels great worry for his older brother. Similarly, with great effort, he forces it to a still.

  “Sir.. If I may ask, what compelled you to come here to Zeral and help us defend our lands?”

  “I’m here by my King’s order, Franz, and by his order alone. I don’t care who I pair up with. You can’t always have it your own way. That’s how it works in Barmor”

  “But why here? It is not only you, but your King has sent many men to our strongholds. But we protect nothing of importance here, not for Zeral”

  “Incorrect. These plains are the fastest and easiest way to cross from the rest of Zeral to both the North of Zeral and my Kingdom of Barmor. They are unreachable without access to either a Pegasus, Wyvern or these fields. We guard the last remaining territories of Zeral and the future of Barmor if the Vapians decide to challenge us”

  “I see… I still believe Ephiram is doing the best for Zeral”

  “He is brave. To stay in the conquered lands, living from battle to battle, surrounded and exhausted. It may be the last flicker of light that remains. But what Zeral is there if you have no land left to call home? You must do your part, Franz, and leave the Prince to his”

  “... Right. Thank you, sir Gilliam,” He says with newfound conviction.

  Then, smoke rises in the distance, clearing over even the taller points of the mountains. The thick dust clouds start to climb over the hills, descending with the wind.

  “...Sir Gilliam…?”

  “Yes, I know” He looks to the East at the approaching storm.

  “Let’s hope the storm arrives with them. Then we might stand a better chance”

  “So many… I’ve never seen a cloud this big”

  “Then you have yet to taste real battle, son. Prepare your steed”

  “Wait.. what's that?”

  Franz points down at a lone wanderer, covered over with a bright but mudded white cape, on the dirt path toward their stronghold. Gilliam stares on.

  “Send a rider out to see, take in any civilians in the area. I need to alert the Pegasus Knights. If we are lucky, Vanessa or Syrene might be near”

  The two of them quickly head down to alert the men and begin preparations.

  Franz quickly saddles his horse and rides out to meet the wanderer. He takes on a frantic pace, knowing he’s got to save all the time he can. Yet as he approaches them, he gets the sense that something is off. They are hiding themselves in their clothes and robe. They are walking crookedly, as if injured or tired. He stops a few paces short of them and hops off.

  “Excuse me, sir, it’s not safe to be out here, please, come with me, we can shelter in-”

  He finally gets a better look as they stumble foreward to him, finally showing their face. A girl, but not just any. It's the beautiful face of Princess Eirika herself, younger sister of the Crown Prince of Zeral. Her piercing blue eyes shoot straight through Franz, baffling him at the sight. She’s worn, tired, but still wearing the elegance of a noble. She has bright blue crested earrings and has her long blue hair tucked away behind her cape. She is wearing light shoulder and chest plates as well as a chainmail skirt, she’s clearly seen some level of combat. A delicate rapier hangs from her waist.

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  “M-my liege-!”

  Franz immediately reaches out to her once he fades back into his senses. She allows herself to lean on him.

  “Zeralian?..” She asks weakly.

  “Of course. Please, Princess, don’t push yourself. We must retreat to our Stronghold”

  “Seth…”

  Franz’s mind halts again. He recognises the name. Highest and most prestigious Knight in all of Zeral. The Crown's Paladin.

  “He’s out there… We must find him… Please…” She clutches at Franz’s armour.

  “We must let you recover first. We have a healer with us, allow me..”

  He lifts her on his steed and leads them back to the Fort. The Princess, Eirika, leans on the horse, almost drifting unconscious. At base, the men all bow and kneel at the sight of the Princess. A couple cheer, but the time for jubilation is not at hand. She is quickly brought to the Healer's chambers. A magical woman with a crystal staff begins to tend to her wounds and fatigue. Franz is allowed to remain by her side. As he is describing to the Healer what he knows, Gilliam walks in.

  The Princess, a little more clear-headed, sits up, clutching her side.

  “Commander?”

  He bows.

  “Yes my liege, Sir Gilliam, Commander and Knight. I have come on the orders of King Hayden of Barmor to protect and help defend Zeral’s remaining territories”

  She smiles at the news.

  “Thank you, truly from the deepest parts of my heart. It makes me happy knowing that King Hayden respects us so. He was always like an uncle to me”

  She turns to Franz, reaching out to hold his hand.

  “Thank you for finding me. The situation is urgent”

  “Of course Princess. We’re all relieved to see you are safe” Gilliam comments, rising from his bow.

  Franz clutches the Princess's hand. “You mentioned Seth, my liege”

  “Seth?” Gilliam asks, stunned.

  “Yes. Before the attack on the capital, my father had Seth take me away to escape the coming siege. He stayed to defend his throne but…”

  She chokes up a bit, unsure what to think. They give her a moment to recuperate.

  “...However, the Wyvern Knights followed us. We managed to evade them for several days, but- they found us and Seth had me hide while he rode off to draw them away. He’s still out there, not far from here. We must-”

  “We cannot Princess. I’m sorry,” Gilliam interjects. “An army approaches us. We estimate they might be a day or two away. We need all men and resources here to defend the passes”

  Eirika’s head sinks. She understands, but she struggles to accept it. Her grip tightens over Franz’s hand.

  “If we manage to stave off the attack, we can send out a brigade to search for him,” Franz reassures her.

  Gilliam opens his mouth to comment, but stops himself. Instead, he looks to the Healer.

  “How’s her condition?”

  The Healer nods. Only fatigue and a few scratches.

  “Franz, we must prepare. Please take all the time you need, Princess”

  She nods, clearly in need of sleep and nutrition.

  “And… any news of my brother?” She asks, hopeful but visibly prepared for the worst.

  “No news yet. I’m sorry,” Franz responds, sharing in her remorse.

  The soldiers leave her to rest. They hurriedly step through the cold pathways. Franz stares off, processing everything. Gilliam notices his thoughtful distraction and nudges his shoulder.

  “We need to focus, Franz. Keep your mind on the fight ahead”

  “The Princess is here sir… we have to defend her at any cost”

  “...” Gilliam himself requires a moment of thought.

  “Franz, listen to me-” His voice deepens. A more serious tone than he’s ever taken yet. “-If the battle begins to turn. I need you, when I give the signal, to take the Princess and ride South-East”

  “Abandon the battle sir, the men, my brothers?!”

  “For the safety of the Princess”

  “But.. why South-East? Toward the occupied territories?”

  “You will find Orson near the capital. He has hidden himself and many men there. The Princess will be kept safe”

  “But why not North to Barmor?”

  “If an army this size is approaching and the Princess is not already captured, like we believed, squadrons of Wyvern Knights and Riders will be passing the Strongholds to search for any trace of her. You heard her story, they’re relentless”

  Franz shakes his head. Trying to take everything in a step at a time.

  “You…you know of Orson?”

  “He is one of the highest Knights in Zeral. Of course I do”

  “So closely?... But how do you-”

  “Please Franz, you must focus. Remember what I said and do not falter when I order you to”

  “But- It’s so far within enemy territory. I’d need to evade their forces at every turn. It’s a long trip, we’d need to scrounge for supplies, find places to hide and rest and-”

  Gilliam takes the boy by both his shoulders, making them stare at each other.

  “Franz. I believe in you. You may be green, but you’ve got all the heart and courage a great warrior requires. Additionally, if you-... no, when you find Orson, you’ll be able to leave the Princess and find Ephiram”

  Franz looks down. They stay like this for many minutes.

  “Franz?”

  The Cavalier looks back up with centred eyes full of commitment and determination.

  “Yes sir. For the Princess”