The Dame of Camberton

Prologue

A red liquid trickled down her swarthy skin, from hundreds of tiny scratches and wounds. Just as it did mine. The blood, a combination of both ours and our foes. We'd managed to escape them, though for how long, I could not be certain. The inhuman cries were muffled in the distance but yet, they all carried an unmistakable quality: hatred. Alberta Roth, our temple and home, aflame in the distance. Our only option was to split up. It'd be easier that way.

Miserable, but easier.

My eyes examined the jet black sky and the crowded oak trees. They're going to find us, if we don't leave now.

"Dealla, we must go. We have to leave this place behind. Our sisters are lost and we are the only two who remain. Those men will not stop until they have our heads. We are outnumbered and you are in no condition to fight any longer. We must flee."

A guttered look was plastered upon her face. She knew what had to be done "We'll need to go our separate ways, won't we?"

"You know it will be best. We'll be able to stay hidden for longer. They will be looking for us together, so we need to stay apart. It's the only way. " My fervent words seemed to jump both of us into action. Together we’d faced many a foe, but none quite as devastating as this. None that had left us sans allies, homeless…hopeless.

My eyes started to moisten as I embraced my comrade and best friend knowing this could very well be our last encounter. "We must make haste, you take the East and I will go West. Go as far as you can, see if you can make it to a coastal fishing town. Those people will look after you. Don't stop. Don't look back. Don't reveal your true identity to anyone And most importantly, don’t let anything happen to her. She could be how we end this senseless war.”

We both directed our gaze toward her stomach, now pushing firmly against her armor. I placed my hand upon her belly and began to recite a blessing for their safe travels.

"May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always-"

"They're over there, beyond the City Gates! Get them!" The mob roared from behind. If we waited any longer they would surely find us.

"We need to go. NOW." I embraced my friend, whom I had come to think of as a sister, so fiercely, but knew we needed to leave.

"Be safe, Dealla and Godspeed." We took each others’ right forearm and squeezed firmly.

"Goodbye, General."

And at that, we both turned and fled the place we were supposed to be the protectors of. We ran away. We'd failed to be the guardians they needed.

I'd failed, and now I had to watch everything we’d worked so hard to build go down in flames.

I closed my eyes for a split second as I raced through the woods and was haunted by the cold, hard eyes of the one who started it all; the wicked smirk telling me she'd won. 

I would allow her this false sense of victory for now, but one day, and that day would soon be upon us, I will revel in her demise. In her inevitable downfall. In her doom. 

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Yaaaas, okay. So prologue done. Just a little taster for what's to come. I don't know, I'll make this short and sweet: if you're intrigued, drop a vote for this chapter so I'll know if y'all are interested🙈

Okay, bye.