The Inured Villainess

Chapter 34

My conversation with Kylo is cut short as there is a rumble along the ground. Like an earthquake making my feet shake.

I shoot up from my seat, looking around for the source. Kylo also stands, only for Dame Eremes to take hold of his tied hands.

"They're here." Kylo's eyes go wide as the ground continues to shake under our feet.

"Let's go." Dame Eremes tugs at his restraints.

"No, let me fight." He then turns to look at me. "Please, Estella. We need everyone to defeat the monsters."

I look to Dame Eremes. "Release him for now. If he shows signs of betrayal, I'm sure you know what to do."

The Dame seems hesitant but she listens.

"I'll be going now." I leave the two and rush through the camp to find Kyrell.

"Estella!" Dilana is the one to approach me.

"Dilana, have you seen where the attack is coming from?" I ask in a hurry.

She nods. "They appeared from over the cliffs above the caves. And there are more than we expected. It's more than just a scouting party. Their Majesties have already rounded the battalions to stop them from approaching the town."

"Show me."

She leads me to the edge of the camp and there I can see the army of monsters piling over the cliffs, making their way into the valley.

My eyes widen at the sight of the beasts.

Large wolf creatures with fangs that are made to rip through flesh. Soulless humanoids shaped as knights riding dark horses. Alongside goblins that held all sorts of weapons in their hands. And others I wouldn't know where to start on how to describe them.

All of them having their own chilling effect.

My eyes drift to our armies that surround the town like a barrier. We weren't outnumbered but the shear power of the monsters could.

This was going to become a battlefield.

"The monsters seem to be more concentrated around the caves." Dilana analyzes the valley.

I nod. "They haven't made any move towards the town." I narrow my eyes at the sight. I would have thought they might have plundered the town but they maintained their distance, showing no sign of movement.

"Do you believe that whatever they are searching for is in those caves?" Dilana's eyes widen at the guess.

"I'm not sure, I have to get a better look." I turn around walking back into the camp. She shuffles to follow after me.

"What do you mean? What are you planning?" She asks with a look of worry.

My boots stop in front of my mare. "I'm going to take a closer look."

"That's too risky, Estella." Her blue-grey eyes express their worry.

"I'm willing to take the risk if it gives us the upper hand." I step onto the stirrup of the saddle and throw my leg over.

I could see that Dilana is battling, thinking of ways to stop me.

"Very well but I'm coming with you." She steps onto the stirrup and throws her leg behind me. "If you're taking the risk, then I won't let you do it alone."

I can't help but smirk. "I'm glad you aren't stopping me."

"You're as stubborn as His Majesty," she mumbles behind me as I softly whip the reigns.

We exit the camp with little resistance, using the thin forest as cover. We take the edge of the valley as we near the caves, slowing our pace the closer we got.