Echoes of Valor: A Love Remembered

CHAPTER 12

The crisp morning air nipped at Alesandrea's skin as she strode across the courtyard of Lady Alodra's estate. Her steps were sure, her movements fluid - a far cry from the battered woman who had arrived here months ago. Sunlight spilled over the manicured hedges, warming her face. She paused, savoring the momentary peace.

A servant hurried past, eyes downcast. Alessandrea caught snippets of hushed conversation drifting from an open window. She paused, straining to hear.

"...the Duke, missing for weeks now..."

"...ambushed during a routine patrol..."

"...no trace, as if the earth swallowed him whole..."

Alessandrea's blood ran cold. She burst through the doors of Lady Alodra's solarium, propriety be damned.

"My lady, is it true? About Terry?"

Lady Alodra's face, usually a mask of aristocratic composure, crumpled. "Oh, Alex. I'd hoped to tell you myself, gently."

"Tell me what, exactly?" Alessandrea's voice cracked.

"Terrence... he's vanished. His unit was attacked near the eastern border. The survivors reported chaos, smoke everywhere. When it cleared, Terry was gone."

Alessandrea sank into a chair, her legs suddenly unable to support her. "How long?"

"Three weeks now."

"Three weeks? And I'm only hearing of this now?"

Lady Alodra's eyes flashed. "You were healing. I made a judgment call."

"A judgment call? He could be dead, or worse, and you kept me in the dark?"

"Mind your tone, girl. I may be fond of you, but I'm still his mother."

Alessandrea bit back a retort, forcing herself to breathe. "My apologies, my lady. I'm... I'm just..."

"Scared. I know. So am I." Lady Alodra's voice softened, maternal concern creeping in. "

Silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken fears. She stared at Lady Alodra, her mind racing. The warmth of the sun seemed mocking now against the chill settling in her bones.

"What's being done?" Alessandrea finally asked.

"Everything possible. Search parties, diplomatic inquiries, even a few... less savory channels."

"It's not enough." Alessandrea stood, pacing. "I should be out there. I know how Terry thinks, how he moves."

Lady Alodra's voice hardened. "Absolutely not. You're barely recovered."

"I'm fine. More than fine. I can help." Lady Alodra shook her head, her expression resolute. "This isn't a battlefield, Alex. You can't rush headlong into danger." "And what if you're captured again? Or killed? How would Terry feel, knowing you died trying to save him?"

Alessandrea flinched. "That's not fair."

"Life isn't fair, and neither is war," Lady Alodra replied sharply. "I don't intend to lose another child to this madness."

Alessandrea's heart raced. "Terry wouldn't want me to sit idle. He wouldn't want—"

"He wouldn't want you dead either!" Lady Alodra interrupted, her voice rising.

Alessandrea turned away, fists clenched. "So I'm just supposed to sit here and do nothing?"

"You're supposed to trust in Terry's abilities, and in those searching for him." Alessandrea paced the room, her mind a tempest. "Trust? Is that all I can do? Sit in a gilded cage while he—"