A Heart Divided

Chapter 47

The Price of Freedom

In the aftermath of the battle, the mountain pass was eerily still. The storm had finally subsided, leaving behind a damp and muddied landscape. The rebellion had managed to turn the tide—Prince Julian's forces had retreated, and with them, the immediate threat to Eliza's life. But the victory came at a heavy cost.

The rebels had lost some of their bravest fighters. Among the fallen was Elias, their fierce and loyal leader, who had fought to the very end. His body, now draped in a simple cloth, lay at the center of the camp, surrounded by his closest comrades who mourned in silence. Elias's sacrifice had not been in vain—he had given everything to ensure that Eliza's vision could survive.

Eliza knelt beside him, her heart heavy. She had come to know Elias as a brother in arms, someone who had believed in her when no one else did. The weight of his death pressed down on her chest like a stone.

"We will carry on, Elias," she whispered, brushing a lock of wet hair from his forehead. "For you. For all of us."

Alden stood nearby, watching her quietly. He had lost many friends during the battle—fellow rebels who had fought for freedom, for a kingdom without the Duke's tyranny. But he knew the price of war was always high.

Eliza rose to her feet, wiping her eyes. "We cannot afford to mourn for long," she said, her voice steady, though the sorrow in her heart threatened to break through. "We need to prepare for what comes next. Julian's army may have retreated, but the Duke is still out there. And he'll send more men. We need to strike while we still have the momentum."

Alden nodded, his face set in a hard line. "We'll move forward, Eliza. We'll finish what Elias started. But we need to regroup. Some of us need rest."

"I know," she replied, her tone softening for a moment. "But the longer we wait, the more time the Duke has to rebuild his forces. We need to take the capital."