Contentions

The Flames of Change

Davian's eyes widened, and without hesitation, he pushed Alara to the ground, shielding her as he crawled back into the room, dragging her with him.

"Get down!" he shouted into the room behind them. Chaos erupted as guards rushed to the King's side and nobles scrambled to find cover. Alara managed to pull herself away from her brother and took shelter beside the solid wall near Rasa.

Rasa held her tightly, and for a brief moment, Alara felt a false sense of security in her friend's embrace. Rasa cupped Alara's face, her eyes searching her frantically. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice urgent. Alara nodded, still too shaken to speak.

Davian stood on the other side of the balcony, drawing his sword from his belt as another volley of arrows rained into the room. "With me!" he commanded the guards pouring into the room from the banquet hall. He glanced at Alara, his voice softening for a moment. "Keep yourself safe." With that, he led his men outside to face the attackers.

The guards in the room moved to escort the King further into the castle. Alara moved to follow, beckoning Elias to come with her. He shook his head, his expression firm. When she looked at him confused, he said, "We must return to the temple. Not only is it safer, but we must protect those who remain. Follow your father."

Alara hesitated her mind racing, before shaking her head. "My place is at the temple with you. I will come."

"Alara, it is not safe—" Elias began, but before he could finish, a soldier in red and gold scrambled over the balcony, charging at them. A nearby guard intercepted, kicking the soldier back off the ledge. Another attacker grabbed the guard's ankle, trying to drag him down.

"Get her out of here, Rasa!" Elias shouted, more guards running towards the balcony to engage the attackers. Separated from the other temple officials by the battle, Rasa grabbed Alara's arm and pulled her through the nearest door, dragging her into an adjacent hallway.

"Wait!" Alara protested, but Rasa ignored her, pulling her into a dark corner and covering her mouth with her hand to silence her. Alara's heart pounded as they watched a line of invading soldiers rush past them, heading into the room they had just escaped.

Once the coast was clear, Rasa removed her hand. "We can't afford to wait." She tore the hem of her dress just below her knees and did the same for Alara. She met Alara's eyes, her expression deadly serious. "Do you know a way out of here?"

Alara peeked around the corner, her mind trying to orient itself. She slowly nodded, recognizing where they were from as a child.

"We're close to the main entrance," she whispered, pointing towards a door at the end of the hallway that led outside.

Rasa shook her head. "They came from that direction. Is there another way?"

Alara hesitated, then nodded again. She remembered an exit from the kitchens that led to a mountaintop garden. There was a narrow path down the side of the mountain—dangerous, but it was an option. She had been warned about it many times, told to stay away for fear of falling into the chasm below.

Rasa nodded. "Lead the way."

Alara moved cautiously, leading Rasa through the castle's winding corridors. They had to stop several times, ducking into corners or hiding behind curtains as the sounds of battle echoed through the halls. The guards fought fiercely against the invaders, allowing Alara and Rasa to make it through without being detected. When they reached the kitchens, they found them empty, the servants presumably having fled at the first sign of attack.

Alara ran to the door leading to the garden and flung it open. Outside, two invaders turned to face them, surprise flashing across their features. They drew their blades, but Rasa reacted instantly. She kicked one in the groin, disarming him and swiftly slashing at the second invader's throat. He stumbled back, clutching his neck, as Rasa kicked the first attacker off the cliffside. Alara gasped, covering her eyes and sinking to her knees.