She had won.
Rowan stood on top of the hill, overlooking the battlefield. It had taken all she had in her, but it was worth it. She had spent years fighting for her cause, and now the Queen's reign of terror was over. Her long hair whipped around her face, but she didn't care. She didn't care about anything except that all she had wanted for her whole life could now be a reality. This kingdom was hers now, and she swelled up with pride for her brave soldiers. There were many losses, true, and they would be mourned and respected for sacrificing their lives in a fight for freedom.
Rowan didn't know exactly what would happen next. She didn't know what was in store for the future. But she was sure that they were good things.
Her bravery today would for sure go down in history. Rowan fantasized about being taught about in school, with amazed children staring at her portrait in wonder.
But her fantasies were short-lived. Behind her, Rowan could hear shouts and screams. She turned around to see soldiers covered head to toe in black armor. One of them yelled, "We will not give up! You killed our Queen!"
That was the last thing she heard. One of them pulled out a bow and fired an arrow straight at her. Rowan was so shocked, she couldn't do anything but stand there. The war was over. Why were there still people determined to cause more suffering?
The arrow hit her chest and knocked her to the ground. Her vision started to blacken, and she could barely feel a tear rolling down her cheek. She had worked so hard, and although the rebels would surely be captured, she would die.
She had lost.
