The Rise of the Phoenix Queen

Chapter 2: The White Cloak of Winter, December 1333

"Take care, Ember!" an old baker hollers out.

"You too!" Ember responds, bread and various other food jostling about in her bag as she departs for the inn the two rented for the winter.

It has been a few days since David and Ember took up lodging in the small village of Stettin. With winter on the horizon, not even David was stubborn enough to continue living amongst the trees. All it took was snowfall in late November, no matter how little actually fell, to convince David to bring Ember to more livable conditions to hunker down for the cold months ahead.

However, Ember wasn't good with directions, and even within a moderately sized village, she managed to lose her way home. 

"Uh, where is that blacksmithery," Ember mutters to herself. 

Wandering around for a few more minutes, it didn't take long before she relented and asked for directions. She walks up to a hooded figure and tugs on their sleeve.

"Um, sir, sorry to interrupt your time, but uh, do you know where the Sleepy Giant Inn is?" Ember asks.

"Oh, the inn?" the hooded figure responds. He takes a moment to ponder before responding. "Uhm, ah yes; the inn! I know where it is! Just follow me and I'll guide you to its whereabouts. I was planning on going there myself."

"Oh! That's perfect!" Ember smiles. "Thank you kind sir!"

"My pleasure, missie." the hooded figure responds, as snow begins to fall. "Come along now; we mustn't waste time."

The hooded figure begins to trek through the village, with Ember following suit. The two walk about the village for hours, as snow begins to accumulate on the ground. At first, Ember was concerned about the cold, but when she passed by the bakery from for the seventh time, she started growing suspicious. 

"Um sir, are you sure that you know about the whereabouts of the inn?" Ember inquires, stopping in place. "We passed by the bakery many times already."

The figure turns around, face obscured by his hood. "Do not worry, Artoria. I know the way."

"Wait a minute," Ember says, taking a few steps back. "I never gave you my name."

"Oh that doesn't matter, Artoria," the figure coos as he moves his hand to the hilt of a sword at his waist. "You'll be taking that name to the grave soon enough."

At this moment, the man lunges for Ember, his hood flying off his head as he raises his sword to bring down onto her skull. Thinking on-the-fly, Ember throws the bag of food at the man as she turns to flee. It's better to lose dinner for the day than the chance to enjoy food forever.

"Occidit autem regina!" the man hollers, as two more hooded figures join the man in the pursuit of Ember. 

Running through the streets, Ember has an easy time navigating the streets on account of not many people being out and about. Running past stalls and villagers, some of whom gasp at the situation unfolding before them. Though some run off to grab the guards, Ember had little hope that they'd arrive in time.

Sliding under stalls. Jumping over barrels. Ember hopes to lose her pursuers with her maneuverability. However, with how small the village is, there isn't enough turns and bends to lose the goons chasing after her. 

As she flees, she almost bumps into another hooded figure, wrapped in white garments. Fortunately, she manages to avoid him in the nick of time.

"Sorry!" Ember shouts as she ran past him.

Eventually, Ember makes a wrong turn, finding herself face-to-face with a wooden fence. The fence itself is far too high to climb, and while there's a small gap in the fence where she could've crawled under, it was too late. The men already closed the distance, blocking off the final point of escape.