The Unseen Road

Chapter Thirty-Two: Part One

Magic hour. The short window of time just before sunrise- with the darkness of night not yet banished, and the sun, just a flat vermillion line, breaking over the horizon enough to cast a majestic purple hue over the land as misty clouds drifted placidly overhead. The soft, yet vivid backdrop silhouetted the structures of the kingdom in a deep, somnolent darkness, a lingering shadow of night not yet stolen away by dawn. Only then, during these brief sixty minutes, can day and night truly hold one another in an impasse of equal forces. It was a wonder how in that single moment the light appears at its brightest in the presence of darkness, and darkness at its most profound in the presence of light.

No-one said a word. Kylie, Celeste, and Mina stood waiting just outside General Witthorn's office, gazing either into the dormant streets of the while the low murmur of Prince Nicolas, consulting with one of his own men, issued faintly from behind the closed door.

Then, silent as a mouse, Nereus slipped out of the room and met them in front. "They've arrived at the bridge," he said simply. Then, taking his leave with a brief bow, he started towards the city's fortress, where the rest of the army had gathered outside the gates.

They wearily watched him leave the base. Shortly after, Prince Nicolas stepped from the threshold, softly closing the door behind him, nodding at the girls. While they all shared common understanding, his eyes lingered on Kylie's for just a moment longer.

Celeste offered a faint smile. "It's not like this is any different from the Battle of Agrelind, right?"

But her words were lost to the silence. She glanced down at her shoes and settled herself alongside her sister. Mina gently ushered Lightquill to her own side.

As they started to cross the central field of the base, Kylie took one last glance over her shoulder at the large oak tree, now covered in fog— a ghost of the day before.

They proceeded towards the battlefield. The path through the city and to the small hill that led to Solaire's gates were hazy and dreamlike, as if they were moving through a still frame of the approaching sunrise, even though it was just as real as the past few months had been.

Kylie, Celeste, and Mina stopped briefly at the base of the hill. At the top of the knoll, the gates stood open to the horizon, while the dimming stars flickered overhead. Below the open sky, a league of archers was just visible from between the crenellations of the fortress, armed and in position.

Kylie adjusted her gear, locking her gaze firmly ahead as Celeste gripped the hilt of her sword in anticipation; Mina gazed pensively at the stars above.

"...Are you guys ready?" the younger sister asked at length.

Celeste nodded her head. "Always."

Prince Nicolas took a few more steps up the hill and paused ahead of them, turning around to face the three. "There isn't much time left," he urged. "Have no fear."

The girls looked at one another. Each saw the emotions they were all feeling reflected in the eyes of the other, and it was from that bond that came the determination to push onward.

Celeste tightened the hold on her sword with resolution, drawing from that strength.

"Well, we can't be late for the party after all this, right?" she said.

Kylie smiled fleetingly. "No, I don't think so."

Standing shoulder-to-shoulder, they started up the hill; Prince Nicolas fell in step alongside them. A cool breeze rushed past them as they trekked towards the top, back towards the city as if fleeing the oncoming battle.

Finally, they came before the open gates of the fortress. The two armies of Agrelind and Solaire stood side-by-side along the length of the great wall. A wide, open field stretched between them and the bridge that led to the city. The brook flowed freely beneath it, its soft whisper filling the somnolent hour.