The Alliance

Chapter 31: A secret in the wind

The clang of steel echoed through the crisp morning air as Princess Astrid of Eldermere spun on her heel, her blade meeting the sword of her sparring partner with a sharp ring. She breathed heavily, sweat glistening on her brow, but her heart felt heavier than her limbs.

She missed her sisters.

The battlefield had always been her solace, the one place where she could silence the thoughts that plagued her—but today, nothing could quiet the ache in her chest.

She sheathed her sword and turned to the knights around her. Sir Aldric, her father’s most seasoned warrior, stood at attention, watching her with an approving nod.

“Again, Princess?” he asked.

Astrid sighed, brushing a stray lock of golden hair from her face. “Not today.”

She stepped away, gazing toward the distant walls of the palace, her mind wandering.

“I cannot wait to reunite with my sisters,” she murmured, more to herself than anyone else. “The halls have felt empty without Aurora’s presence, without Amira’s laughter.” She smiled softly, the memory of their shared childhood flickering in her mind.

Her thoughts drifted further. “And Dorian… He should have been here. I wish he’d return soon.” She turned toward Sir Aldric. “Do we have any news of him? It feels like it has been an eternity since he left for his sick relative.”

Silence settled over the training yard like a heavy fog.

One of the younger knights, Sir Rowan, hesitated before stepping forward. He cleared his throat, his expression uneasy. “Your Highness… I— I assumed you knew.”

Astrid frowned. “Knew what?”

Rowan shifted on his feet. “Dorian had no property in Eldermere.”

Astrid blinked. “What?”

Rowan swallowed. “He has no family here, no sick relative. He may… never return.”

The training yard fell eerily still. The distant sounds of clashing swords and men shouting commands faded into nothingness.

Astrid’s fingers tightened around the hilt of her sword. “What are you saying?” Her voice was quiet, but laced with an unspoken warning.

Sir Aldric gave Rowan a sharp look, but the young knight pressed on, his voice steady. “I don’t know where he went, Your Highness. But if he lied about why he left… then perhaps he never meant to come back.”

Astrid’s heart pounded.

That couldn’t be true.

Dorian was loyal. He was honorable. He would never abandon her—never abandon Eldermere.

Would he?

She forced herself to remain composed, but her mind swirled with unease. She turned away, gripping the edge of a wooden training dummy so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Something wasn’t right.

Far from Eldermere’s walls, Princess Aurora rode at the head of her escort, her cloak billowing behind her as the winds howled across the open plains.

The journey back to Eldermere was long, but she was restless, eager to return to her father’s court and prepare for the coming war. The English soldiers rode behind her in disciplined ranks, their gleaming armor reflecting the fading sun.

As they passed a small grove of trees, a lone figure stepped out onto the path ahead.

Aurora instinctively reached for the dagger at her waist, but Seraphine, who rode beside her, raised a hand.

“It’s one of ours.”

The spy, clad in a simple brown cloak, bowed deeply before speaking. “Your Highness, I bring news.”

Aurora dismounted swiftly, her boots hitting the ground with purpose. “Speak.”

The spy glanced around before leaning in, his voice low. “There is word that Bianca has been spotted.”

Aurora’s eyes sharpened. “Bianca is in Vynra,” she said firmly.

The spy shook his head. “Not according to the whispers in the villages. A noblewoman, matching Bianca’s exact description, was seen in a small settlement far from here.”

Aurora’s pulse quickened.

If this were true… then Bianca had never been taken to Vynra.

Then where had she gone?

She clenched her jaw. “You will take two of my most trusted men and investigate. If it is truly Bianca…” Her voice dropped, cold and calculating. “Bring her back to me.”

The spy nodded. “As you command.”

As he disappeared into the darkness, Aurora turned back to her horse, gripping the reins tightly.

She had no intention of losing this war.

And if Bianca was alive—she would find her.