The forest and the whole surrounding of Crescia was covered in mist this particular day. Shadows of witches could be seen marching through the forest both on horse and by foot.

Alexander hid behind a tree with his face masked with a shawl. The mist acted to his advantage as he moved stealthily claiming two lives already. And coupled with his vision, he could spot them easily. By the time the witches had marched across the border, he had already killed at least fifty witches.

The sun rose casting the mist away and only then did Griffin notice dead bodies behind. He held his hand in a halt gesture and alighted his horse to examine a witch whose throat had been slit.

"They are waiting for us," he said. An evil smile curved up his lips. This was a good sign. All the Crescians would be fighting on this front while his Arcadian counterparts overtook the capital. All he had to do is sacrifice a few witches. They were worthless beings after all.

"Keep going!" He ordered climbing his horse. He let his gaze survey the trees around sensing someone must have been hiding there but he didn’t consider searching the area.

Alexander lowered his shawl as he watched the witches cross the border from the safety of a tree. If Brandon had informed Isadora as promised, this war was good as over. But there was something that disturbed him. Why would Griffin risk going to a war he was certain he’d never win? And judging from his past experience with Griffin, he knew the bastard had a few tricks up his sleeves.

"They are coming," Brandon informed Isadora who was reading books about war strategies in the library. It was her first war ever and as a woman, the council had little to no faith in her. She wanted to show the bunch of grannies she can do it as well.

"Is everything set as planned?" She asked without looking at him. Her finger was tracing the lines of the book.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Hopefully the Valorian army would be here anytime soon," Brandon assured.

"Let’s go to the tower," Isadora said and closed the book. If her plan would work, she was certain she’d win this war and gain the confidence of the council. Not that she wanted to please the council but it was the Crescian citizens that she cared for. These were two powerful races that had powers so the war wasn’t going to be an easy one.

Brandon led her to the tower when she could see the tiny dots of approaching witches in the midst of the fading mist. She swallowed hard at their numbers but they seemed to have no plan at all. They were running towards the capital like mad men. Fortunately, the capital was fortified.

"Give the order," she told Brandon who nodded in turn. He looked at the side of the gate and nodded at the knights who were lined with bows and arrows.

"Fire!" He ordered. The knights lined on the wall surprising the witches who didn’t have shields to protect them. And before they could run away, a rain of arrows descended on them killing at least half of the army.

A drum sounded in the capital before Brandon ordered, "Open the gates!"

The gate opened and fully armed Crescian knights on horseback streamed out with spears in hands. Those who had the affinity to fire lighted the spears with the wind knights propelling them crazily towards the fleeing witches.

The once peaceful morning was filled with battle cries and the fresh scent of blood in the air. Alexander joined the war from the rear, moving like a blur. Heads fell wherever he passed but that only acted to amuse Griffin.

Unbeknownst to everyone in the capital, the Arcadian knights had arrived in the capital through the rear gate. Isadora was enjoying the view of Alexander fighting and the retreating witches when a palace guard came running.

"Your Majesty... We are under attack. The palace is under attack!" He said trying to catch his breath.

Isadora glanced at that direction and as if to confirm the guard’s statement, a house was lit on fire before men in black horses started roaming the capital throwing torches of fire aimlessly at any house on spot.

"Arcadians! Impossible!" She exclaimed, her eyes still wide in disbelief. How could Arcadia do this to her? Wait! Was it Felista’s or Roselyn’s doing? Damn it! She should have thought about it. Of course the family would think Crescia was behind Henry’s death. How naive she was to not put that into consideration?

Screams of Arcadian women fleeing for their lives took the better part of the city. The Arcadians showed no mercy and slaughtered any Crescian on sight.

Isadora was completely at a trance. She had sent all the Crescian knights to fight the witches leaving only the palace guards who were just but countable! And the people in the palace! Why did she care anyways? Felista and Roselyn could have killed them already? Where was Newton when she needed him the most? 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Isadora was in a state of daze as she watched the capital burn in front of her eyes. The place she had used to call home was slowly turning into ashes and there was nothing she could do. Brandon had tried to call her but she was too guilty to even hear what he was saying.

She had failed her people! She had failed the council, the Crescians, and above all, she had failed her father! Many used to say he was a great leader, one adored even by younger children. But what was she? A selfish woman who snatched power from her uncle, and now he had come to claim it back!

"Isadora?" She heard someone call and shook her lightly. "Isadora? Look at me."

She lifted her eyes to see Alexander standing in front of her with a concerned look on his face. "Are you alright?" He asked scanning her body.

"It’s all my fault," she said in a hoarse voice.

"It’s no one’s fault," Alexander said holding her shoulders firmly.

"I caused their deaths. I am mean!" She said looking down in shame. What was she if she could never protect her people? "We’ve lost the war Alex."

"What if I told you there is a way out?" Alexander asked sparkling some hope in her. She looked at him with her blue eyes that it made him want to kiss her there but it wasn’t just the right time nor place.

"How?" She asked blinking twice. Alexander had to remind himself he was in a war. She looked damn adorable when she was scared.

"The dragon!" He said and saw her face light in surprise. "It’s our only hope!"