Aeron and Nyella set out at dawn, riding on horses through the back gate of the city. They wore no armor, only plain clothes, so no one would recognize them. They moved quietly through the forests and bushes, keeping to the paths that people traveled less. After a long ride, they finally reached Ivarion.

The first gate of the kingdom was heavily guarded, yet they passed through without much trouble. But as soon as Nyella looked closer, her heart sank. The soldiers' uniforms were no longer the same. Each guard wore the crest of the Vanyr house, stitched boldly on their chest.

Nyella stared hard at one particular guard, and he noticed her. With a mocking smile, he said, "Want to eat me up, pretty lady?"

Before Nyella could react, Aeron whispered, "Let it go."

Her fists tightened. "It has not even been ten days," she muttered angrily, "and already his flags are flying everywhere, his men wearing his colors. He must have been planning this for a long time, right under our noses."

Her voice shook as she added, "Why didn't I see this? Why didn't anyone see this coming?"

Aeron leaned closer. "Now is not the time. This could happen to anybody. We were all focused on a greater threat. Do not blame yourself, or anyone else. What matters is what you do from here."

She swallowed her words, too heavy with anger to reply.

They continued traveling deeper into the kingdom, the road leading toward the palace. After hours of riding, they reached a village. To move forward, they had to pass through a checkpoint guarded by soldiers.

The villagers were queued in a long line, entering one by one. Aeron and Nyella joined the line with their horses.

Nyella turned slightly. "I recognize one of the guards. If he sees me, he will know who I am."

Aeron's eyes narrowed. "Then do not look him in the eye. Keep your head down. And if anything goes wrong, run."

Nyella nodded and faced forward again. She tried to stay calm, moving step by step as the line advanced. But when she reached the checkpoint, it was too late. The guard's eyes locked on her face. His expression changed.

"Hold!" the guard barked. The line stopped at once. He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving Nyella. "I know you," he said firmly.

Nyella froze. Aeron's heart leapt. Without hesitation, he shouted, "Run!"

At once, their horses neighed and charged forward, breaking past the guards at the front. Shouts erupted around them.

"Stop them!" the soldiers shouted.

The guards leapt onto their horses, raised their weapons, and chased after the two.

"Stop right there!" one shouted, but Aeron and Nyella bent low on their horses, urging them faster. Villagers scattered in panic as the chase swept past them.

The soldiers grew louder. They blew horns in alarm and from every corner, men in Vanyr colors appeared, blocking paths, pointing spears. Aeron and Nyella dodged one group, jumping their horses over a low cart. They swerved around another, and pushed through narrow alleys.

But with each turn, more guards poured into the streets. Every road out of the village was sealed with men, shields, and spears. They were trapped inside, their horses circling and their enemies closing in.

Nyella gritted her teeth, as her eyes scanned for escape. "Aeron, we are surrounded," she said.

Aeron tightened his grip on the reins. "Then we will make our own way out."

Regardless of the danger, they kept pushing their horses forward but the chase behind them was too strong.

Nyella looked back, her face pale.

"We cannot keep going this way," she said. "They will catch us."

"What do we do then?" Aeron asked quickly, holding his reins tight.

She glanced around, then pointed. "Over there. We must leave the horses."

"What?" Aeron said, almost shocked.

Nyella shook her head firmly. "If we keep riding, they will see us. Horses make noise. We can only move by foot now."

Reluctantly, Aeron agreed. They dismounted, patted the horses lightly and then slipped into a narrow street. Their heads were lowered, their steps quick. They walked quietly through the village, avoiding eyes, then finally reached the edge and slipped into the forest.

For a moment, it seemed they had escaped. But then…

"There they are!" a loud voice said behind them.

Both Aeron and Nyella spun around. The guards had spotted them. The chase began again.

They looked at each other, breathless, then ran as fast as their legs could carry them. At first they stayed on the road, but when they saw the guards' horses drawing closer, they turned into the thick forest. Branches whipped their faces as they pushed through.

The guards did not stop. The sound of hooves followed them into the woods.

Nyella's strength began to fail. Her breath came fast and, her steps unsteady. Then, with a sudden cry, she tripped over a root and fell to the ground. Aeron rushed to her, and pulled her up, but before they could move, the guards surrounded them, and pointed spears straight at their chests.

There was no escape. They were seized, tied, and dragged back to the village.

They were thrown into a small cell, nothing but a room with a wooden door. Aeron dropped beside Nyella, his eyes full of worry.

"Are you hurt?" he asked softly.

She groaned, holding her leg. "It is only a sprain. Painful, but not too bad."

"Alright," Aeron said, trying to sound calm. "We will rest for now. As soon as you can walk again, we will leave. We cannot stay here."

Not long after, the door opened and A guard stepped inside, the same one who had recognized Nyella earlier. He studied her face closely, as he narrowed his eyes.

"Where have I seen you before?" he muttered. "Where do I know you from?"

Nyella turned her head, refusing to meet his gaze.

The guard scratched his chin, then suddenly snapped his fingers. "Aha! I remember now. I saw you once, riding on a horse, dressed in fine clothes. You… you must be one of those girls. The fighters the former princess kept around her. That is it, isn't it?"

Nyella's heart raced, but relief touched her face. He was mistaken.

"Yes," the guard laughed cruelly. "I knew it. So the great female fighters are now scattered. Now you wear rags, hiding like rats, while your throne lies in ruins. Hah!"

He spat on the ground, then smirked. "I will be back. My men and I will enjoy palace food tonight."

He left and slammed the door behind him.

Aeron let out a deep breath. "Thankfully, he was wrong."

"Yes," Nyella said, though her voice shook. "But if he looks closer, he may discover the truth. We must leave, and soon."

Aeron frowned. "But your leg…"

"I can manage," she said firmly. "We must go. Waiting will only put us in greater danger."

Aeron thought for a moment. "Not yet. We will wait until night. The dark will cover us."

Hours passed slowly. When at last night fell, Aeron rose, tested the door, and ran his hand over the lock. He considered burning it with his fire, but then noticed how weak it was. He slammed his shoulder against it once. Twice. On the third try, it broke open.

The corridor outside was empty. No guards in sight.

"Come," Aeron whispered. He helped Nyella to her feet, and together they slipped out.

They climbed over a fence, and soon they were in the forest. But their relief was short-lived. Shouts rang out from behind them, the guards had discovered the empty cell.

Once more, Aeron and Nyella ran, the pounding of hooves closed in on them.

Nyella's leg gave out again. She stumbled, clutching her knee. "I cannot," she whispered. "I cannot move."

"Hide," Aeron said quickly, pulling her behind a thick tree.

They went into the shadows, but a guard's sharp eyes found them. "Here!" he shouted.

Within moments, the others rushed in, surrounding them. Aeron stepped in front of Nyella, ready to fight even with his bare hands. But before the guards could strike, a blur of steel cut through.

One guard fell. Then another.

They all turned, and there stood Ser Devic, sword in hand. One by one he struck them down until the last guard dropped to the earth.

Devic sheathed his blade and walked up to them. He bowed his head slightly, his eyes steady on Aeron and Nyella.

"Why are you heading to the palace, your highness?" he asked. "I told you before, it is not safe for you."

Nyella's eyes flashed. "You cannot tell me what to do and what not to do Ser Devic."

"I'm only looking out for you," Devic said.

There was silence for a while. Then he looked at Aeron. "What's going on?"

Aeron told him everything, the story of the red box, and how they were on a mission to recover it.

"What?" Devic shouted. "Both of you, the two most important people in the kingdom, are here, risking your lives, all because of a story about a red box?"

"Not just a red box," Nyella said firmly. "If it is found, it will end the war with the Hydra."

"But still…" Devic began, but Nyella cut him short.

"Why are you still here, Ser Devic? Have you already saved my mother?"

Devic looked at her seriously. "The palace is very tight, Your Highness. No one can get into it. Not even an ant."

"Well, I am better than an ant," Nyella said as she rose to her feet. "And I will go there. Besides, I know a secret path that can be used."

Devic gave a long breath, then nodded. "If you insist, then I'm coming too."

And just like that, he followed them.

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