the frantic energy of warriors and strategists making final arrangements. The air was thick with the scent of leather and iron, a

r-she would stand beside Gareth, offering him the strength she could muster. Her heart was torn between fear and resolve. She had

e toll it took on him-the brief moments of weariness that flickered behind his eyes, the weight of the decisions he had to make. He no longer carried himself with the easy confidence

ning. The unspoken tension lingered in the halls of Blackmoor like a storm waiting to break. She knew h

-

been discussed in hushed tones for days now, but this evening, Gareth had asked for her presence. He had been distant, yes, but perhaps this wa

thick with tension. Gareth stood at the far side of the table, poring over maps with several of his

said, his tone neutral.

ing toward the table with a quiet sense of purpose. "The

slight surprise. "This is no place for you, Eveline

maiden to be hidden away. I am your wife, Gareth, and I inten

equences of allowing her to enter this world of battle strategy. Finally, he nodded, his voice softer than before. "Very well. But know

ardening. "Then I will stand with y

able. "We are facing Lord Thurston of Windmere, a man with a taste for power and a history of cruelty. He will not hesitate t

ne a battleground in the coming conflict. The thought of the lives at stake, the destruction that could come from this war, made her

ed, her voice steady despit

ld the pass at Windmere's border. If we can keep them from advancing into our territory, we sta

ord Thurston's army was known for its speed and ferocity. They would not hesitate to strike firs

e firm. "And we will need all the support we can g

neighboring lords, but there is no guarantee that they will come to o

down on her. She was no soldier, no warrior trained in the ways of battle, but she could see the uncertainty in their eyes. There was f

ination. "We will stand together, and we will protect ou

elf as a warrior, but in that moment, something shifted within her. She was no longer just the daughter of

de her heart skip a beat. He seemed to understand, in that instant, that she was no longer a p

rning back to the map. "You should rest, Eveline.

here was no time for fear, no time for hesitation. "I will

-

that came before a great storm. Eveline sat in her chambers, her hands resting on the cold stone of the windowsill, staring out into the

donned, the swords being sharpened, the men gathering at the ga

n she had caught a glimpse of the man he truly was beneath the cold armor of a knight. He was not just a soldier. He was a man

moor. It was a battle for everything they had built, everything they had fought

, but she knew one thing for sure-whatever happened tomorrow, she w

the door. There was no time for fear, no time for hes