The next morning, the capital was awake before sunrise.
Soldiers filled the training grounds. Horses were being prepared, weapons inspected, and messengers hurried through the fortress corridors.
Something was clearly wrong.
Kael stood in the courtyard beside Aldric, watching the preparations.
“What did the King decide?” he asked.
Aldric looked toward the fortress.
“We're sending more soldiers to the western border.”
“How many?”
“Five hundred.”
Kael's expression changed.
“That many?”
Aldric nodded.
“The King doesn't want to start a war. He wants to make sure we're ready if one begins.”
Kael looked down at his sword.
“And the patrol?”
“The injured men are recovering.”
“Did they learn anything?”
Aldric shook his head.
“No.”
Kael remained silent.
Before he could ask anything else, a royal messenger approached them.
“Sir Aldric. Sir Kael. The King requests your presence in the great hall.”
They exchanged a glance and followed him inside.
The King's Order
The King stood beside a large map spread across the table. Several nobles and military commanders were already gathered around him.
As Kael and Aldric entered, the King turned toward them.
“Kael, you will lead the western patrol.”
Kael bowed.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You will take command of five hundred soldiers and reinforce the western border. Your orders are to observe their movements and protect our territory.”
The King paused before continuing.
“You are not to cross the border under any circumstances.”
Kael nodded.
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
“Our purpose is defense. We will not be the ones to begin this war.”
The King then turned toward Aldric.
“Aldric, I want you to remain in the capital. I need you here to oversee the kingdom's defenses and advise me on any further action.”
Aldric bowed.
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
Kael glanced at him.
For years, Aldric had always been beside him. He had trained him, guided him, and stood with him through countless missions.
This would be the first time Kael would lead a major mission without him.
After the meeting, Kael walked beside Aldric through the corridor.
“I don't like leaving you behind.”
Aldric smiled.
“You aren't leaving me behind.”
Kael looked at him.
“Then what am I doing?”
“Growing up.”
Kael laughed.
“You make it sound like I'm still a child.”
“To me, you are.”
Kael shook his head, smiling.
Aldric placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Come back safely.”
“I will.”
“Good. I expect you to return in one piece. I don't want to explain to the King why my best knight couldn't follow a simple order.”
Kael laughed.
“I'll try not to disappoint you.”
The Village
That afternoon, Kael rode toward Elara's village.
He knew he might not be able to return for some time. Before leaving for the western border, there was one place he wanted to visit.
When he reached the shop, Elara immediately noticed something was wrong.
“You're leaving.”
Kael dismounted.
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“The western border.”
Her expression changed.
“For how long?”
“I don't know.”
Before Elara could respond, Mira ran outside.
“Kael!”
She stopped when she noticed his armor.
“Are you going somewhere?”
Kael crouched beside her.
“I have to go on a mission.”
“Is it dangerous?”
Kael smiled gently.
“I'll be fine.”
Elara looked at him.
She didn't believe him.
Kael noticed her expression and stood.
“I'll come back.”
“You don't know that.”
He became quiet.
She was right. He couldn't promise something he had no control over.
“I'll do everything I can.”
Elara looked down for a moment. Then she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small piece of cloth.
Taking his wrist, she carefully tied it around his arm.
“For luck.”
Kael looked at the cloth.
“You believe in luck?”
“No.”
“Then why give me this?”
She raised her eyes to meet his.
“Because I believe in you.”
Kael fell silent.
For a moment, he couldn't find the words to answer.
Mira watched them with a mischievous smile.
“You're blushing.”
Kael looked at her.
“I'm not.”
“You are!”
Elara laughed softly.
Kael shook his head.
“I'll bring this back.”
“You better,” Elara replied.
Before the Departure
That evening, Kael stayed longer than he should have.
He helped Elara close the shop, carried a few supplies inside, and ate dinner with her and Mira.
For a few hours, he forgot about the western border.
Forgot about the soldiers.
Forgot about the possibility of war.
He was simply Kael.
Mira talked about the festival, her new doll, and all the things she wanted him to bring when he returned.
Kael listened patiently, promising to remember everything.
Elara watched them from across the table.
She wanted the evening to last longer.
But eventually, it was time for him to leave.
Elara walked him outside.
“Be careful.”
“I will.”
“And don't try to be a hero.”
Kael smiled.
“I'm already a knight.”
“That isn't what I meant.”
His smile softened.
“I know.”
For a moment, neither spoke.
Kael wanted to say something. Something important.
But the words wouldn't come.
Instead, he said,
“I'll see you again.”
Elara nodded.
“I'll be here.”
Kael mounted his horse.
Mira waved from the doorway, while Elara stood beside her.
Kael looked at them one last time before riding away.
After he disappeared down the road, Elara lowered her gaze to her wrist.
She could still remember tying the small piece of cloth around his.
For the first time, she truly understood how much she feared losing him.
The Western Border
Three days later, Kael and five hundred soldiers reached the western frontier.
The border fortress stood beneath a grey sky, its stone walls overlooking the vast lands beyond.
Soldiers were already stationed along the battlements, watching the distant horizon.
Kael climbed the watchtower and stood near the edge.
Beyond the walls stretched the lands of the Western Kingdom.
A soldier approached and stood beside him.
“Do you see anything, Sir?”
Kael stared into the distance.
“No.”
The soldier continued watching.
Then he suddenly leaned forward.
“Wait.”
He pointed toward the horizon.
Kael followed his gaze.
At first, he saw only distant movement.
Then several dark figures appeared.
More followed.
And more.
Kael narrowed his eyes.
They were soldiers.
Hundreds of them.
Moving toward the border.
His expression hardened.
“Sound the alarm!”
A horn echoed across the fortress.
Within moments, soldiers rushed to their positions. Archers climbed the walls, gates were secured, and commanders began shouting orders.
Kael drew his sword.
The small piece of cloth tied around his wrist moved in the cold wind.
He looked toward the approaching army.
The Western Kingdom had stopped hiding.
They were coming.