The western army stood beyond the border.
Hundreds of soldiers had gathered on the opposite side, their banners moving in the cold wind.
Kael watched them from the fortress wall, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
No attack came.
The enemy simply remained there.
Waiting.
The soldiers of Aurelia stayed at their positions, ready for an order that never came.
By sunset, the western army finally began to retreat.
Kael lowered his sword.
“Why would they come all this way just to leave?” he asked.
The commander standing beside him shook his head.
“I don't know, Sir Kael.”
Kael watched until the last soldier disappeared beyond the horizon.
Something wasn't right.
The Northern Road
Three days later, Kael received orders to patrol the northern road.
He rode with ten soldiers through a dense forest. Tall trees covered much of the road, blocking the sunlight and casting long shadows across the ground.
The journey was quiet.
Too quiet.
One of the soldiers suddenly raised his hand.
“Stop.”
Everyone halted.
Kael looked toward him.
“What is it?”
The soldier listened carefully.
“Did you hear that?”
Kael turned his attention toward the forest.
A faint metallic sound came from somewhere between the trees.
Clink.
Clink.
It sounded like chains.
Kael dismounted.
“Stay here.”
He drew his sword and walked carefully between the trees.
With every step, the sound grew louder.
Then he saw them.
A group of men and women were being marched along a narrow path, their hands and feet bound in heavy chains.
They were slaves.
Several armed guards rode beside them, making sure none of the prisoners fell behind.
Kael's expression hardened.
He stepped out from between the trees and onto the path.
“Stop!”
The guards immediately reached for their weapons.
Their leader looked at Kael's armor.
“A royal knight.”
Kael glanced at the prisoners.
“Where are you taking them?”
The man gave him a cold smile.
“That's none of your business.”
Kael drew his sword.
“It became my business when you brought them into this kingdom.”
The leader's smile disappeared.
“Kill him!”
The guards charged.
Kael moved first.
His sword struck the first man's weapon aside, and a powerful kick sent him falling from his horse.
Another guard attacked from behind.
Kael turned just in time to block the strike.
Steel clashed against steel.
Within seconds, the forest path became a battlefield.
Kael's soldiers rushed forward, joining the fight.
The guards were quickly overwhelmed.
Their leader turned his horse, attempting to escape.
Kael caught him by the arm and pulled him from the saddle.
The man crashed onto the ground.
Kael placed his sword near his throat.
“Who owns these people?”
The man refused to answer.
Kael tightened his grip.
“Answer me.”
The man finally spoke.
“Someone powerful.”
“Who?”
“I don't know!”
Kael looked toward the prisoners.
“Unlock their chains.”
The man shook his head.
Kael turned to one of his soldiers.
“Search him. Take the keys.”
The soldier quickly found them.
One by one, the prisoners were freed.
Some rubbed their wrists. Others struggled to stand after being chained for so long.
A few began crying.
Kael watched them quietly.
The Unknown Group
An older man among the prisoners slowly approached Kael.
“Why did you help us?”
Kael looked at him.
“Because you're people.”
The old man stared at him.
“You're a royal knight.”
“I know.”
“Your kingdom allows this.”
Kael became silent.
He looked at the freed prisoners, then at the guards who had been transporting them.
“Not today.”
Before anyone could say another word, a prisoner suddenly shouted.
“More are coming!”
Kael turned.
Through the trees, more armed men were approaching.
His soldiers immediately raised their weapons.
“How many?” Kael asked.
“Twenty… maybe more.”
Kael looked at the prisoners.
They couldn't stay there.
“Everyone move!”
The group began running through the forest.
Kael and his soldiers remained behind to slow down the approaching guards.
But there were too many.
One of Kael's soldiers was knocked to the ground. Another became surrounded by several attackers.
Kael fought his way toward them.
He struck one enemy aside and pulled his fallen soldier to safety.
Then a loud whistle echoed from deeper within the forest.
The enemy soldiers suddenly stopped.
Before Kael could understand what was happening, several arrows flew from the trees.
The attacking guards fell back, some dropping their weapons as they searched for the hidden archers.
A group of unfamiliar men and women emerged from the forest.
They carried weapons, but none wore the uniform of any kingdom.
Their leader stepped forward.
“We'll take care of the rest.”
Kael looked at him cautiously.
“Who are you?”
The man gave him a small smile.
“People who don't like chains.”
He turned toward the prisoners.
“Get them out.”
The group immediately began leading the freed slaves away from the path.
Kael watched them carefully.
He didn't know who they were.
He only knew they had just saved his soldiers.
Their leader approached him.
“You helped our people.”
Kael frowned.
“Your people?”
“We've been trying to free them for a long time.”
Kael glanced toward the forest.
“Where are you taking them?”
“To safety.”
“Where?”
The man smiled.
“Somewhere your kingdom can't reach them.”
Kael didn't like the answer.
But he understood the situation.
If he took the prisoners back to the fortress, they might simply be locked away again. He had no guarantee that anyone there would protect them.
The leader reached inside his clothing and pulled out a small necklace.
Its pendant carried a strange symbol.
Three curved lines surrounded a small circle.
He held it out to Kael.
“Take this.”
Kael looked at the necklace.
“What is it?”
“A promise.”
After a moment, Kael accepted it.
“If you ever need help, show this to someone from our group.”
Kael studied the unusual symbol.
“And you'll help me?”
The man nodded.
“Wherever you are.”
Kael looked directly at him.
“Who are you really?”
The man smiled.
“You'll know someday.”
Before Kael could ask anything else, the man turned and followed his group into the forest.
The freed prisoners disappeared with them.
Within moments, the forest became quiet again.
Kael stood there, holding the small necklace in his hand.
He had no idea who those people were or where they were taking the prisoners.
He didn't know why they had chosen to help him.
And he had no idea how important that small piece of metal would one day become.
For now, it was simply a promise.
A promise he would remember.