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CHAPTER FORTY – FIVE
Alice’s POVThis text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.
Lily led the group of I, Jack, and Alex out of the kingdom through a secret tunnel that took us to a nearby forest.
As we walked, Lily noticed the dirt and grime on the group’s clothes and laughed, “Well, well, look at you all. You’re quite a sight. Follow me, I’ll show you the way.”
After an hour or so of walking, Lily turned to the group and asked, “So, how good are you all at fighting?”
I replied, “I’d say I’m average.”
Jack and Alex chimed in, “We’re seasoned knights.”
This surprised me and I asked, “Really? How did you come to be in the service of the King?”
Jack and Alex explained, “We were supposed to be your protectors, just like Meredith. But when the monarch told us to scatter and stay within the kingdom, we had no choice but to obey. One day, we knew Alice would come and need our protection.”
Lily listened intently and then said, “Well, that’s quite a tale. Follow me, I’ll show you a faster way to travel and keep anyone from following us to our camp.”
With that, Lily climbed a tree with ease and shouted from the branches, “This is the way to travel. It’s quick and will keep us hidden from any pursuit.”
As I followed Lilly’s lead, I couldn’t help but be amazed by her agility as she jumped from one tree to another with ease. Jack and Alex, my supposed protectors, kept up with her despite their insistence that they were seasoned knights.
After some twists and turns through the forest, we finally reached the entrance to the rebel camp. I was eager to see what was inside, hoping that I would finally find a way to reclaim my throne and avenge my parents.
Lilly approached the door and spoke a code that I couldn’t understand. The guard at the door nodded and allowed us entry. I was taken aback by the sight that greeted me once we stepped inside.
The camp was bustling with activity, with people training and working together in harmony. I felt a sense of hope wash over me, knowing that there were still people out there who were fighting for the same cause as me.
Lilly led us over to a group of people who were training with swords and asked if I wanted to join in. I was hesitant at first, not wanting to look weak in front of these strangers, but I soon found myself enjoying the physical exertion. I was rusty, but it felt good to be doing something productive for once.
It took me a while to get used to my training routine again after been locked up for a while but Jack and Alex made sure that I dusted any hint of rustiness
As I trained, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this community. I had been living in fear and loneliness for so long, always looking over my shoulder, but now I finally felt like I had a purpose. These people were fighting for the same cause as me, and I was determined to help in any way I could.
After training, Lilly approached me and asked if I wanted to hear more about the plan to overthrow my uncle and reclaim my throne. I was eager to hear more and she took me to a private area where she explained the details of the plan.
“We have been gathering supporters and resources for months now,” she explained. “And we believe that the time is right to make a move. But we need someone to lead the charge, someone with a claim to the throne.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Was she saying that I was the one they were looking for?
“Yes, Alice,” she said, reading the look of shock on my face. “We believe that you are the rightful heir to the throne, and we want you to lead us into battle.”
I was overwhelmed by the responsibility being placed on my shoulders, but at the same time, I felt a sense of determination. I was ready to fight for what was rightfully mine, and to avenge my parents.
I agreed to lead the rebellion and from that moment on, I threw myself into training and preparing for the fight ahead. I had a new family now, a group of people who believed in me and were willing to fight alongside me. And I was determined to make them proud.
I was asked to be presented to the leaders of the rebels a few days after my arrival at their camp. I had already figured out that Lily was a part of the leaders, but I was still surprised to see that the council of leaders was made up of seven people.
As I entered the tent, I saw the seven leaders seated around a large wooden table. I couldn’t help but feel a bit intimidated by their presence, but I also felt a sense of hope.
“Welcome, Alice,” one of the leaders, a middle-aged man named Marcus, greeted me. “We’ve been waiting for you to arrive.”
“Thank you,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
The tent was simple but spacious, with several wooden chairs and a large table in the center. There were maps and papers scattered on the table, and I could see the leaders were in the middle of a heated discussion.
“We’ve been discussing our next move,” Marcus continued. “We believe that in the next two months, we should make a move against your uncle, King Robert.”
I felt a knot form in my stomach at the mention of my uncle. He was the one who had taken the throne after my parents were killed, and the thought of facing him filled me with both fear and determination.
“What do you propose we do?” I asked.
“We have several plans in place,” Marcus said, nodding to the other leaders. “We have spies within the castle who can provide us with information, and we have allies in the neighboring kingdoms who are ready to come to our aid.”
The other leaders introduced themselves one by one, each with their own specialty and strengths. There was Thomas, the strategist; Rachel, the spy master; David, the weapons master; Sarah, the healer; and James, the scout.
As they explained their roles, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of hope. These were skilled and experienced leaders, and I was grateful to have them on my side.
“We have a solid plan in place,” Marcus said, bringing the discussion back to the main topic. “But we need you to be ready, Alice. Are you ready to reclaim your throne and avenge your parents?”
“Yes,” I replied, my voice firm. “I am ready to do whatever it takes.”
The leaders nodded, satisfied with my answer. The rest of the meeting was spent discussing details and making final preparations.
As I left the tent, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed. I had never been involved in any sort of battle or conflict before, but I was determined to do whatever it takes to reclaim my throne and bring justice to my parents.
The next two months were a blur of training and preparation. I learned how to fight, how to use weapons, and how to lead a battle. I also spent time getting to know my new allies, learning about their strengths and weaknesses and how we could work together to achieve our goals.
Finally, the day arrived. We marched towards the castle, our army of rebels and allies at our side. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, but I was determined to see this through to the end.
As we approached the castle gates, I took a deep breath and raised my sword. This was it. This was the moment we had been preparing for.
“For the lost kingdom!” I shouted, and the battle began.