"You'll be our mighty guardian, then," Lucien said gently, brushing a hand along the fawn's soft fur. It nuzzled him in response, tail flicking excitedly. Lucien felt a glare land on him though, and he turned around to see the wolf pup glare at him.
The path slowly changed underfoot—from moss and root to firmer earth, then cobbled remnants of an old patrol road. The forest thinned. Sunlight trickled through the canopy in golden shafts. Birds sang again. The weight of near-death slowly began to lift.
Lucien took a long breath.
"Selene… do you think we're close?"
Before she could answer, the fawn perked up.
"Wait! I hear something!" it whispered, lowering its head dramatically as though it were stalking prey.
Lucien and Selene froze.
"This way." The fawn pranced forward excitedly. Lucien and Selene looked at each other doubtfully then rushed after the fawn. As they ran Lucien finally picked something in his senses.
From beyond the next rise, the rhythmic clank of armor echoed through the trees—measured, disciplined. Not the chaotic stampede of Reynard's men.
Lucien surged forward with new urgency mixed with caution. Ahead he saw a clearing in the forest and beyond that, a familiar road.
Lucien finally burst into the road after the fawn. it was deceptively fast for its small size, being even faster than him by a lot.
Then—he saw them.
A dozen mounted knights in gleaming mail, flanked by halberdiers on foot. Their tabards bore the silver sunburst of the duchy's capital—Aurea—and the deep azure of its royal garrison. Their armor was polished, their formation orderly, and at their head rode a man in a blue-plumed helmet, his eyes sharp and scanning.
The knight spotted Lucien and reined in sharply.
"Hold!"
Weapons were raised. Crossbows notched. The formation watched the group
There was a beat of silence.
Then the head knight gasped. "Your grace, is that you?"
The captain dismounted, his hand still on his sword but no longer drawn.
"Lord Lucien?" the man said cautiously, stepping forward.
Lucien nodded, exhaustion washing over him like a tide. "I… I need help. Reynard tried to kill me. I escaped. The Warden—Vern Balehart—he's back there. Caldus too."
The captain's eyes narrowed. "There were rumors that you grace was attacked and killed. We were all sent out to patrol this region and look for your grace. Captain —" He paused, eyes narrowing at the fawn. "Is that a deer?"
The fawn blinked innocently. "I am not just a deer. I'm a sacred guardian of the forest."
Lucien winced. "He's… with me."
Selene stepped forward too, her voice firm despite her weariness. "He saved Lucien's life. We owe him."
The captain looked back at his men, who seemed torn between awe and bafflement.
"Very well," he said. "If he's a friend to the heir, he's a friend to the crown." He turned to his squire. "Fetch water and bandages. And someone send word to the Duke's estate. The heir is alive."
Two soldiers ran off. The others surrounded Lucien in a protective arc.
The captain approached and offered his arm. "Let us get you to safety, my lord. You're lucky to be alive."
Lucien gripped the man's arm, allowing himself to be led toward one of the horses. As he mounted with the captain's help, he looked back one last time at the forest.
The fawn stood tall beside Selene, tail flicking, eyes bright.
Then it trotted up and leapt effortlessly onto the horse behind Lucien, ignoring all rules of nature and nobility.
"I'm coming too," it announced. "Mother said I could."
Lucien blinked. "She did?"
"Well… she didn't say no."
Selene laughed outright then, the sound clear and defiant and beautiful.
Lucien nodded, resolve hardening in his chest.
Let Reynard know this: the poisoned heir had survived.
And now, he was no longer alone.
The city gates of King's Reach loomed in the distance, a pale golden shimmer under the midday sun. Lucien had slumped in the saddle, supported by Selene and flanked by the capital's knights. The banner of House D'Aureville now fluttered beside the silver sunburst of the city garrison. For the first time in days, safety seemed within reach.
He should've known better.
They rode past watchtowers and crowded markets, where citizens craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the battered heir. Lucien's name was whispered like a prayer. Hope. Survival. A challenge to the poison rotting the noble houses from within.
When they dismounted, the captain led them into the main garrison keep. Its stone walls bore House Aureville's crest beside the royal standard—proof of their long-standing loyalty.
At the top of the stairs stood a tall, broad-shouldered man clad in dark blue armor chased with silver. A Warden's sigil gleamed on his cloak. His beard was thick and dusted with gray, his eyes like old iron.
Lucien's heart lifted faintly. "Warden Halric?"
The man stepped forward, solemn. "Lucien." His voice was low, almost reverent. "You live."
"You knew my father," Lucien said, stepping forward. "He trusted you more than his own kin."
"I did more than know him," Halric said softly. "I helped raise him to power. I bled for House D'Aureville in the border wars. Your father was like a son."
Lucien almost faltered. "Then why—why did you never come when Reynard took over? Why didn't you stop him?"
Halric's eyes softened—but just for a moment.
Then he turned away. "Come. We'll talk inside."
They were led into a wide hall within the garrison keep. Tapestries hung between steel-banded doors. Torches burned low.
Too few guards were posted. Lucien noticed it too late.
The doors slammed shut.
And suddenly, the knights who'd escorted him turned as one—blades drawn. Only three remained by Lucien's side, confused and alarmed.
Halric gave a faint, rueful smile.
"I am sorry, Lucien. Your father was a good man. But he was also a fool. The secret he died for—it's too dangerous to fall into your hands."
Lucien froze. "You betrayed him?"
Halric nodded once. "He wouldn't share what he found. So others did what had to be done. Now you'll follow him into the dark."
"Halric, please—" Lucien began.
But it was too late.
The traitor Warden raised a hand, and his lackeys surged forward.
Blades clashed. Two loyal knights fell instantly—cut down by their former comrades. The last one backed toward Lucien, eyes wide with disbelief.
Selene screamed as a soldier lunged toward her—but a sharp blur intercepted.
The fawn reared and kicked, sending the man flying into a pillar with bone-shattering force. Light flared around it—holy gold—its eyes now glowing.
A deep snarl rose beside it.
The little silver-furred wolf stood protectively in front of Selene, body stretching, muscles bulging, fur bristling with latent power. A low growl vibrated the air.
The enemies hesitated.
"Grand Knights," one hissed.
The fawn winked. "Told you I wasn't small."
Lucien gasped as heat surged through his chest.
The pendant around his neck—the one the great stag had left—flared to life.
A protective aura enveloped him. His wounds vanished in a golden flash. His spine straightened. For a heartbeat, strength like fire surged in his limbs.
He caught Halric's blade with his bare hand.
For a moment, just a m