By late afternoon, a brown wolf streaked across the grasslands, heading toward the border of the Western and Northern territories. Upon reaching the main road, the wolf shifted, returning to the form of Hugo. He ran a hand through his long brown hair and leaned against the massive boulder he had seen in his dream—the exact spot where the wavy-haired redhead had fought her battle. He sat down and then stretched out on the grass.
"This is the place... I might as well catch some sleep while it's early. Huaaaah... but honestly, that red-haired woman feels familiar. Where have I seen her? I guess I've played around with too many women to keep track, haha," he thought to himself with a smirk.
But he had barely closed his eyes when the thundering rhythm of many hooves echoed toward him. He cracked an eye open and saw a carriage in the distance, flanked by a swarm of mounted knights. Hugo stayed still. From afar, the carriage door flew open and a girl leaped out.
She wore exquisite, custom armor and carried a massive sword on her back. Her hair was hidden under her helmet, but she hit the ground rolling, sprang up, and bolted toward the border—straight toward the rock where Hugo was leaning.
Cavalry and infantry were in hot pursuit. Hugo narrowed his eyes, spotting the crests of House Clark and House Baranger on their uniforms.
"And so it begins," Hugo said, standing up and reaching for his spear.
He began walking toward the woman, moving slowly as he twirled his spear, a wide grin spreading across his face. As she drew closer, Hugo kept twirling his weapon from left to right. His red armor seemed to expand as he removed his concealing bracelet; wolf ears sprouted from his head, and his tail began to lash back and forth.
Seeing Hugo's beastly appearance, the woman skidded to a halt and spun around. She drew the massive sword from her back, adjusting her grip and preparing for a fight. Seeing her turn her back to him to face the soldiers, Hugo was confused.
"Why aren't you running?" Hugo asked.
"It's a waste of breath... if there's two of us, they aren't a problem," the girl replied.
"Huh... you're awfully sure I'm going to help you," Hugo countered.
"Hah... I jumped out here for a reason. I need to cross west, and I know who you are," the girl said.
"Is that so? Fine then. Here they come," Hugo replied.
"Let's go," she said.
The two of them instantly lunged at the enemy. Hugo was a blur of motion, his spear a deadly needle. He took down several soldiers on his own, but when he glanced over, he saw the girl swinging a blade larger than her own body as if it weighed nothing at all.
Realizing the numbers were too high to stay and play, Hugo charged toward a mounted soldier. With a stunning leap, he impaled the rider, knocked him off, and commandeered the horse. "Hyah!" Hugo spurred the horse forward, reaching down to snag the girl and pull her up behind him.
She sheathed her massive sword and jumped, landing perfectly behind Hugo.
"Hyah! See ya later!" Hugo mocked the soldiers with a wide, arrogant grin.
He pushed the horse toward the Western border. The Clark and Baranger forces skidded to a halt, unwilling to cross into the West for fear of breaking the territorial treaties with House Quintrel. Once they were far enough away and still outside the city limits, Hugo slowed the horse. He looked back over his shoulder.
"Hey... my name's Hugo. Who are you? You said you know me, right?"
The girl pulled off her helmet. Waves of vibrant red hair cascaded down as she shook her head. Hugo stared at her, stunned.
"Forgot me already, hmmm?" she asked.
"Ah... Valentina Rochele. No wonder you looked familiar. If I'd known it was you, I would have left you there," Hugo joked.
"Hahaha... so you still consider me a woman since you saved me? You typical Quintrel hound," Valen teased.
"Hey... leave my family out of it. It's just Hugo now. I'm not a Quintrel anymore," Hugo snapped back.
"Oh? Well, same here. I'm not a Rochele anymore, either," Valen said.
"Huh? What happened? Aren't you the Lord's daughter?"
"Theobald and I aren't biological... we were both adopted. I only found out a few months ago. Ever since then, I've stayed at the outpost because I couldn't stand to see my father," Valen explained.
"Better to be adopted than to be a bastard," Hugo muttered.
"Ah... sorry. I didn't mean to mock you. Well, I'll hop off here," Valen said.
"Wait, where are you going?"
"East. I'm going to the monastery. My siblings are waiting for me there," Valen replied.
"Hmm... about that. Let's go to the city first. You need to meet my mother," Hugo said.
"Hah? What for? Hey... you aren't planning on proposing, are you?"
"Hahaha, dream on. I don't like muscular women like you. Too hard and not soft enough for bed," Hugo laughed.
"What did you just say?" Valen growled.
"Forget it. Let's see my mother. I have something to discuss with you, and her place is the safest spot in the city," Hugo answered.
"What do you want to talk about?"
"You'll see soon enough."
They reached the city as night was falling. Hugo and Valen ditched the horse near the gates and made their way through the slums to the ruined monastery. Inside Johana's underground room, Hugo didn't waste time.
"Now, I have a story for you, Valen. Believe it or not, but this is what happened to me."
"Go ahead," Valen said.
Hugo told her everything—the dream, why he was waiting at that exact rock, and the vision of them standing on the balcony in Castletown. Valen listened intently. She didn't laugh; she looked at him with genuine belief.
"So you were there because of a dream, not chance?" Valen asked.
"Yeah. I was waiting for you. The dream was so real, but in that version, I was late and you were hurt," Hugo replied.
Valen went quiet. It was hard to process, but Hugo really had seemed to be expecting her.
"I see. So if that part was true, then your vision of me on a balcony with triplet king and queens is probably true too?"
"It seems that way."
"Only the Monastery and Castletown have palaces like that. And that silver-haired boy and the girl in the wheelchair... those are my siblings," Valen said.
"Honestly, I didn't know... but if my dream came true with you standing here, then your siblings must be safe," Hugo said.
"I hope so, but I have to go. I sent them to the monastery; I have to join them," Valen said, starting to panic.
"Hmm... the monastery, huh? Well, let me tell you something," Johana interrupted.
Johana explained that when the Saint had visited her to heal her wounds, she had stayed for quite a while. The Saint had warned her that since the new Cardinal took over, the monastery had changed. The Great Houses were interfering, and the Saint was being hunted because she knew the truth about the previous Cardinal's death.
Valen stood up, her face pale. "That means I sent my siblings straight into a trap. I have to go!"
"Hey, wait! Don't be stupid," Hugo said, grabbing her arm.
"Let me go! My siblings are in danger!"
"I know! But you can't just go charging in there and get yourself killed. Use your head," Hugo barked.
Valen stopped, the logic sinking in, but her fists were clenched. She explained why she had sent them there, Hugo and Johana were shocked to hear that Lord Gerald Rochele had been arrested for treason and murder.
"So that's it," Hugo muttered.
"It's my uncle, Geoffrey Baranger. He's always wanted my father's position in the North," Valen said.
"That explains why House Baranger was chasing you. And I bet House Clark is in on it," Hugo added.
"Who is he accused of killing? It has to be someone major," Johana asked.
"He's being framed for the murder of Alex Reinald of House Reinald from eighteen years ago. They're also accusing him of conspiring with Lady Meredith of House Levent to start a rebellion and seize control from the Council of Lords, all because there's been no word from Emperor Barrington. Why the hell are they obsessing over things that happened almost twenty years ago when we have real problems right now? The Emperor is missing and the darkness in the north is finally moving—I've seen the mist rising behind the Wall myself," Valen answered, her voice dripping with rage.
Johana gasped. "Alex Reinald... House Reinald. I remember now."
"You know something, Mama?" Hugo asked.
"I do. Back then, bandits were paid to raid and burn the Reinald castle after the Lord died. But the one who hired them—the one who paid for the fire—was Jasper Quintrel. From what I heard, House Clark moved in immediately after to seize the land," Johana revealed.
"Blam!" Hugo slammed his fist onto the table. Hearing his father's name made his blood boil.
"So my father was framed. And if House Clark is chasing me, it means my uncle is working with Lord Edgar Clark—Alex Reinald's brother," Valen realized.
"And I'll bet that old bastard Jasper Quintrel is neck-deep in it too," Hugo growled.
Suddenly, the sound of heavy footsteps and shouting erupted from the floor above. Hugo and Valen drew their weapons instantly. They peeked out, but the ward was empty. Hugo turned back to his mother.
"Mama, we have to get you out of here," Hugo said, moving to lift her.
"No, Hugo. I have to stay. You go with Lady Valentina. Now!" Johana insisted.
"I'm not leaving you behind!"
"Hugo, listen to me. That dream wasn't just a dream. The gods gave you a vision to change this world. You've already seen it come true with Valentina being here. Your destiny is just beginning," Johana said, cupping his face and smiling.
Hugo took her hands. "But Mama... if you stay..."
"I'll be fine. Trust me. Now go, use the secret path you used to use to sneak in here," Johana urged.
Hugo's hands shook. He looked down, defeated. Valen placed a hand on his shoulder. Johana "looked" toward Valen.
"Lady Valentina... please look after my Hugo. Thank you."
"I will, Mother. Hugo is safe with me," Valen promised, bowing her head.
"Go now. They'll be here any second," Johana said, lying back down.
"I'm going, Mama... but I'm coming back. You better be here when I do," Hugo said firmly.
"I promise. I love you, Hugo. Now run."
"I love you too, Mama... Come on, Valen."
Hugo pulled a specific book on the shelf. The rack slid away, revealing a hidden tunnel. As they ducked inside, the shelf slid back into place, sealing the room. Johana lay on her bed, a peaceful smile on her face even as tears streamed from her closed eyes.