The guards were stunned by the revelation. They too immediately got down to their knees and begged for forgiveness for their behavior earlier. Alistair got off his horse too.

"All is forgiven. I understand it would be difficult to tell. However I am curious, how did you know who I was? And from this blade?" Alistair wondered.

Maisy chuckled as she got back up to her feet. She returned the double-bladed weapon to Alistair as she explained how she knew.

"That’s simple. Our forging techniques are only shared within the family, Your Majesty. In most circumstances, we do not simply gift weapons that we forge, especially not to non-family members.

For that to happen... the person we gift it to has to be extremely special. A lover perhaps." She hinted.

"Your inquiry on Sierra’s whereabouts tipped me off too," Maisy added.

"That would explain it," Alistair mused.

Knowing his purpose here, Maisy did not waste any time in informing him of the details he sought for. Sierra had already left for the capital two days ago, at that moment.

"Did she say where she was going?" He asked eagerly.

"She’s headed for the castle, to rescue General Leon. He’s been placed on house arrest," she said solemnly.

"Would you care to travel with us, Your Majesty? We’re heading to the capital ourselves. We’re leaving in just a few hours."

Alistair shook his head. While he was grateful for the offer, traveling with a large group would slow his progress. He’d had a better chance of getting to Sierra sooner if he continued traveling on his own.

"Very well," Maisy sighed, "At the very least, allow us to refresh your supplies. Perhaps a change of horse?"

That offer, Alistair gladly accepted. Within the next two hours, he was on the road again.

"Wait for me, Sierra, I’m coming," he whispered to himself.

~

It was as if the wind carried his wishes and words with it. Sierra looked up at the sky and her surroundings.

"Is something wrong, Sierra?" Ida asked when she noticed Sierra acting oddly.

"I thought I heard Alistair’s voice... I must be hallucinating," she remarked as she returned her attention to the group of guards she was spying on.

Ida looked over to Sierra worriedly.

"You’ve not had a good night’s sleep in days. You need rest." She reminded her.

Sierra turned and gave her a smile.

"I’ll have all the rest I need once all of this is over," she replied.

At that moment, the guards they’ve been spying on were on the move. She’d been waiting for the perfect opportunity to infiltrate the castle grounds. This was her chance.

But before she did so, there was one more thing she needed to do.

"Ida, do you remember the plan?"

"Yes yes, you’ve repeated it more than five times at this point," the paramount was turning into an elderly grandma as she kept repeating to Ida what she needed to do.

"Recite it to me then," Sierra chuckled.

Sierra was going to infiltrate the castle and hide in the shadows while she collected information on the situation within. On the other hand, Ida had already gotten herseld hired as a new maid.

She would collect information on Sierra’s behalf. Each night, they would meet at their designated spot to trade information and see what next steps to take. The Bancroft forces still needed a few days to assemble all of their troops before heading to the capital.

Sierra’s job now is to buy as much time as she could before they arrive. She would also need to ascertain if General Leon was safe. She also wanted to find Princess Felicity.

According to a few rumors, the princess was locked up in the castle, but not many knew exactly where. Sierra intended to find out.

When the time was right, Sierra would give the Bancroft forces a signal. Then, they would storm the castle.

"Stay safe Ida." She said to her maid just before she left, "I’ll see you soon."

"You too, Sierra," Ida whispered.

From there, both women went their separate ways. Sierra evaded all the troops and successfully entered the castle grounds without causing any disturbance. To make things a little easier for herself. She summoned her wings and flew up into the sky.

A bird’s eye view of everything would help her figure out her bearings. It’s been a while since she last stepped foot in the castle. From the looks of it, not much had changed.

Sierra landed safely on one of the highest rooftops. The sun was about to set on the horizon. Looking down at the ground, things almost seemed normal. But she knew for certain they were not.

Opal lifted her head from Sierra’s wrist.

’What now?’ She hissed.

With the top-down view she now had, Sierra could easily see where the Royal Quarters were. She also quickly noted where she and General Leon stayed while they lived in the castle.

"We’ll head there first. Father comes first," Sierra whispered before she took off into the open sky.

A few moments later she landed safely in the gardens of the estate, amongst tall trees that provided a good amount of cover. She was just about to figure out where to head next when she heard a coughing fit in the distance.

Without thinking, Sierra sprinted in that direction immediately.

"Father!" She called out as she curled her hand into a fist.

She knew the consequences of her actions, but that did not bother her now. She needed to know he was alright. When the father and daughters’ eyes met, they were stunned speechless for a few seconds.

Sierra ran up to him and embraced him, clutching to him tightly. She realized how much he had changed in the short period of time they had been apart. He was thinner, pale. General Leon looked as if he had aged decades.

"Sierra... are you really here?" His voice croaked.

He dropped the walking stick in his hands with the weight of her embrace and they almost crumbled to the ground. But Sierra held them up together.

"By the Gods, Miss Sierra!" Nettle, General Leon’s long-time maid, gasped in shock.

She’d been helping Leon as they were taking a stroll in the gardens when Sierra appeared. It was as if she had materialized out of thin air.

General Leon’s eyes began to water. At first, he thought it was all just a dream. But when he felt the warmth of his daughter’s embrace, he realized she was real.

This was reality.