Section 4: Amidst the Flames

The soldiers surrounded them, and Frank arrived on the scene. Soundous expressed her rejection of him, stating that she was being forced into the marriage.

Frank threatened that she would regret her decision and declared his intention to execute both her and Arthur in front of the people.

As the soldiers closed in on Arthur, he shouted at them to stay back. They restrained him while covering Soundous' mouth, and they forcibly took her to their horse. Arthur called out her name, but Soundous was carried away, disappearing into the distance.

Frank orders the soldiers to take Arthur to the city walls and execute him there. A crowd gathers around them, and the painter Jack notices the commotion but is unaware of the reason.

He approaches and discovers that the soldiers are about to execute Arthur.

Jack shouts at them to stop and tries to intervene, but the soldiers overpower him, knocking him to the ground.

At that moment, Commander Noah's vizier arrives to complete the execution ceremony and is astonished to find out that Arthur is the one sentenced to death.

The vizier commands the soldiers to halt, explaining that the king has appointed Arthur as one of his trusted allies, and anyone who harms him will face severe punishment.

Reluctantly, the soldiers release Arthur, whispering among themselves about the consequences they may face from Frank.

Arthur informs Noah's vizier that Soundous is in danger and urges them to find her as quickly as possible.

They mount their horses, accompanied by the painter Jack,

and swiftly make their way to Frank's farm.

Meanwhile, Frank arrives at Soundous' location and orders his soldiers to light a fire beneath her,

intending to prevent anyone from recognizing her after her demise.

He taunts her, blaming her for the situation, as she hangs from the ceiling, bound and with her mouth sealed shut.

Soundous gazes at him tearfully while Frank sadistically describes how her family will be informed that she escaped and vanished in the desert.

Laughing, Frank's soldiers toss firewood beneath her, and he approaches with a flame, causing her to scream in despair.

As the fire intensifies, threatening to consume her, Soundous loses consciousness.

The flames inch closer to her feet, and Frank, still smiling, watches the horrific scene. Suddenly, the doors of the farm burst open, and Arthur and the soldiers storm in.

Frank spots them, mounts his horse, and flees, while the soldiers rush to extinguish the fire.

Arthur shields Soundous from the flames, and the painter Jack lowers her onto the back of a horse, moving her away from the inferno.

Eventually, they bring her down to the ground, and Arthur desperately talks to her, hoping she will awaken and open her eyes.

Soundous regains consciousness, sees Arthur's face, and begins to cry.

Arthur reassures her, declaring that he won't leave her again and that they will be together forever.

The painter Jack instructs the soldiers to pursue Frank before he escapes the city walls. They give chase and locate him, following him to the walls.

Frank's horse stumbles, causing him to fall to the ground.

His comrades abandon him, making their escape.

Commander Noah's soldiers arrive, surrounding Frank and taking him into custody.

Noah confronts him, stating that Frank has finally fallen into his hands.

Fear fills Frank's eyes as he gazes into the minister's.