Burden of the leader

The Morning After the Oath Ceremony

I woke to the weight of responsibility pressing against my chest, a quiet but insistent reminder that trust was fragile. The rebels had accepted me, but their loyalty wasn't something I could take for granted. Earning it had been one battle—keeping it would be another.

The camp was already alive with movement when I stepped out of my tent. The scent of charred meat lingered in the crisp morning air, mingling with the damp earth. Fires crackled, sending thin trails of smoke into the sky. Groups of rebels gathered in quiet clusters, speaking in hushed tones.

I felt their eyes on me when they thought I wasn't looking.

I wasn't just one of them anymore. I was their leader.

Forming a Strategy

Naela was waiting for me near the center of the camp, a rough map stretched across a wooden crate. Roran and a few of the older rebels stood with her, deep in discussion.

"We need to secure supplies," Naela said the moment I approached. "Food, weapons, medicine. We have enough to last for now, but if we're serious about taking back the throne, we'll need more."

Roran nodded, arms crossed. "There's a supply convoy passing through the northern roads in three days. Heavily guarded, but if we strike fast, we can take what we need."

I studied the map. The road cut through a dense forest, giving us natural cover. "A full assault is too risky," I mused. "We need a plan that keeps us from being exposed."

"We could set a trap," one of the rebels suggested. "Force them into a bottleneck where they can't escape."

Roran stroked his beard. "That could work. But we'd need bait."

I traced my finger along the route, thinking. "What if we make it look like an accident? Fell a tree along the road to block their path. Force them to stop. We strike before they have time to react."

Roran exchanged a glance with Naela. "It could work. If we're fast enough."

I straightened. "Then we make it happen."

The decision was made. The plan set in motion.

But even as we worked through the details, I felt the weight of expectation settle deeper over my shoulders.

They were looking to me for answers. And I had no room to fail.

Leading the Raid

The night was thick with tension as we lay in wait. The forest wrapped around us, shadows stretching long beneath the moonlight. I crouched beside Roran, my pulse steady as I fixed my gaze on the road ahead.

The flickering glow of torches broke through the darkness. The convoy was close.

"Ready?" Roran murmured.

I nodded. "Now."

A groaning crack split the air as the tree we'd weakened came crashing onto the road. Horses neighed in alarm. The guards shouted, yanking weapons free as they scrambled to assess the damage.

That was our opening.

I surged forward, the rebels moving with me. Shadows erupted from the trees, striking with precision. Arrows whistled, steel clashed, and chaos swallowed the night.

A sword swung for me. I dodged, twisting to drive my dagger into the attacker's side. He crumpled. Another lunged—I met his blade with mine, the force of impact rattling through my arms.

"Elaris, behind you!"

I spun just as an enemy raised his blade, but before he could strike, Roran's sword sliced clean through his chest.

He met my gaze, dark and steady. "You alright?"

Breathless, I nodded. "Let's finish this."

Minutes later, it was over. The remaining guards surrendered, weapons clattering to the dirt.

Naela surveyed the captured supplies, her expression unreadable before she finally spoke. "We did it."

I exhaled, pushing damp hair from my face.

We had won.

And for the first time, I felt like a leader.

A Quiet Moment with Roran

Later that night, after the supplies were secured, I stood at the edge of the camp, watching the glow of firelight flicker across the trees.

"You fought well," Roran said, stepping beside me.

I smirked. "I had a good teacher."

He chuckled. "I taught you how to survive. But you're the one leading now."

I turned to him, studying his expression—warm, steady.

"You trust me," I said, the realization settling in.

Roran didn't hesitate. "I do."

A quiet tension stretched between us, but it wasn't overwhelming. It was something steady. Something that felt… safe.

I smiled, softer this time. "Thank you."

His fingers brushed mine, just briefly, before he turned away.

For the first time in a long while, I felt at peace.

Malrik's Confession

I was halfway to my tent when a familiar figure stepped into my path.

Malrik.

"You and Roran looked cozy," he mused, arms crossed.

I frowned. "Are you spying on me now?"

He smirked, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Just observing."

I sighed, already exhausted. "What do you want, Malrik?"

Something flickered across his face—something I couldn't quite place.

"To tell you something."

I arched a brow. "Go on."

He hesitated. Just for a second. Then he stepped closer, his usual playfulness stripped away.

"You drive me insane, Elaris."

I blinked. "Excuse me?"

"I've been trying to ignore it," he continued, voice lower now. "Trying to pretend like it doesn't matter. But it does."

A breath caught in my throat.

Malrik's eyes darkened. "I don't want to see you with Roran."

I stiffened. "Malrik—"

He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Forget it."

And before I could find the words to respond, he turned and disappeared into the night.

Leaving me with a racing heart and a mind full of questions.