Effort

Eric stood facing the Baron on the wide marble steps of the mansion. He felt small and alone, despite his princely title. He noticed more soldiers appearing, seemingly from nowhere. Some emerged from side doors of the mansion, others seemed to materialize from the gardens on either side. 

The number of armed guards surrounding them was growing rapidly, forty now, all wearing the Baron's colors, their faces hard and unfriendly.

Beside him, Alina noticed the growing number of soldiers too. Fear flashed in her eyes. She quickly grabbed the sleeve of Eric's simple training tunic, tugging at it urgently, trying to get his attention. "Prince Eric! Look!" she whispered frantically. "More soldiers! They're surrounding us!"

But Eric's attention was fixed entirely on the Baron standing calmly on the steps above them. He hadn't noticed the reinforcements quietly closing in. He was focused on the man responsible for Alina's troubles.