202

202
Valencia's POV
The celebration in the great hall finally ended near midnight. Warriors were still drunk on victory. Still cheering. Still chanting my name and Logan's.
But I felt exhausted. Not physically. It was my mind that was tired. The weight of what we'd done. The lives we'd taken.
Logan took my hand. "Let's go."
We slipped out of the hall quietly. Walked through the corridors back to our chambers.
Inside, I collapsed onto the bed. Logan sat beside me.
"You did well tonight," he said. His hand stroked my hair gently.
"I killed over two hundred people."
"You saved thousands. Every warrior in Emerald Grove Pack would have joined Ashwood's army. Would have attacked us. You prevented that."
I knew he was right. But it didn't make the weight any lighter.
"Get some rest," Logan said. "We both need it."
I closed my eyes. Let exhaustion pull me under.
I woke to pounding on our door. Harsh. Urgent.
Logan was already up. Already moving. He grabbed his sword from the bedside table.
"Come in," he called out.
The door burst open. Elias stood there. His face was pale. Behind him, Dr. Vance and Ryan.
My stomach dropped. "What happened?"
"Scouts just returned from the south," Elias said. His voice was tight. "Ashwood's forces from King's Fang. The five hundred warriors occupying the capital. They're moving."
"Moving where?" Logan demanded.
"North. Toward us. They left King's Fang six hours ago. They'll reach our southern border by dawn tomorrow."
I sat up quickly. "And the northern border?"
Dr. Vance stepped forward. His aged face was grim. "More bad news. The seven hundred warriors at Ironwatch Border. They're crossing Grey River. Right now. The ice has melted enough for boats and rafts."
Logan's jaw tightened. "When will they reach our northern border?"
"Twelve hours. Maybe less if the crossing goes smoothly."
I felt cold. We were about to be surrounded. Attacked from both sides.
"How many warriors do we have?" I asked.
"Two hundred and fifty," Ryan said. "Including the new recruits who barely know how to hold a sword."
The numbers were devastating. Five hundred from the south. Seven hundred from the north. Twelve hundred total enemy warriors.
Against our two hundred and fifty.
Logan turned to the map on our wall. Studied it for a long moment.
"We need to evacuate," Ryan said. "Get the women, children, and elderly out. Head south toward neutral territory. The warriors stay and hold as long as possible."
"No." My voice came out firm. Strong. "We're not abandoning our home."
"Valencia, we don't have a choice," Dr. Vance said gently. "The numbers are impossible. Even with your dragon form, we can't win against twelve hundred warriors."
"Then we don't fight all twelve hundred at once." I stood up. Walked to the map. "We split them. Force them to fight us separately."
Logan's eyes narrowed. "What are you thinking?"
"I fly north to Ironwatch Border. Use dragon fire to destroy the seven hundred crossing Grey River. Burn their boats. Burn their rafts. Kill them while they're vulnerable in the water."
"That's suicide," Elias said immediately. "Seven hundred warriors. Even if half of them are on boats, that's still three hundred and fifty on each side of the river. They'll have archers. Spears. They'll shoot you down."
"Maybe. But it's our best chance." I looked at Logan. "While I'm dealing with the northern army, you take all two hundred and fifty warriors south. Hit the five hundred from King's Fang before they reach our border. Catch them in open territory where they can't use fortifications."
Logan's face was hard. "You want to split our forces. Fight two battles at once."
"I want to prevent them from joining together. If they combine, we lose. But if we can defeat them separately, we have a chance."
"You'd be alone at Grey River," Logan said. His voice was tight. Controlled. "Seven hundred warriors. No backup. If something goes wrong—"
"I have Alduin. We're synchronized now. Stronger than ever."
"You're still one person against an army."
"I'm a dragon against humans trying to cross a river." I met his eyes. "This is the only way, Logan. You know it is."
The room fell silent. Everyone was looking at Logan. Waiting for his decision.
He stared at the map for a long time. His jaw worked. His hands clenched into fists.
Finally, he looked up. "No. I won't send you north alone. It's too dangerous."
"Logan—"
"I said no." His voice was hard. Final. "We'll find another way."
Before I could argue, a knock came at the door.
"Come in," Logan called out.
A young warrior entered. He held two message cylinders. "Alpha. Luna. Two ravens just arrived. One from Captain Carson at Ironwatch Border. One from... I'm not sure who."
He handed both cylinders to Logan.
Logan opened the first one. Read quickly. His eyes widened slightly.
"Carson says the fifteen Ravencrest guards arrived. Along with both warships. They're docked at a port twenty miles from Ironwatch Border."
Relief flooded through me. "Fifteen trained warriors. That's something."
"It's not enough," Ryan said. "Fifteen more warriors don't change the math."
Logan opened the second cylinder. Read the message inside. His expression shifted. Surprise. Then something else. Hope maybe.
"What is it?" I asked.
Logan handed me the message. I read it quickly.
Alpha Logan,
My pack was destroyed. My warriors slaughtered. My people murdered by Ashwood's forces.
But I survived. And I'm not alone. One hundred and fifty of my pack members escaped with me. Warriors. Hunters. People who want revenge.
I received word about your victory at Emerald Grove Pack. About how you and your Luna destroyed Elton's army in a single night.
I want to help. My people want to fight. Give us the chance to avenge our fallen.
We're camped thirty miles south of Cliffwatch Pack. Send word if you'll accept our help.
- Alpha Kestrel
I looked up at Logan. "One hundred and fifty warriors."
"Experienced warriors," Dr. Vance added. "Kestrel's pack was small but her people were skilled hunters. Good fighters."
"Two hundred and fifty of ours," he said slowly. "Plus Kestrel's one hundred and fifty. That's four hundred."
"Still outnumbered," Ryan pointed out. "Four hundred against five hundred in the south. And that doesn't help Valencia in the north."
"The north has the fifteen Ravencrest guards now," I said. "And Captain Carson's border patrol. Maybe thirty warriors total at Ironwatch Border."
"Thirty against seven hundred?" Elias shook his head. "That's not a battle. That's a massacre."
"Not if I'm there." I looked at each person in the room. "Thirty warriors to hold the ground. Fifteen elite Ravencrest guards. And me. A dragon. Attacking from above while they're crossing the river."
Logan was quiet. Thinking.
"The south is different," I continued. "Four hundred of our warriors plus Kestrel's one hundred and fifty. That's five hundred and fifty total. Against Ashwood's five hundred from King's Fang. We'd actually outnumber them."
"Slightly," Dr. Vance said. "And Ashwood's forces have been occupying the capital. They're rested. Fed. Well-equipped."
"But they won't expect an attack," Ryan said. His voice was thoughtful now. "They think we're trapped. Surrounded. They think they're marching toward a
defensive siege. They won't be prepared for an ambush."
Logan walked to the map again. Placed his finger on Grey River in the north. Then on the road leading from King's Fang in the south.
"Twelve hours," he said. "That's all the time we have. Twelve hours before both armies reach our borders."
He looked at me. "You'd need to leave immediately. Fly through the night. Reach Grey River before dawn."
"I can do it."
"And I'd need to march south tonight. Connect with Kestrel's forces. Position for an ambush before Ashwood's southern army gets close."
"It could work," Elias said quietly.
Logan's gray eyes bored into mine. "If something goes wrong. If you get injured —"
"I'll retreat. Fly back here. I promise."
"Valencia—"
"This is our only chance, Logan. You know it is."
He was quiet for a long moment. Then he nodded once. Sharp. Decisive.
"Alright. We split our forces. Elias, you stay here with fifty warriors. Defend the pack lands if either army breaks through."
"Yes, Alpha."
"Ryan, gather every warrior we have. Full armor. Full weapons. We march south in one hour."
"Understood."
"Dr. Vance, send a raven to Captain Carson. Tell him Valencia is coming. Tell him to prepare for a coordinated assault on the river crossing."
"Right away."
Logan turned to me. "And you. Fly north. Burn everything on that river. Don't take unnecessary risks. If it looks bad, you retreat. Understood?"
"Understood."
The others filed out quickly. Leaving Logan and me alone.
He pulled me close. Wrapped his arms around me tight.
"Come back to me," he whispered into my hair.
"I will. I promise."
"I can't lose you, Valencia. Not now. Not after everything."
I pulled back to look at his face. "You won't lose me. We're going to win. Both battles. And when it's over, we'll rebuild. Together."
He kissed me. Deep and desperate. Like he was trying to memorize the feel of me.
When we finally broke apart, his eyes were wet.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you too."
One hour later, I stood in the courtyard. The moon was high. Bright. Perfect for flying.
Logan stood with his warriors. Two hundred and fifty of them. Armed. Ready to march.
He reached out. Cupped my face in his hands. "Be careful."
"You too."
One more kiss. Quick. Then he stepped back.
I closed my eyes. Reached inward. Found Alduin waiting.
Ready?