ter

resistance only fueled the soldier's rage. With a surge of adrenaline, he shoved Cormac

of his boots scraping against the floor matched the grinding tension in the air as the two combatants gra

to protect his daughters igniting every movement. He parried blow after blow, dodging deadly th

n his gut as he realized Cormac was proving far more formidabl

im. His sword gleamed with cold intent as he waited for the perfect opening.

tly, clutching the wound as the pain surged through him. A faint, wet sound escaped his lips as hi

nds trembling as she tore a piece of cloth from her dress and pressed it desperately against the

ed, her eyes wild with panic. She could feel his

He grimaced, the pain radiating through him, but he forced hims

nd reached out, trembling. "I'm so sorry... I failed you... our daughters..." His gaze drifted dow

ave to be fine!" She sobbed, her voice desperate as she pressed the cloth harder, hoping a

a's arms, and she caught him, her own breath hitching as s

ndifferent, dragged her three daughters away. Nella's heart caught in her th

ldier's skull, a sickening crunch ringing out as the man stumbled, his eyes blurring as blood began to seep from t

n, her eyes blazing with bravery. "You'll never

ion, he slapped Nella across the face. Her head snapped to the side, pain shooting through her skull. She stag

anguished, as she scrambled to her feet. She wailed, her eyes wide with pa

breaking through her despair. "Mama!! Papa!!!" They screamed, thei

e, and for a moment, everything blurred. The faces of the other children, eyes wide and filled with fear, met hers as the soldiers slammed the carts' doors shut, the sound of rusty h

horror of what had just transpired. She lay there, helpless and shattered, as the sou