Chapter 17. Prince Damian

I and Elena were forced on our knees and made to watch as the entire village was set on fire. The corpses of mothers, fathers, and children lay around in the rising dust and smoke. Tears filled my eyes as I stared at the horrible scene. The soldiers of Valtoria had completely destroyed this once beautiful place.

A place that once resonated with the laughter of children and the joyful singing of the Argarian people now echoed with the crackling sound of burning wood and metal. The smell of flesh and blood spread through the atmosphere like death’s perfume, leaving nothing but despair in its wake.

After the soldiers were done with their task, I and Elena were forced back on our feet and led by them through the burning fields to the camp where Prince Damian waited. Elena just stared at the ground silently as the soldiers pulled her through the camp.

Her eyes looked almost lifeless, and the thoughts she kept hidden in her heart weighed heavily on her. She had already