Your cousin - Princess Anna

The rest of your family are fighters, you’ve no doubt they will be able to regroup with each other. But your cousin was not. She was raised a princess in opposition to you and your sister. Belisarius is capable but even he will need some help.

You race towards Anna, cutting through enemies on the way. Blood splatters in the form of a whirlwind around you. Eventually you reach your cousin. Immediately she jumps under the protection of your cloak.

“Thank you, Alexios.” Her voice is barely a whisper, nearly lost in the sound of battle. You wrap an arm around her and turn to Belisarius.

“I am taking her to the forest. Help the rest of my family.” He doesn’t bother responding, taking off the head of an approaching soldier and running off instead. You carry the princess to safety into a clearing deep in the forest. She protests, banging her fists against your armour.

“Where are you going? We have to help them!” She shouts. You ignore her cries, leaping over a large divot in the ground. “I order you to return us immediately!” You roll your eyes and place her down on the ground.

“Unfortunately I can’t do that, Anna.”

“Why on Orcus‘ name can’t you?!” She attempts to push past you and return to the chaos.

“As your personal guard I have to protect you over the life of the gods themselves.” You gently push her back a few feet. “I can’t bring you back to that mess and I certainly cannot leave you here alone.” Anna growls, but stays put.

“If anything happens to anyone I will hang you myself.” Execution was one of your cousin’s favourite threats, often directed towards you. Despite being raised away from **** and battle, Anna was born with your family’s warrior spirit. She often found herself in dangerous situations with you at her side to get her out of them.

The two of you wait for what seems like hours, the sound of battle slowly stopping over time. Anna continues to pester you to go back, and you continue to deny her. Eventually, you hear rustling in the bushes around you. You hear whispering and quickly step in front of the princess. You raise your sword and brace yourself. Within a second figures emerge from all around you. Without hesitation you stab your blade into the earth, causing a tremor to ripple around you. Unfortunately you were not attacking enemies as you thought. The cries of your cousin cause you to look up and realize you have just knocked your family and council to the ground. You end the spell and stand awkwardly while everyone rises to their feet.

“Apologies. I thought you were enemies.” You sheepishly rub your neck and your uncle approaches you. You are expecting your uncle to reprimand you, but he instead he pulls you into a hug.

“It’s okay, Alexios. I am glad you are safe” He pulls away and wraps his daughter into a hug as well, much to her annoyance. “All I care about is that you saved my daughter.” The rest of your family and friends approach and you begin strategizing. The entire might of Illaus is currently stuck in an unmarked forest. Who knows what could happen before you make it back to the capital.

“We are not far from Isauria. We can ask them for help getting back to the capital.” Your sister suggests. Queen Helena shakes her head.

“We do not know if it was the Isaurians that attacked us. We could be presenting ourselves on a platter for them.”

“Archduke Tamar would not sink this low.” King Andros’ attempt to stick up for his friend was in vain.

“That is if it is Archduke Tamar in charge still.” You father counters. Before his brother can retort, Anna stomps her foot.

“Was no-one else paying attention to their battle commands?” She shouts. You all look around at each other. It seems not once did anyone attempt to translate the enemies during the chaos. That caused the princess to sigh heavily.

“They were speaking Tengrish.”

“That still leaves many nations who could have done this.” Your sister corrects. Anna sighs again.

“They also referred to their regiments as ‘Karjens’. Which means it has to be the Volka.” You give your cousin a grin of recognition. All you get in return is indifference.

“In that case, we should stay clear of Isauria. The Volka are their ally. If the Volka are brazenly attacking us they most likely have gotten blessing from Isauria.” King Andros bows his head at his sister in law’s words. Your mom continues regardless. “But we also know that they couldn’t take our capital with the amount of soldiers that were here. We have to get there before they do.”

“My love, we don’t know where we are.” You mother scoffs at your father. She gestures towards you and your sacred band.

“You forget, my love. We have the greatest military unit in the world with us.”