She could hear voices, but they were indistinct, as though they came from a great distance. Everything around her was dark. A part of her wanted to shake off the darkness and open her eyes, but the rest of her felt at peace here, so far away from those voices. Leave me to the darkness, she silently whispered to the voices. Let me rest.

Maeva felt a insistent tugging at her arm. She tried to ignore it, but it gnawed at her mind until she finally forced her eyes to open. Gaim was hovering over her, occasionally barking and yanking on her arm. His black and white face was all she could see at first, everything else a blur. Slowly, the rest of the scene came into focus.

Over Gaim's shoulder, her home, the Durer Castle, was engulfed in flames, its white stone walls blackening. People were screaming, calling for help. The clash of swords sounded where her men stood against the intruders.

She made herself stand up, using Gaim as a support. The soldier who had helped her escape was crouched a few yards away, struggling to catch his breath with smoke-scarred lungs. Maeva called him over. It was time she fought back.