Woke up

22

Serena

Light pierced my eyes as I awoke in the healer's chambers some time later. My side ached fiercely but the wound had been stitched. King Maximus sat at my bedside, worry etched onto his face.

"You foolish girl," he rasped. "I told you war was no place for an untested ruler. Look what your arrogance has wrought!"

I tried to speak but he silenced me. "Save your excuses. From now on you will obey my rule without question, do you understand?"

Shame and disappointment weighed on me as I nodded weakly. The healers rushed to apply soothing salves, but no medicine could ease the failure in my heart.

I had disobeyed my father and led our troops into peril without due care. Though the orcs had been routed, at what cost to myself and kingdom? I could only pray I had not compromised our security through rash action and inexperience.

My body ached as I drifted in and out of consciousness. When finally I awoke again, the events of the battle came flooding back - our forces clashing with