the timid bride

# Chapter 84 – Seeds of a New War

The morning sky hung low with gray clouds, a warning draped in mist.

Zara stood atop the western watchtower, her cloak whipping in the wind. The Flamewatch had delivered its latest report—this time from the border towns near Rivermount. Entire caravans had vanished. Villagers were whispering about masked men who moved at night, claiming to be tax collectors but leaving only fear behind.

She passed the parchment to Damon.

He read it in silence. Then, quietly, he said, "It's starting again."

"No," Zara answered. "It never stopped."

---

Inside the palace war chamber, a map of the realm stretched across the stone table. Zara, Amara, Damon, Kael, and Thorne stood around it, each staring at fresh markers placed over western territories.

"These aren't isolated crimes," Kael said. "They're tests. Probes. Someone's checking the kingdom's response time."

Amara frowned. "What would they want in Rivermount? It's all forest and farming."

Kael pointed. "It's not the land. It's the tunnels beneath it. Old smuggler routes. Forgotten by most."

Zara turned to Thorne. "What do you know about those tunnels?"

The old archivist looked troubled. "They were sealed after the border wars—by your grandfather's order. But some of the nobles opposed it. Said it would cripple trade."

"And which nobles were those?"

He gave a single name.

"Lord Henric Vale."

Zara's eyes narrowed.

Vale had supported her during the war—publicly. But he had always played a dangerous game, walking the line between loyalty and ambition. And now his name reappeared.

---

That afternoon, Zara rode to Rivermount with a small escort. The townsfolk greeted her with wary hope. She dismounted in the central square, where villagers gathered near the old chapel.

One elder woman stepped forward, her voice shaking. "They came at night. Wore masks. Spoke in strange tongues. They took food, livestock... and one of our girls."

Zara bent to meet her eyes. "Do you know where they went?"

The woman nodded. "The old wine caves. My father helped seal them in his youth. They're cursed now."

Zara rose. "Cursed or not, they're open again."

---

That night, Zara, Amara, and Kael descended into the wine caves.

The air was damp and foul. Moss crept over stone. Crates and broken torches lined the path. Further in, they found something worse:

A makeshift camp. Abandoned. But fresh.

Maps of palace routes. Coins minted in a neighboring kingdom. Poisoned darts, like those used by Corshal's elite.

And a letter.

Sealed with the mark of Lord Vale.

Kael read it aloud.

"To the true heirs of fire and steel, I offer safe passage and funds. The Queen grows complacent. Her flames are dimming. The time to strike is near."

Amara cursed under her breath.

Zara remained still. "He never stopped playing both sides."

Kael added, "This isn't just rebellion. It's coordination. He's trying to rebuild Corshal's network."

Zara nodded. "Then we cut him off before the roots take hold."

---

By the next morning, Lord Vale was summoned to court.

He arrived in golden silks, smiling as though the world bowed to him.

"My Queen," he said. "Such a pleasure."

Zara showed him the letter.

He didn't flinch. "A forgery, no doubt. My seal is well known. Many could replicate it."

Kael stepped forward. "The seal wasn't the only proof. We found a ring—your family crest—in the cave."

Vale finally frowned. "This is outrageous."

"No," Zara said softly. "This is treason."

He tried to leave.

Amara's blade stopped him at the threshold.

Zara approached slowly. "I offered you peace. Power. A place in history. And you traded it for shadows."

Vale sneered. "You think you've won? You've only pushed the war underground. Again."

Zara's voice dropped. "Then I'll dig them out with fire and fury."

She turned to the guards. "Strip him of title. Seize his lands. Let his name rot in the books."

---

That night, Zara walked the palace halls with Kael.

"You were right," she said. "There's always another enemy."

Kael shrugged. "The price of a crown isn't gold. It's vigilance."

She looked at him. "You were one of them once. How do I stop them for good?"

He hesitated.

"Become someone they fear. Not for your sword. But for your eyes."

She smiled faintly. "Then I'll never blink."

The fires of rebellion were burning again. But this time, she would light her own.