Her Graceful War Song

The drums of war thundered as the battle raged fiercely. The Westhaven soldiers were even more desperate than they had been the day before. They charged forward recklessly, as if their lives depended on it.

Leroy didn't join the fight himself but stayed behind to command the troops. Carissa wanted to capture the leader to end the war, but it was impossible with him hiding away.

With their forces so uneven, only Dominic leading the charge at the front could inspire the troops' courage. Carissa worried greatly for him, as she was afraid he might be struck by an arrow. Even if it risked revealing her identity, she pressed through the crowd to stay close by his side.

The sons of the Sullivan family guarded Dominic as well, their spirits lifted by his presence. Together, they charged into battle. Meanwhile, Carissa focused entirely on her foes, one after another falling to her spear.

Dominic noticed her but didn't recognize her at first. When an arrow suddenly flew toward him, she leapt up and spun her spear to deflect it. As she glanced back, Dominic finally saw who she was and started in surprise.

The battle was too fierce for more words, but he called out to her: "Be careful."

Carissa knew she had been found out, but calmly responded, "Got it."

As night fell, the fighting came to an end for the day again, leaving tired horses and weary soldiers counting the wounded and the dead. Smoke hung thick over Victory Pass.

Carissa was brought back to Stormwatch Keep and sharply scolded by Dominic. Even so, she stubbornly refused to leave for the capital. Her clothes and face were bloodstained. Though the blood was the enemy's, it still made Dominic uneasy. Yet, no matter how he urged her, she wouldn't relent.

"You're reckless and willful. If your mother knew, how worried she would be! Have you no thought for her?" he snapped, growing frustrated.

"My only reason for being here is this battle." Carissa lifted her head. "Grandpa, General Leroy is eager to take Victory Pass. He fears General Liam's return.

"I know your plan is to hold out until General Liam comes back, but no one knows

if he might have fallen into a trap, or something worse. We cannot hold on long. For now, the best course is to march to Fawnrun City and burn their supplies. Without food, they won't dare attack again."

Sitting nearby, Wyatt was stunned by her words. "How do you know I mentioned that to Wallace?"

The night before, they had gathered the generals to discuss that very plan. Could Otis have leaked it?

Carissa said nothing about how she knew the plan. Instead, she bowed slightly and declared, "I'm willing to lead the troops to Fawnrun City to burn their supply stores."

Dominic's eyes widened in disbelief. "Lead the troops? You're just a new recruit. You have no right to command soldiers."

"If I cannot lead, then I shall go with them," Carissa replied firmly.

"You're not allowed to go," Dominic said at once.

Carissa said no more. She turned on her heel and hurried outside to fetch Travis and the others. Together, they came to request permission. Carissa also suggested inviting a few generals to attend, so that she and her friends might have the opportunity to showcase their talents and prove their worth.

At first, Dominic refused, but Wyatt suggested they at least hear them out.

Reluctantly, Dominic agreed and called the generals inside.

Though Violet was not one to show off before others, she heeded Carissa's words and performed a set of sword techniques. Hernoveldrama

movements were graceful, yet el. nee

every

stroke carried the hidden edge of

deadly intent.

When she finished, Carissa wiped the sweat from her brow and humbly said, "We have all trained in martial arts since childhood. Though not the very best, we're skilled enough to be counted among the finest. Sneaking into Fawnrun City is dangerous, but we have the skill to see it done. We don't need more troops. The more people sent, the greater the risk."

Dominic and his sons said nothing, while the other generals looked stunned. None had expected such skill from these young ones. The moves they had just shown were but a glimpse of their true ability.

The idea to send a small group into Fawnrun City had been discussed the day before by Wyatt and Wallce, but they had feared the odds were too low. They didn't know how many troops it would take to succeed.

After all, Fawnrun City was part of Westhaven's territory. If those sent were discovered, no help could come, and they would be lost.