The uproar at the Bazaar and our close escape only served to sink Ysle into further turmoil. The Temple Complex’s gates remained closed after our return, the angry populace close to our trail. We were effectively under siege by Ysle’s inhabitants. While we had access to the Underground River for water and had enough food and supplies to last for months, the fact we were imprisoned meant that Shjasta and the Priestesses no longer had control of anything outside the Temple’s walls.

From whatever scraps of information we could get while besieged, we knew that Asli took advantage of the situation to add even more people to her side. Cut off from the rest of Ysle and the lands it controlled, the sneaky bastard managed to get most of the City guard under her spell. But barely a week passed since the Temple siege began when we got news of a sizable contingent of Janissaries marching towards Ysle in support of Asli's rebellion, unhappy after going for months with no regular pay or supplies. It was only a matter of time before she had enough muscle to force her way into the Temple.

So much for living the good life as the Princess’ Champion! That’s what I get for believing random people’s bullshit and… well... thinking with my loins rather than my head!

Of course, we didn't just sit arms-crossed while waiting for her arrival! We did our best to prepare our defenses, but we were badly outnumbered, even before taking the approaching Janissary regiment into account. To Shjasta’s credit, she kept her cool during this time, at least while dealing with the Priestesses, the Emissaries, and the few other officials that decided to stay on our side. But when we were back at the seclusion of the Spire she let all her fears and frustrations surface.

I must admit she looked damned miserable in those moments. I felt a bit of pity for her, to be honest. She kept chastising herself for “failing her people and the Gods”, but looking back I think that no matter who was chosen as Princess, the outcome would’ve been pretty much the same; I told her so, but it didn’t bring her much comfort.

A few days later the Janissaries arrived, and soon enough Asli and her ragtag army approached the Temple gates.

“The leader of the insurrection has requested our immediate surrender,” Head Confessor Ankita said, referring to Asli.

“Any demands?” Shjasta asked, sighing almost immediately. “What a silly question! They obviously want me… us... to step down…”

“If we surrender now they promise a fair trial,” The Head Confessor shrugged.

“We’ve already been declared guilty by her and her supporters!” The Head Fire-keeper laughed. “What kind of “fair” trial can we expect?”

“So what are we gonna do?” I asked.

“You and the Princess go back to the Spire and get ready to leave immediately.” The Head Mentoress stated while looking me in the eye.

“Leave?” I raised an eyebrow in confusion. “Aren’t we surrounded?”

Old lady Zafira smiled. “Have you ever heard of a ruler with absolutely no way out of his besieged palace?” she retorted. “While you get ready we'll stall Asli for as long as we can, but I take it we only buy you an hour at best. Go now!”

“Maybe…” Shjasta murmured. “Maybe… I should do as Asli asks and surrender. If that prevents more violence and bloodshed, I’d be happy with that.”

“You can’t be serious!” I snapped. “If Asli doesn't kill you, her goon will for sure!”

“Maybe I deserve it,” she whispered. “Maybe it’s the Will of the Gods…”

Tired of hearing that "Will of the Gods" bullshit again, I grabbed the Princess’s forearms firmly and shook her out of her brooding stance. She glared at me, twisting her torso to futilely get away from my grasp.

“Let me go!” she yelled.

“And what about us?” I snarled. “You don’t give a fuck if we all die, either? Even though we’re willing to put our lives in the line for you?

“Regardless of circumstances, you are still the rightful ruler of Ysle,” Lady Elandra said. “It’s paramount that you avoid being captured, so we can rally any loyalists out there, as well as earn the Compact’s support.”

“Besides, if I just let you die like that, I’d go down in history as the shittiest Champion ever!” I chuckled. “No way in hell that’s gonna happen!”

We all exposed our reasons to resist Asli’s demands, and while not fully convinced, the Princess finally agreed to prepare for the escape. The Emissaries promised us to have everything already set up for a quick getaway once we were outside the city walls.

Shjasta and I returned to the Spire as the Mentoress instructed, escorted by a few Temple guards. As we rushed to the tower we could hear a great commotion just outside the walls; most of the city was at our gates by now.

As I shoved my stuff into a backpack, Alinah the handmaiden couldn’t hide her concerns about our well-being.

“Please, Champion, protect our Princess!” She pleaded.

“Well, it’s my job, no?” I shrugged. “Don’t worry; I’ll keep her safe. Is she ready to leave?”

“I am,” Shjasta said as she entered my chamber, escorted by an equally worried Amirah.

The Princess had decided to wear that robe the Rezan envoy had gifted her. I must admit it looked perfect for cross-country traveling, as expected from people that lived nomadic lives. The blue robe completely covered her body up to her knees, but she was wearing a pair of loose-fitting, sturdy pants underneath, as well as rugged gray leather boots.

She had donned a travel cloak dyed a lighter shade of blue, with a hood that concealed most of her face and hair. Her brow was adorned by the silver circlet she received from the Earl, and she was holding that weird magical twig she received from the Nordenian emissary.

“I wonder if those guys knew their gifts would come in handy?” I laughed.

“The Gods work in mysterious ways, Wraith,” Shjasta replied. “They do seem oddly convenient for what comes next, though.”

“I think that… they kinda suit you,” I said.

Shjasta blushed. “Don’t mock me!” She stammered.

“I’m not, I swear!” I said while raising my hands. “You look like a seasoned adventurer in them.”

The twin handmaidens nodded in silent agreement.

“A seasoned adventurer that has never laid a foot outside the city!” It was Shjasta’s turn to laugh out loud.

I chuckled back at her. “There is always a first time for everything, no?”

“It’s time to go, Your Majesty, Champion,” Amirah said while keeping the door open. “May the Gods protect you both!”

“Thank you for your services,” Shajsta said kindly, taking their hands in gratitude. “May They preserve you both as well!”

The Guards were waiting for us at the Spire’s base. We had just stepped out of the elevator when the Emissaries, the Four Heads and several more guards approached us.

“We stalled the attackers as much as we could, but the Main Gate is about to be breached! One of the guards announced with gravity. “The rebel Janissaries and guardsmen will be here very shortly.”

“There is a hidden passageway out of the Complex, it goes through the hill to the other side,” The Head Mentoress said. “It will give us a head-start of one hour, two at most.”

“I’ve asked Axios to make the arrangements,” The Yeonbrookean Emissary said. “They should be expecting us over there with horses and supplies.”

“The entrance to the passage is located in one of the corridors right behind the Great Hall.” Lyra the Fire-keeper said. “I think we can get there through the back gardens while avoiding the invaders.”

With our escape plan decided, we left the Spire as quickly and stealthy as such a large group could do, but I could hear the clashing of blades and screams of battle very close by; the invaders had breached the gate. I made sure to stay right next to the Princess, as I was almost certain we wouldn't be able to reach the secret exit without fighting our way through.

Indeed, before we could even reach the door leading to the hallways behind the Great Hall a group of attackers intercepted us; it was a mish-mash of Janissaries, City guards, and angry townsfolk wielding whatever items they could get their hands into. The latter, while more numerous, were poorly armed and untrained, but the guards and soldiers were different stories. The Janissaries in particular, with their plate armor and broad scimitars and halberds, were tough nuts to crack.

“There she is! Don’t let the Princess escape!” one of them shouted while beckoning the rest of his pals.

“They don’t seem intent on taking prisoners at this point!” I said, unsheathing my blade and producing the most convincing smirk of confidence I could to instill a bit of courage on the guards escorting us. “Protect the Princess!” I exclaimed as I parried the blade of one attacker.

Damn, must admit I almost bought my own bullshit there! At least the Temple guards did. Truth be told, I’ve never felt more alive than when I fight with stacked odds.

The guards and I launched ourselves head-first into the ensuing carnage. The sounds of clashing metal and our battle cries filled the air. Dead bodies started to litter the floor, their blood creating large red puddles over the polished white marble. Unfortunately, most of the dead were from our side.

Even the Priestesses, which I always assumed were too peaceful to even harm a fly, joined the fray, unleashing bolts of fire and light at our aggressors, though they were careful not to hit any of their vital zones.

“I thought you Priestesses eschewed violence…” I managed to crack one at Shjasta while fighting our attackers, our backs toward the door leading into the hallways.

“Self-defense is a valid use of violence, according to the Sacred Teachings.” Shjasta retorted. “Besides, we are not killing them, just hurting them enough to discourage further aggression.”

“That might work with the undisciplined townsfolk, but the guards and Janissaries are well-trained soldiers,” I warned Shjasta.

“Yet another opportunity for my Champion to shine!” the Princess smiled.

“What a time for my Princess to suddenly develop a sense of humor!” I growled while I launched my body towards an incoming guardsman.

Despite our best efforts, the attackers were simply too many to stop them all, leaving us with no choice but to cross the door. Once inside the hallway, a few Temple guards decided to stay behind to block the enemy’s advance and buy us more time to find the hidden escape route.

I’ve only been to that part of the palace a few times, as it led to the Priestesses' quarters, the Hospice and other minor Temple facilities. So after turning around a few corners I was completely lost. The old Mentoress naturally knew her way around the place, and after running for a few more minutes we stopped right next in the middle of a long corridor. I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary at the spot, but lady Zafira approached the wall and touched one of the marble blocks on the wall.

I heard a click and the sound of grinding rock as a section of the wall slid aside, revealing a narrow corridor cut directly into the live rock hidden behind the wall.

“The tunnel’s very narrow so we must enter one at a time,” the old woman said. “Quickly, before they show up!”

“I’ll enter last,” I said. “The Princess and the Priestesses go in first.”

“Not so fast!”

A female voice we all recognized immediately commanded us from beyond the next turn in the corridor, accompanied by increasingly louder footsteps. I tightened the grip on my sword’s hilt so much I felt my fingers getting a bit numb. My gaze focused on Asli as soon as she emerged from the corner further ahead, escorted by her makeshift guard.

While she was no longer wearing the Confessor’s robes, the elegant dress and cloak she was wearing were in the same shade of purple. She was also wearing expensive-looking pieces of jewelry, probably a gift from wealthy supporters. I must admit she did look like a Princess of her own. She was more than prepared to take Shjasta’s place.

“You are surrounded,” Asli said. “This is the end of the road for you… Princess!”