The beating of your own heart pressed against the bones of your rib cage. It felt like this heart of yours tried to escape the vessel of flesh and bones.

A cold wind ran through your (H/C) hair and made it shiver like the leaves of trees.

With bated breath you fought back the wave of goosebumps that crawled over your body like a second skin.

Slightly, you moved your head to the side to catch a glimpse of the general next to you.

His facial expression was just as cold as the waves that the wind chased across the surface of the river.

A small tug at the reins and you could enjoy the view a little less stressed.

Strangely enough, the guards had offered you a horse of your own.

It was an impressive breed, large in size and almost as heavy as a troll.

Even the general didn't ride such a horse.

It made you feel almost like a high noble to ride alongside these people, dressed in heavy armour and armed with blades so fancy, it seemed a waste to dirt them with blood.

This ride felt more like an escort rather than the safe travel down the road of death.

They also had dressed you in new clothes, black, as always but with faint details of gold in hardware and stitching.

Maybe it was a sick joke of the emperor, but you looked like a sacrifice for the gods rather than a prisoner.

The group passed the last sign that directed towards the capital of Nilfgaard.

Paved streets turned into mud and dirt.

A different kind of smell lay in the air now, carried by the wind. It smelled of nature, wet soil and uncut grass.

As the feeling of nostalgia overcame you, you threw a glance back to the city walls, how they rose into the sky, made of solid black stone.

Back when you had been a child you hated these walls like nothing else.

They had been like monster that swallowed every ray of sun.

But now you wished nothing more but to return to the safety that they promised.

You couldn't help but let a sigh escape your lips. In a white cloud the breath rose to the blue sky and became one with the clouds.

Voorhis noticed.

With his sharp eyes, he caught a glimpse of you and let his horse run slower to meet you face to face.

"I don't want to tell you what to do, since it clearly won't be heard.", he started in a low voice yet with a surprisingly bright expression. "But you should raise your chin and cheer up a little."

Confused but also insulted by this advise, you frowned.

"Come again?", you asked, almost spitting venom.

Surprised by the tone of your words, he leaned back in the saddle.

"Why the grim mood?", his eyes moved to one of the soldiers nearby to give him a silent command.

With a nod of his head the man turned his horse and made it run slower to give the two of you space for a private conversation.

You watched with a tickle in the tips of your fingers.

Magic screamed to be used. Flames wanted to run free.

But you did not desire to harm the general. He was a good man and loyal to his emperor.

You admired him for he was able to be loyal to someone other than himself. You weren't able to trust somebody that much.

Not anymore.

Taking a deep breath, you closed your eyes for a moment and regained your composure.

"General.", you said.

"Morvran.", he nodded his head.

Taken aback you looked at him.

He gifted you a slim smile, lipless and a little pressed, yet sincere.

"Pardon?", you weren't sure if you had heard right.

A hint of confusion crossed his eyes.

"I know that this is a difficult situation, but I assure you there is no need to be worried.", he said. "I'm confident your abilities will serve the emperor well."

Even more confused you couldn't help now but make it viable how little of the situation you understood.

"My apologies, but I can find little pleasure in my arriving execution, general.", you replied with a bitter undertone.

Now he was the one to be visibly upset.

"Execution?"

"Yes. After my disobedience towards the emperor's orders. I must say, I'm glad though that he spared you."

Unsure, his eyes moved to the other guards.

His hand rose into the air and all at once everyone came to a stand.

Only he kept on riding.

In one quick movement, he grabbed your reins and pulled your horse along to get away from the guards.

As the two of you were out of hearing range, he made the animals stop and slid down his horse.

With a glance, he asked you to do the same.

As your feet returned to the ground, water and sand splashed up and wetted your boots.

"Explain yourself.", you demanded.

Immediately, Voorhis nodded.

"Of course.", politely, he did a gesture to ask you to walk next to him. "You seem to be uninformed about the situation. My sincerest apology, I should have comminuted properly."

You shook your head.

"I don't need apologies from you, general.", you said.

With a huff and a hint of a smirk on his face he looked at you.

"Please, call me Morvran.", he repeated. "I insist."

Unsure why he wanted to get to a first name basis, you tilted your head to examine his face for a moment.

There was no hint of mockery nor the desire to trick you.

"Very well...", you bowed your head in respect. "Morvran. Feel free to call me by my birth name as well. (Y/N)."

Utter shock crossed his eyes.

"I could never.", he said and lowered his eyes as if he tried to bow to you while walking up a small hill.

"You confuse me, general. Or perhaps I'm scared."

"My apologies.", he stopped at the top of the hill. "I'm sure you'll get a chance to understand."

He gestured to the other side.

Your eyes followed his movement.

A military camp opened up at the foot of the hill.

Black flags waved in the wind while the golden sun of Nilfgaard shone across the valley.