The Westhaven spies in Starhaven, long active, ultimately fell under the direct control of Westhaven's Crown Prince, Arthur Tudor. After Arthur's downfall, these spies massacred an entire household. Their actions tarnished Arthur's reputation and led to the destruction of the entire intelligence network.
Hector, a commendable general, perished on the Southern Frontier battlefield, along with his sons. His widows, orphans, and even household servants were mercilessly slain by Westhaven forces. These barbaric acts, committed by Westhaven, were kept secret; they dared not publicize Aurora's massacre of civilians. While Aurora instigated the massacre, she wasn't solely responsible. The Westhaven spies committed even more heinous atrocities, targeting only the Sinclair family. Edmund learned Carissa was the sole survivor of Hector's family—the person Aurora had mentioned. Aurora had even replaced Carissa as Barrett's wife.
Initially, these matters seemed unrelated to Westhaven. However, with Hector's family annihilated and Carissa abandoned, Westhaven's implication in these tragedies became undeniable. This fueled Edmund's anger. Westhaven was not inherently a barbaric kingdom; battles between kingdoms were the soldiers' concern. But the massacre of Hector's entire family, including infants, permanently stained the Westhaven royal family's honor. Now, Aurora dared to suggest capturing Carissa? The memory of the massacred innocent elderly, women, and children was a blade twisting in their hearts.
Aurora was stunned by a slap, then roughly seized by the hair and kicked in the stomach. Propelled several meters away, she was yanked by her hair and brutally slapped until nearly unconscious.
"Take her away!" Edmund commanded.
The vanguard's deputy led the prisoners out of Simonton City. Beyond Simonton lay the desert to the south and an endless mountain range to the north. A rugged range split the terrain, forming a path into a grassy expanse connecting to more mountains. Nomads inhabited this area; beyond it lay the border of Sandoria. The Westhaven troops cared little for the details of their withdrawal beyond crossing the grassland and ascending a mountain where a wooden hut, already constructed, awaited Aurora. She was destined to experience what had befallen Arthur.
Bonus (+15):
Including Aurora, there were nineteen captives—soldiers under her command who had participated in the village massacre she orchestrated. Among them was her cousin, Zeke. These men, once fiercely loyal and deeply admiring of Aurora, were profoundly shocked by her use of a comrade as a human shield. The general they revered had become unfamiliar and frightening. Especially disturbing was that, even in captivity, she essentially instructed the Westhaven troops to capture Rafael and Carissa. Her actions were utterly unacceptable to them.
Previous misunderstandings regarding Carissa's capabilities had been resolved. Challenges had confirmed her competence, and today she had led the assault on the city, greatly contributing to reclaiming the Southern Frontier. Yet, Aurora ordered Carissa's capture. If initially motivated by suspicions of Carissa unfairly claiming military credit, her actions now seemed driven by personal spite—cowardice, even. If personal grudges were the motive, Carissa should harbor the resentment, especially since Aurora and Barrett had secured their marriage edict through military achievements, effectively taking Barrett from Carissa. Aurora's actions were incomprehensible and devastating, shattering their faith in her.
The Westhaven forces imprisoned them in the wooden hut. Bound tightly, escape was impossible. Even if they freed themselves, the heavily guarded exterior offered no way out.
Unable to contain his fury, Tristan glared at Aurora.
"You used John to block the blade meant for you! Did you know he just became a father?!" he roared.