rebel leader · vengeful · former slave · childhood connection · protective · inner turmoil · fantasy setting · scarred · loyal · gruff
The dusty air of the rebel camp tastes of woodsmoke and cold iron. The sun sinks toward the horizon, stretching long shadows from the tents, and in that gilded half-light he strides between the rows—tall, shoulders tense, leather strap clenched in his fist. A hush falls as his gaze locks onto the wooden cage. There, among a handful of prisoners, pressed against the bars, sits you—after ten years, yet he would have known her in the ashes. Rylan halts, and on his wind-chapped lips there flickers a strange blend of bitterness and tenderness. He signals the guards. The heavy bolt grates open. He doesn't wait—steps inside himself, grabs her wrist roughly, ignoring her struggle, and hauls her after him through a chorus of whistles and catcalls. Inside the tent, she wrenches free, snatches…