jasmine's war

The dawn light crept slowly over the horizon, painting the sky in soft hues of pink and orange, but in the rebel camp, there was no calm. Every person moved with purpose, their faces tight with the knowledge of what lay ahead. Jasmine stood near the center of the camp, her heart pounding in rhythm with the clatter of swords being sharpened and supplies being gathered.

She had been awake for hours, unable to rest, her mind too restless. The looming confrontation with the shadow was no longer an abstract fear but a cold reality. They had made their decision, and there was no going back. Soon, the rebel camp would be under attack, and their survival depended on how well they could fight—and who they could trust.

Jasmine's gaze drifted toward the edge of the camp, where Caden was speaking with Lira and Torin. His expression was set in a hard line, his eyes dark with worry. They hadn't spoken much since their decision to stay, and though he had agreed to fight, Jasmine knew part of him still questioned their choice.

She took a deep breath, steadying herself. She couldn't afford to doubt herself now. There were too many lives depending on her, too much at stake.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps approaching from the forest drew her attention. She turned, her hand instinctively moving to the hilt of her dagger, but what she saw stopped her cold.

A group of soldiers, dressed in the king's colors, emerged from the tree line, their faces grim and their weapons drawn. They weren't attacking—at least not yet—but the tension in the air was palpable. At the front of the group was a man Jasmine didn't recognize, but the authority in his stance was unmistakable. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with a scar running down the side of his face and cold, calculating eyes that flicked over the camp with disdain.

Jasmine's heart raced. What were they doing here? Had the shadow sent them ahead to negotiate, or was this some kind of trap?

Caden, Torin, and Lira noticed the newcomers at the same time, and within moments, the entire camp was on alert. Rebel fighters moved into defensive positions, their weapons at the ready, but no one made the first move. They were waiting—waiting to see what this soldier would say.

The man at the front of the group stopped a few paces away from Jasmine, his gaze locking onto hers. He didn't speak for a long moment, as if sizing her up, and when he finally did, his voice was cold and commanding.

"Which one of you is Jasmine?"

Jasmine's fingers tightened around the hilt of her dagger, but she forced herself to stay calm. She stepped forward, meeting the soldier's gaze without flinching. "I am."

The man studied her for a moment, his eyes narrowing. "I'm Captain Merrik, commander of the king's vanguard." His voice was sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade. "I've come to deliver a message."

Caden moved to stand beside her, his hand resting on his sword, ready to draw it at a moment's notice. "What kind of message?"

Captain Merrik's gaze flicked to Caden, then back to Jasmine. "A demand, more like. From the king himself."

Jasmine's heart skipped a beat. The king? What could he possibly want with them now? Her mind raced, but she forced herself to keep her voice steady. "And what does the king demand?"

Merrick stepped closer, his eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. "Surrender."

A ripple of disbelief passed through the camp. The rebels shifted uneasily, exchanging glances, but no one spoke. Caden's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with anger, but Jasmine remained calm, her gaze never leaving Merrick's.

"Surrender?" she repeated, her voice hard. "You've come all this way to demand we surrender?"

Merrick's smile was thin, humorless. "The king has been patient long enough. He knows you've been gathering forces, building up your little rebellion, and he's decided to end it—one way or another."

Jasmine's blood ran cold. "If he knows about us, then he must also know we won't back down."

"Oh, he knows," Merrik said with a chuckle. "But he's offering you a way out. Surrender now, and the king will spare your lives. Those of you who lay down your arms will be allowed to return to your homes. No trials, no executions."

Torin scoffed from behind her, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "How generous of him."

Merrick's gaze snapped to Torin, but he ignored the comment, returning his focus to Jasmine. "This is your one chance, Jasmine. The king doesn't give second offers. If you refuse, you and every rebel in this camp will be hunted down and killed. There will be no mercy."

Jasmine's heart pounded in her chest. She knew what this was—an attempt to break their spirit, to drive fear into their hearts before the battle even began. The king wasn't offering mercy; he was offering death disguised as kindness. Surrender now, and they would be spared—for a while. But eventually, they would be crushed under the king's boot, just like everyone else who had tried to resist.

But as she looked around the camp, at the faces of the rebels who had fought and bled beside her, Jasmine knew that surrender was not an option. These people had put their trust in her. They had chosen to fight, to stand up for their freedom. She couldn't betray them now.

"I'll make this simple, Merrick," Jasmine said, her voice clear and strong. "We will not surrender."

Merrick's smile faded, replaced by a sneer of contempt. "Foolish," he muttered. "You don't know what you're up against."

"Maybe not," Caden said, stepping forward, his sword at the ready. "But we're not afraid of the king, or his shadow."

Merrick's eyes flashed with something dark—anger, perhaps, or maybe amusement. "The shadow is coming for you," he said, his voice low and threatening. "And when he arrives, you'll wish you'd taken the king's offer."

Jasmine met his gaze, her expression unflinching. "Let him come."

For a long moment, Merrick stared at her, his face a mask of barely contained fury. Then, without another word, he turned on his heel and signaled to his men. They backed away, retreating into the forest as silently as they had come, leaving the rebel camp in a tense silence.

As the last of the soldiers disappeared into the trees, Caden let out a slow breath, his grip on his sword relaxing. "That went well."

Jasmine, however, wasn't so sure. The weight of what had just happened settled over her like a heavy shroud. The king had made his demand, and they had refused. Now, there was no turning back.

"He'll be back," Lira said quietly, her eyes wide with fear.

Jasmine nodded, her heart heavy with the knowledge of what was to come. "I know. And we'll be ready."

The time for decisions had passed. Now, all that remained was the fight.