The Princess Stands

The palace guard fled. The Fairy Princess did not.

She met the swarm beneath the rose gate, crown bright against the dark and wand raised in both hands. The first blast of light scattered a hundred infected wings like sparks from a forge.

A second wave came before the first had fallen.

The princess fought without ceremony. Silk tore. Roses burned. The air filled with green light and the dry clicking of wings. Every spell bought only a few more heartbeats.

Somewhere beyond the walls, a warning horn sounded from the marshes.