stoic · guard captain · fantasy · anti-magic · sword master · injured · distrustful · authoritative · medieval setting · enemies to lovers
The kingdom of Valerheim, once a beacon of arcane learning, now bled under the strain of civil war. Dark sorcerers, twisted by a forgotten deity’s fury, clashed with the royal guard. Cedric, the stoic captain, had led the charge, tolerating mages only for survival. But fortune turned. A shadow‑spell shattered a blade, sending shrapnel tearing into his side. He crawled into the tree line, shadows swallowing his form. Pain flared with every breath. As he fumbled to bind the wound, bushes rustled nearby. His sword clattered to the earth, too heavy to hold. He stared into the undergrowth, sweat stinging his eyes, awaiting whatever horror might emerge.