The carriage rattled up the winding hill, its wheels creaking in protest as it carried Zilayefa and her brothers toward the Duke's castle. The moon cast an eerie glow over the landscape, illuminating the skeletal trees and casting long shadows across the ground.
As they ascended, the kingdom of Nero faded into the distance, its bustling streets and vibrant markets replaced by an unsettling stillness. The siblings exchanged nervous glances, their anxiety growing with each passing moment.
Finally, the carriage crested the hill, and the castle came into view. Its imposing walls and towers loomed before them, casting a formidable shadow over the landscape. Zilayefa's heart skipped a beat as she gazed up at the castle, her mind racing with thoughts of their mother and the perilous journey ahead.
The carriage drew to a stop before the castle gate, and the siblings stepped out into the chilly night air. The driver, a gruff but kind-eyed man, handed Zilayefa a small pouch containing their remaining coins.
"Be careful, young ones," he warned, his voice low and serious. "The Duke's castle is no place for children."
Zilayefa smiled bravely, tucking the pouch into her belt. "We'll be fine, thank you."
With a final nod, the driver climbed back onto his carriage and rattled off into the night, leaving the siblings to gaze up at the castle walls.
"How are we going to save Mother?" Zilayefa wondered aloud, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her brothers, Bernard and Richard, exchanged worried glances. "We'll figure it out," Bernard reassured her. "First, let's get inside."
They approached the castle gate, the heavy wooden doors looming before them. Zilayefa rapped on the gate, the sound echoing through the stillness. Hours ticked by, the siblings growing hungrier and wearier with each passing moment.
As the night wore on, they decided to rest outside the gate, hoping to resume their efforts at dawn. Spreading a mat on the ground, they shared what little bread they had, their hunger and fatigue momentarily forgotten.
Just as they drifted off to sleep, a torrential downpour drenched them, sending them scurrying for shelter beneath a nearby thatched awning. Shivering and soaked to the bone, they huddled together, trying to warm each other up.
Changing into dry clothes, they soon realized that even their spare garments were damp. With no seating available, they stood huddled together, their eyes fixed on the gate, willing it to open.
As they waited, the storm raging around them, Zilayefa's thoughts turned to their mother. She pictured her, imprisoned in the Duke's dungeon, her spirit unbroken despite the hardships she faced.
A fierce determination burned within Zilayefa, driving her to press on despite the obstacles ahead. She knew that she and her brothers had to save their mother, no matter the cost.
Unbeknownst to the siblings, Duke Larry watched them from the shadows, a wicked grin spreading across his face. Convinced that Zilayefa was the same girl who had dared challenge him through the prince, he instructed his servants to keep the gate closed and released his pet wolf, Fire.
The wolf's haunting howl pierced the night air, and Zilayefa's eyes snapped open. She roused her brothers, and they stood frozen, listening as the wolf's paws padded closer.
Before they could react, Fire burst into the awning, chasing them out into the rain-soaked night. The siblings fled in terror, not daring to look back.
When they finally stopped to catch their breath, they realized that Bernard was missing. Frantic searches yielded nothing, and as the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, they returned to the castle gate, hoping against hope that Bernard would be waiting for them.
Instead, they found his torn clothes and bloodstained ground. Zilayefa's wail echoed through the stillness, her brothers joining in a chorus of grief.
Hours passed, and eventually, they accepted the devastating truth: Bernard was gone. With heavy hearts, they buried his torn clothes, erecting a makeshift tomb near the castle, a poignant reminder of their loss.
As they stood before the tomb, Zilayefa vowed to press on, driven by a fierce determination to save their mother and uncover the truth behind Bernard's tragic fate.
"We'll find out what happened to Bernard," she promised her brothers, her voice steady despite the tears streaming down her face. "And we'll save Mother, no matter what it takes."
Ryan, Bryan and Richard nodded in agreement, their faces set with determination. Together, the three siblings stood before Bernard's tomb, their hearts heavy with grief.