Leonard descended the stairs, the journal clutched tightly in his hand. The prophecies within echoed in his mind, fueling his determination. He moved with a newfound purpose, his steps surer, his senses sharper. The dragon core pulsed within him, a constant source of power and guidance.
He reached the courtyard, the group of figures still huddled in the shadows. As he approached, they tensed, their hands moving towards hidden knives or makeshift weapons. Fear and suspicion clouded their faces.
"Who's there?" a gruff voice demanded, the speaker stepping forward, a burly man with a scarred face and wary eyes.
Leonard stepped into the moonlight, revealing himself. A collective gasp rippled through the group.
"Prince Leonard?" Elara's voice was soft, disbelief and hope intertwined. She stepped forward, her eyes searching his face. "Is it truly you?"
He nodded, his gaze sweeping over them. "Yes, it is I. I have returned."
A murmur of astonishment and relief spread through the group. They recognized him, the exiled prince, the last hope of Aethelgard.
"But... how?" the scarred man asked, his voice rough but filled with curiosity. "We thought... we thought you were dead."
"They left me to rot in the dungeons," Leonard said, his voice low and dangerous. "They underestimated the strength of the Ebonvale bloodline."
He held up the journal. "I have learned much. The true history of Aethelgard, the prophecy of the Dragon King..."
He explained his survival, the discovery of the dragon core, and the prophecies that foretold his return. He spoke of Valerius's tyranny, the suffering of the people, and his resolve to reclaim the throne.
As he spoke, their faces changed. Fear gave way to hope, suspicion to trust. The embers of rebellion, long dormant, began to glow.
"We have suffered under Valerius's rule," Elara said, her voice filled with quiet passion. "The people are weary of his taxes, his cruelty. They long for the days of the Ebonvale kings."
"But we are few, and Valerius's forces are strong," the scarred man countered, his voice laced with doubt. "What chance do we have against him?"
Leonard's eyes burned with unwavering determination. "We have the truth, we have the people's support, and we have the power of the dragons flowing through my veins. That is enough."
He looked at each of them, his gaze unwavering. "I do not ask you to fight for me. I ask you to fight for Aethelgard, for your families, for your future. Will you stand with me?"
A moment of silence hung in the air, thick with tension. Then, Elara stepped forward, her hand resting on her chest.
"I have always been loyal to the Ebonvale line," she said, her voice clear and resolute. "I will stand with you, Prince Leonard."
The scarred man hesitated for a moment, then a grim smile spread across his face. "I've been waiting for a chance to stick it to Valerius. Count me in."
One by one, the others pledged their allegiance, their voices filled with newfound hope and determination. They were a small group, but they were united by a common cause.
"We need a plan," Leonard said, his mind already racing with possibilities. "We need to gather more allies, spread the word of my return, and strike at Valerius's forces."
They spent the rest of the night planning, their voices hushed but their spirits high. Leonard's knowledge of warfare, combined with the group's intimate knowledge of the castle and the surrounding lands, proved invaluable.
They decided to focus on gathering support from the oppressed villages and towns, spreading the message of hope and rebellion. Elara, with her network of contacts within the castle, would gather intelligence and sabotage Valerius's efforts. The scarred man, whose name was Kael, would rally the disgruntled soldiers and outlaws in the surrounding forests.
As the first rays of dawn touched the horizon, they finalized their plans. They were a small flame in the darkness, but they were determined to ignite a fire that would consume Valerius's tyranny.
Leonard looked at his small band of rebels, his heart filled with a mixture of hope and determination. The road ahead would be long and perilous, but he was ready.