[Shieba]

It is all she clings to as she rushes through the streets and up the stairs to the palace, stumbling over dead bodies of soldiers and nobles and peasants alike, drenching her feet through the thin fabric of her shoes with blood.

And then the two big, golden wings of the door to the throne room are in front of her. There are no guards standing there anymore, but they are closed and it is a blessing, for she believes no enemy would shut a door behind them.

She is scared of what she will find, has never been more scared in her life, but instead of shying away, it only makes her run faster towards her goal.

And then there is a sharp pain in her back as something hits her and the impact sends her to the ground.

She does not turn around to see the archer who never approaches her, probably only deeming her another noblewoman from the palace, insignificant to the very end, and she does not try to feel if it is an arrow or a knife that is piercing her heart from behind. All she tries to do is to move forward, but she cannot get up anymore as her body seems suddenly cold and distant.

And so she crawls up to the door, but it is still closed and it is a curse, for no sound travels through the thick metal. She grips the fancy golden ornaments as hard as she still can, trying to draw herself up because she needs to open the path - how, when it normally needs two strong soldiers to do so? - and nothing else is important anymore.

The movement hurts so much in her chest and she notices her vision going black, but her only thought is that she needs to see, needs to be assured, needs to know.

It is the last thought she has.