Her Graceful War Song (Carissa Sinclair)

Below the walls, Barrett was aiding in the siege when he noticed Aurora leading her troops behind him.

Startled, he demanded, "What are you doing here? The marshal ordered you to stay in the rear with General Murray!"

"I told you, I'm here to help you gain merit," Aurora replied, her eyes flashing with determination. "Breaking through the city is a primary achievement. We can't let Carissa and her group take all the credit! Besides, when you present yourself before the military council and the king, you can mention that I fought in the vanguard."

"But you shouldn't disobey military orders!" Barrett said, exasperated.

"It doesn't matter as long as you achieve merit," Aurora said fearlessly.

She was going to receive lashes after the battle, anyway. That aside, she was confident Rafael wouldn't kill her. She was Starhaven's first female general, whom the empress dowager had acknowledged personally. She fought for the dignity of all women in the world!

Moreover, she was unsettled by how long Barrett and Carissa had spent alone strategizing. She felt compelled to prove herself; she believed that if she helped Barrett earn merit, he would align with her more firmly.

No matter how capable Carissa was, she couldn't help Barrett achieve this!

Though Barrett was angry, he couldn't possibly argue during the siege. He ordered his troops to coordinate with the Mystic Army.

However, Aurora commanded her soldiers to attack the city alongside the Mystic Army. She had brought a thousand troops, including the original three hundred that had been with her.

Seeing her leading her soldiers forward, Barrett was infuriated. He grabbed her arm and said, "Are you insane? We have a plan and steps for this siege! Your actions will lead to unnecessary sacrifices!"

"I can't worry about that. This credit can't go solely to Carissa!" Aurora wrenched her arm free, and raised her sword. "Zeke, lead our men up with me!"

Zeke was one of her subordinates, so he naturally obeyed her orders. He led the men to scramble up the ladders.

Michael was stunned at the sight.

What was going on? Their chaotic climb would disrupt the siege plan!

He grabbed Zeke, and shouted, "Get your men down! We've rehearsed our attack and defense! You weren't part of the drills, and you'll only mess up our plan!"

Zeke ignored Michael. "Up! Everyone, up the ladders!"

The situation soon devolved into chaos. Michael's eyes were blazing with rage as he yelled at Barrett, "What's going on? Stop them now!"

Aurora approached with her sword in hand, her voice cold. "Lieutenant Brown, besieging a city is the most dangerous task. My soldiers are willing to sacrifice themselves to reclaim the Southern Frontier. Calling them back now would harm their morale."

"Do you know anything about warfare?!" Michael shoved her aside, and bellowed at the soldiers climbing the ladders, "Anyone who isn't part of the Mystic Army, get down! Now!"

However, the soldiers didn't listen and kept climbing. The ladders became a mess, and the Mystic Army was pulled down. Some who managed to climb up without shields were speared by the enemy and fell, screaming.

Sounds of agony filled the air. Michael and Barrett were furious, but their shouts seemed powerless amid the chaos.

Aurora's voice, however, cut through the noise. "Climb! Climb to earn military merit and receive rewards!"

Under the promise of rewards, more soldiers tried to climb, only to meet death. The screams of the dying echoed as bodies fell, blood staining the ground.

Barrett was in shock. He turned, and slapped Aurora hard across the face. "Are you insane?! You're killing them all!"

Aurora held her cheek, stunned that he had actually hit her. Tears instantly welled up in her eyes.

"I was helping you! They knew the risks. If they die, the court will compensate their families. What did I do wrong?"