Chilling Tales: The Revel Collection. Pavel PG362 Groznov

to unravel his carefully woven schemes.

      *"I must lead this campaign myself,"* Nils whispered, staring at his reflection in a silver goblet. *"My presence will inspire the troops and ensure victory."* But in his heart, another voice spoke—cold and ruthless: *"I must conquer Kolvan and destroy Astrid-Sophia. This wild land will be my stepping stone to absolute power over Denmark. Nothing will stop me."*

      Thus, war—fueled by greed and lies—cast its shadow over two kingdoms and two hearts divided by betrayal.

      *Under Cover of Night**

      Under the cloak of darkness, while the townsfolk slept, the treacherous Nils unleashed his army upon Kolvan. Flames lit the sky; screams of terror and the clash of steel filled the once-peaceful streets. Though caught off guard, Kolvan fought fiercely—but the odds were hopeless.

      Amid the chaos, surrounded by loyal guards, Sophia battled with desperate fury. Each sword stroke echoed the pain in her heart as she witnessed her people’s slaughter. Yet even in this darkest hour, she did not lose hope.

      *"We must break through!"* she cried, dodging a treacherous blow. *"All is not lost!"*

      A few loyal warriors carved a path through enemy ranks. Seizing the moment, the queen fled with her defenders into the night.

      The pursuit was relentless, but the cover of darkness and knowledge of secret marshland trails allowed them to escape. Wounded but unbroken, they vanished into the dense forests, leaving behind a burning Kolvan.

      Hope flickered in the warrior queen’s heart like a lamp before an icon. The battle was lost, but the war was not over. As long as she lived, Kolvan had a chance.

      **Flight to Novgorod**

      Astrid—now Sophia—fled the burning Kolvan with only a loyal page and two brave squires. They headed east, toward Slavic lands, seeking refuge. The journey was grueling: scorching heat gave way to torrential rains, turning roads to mud. They fought wild beasts and bandits alike. Hunger and exhaustion tested their resolve, but Sophia refused to yield. In her heart burned the determination to reclaim her kingdom.

      After weeks of wandering, when hope had nearly faded, they reached Novgorod the Great. The city’s golden domes gleamed in the sun, its mighty walls radiated strength, and its bustling streets spoke of prosperity. News of Kolvan’s fall and Danish treachery had already spread.

      When Sophia stood before Prince Alexander Nevsky—a wise and just ruler famed for his victories—she was received with royal honors.

      *"Tell me what happened,"* he said, his voice steady.

      Tears streamed down Sophia’s cheeks as she recounted the betrayal, the slaughter, and her desperate escape—but her voice never wavered.

      Alexander offered his aid. *"Kolvan’s fall is not just your tragedy—it is a threat to us all. The Danes will not stop until they dominate these lands. We must strike back."*

      Hope filled Sophia’s heart. In Alexander’s eyes, she saw not only compassion but the same resolve burning within her. In distant Novgorod, she found the strength and allies to reclaim what was lost.

       **Meanwhile, in Kolvan…**

      Nils, drunk on apparent victory, feasted in the captured palace. Wine flowed, but beneath the revelry festered rage. The kingdom’s treasures were missing. Sophia had vanished. His fury grew into obsession.

      *"Find her! Turn over every stone!"* he roared. But the search was futile.

      Declaring a forced conversion of the local tribes, Nils sparked rebellion. The people, devoted to their ancient gods, saw this as sacrilege.

      The final outrage came when Danes desecrated a sacred oak grove during the summer solstice. Blood stained holy ground; screams mixed with the crack of breaking branches. This blasphemy united Kolvan’s scattered tribes—once envious of its wealth—against their common enemy.

       **The Palace Coup**

      While Sophia sought refuge in Novgorod, Nils plotted in Denmark. His position was precarious. Without Sophia or the treasures, his ambitions teetered on collapse.

      *"Harold must be overthrown,"* he mused. *"Only then will my victory be complete."*

      Using spies and bribes, he revived old rumors of Harold’s incest and sodomy. The people, remembering past scandals, grew restless. Nils painted Harold as a weak, sinful ruler unworthy of the throne.

      Discontent erupted into open rebellion. Nobles, manipulated by Nils, staged a coup. Harold barely escaped Elsinore.

      *"All is lost,"* he thought, galloping away. *"Nils has won."*

      But then, loyal vassals revealed the truth: *"Sophia is your sister Astrid. Nils deceived you. He craves power and will stop at nothing."*