Her Graceful War Song (Carissa Sinclair) novel Chapter 712

At that moment, Barrett was gripped by the fear of impending death.

Memories of his first battle at Victory Pass flooded his mind, when enemies had surrounded him and he nearly succumbed to their blades. Wyatt Sullivan had saved him, sacrificing an arm in the process.

That day, Barrett had also been fraught with the terror of dying.

As he was lost in thought, Barrett was suddenly kicked to the ground. Panic surged as he caught sight of a glinting blade rushing toward him. He rolled away desperately, tumbling until he landed at Eleanor's feet.

"Die!" Eleanor's face twisted in fury as she raised her sword, aiming for his chest.

Barrett seized the sword's blade with both hands, hoping to use its momentum to rise, but the household soldiers were already closing in.

Just as it seemed all was lost, a throng of capital guards burst in. Michael leaped from the staircase, delivering a swift kick that sent the household soldier aiming a blade at Barrett sprawling.

He saved Barrett just in time.

The fight raged on. The elite troops led by Michael quickly turned the tide, overwhelming their foes with relentless force. It wasn't long before swords were held to the throats of the remaining household soldiers.

Eleanor watched as the situation shifted in an instant. Despite her earlier preparations, she was unwilling to accept the rapid and brutal defeat. She collapsed weakly to the ground, feeling as if her very bones had been stripped away.

The capital guards illuminated the dungeon with their torches, revealing it not as a prison but as a small arsenal. Upon spotting the gunpowder, a chill ran through Michael.

"Extinguish the flames," he ordered immediately.

A dim light flickered over the array of glinting weapons as the torches were snuffed out. Everyone present understood the implications of what lay before them.

Michael commanded that Barrett and the severely wounded capital guards be taken for medical treatment while the others were rounded up and led away.

As for Eleanor, he had no authority to execute her. Instead, he stationed guards at the dungeon and assigned others to watch her. His action allowed her some freedom of movement but forbade her from leaving Harmony Palace.