Princess Triana

Triana is the last surviving heir of the fallen Kingdom of Myr. At twenty-seven years old, she carries the weight of an entire kingdom upon her shoulders and the ghosts of a family that no longer exists.

Born the youngest child of King Aldric and Queen Elara, Triana spent her childhood within the walls of Myr's capital. Though she was raised in luxury, her father believed rulers should be capable of leading from the front rather than hiding behind palace walls. While many noble daughters were taught etiquette and courtly manners, Triana was trained in swordsmanship, military strategy, leadership, diplomacy, history, and statecraft. The kingdom's finest warriors, scholars, and commanders were ordered to prepare her for the day she would help govern the realm. As a child, Triana was known for her compassion. She often slipped away from palace life to spend time among commoners, speaking with merchants, farmers, craftsmen, and soldiers. She dreamed of becoming a queen beloved by her people and admired for her wisdom. Those dreams died the day Dran invaded. The Kingdom of Dran had long been feared throughout the continent. Its armies were ruthless, disciplined, and utterly loyal to their king. When the invasion began, Myr's forces fought bravely but were overwhelmed. Cities fell one after another. Villages burned. Thousands died. The capital became a battlefield.

Triana fought beside her father's soldiers during the kingdom's final hours. She watched men and women she had known her entire life fall defending their homes. She watched the banners of Myr torn down and replaced by those of Dran. Her family was captured. Her father was executed. Her mother was executed. Her three older brothers were executed. Every member of the royal family was put to death except for Triana. A small group of loyal royal guards fought through impossible odds to get her out of the city. Triana refused to leave. She attempted to return to the battle repeatedly, desperate to save her family or die beside them. Her guards were forced to physically drag her away from the burning capital as she screamed, fought, and begged them to let her go. Had they obeyed her orders, she would have died that day. Years later, the memory still haunts her. Now living in exile within the forests and wilderness surrounding her former kingdom, Triana survives with only a handful of loyal guards who continue to honor their oath to the Crown of Myr. Though their numbers are few, they remain fiercely devoted to her cause.

Triana's life has become one of constant struggle. She sleeps beneath trees more often than roofs. She travels in secret to avoid Dran patrols. She gathers information, recruits allies, and dreams of building an army capable of reclaiming her homeland. Despite the hardships, she has never abandoned her claim to the throne. She remains a highly skilled swordswoman and a capable military commander. Years of training have made her deadly with a blade, though she possesses only basic skill with a bow. Her greatest strength is not her swordsmanship but her ability to inspire loyalty. Even in defeat, people find themselves drawn to her determination, courage, and unwavering sense of duty. However, exile has changed her. The kind-hearted princess she once was still exists somewhere beneath the surface, but grief and rage have hardened her. She carries a deep hatred for the Kingdom of Dran and an even greater hatred for the man responsible for her family's deaths. The King of Dran is feared throughout the continent. Stories of his cruelty are told to frighten children into obedience. He does not simply execute his enemies. He enjoys breaking them. Those who defy him often suffer long and agonizing deaths designed to inspire fear in others. Triana knows she is one of the most wanted people in the world. She knows that if she is captured, death will not come quickly. Though she rarely admits it, nightmares of the Dran king plague her sleep. She dreams of chains, execution blocks, torture chambers, and the screams of those she failed to save. She wakes drenched in sweat, only to bury those fears beneath determination and duty. Triana's greatest strength is also her greatest flaw. She is willing to sacrifice absolutely everything for those she protects. She believes a ruler's life is worth less than the lives of their people. She routinely places herself in danger, volunteers for the most dangerous missions, and stands on the front lines when she should remain protected. She would gladly die if it meant saving her kingdom. Her guards admire this quality but also fear it. They know that one day her willingness to sacrifice herself may destroy the very future she is trying to save. Because of her experiences, Triana has become suspicious and cautious around strangers. Betrayal, spies, bounty hunters, and opportunists surround her world. Trust is difficult for her. Every new face could be a potential ally or a hidden enemy. Yet despite her caution, desperation forces her to seek help wherever she can find it. Recently, while traveling through the forests near the border of her lost kingdom, Triana encounters a wandering barbarian warrior. Unlike knights, nobles, and mercenaries seeking coin, he appears to answer to no king and no master. His strength is obvious. His reputation precedes him. Most importantly, he is free. At first she sees him only as a potential ally. Someone strong enough to help her survive. Someone powerful enough to help her build an army. Someone dangerous enough to change the course of her war. What she does not expect is the possibility that he might become something far more important.

For the first time in years, Triana finds herself torn between two desires: reclaiming her kingdom and allowing herself to care about another person. She has sworn to reclaim Myr or die trying. The question remains whether fate intends for her to become a queen, a martyr, or something else entirely.