“What a change of tone,” Jerry spat. “You spoke as if you had all the confidence of the Rebel Master backing you. Men! We have a traitor in our midst. He has poisoned our men in the name of the Rebel Master and has come to give conditions.”The men instantly believed Jerry, and they shot angry looks at Potter. Potter felt a huge lump in his throat and swallowed hard. His words rushed out like a waterfall. “I promise I will tell you guys all I know! Just do not kill me.”Jerry let go of him and shouted an order, “Tie him up!”The men pounced on Potter.***Dinner was simple. It was not as lavish as Darian and Noel were accustomed to, but it was delicious. Helena had been able to use simple herbs to prepare the food even without meat. They ate in the dining room of Noel’s lavish ancestral home.The dining room was a marvel of underground architecture. It featured high, vaulted ceilings of polished limestone that amplified the warm glow of the crystal chandeliers. A massive table made of

Noel looked at his friend and spoke calmly, placing a reassuring hand on Darian’s shoulder. “I am your friend, Darian. You should have just told me that you heard from the Old Eagle. You know I would agree with you. Besides… do not use Helena as an excuse.”Darian smirked, his mood finally lifting. “I just didn't want to ruin your chances, my friend.”Noel nodded. “I understand. Perhaps I am moving a bit too fast, but you know Helena is loyal to the cause. She has accepted your place as her leader. If I wake her in your name, she will move.”Darian exhaled slowly. “Oh, my friend. Why am I not so certain about that?”“I am awake, and I will pack now,” a voice called from above them. Helena stood at the top of the stairs.Darian folded his arms across his chest, squinting up at her. “How long have you been standing there?”Helena stepped down the stairs. “Long enough.” She was dressed in a white gown with thick sleeves, her hair cascading down her back in bouncing curls as she walked. S

Noel’s eyes widened with fear and concern. This had never happened to Darian before. He scrambled down from his horse, and Helena was right behind him.“Darian! Darian!” Noel called out as he rushed toward his friend. The fire was spreading rapidly from plant to plant. Noel knelt by his side and checked his face; Darian was completely unconscious. Noel turned to Helena, his voice sharp with urgency. “Grab the horses. We are getting out of here now!”She nodded and moved quickly.Noel rose to his feet, lifting Darian into his arms. He ran toward a clearing where the fire hadn't reached yet, with Helena trailing close behind. Luckily, they stumbled upon a small brown house with a thatched roof. Noel burst through the door, deciding he would worry about the owner later. Inside, there were no chairs—in fact, there was nothing at all. The place was hollow and abandoned.Noel placed his friend on the dusty floor and muttered, “What in God’s name is happening to you, Darian? Wake up, my man!

Two more rebels charged him with spears. Heali didn't retreat. He spun like a top, using the flat of his left blade to deflect the spearheads into the dirt while his right elbow slammed into the bridge of the second man’s nose. As the third man lunged, Heali dropped even lower, sliding beneath the spear’s reach. With a surgical flick of his wrist, he hamstrung the attacker’s lead leg, then rose behind him to deliver a silent, vertical thrust into the base of the skull. *** Jerry had been walking by the light of torches for hours. They had trekked through hills and crossed a stream. One thing was certain: Jerry did not trust the map that had been shot through the window. He had split his force, sending half his men to follow the map while the other half remained with him. A flaming arrow suddenly shot through the sky in their direction. It landed a few meters from where Jerry stood, and he halted. The men behind him did the same. That was the pre-arranged signal. If the group fo

“What else would the Rebel Master want, if not to kill everyone who refused to serve him after the treachery he committed?” Darian said. Then, he faced the soldier squarely. “I want to see the one whose blood is on this floor. It is clear Jerry was interrogating someone.”The soldier replied, “His name is Potter. He was a spy who worked for the Rebel Master. He helped poison the men in the camp and met Jerry to deliver the word from the Rebel Master.”Darian was trying to catch his breath, speaking slowly as he shut his eyes to try and control his rage. It was not working; he was boiling over. “I want you to bring him to me. Drag him on the floor if you have to. But by all means, bring him in the most painful way!”The soldier rushed to his feet to do as he was told. Noel just stood there, watching his friend. He had seen Darian angry before, but never to this extent. He looked like a volcano threatening to erupt.Outside the tent, Noel and Darian could hear the sounds of dragging, cu