“Have you tried removing the mask yourself?” Charles asked.Jerry failed to respond quickly. Finally, he said, “No. I have not tried.”“Then maybe you should,” Charles responded.“But you saw how intense it was on him. There has to be a reason why it did not affect his face,” Jerry said with a worried tone.“Relax. When next are you going to see the Rebel Master?” Charles asked.“I will go in about two days. I want his wounds to heal a bit first,” Jerry responded.“Fine, when you go, I will go with you,” Charles said with a smile in his eyes and not his face.Jerry mocked him, “When did you become so supportive?”Charles chuckled, “Jerry, we have a lot of work. We have to gather men and items. I can't let you weep alone by yourself under a tree.”Jerry rose up with alarm, “Who was weeping under a tree?”Charles rose quickly and moved some steps backward. “You were crying about how you could not take off the Rebel Master's mask. I even had to give you a handkerchief and comfort you wit

“I am up for whatever you want to tell me!” Helena responded, her voice reaching a higher pitch. She was almost yelling. She quickly looked around at the men, her expression softening into guilt. “I am sorry,” she said.Jerry spoke up, “It is all good. You can tell us what reward you want at a later date. The second reason we called you is because we have considered your efforts, and we believe we need a larger team of specialized healers. Perhaps a few more trusted people from your clan could join you, or you could recruit others and train them. Of course, all this would be left to your discretion. You can do as you please. We will make the necessary provisions and give you all the support you need.”“I will think about it and get back to you,” Helena started. “But I believe that creating a group—an arm for healers within the rebel army—is a step in the right direction. We can be fellow travelers for official business and even for war.”“Indeed,” Heali said. “But do you also agree th

Jerry stretched and yawned. “It has been nice speaking to you. I will be going to bed now.”Charles was stricken with confusion. “Wait. I thought we were going to see the Rebel Master and take his mask off.”Jerry walked toward the exit, then he turned back to Charles. “At midnight, people sleep. But just in case you feel too much energy boiling inside you, you can always join the watchmen on their rounds.”“You scumbag!” Charles insulted, clicking his teeth in annoyance.“If you want to sleep here, tell my steward and he will get you a room. If you don’t, take a walk back to your own camp and sleep there.” Jerry walked away without another word.***Darian sat on top of the roof all night. He found it hard to sleep or do anything else; he just sat there, blinking and thinking. He had believed that helping Noel and Helena get together—and putting some legitimacy on their relationship—would make Noel feel better and stop his jealousy or his perceived need for power. But now, his plans

Jerry nodded his head. “I hate the Ice Clan.” His eyes went red. “I never heard about my children again. I saw their bodies when I was finally able to escape from jail. But as for my wife… I have no information about her to this day.”The Plant Clan’s library was vast and breathtaking, a sanctuary of knowledge that felt plucked from a fairy tale. Spiraling pillars of white marble were entwined with living ivy, and the shelves, carved from pale, ancient wood, reached toward a ceiling adorned with glowing moss. The hall was a sea of emerald-green tapestries and pristine white floors. Rows of books on medicine, herbs, and geography filled the shelves, while the air was thick with the scent of dried parchment and blooming jasmine.Helena was looking over some books and writing some things down. She was trying hard to forget the pain in her heart, attempting to numb it. Her argument with Noel was still very fresh in her memory, and it cut like a knife each time. Holga’s threats were not ev

Darian found a lump in his throat.Noel continued, “I really wish you had told me this a long time ago. For a while now, I had felt there was more to me, but I could never lay my hand on it. And, when the Rebel Master mocked my position, I felt it deep within too. Yes, I have been nursing something that should have been taken care of but… as my friend, you should have told me.”“I was afraid,” Darian replied softly.“I know. Darian, anything about the Golden Eagle scares you. Others may not know. They might see you as the tough and powerful guy, but I know that even with all that power, you are a kid who gets scared sometimes,” Noel said.“So… you are not mad at me?” Darian asked.“I am not, only because I have seen you sick with fear and complaining about your heritage a lot,” Noel said with a small smile rising at one side of his mouth. “Besides, it is kind of good to know that we are relatives.”Darian smiled back. “Yeah, no wonder you are the one I am most patient with.”“Darian,