Hector had barely left the barracks when he heard someone running behind him.He turned, sword already in hand.A young soldier stopped several paces away, breathing hard.“General, wait!”Hector lowered his sword.“What is it?”The soldier glanced toward the barracks.“Captain Roderick didn't go alone.”Hector's expression tightened.“Explain.”“Private Daren followed him. He took two others with him.”“Why wasn't I told this earlier?”“No one knew until they were gone.”Hector looked down the street.“How long ago?”“Perhaps fifteen minutes.”“Which direction?”“Toward the northern gate.”Hector swore under his breath and started walking.The soldier hurried after him.“General, the roads aren't safe. We should wait until—”“Return to the barracks.”“But—”“That's an order.”The soldier stopped.Hector continued alone.He knew Roderick well enough to understand why the captain had gone back. Roderick had served under him for years. He was stubborn, dependable, and incapable of aband

For several seconds, nobody spoke.Hector stared at the soldier who had delivered the news.“Where is the body?”“Near the northern gate, General. Captain Roderick is waiting there.”Hector reached for his sword.Lucian stepped into his path.“Wait.”Hector looked at him.“Move.”“You haven't heard the rest.”“What rest?”“The part where we think before walking into another trap.”Hector's expression hardened, but he stopped.Lucian turned toward the messenger.“How many men were with Roderick?”“Two, sir. The others remained at the barracks.”“Did they see anyone near the body?”“No. The streets were empty when they arrived.”Lucian nodded slowly.“Convenient.”Hector sheathed his sword.“We'll take four men and approach from the western street.”Lucian glanced at him.“You're actually listening.”“Don't make me regret it.”“Wouldn't dream of it.”Hector turned to the King.“Your Majesty, you must remain here.”The King shook his head.“No.”“Your wound—”“Will not heal any faster be

Edric stood at the foot of the stairs, blocking the only visible exit from the chamber.“Put the documents down, General.”Hector kept the papers in his left hand. His right rested on the hilt of his sword.“You escaped a guarded room, crossed the city, and reached this place before us,” he said. “You must have something important to say.”“I have nothing to say to you.”“Then you won't mind explaining why you need those papers.”Edric's gaze shifted briefly to the wooden box behind Hector. The movement was small, but Lucian noticed it.“He isn't here for the documents,” Lucian said. “He's here for something specific inside them.”Edric looked at him.“You should have stayed at the barracks.”“My thoughts exactly. It was a much more comfortable place to be threatened.”Lucian adjusted his grip on his sword. The old heat injury still pulled painfully through his chest whenever he breathed too deeply. He could fight if he had to, but he had no intention of making the mistake of relying

Lucian woke to the sound of hurried footsteps outside the room.For several seconds, he remained still, trying to understand what had disturbed him. His body felt heavy, and the ache in his chest had returned. The short rest had helped, but it hadn't erased the damage he'd suffered in the burning house.Another set of footsteps passed the door.Then someone knocked.“Lucian?”Hector.Lucian pushed himself upright. “Come in.”Hector entered and closed the door behind him. He had changed his bloodstained coat, though the exhaustion in his face remained.“Something happened,” Lucian said.“Edric is missing.”Lucian stared at him.“Again?”“The guards found the door to his room open. One man was unconscious outside it. The other is alive but claims he saw nothing.”“Were his restraints cut?”“Yes.”Lucian swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood. A sharp pain crossed his chest, forcing him to pause until it eased.Hector noticed.“You're not going anywhere in that condition.”“Th

The royal archive had survived the attack on the palace, but that did not mean its records were safe.Hector made that clear before the King had finished breakfast.“We can send a small group through the eastern entrance,” he said, standing over the table where Corvin's copies had been arranged. “The main corridors are still being cleared. I don't want a dozen men moving through the palace when we don't know who might be waiting inside.”The King sat with one hand resting against his bandaged side. The physician had advised him to remain in bed, advice he had ignored as soon as Hector brought the documents.“Take enough men to secure the archive,” the King replied. “But no one touches the records until we've established what is missing.”“And if we find the order sealing Marcellus's investigation?”“Bring it to me.”Lucian stood near the window, listening. He had slept for several hours, though the weakness left by the fire had not entirely passed. His limbs felt heavy, and the tightn