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Chapter 49: Blackridge
The forest had become unnaturally quiet.Ethan noticed it after they had been walking for nearly an hour. The usual sounds of the wilderness had gradually faded until even the birds seemed reluctant to break the silence. There was no rustling in the undergrowth, no distant calls from animals, and no movement among the branches overhead.Only the occasional crunch of leaves beneath their boots disturbed the stillness.Adrian had been leading them along the eastern slope, following a narrow trail that climbed gradually toward the hills. According to the map recovered from the bounty hunters, the route would eventually bring them to a ridge overlooking Blackridge. From there, they could observe the settlement without exposing themselves on the main road.It was a sensible plan, but Ethan had begun to suspect that the greatest danger was no longer the royal patrols.The Sword of Destruction had been unusually quiet since their encounter with the bounty hunters. It had not attempted to tem
Chapter 48: No Escape From The Crown
Gruk took a step forward. "Enough talking."The scarred man sighed. "Very well."He lowered his hand."Take them."The forest exploded into movement.Two crossbow bolts descended from the trees while the men on the ground rushed forward. Adrian pushed off his back foot and moved directly toward the nearest attacker, knocking his weapon aside before the man could complete his first strike.Mira twisted away from a blade aimed at her shoulder, spun behind its wielder, and drove her elbow into the back of his neck. Her dagger followed a heartbeat later, cutting through the leather strap holding his shoulder guard in place.Gruk met two attackers head-on.His axe crashed against a sword with enough force to send the weapon flying from its owner's hands. Before the second man could exploit the opening, Gruk swung his shoulder into him and sent him tumbling down the slope.Lyra raised her staff."Stonebind!"The ground beneath two approaching bounty hunters cracked open. Thick roots and nar
Chapter 47: Bounty Hunters
The forest grew darker as they moved north.Tall trees stood close together on either side of the narrow path, their branches twisting overhead until they formed a thick canopy that blocked most of the afternoon sunlight. The ground was uneven, covered with damp leaves, exposed roots, and patches of soft earth that threatened to swallow their boots. Every few minutes, the path narrowed between clusters of thorny bushes, forcing the group to move in single file.Adrian led the way, occasionally stopping to examine the ground before choosing their direction. Mira followed several paces behind him, watching the trees and listening for anything that might suggest they were being followed. Gruk walked at the rear with his axe resting against one shoulder, while Lyra remained beside Ethan.Their pace was slower than Adrian wanted.Ethan's injuries were making every step difficult, and although he tried to hide the pain, Lyra had become increasingly attentive to his movements. Whenever his b
Chapter 46: The Royal Proclamation
The temptation was cruel because part of him wanted to believe it.He could picture the sword cutting through the soldiers, its dark blade devouring their strength while the bond granted him enough power to stand without pain. He could return to the kitchen and end the fight before Adrian or Gruk suffered a serious injury.But he could also imagine the price.The sword had already begun to heal his wounds in its own terrible way, feeding on vitality and foreign energy. Each time he accepted its power, the bond grew more difficult to escape. He could not keep trading pieces of his future for temporary victories.Not again.The sword fell silent.Mira reached the end of the passage and pushed open the door leading into the woodshed. Cold air swept across Ethan's face, carrying the smell of wet earth and pine. Beyond the shed, a narrow lane ran behind the stable before disappearing between the trees.For one brief moment, the way appeared clear.Then a crossbow bolt struck the wooden fra
Chapter 45: The Sword's Temptation
The common room erupted into confusion. Chairs toppled as travelers scrambled away from the doors, and several merchants began protesting that they had done nothing wrong. The royal courier abandoned his water and reached for the sword at his waist.Through the windows, Ethan saw armed riders flooding into the courtyard. At least a dozen soldiers dismounted while others remained on horseback, surrounding the building and blocking the road.A man wearing a captain's insignia strode through the entrance with six soldiers behind him. He held a folded piece of parchment in one hand and a drawn sword in the other."Everyone remain where you are!" he ordered. "We have information that the murderers of King Varax are hiding in this inn. Anyone who interferes will be arrested."His eyes moved across the room before settling on Ethan.For a brief moment, the captain appeared uncertain. Then he compared Ethan's face with the description on the parchment, and his expression hardened."You. The e
Chapter 44: The Bounty
Ethan heard a horse neighing through the half-open window while Lyra was changing the bandage around his ribs. The animal's hooves struck the road outside the inn with such force that several people downstairs stopped talking, and a moment later, a man's voice rang through the settlement, demanding fresh horses and directions to the northern road.Ethan glanced toward the window, but Lyra gently pressed his shoulder back against the pillows."Stop moving," she instructed, her brows drawing together as she examined the blood seeping through the edge of the bandage. "I have already told you that your body needs time to recover. If you tear this wound open again, I will tie you to the bed myself."Despite the pain, Ethan managed a faint smile. "That sounds less like medical treatment and more like a threat.""It is both," she replied, although the corner of her mouth lifted. She placed her palm against his side, and a soft blue glow spread beneath her fingers. "And if you think I am joki
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