The King's Guard

Chapter 57

The throne room carried the weight of smoke and silence. Banners still hung from the high beams, though ash clung to their edges. The King sat forward on his seat, his crown tilted as if burdened by more than ceremony.

“The people cry for answers,” he said. His voice echoed. “And the shadow of this market attack cannot linger without answer.”

Darius stood at the foot of the dais, his posture rigid, eyes lowered. Beside him, Archon watched with that unreadable calm, hands clasped behind his back.

The King’s gaze cut down. “You will find those responsible. No matter where they hide.”

Darius inclined his head. “Yes, Majesty.”

Archon stepped forward. “A squad already proved their worth in the chaos. Assign them. They know the scent of these cowards.”

The King nodded once. “So it is. Darius, send your recruits. Let their loyalty be tested in fire.”

The order came down swiftly. By the time Kael heard it, the squad was already being pulled from their morning drills.

Reyna read the scroll aloud in the barracks. “Pursuit of the rogue faction. No destination given, follow reports of masked men beyond the south road.”

Jared leaned back on his bunk, smirking. “So we’re errand boys now.”

Kyna folded her arms. “Errand boys don’t carry Stormhaven satchels.”

Jared’s smirk thinned. “And yet, no one dares speak that name in the report.”

Kael said flatly, “Because Archon wrote it.”

Reyna lowered the parchment. “Doesn’t matter. Orders are orders. We track them.”

They set out at dawn. The south road curved past ruined stalls and burned timbers. The city still stank of smoke. People watched the squad pass, some with hope, others with suspicion.

Kael kept his hood up. He felt the eyes on them, the weight of the dead pressing against his ribs.

Reyna broke the silence. “Witnesses said the attackers fled into the highlands.”

Kyna nodded. “The forests there are full of forgotten shrines. Perfect for hiding.”

Jared gave a short laugh. “Or perfect for chasing ghosts.”

Kael shot him a look. “You think this is a game?”

Jared’s grin didn’t falter. “I think you’re wound so tight, you can’t see straight.”

Reyna cut across them. “Focus. We’ll find them.”

By midday they reached the highland pass. The wind was sharp here, carrying the scent of pine and ash. Tracks cut into the soil; boot prints, hasty and uneven.

Kyna crouched, running her fingers along the dirt. “At least five. Maybe more. Moving fast, but not careful.”

Reyna glanced at Kael. “You lead. You read ground better than any of us.”

Kael nodded, scanning the slope. “They tried to split, but regrouped further ahead. West ridge.”

Jared arched a brow. “And you know this how?”

Kael didn’t look back. “Because I’m not blind.”

They followed the trail into thicker trees. Hours passed. The sun dipped, shadows lengthened.

Then a noise. A crack of a branch ahead.

Reyna raised a fist. The squad froze.

Figures moved in the distance: cloaked, masked, carrying satchels.

Kyna whispered, “That’s them.”

Jared smirked. “Finally.”

Reyna hissed, “Quiet. We flank them. Kael…left. Kyna…right. Jared with me.”

Kael moved silently along the undergrowth, the ground damp beneath his boots. He counted three, then four, then six figures. More than expected.

One of them carried a long staff, its end tipped with faint runes.

Kael’s breath caught.

He slid back to Reyna.

“Six total. One mage.”

Her jaw tightened. “Not rogue farmers, then.”

Kyna’s voice was sharp but hushed. “That staff—it’s military craft. Whoever armed them knew what they were doing.”

Reyna muttered, “Which means someone’s supplying them.”

Jared raised a brow. “And we’re just four against six plus a spell-flinger. Hardly fair odds.”

Kael’s eyes narrowed. “Since when did odds matter to you?”

Jared grinned faintly. “Since I started liking breathing.”

Kyna shot him a glare. “You can breathe later. Right now, we cut their trail before they vanish.”

Reyna steadied her grip on her sword. “No mistakes. We take one alive if we can. We need answers.”

Jared gave a low chuckle. “Alive? With Kael on the field? Good luck.”

Kael didn’t rise to the bait. “If they’re carrying satchels, they’re transporting something. We can’t let them slip past.”

Reyna’s gaze flicked to the mage. “And that staff could bring half the forest down on us if we’re not careful.”

Jared muttered, “No wonder Archon’s keeping it quiet.”

They struck at dusk.

Reyna signalled, and the squad surged forward. Kael slammed into one masked man, blade to throat, while Reyna took another clean across the knees.

Kyna’s dagger flashed, precise, cutting ropes and tendons.

The mage turned, chanting, but Jared drove him back, steel sparking against staff.

“Drop him!” Jared yelled.

Kael lunged, blade striking the staff’s runes. They cracked with a hiss, and the mage collapsed, groaning.

The fight ended quickly. The masked men were skilled, but not disciplined. Fear broke their lines.

Reyna pressed her blade to one captive’s throat. “Who sent you?”

The man spat blood, silent.

Kael leaned close, voice steady. “Which group or house?”

The man only laughed, teeth red.

Jared nudged him with his boot. “Brave little pawn. Worthless, but brave.”

Reyna’s grip tightened. “Talk. Now.”

The captive wheezed out a chuckle. “You’re children, chasing shadows.”

Kyna snapped, “Shadows don’t carry weapons and wards. Tell us who you serve.”

The man’s eyes glinted. “You wouldn’t live long enough to use the answer.”

Jared barked a laugh. “I like him. Bold.”

Reyna’s glare cut him off. “Shut up, Jared.”

Kael turned to another captive, dragging him upright. “Your letters…who are they for?”

The second man sneered. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

Kael’s tone dropped lower. “I will know. One way or another.”

Kyna glanced uneasily at him. “Kael…”

But the man only grinned wider, as if daring him.

Kyna cursed. “They won’t talk.”

Jared shoved another down. “Then kill them and be done.”

Reyna shot him a glare. “We’re not butchers.”

Kael stared at the satchels. One had spilled open, revealing sealed letters. He picked one up. The wax bore no crest.

Kyna whispered, “Blank seals. That’s a code.”

Reyna’s eyes narrowed. “Which means this isn’t over.”

They dragged the prisoners back to camp, tying them to posts near the fire.

Darius arrived before dawn. His gaze swept over the captives, then the satchels. He didn’t speak for a long time.

Finally, he said, “You did well.”

Jared grinned. “So Archon will hear?”

Darius ignored him. His eyes were on Kael. “You found the letters?”

Kael nodded. “Blank seals. Hidden cipher.”

Darius took one, studying it. “Stormhaven work.”

Kyna stepped forward. “So we were right.”

Darius’s jaw tightened. “You’ll say nothing. Not to Archon. Not to anyone.”

Kael frowned. “Even with proof?”

Darius’s voice was low. “Especially with proof.”

Reyna whispered, “Why?”

“Because proof is a knife,” Darius said. “And we don’t know whose hand it’s in yet.”

That night, Kael sat apart, watching the fire die low.

Reyna joined him quietly. “You’re not writing tonight?”

He shook his head. “No words left.”

She studied him. “You think Darius is hiding something.”

“I know he is.”

“And you’ll keep following anyway?”

Kael’s gaze lingered on the flames. “Until I see who he’s really fighting for.”

Reyna didn’t answer. But she stayed beside him until the fire burned down to ash.

In the distance, the prisoners shifted against their bonds. One began to laugh, soft and broken.

Kael turned, watching him.

The man whispered something, almost too faint to hear.

“Stormhaven… already inside…”

Then he slumped, still bound, his chest unmoving.

Kael’s blood ran cold.

Reyna whispered, “What did he say?”

Kael didn’t answer. He only stared at the body, the words echoing in his skull.

Stormhaven already inside.