The King's Guard

Chapter 97

The path south wound through cliffs so narrow that only the morning wind fit between them. Reyna led the way, her steps sure despite the exhaustion. Kael followed a few paces behind, cloak drawn tight, eyes flicking from ridge to ridge.

“Tracks died out two miles back,” Reyna said. “If Archon’s trackers are still on us, they’re taking the long route.”

Kael gave a faint nod. “Elara knew how to throw them off. I don’t think she’d lie about that.”

“Maybe not,” Reyna murmured, “but people don’t risk their lives for strangers.”

“Then she’s not a stranger.”

Reyna glanced at him, eyebrow raised. “You’re thinking about what she said.”

Kael didn’t answer. Rhea. The name lingered in his mind like a wound reopened.

They reached the edge of a dense forest by dusk. Smoke drifted faintly through the trees.

Reyna crouched, scanning the underbrush. “There. Lantern light. Could be the Refuge.”

“Or a trap.”

“Only one way to find out.”

They moved quietly. The forest opened onto a clearing lined with low wooden houses, smoke curling from stone chimneys. Hunters’ racks hung heavy with cured hides and weapons.

Reyna stopped near the edge. “Home sweet home,” she whispered.

Kael looked at her. “You grew up here?”

She nodded. “I didn’t think I’d ever see it again.”

A door opened across the clearing. A tall man stepped out, hair greyed, face marked by years of sun and battle. He carried a longbow but lowered it when his gaze met Reyna’s.

“Reyna?”

Her voice cracked. “Father.”

He crossed the clearing in three strides, pulling her into a rough, wordless embrace. Kael stood back, the moment too raw to intrude upon.

When her father finally pulled away, he looked to Kael. “You brought her back.”

Kael shook his head. “She got us both here.”

The older man’s eyes softened briefly, then sharpened again. “You’re fugitives.”

“Yes,” Reyna said.

“Then come inside. We’ll speak where walls still listen.”

The house was small but sturdy, the air warm from the hearth. Trophies lined the walls: claws, horns, old blades, a record of decades of survival.

Reyna’s father whom Kael now knew him as Harrow Taren poured steaming water into wooden cups. “Archon’s name spreads even here. I heard whispers of trials, exiles. Didn’t think it’d be you.”

Reyna sipped quietly. “He’s purging what Darius left behind.”

Kael added, “Framing his best as traitors to justify his control.”

Harrow grunted. “And Darius?”

Kael hesitated. “Dead. He died saving us.”

For a moment, the fire seemed to dim.

Harrow bowed his head. “He was a stubborn fool. Good kind of fool.”

“He was more than that,” Kael said quietly.

Harrow studied him for a moment. “You carry him in your eyes, boy. That same anger at the world’s shape.”

Reyna gave a faint smile. “Told you he’d notice.”

Kael looked confused. “Notice what?”

“That you don’t belong in cages,” Harrow said. “Shadow Corps makes weapons, not men. You’re too alive for that.”

Kael’s jaw tightened. “I don’t feel alive.”

“Then start earning it.”

That night, the storm broke outside. Harrow led Kael to a clearing at the back of the property, an old training yard scarred by years of use.

“You’ve got power,” Harrow said, handing Kael a weighted staff. “But power’s useless if you flinch every time it answers you.”

Kael gripped the staff. “The Rift isn’t something you control. It’s something that reacts.”

“Then react better.”

Kael swung. The staff cut through the air with a low hum. Again, again, until his arms burned.

Harrow circled him like a wolf. “Too much hesitation. You think before every strike. Stop thinking.”

Kael thrust forward. Harrow caught the staff with one hand, twisting it free, and brought the other up to Kael’s collar, stopping an inch before impact.

“You think too loud,” Harrow said. “The world’s faster than thought.”

Kael stepped back, panting. “I wasn’t trained for your kind of fight.”

“You weren’t trained to live outside orders either,” Harrow countered. “But here you are.”

Kael dropped to one knee, exhausted. “I can’t…”

“Can’t is a lie you tell yourself before you bleed,” Harrow said simply. “Stand up.”

Kael did.

Reyna appeared at the edge of the yard, leaning against the post. “You’re enjoying this,” she said to her father.

Harrow grinned faintly. “Always did like breaking Corps discipline out of someone.”

Kael wiped his brow. “Then I’m your masterpiece.”

“Not yet,” Harrow replied. “But you will be.”

Later, when Reyna joined Kael by the fire, his hands were still trembling from the training.

“He’s tough,” Kael said.

“He’s worse when he likes you,” Reyna replied with a smirk.

Kael looked at her, something between gratitude and disbelief flickering across his face. “You really trust him.”

“I trust that he’d die before letting Archon touch us.”

Kael stared into the flames. “I hope you’re right.”

Reyna leaned closer. “I am.”

The silence stretched.

Then Harrow’s voice came from the doorway. “If you two are done making eyes, get some sleep. Dawn’s early, and training starts with or without you.”

Reyna threw a small piece of bark at him. “You were worse with mum.”

He grunted and vanished back into the hall.

Kael chuckled under his breath. “He’s nothing like I expected.”

“He’s everything I remember,” Reyna said softly.

At dawn, Harrow woke Kael again. “You’re getting faster,” he said as they sparred. “Still think too much.”

Kael lunged, feinted left, struck right, the staff grazing Harrow’s side.

The old hunter smiled. “Finally.”

Kael lowered his weapon. “How long did it take you to master this?”

“Mastery’s a myth,” Harrow said. “You learn until you stop breathing.”

Kael’s grip tightened. “Then I’ll learn faster.”

Harrow nodded once. “That’s the spirit Darius saw in you.”

Kael paused. “You knew him.”

“Met him once. Man had a way of making enemies regret decisions.”

Kael almost smiled. “Sounds like him.”

Reyna joined them halfway through, bow in hand. “You two done trading wisdom or should I fetch an audience?”

“Get over here,” Harrow said. “Show him what precision looks like.”

She raised the bow, loosed three arrows in quick succession, each one splitting the last.

Kael blinked. “That’s unfair.”

Reyna smirked. “Adapt faster.”

By midday, the three of them sat beneath the old oak near the edge of the clearing.

Kael looked up through the leaves. “Feels strange, not running for once.”

Reyna nodded. “Don’t get used to it.”

Harrow spoke without opening his eyes. “Peace is only ever borrowed.”

Kael looked over. “You really think Archon will come this far?”

“He doesn’t need to,” Harrow said. “Men like him make others do the walking.”

Kael’s gaze hardened. “Then we take the fight to him.”

Reyna frowned. “Not yet. We don’t even know who’s on our side.”

“Then we find out.”

The wind shifted. Harrow opened his eyes. “If you’re serious, you’ll need allies outside Veridale.”

Kael asked, “You mean Kyna’s network?”

He nodded. “And whoever’s left loyal to Darius.”

Kael nodded slowly. “Then that’s where we start.”

As evening fell, Reyna stood by the fence overlooking the valley. Kael joined her quietly.

“You think your father will come with us?” Kael asked.

Reyna shook her head. “He’s done enough fighting. This is our war now.”

Kael leaned against the post beside her. “You ever regret joining the Corps?”

“Every other day,” she said. “But then I remember why I did.”

“Why?”

She looked at him. “Because someone had to fight for the ones who couldn’t.”

Kael smiled faintly. “Sounds familiar.”

They stood there a while, the last light sinking into the horizon.

Finally, Kael said, “Reyna?”

She turned.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For not giving up when I did.”

Reyna’s voice softened. “We don’t get to give up, Kael. We just keep walking.”

He nodded. “Then let’s make sure the next step counts.”