As Raifan prepared to depart, Mira stood by his side, accompanied by two elite guards.
Julie stood at the top of the stairs, glaring down in anger, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Julie (angrily): Shouldn't it be me instead of her?!
Raifan smiled at her as one might indulge a spoiled child.
Raifan: Julie, be reasonable… now's not the time for stubbornness.
Julie: I just… I'm afraid that girl will bring you trouble!
Mira smiled naturally, glancing at her sideways.
Raifan: Have you forgotten what she did?!
Julie: But…
Raifan (cutting her off): No "but." She's heading toward death… and you'll stay here, pampered as always.
Julie (murmuring softly): I'll miss you…
Raifan: Be the wise girl I know you are. And if I'm gone too long, know that I'm okay.
Julie stepped closer to Mira, whispering sharply:
Julie: Don't you dare toy with his life…
Mira gave a gently mocking smile:
Mira: I'm not as beautiful as you to attract him, so don't worry…
Julie shot her a look filled with hatred, then turned to Raifan, her sorrowful gaze piercing through her heart.
His mother approached, her face clouded with worry.
Mother: My son… I'm worried. Is this truly a business trip?
Raifan (holding her hands): I'll bring you gifts when I return. And I expect those warm hands to make me an unforgettable meal…
Mother (tenderly, voice trembling): Take care of yourself, my love… May you return safely…
She watched him leave… while her heart whispered:
"Why do I feel like he's hiding something from me?"
The caravan set off down the long road, spring winds brushing their faces, while the rhythm of hooves echoed against the earth—an anthem of departure.
Mira drew closer to Raifan, her loose hair dancing in the breeze.
Mira: You're quite skilled at handling women, huh? Hahaha!
Raifan (with a light chuckle): Your minds are so small… one word is enough to trap you!
Mira (with a sly wink): I've got a comeback ready… but I don't want to ruin your mood.
Raifan: No harm in saying it—go on.
Mira (gazing ahead): We love kind words… but we hate lies and emotional games more than you might think.
Raifan (with a tilted smile): But I saw you smiling back there… what was behind that smile?
Mira (laughing): I thought you brought me along just to stop me from hurting someone back at the palace… Am I that scary?
Raifan (laughing heartily): Do you think you're sane? I wouldn't dare defy the ruler… but you did!
Mira: I'll take that as a royal compliment…
The two guards chuckled at their exchange.
Mira (confidently): I get the feeling you two are on my side, am I right?
One of the guards: You always have a fierce comeback, Mira!
Mira (smiling): Every action has a reaction, my friend.
The prince frowned slightly, a flash of jealousy crossing his heart.
"My friend? Since when?"
He raised his voice suddenly, masking the storm within.
Raifan: Let's move! Night is falling, and your chatter will slow us down!
They urged the horses forward, galloping toward the unknown…
while the wind carried the whispers of the journey....and of fate.
*****
Walter entered the room where the captured gang members were being held. Exhaustion was etched across their faces.
One of the men looked at him through half-closed eyes and muttered sarcastically:
– What kind of plot twist is this, Walter?!
Walter laughed coldly, his laughter slicing through the silence.
Walter: You seem tired… but don't you think it's time to confess? How did you know about our journey? Who sent you?
Man (weakly): Let us sleep… and we'll tell you after.
Walter stepped closer, staring at him with contempt.
Walter: Do you take me for a fool? Speak now, and I'll let you sleep. How's that for a deal?
But the men were swaying from fatigue, their eyes shutting against their will.
Anger flared in Walter's eyes. He grabbed a bucket of water and splashed it over their faces.
Walter: No sleep… not until I get what I want!
One of the men barely raised his head, his voice a whisper of exhaustion.
*– The Queen… she sent us.
Another man gasped.
– Don't say anything! Don't give in!
But the speaker ignored him, murmuring:
– Look at us… we can't take this anymore.
Then, turning to Walter, he continued:
*– The Queen helps us with everything—without the ruler's knowledge. She has spies everywhere… I sent one of her men to track your movements.
Walter: And Mira?
*– Yes… When we described her name and appearance, she ordered us to kidnap her. Humiliate her. She said, "You'll get everything you want. Everything you desire."
Walter's expression froze. He stepped in, grabbed the man's face harshly.
Walter: If you're lying… I have other ways to make you talk.
The man broke into tears.
*– Please… have mercy. I've told you everything I know.
Walter took a step back and looked at his guards.
Walter: Let them sleep for a while...
Then, under his breath as he walked out:
*– When they wake up… our conversation will be much, much longer.
And finally, their weary eyelids gave in to sleep.
*******
Scene: Celius in the Mountains with Raelan
They sat inside a dark cave, cold mountain breezes slipping through the cracks.
Raelan, looking around with a mocking tone:
– This is your hideout?!
Celius let out a booming laugh:
– Yes! A place worthy of her, don't you think? Hahaha.
Raelan replied with a faint smile:
– When I was the leader of the bandits… my base was better than this.
Celius raised his eyebrows:
– Strange! I've never heard of you.
Raelan (calmly):
– Reputation means nothing. We worked with precision… in the shadows, without ever exposing ourselves.
Celius studied him with a sharp look:
– I doubt these are all your men.
Raelan:
– Some of them stayed behind in Valdara.
Celius gestured toward the weapon Raelan carried:
– What kind of weapon is that? How about a deal between us?
Raelan, sneering:
– If you're after the secret of how it's made… that doesn't benefit me to reveal.
Celius (eagerly):
– Name your price!
Raelan, piercing gaze steady:
– I don't need anything... I have everything I want. Unless...
He paused. Celius leaned in, curious.
– Unless what?
Raelan, his voice low and charged:
– A girl… named Mira. If you tell me about her, you'll get whatever you want.
Celius turned to his men and asked:
– Has anyone here heard of a girl named Mira?
They all answered in unison:
– No, sir.
Celius frowned:
– What's the deal with this girl?
Raelan (seriously):
– She's important. If any of your men know where she is, the deal stands.
Celius (firmly):
– My men don't lie to me.
Raelan, suddenly shouting, anger trembling in his voice:
– Your men killed my closest friend… and Mira was with them! They left a mark on his chest!
One of the men suddenly stood up, startled:
– Do you mean… the White Wolf?!
Raelan jumped to his feet, storming toward him like he might explode:
– Where is she? Answer meeeee!!!
The man, clearly shaken:
– We suspected her… she wasn't an ordinary girl. She killed our men… I barely escaped!
Raelan (through gritted teeth):
– I asked you: WHERE is she?!
The man shook his head:
– I don't know… she escaped, and I lived.
Celius stepped in:
– Did you search for her in Arindel?
Raelan (shrugging):
– No one there knows her.
Celius took a deep breath and said:
– The Queen sent one of her men after a girl named Mira… We sent our men. They never returned after bringing her back. We were going to trade her… for explosives.
Raelan, roaring with rage:
– If I have to wait for your men… I'll go myself!!
Celius burst out laughing:
– Do you think you can leave this place?
Raelan stepped closer, his voice like a blade:
– Listen closely… don't threaten me. Raelan bows to no one—not even the ruler himself.
Celius stood up, a dry smile on his lips:
– Then I'll go with you.
Raelan, voice soaked in fury:
– You better pray they haven't hurt her… because you have no idea what I'll do to you if they have.
Celius turned to his strongest men and ordered:
– Prepare yourselves… we head to Arindel.
Raelan was burning with rage, his eyes searching for a way out, heart boiling:
– Mira… please, be safe.
He looked at the man who spoke of her and whispered with a deadly tone:
– I'll carve a map into your chest… the blood oath I made… You won't escape my claws, filth.
Then he approached Noah, studied him closely, and said with a deep, menacing voice:
– I want the wolves to tear his flesh while he's still alive.
Noah nodded, a crooked smile forming on his lips:
– As you wish… my friend.