Freniud and Milan rode through the quiet countryside with a group of fifty armed horsemen trailing behind.
—"This isn't necessary," Freniud muttered, tugging at his reins with impatience.
—"Don't be stubborn," Milan replied calmly. "We need each other. I carry out the king's orders, and you—" he glanced at him with a faint smile, "—you make me feel safer."
Freniud turned his face away, his discomfort plain.
—"Ekatulia carries a bond this kingdom can no longer ignore."
Freniud raised an eyebrow. —"Were you even present when she sided with Fondeur in the war?"
—"You could say that. But her legend echoes across every continent."
—"If they wanted to hide her existence, why does everyone know about her?"
Milan sighed. —"Because legends disappear. And those few who remain… hide far from here."
—"I don't believe any of it. I won't be the one to mock the king with fantasies."
—"Wise of you to keep your mouth shut, Freniud."
The soldier stayed silent.
Milan's tone shifted, more personal. —"There's something I need to do before we reach camp."
—"Then do it. I'm not your confidant, and I won't keep your secrets."
—"I've got nothing to hide. That's not what defines a man of faith."
Freniud let out a sharp laugh.
—"I've known you long enough, Milan. You hide behind that robe. You're just a man in disguise."
—"I can't speak to those who don't care for the word of God."
—"You put words in my mouth."
Milan's eyes narrowed, nostalgic.
—"I remember the boy who ran from the orphanage. The one I found in the woods. You were once my loyal friend, Freniud."
—"Don't compare me to that child. That boy is dead. Just like the man you once were. And besides, you're old enough to be my father."
Milan smiled faintly.
—"I support the crown—to a point. The king protects my role, as does Gelio. But unlike Gelio, I dare to challenge God. Not out of arrogance… but because I don't try to convince this kingdom that it's wrong."
—"If there's only one God, then why do you kneel before a man like Safris?"
—"Because I am a sinner, Freniud. Just like you draw your sword and kill when you're told."
—"Exactly. And who gives the orders? You."
—"No. The king. He commands."
—"You hide behind the crown. That's a coward's excuse, Milan."
—"I'm not Gelio, Freniud. I'm worse. You? You're just a wild goat compared to me."
—"First time you've been honest with me. That title suits you more."
Milan's voice grew cold.
—"There's one difference between us. When people see you, they flee. You're a brute, a killer. A beast. You instill fear—and one day, they'll all run so far that you'll be the one hunting them. Maybe they already know your habits. Maybe they're just waiting."
—"It's the law of the jungle, your holiness."
Milan chuckled softly.
—"I wear robes of peace. And because of it, enemies open their doors, expecting faith. I don't need to hunt—prey comes to me."
Their horses slowed as they approached a small house just off the road. An old woman peered at them from a dusty window before vanishing into the shadows. Moments later, a young woman stepped outside.
She wore a simple cream dress. Her skin was pale, dusted with freckles, her hair long and blonde. She looked like she hadn't seen the sun in years.
Freniud squinted.
—"Is this some kind of Roman sacrifice?"
The men around him burst into laughter. Milan, however, remained still, watching the girl carefully as she turned her face away.
—"This is Sabatis' daughter. Serra Sabatis."
The laughter stopped. Freniud blinked.
—"Sabatis? Your assistant? The one who was murdered?"
—"Exactly."
Freniud sneered. —"Then he deserves a second death, for bringing this ghost into the world. She looks like a low-quality phantom."
More laughter from the soldiers. Milan turned to Serra, his voice gentle.
—"Ignore him, child. That man laughs only to forget his own misfortune."
Freniud shot Milan a glare. Milan didn't flinch.
—"What? Am I not as much a clown as he is?" Milan looked at the others. —"Exactly."
Serra raised her voice softly.
—"There's nothing wrong with me, your holiness. People laugh when they see me. I'm used to it. It doesn't matter."
Freniud smirked. —"You've worked a miracle, Milan. Raised the dead before our eyes."
The laughter continued.
—"Come," Milan said, holding out his hand. "Ride with me."
One of the soldiers helped Serra onto Milan's horse. As they rode, he spoke to her quietly.
—"I trust the woman who raised you was kind."
—"Only while the gold kept coming. When it stopped, so did her care. She even told me to remind you… that you owe her a few months."
Milan frowned.
—"Ungrateful hag. She should be honored to have served me."
—"When I left my studies, everything changed. But I had more freedom. I would go to the market… she didn't like me taking long. So I made sure to take my time."
Milan chuckled. —"Well, Serra, your life will be much better now."
She smiled.
—"I'm sure. A real lady, living among royalty. My dream, all thanks to you."
Freniud snorted. —"A royal lady? More like a royal pet."
The men laughed again.
Serra narrowed her eyes.
—"Laugh all you want. When I become a real lady, I'll remember this mockery."
—"And who will you serve, girl?" Freniud asked.
Serra looked at Milan. He nodded for her to answer.
—"I don't know yet, your holiness. Maybe Princess Grecia? Or Princess Gigna? I wouldn't mind serving Nivia, even if it's far. Wherever we're going… I'm ready."
Freniud sped up to ride beside Milan.
—"You and I both know she's no royal material. End this joke, before I laugh myself sick."
Serra turned to Milan with wide eyes.
—"You said you'd protect me in memory of my father… that one day, I'd be ready to become a lady of the realm. You promised."
Milan's voice dropped, firm and final.
—"You will serve someone greater than any king. The convent of Mother Espinoza is near. That is your future."
Freniud grinned. —"Knew I wasn't crazy."
Serra stiffened. —"But… you told me to study everything about Fondeur. About Greece. I kept my side of the deal."
Milan's face hardened.
—"Don't be insolent. I kept my promise. Now you owe me. And you'll repay that debt by becoming one of the sisters. One day, I'll visit. And if you behave, maybe I'll let you see the castle—just for a moment."
Serra lowered her head. Her dream shattered quietly in her chest.
Nivek and Katizi moved silently through the forest, branches cracking under their boots. The air smelled of moss and distant fire. Katizi walked ahead, never looking back. Nivek trailed behind, uneasy.
—"I need to tell you the real reason I was on that hill," Nivek said, trying to catch up.
Katizi kept her eyes scanning the woods. She didn't respond. A few seconds passed before she finally spoke.
—"I don't care. Maybe Molava would, but not me. I'm used to strangers. Besides… you're in the wolf's mouth now."
There was something cold in her voice—something that didn't need swords to be sharp.
Nivek stepped closer, curiosity pulling at him.
—"Aren't you afraid I might hurt you? Or kill you?"
Katizi looked bored. She turned toward him, stopping in place. For a moment, they stood in silence, watching each other like opponents who hadn't chosen their weapons yet.
—"So?" Katizi finally asked.
Nivek looked confused.
She turned and kept walking, brushing leaves with the hem of her coat.
—"I see this is just normal for you," Nivek said under his breath.
Katizi stopped.
—"Leave."
He blinked.
—"Don't look at me like some idiot," she snapped. "Leave. Take this moment to get as far away from here as possible. I'm going back."
Nivek opened his mouth to respond, but she motioned for him to stay quiet.
He froze.
She tossed him his knife—it landed at his feet with a dull thud. Nivek picked it up, now alert. That's when he understood.
They weren't alone.
Arrows sliced through the air—whistling death.
Nivek and Katizi dove behind trees as ten armored men charged out of the underbrush. Blades drawn. Faces covered. War in their eyes.
Nivek lunged forward. He slashed one attacker across the arm and kicked another to the ground, but a third caught him with the hilt of a blade, sending him stumbling back.
One soldier approached Katizi.
Too close.
Katizi pulled a small pouch from her belt, tossing a fine black powder into the soldier's face.
He screamed.
Clawed at his eyes.
Flesh melted. Smoke poured from beneath his helmet as he writhed on the ground.
The others stopped.
Stared.
Watched their comrade crumble into himself, burning from the inside. Horror etched into every inch of their faces.
—"Witch," one of them muttered.
Three charged at her.
Nivek tackled one to the dirt, barely keeping the others from reaching her.
Katizi reached into her pouch again. Another handful of powder thrown into the air. It caught two of the soldiers mid-stride.
They didn't scream.
They ran.
Their skin peeled as if fire licked them from the inside out, though no flame touched them.
The rest of the attackers watched as their comrades collapsed, twitching and sobbing into the earth—until only ashes remained. Only armor was left to remember they were once men.
Katizi stood still, her breath heavy.
Her pupils black.
The soldiers fled in terror.
Nivek watched as the last of them vanished into the trees.
They arrived at the hut hours later.
Or what remained of it.
Flames had devoured the wooden walls. Smoke curled from the collapsed roof. The scent of scorched leather and ash filled the air. Katizi stood staring at the ruin. Nivek stepped carefully through the blackened wreckage.
—"Your friends aren't here. They took them," he said, scanning the ground. "Everything's burned, but… there are no bodies. That means they're still alive. But over there—" he pointed to a blood-soaked patch of earth, "someone was either badly wounded… or beheaded."
Katizi said nothing. Her eyes lifted to the sky.
—"A storm is coming," she whispered. "It's close."
Nivek looked up.
—"I don't see a single cloud. Sky's clear. Sun's setting soon. There are a few camps near Fondeur. The nearest one's about a day's ride. That must be where they took them."
Katizi didn't move.Her jaw tightened.
—"They were after you. And now they've taken my friends. Because of you."
Nivek didn't respond. Guilt weighed on his silence.Katizi turned sharply and walked away from him.
He followed.
—"You're not seriously going to try to rescue them alone."
She said nothing.
—"You don't even know if they're at that camp. And if they figure out she's a witch—" he paused, "—they'll kill her. Without hesitation."
Katizi stopped. Her voice was cold steel.
—"First: don't speak to me about things that don't concern you. Second: this is goodbye. Leave. I don't want to see your face again."
Nivek stepped closer.
—"At least let me come with you. You're right… this is my fault."
Katizi didn't look at him.
—"Then thank me by disappearing."
Still, Nivek followed.
Katizi turned on him, furious.
—"This is the last time I warn you."
He held her stare.
—"Your way of fighting doesn't scare me."
—"Your should," he added, voice softening. "If that's how you protect yourself… maybe you should end your own life. You fight like a princess in a dollhouse duel."
She stormed off. Nivek didn't stop.
—"They were trained soldiers. I'm not one of them."
Katizi turned her head slightly.
—"Really? You're not a soldier? How shocking, Nivek."
He smiled bitterly.
—"There is something new. But it has nothing to do with me."
Then—
The sound of hooves.
Many.Growing closer.
Katizi and Nivek broke into a run.