The forest path was quiet, the only sound the gentle rhythm of hooves against the dirt trail.
The sun was just beginning to dip beyond the horizon, casting long golden streaks through the trees. A breeze stirred the leaves, and for a moment, everything felt calm — peaceful even.
Max sat tall on his horse, eyes fixed ahead, heart pounding in his chest. His long black hair blew gently in the wind, his travel-worn cloak billowing behind him. There was anticipation in his gaze. Hope.
"Byrum," he said quietly, his voice almost lost to the wind, "thank you for guiding me back. I can't wait to see my family… It's been so long. I have so many stories to tell them."
Byrum, the older man riding beside him, gave a tired but kind smile. His grizzled beard twitched as he spoke, his eyes weary from years of hardship.
"Of course, Young Master. It's the least I could do. After all, we spent five years on the road together. And… I owe your father more than I could ever repay."
Max smiled faintly, his mind flicking back to the day he left — a ten-year-old boy, full of promise and wonder, sent off with his father's trusted companion to prepare for the prestigious Academy.
But as they neared the hill that overlooked the village, something changed.
Max frowned. The air smelled… wrong.
"Why does the town look so somber?" he asked, pulling back slightly on the reins.
"Something's not right. The mansion is just over this hill—"
His words caught in his throat.
"Is… is that smoke?"
Byrum's face paled.
"Max, wait—!"
But the boy was already urging his horse forward, bounding up the hill without hesitation.
As Max crested the hill, his heart stopped.
The family estate — once a proud, towering manor of carved stone and climbing ivy — was in ruins. Charred beams jutted from collapsed walls, smoke still curling lazily into the air.
The gardens were scorched, the stone fountain shattered. Birds circled overhead, cawing over the devastation.
He slid off his horse, legs giving out beneath him as he fell to his knees, staring blankly at what was once home.
"No… No, no…" Max whispered, his voice cracking. "This can't be real…"
Byrum caught up, dismounted quickly, and knelt beside him, laying a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Young Master… we've yet to go inside. There's still hope. Your family may have escaped—"
Max didn't answer. He just nodded slowly, tears already beginning to fall, silent and unrelenting.
"This place… this place was home…" Max murmured. "And now… now it's gone."
Byrum took the lead, carefully guiding Max through the blackened remains. The inside of the mansion was gutted, burned through to the bones of the building. Yet amidst the ruin,
Byrum noticed something odd — the secret panel behind the hearth had been pried open, and inside, tucked carefully into a fireproof box, was a sealed letter and a small parchment map.
"A contingency," Byrum muttered. "Your father… he always prepared for the worst."
He handed the map to Max. His hands trembled as he unfolded it, eyes scanning the hand-drawn lines.
It led to a small cottage deep in the forest — an emergency refuge known only to the family.
Max stood, his legs shaky, his grief momentarily eclipsed by a flicker of hope. "Let's go. If there's even a chance…"
Byrum approached the hidden house first, creeping through the underbrush with years of soldier's caution. The door creaked as he pushed it open, and what he saw made his heart sink.
There, slumped against the far wall, was Lord Halron — Max's father. His sword lay at his side, blood long dried on his chest. In his hand, he still clutched a letter, his fingers stiff with rigor mortis.
Further inside, Byrum found the others. Lady Halron, her eyes closed peacefully in death, held her two children close — Max's younger brother and sister. They had died in their sleep, or perhaps from their injuries. At least, Byrum thought, they didn't die alone.
He took the letter from Lord Halron's hand and stepped outside.
Max waited just outside the tree line, breath shallow. When Byrum returned alone, his expression grim, Max already knew.
"No…" he whispered.
Byrum knelt and held out the letter.
"They're gone, Max… I'm sorry. Your father… he brought them here. He gave his life to protect this letter. He wanted you to have it. He knew you would return."
Max took it with shaking hands, biting his lip to stop the sob that tried to escape. His knees buckled again, and he sat hard on the grass, staring at the letter like it might disappear.
"I don't understand… why now? Why this?"
"I don't know," Byrum said quietly, "but your father feared something… someone close betrayed him. And he made me swear to keep you safe. I only wish… I could've saved them too."
Max opened the letter with care, blood still staining its edges. His father's handwriting — strong but rushed — filled the page.
"My son,By the time you read this, I will most likely be gone. I'm so sorry you have to learn of our fate through a letter.
Someone I trusted — someone I considered family — betrayed us.
When I discovered the truth, it was already too late.
I wanted to celebrate your acceptance to the Academy.
I wanted to see the man you've become.
But you'll be on your own now.
You're strong. You always were. You'll survive this.Trust no one.
You'll understand in time — they are everywhere.I can't say more.
The more you know, the more danger you'll be in.
And congratulations, my son.Do your best. I believe in you."
Max's eyes lingered on the final words, tears falling freely now. Behind the letter, folded and bloodstained, was the Academy's acceptance letter — the very thing he'd worked toward all these years. But now, it felt meaningless.
He stood slowly, tucking both letters into his coat, his expression hardening.
"Byrum…" he said, voice hoarse.
"Yes, Young Master?"
"I need one last favor. Take me to the Academy."
Byrum bowed his head. "Of course. I swore to protect you, and I will. I owe your father everything. Getting you to the Academy is the least I can do."
As they turned to leave, Byrum glanced back at the cottage, his eyes haunted. He remembered the last words Max's father spoke to him — panicked, desperate.
"Take Max. Only him. If they see more than one leaving, they'll know something's wrong. I'll buy you time… Just go."
He had never forgiven himself for leaving the others behind.
Now, he would protect Max — with his life, if needed.
And as they disappeared into the forest, the smoke behind them still rising into the sky, Max silently vowed: He would find out who did this.
And he would make them pay.
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