Berin's preparations for the journey to the North — to deliver White Flame to Bozdağ — were almost complete.
According to the original plan, they were supposed to depart early in the morning. However, since the journey would be made with very few people, it was postponed until noon. This way, preparations could be completed more comfortably.
Even the rubble left behind from Zes and Mumba's attack had been cleared away. The city still needed repairs and rebuilding, but most of the debris was removed, and within a single day the people were able to live in relative comfort again.
This journey would be made with five people:
White Flame, Lord Berin, Lila, and two Elite Soldiers.
Elite Soldiers are soldiers who have passed the Elite Soldier test. They hold more authority than regular soldiers.
One of these two Elite Soldiers had been chosen by Lord Berin for skill in stealth, and the other for skill in direct combat.
Lord Berin and Lila were walking toward the dungeon where White Flame was being held.
Berin: You've been in Sira for months. Have you ever heard of White Flame?
Lila: I've heard of him. He's mentioned a lot. Usually as a villain… but I've also heard a few bards speak well of him. I don't know which is true. I spent most of my time in the safest—maybe the only safe—place in Sira: the Sira Trade Port City. Half the people there are from Sin anyway. So I thought White Flame was just a legend.
When the two finally reached White Flame's cell, they saw him sitting on the stone bench inside.
Lila examined him carefully.
Lila: So this is the so-called "White Flame," huh?
She suddenly opened the barred iron door and walked right up to him.
Berin called out anxiously.
Berin: Lila, be careful.
Lila: Relax. It's me you're talking about. If he tries anything, I'll teach him a lesson.
Lila leaned in close to White Flame's face.
Lila: I've been in Sira and heard your name countless times. They exaggerated so much that I thought you'd be ten meters tall or something. They always spoke of you in fear… but you don't look scary at all.
White Flame smirked and lowered his gaze.
White Flame: Maybe the parts worth fearing aren't the ones you can see.
Lila drew her dagger and stabbed it into the bench between his legs. Even though she was smiling, the anger on her face was impossible to hide.
Lila: Then I just need to rip out whatever fear remains, don't I?
Berin stepped between them.
Berin: That's enough…
He looked directly at White Flame.
Lord Berin: White Flame, we're leaving. To your execution.
White Flame only smirked in his usual mocking way.
******
Preparations were almost finished. Everyone who would travel was ready. Lord Berin turned to the soldier checking the shackles on White Flame.
Lord Berin: You're sure those shackles are Anti-Magic shackles, right?
Soldier: Yes, my lord. As long as they are on, he won't be able to use magic.
Lord Berin: Good. Then everything is ready. Kartz, I leave Hotkeep to you.
Kartz: Don't worry, my lord.
The preparations were complete, and the group set out on their journey.
At the back walked Lila, White Flame, and Lord Berin. Ahead of them was Getring, the Elite Soldier specialized in combat. The Elite Soldier skilled in stealth, Escoth, was moving far ahead of the group, unseen, scouting for any possible threats.
Lila studied White Flame for a while, then spoke.
Lila: So… why did you surrender? From what I heard, you could've escaped.
White Flame: I don't know. Why do you think?
Lila: You know you can't escape from this, right? At the end of this road, you're going to die. No one escapes from an Emperor.
White Flame: We're all going to die. But the place and time of my death will be decided by me. And you can be sure of one thing… I'm far from done.
Lila fell silent and looked at his confident, irritating smile.
Lila: Stop that disgusting grin.
White Flame: People say that a lot.
She sighed and kept walking. At that moment, Getring suddenly stopped ahead and hurried back to Lord Berin.
Getring: My lord, Escoth sent word. There's a bandit group of about ten ahead. None of them seem to use magic, and they don't look strong.
Lord Berin looked at Lila. She sighed again.
Lila: Fine. I'll handle it.
She ran forward.
White Flame watched her move.
White Flame: Her stance, her movement, her speed… She's really talented.
Berin: If you keep provoking her, both of us will get into trouble.
White Flame: Is that so…
There was no expression on White Flame's face, but it was obvious he was mocking Berin's warning.
Berin: You do realize we're heading toward your end, right?
White Flame: My end? Tch… No. Everything is only just beginning.