In the black heart of winter’s night, the flas below painted Kiev’s eyes with their furious light.
From where he and his team stood on the ridge, they watched the inferno devour the slave market they had targeted.
Even behind masks, their eyes glittered as the fire climbed. Screams and frantic shouts carried up the hill in desperate, fearful howlings.
Figures darted through the chaos, so clutching their agre possessions, others fleeing with nothing but their lives. The stench of burning timber and flesh stung, thick and acrid in the cold.
Despite the desperate attempts to douse the flas, the fire spread with unrelenting hunger, leaping from stall to stall, building to building, consuming everything in its path.
Smoke rose in heavy grey billows, blinding eyes, burning throats, and choking lungs.
Trapped within the mounted barricades set as a trap, the remaining slave traders scrambled like cornered beasts.
The roar of the blaze swallowed their cries for rcy—the very retribution Kiev had co to deliver.
The guilds were burned tonight. Their trade in flesh would end in ashes.
Two knights on horseback rode up as the rest of the team watched the inferno above. They halted before Kiev, the horses’ breaths misting in the icy air.
"All the remaining slaves have crossed the river safely, Your Highness," reported one of the knights. "We erased their tracks completely. Not even a hound could find them."
A glint of satisfaction flickered in Kiev’s eyes.
"Good," he said, smirking. "We’ve not rested properly since we set out, haven’t we? Then let’s enjoy this little show before we move on. You may all take your respite until morning."
The derian Prince’s words drew quiet chuckles from his n as they turned their gazes back to the blazing market below.
"What a sight," Eric remarked with dark amusent. "It’s burning like hell down there. Feels good to have so warmth in this cold winter, doesn’t it, Sir Skyler?"
"It does indeed," Garin replied, his lips curling beneath the mask. "It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed sothing like this."
"Those slave traders love to prey on the weak... beating and chaining them like animals. Now, let them taste their own dicine as we turn them into rotisserie," Eric said, his voice dripping with grim satisfaction.
"They earned every bit of it. We play fair," replied Kiev, his gloved hands tightening around the reins of his horse.
"Never thought watching a fire could be this entertaining," Garin added with a low chuckle. "Still, it’s nothing compared to the day we burned the Count of Abinair’s mansion. That was a show worth rembering."
"It wasn’t nearly as satisfying as hearing His Highness sever the Count’s limbs," said the second-in-command knight. You should’ve heard the man scream. I almost pitied him... almost. But the thrill of doing that was more overwhelming, and that honour was reserved for our brave prince."
"I was busy dealing with his worthless knights," Garin remarked disdainfully. "Audacious fools calling themselves n of chivalry when they couldn’t even swing a blade properly. Their swordplay was as sloppy as a ten-year-old squire’s. How pathetic!"
"The slaves and servants of the mansion said the Count and his n used to torture them, crippling those they disliked," said Kiev coldly. "So, I gave him a taste of justice by making him a cripple himself. Good thing my cut was clean. Had I used a dull blade, he would’ve suffered longer."
"The Count still received rcy from you," Eric said. "At least you let the won and elders of his household escape before burning the mansion to a cinder."
"I’m only cruel to those who deserve it," replied the derian Prince. "The weak have no strength to retaliate. There’s no honour in killing those who can’t defend themselves."
"Well, let that serve as a lesson to whoever follows in their footsteps," Eric said with a smirk. "Anyway, the good news is, we’ve wrapped up two missions ahead of schedule. The next one should be less troubleso. We’ll surely get ho earlier than expected."
"We ought to thank Arl for that," Garin said, turning to the young rider on a smaller horse. "The route you led got us here faster than usual. Even the path to the Gerhard Palace was shorter than the one you took and Sir Brooks before."
"That’s because we were using a carriage back then," Arl explained. "That road was ant for wagons. This ti, since we’re on horseback, I took a steeper trail. It’s too rough for wheels, but perfect for riders."
"You can find your way even in the dark. That’s a rare gift," Eric said, nodding in approval. "Keep training, kid. Sharpen your riding skills, and you’ll make a fine pathfinder one day."
"I’m looking forward to it, Sir Navin," the teenager said, pride blooming in his heart.
Hours passed, and the fla that had once devoured the night began to wane. The roaring blaze dimd to smouldering embers, its heat still rising faintly into the frigid air.
Nothing remained of the once-bustling slave market, only charred ruins, scattered ashes, and the skeletal fras of burned stalls.
Kiev observed the flas engulfing the market, feeling neither triumph nor guilt, only a sombre sense of relief that justice had been served.
Not a single life was lost among the innocent; only the perpetrators of cruelty t their end beneath the fire’s judgnt.
When the flas finally died out, a deep silence remained — the quietness of a place that had been cleansed. The slave market in Tarnova had collapsed, bringing an end to its dark trade.
Kiev looked up at the dark sky, with Elis’s face lingering in his mind. He tightened his hold on the reins as the weight of his unachieved goal settled on him. Then, lowering his gaze to the ruins below, he addressed his n and ended the stillness.
"All right, gentlen. Let’s move and camp elsewhere for the night. We depart at first light. Our next destination is Glandon."
His eyes glead beneath the shadow of his hood, cold yet resolute, the look of a man who would not stop until his purpose was fulfilled.
***
Sitting on the settee, Anna fixed her erald eyes on Noah, the lead knight. Her arms were crossed, one finger tapping sharply against her sleeve — a rhythm that displayed her irritation.
Noah stood firm before her, posture steady, eyes lowered in deference.
"Talk," she ordered curtly.
"His Highness went out with the Admiral—"
"Don’t tempt to smack you with your lies, Sir Brooks!" the princess snapped, her voice rising as her patience thinned.
"It’s the truth, my lady. I wouldn’t lie to you," Noah replied calmly, though his tone carried restraint.
Behind him, Eli and Alex stood in uneasy silence.
"Really?" Anna’s voice dripped with mockery. "And what kind of urgent matter keeps him away for two consecutive nights with no word back?"
"As I said, His Highness hasn’t concluded the matter yet. That’s why he hasn’t returned."
"He even took Rafe and Callis with him!" Anna shot back, frustration flaring.
Her palm struck the armrest of the settee with a sharp thud.
"This must be sothing serious, and don’t tell you don’t know what it is."
"That’s all I can tell you, my lady," said Noah solemnly, his head still bowed.
The princess exhaled in frustration, her shoulders tensing as she regarded the knight with dismay. Before she could speak again, a knock ca at the door.
"Enter," she said curtly.
Clara and Ayden stepped in, bowing before the princess.
"I have so details, my lady," the knightess began.
Noah’s brow furrowed imdiately, suspicion flashing across his face. But Clara ignored him and continued.
"Proceed," Anna ordered.
"Mr Amares brought his treatnt bag before departing with His Highness and the others," Clara reported steadily. "As for Mrs Amares, she wasn’t ant to accompany them initially, but she insisted on going. From what the servants overheard, it sounded like soone was gravely injured, though they couldn’t tell who."
"Which servant told you this?" Noah’s tone hardened, his voice rising.
"I’m afraid I can’t disclose that," Clara replied without flinching.
"Damn it! When I find out who—"
"You will not punish anyone, Sir Brooks!" Anna’s voice rang sharply across the room. "I was the one who asked Clara to investigate. Since none of you knights were willing to tell anything, I had no choice but to find out myself. You’ve kept in the dark as if I have no say in this household!"
Noah and the knights imdiately bowed their heads.
"Forgive us, my lady," Noah said earnestly. "It was never our intent to keep matters from you. We only wished to ensure your safety. His Highness entrusted you to my care, and I swore not to let harm co your way. I can’t allow what happened before to happen again."
Anna’s expression softened slightly, her anger giving way to weary understanding.
"Look... I’m not trying to be difficult or domineering," she said quietly. "I know Kyren acts out of concern for and for the baby. But we’ve had enough misunderstandings in the past caused by secrets and silence. Haven’t we all learned from that?"
Noah’s lips flattened. Her words struck deep. He turned slightly toward Eli and Alex, seeking their silent counsel. The younger knight lowered his gaze, conflicted.
However, Alex spoke up, "Her Ladyship is right, Sir Brooks. Keeping the matter from her won’t do any good, not in this situation."
Ayden stood nearby, watching with sealed lips, fully aware that it wasn’t his place to interfere. He was there only to assist Clara with her movent, nothing more.
Anna’s personal request for information about the Grand Duke’s sudden and secretive departure had reached Clara after the Knights of Gerhard refused to divulge any details.
Moreover, the sudden influx of royal knights around the mansion — and the unusually heightened security — only deepened her suspicions.
At this, the knightess, despite her physical limitations, still had the resourcefulness to fulfil the demand.
Noah exhaled heavily, his eyes shifting between Anna and Clara. He had reached the point of no return.
"Please promise that you’ll stay calm and not act recklessly once I tell you," he said at last.
"I will," Anna replied, her expression composed.
"You too, Da Verns," Noah added, turning to the knightess.
"?" Clara blinked, caught off guard.
"Yes," the knight said, his tone serious. "Since what I’m about to say involves you, too. His Highness ntioned it specifically not to inform Lady Raychard and you before he left. So, you might want to sit down first."
At Anna’s gesture, the knightess moved to the settee with Ayden’s help and took her seat beside the princess. The air in the room grew taut with anticipation as Noah straightened his posture, preparing to address the group.
Then, with a heavy breath, Noah began recounting everything he had learned, including the latest report from the royal infirmary.
Anna’s breath caught. She shot up from the settee, eyes wide in shock.
"Burned? By witchcraft?" she exclaid.
"This must be the work of the Bargesians!" Clara cried, her voice trembling asshe spoke to the princess. "They’re the ones who caused your possession before with their cursed dark magic!"
Ayden imdiately reached for his betrothed’s hands, seeing her agitation. Her eyes were already glistening with tears that threatened to fall.
"Calm down, my dear," he said softly.
But Clara shook her head, the first tears slipping down her cheeks.
The people who had been injured weren’t strangers. They were once her comrades and friends. The thought of them suffering under such vile magic filled her with anguish and rage.
"I need to see them, Ayden!" she said, her hands trembling.
"Not now," Noah interjected firmly. "They’re being isolated to prevent infection. Only the treatnt team is permitted to enter the chamber. Since this is a dark-magic affliction, His Highness’s mana is being channelled through Mrs Amares to counter the curse. The situation is already critical as it is. Please, for the patients’ sake, let His Highness and the others handle this."
Anna sank back onto the settee, feeling caught between a sense of helplessness and determination. If only she could do sothing... heal them or ease their pain.
Though she had never t Saures, Thalgar, or Vaelen in person, she had heard their stories from the knights and was deeply grateful for their rescue. The tribesn did not deserve such a fate.
But self-bla would not help them, and she knew Kyren was doing what needed to be done for the sake of her and their child.
"Sir Brooks is right, Clara," said Anna quietly. "We should stay put and not interfere. Let’s trust Kyren and the others to save them."
Noah exhaled in quiet relief at her composure. The princess had chosen wisdom over impulse.
"My lady..." Clara looked at Anna, surprised by her calm.
"My husband must have had a reason for keeping this from us," Anna said. "It’s not just about sparing our feelings."
"That’s true," Noah agreed. "Right now, the priority is to stabilise the wounded and uncover who’s behind the witchcraft. We suspect the escaped Bargesian leader and his mage were behind this. But the question is... if they’ve possessed this power all along, why attack only now? And who’s supplying them with such force? Once we have answers, we can strike them down for good."
Anna nodded, her expression hardening with understanding. Clara sniffled softly beside her, trying to steady her emotions.
"Then we’ll wait for Kyren and the rest to return," the princess decided. "In the anti, we’ll stay vigilant and ensure no further breaches occur."
"How long will the treatnt take?" Clara asked, turning to Noah.
"Mrs Amares expects the first signs of recovery might appear after four or five days," he replied. "It’s been two so far. I’d say it could take up to a week."
"Kyren will return once the healing is complete," Anna murmured, almost to herself. Then, straightening, she turned to Noah. "Are our supplies of food, water, and other necessities sufficient for that duration?"
"It shouldn’t pose a problem, my lady," he replied. "I’ve already confird with Mr Foster before restricting all non-essential entries to the mansion. Our current provisions will last."
Anna gave a firm nod.
"Good. Then I want the mansion on full lockdown. No one is to enter or leave until the grand duke returns. This is an absolute order."
"Yes, my lady!"
Every knight in the room bowed deeply, their voices echoing in unison.
The tense atmosphere shifted to quiet resolve. The mansion, once filled with the routine of daily life, now radiated a silent vigilance.
Every corner seed sharper, and every sound louder, as if the walls understood the importance of the princess’s command.
In no ti, the Gerhard mansion had transford into a fortress.
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