Raen stood up quickly, grabbed his sword, and made his way outside.

  “Cap’n.”

  Thatch’s faint voice stopped him mid-stride. The boy was leaning against one of the tent’s columns with his arms crossed. His expression was unreadable in the faint light.

  “It wasn’t me.” His voice was flat. “If you were wondering.”

  Raen studied him. Just a little while ago, he held a dagger against his throat.

  Now, he was standing still, waiting for his judgment?

  “I know.”

  “Just like that, you … believe me?”

  “The cultist was valuable. And you’re smart enough to know that.” Raen started walking. “You wouldn’t throw away a lead.”

  Something flickered across Thatch’s face – surprise, maybe. Or relief.

  “He would’ve led us to others.”

  “Exactly. Did you see anyone after I left?”

  “I left after you did, so no, I didn’t notice anything.”

  “Well then, you can help me find their trace. Let’s go, Kaelen is probably already at the cell.”

  Mark was standing outside, arms crossed. His eyes widened when Thatch emerged behind Raen.

  “You were in there, too?”

  Thatch said nothing, just gave a nod at Mark, who sighed and shook his head.

  “Kaelen is in the cell?” Raen asked quickly.

  Mark nodded. “With Tarris and Anderson.”

  “Thatch and I are heading over. Keep the others here.”

  Raen glanced behind Mark. Adam was panting on the ground of the training yard a couple of meters away. Marcus and Dral stood over him. Even from here, Raen could see Marcus’ head tilted slightly to their direction, listening.

  “Don’t tell them yet.”

  “Sure thing.” Mark nodded as Raen left with Thatch, making his way to the cell with haste.

  The cell was guarded by three guards. None were the pair that guarded it previously.

  New faces. Fresh soldiers.

  Kaelen’s work, no doubt, is keeping this quiet.

  The guards saluted him and stepped aside with no question.

  Inside, Kaelen was already crouching, examining the corpses.

  There were two corpses present. Not one.

  The spy lay in a congealing pool that smelled of copper and soil. His eyes were glassy marbles reflecting the torchlight. The cut across his throat was not just clean but surgical – the kind made by someone who knew exactly how far to go to sever everything important.

  “Quite professional,” Thatch murmured as he observed the spy.

  “One strike.” He said, crouching next to Kaelen. “Blade went from here all the way to here.” Thatch’s finger traced the air above the wound. “The killer was right-handed, standing behind him.”

  He then took a look at the other corpse.

  “This one he killed from the front, but same precision.”

  The other corpse was one of the two guards who were guarding the cell.

  ‘So, the other guy was a cultist.’ Raen told himself as he looked at the corpses.

  Kaelen was still on his knees, moving his head slightly to get a better view of the cut.

  “Dammit!” Raen struck the ground with his fist. Angry at himself for not noticing. And for losing a valuable source of information.

  There were yet things that he wished to ask the spy. More things about the cult he wanted to uncover in this period.

  Raen’s face reddened.

  Another thread to the cult’s history – the lost years before his own bloody ascent – severed.

  He’d hope the man would tell him names, rituals, plans. Anything from the period that was lost when the Annals were destroyed. The time before his rise to power.

  “You couldn’t have known,” Kaelen consoled him. “Don’t beat yourself up for something like this. We were all fooled.”

  ‘That’s the problem. I should’ve known. I should’ve anticipated this.’

  Raen was angry at himself. He’d gotten relaxed. He believed all the cultists in the camp were either dead or detained. And he’d been proven wrong.

  “The other guard, did anyone see where he went?” Raen asked, getting up from the ground. “We should round up the men, ask them which way he left. We can still catch him.”

  Kaelen frowned. “What?”

  “The second guard, the one posted with this guy, he –“

  “He was attacked.” Anderson cut him off. “Managed to survive the assassin’s attack and shout for help. He’s being treated –“

  “Impossible.” Raen stood, glancing at the corpses again.

  “Lieutenant?” Tarris asked calmly, observing Raen.

  “These wounds.” Raen pointed at the corpses. “Perfect kills. Two men were dead before they could make a sound. A killer of this caliber doesn’t miss. He doesn’t get noticed by a mere guard.”

  “We have seen him,” Anderson said. “He was saved by one of the Regiment Commander’s personal guards. He heard the commotion and arrived right in time to save him.”

  “Convenient,” Thatch murmured.

  Anderson continued, ignoring Thatch’s remark. “I saw his wounds. One deep gash across his chest, and a cut on the side of his neck. He almost lost his life.”

  “He’s being treated and questioned now, soon we’ll –“

  “Where is he being treated?” Raen asked sharply, staring at Anderson.

  “Next to the Regiment Commander’s tent, why does it –“

  Anderson suddenly stopped, understanding dawning on his face. “You think he’s the killer.”

  “The only reason that man would be alive…” Raen said with a sigh, “…is if the killer wanted him alive. Or –“

  “If he’s the one.” Kaelen finished, standing up as Raen nodded his head.

  “Two perfect kills, and then the killer gets sloppy? Leaves a witness? No chance.”

  Kaelen’s face hardened, “And now he’s next to the Regiment Commander’s tent, with access to –“

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  “Everything.” Raen finished. “We need to go.”

  “I believe that –“

  Before Raen could voice his theory, the sound of organized footsteps and hoofbeats cut through the night.

  They burst from the tent, only to be met with soldiers.

  Around twenty soldiers filled the narrow path between tents, torches held high, weapons in the other hand. At their head, two men on horseback - one wearing the royal colors of the Fourth Prince, the other bearing the Regiment Commander’s colors.

  The aide, Eric, smugly glanced down at Kaelen and Raen before opening his mouth:

  “Battalion Commander Vale, by the orders of His Highness, Prince Arandil Vi Aragosian, you are to stand down and hand over that man to us!”

  “What is the meaning of this?” Kaelen asked, his hand resting on the handle of his sword.

  The aide, noticing, showed a scowl.

  “I need not answer questions of a mere battalion commander.” Eric continued, his voice laced with venom. The man next to him was gleefully staring at Kaelen. “Hand him over.”

  “On what charges?” Kaelen’s eyes narrowed.

  The aide smiled coldly. “Murder.”

  The men froze, all of them processing what they heard.

  Raen, for once, was stumped.

  He was being framed … for murder?

  ‘Why the hell would the cult do that? Because of revenge? Because I managed to uncover them, cause them to suffer losses?’

  Raen shook his head. It wasn’t them; they would attempt to kill him, not waste time on theatrics.

  That meant that it wasn’t the cult, but someone else entirely. Someone he couldn’t have anticipated.

  Which made it even worse.

  “And what proof might you have to arrest my Lieutenant on those charges?” Kaelen asked, ignoring Raen’s previous mutterings. He was only looking at the aide.

  “A battalion commander has no right to know such things,” the man bearing the colors of the Regiment Commander said, moving his horse forward, staring down at Kaelen with a smug expression. “Now give him up.”

  “Or don’t, I’ll be glad to teach you a lesson.”

  “I asked you a question, sir Eric, answer it,” Kaelen said, not sparing a glance at the man. He continued staring at Eric. “Answer it.”

  “Witnesses. One who has personally seen the Lieutenant kill the victims and barely survived his wounds. And the second, sir Garen,” He glanced at the man on horseback. “Who saved the guard and saw the Lieutenant flee the scene.”

  “Do you understand now, Kaelen?” Garen – the second witness, bearing the uniform of the Regiment Commander’s personal guards – smugly told Kaelen.

  “I’ve personally seen that man run away after trying to kill that poor guard. Now hand him over, or you will be regarded as a traitor alongside him.”

  Garen’s hand clenched around the handle of his sword, slowly drawing it out before pointing it at Kaelen, a sly smile on his face.

  Understanding crashed over Raen like cold water. The ‘surviving guard’ was not the only witness.

  Was this man the killer?

  “Lieutenant Raen was at my tent after interrogating the spy. He then left for his squad’s tent. Witnesses will corroborate that.”

  He paused, shaking his head.

  “That means he couldn’t have been the one to kill them. So both you and that so-called ‘witness’ are wrong.”

  “I will personally go talk to the –“

  “You will hand him over now!” Garen thundered as he slashed the air with his blade. His horse kicked at the ground menacingly, as if sensing its owner’s displeasure. “You’re known to favor this man; your testimony means nothing!”

  “A witness saved by a second witness?” Thatch’s voice was soft. Dangerous. “How very convenient.”

  Garen’s eyes fixed on him for an instant. “Careful, boy.”

  “Garen, you’re being too –“

  “Shut up, Anderson!” Garen said, eyes bloodshot. “If you don’t want to be considered a traitor as well!”

  “Lieutenant Raen,” Eric said, smile still smug. “Will you come voluntarily, or must we take you by force?”

  Twenty soldiers. Weapons drawn, torchlight dancing off steel.

  Raen met Kaelen’s eyes. ‘He’ll have to let me go, can’t risk his career this way.’

  “Alright, I will –“

  “No.” Kaelen cut off Raen, who stared at him with eyes wide open.

  “What …” Garen stared with a dumbfounded expression, “… did you just say?”

  “I said no,” Kaelen said, taking a deep breath. “I will not give you my lieutenant.”

  “Good! Good!” Garen shouted, cocking his head back with a laugh.

  “To think you would dare be so –“

  “You know, you’ve been an ass ever since our days in the academy.” Kaelen took a step forward, sword in hand, still in its sheath. “But I didn’t expect this from you.”

  “Expect … what?” Garen asked, his eyes narrowing. His sword was in a firm grip, ready to be used.

  “A false report such as this one is a grave crime. Why do it?” Kaelen smirked. “Was it because you saw a chance to deal a blow to me?”

  “Impetuous!” Garen clenched his sword so hard his hand turned bright red. “Soldiers, take them in –“

  His words died as Kaelen moved, his figure a blur as he jumped forward, appearing in front of the startled Garen.

  He slashed with his sword, the wooden scabbard striking Garen in the ribs.

  The scabbard broke with a harsh crack that sounded like a snapped branch.

  Metal screamed as Garen folded, his armor bent from the force of the blow.

  His ribs fractured as he was sent flying from the horse, sliding some 2 meters on the ground before coming to a stop, weakly groaning.

  Silence fell over them all.

  Raen stared.

  Kaelen had just assaulted a witness who was a member of the Regiment Commander’s personal guards. In front of witnesses.

  ‘Why would he –‘ Raen’s eyes widened as he sighed. ‘Oh, he’s going to reveal it.’

  “H-h-how dare you?!” Eric shouted, his voice a mixture of shock and disbelief.

  “To strike a soldier doing His Highness’ bidding!”

  “Men! Arrest the battalion commander! Arrest him!”

  “Don’t move a damn muscle,” Kaelen said, his calm voice sounding even louder than the aide’s shouts.

  A glance was enough to freeze the soldiers. They all knew of him. His military exploits. His strength. A mere glance could cause their minds to tremble and their limbs to stop responding.

  Tarris and Anderson moved immediately, drawing their weapons and staring at the soldiers while Thatch appeared next to Garen, who was trying to get up.

  “I wouldn’t try that if I were you.” Thatch’s dagger rested on his neck. The cold look in his eyes was enough to freeze Garen.

  Kaelen took calm steps to the aide, who was growing more frantic by the second.

  The horse was becoming restless, more with each step Kaelen took. Soon, it could no longer contain its fear and reared on its hind legs, sending the aide crashing down to the ground.

  He grunted in pain. Coughed and stood up.

  Only to be met face-to-face with Kaelen, whose expression had not changed.

  “S-stay back, I’m the Prince’s aide!” Eric shouted, walking back, tripping and falling again as a result.

  “If you harm me, your entire family will perish!” He continued shouting. “Everybody you love will be executed!”

  Kaelen acted as if he didn’t hear him. He bent down, grabbed Eric by his tunic, and pulled him up before clenching the tunic, nearly choking the man.

  “Go back to my brother.”

  Kaelen’s voice was deadly quiet.

  “Tell Arandil he can continue playing commander, taking all the merits. Whatever he wants.”

  Kaelen pulled Eric closer. “But tell him not to touch my men. Or I might stop pretending I care about his authority.”

  Eric froze.

  Half the reason was shock, the other half fear.

  Fear of what he had just heard. Something that he was not supposed to. Something that could end up as his doom.

  “Am I understood, Eric?” Kaelen asked, his voice still calm and proper.

  “Y-yes … Your M-“

  “Battalion Commander will suffice. You can use Commander Vale as well.” Kaelen cut him off, causing Eric to nod his head furiously at him.

  “Disperse the men and arrest Garen, he’s a spy.” Kaelen said before letting go of him and walking back to his men.

  “You’ve done it now, you bastard!” Garen shouted, staring at Kaelen, but not moving a muscle. Thatch’s dagger still dangerously close to his throat.

  “How dare you strike me, to slander my name!”

  “Your family won’t be able to protect you from this! Even the mighty Vale family can’t –“

  “What are you doing,” Eric shouted in a high pitch. “Arrest that man! Arrest the traitor Garen!”

  Thatch removed his dagger and smiled at the soldiers before moving to the side and presenting Garen with both hands open at him.

  “As you will.”

  The soldiers, confused, nodded at Thatch before grabbing Garen and forcing him up.

  “What- what are you doing?!” Garen shouted in disbelief. “My family won’t stand for this! How dare you?!”

  “Eric, you won’t be unscathed, even if you’re the Prince’s aide!”

  “I’ll make sure my father destroys your careers!”

  “Close his damn mouth, now!” Eric said, staring at Garen with hatred in his eyes, causing the latter to flinch.

  “He dared present a false testimony to His Majesty in order to frame a direct subordinate of a Battalion Commander! Take him to a cell, and gag him!”

  As they dragged Garen away, Tarris stepped closer to Kaelen. ‘This will have consequences. Revealing yourself, attacking him –“

  “Let it.” Kaelen’s jaw was set. “I don’t really care.”

  “He’s not our killer,” Thatch said as he rejoined Raen.

  “You sure?”

  “Yes. He’s not skilled enough to do such a thing. I’m sure of it.”

  “The guard then.” Raen’s face turned solemn. Their previous assessment seemed to be the correct one.

  ‘But why do such a thing? Why kill the cultist and frame me?’

  With the situation now calmed down, Raen allowed himself time to think. He thought of the parties that stood to gain something with his arrest and the death of the cultist.

  ‘It’s connected. Me and the cultist’s death.’ Raen thought, certain of his words. ‘Whoever did this wanted to kill two birds with one stone.’

  Raen froze as he realized the possible end of this scheme.

  ‘If that man is next to the tent of the Regiment Commander, faking his injuries, then –‘

  “We need to hurry to the tent of the Regiment Commander!” Raen shouted at Kaelen, drawing the attention of everybody.

  “Their ploy isn’t finished. We need to hurry!”

  Raen started running, not interested in trying to explain himself. If his hunch was real, then the finale of the enemy’s ploy was right around the corner.

  Kaelen and the others glanced at one another before following him.

  Soon, an orange glow pulsed against the night sky ahead, beyond the tent lines. Smoke – thick and foul – began to sting their eyes.

  “Dammit!” Raen swore as he continued running, pushing his body to go as fast as it could.

  Several minutes later, he arrived and saw the chaos.

  The tent of the Regiment Commander was ablaze. The many documents inside of it would fare no better, Raen was certain of it.

  To their left, a crowd had gathered around a kneeling soldier. The soldier – wearing the same colors as Garen - cradled the head of their superior officer, whose life had emptied through a familiar gash at his throat.

  “Regiment Commander Klaos,” Anderson muttered as he stared at the corpse.

  “We were too late,” Raen said, clenching his hands into fists.

  “They drew attention to us. Took away one of his personal guards. And killed the Regiment Commander.”

  “Whoever did this just made sure that our army will be in chaos for a period of time.”

  Suddenly, from the corner of his eye, Raen noticed a man running toward them. He was shouting something undiscernible from a distance.

  Only after a couple of seconds later was he able to properly hear him, and his words made his blood run cold.

  “Help! Help! His Majesty’s tent is on fire!”