In less than six hours, King Kurtis returned to Neverport alone.

  His arrival was marked by a surprising urgency—his face bore the expression of a frightened child as he rode hastily through the streets on horseback.

  Whispers circulated among the villagers.

  Some speculated he was there to call off the ten-day invasion, realizing it was futile.

  Others believed he was under pressure from his council to negotiate.

  Inside the presence room, the tension was there as Kurtis, Becca, and Axel sat together at a round table.

  Each had a glass of ale, meant to ease the awkward atmosphere.

  Meanwhile, Philly and CJ stood guard outside the house, their postures vigilant but their ears pressed to the door, eavesdropping on the conversation.

  Kurtis downed his ale before turning to Becca, offering a diplomatic smile, "I wasn't aware that you and Axel governed this village. Had I known, I would have brought gifts to honor your leadership."

  Becca sighed, her gaze dropping to the table. "I didn't think it mattered since you were dealing with me." She hesitated, pressing her forehead against the wood as guilt weighed on her. "I... I'm sorry. I let my personal feelings cloud my judgment and put my village at risk. Instead of negotiating, I lashed out and questioned your authority without understanding your priorities."

  Kurtis's smile softened as he set his glass down, "Raise your head," he said gently, though his expression remained firm.

  When Becca obeyed, Kurtis continued, "Sungalepore is facing a threat unlike anything we've encountered before. They call themselves the Lost Brotherhood. Their numbers grow every day, and my kingdom is plagued by their acts of violence. These individuals claim to deliver justice but have unleashed chaos. Entire families have been slaughtered, and rebellion stirs in their wake. Just last week, a child caught stealing to feed his mother was butchered. Their idea of justice is absolute, and I can't allow it."

  Becca's eyes narrowed in thought, "The Lost Brotherhood... they're assassins, aren't they? They target people they deem guilty of wrongdoing. I think one of their members came here three months ago."

  Kurtis shot to his feet, slamming his hands on the table, "AND YOU DIDN'T REPORT THEM TO THE KINGDOM?" His voice boomed, startling Becca.

  Before she could respond, Axel's calm but displeased stare cut through Kurtis's outburst.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  Realizing his mistake, Kurtis exhaled and returned to his seat, "My apologies," he muttered. "Do you know where this person is now? We need to locate them immediately."

  Becca crossed her arms, leaning back in her chair, "She's dead. She tried to seduce me after drinking three glasses of poisonous beer from my waitress. We found nothing on her but a few silver coins."

  Kurtis bit his lip, his mind racing, "That explains a lot. Villages like this must serve as their hiding places or sanctuaries. The one you described probably failed to blend in, which is why we didn't anticipate their attacks before closing our borders. Now, with fewer places to hide, they're growing desperate."

  Becca tilted her head, "What makes them so dangerous? They're just people."

  Kurtis's gaze shifted to Axel, prompting Becca to follow his lead. Axel sighed and explained, "They're dangerous because they use something called Hax—a body-enhancing drug. It replicates the physical and biological traits of monsters temporarily, but it's unstable and causes deformities."

  Becca's eyes widened in shock, "Why would anyone do that to themselves?"

  Axel gave a quiet, bitter laugh, "The better question is: how far would you go for what you believe in? These people think their cause is righteous. They're willing to destroy their bodies to achieve their goals. That makes them more than just killers. It makes them seem like heroes."

  Kurtis's paranoia deepened as Axel spoke, while Becca began piecing together a plan. "I have an idea for our negotiation," she said, her voice firm. "Neverport can help locate members of the Lost Brotherhood. In exchange, you'll send us a master builder and a shipmaster. As for the mines, we'll split the materials: you get thirty percent, and we keep the rest."

  Axel smiled approvingly, "With my new arm, I believe I can take on this task. I'll start searching the village first, then expand outward."

  Kurtis was silent, weighing the proposal. He knew the deal was fair, but pride tugged at him, tempting him to ask for more.

  Yet he held back, understanding the need to tread carefully. Swallowing his pride, he finally said, "That's acceptable. I'll relocate three of my subjects to meet your needs. Just ensure this is handled swiftly."

  Becca stood and extended her hand, "Certainly."

  Kurtis rose, shaking her hand firmly, "I'll address your people to reassure them that my arrival in ten days will pose no threat. Now, I must return to Sungalepore." With a polite bow, he left the room.

  As the door closed, Becca collapsed into her chair, groaning, "Thank God that's over."

  Philly and CJ barged in, grinning. "Congrats, Becca! You showed him who's boss!" they said in unison.

  But Becca wasn't celebrating. Her brow furrowed as she muttered, "I just wish he'd answered my letters. Maybe things would've gone differently."

  Axel cleared his throat, drawing her attention, "Handwritten letters don't reach the king unless they bear a royal seal. His advisor probably read them and discarded them."

  Becca's face flushed with embarrassment, "So... I yelled at an old man who didn't even know what was happening?" She sank lower in her chair, mortified, as Axel's smirk confirmed her suspicion.

  CJ clapped his hands, changing the subject, "How about we celebrate? I bet I can finish a keg in five minutes."

  Becca's mood brightened, and she jumped to her feet, "Hell yeah! Axel, want to join?"

  CJ and Philly exchanged uneasy glances. Despite Axel's loyalty, they still didn't fully trust him. Becca noticed their discomfort and shot them an angry glare.

  But Axel simply stood with a warm smile, "It's alright," he said. "I'd rather spend time with Ivy and start preparing for the magic demonstration. I hope to see you all there." With that, he left the room.