Chapter 27: The Hidden Traitor

The ashes of the Shadow Beasts drifted silently through Ravenwood Forest.

No one spoke.

The Guardian’s final warning echoed in Lyra’s mind.

Trust… no one.

She looked around at the people standing beside her.

Karl was wiping blood from his claws.

Arnold was checking the wounded warriors.

Lucien stared thoughtfully at the ashes.

Damien barked orders as the soldiers regrouped.

Rowan quietly slung his bow over his shoulder.

Each of them had risked their lives for her.

Could one of them truly be hiding something?

“We shouldn’t stay here,” Lucien said at last.

“The Blood Magic lingering in this forest will attract predators.”

Karl nodded.

“We move now.”

The convoy resumed its journey.

This time, no one spoke as they rode.

The cheerful mood from Moonhaven had completely disappeared.

Even the horses seemed restless.

As evening approached, they reached a clearing beside a wide river.

“We’ll camp here,” Arnold announced.

Warriors immediately got to work.

Some gathered firewood.

Others pitched tents.

Damien assigned guards around the camp.

Rowan disappeared into the forest to hunt.

Karl remained unusually quiet.

His eyes rarely left Lyra.

After sunset, everyone gathered around a small campfire.

The flames flickered against the surrounding trees.

Lucien spread an old map across a fallen log.

“If we continue at this pace, we’ll reach Frostfall Palace in six days.”

Rowan returned carrying two rabbits.

“We’ll make it in five if the mountain pass stays open.”

Arnold looked up.

“You know these roads well.”

Rowan smiled.

“I’ve traveled them since I was a child.”

His answer sounded genuine.

Yet Lyra noticed something strange.

Every time Lucien mentioned the Shadow King…

Rowan became silent.

Later that night…

Most of the camp was asleep.

Karl stood alone on watch beneath the moon.

His wolf suddenly growled.

Someone’s moving.

Karl quietly slipped into the shadows.

Between the trees…

A cloaked figure hurried away from the camp.

Karl followed silently.

The stranger stopped beside an old oak tree.

Looking around carefully, the figure pulled a small black crystal from beneath the cloak.

Karl narrowed his eyes.

Another Blood Crystal.

The figure whispered into it.

“The Princess continues north.”

“There were… unexpected complications.”

A distorted voice answered from the crystal.

“Do not fail again.”

Karl’s muscles tensed.

Again?

Before he could move…

A branch snapped beneath his foot.

The cloaked figure spun around.

“Karl!”

The voice was familiar.

The hood fell back.

It was…

One of Karl’s own warriors.

Ethan.

Karl’s silver eyes burned with fury.

“You’ve been reporting to the enemy?”

Ethan’s face turned pale.

“I…”

He backed away.

“I didn’t have a choice.”

Karl drew his sword.

“You always have a choice.”

Ethan suddenly threw the crystal onto the ground.

It exploded into a cloud of black smoke.

Using the distraction, he fled into the forest.

“Stop!” Karl shouted.

He chased after him.

The two disappeared into the darkness.

Back at the camp…

Lyra awoke suddenly.

Something felt wrong.

She stepped outside her tent.

The camp was unusually quiet.

Only Arnold sat near the dying fire.

“Where’s Karl?”

Arnold frowned.

“He was on watch.”

Before either could say another word…

A deafening roar echoed through the forest.

It wasn’t Karl.

It wasn’t a wolf.

It sounded…

Human.

Lucien rushed from his tent with his sword drawn.

“Everyone up!”

Warriors grabbed their weapons.

Moments later, Karl burst out of the trees.

His clothes were torn, and blood stained his shoulder.

Lyra ran toward him.

“You’re hurt!”

“I’m fine.”

Karl was breathing heavily.

“Ethan escaped.”

Lucien frowned.

“Ethan?”

“He was spying for the Shadow King.”

Gasps spread through the camp.

Damien slammed his fist against a tree.

“I trusted him.”

Karl looked at everyone.

“He had a Blood Crystal.”

“He was sending reports about Lyra.”

Silence followed.

Arnold’s face hardened.

“So the Guardian was right.”

“There really is a traitor.”

Karl shook his head.

“There was.”

“I don’t think Ethan was working alone.”

The camp fell silent again.

“If one spy escaped…”

Lucien said quietly,

“…there may be another.”

The fire crackled softly.

No one spoke.

For the first time since leaving Moonhaven…

Every member of the group began looking at one another with suspicion.

Far away, deep within the ruins of an abandoned temple, Ethan dropped to one knee before a figure seated on a throne carved from black stone.

The figure’s face remained hidden beneath a hood.

Only a pair of glowing golden eyes could be seen.

Ethan lowered his head.

“My King…”

“I failed.”

The Shadow King leaned forward.

Instead of anger…

He smiled.

“No.”

“You served your purpose.”

He stood slowly.

“Now…”

“It is my turn to welcome my niece.”

Ethan’s eyes widened.

“Niece?”

The Shadow King’s smile deepened.

“Did you really think King Alaric was my only brother?”