A sense of fear haunted Arth’s thoughts. Was it the right choice? Leading the Snowsong Alliance would’ve been the very last thing he’d want, and the least expected thing he thought he would do. But the upcoming threat and the General’s absence had forced all responsibilities and the possible consequences into Arth’s hands. He feared he would fail them. Orange thunder flashed amidst the darkness of the bluish sky. Arth watched all armed men pack the last stocks they’d need for their leave. The hot wind smelled of dread. He glanced up towards the high mountains surrounding the encampment, wondering how long they had got before the enemies would arrive. Elicantris stepped outside the flap of the den and stood behind Arth. “I don’t understand,” Arth said, staring at the peak of the mountains. “You said the encampment has never been tracked and found ov

The morning light kissed the floor through the cold windows. The air smelled of tea. It came from Lucas drinking while he stared at the small scroll on the table; a scroll that Kael had never noticed someone giving to him. Lucas had his chin shaven, his hair cut, and his body bathed last night when they arrived in the hideout, a few hours before dawn. Kael had attended to his wounds and bruises but barely had enough sleep.The previous night, the two had been found in the dark alleys by the knights from the citadel after Lucas’ business with Merit. Someone must’ve shared information about their whereabouts. Harith. That mage could never be trusted at all. Fortunate they were that they managed to escape by climbing above the structures. It had been easier for them to move over the roofs while they could see and be aware of any threats below.“Nothing will arrive sooner with you pacing around the room while peeking thro

  “Drava … that’s where your father is now,” Tristan remembered Bow saying last night. “We’ll head to the country after we’re done with our business with the Lord.”   Tristan didn’t know what to feel after hearing about his father. So the man was alive, indeed. And he’d never even thought of returning to his home, to see if his family was still alive? Anger boiled inside Tristan’s chest. He vowed to make the man pay … for leaving them … for not being there to protect them. Surpine and their mother, Pauline, would’ve been alive if the father was there, while Tristan had been gone making a livelihood for the family.   An old pain tightened his chest as he recalled the bloody scene in his house after his day of work. It was Surpine’s naming day, and he had thought of using his savings to buy a decent meal for their dinner. He bought her sister’s favorites; honeyed biscuits, a roasted whole chicken, and a frui

  The soft, deep rumbling sound never stopped. Waterfall. Arth awoke, with the left corner of his vision shining brightly, then as he turned to look with squinted eyes, he found a lamp beside his head. What happened? He tried to get up, but the aching pain in his entire body prevented him from moving.   Arth adjusted his eyes in the darkness as he faced right. He could see the rocky walls and dark ceilings. His back felt the damp, rough surface where he had slept in. A cave, he realized. Bron’s Cave. The sound of the waterfall kept on rumbling from ahead. They made it. Arth and Eli made it to their rendezvous point.   Though he could not remember everything that had happened because of his headache, Arth had known they escaped from the Second Army, thanks to those three pillars of light Eli had shown to him. But how long had it been since they’d gotten away? Had the demons managed to track Arth through Fro

“You’re insane,” Kael said as he galloped along with Lucas and Robert, following the current of Riverchill towards the east. His legs, hips, and back hurt from their long ride. They had made no stop. Kael agreed they had to keep moving, or else the knights from the capital might catch up with them.“Is that a compliment?” Lucas replied, the northern wind sending his trimmed hair flailing.“You mean to get us captured again,” Kael said. “I dislike this idea, Lucas.”“Do you, now? Or is it only that you don’t trust me with this idea of mine?”“Obviously.”Lucas turned his head to look at Kael. He got a confident look as if he knew exactly how it would end. “It was not wrong to not trust me, brother. But when matters of emergency and high stakes arise, you can set aside your suspicions of me … just for this tim