AUDACUS I arrived at the border of the Bear Kingdom with a sour taste in my mouth and bare murder in my bones. The air was filled with pine and river rock, and beneath that, something darker—a scent I knew intimately. Power. The bears had a new king, and I needed him. Or, rather, I needed his army. His brawn. His blind, paw-swinging rage. The border guards smelt me out before cautiously approaching, spear at the ready, nostrils flaring. "Announce your name and business, stranger." "Audacus", I answered curtly, devoid of respect. "I seek an audience with your king." The second guard leaned into the first, whispering, "That's the rogue king. The fallen one." "I haven't fallen," I snarled. "I've just switched sides. Now move, or I'll tear your fur off in clumps." They exchanged a glance, then gestured me through the mountain pass. It took them twenty minutes to lead me to the heart of the kingdom—a rock fortress cut into the cliffs, where the roars of training warriors echoed l
Last Updated : 2025-07-12 Read more