Chapter 29: The Flames of Defiance

The morning after the ambush dawned with a pale, watery light that struggled to pierce the mist shrouding the valley. The air smelled of scorched wood and blood. Karima stood at the edge of the wreckage, her eyes on the distant horizon. The stolen convoy's supplies were being distributed among the surviving rebels, who worked in weary silence. The victory had been theirs, but the cost was already palpable.

Haytham approached, wiping his blade clean with a piece of cloth. "They'll know it was us," he said without preamble.

"Good," Karima replied. "We want them to know."

"Provoking the High Council is dangerous," Haytham said, voice low. "They're not an enemy that fights in the open."

"Which is why we need to draw them out," Karima said. She turned to face him, determination etched into her features. "We've been running for too long. They've treated us like shadows, like ghosts to be hunted and forgotten. No more. If they want to fight shadows, we'll show them what real darkness looks like."

Haytham gave a short nod but said nothing more.

The convoy had yielded more than they could have hoped for—crates of weapons, barrels of dried provisions, and, most importantly, sealed scrolls detailing supply routes and troop movements. Karima had spent hours the night before studying the documents by firelight. The Council's next major shipment was heading toward the city of Dareth, a fortified stronghold in the plains.

"Dareth," she said aloud, testing the word in the cold air. "That's where we strike next."

The journey to Dareth took three days. The rebels traveled through forests and ravines, avoiding the main roads. Karima felt the tension in the group grow with each passing hour. They were no longer fleeing for survival—they were marching toward war.

Naima rode beside Karima on the second day, her face unreadable. "You're leading them into fire," she said.

"I know," Karima answered.

"And you're ready for the weight of that? The deaths that will come?"

Karima didn't respond immediately. "I'm not ready," she said finally. "But I'll carry it anyway."

Naima gave a grunt of approval. "Good. That's what a leader does."

The plains stretched wide before them as they approached Dareth. The city's walls loomed in the distance, dark and unyielding. Smoke curled from chimneys within, a sign of the bustling life that thrived behind its defenses.

"We can't breach those walls," Haytham said, dismounting beside Karima. "Not without siege equipment, which we don't have."

"We're not breaching them," Karima said. She unfolded a map and pointed to a river that snaked toward the city's southern side. "The Council uses this river to transport supplies. We'll intercept the next shipment, disguise ourselves as their escort, and enter through the southern gate."

Haytham raised an eyebrow. "Risky. If one guard looks too closely…"

"Then we fight our way through," Karima said. "But we need to get inside. The documents mentioned a supply cache within the city—a weapons depot. If we take it, we cripple their operations here for months."

Elysia approached, listening. "When do we move?"

"Tonight," Karima said.

Night fell like a velvet curtain over the plains. The rebels, dressed in looted Council uniforms, crouched near the riverbank. The sound of oars cutting through water reached their ears. Karima signaled for silence.

The supply barge glided into view, its lanterns casting ghostly reflections on the water. The rebels moved as one. Ropes were cast, grappling hooks biting into wood. The guards aboard the barge barely had time to shout before they were overwhelmed.

Karima stood at the helm as the rebels steered the captured vessel toward Dareth. Her heart hammered in her chest, but outwardly she remained calm. The ring on her finger pulsed faintly, like a heartbeat in sync with her own.

The southern gate loomed ahead. Two guards called out, lanterns raised.

"Shipment for the garrison," Karima called, mimicking the clipped tone of a Council officer.

The guards hesitated. One approached, inspecting the crates. Karima held her breath.

"Looks in order," the guard finally said. "Open the gates!"

The massive wooden doors groaned open, and the barge drifted into the city.

Inside Dareth, the streets were eerily quiet. The rebels disembarked, weapons hidden beneath cloaks. Karima led them toward the depot, following the map's directions. The city's stone buildings loomed on either side like silent sentinels.

The depot was housed in a large, fortified warehouse near the main square. Guards patrolled the perimeter, their movements regular and predictable.

Haytham crouched beside Karima. "We need a distraction."

Karima's gaze fell on a row of oil barrels stacked near the adjacent stables. "Fire," she said. "Light the barrels, draw the guards away."

Elysia slipped away, torch in hand. Moments later, an explosion shattered the night's calm. Flames roared to life, illuminating the square. Guards shouted, running toward the blaze.

"Now!" Karima commanded.

The rebels surged forward. The first guards fell silently beneath Elysia's daggers. Haytham and Naima led the charge, cutting down those who turned to fight. Karima raised her hand, the ring's power surging forth. A wave of force slammed into the warehouse doors, splintering them like kindling.

Inside, crates of weapons stretched from floor to ceiling. The rebels moved quickly, dousing the supplies with oil. Karima struck flint against steel, and the depot erupted in flames.

"Retreat!" she shouted.

The rebels sprinted toward the docks, the fire spreading behind them. Alarm bells clanged across the city. As they reached the river, Karima risked a glance back.

The depot was engulfed, thick black smoke curling into the sky. Guards scrambled in confusion, but the damage was done.

As they boarded the barge, a figure appeared at the edge of the flames.

Tall, cloaked, with a silver insignia glinting on his chest.

"The Warden," Karima whispered.

He raised his hand. A spear of ice shot toward the barge. Karima reacted instinctively, the ring's power flaring. The spear shattered mid-air, fragments raining into the water.

The Warden's eyes locked on hers.

"Go!" Karima screamed.

The barge lurched away from the dock. The Warden did not follow but stood watching as the flames devoured the depot.

"He knows me," Karima said, voice shaking.

"And now he knows what you can do," Haytham added.

Karima stared at the burning city. The rebellion had struck, but the Warden had seen her power.

The High Council would come for her with everything they had.

"Let them come," she said softly.

The river carried them into the night, and the storm gathered behind them.