The point of no return

“I’ve seen too many men rise with dreams only to fall to harsh realities,” Julius said, his voice firm. “I don’t doubt your conviction, but you can’t win a war with words alone. I’ve learned the hard way—your path leads only to death. But I won’t be the one to lead you there. Go to the back of my house. You’ll find three horses. Take them and get as far away from here as you can. I’ll tell Titus you stole them and ran. That will buy you three hours.”

Julius lowered his gun and walked away, leaving the fugitives to decide their next move. They found the horses, but before mounting, Tom spoke up.

“Wait! We can’t just leave,” Tom said, halting the group.

Hans turned sharply, frustration clear in his voice. “What do you mean, ‘we can’t leave’? Titus is here with vanguards looking for us! If we don’t go now, we’re dead!”

Tom shook his head. “We can’t abandon Avarora and her family. She vouched for us, gave us shelter. Do you really think Titus will just let them go?”

Logan, who had been quiet, nodded. “Tom’s right. We can’t leave them like this. But we also can’t stay here indefinitely.”

Hans groaned, exasperated. “Do you all have a death wish? We’re not heroes. We’re just trying to survive! If we get caught here, we won’t be able to help anyone.”

Peter, guilt weighing on him, sighed. “I don’t want to leave them either. They’re innocent. It’s because of us they’re in danger.”

Darius, who had been silently observing, stepped forward, his voice steady and commanding. “No one is dying tonight.” His eyes blazed with determination. “Avarora took us in when we had nowhere else to go. I refuse to leave until I know her and her family are safe.”

Hans threw up his hands. “And how do you propose we do that? There’s no way Titus and his vanguards will just walk away!”

Darius nodded thoughtfully. “Then we’ll make them walk away. We take Henry—the only person who can tie Avarora and her family to us—and hold him until they’re safe. Once we’re sure they’re out of danger, we’ll let him go. No harm will come to him, but we use him to buy time.”

Logan grinned, his respect for Darius growing. “It’s risky, but it might work. We’ll split up and search for Henry. Once we find him, we’ll ensure Avarora and her family have enough time to escape.”

Hans sighed, resigned. “Fine. Let’s do this. But if this plan falls apart, I’m blaming all of you.”

They split into groups, quietly searching the estate. It wasn’t long before Logan found Henry in the barn. To his disgust, Henry was forcing himself on Rosie, one of the young servants. Logan’s blood boiled at the sight.

As soon as Logan entered, Henry jumped back, startled. “It’s not what it looks like!” Henry stammered, attempting to compose himself. “What are you doing here instead of working?”

Rosie, trembling, couldn’t even meet Logan’s eyes. Henry had been threatening her family, leaving her powerless to resist. Logan walked closer, his steps deliberate and menacing.

“Stay back!” Henry shouted, his voice cracking. “Don’t come any closer!”

Logan ignored him, unsheathing the knife on his belt. Henry fell to the ground, trembling as Logan loomed over him. Rosie’s eyes darted between the two, her terror palpable.

He strode forward, unsheathing his knife, and grabbed Rosie by the arm. Her eyes widened in terror.

“Logan... please...” she whispered, but he said nothing.

Without hesitation, Logan slit her throat. Blood spilled onto the barn floor as Rosie collapsed, lifeless.

Henry screamed, “You murdered her! What have you done?”

Logan swiftly gagged him, binding his hands and legs with rope. He crouched beside the trembling man, his voice low and measured.

“Darius and the others still don’t grasp the reality of what it will take to overthrow a kingdom,” Logan said coldly. “But I do. Sacrifices must be made, Henry. For the greater good.”

Henry’s muffled cries filled the barn as Logan continued. “Here’s the story. You took advantage of this girl. She fought back, and in your panic, you killed her. Julius’s daughter, his pride and joy. When he finds out, his rage will be unstoppable. He’ll kill you. And then, with nothing left to lose, he’ll join us.”

Logan punched Henry hard, knocking him unconscious. He dragged the man outside, then set the barn ablaze. Flames consumed the structure, spreading quickly.

________________________________________

The fire drew everyone from the estate, including Julius, Titus, and their men. Logan stood in the flickering light, Henry bound at his feet, unconscious.

“What’s going on here?” Titus demanded, his gun raised.

Julius arrived moments later, his eyes darting between the fire and Logan. “Logan, what have you done?”

Logan pointed at Henry, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “Julius, I heard screams from the barn. When I got there, I found your daughter on the ground, dead, and this bastard trying to burn the evidence!”

Julius froze, disbelief etched on his face. “What... what are you saying? Rosie!”

He ran into the barn, coughing through the smoke. Moments later, he emerged carrying Rosie’s lifeless body, tears streaming down his face. The other guards followed, their expressions hardening as they saw the girl’s body.

Julius placed her gently on the ground, then stood, his grief transforming into fury. He grabbed his gun and marched toward Henry, who was regaining consciousness.