Fractured Loyalties

The air in the tunnel was thick and suffocating, reeking of damp stone and blood. Kai's legs burned as he sprinted through the narrow passage, barely able to keep up with Mira. The Valerius ledger was clutched tightly against his chest, its edges digging into his ribs with every step. Behind them, the sounds of pursuit grew louder—shouts, snarling hounds, and the rhythmic clang of boots on stone.

"Faster!" Mira's voice cut through the din, sharp as her daggers. She yanked him forward, her grip iron-tight. The water rose to their chests, reeking of rot and rust. Somewhere ahead, a faint glimmer of torchlight flickered.

Kai stumbled over a loose stone, nearly falling face-first into the muck. Mira caught his arm and yanked him upright without breaking stride. "Stay on your feet," she growled. "If you fall now, we're both dead."

"I'm—trying," Kai panted, his lungs burning.

Ahead of them, Rolf's voice echoed down the tunnel. "This way! There's a fork up ahead—left leads to an exit!"

Anya's voice followed, sharp and impatient. "And right?"

"Dead end," Rolf called back.

"Then why are we even discussing this?" Anya snapped.

Mira slowed just enough to glare at Kai. "You'd better hope your knight knows what he's doing."

Kai didn't respond. His mind was racing—not just from fear but from doubt. Oddesey had been their stronghold, their sanctuary. Now it was gone, overrun by Aric's forces in a single night. If they couldn't hold their ground there, what hope did they have of fighting back?

The group reached the fork in the tunnel just as a crossbow bolt ricocheted off the wall behind them, sending shards of stone flying. Rolf grabbed Kai by the shoulder and shoved him toward the left passage. "Go!"

They plunged deeper into darkness, their footsteps splashing through shallow pools of water that reflected faint torchlight from somewhere far behind them. The tunnel narrowed until they were forced to move single file, with Rolf leading and Mira bringing up the rear.

"Do you think they'll follow us?" Anya asked in a hushed tone.

"They don't need to," Mira muttered grimly. "They've got hounds."

Kai felt his stomach drop at her words. He could already hear the distant baying of dogs echoing through the tunnels—a sound that sent chills down his spine.

---

The group finally emerged into open air at the edge of a dense forest. The night was cold and silent except for their ragged breathing and the distant rustle of leaves in the wind.

"We need to keep moving," Rolf said, scanning their surroundings with his sword drawn.

"No," Anya said firmly. "We've been running all night—we need rest."

"We don't have time for rest!" Rolf snapped.

"Enough!" Kai said sharply, surprising even himself with the force of his voice. Both Anya and Rolf turned to look at him, their expressions unreadable in the dim light.

"We can't keep running blindly," Kai continued, trying to steady his breathing. "We need a plan."

"There's an old estate not far from here," Mira said suddenly. Her voice was quiet but steady, cutting through their argument like a blade. "Lord Erynn's manor."

Anya frowned. "Erynn? He's nothing but a drunkard—and a coward."

"He's also desperate," Mira replied coolly. "Desperate people can be useful."

Kai hesitated but nodded eventually. "If he can give us shelter—even for one night—it's worth the risk."

---

The manor loomed ahead like a ghostly silhouette against the night sky, its crumbling spires reaching toward the stars like skeletal fingers. Lord Erynn greeted them at the gates with open arms and a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Prince Kai!" he said warmly, bowing low enough to make his silver hair fall across his face like a veil. "What an honor it is to host you."

Kai forced himself to return Erynn's smile despite the unease prickling at the back of his neck.

Inside, they were led to a grand dining hall where a feast had been prepared—roasted meats, fresh bread, fine wine—all laid out on an ornate table that seemed out of place in such a decrepit estate.

"This feels wrong," Anya muttered under her breath as they took their seats.

Mira didn't touch her food or drink; she sat stiffly in her chair with one hand resting on her dagger hilt beneath the table.

Erynn raised his goblet in a toast. "To new alliances!" he declared cheerfully.

Kai hesitated before lifting his own goblet—but before it could touch his lips, Mira slammed her hand down on his wrist.

"Don't drink that," she said coldly.

Erynn froze mid-toast as several armed men stepped out from behind curtains lining the walls—crossbows aimed directly at them.

"I'm sorry," Erynn said quietly as he lowered his goblet. His voice trembled with guilt—or fear? "But Aric has my daughter."

---

The betrayal stung more than any blade could have—but there was no time for anger or regret as chaos erupted around them once again.