Chapter 8: The Road to Blackhold

The night was cold, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and old stone. The city of Halrith was behind them now, its dim torchlights flickering in the distance. Ahead lay the dark wilderness, where few dared to tread—and beyond that, Blackhold.

Kael rode in silence, his stolen cloak pulled tight against the wind. His golden eyes glowed faintly beneath his hood, scanning the moonlit path ahead. Beside him, Selene guided her horse with effortless ease, her expression unreadable.

"Still thinking about the plan?" she asked without looking at him.

Kael smirked. "Always."

A quiet chuckle. "I take it you don't trust my information yet?"

"I trust information," Kael corrected. "I don't trust surprises."

Selene's emerald eyes gleamed with amusement. "Good. You'll fit right in."

Kael didn't respond, his gaze turning toward the road ahead. They were still a day's ride from Blackhold, but every step brought them closer to danger.

And Kael knew better than anyone—fortresses like Blackhold were never unguarded.

---

A Fortress of the Damned

By midday, they had reached the edge of the valley. From the hillside, Kael could see Blackhold Prison in the distance.

It was a grim sight.

The fortress loomed like a beast of stone, its jagged towers stabbing into the sky. Massive iron gates guarded the entrance, flanked by torches that burned even in daylight. A deep moat of black water surrounded the outer walls, and beyond that, shadowy figures patrolled the perimeter—Imperial soldiers.

Kael narrowed his eyes. This would not be an easy task.

Selene dismounted beside him, pulling a small telescope from her satchel. She peered through it before handing it to Kael.

"There," she said, pointing. "See the west side? That's where they bring in supply wagons."

Kael studied the entrance. A smaller gate, less guarded but still heavily fortified.

He lowered the telescope. "How often?"

"Once every few days," Selene said. "And we're in luck. One should arrive by nightfall."

Kael's mind began to race.

A supply wagon meant an entry point. An entry point meant access—but getting inside was only half the battle. Getting out with Darius alive would be the real challenge.

Still, Kael had led armies into impossible battles before.

A fortress? A few dozen guards?

This was nothing.

---

The Plan Takes Shape

They retreated into the cover of the nearby woods. The trees were thick, their branches intertwining to form a natural canopy, hiding them from prying eyes.

Kael knelt on the ground, drawing a rough sketch of Blackhold in the dirt with his dagger.

"We have three objectives," he said, his voice calm but commanding. "First, infiltration. We get inside unnoticed. Second, we locate Darius. Third, we escape—without the entire garrison coming down on us."

Selene crouched beside him, her emerald eyes flickering with interest. "And how do you suggest we do that?"

Kael pointed to the supply route. "We use the wagon. Disguises, if possible. If not, we create a distraction."

Selene grinned. "I like where this is going."

Kael continued. "Once inside, we move quickly. We don't have time for stealth once we're past the gates." He glanced at Selene. "How well do you handle explosives?"

Selene blinked, then laughed. "Oh, you're going to be fun to work with."

Kael smirked. Good. Then they were on the same page.

---

The Shadow Watches

As night fell, the plan was set. Kael and Selene positioned themselves near the road, waiting for the supply wagon to arrive. The distant torches of Blackhold flickered like dying stars against the darkened sky.

Then—a sound.

Kael's ears sharpened. The faint rumble of wagon wheels against stone. The slow, rhythmic clinking of armor.

"It's here," Selene whispered.

Kael nodded. It was time.

But just as they prepared to move, something shifted in the air.

A presence.

Kael's spine tingled. He knew this feeling—the sensation of being watched.

Slowly, he turned his head.

A shadow moved in the trees, barely visible, just out of reach. Not a soldier. Not a beast.

Something else.

Kael's grip tightened around his blade. Who else was hunting in these woods?

But there was no time to dwell on it.

The wagon was approaching.

Kael exhaled, focusing on the mission.

Whatever lurked in the darkness… he would deal with it later.

For now—the real battle was about to begin.