Chapter 13: Shadows on the Horizon
The morning sun cast long shadows over the camp as Dikun Silver strode through its bustling paths. The soldiers went about their duties, sharpening weapons, mending tents, and practicing formations. But beneath the surface, the tension lingered. Whispers of rebellion spread like smoke.
Captain Rhylen's presence had grown harsher. Patrols doubled. Guards watched the roads with restless eyes. The supply yard's ashes were still visible, a grim reminder of the rebel threat. Every soldier was expected to prove their loyalty — a silent demand that weighed heavily on Dikun.
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A Warning from Within
"Silver," Joran's voice broke through the morning din. He approached, his usual bravado subdued. "The captain's asking for you."
Dikun stiffened. "What does he want?"
Joran's eyes flickered with concern. "Rumors. They say someone leaked information about the supply routes. Rhylen's convinced the rebellion has spies in our ranks."
Dikun's chest tightened. He thought of the Ashen Blade, of the meeting under the cover of darkness. Could the rebels have struck so soon?
"I'll see what he knows," Dikun said, forcing calm into his voice.
Joran nodded, though worry still lingered. "Be careful, Dikun. The captain isn't taking chances."
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Before the Captain
The command tent was dim, lit only by slivers of light that slipped through the cracks. Captain Rhylen stood at the war table, his fingers tracing the lines of the map. Dikun's boots barely made a sound as he entered, but the captain's gaze locked onto him immediately.
"Corporal Silver," Rhylen's voice was low, deliberate. "Tell me — where were you last night?"
Dikun met his gaze evenly. "In my quarters, sir. After the patrols, I remained in camp."
The captain's eyes narrowed. "Is that so? And yet, reports say a soldier was seen slipping beyond the perimeter. A hooded figure, gone before the guards could act."
The accusation hung in the air. Dikun's heartbeat quickened, but he kept his composure.
"Do you believe I would betray the crown, sir?"
"I believe that war makes traitors of men who think themselves righteous," Rhylen replied coldly. "And I intend to uncover who those men are."
Dikun held his ground. "I stand by my oath. My loyalty has never wavered."
The captain's glare lingered, searching for cracks in his resolve. Finally, Rhylen's voice lowered further.
"See that it does not. The next time a shadow moves in the night, I will not ask questions before drawing my sword."
Dikun gave a firm nod, though the weight of the captain's words pressed heavily upon him.
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An Unseen Blade
Later that evening, the camp fires burned low. Dikun sat with Joran and Eron, their voices hushed beneath the open sky. Around them, the other soldiers laughed and drank, but the three remained wary.
"You think the rebels will strike again?" Joran asked, his hand idly tracing the rim of his empty cup.
"They're watching," Dikun replied. "But so is Rhylen. He's hunting for signs of betrayal."
Eron's expression darkened. "And if he doesn't find a traitor, he'll make one."
Before Dikun could respond, a scout rushed into the camp. His uniform was torn, sweat dripping from his brow. The soldiers around them tensed.
"Report," one of the lieutenants barked.
"Ambush!" the scout gasped. "A convoy near the eastern pass — the rebels struck. Supplies are gone. Half the escort slain."
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the camp. Rhylen emerged from his tent, his face like stone.
"Which direction did they flee?"
"North, sir," the scout panted. "But they scattered. No clear trail."
The captain's voice was cold. "Then we will flush them out. Prepare the riders. Corporal Silver, assemble your squad."
Dikun's jaw tightened. There would be no negotiation this time. Only blood.
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The Hunt Begins
By the time the riders set out, the moon was a pale sliver in the sky. Dikun led his squad through the darkened woods, the shadows twisting with every flicker of torchlight. The rebels had left little trace, but the urgency of the hunt drove the soldiers forward.
Joran rode beside him, his usual bravado replaced with grim determination. "If we find them..." he trailed off.
"We bring them to justice," Dikun said, though even he wasn't sure what justice meant anymore.
Hours passed. The forest grew silent, the air thick with anticipation. Then, a distant rustle. A flash of movement through the trees.
"There!" Eron called.
The squad burst into motion, their horses galloping through the underbrush. Arrows whistled past — a rebel archer's warning shot. But Dikun did not falter.
"Hold the line!" he commanded.
The rebels fought with desperation. Ragged cloaks and mismatched armor, their weapons dull but deadly. Yet they held no illusions of victory. This was not an assault. It was a retreat.
Dikun's sword met the rebel steel, the clash echoing through the night. Every strike was measured, every movement deliberate. His opponents fought with fury, but he fought with purpose.
A rebel lunged, aiming for his flank. Dikun sidestepped, his blade slicing through the air. The man fell, clutching his side.
But even as the rebels were subdued, one figure slipped away — a flash of the same three-slashed mark painted across his cloak. The Ashen Blade's shadow lingered.
The battle was over. But the war had only begun.
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A Reckoning Awaits
Dikun stood amidst the aftermath, the fallen rebels scattered across the forest floor. The wounded were gathered, their fate left uncertain. Captain Rhylen arrived shortly after, his gaze sweeping over the scene with grim satisfaction.
"You did well, Corporal Silver," he said. "The rebellion will feel this loss."
But Dikun's heart remained heavy. The rebels were not the monsters the crown painted them to be. They were desperate, fighting for scraps. And now, more blood stained the soil.
"There will be others," Dikun murmured.
"Then we will meet them with steel," Rhylen declared. "Return to camp. The king will hear of your victory."
But as Dikun led his squad away, his thoughts lingered on the rebel leader's words.
When the future comes, which side will you stand on?
To be continued in Chapter 14: Echoes of the Past