Chapter 27: The First Retaliation

The air in Velmire was different. A heavy tension loomed over the slums, stretching into the merchant quarters and even creeping toward the wealthier districts. Whispers ran through the streets like wildfire—rumors of fights breaking out in taverns, of Gorran's men being seen in tighter formations, moving with purpose.

Aedric could feel it, the way the city was shifting beneath their feet. The storm was coming.

He stood by the window of their hideout, the flickering lantern beside him casting long shadows. Lirian sat nearby, sharpening a dagger with slow, deliberate movements. The rhythmic scrape of metal against stone was the only sound in the room.

"Any news?" Aedric finally asked.

Lirian didn't look up. "Tessa's out gathering what she can. But we don't need news to know what's coming."

Aedric nodded. He had spent enough time watching the rise and fall of power in Velmire to recognize the signs. Gorran had been humiliated, twice now. He wouldn't take a third blow without striking back.

The question was: where would he strike?

Aedric turned from the window and walked toward the map spread across the table. Dorn had left earlier that night, restless, eager to make another move. He was too impulsive, too eager for a fight. It worried Aedric, but he had let him go. Dorn needed to feel in control.

Varen entered the room, closing the door behind him with a quiet click. His face was grim. "It's happening."

Aedric met his gaze. "Where?"

"The eastern quarter. Gorran's men are moving in force. Not just patrols—they're purging."

Lirian cursed under her breath, setting her dagger down. "How bad?"

Varen hesitated. "Bad. They're not just looking for us. They're making an example."

Aedric's jaw tightened. This was worse than he had expected. Gorran wasn't just retaliating—he was making a statement.

"They're rounding people up," Varen continued. "Anyone who even looks like they might be involved in the rebellion. Some of them won't see the morning."

Lirian clenched her fists. "Bastard."

Aedric's mind raced. They couldn't fight this head-on. Not yet. Gorran had numbers, weapons, and years of control. The slums had anger, but anger alone wasn't enough. They needed a plan.

"Where's Dorn?" Aedric asked.

Varen shook his head. "I don't know. Last I heard, he was moving through the southern docks."

Aedric cursed. If Dorn saw what was happening, he wouldn't wait. He would act. And that would be a mistake.

He grabbed his cloak and turned to Lirian and Varen. "We need to move. Now."

---

The eastern quarter was a battlefield.

Smoke hung in the air, thick and acrid. Fires burned in small patches where fights had broken out earlier in the night. The scent of blood mixed with the damp rot of the slums.

Gorran's enforcers moved in groups, torches in hand, dragging people from their homes. Anyone suspected of aiding the rebellion was beaten, taken, or worse.

Aedric, Lirian, and Varen moved carefully through the alleyways, staying in the shadows. This wasn't a battle they could win tonight.

"Over there," Lirian whispered, pointing toward a small courtyard.

A group of Gorran's men had gathered, forcing a handful of people to their knees. One of them—a young man barely past his teens—was already bleeding from a cut on his forehead.

Aedric clenched his fists. He recognized the boy. He had joined Dorn's cause just two days ago.

One of the enforcers stepped forward, his face partially hidden by a scarf. "Tell us where the rebels are, and maybe we let you live."

The boy spat blood onto the ground, eyes defiant.

The enforcer sighed. "Stupid choice."

He raised his weapon.

Aedric didn't hesitate.

A knife flew through the air, striking the enforcer in the side of the neck. The man barely made a sound before he collapsed.

Chaos erupted.

Lirian and Varen surged forward, cutting down two more enforcers before the rest could react. The remaining three turned, but it was too late. Aedric was already upon them.

The fight lasted seconds.

When it was over, the boy and the others stared in shock.

Aedric grabbed the boy by the arm. "Get out of here. Now."

The boy nodded, eyes wide, and ran. The others followed.

Lirian wiped her blade clean. "That won't go unnoticed."

Aedric exhaled. "I know."

They had saved a handful of people. But hundreds more were still suffering. And this was only the beginning.

Gorran had made his move.

Now, it was their turn.