The discovery of the second hidden chamber had provided crucial insight into the Wands, but it had also come with a heavy cost. The toll of the intense battles and relentless conflicts was wearing down Anu and his forces. The squad's resolve remained strong, but Anu couldn't ignore the lingering doubts and suspicions growing within Chalassy's ranks.
Whispers of betrayal had begun to circulate among the soldiers. Anu had always valued loyalty, but the war had changed things. The stakes were higher, and the desperation felt by both sides created cracks in even the strongest of bonds. Anu had kept these rumors to himself, hoping they were just the result of fear and fatigue. But as time passed, it became clear that something darker was festering within Chalassy's walls.
First, Merna reported unusual behavior. She approached Anu in the war room, her expression a mix of concern and frustration. "Anu," she began quietly, her voice barely rising above a whisper. I think there's a traitor among us."
Anu's eyes narrowed as he turned to face her. "What makes you say that?" he asked, keeping his voice low.
Merna hesitated as if weighing her words carefully. "There have been discrepancies in the patrol schedules," she explained. "Orders that were given without your authorization. And some of the soldiers I trust have reported strange meetings in the dead of night—meetings that involve one of the generals."
Anu felt a cold weight settle in his chest. "Which general?" he asked, his voice steady despite the anger simmering beneath the surface.
Merna glanced around as if checking to ensure they were alone. "It's Gareth," she replied. "He's been acting strangely—sneaking out of the castle, giving orders without consulting you or the council."
Anu's mind raced. Gareth was among his senior commanders, known for his unwavering loyalty to Chalassy. However, the war had changed many people, and Anu knew that desperation could drive even the most loyal soldiers to betrayal.
"I'll confront him," Anu said, his voice firm.
Merna shook her head. "Not yet," she cautioned. "If he is working against us, we must gather evidence first. If we act too soon, we could tip him off and lose our chance to find out who else might be involved."
Anu knew she was right, but the thought of a traitor in their midst made his blood boil. He couldn't let his anger cloud his judgment—he needed to be strategic to play the long game. "What do you suggest?" he asked.
Merna's eyes narrowed with determination. "We keep a close eye on him," she replied. "Track his movements, listen to his conversations. We can't let him know we're onto him."
For the next several days, Merna and a small group of trusted soldiers shadowed Gareth, monitoring his every move. Anu kept up appearances, maintained his usual routines, and attended council meetings as if nothing was amiss. It was challenging to keep up with, wildly, when every instinct screamed at him to confront Gareth and end the deception.
During one such meeting, Anu couldn't help but notice the tension in the room. The council members were discussing a new strategy to reinforce Chalassy's defenses, but there was an undercurrent of unease in every word spoken. Gareth was present, his demeanor calm and composed as he offered suggestions for troop movements and supply lines.
Anu forced himself to listen carefully, searching for any hint of betrayal in Gareth's voice. But Gareth was a seasoned commander—he knew how to mask his intentions behind a façade of professionalism.
The meeting ended without incident, and Anu was about to leave when Gareth approached him. "General Anu," he said, his tone respectful. "A word, if you have a moment."
Anu felt a surge of suspicion but forced himself to remain calm. "Of course, Gareth," he replied, his voice neutral.
Gareth led him to a secluded corner of the war room, away from prying eyes and ears. "There have been some… troubling rumors circulating among the soldiers," Gareth began, his voice low. "Rumors of a traitor within our ranks."
Anu's heart pounded in his chest. He knew Gareth was testing him, trying to gauge his reaction. "I've heard the same," Anu replied, carefully controlling his expression. "And I'm taking steps to root out the problem."
Gareth nodded, eyes searching Anu's face for any sign of doubt. "Good," he said. "The last thing we need is division among our forces."
Anu oversaw every instinct telling him to strike. But he held back, knowing that acting without proof could lead to disaster. He needed to stay patient and wait for the right moment.
That moment came late one night when Merna and her team followed Gareth to a hidden alcove within the castle grounds. They watched from the shadows as Gareth met with several cloaked figures, their voices hushed and their faces obscured.
Merna strained to hear their conversation, but the words were too quiet. She signaled to her team, instructing them to spread out and surround the alcove. They needed to be ready to act if things went south.
As Merna listened, she caught snippets of Gareth's voice. "The supply lines… compromised… next attack…" His words were fragmented, but it was enough to confirm her suspicions. Gareth planned to sabotage Chalassy's defenses, weakening them in preparation for an enemy assault.
Merna's heart raced as she signaled to her team to move in. They closed in on the nook, weapons drawn and ready to confront the traitors. But just as they were about to strike, Gareth turned, his eyes narrowing as he spotted them in the shadows.
"Ambush!" he shouted, drawing his sword.
The cloaked figures scattered, disappearing into the night as Gareth engaged Merna's team in a fierce battle. Merna rushed forward, her daggers flashing as she closed the distance between them. Gareth was a skilled swordsman who fought with a ferocity born of desperation.
"Why, Gareth?" Merna demanded, her voice filled with both anger and sadness. "Why betray us?"
Gareth's eyes hardened as he deflected her strikes. "Chalassy is doomed," he spat. "Anu's leadership is driving us to ruin. I did what I had to do to save our people."
Merna felt a pang of grief at his words. Gareth had once been a loyal ally, a trusted friend. But now, he was an enemy—a threat to everything they had fought to protect. She pressed the attack, her movements swift and precise.
Anu arrived just in time to witness the confrontation. He felt anger and betrayal as he saw Gareth's blade clash with Merna's. The man who had stood beside him for many years had turned against them, all because of fear and desperation.
Anu didn't hesitate. He drew his sword and charged into the fray, his movements fueled by rage and resolve. Gareth saw him coming, and for a moment, his eyes widened with recognition—an understanding that there was no turning back.
"Anu," Gareth muttered, his voice filled with bitterness. "You were always blind to the truth."
Anu's blade met Gareth's in a clash of steel, and the two former allies engaged in a brutal duel. The air was thick with tension, and every strike carried the weight of years of camaraderie turned to ashes. Anu could see Gareth's desperation and the twisted logic that had led him down this path.
"You could have come to me," Anu said through gritted teeth, his voice steady despite his anger burning. "You could have trusted me."
Gareth's expression twisted with resentment. "I trusted you once," he hissed. "But you've led us to ruin. I did what I had to do."
The battle raged on, each strike more desperate than the last. Anu felt the strain in his muscles, the pain of every wound inflicted. But he couldn't let Gareth win—not when so much was at stake.
With a final, decisive strike, Anu disarmed Gareth, clattering his sword to the ground. Gareth stumbled, his breath ragged and his eyes filled with defeat.
"It's over," Anu said, his voice cold and relentless
Gareth stared at him momentarily, his expression mixed with regret and bitterness. "You're a fool, Anu," he muttered. "You don't see what's coming."
Anu didn't respond. He signaled to the soldiers to take Gareth into custody, his mind racing with the implications of the betrayal. There were still questions that needed answers and threats lurking in the shadows.
But for now, the immediate danger had been dealt with.