The night was eerily quiet. Aiden sat on a low hill overlooking the camp, the distant flicker of their campfire barely visible through the trees. The moon hung high above, casting its cold light over the forest, but it did little to ease the weight pressing on his chest.
In the weeks since their first strike, their rebellion had grown into something he hadn't fully expected. They had fighters now—real fighters—along with supplies, weapons, and even whispers of support from neighboring villages.
And yet, the victories felt fragile. For every supply line they disrupted, the kingdom tightened its grip on the surrounding regions. For every ally they gained, there was a risk of betrayal.
The thought gnawed at him. If he failed, it wouldn't just be his life on the line—it would be all of theirs.
"Aiden?"
He turned to see Cara standing behind him, her cloak pulled tightly around her shoulders against the cool night air.
"Couldn't sleep?" she asked, sitting beside him.
"Not really," he admitted. "Too much to think about."
Cara looked out over the darkened forest, her green eyes thoughtful. "You've been carrying all of this on your shoulders. It's okay to let someone help."
Aiden shook his head. "I can't afford to. If I slip up, people die."
"And if you burn yourself out trying to carry this alone, the same thing happens," Cara said, her voice gentle but firm. "We're in this together, remember?"
Aiden sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You make it sound so simple."
"It's not," Cara admitted. "But that doesn't mean you have to do it alone."
For a moment, they sat in silence, the sounds of the forest filling the space between them. Then Cara leaned closer, her voice barely above a whisper.
"You've done more than anyone else ever could. People believe in you, Aiden. I believe in you."
Aiden looked at her, the weight in her words catching him off guard. He had spent so long consumed by anger and revenge that he hadn't allowed himself to think about what he meant to others—or what they meant to him.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
Cara smiled, her hand brushing against his. "Always."
---
The Kingdom's Counterattack
The next morning, the camp was a hive of activity. Aiden and Lira stood over a map spread across a makeshift table, discussing their next target.
"We hit the supply depot here," Lira said, pointing to a mark on the map. "It's small, but it's the only one serving the outposts in this area. Take it out, and we cripple their operations for weeks."
Aiden nodded, his mind already forming a plan. "What's the guard situation?"
"Minimal," Lira replied. "They don't expect anyone to come after it. The hardest part will be getting past the outer perimeter."
"We'll figure it out," Aiden said.
But before they could finalize the details, Garron burst into the tent, his expression grim.
"We've got trouble," he said. "Scouts spotted a patrol heading this way. Heavily armed. They're looking for us."
Aiden's stomach tightened. "How long do we have?"
"Not long," Garron said. "An hour, maybe less."
The camp erupted into motion as Aiden relayed the news. Fighters grabbed weapons and supplies, while the others began dismantling the camp, ready to flee if necessary.
But Aiden wasn't planning to run.
---
The patrol arrived just as the sun broke through the trees, its rays cutting through the morning mist. Aiden crouched behind a fallen log, the warmth of the sunlight filling him with energy. Beside him, Lira and Garron waited, their weapons at the ready.
Cara knelt a few feet away, her bow drawn and an arrow nocked. She caught Aiden's eye and nodded, her expression calm and focused.
The patrol—a dozen soldiers in gleaming armor—moved cautiously through the clearing, their swords drawn. They clearly expected resistance, but they weren't prepared for what came next.
Aiden raised his hand, and flames erupted in a blinding arc, cutting off the soldiers' path. The horses reared, and the men shouted in confusion, their formation breaking.
"Now!" Aiden shouted.
Lira and Garron charged from the flanks, cutting down the disoriented soldiers with precision. Cara's arrows flew true, finding their marks with deadly accuracy.
Aiden advanced, his fire lashing out like a living thing. He kept it controlled, targeting weapons and shields rather than men, forcing the soldiers to retreat.
Within minutes, the patrol was in full retreat, their morale shattered.
---
A New Threat
The victory was short-lived. As the group regrouped in the aftermath, Lira approached Aiden, her expression troubled.
"They weren't just a random patrol," she said. "They knew exactly where to find us."
Aiden's jaw clenched. "You think we have a spy?"
"It's possible," Lira said. "Or someone from one of the villages we've helped gave us up."
Aiden felt a pang of betrayal at the thought. He had trusted these people, fought for them. But Lira was right—the kingdom's forces were closing in too quickly and too precisely.
Cara stepped forward, her green eyes sharp. "If they know where we are, we can't stay here. We need to move the camp—and fast."
Aiden nodded, his resolve hardening. "We'll move deeper into the forest. But first, we need to find out who's feeding them information."
---
A Flicker of Trust
That evening, as the camp prepared to move, Cara found Aiden sitting by the fire. He was staring into the flames, his expression dark.
"You're thinking about the spy," she said, sitting beside him.
Aiden nodded. "It could be anyone. Someone desperate, someone scared… or someone who just doesn't believe in what we're doing."
Cara placed a hand on his shoulder. "We'll figure it out. But don't let it eat at you. You can't fight if you're always looking over your shoulder."
Aiden sighed, her words sinking in. "You're right. But it's hard to trust people when you've been betrayed before."
Cara smiled faintly. "Then start small. Trust me."
He looked at her, the warmth of her presence cutting through his doubts. "I do."
"Good," Cara said. "Because we've got a long fight ahead of us—and you're going to need all the help you can get."
For the first time that day, Aiden felt the tension in his chest ease. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he knew he wouldn't face them alone.