The group pressed on through the night, eventually finding shelter in a crumbling ruin deep in the forest. Aiden paced restlessly as the others tended to their wounds.
"Lira's right," Garron rumbled, his voice low but firm. "Someone's been feeding them information. We can't ignore it anymore."
Cara glanced at Aiden, her face lined with worry. "We need to know the truth, Aiden. If there's a spy, they'll destroy us from within."
Aiden nodded grimly. "We'll find out tonight."
---
After the camp had settled, Aiden called a meeting. The group gathered around the fire, the flickering light casting long shadows over their faces.
"Someone in this group has been betraying us," Aiden said, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him. "And I won't let it continue."
Finn's eyes darted nervously around the circle. "You think it's me, don't you?"
"No one's accusing anyone without proof," Cara interjected, her tone calm but firm.
Lira stepped forward, holding up a small scrap of parchment. "I found this in Finn's pack."
Aiden took the parchment, his heart sinking as he read the hastily scrawled message: Rebels moving west. Ambush at mountain pass.
Finn's face crumpled. "I didn't write that! I don't even know where it came from!"
"Liar," Lira spat, her knife already in her hand.
"Stop!" Aiden shouted, stepping between them. He looked at Finn, his voice softening. "If you didn't write it, then who did?"
"I don't know!" Finn cried, tears streaming down his face. "I swear, I didn't do it!"
As Aiden tried to piece together the truth, Cara's eyes narrowed, her gaze shifting between Finn and Lira.
"What if it wasn't Finn?" she said suddenly.
Lira stiffened. "What are you implying?"
"Think about it," Cara said, her voice sharp. "Who's been the most vocal about finding the spy? Who had the most to gain by shifting suspicion onto someone else?"
All eyes turned to Lira.
"That's ridiculous," Lira said, her voice tight. "I've been the one keeping us alive!"
"Or keeping us in chaos," Garron growled.
Aiden stepped forward, his voice cold. "Lira. Empty your pack."
For a moment, she hesitated, her hand tightening on her knife. Then, with a defiant glare, she tossed her pack to the ground.
Aiden searched it carefully, his heart pounding. Beneath the weapons and supplies, he found another scrap of parchment—this one with the kingdom's seal.
Lira's face hardened. "You don't understand. They threatened my family. If I didn't feed them information—"
"You betrayed us," Aiden said, his voice filled with quiet fury.
Lira's knife flashed, but Aiden was faster. Flames erupted from his hand, forcing her to drop the weapon.
"Get out," he said, his voice shaking with anger and grief. "If I see you again, I won't hesitate."
Lira hesitated for a moment, then turned and vanished into the darkness.
The camp was silent after Lira's departure, the weight of her betrayal hanging over them like a storm cloud.
Finn sat by the fire, his face still streaked with tears. "I thought… I thought you'd kill me."
Aiden placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry I doubted you. You've earned my trust, Finn. Don't let anyone take that from you again."
Cara sat beside Aiden as the others drifted off to rest. "What now?"
"We keep fighting," Aiden said, his voice filled with resolve. "The kingdom thinks they've weakened us, but they're wrong. We're stronger than ever."
Cara smiled faintly. "We'll make them regret underestimating us."
As the fire burned low, Aiden stared into the flames, his determination rekindled. The rebellion had survived its first betrayal—and now, it would rise stronger than ever.