Kael sat at her usual table in the tavern, her plate filled with a breakfast different from the one she had eaten yesterday. The warm scent of seasoned meat and fresh bread lingered in the air, blending with the murmur of mercenaries, merchants, and wanderers who had gathered in the bustling establishment.
She ate calmly, her storm-dark eyes scanning the room lazily—until a low conversation caught her attention.
Two men sat behind her, speaking in hushed voices.
"You hear the news?" one of them asked.
His companion, a burly mercenary with a scar across his cheek, took a bite of his bread before replying. "Which one?"
The first man leaned in slightly. "The Hound of Ravaryn has disappeared."
The other mercenary choked on his food. "What?! What do you mean, disappeared?"
"She hasn't taken a mission in over a month. No one has seen her."
The man cursed, wiping his mouth. "That's huge. A lot of criminals will be celebrating."
"That's what I said."
His companion took another bite, chewing thoughtfully. "But Bast is still around, right?"
"Yeah, him and his people. But their bite is weaker without her."
The first mercenary snorted. "Not wrong. That bastard's annoying, but the Archer? She's a damn menace."
The scarred man leaned back in his chair. "Think we should head to Ravaryn? Could be easy money now that she's out of the picture."
"Hah, you really want to risk it? Bast and his lot might not be as terrifying as she is, but they ain't exactly weak either."
Kael continued eating without reacting, her fingers lightly gripping her fork.
After finishing her meal, she pushed back from the table, paid the innkeeper, and left—heading out into the city streets.
Her morning continued as usual. Exploring. Training. Studying. But a cold weight had settled in her chest.
Someone had been keeping track of her absence.
And she had a feeling this wasn't just mindless gossip.
---
The afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the marketplace, filling the air with the scent of fresh fruit, roasted meat, and parchment ink.
Kael walked with a steady pace, blending in.
She wasn't being paranoid—someone was following her.
The feeling had started minutes ago. A presence behind her, moving when she moved.
She resisted the urge to glance over her shoulder. She needed to be sure.
So she walked deeper into the marketplace, weaving between merchants and shoppers.
Still there.
Then she turned, stepping quickly into a narrow alleyway. Dark. Quiet.
She counted her steps. One. Two. Three.
Then she moved.
Her bow was in her hands in an instant, arrow nocked and fired.
A shouted curse.
The man barely stumbled into view before her arrow pierced his leg, dropping him to one knee.
Before he could scream, Kael was on him, dagger flashing in the dim alley.
She struck him hard across the jaw.
A pill clattered to the ground. A poison capsule.
She clicked her tongue. "Tch. So that's how it is."
The man groaned, clutching his bleeding leg.
Kael squatted down in front of him, tilting her head. "Who sent you?"
No answer.
Kael's dagger pressed against his throat. "I'll ask once more."
Still nothing.
Kael sighed. "Fine. I'll do this the hard way."
Her blade flicked, cutting into the already bleeding wound in his leg. The man screamed.
"A lady!" he gasped. "A woman sent me!"
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"Who?"
The man clenched his teeth, refusing to speak.
Kael's expression remained cold as she slid her fingers into his wound, pressing down on torn flesh.
The scream was immediate.
"The Queen! It was the Queen!"
Kael stilled.
Her grip tightened.
She had expected someone to act against her eventually. But this soon?
More importantly, this assassin bore no royal emblem.
Meaning Evelyn was covering her tracks.
Kael's voice was like steel. "Why is she in such a rush to kill me?"
The man shook his head wildly. "I don't know! I don't know!"
"Who else knows I'm here?"
His breath came in short gasps. "The Queen. The Crown Prince. And... h-him."
Kael's fingers dug deeper. "Him?"
The man shook violently. "I don't know who! That's what they call him—'him.' I swear! That's all I know!"
Kael studied him. His trembling hands, the sweat rolling down his forehead.
He was telling the truth.
She exhaled. "Thank you for your cooperation."
Then, in one swift motion, she slit his throat.
The man gurgled, his body collapsing to the ground.
Kael wiped her blade clean. She had what she needed.
Now, she needed to think.
Back at the inn, Jorrik was waiting.
As she entered, he arched an eyebrow. "You're late."
Kael sat down across from him, setting her dagger on the table.
"An assassin followed me, again."
Kael leaned forward. "It was the Queen. She sent him."
Jorrik cursed.
Kael continued, her voice low. "The Queen, Edric, and someone else. A 'he'—but no name. Someone they speak of in secret."
Jorrik's expression darkened. "You think it's a noble?"
Kael exhaled. "I don't know. But we're running out of time."
Jorrik nodded. "We need to be careful. I'll double my efforts with the disguise."
Kael met his gaze. "Good. Because it's getting more dangerous by the hour."
Jorrik sighed. "I swear, this job keeps getting worse."
Kael smirked faintly. "You could always quit."
Jorrik scoffed. "And miss all the fun?"
"Now you find it fun, looks like you're spending too much time whit Riven " She said whit a soft smile.
They sat in silence for a moment.
Then Kael sighed, rubbing her temples. "I need sleep."
Jorrik stood, stretching. "Yeah, well, you'll have plenty of time to rest on the road."
Kael paused.
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow, she'd finally be leaving this city and soon see her brother again.
---
^Meanwhile, in the Palace^
Riven lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
He had never been more bored in his life.
Sighing, he turned toward the window, gazing at the stars.
"Just one more day."
Then, he smirked.
"And after that… it'll just be the two of us, sweetheart".
End of volume 2