The cold mountain air bit at Arik's skin as he rode away from Blackthorn Keep. He kept his hood low, his expression unreadable.
His mission was complete.
Kael had seen him. Had allowed him to escape.
Arik knew what that meant—his true master expected him to play his role.
By dawn, he reached a hidden Divine Order outpost deep in the northern valleys. The guards at the gate recognized him immediately, their armor gleaming with holy sigils.
"Sir Arik," one of them saluted. "The commander is waiting."
Arik dismounted, stepping inside the war tent where Commander Aldric and several Order officers gathered. The air smelled of burning incense—a ward against dark magic.
Aldric, a hardened veteran with silver hair and sharp eyes, looked up.
"You're late," he said, voice edged with impatience. "Tell me—what have you learned of the Tyrant?"
Spinning the Lie
Arik pulled back his hood, his face set in grim determination.
"It's worse than we feared," he said. "Kael Draven has become something else… something beyond human."
The officers exchanged uneasy glances.
Aldric frowned. "Explain."
Arik did not hesitate. His lie had to be perfect.
"He sits upon a throne in Blackthorn Keep, surrounded by dark knights and twisted warriors. His power has grown beyond recognition. He is no longer the man we once knew."
One of the officers cursed under his breath.
Aldric narrowed his eyes. "And his forces?"
Arik nodded. "Blackthorn Keep is no longer a fortress—it is a stronghold of the Abyss. The men who follow him have changed. They move without fear, without hesitation. It's as if… they are bound to his will."
The room fell silent. Fear crept into the officers' eyes.
Arik knew he had them. They would believe the worst.
Aldric slammed his fist on the table. "Then we cannot wait. If we give him time to grow stronger, he will become unstoppable."
Exactly what Kael wanted.
Arik kept his expression neutral. "Then we must strike first."
Aldric nodded grimly. "We'll send an army to Blackthorn Keep immediately."
Arik lowered his gaze, hiding his satisfaction.
Kael's trap was set.
And soon, the Divine Order would walk straight into it.