Dalecorn - Border of Dela Mar - Ambrose:

  Xander and his group had been traveling steadily over the course of a few moons.

  They entered a town surrounded by wooden palisades. A weathered sign read “Dalescorn” in faded letters. Inside the walls, farm animals roamed freely between the stables and markets. The stone road was worn smooth by countless boots and wagon wheels. Houses made of timber and thick straw-clay roofs lined the streets.

  “Hey, this is the last rest spot before entering a stretch of lawless land, with the next town a grueling seven moons away,” Ambrose said as he handed his horse to the stable master.

  “Hey, Ambrose, I’ll take Xander to the tailor’s shop. He needs clothes and new footwear,” April said. The clothes we got on the way to the Seraphs are old and ruined.

  “Um... Okay.” Ambrose pulled out three gold coins and pressed them into April’s palm. His fingers lingered as their eyes met for a moment. “This should get whatever you need.”

  “Okay... Um, talk to you later.” April nodded, grabbed Xander’s hand, and headed toward the tailor’s shop.

  Ambrose approached Carly, a pouch of gold in his hand. “We need five horses, seven moons worth of smoked and dried meat, bread, ale, and five sleeping packs.” He tossed her the pouch.

  Carly caught it, weighing the gold with a skeptical look. “Who made you boss of me?”

  “I’m not the boss.” Ambrose met her sharp gaze. “But we’re about to enter dangerous territory. Especially risky for women.”

  As Carly started to walk away, Ambrose caught her wrist gently, turning her back with a slight smile. “Hey.” His voice dropped lower, eyes crinkling at the corners. “Don’t be like that.”

  Carly’s expression softened slightly. “Oh, fine.” She crossed her arms, eyeing Dez across the camp. “But you know I don’t like running errands. Can’t she do it?”

  Overhearing, Dez approached with an extended hand. “I can handle it.”

  Carly tossed the gold pouch to Dez, who caught it and secured it to her belt with practiced efficiency.

  “Ambrose, would you mind coming along? I’ll need help carrying everything,” Dez asked.

  Ambrose nodded, then glanced at the others. “Actually, we might as well all go at this point.”

  ◆◆◆

  Dalescorn - Border of Dela Mar - Xander:

  “Hey, I think this is it.” April pointed ahead, where clothes hung from a line outside a modest shop. “I can see the tailor’s sign.”

  Xander kept looking forward, saying nothing.

  As the two entered the shop, a bell chimed overhead. April hurried over to a section marked for larger men while Xander followed.

  “Xander, what about these trousers and boots?” April held up dark leather pants and sturdy-looking boots.

  The leather feels cheap, but this should suffice. Xander examined the items briefly, then nodded at April.

  The two walked over to the counter. April set the items down, the leather boots making a soft thud against the worn wood.

  “How much for the boots and trousers?” April asked the clerk.

  “That’ll be twenty five silver,” the clerk replied.

  April reached into her pocket, fingers searching through her blue trousers. Why did Ambrose give me gold? Now that I think about it, he doesn’t carry silver. She pulled out a gleaming coin. “I’ve got a gold coin?”

  The clerk’s jaw dropped. “I don’t have enough change for that.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Have a good moon,” April said cheerfully. “Come on, Xander. We’ve been in here too long.”

  Xander followed April out of the shop.

  “I think I see them. They have horses...” April peered ahead, then grabbed Xander’s hand. “Come on, let’s go.” She pulled him briskly toward the group.

  “Hey, April,” Ambrose called out as they approached. “I see the big guy still needs to put on trousers and boots that don’t have holes.”

  Xander removed his old boots, slipped on the new trousers, and then pulled on his new boots.

  “There you go, big guy,” Ambrose said with a smile. “We got the biggest horse for you. Come on, give us a grin or something.”

  Xander looked at Ambrose impassively before mounting the horse.

  “We’ve already distributed the goods evenly among everyone’s horses,” Ambrose explained. “Each person has a sleeping bag on their mount too. Alright, it’s a long road to the Nowhere Inn.”

  The group began to saddle up.

  Damn it, the stirrup is too high. Who set it like this? April looked around. “Um... Ambrose, can you help me adjust the stirrups?”

  “Yeah...” Ambrose walked over to April and adjusted the brown leather stirrup. “Sorry about that... Not sure why it shifted like that.” He bent down and cupped his hands.

  April looked at his hands, then at Ambrose. She stepped into his grip as he boosted her up, swinging her right leg over the horse.

  “Thank you, Ambrose.”

  Ambrose nodded and mounted his own horse.

  The group made their way out of Dalescorn, riding toward the Nowhere Inn in the Lawless Lands.

  ◆◆◆

  Order of the Seraphs - Razlin chamber - Razlin:

  Tito and Naru stood outside Razlin’s chambers in the black and red stone hallway. The torches flickered low, their wicks nearly spent, casting dancing shadows on the walls.

  “Tito, she needs to leave her chamber. She hasn’t left in six moons, not since Xander’s banishment,” said Naru.

  Tito looked at Naru with a glare. “She will come out of her chamber when she is ready.”

  Naru turned around and left.

  Tito knocked on the door. “Come in,” a voice spoke, muffled from Razlin’s chamber.

  He opened the door and entered the queen’s chamber. Letters were scattered across her writing desk in chaotic piles. The bed blankets lay twisted and unmade, untouched for moons. Wooden plates of uneaten food sat forgotten on various surfaces, while untouched ale had grown stale in the pitcher. Clothes lay strewn across the cold marble floor. The torches on the glossy wooden walls had burned out completely, their wicks long since spent.

  Razlin stood by the window, tears streaming down her face.

  “My queen,” he said as he knelt before her.

  “Tito, I need you to speak freely.”

  “Um, okay, Razlin,” Tito replied with hesitation.

  The late afternoon light cast long shadows across her disheveled chamber. Razlin’s voice was hoarse as she spoke. “Xander mentioned something... He said my father refused to give the crown back when Xander returned. Is this true?” She turned to face Tito.

  “Yes, Razlin. When Xander’s father Raylith Blight died in Ash while Xander and Rose were in Boony Kingdom, your father was supposed to be proxy king until Xander’s return—that was their agreement. But Dela broke that promise, refusing to return the crown to the Blight family even when Xander came back. Perhaps it was for the best. Being tied to Rinlith would have limited Xander. Instead, he built his estate in Ash.” Tito paused for a moment, unsure how Razlin might react.

  “Then came the Grand Order, wanting to rule everything. Your father struggled against them as resources and men dwindled. Centuries later, he and Xander mended their relationship, and Xander brought his army to defeat the Grand Order.”

  Razlin clenched her fists. “So my family stole the crown?” Her voice cracked. “I really am a proxy queen?” Razlin flipped her table, sending ale spilling and fruit rolling across the bed. “This is bullshit! We were married for ten years. Xander never mentioned it.”

  Tito looked at the ground, unable to meet Razlin’s eyes.

  “Did I do the right thing in banishing him?” Razlin’s voice cracked again.

  “Razlin, the generals think he should have been killed for attacking you—a queen. Anyone else would have been executed,” Tito said, staring at the floor.

  Razlin laughed bitterly. “Do you agree, Tito?”

  “No, Razlin. I believe banishment is just cause,” Tito said carefully.

  “Tell all the generals and vice generals there’s a meeting in seven moons from now. You’re dismissed, Tito.”

  ◆◆◆

  Braxton - Wally’s Chamber - Wally:

  A sharp knock echoed through the chamber.

  “Yeah, come in,” Wally called, his voice gruff with impatience.

  The door opened to reveal Wally’s spacious chamber, green and gold walls rising above white marble floors. Two maids worked quietly, keeping the ornate furniture spotless. Tea and cups sat arranged on his desk where he lounged and sipped ale.

  A woman entered. She had purple hair streaked with blue, and piercing blue eyes that scanned the room. Her green armor bore gold trim, a single shoulder pad protecting her left side. A long white cape hung from her shoulders, its bottom hem stained with dirt. She towered over Wally despite her lean frame, her perfectly proportioned nose suiting her round face. A scar traced from her neck down her back, hidden beneath the armor.

  “Ah, Cassandra, you have the reports.” Wally set down his ale and reached for an apple. “Read them to me.”

  “Of course, King Wally. I’ve already read them,” Cassandra stated coolly.

  Wally bit into the apple with a loud crunch. “Well then, tell me the good news.” Apple pieces sprayed from his mouth onto the desk as he spoke.

  Cassandra’s posture stiffened, her fingers twitching almost imperceptibly. “Try to relax when I tell you what the report said.”

  “Yes, yes, get on with it,” Wally snapped, leaning forward.

  “Dez failed to kill Xander, and now seems to be siding with him. Also, Razlin and Xander had a fight, resulting in his banishment. Xander is headed to his estate in Ash.”

  Wally stood abruptly, his face contorting with rage. “This is BULLSHIT!” He swept his arm across the table, sending teacups and silverware clattering to the floor.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  “Damn it! Maid, get me a fucking rag, I cut myself.” He whirled on Cassandra. “What happened to Dez? Is it possible to intercept Xander?”

  “No, my king,” Cassandra replied, her calm exterior belying the tension in her shoulders. “I can’t flash like Tito. If we try on horseback, he’ll be moons ahead of us.”

  “FUCK!” Wally yelled, flipping the table with a resounding crash. “MAID!”

  A trembling servant appeared, clutching a cloth. “I-I’m sorry, my king. I had to find a clean cloth.”

  “Shut up,” Wally snarled, snatching the rag. “Get lost. You’re lucky you don’t get lashes.” He pressed the cloth to his bleeding hand, fury barely contained. “Cassandra, when the generals return, tell them not to leave. Let me know when they’re all here.”

  “Understood,” Cassandra replied, bowing her head. As she turned to leave, her face betrayed a flicker of worry before settling back into its usual mask of calm efficiency.

  The door closed behind her, leaving Wally alone with his rage and the wreckage of his tantrum.

  ◆◆◆

  Lawless Land - Camp - Xander’s Group:

  Xander’s group had been traveling for six moons. They were one moon away from Nowhere Inn.

  The moon shone bright as they settled down for the night, its light illuminating the Lawless Lands. Green sand mixed with grass. Cacti sprouted throughout the area, while scattered patches of woods broke up the mostly flat land marked by rolling hills.

  “This place should work,” Ambrose said as he dismounted. “Hey, make sure you ground the horses with stakes.”

  The others dismounted, stretching their tired limbs. They secured their horses as instructed.

  “I’ll get the fire ready and start cooking... Xander, will you come with me to haul the wood back?”

  Xander nodded and fell in step beside Ambrose.

  “Carly, can you set up my bed while I get wood from the nearby forest?” Ambrose called over his shoulder.

  “Yes, my lord,” Carly said, smiling and chuckling softly.

  “I’ll set up yours, Xander,” Dez offered helpfully.

  “I’ll help you, Dez, once I’m done with mine,” Carly added.

  Xander and Ambrose started walking southeast into the forest. After a while, Ambrose stopped and turned around.

  “Hey, Xander, do you remember the lands northeast from the Lawless Land?”

  Xander looked at Ambrose and nodded.

  “You haven’t spoken much in over six moons now,” Ambrose observed.

  “Ambrose, my best friend died. I believe this is what they call grieving,” Xander whispered.

  Ambrose smiled softly. “Alright, big guy. Hey, do you remember when we fought the Grim Reaper?”

  Xander looked at the ground. “No,” he said, then raised his eyes to meet Ambrose’s gaze.

  Ambrose’s face went blank. “Of course you wouldn’t remember that bloody fight.”

  “Ambrose, what can you tell me about my sister?”

  “Hey, big guy—let’s enter the forest and get some wood for the night first.”

  They entered the forest. The trees were dry and rotted with thin branches. The weeds grew high and had a grainy feel to them. The green sand smelled like old grass.

  “Xander, let’s stay close to where we entered,” Ambrose said.

  “Okay.” Xander picked up a piece of wood.

  “What do you want to know about your sister, Xander?”

  “I can only put pieces together. Some memories are clearer than others with Rose.”

  Ambrose smiled. “Alright, do you remember that you and your sister are twins? She was born first. Your father gave her the family sigil, Soul Eater. She had much better hair than you,” he added with a laugh.

  Xander stopped gathering wood and looked at Ambrose. “Better hair, huh? We did have similar features?”

  “I mean, she was much prettier than your ugly mug,” Ambrose said, his tone serious.

  Xander scoffed. “Whatever.”

  They looked at each other and burst out laughing. Suddenly, a loud scream pierced the air, cutting their laughter short.

  “Sounded like April,” Xander said, his voice urgent. “Let’s hurry back with what we have. It should be enough.”

  Ambrose nodded.

  Ambrose and Xander started heading back to the camp with haste.

  ◆◆◆

  Lawless Land - Camp - April:

  “Damn it, this buckle won’t unclip!” April threw the rolled-up pelt of a dire-wolf in frustration. It rolled towards Dez as tears streamed down April’s face. She sniffed, sitting on her knees on the ground. Carly had already set up her bed for the night.

  Dez grabbed the pelt and walked towards April. Carly began gathering rocks, creating a circle for the fire pit. Dez sat down next to April, struggling with the buckle at first before managing to unfasten it. She rolled out the pelt, then reached for the wild Yulk pelt on April’s horse.

  Shit, people are coming—and they look like bandits.“Carly, April, we have people coming,” Dez warned, unbuckling the wild Yulk pelt from the horse.

  “What people?! How can— Right! Where are Xander and Ambrose? They’ve been gone for a while,” April said, panic rising in her voice.

  Dez unrolled the wild Yulk pelt over the dire wolf pelt. “Relax, let’s keep our cool. It’s most likely a bunch of bandits.”

  As the shadowy figures drew closer, their voices became clearer.

  “April, come here near me,” Carly called.

  April got up and sat next to Carly, fear evident in her movements.

  As the group of men closed in, Dez yelled, “STOP!” The men’s laughter echoed in the night air as moonlight illuminated their faces.

  “Who is your leader?” Dez demanded, her voice steady despite the tension.

  “That would be me!” A figure with long black hair stepped forward as the men parted. He was covered in mud, the moonlight casting eerie shadows across his face.

  “My name is Cutthroat Carl.” His eyes swept over the group. “My, what do we have here? Pretty women indeed.” He walked toward April and Carly, but Dez stepped protectively in front of them.

  “Oh, you’re a brave one,” Carl taunted. “You should look behind you. My men have surrounded whatever you call this camp.”

  “You look good tonight,” a bandit whispered in April’s ear.

  Tears started to fall from April’s face as she screamed, “XANDER!”

  Carl looked past Dez. “You can scream all you want. This is Lawless Land. Anything goes.” He turned back to Dez. “Go sit next to that pretty blonde.” He winked at Dez, grinning.

  Dez slowly walked over to Carly and sat down.

  “Alright, what are three pretty women doing all the way out here with no guards?” Carl sneered.

  April, Carly, and Dez exchanged glances.

  “Boss, do you want to start a fire? Looks like they’ve already created the pit with stones,” a random bandit called out.

  “Yeah, sure.” Carl snapped his fingers.

  “Boss, there’s five horses and five beds,” a bandit called out, already grabbing wood from the horses. Another bandit struck flint against steel until sparks caught, flames flickering to life in the stone circle.

  A few bandits rummaged through the group’s supplies, pulling out food provisions. They tossed some meat and vegetables into a pot and set it over the newly lit fire, the aroma of cooking food mixing with the tension in the air.

  Carl walked around the group, his gaze fixed on Dez. He crouched before her, tilting his head as he studied her face. The flickering firelight caught her eyes, revealing their unusual black and red hue.

  Carl’s rough hands grasped Dez’s jaw, turning her face for a closer look. He stepped back, a cruel grin spreading across his face. “Well, well. We’ve got ourselves a vampire here, boys.”

  His bandit crew muttered among themselves. “Never had a vampire before,” one said.

  “Men, take her jacket off,” Carl ordered, pointing at Dez.

  The bandits approached, forcibly removing Dez’s jacket as she fought and squirmed. They began to untuck her shift from her pants.

  “Good enough, back up,” Carl snapped his fingers.

  Moving behind Dez, Carl bent down, inhaling deeply, savoring her scent. His arms wrapped around her waist, hands aggressively roaming beneath her shift.

  “I’m going to kill you,” Dez hissed, turning her head to glare at him.

  “Yeah, whatever, vamp,” Carl sneered. “Hey boys, her breasts are firm and huge. Hey... What’s wrong with you lot? Looks like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  “Master, behind you!” a bandit cried out as urine trickled down his legs, staining his trousers.

  “You’re fucked now!” April exclaimed with a hint of excitement.

  “Nothing is fucking behind me!” Carl spun around as the firelight faintly illuminated two silhouettes. A massive man carried a big log over his right shoulder with smaller pieces of wood in his left arm, accompanied by a shorter figure beside him.

  “Who the fuck are you? You’re interrupting me...” Carl’s voice trailed off as the fire brightened, revealing their faces. His eyes widened as he recognized the colossal man. He stumbled backward, tripping over Dez.

  Dez scoffed at Carl.

  “NO FUCKING WAY!” Carl cried out.

  Xander and Ambrose walked around the girls, dropping the wood next to the fire pit. Xander fixed Carl with a death stare while Ambrose crouched beside Carly. “Are you alright?” He whispered. Carly nodded silently.

  “Hawk Blade warned us about you. A massive man with a scar on the right side of his face,” Carl said, his voice quavering. “Let’s take it easy, huh? We didn’t know these were your friends. Come on boys, let’s go.”

  The bandits started to leave when Xander grabbed Carl’s torn jacket.

  “Hey, let go of me you oversized—”

  Xander spun Carl around, grabbed him by the throat, and lifted him slowly. Carl clutched at Xander’s wrist as his legs dangled in the air.

  Carl swung wildly at Xander. His fist connected with Xander’s face without even fazing him.

  Dark blood dripped from his cheeks where Xander’s fingers pressed into flesh.

  “I...” Carl’s throat gurgled, unable to form words.

  He’s mine. Dez sprang up, moving behind Carl as he dangled helplessly. Her nails extended into razor-sharp claws. She reached up from below.

  She ripped and pulled as organs and pieces of his worn-out trousers came away in her hand. Blood streamed down her arm.

  Carl’s scream cut through the night before his body went limp in Xander’s grip. Blood poured from Carl onto the ground below.

  Dez looked at the handful of organs impaled on her claws, then tossed them to the ground.

  Xander looked down at Dez. “I’m fine,” she said before spitting on Carl’s body.

  Ambrose stood, extending his arm. A solid black mass shot out from his fingers, piercing the fleeing bandits in the back of their necks. Blood erupted from their wounds as the mass retreated to Ambrose’s fingers. The bandits dropped dead instantly.

  “Burn the bodies. Take everything of value,” Xander commanded.

  Everyone turned to look at him.

  Xander walked back to April, crouching down to wipe tears from her face. “Daro nir, uanui edain ú-nad,” he said softly.

  April sniffled, looking at him in confusion. “What did you say?” Her eyes widened. “Did you just speak Elvish…? My father said you could speak different languages.”

  Carly glanced between Xander and Ambrose, who grinned. Dez stared at Xander in confusion.

  Xander stood. “Ambrose, I’m going for a walk to think. I won’t be far.”

  “Okay, do you want a torch?” Ambrose asked.

  “No need. I won’t be far,” Xander replied, walking south.

  Dez and Ambrose began searching the dead bandits’ pockets. Dez found a sealed paper in Carl’s pocket, took his satchel of gold, and removed his ax and sword. She lifted his corpse, throwing it into the fire. Noticing the remains on the ground, she tossed them onto the fire as well, spitting on the body.

  Carly’s eyebrows shot up in shock. “Was that his...?”

  “Yes,” Dez responded coldly.

  Dez moved to another bandit, taking his weapons and satchel of mets.

  “Dez, let’s pile them all up here,” Ambrose pointed to the ground.

  “Okay!” Dez said. As she bent to move a dead bandit, she noticed April was missing. After dragging the body to the pile, she looked up. “Where’s April?”

  “She walked towards Xander’s direction,” Carly said nonchalantly.

  I know he went this way. Why did he walk off like that? I think I see him. Looks like he’s sitting on something. “Xander!” April yelled as she saw the figure’s head move. She rushed over, the moonlight illuminating Xander’s right side.

  Xander glanced at April, then gazed up at the moon.

  “Why won’t you look at me? HEY! I’m talking to you.” She put her hands on his cheeks, guiding his face to meet her eyes.

  Xander closed his eyes and gently removed her hands.

  “What did I do, Xander?!” April said, frustration evident in her voice.

  Xander looked at April with teary eyes. “Nothing, April... I feel angry and sad. I got your father killed. My wife...” He trailed off. “Honestly, I’m sorry, April.”

  “Hey, don’t you dare say that. It wasn’t your fault.” Her voice cracked with emotion.

  Xander looked at the moon.

  “It doesn’t matt—” Xander stopped speaking as April lowered to his lap.

  “Wh-what are you doing?” Xander stammered, looking into April’s eyes.

  April played with Xander’s hair, gently tracing the scar on the right side of his face. “I may love you. I may have even loved you from afar, from my father’s stories about you.”

  She leaned in slowly for a kiss, pressing her lips against Xander’s. His lips didn’t move. She pulled back. “Why didn’t you kiss me back?”

  Xander’s face was shocked. “I-I ca—”

  April leaned in again, kissing Xander and gently resting her hands against his cheeks. Xander didn’t react.

  She pulled back, placing her hands on his chest. “You won’t kiss me. What’s wrong with you? What’s wrong with me?”

  “Nothing is wrong with you. I told you, you’re beautiful and strong. You will find a suitor. I can’t be that person,” Xander said, gently taking her hand from his chest and placing it back on her lap.

  “Why not? I’ve longed for you since I met you. You told me the next time we saw each other, we would give it a shot with my fa—” She paused. “You won’t touch me without my father’s blessing?”

  Xander lowered his gaze to the ground. “I didn’t know I was married at the time. I remember my marriage, or most of it.”

  “Xander, that marriage is nulled.” April got up off Xander’s lap.

  “I can’t explain it, April. Fifty years have passed, but to me, it feels like yesterday.”

  April glared at Xander, but sadness overtook her. “I feel like a fool. You’re more broken than me.” Tears dripped from her chin. Xander gently wiped them from her cheeks.

  “I am sorry, April.” They locked eyes, sharing a moment of sadness and guilt.

  Xander stood and extended his hand. “Come on, let’s get back to camp.”

  As they returned, Ambrose observed their actions.

  “Thanks, whoever set up my bedding,” Xander said gratefully.

  Dez looked at Xander. “April did your bedding.”

  April quickly glanced at Dez, then at Xander. Xander lifted his head, meeting her gaze. They shared a moment before Xander stood up.

  As the group prepared to eat and settle for the night, Xander shifted the big log onto the fire, which already contained the burning corpses of their enemies.