I wake with a jolt of pain in my right arm, sharp as it drags on the stone floor. Blood seeps through the bandage in dark threads, sticky against the skin. The barracks is still. Most of the bedrolls lie empty; those still filled housing Yurik’s men. Bran’s company left before dawn to recruit the southern outlaws. Halric’s men followed soon after.

  William is already awake, crouched beside Hamza, whispering. They both glance up when I stir and wave me over.

  William eyes me as I approach, throwing my cloak over my shoulder.

  “You alright, Seven?” William whispers. “That arm looks bad. Maldor ain’t cursed you, has he?”

  “I’m fine,” I mutter, flexing despite the tight throb.

  “If you say so... I get sick just lookin’ at that bastard. Don’t know how you manage.”

  Hamza cuts in, voice quiet but firm. “Yurik leaves at dawn. Are you ready?”

  I nod, steeling myself. "Yeah. What about Luna?"

  “I’ll grab her when it’s time.” William says with a wave of his hand. “The plan’s not complicated, barely a plan at all really. Yurik’s company gathers by the gate at first light, and when they do, you and Luna slip in among them. Keep your heads down, hoods up and we should be fine."

  "And if someone asks questions?"

  "You say your work with Maldor’s done, and you’ve been reassigned back to the company. Simple."

  Hamza nods in agreement. "We’ll lend our words too if needed."

  I rise, squaring my shoulders. “Then I’ll be there. But first, there are things I need to take care of.”

  “Be quick,” Hamza says, already fading behind me, together with William and the barracks itself.

  I move with purpose, heart beginning to hammer as the pieces fall into place. The first stop is Maldor’s laboratory. It’s early still, he’ll be in his quarters eating alone, as he always does. A small window of opportunity.

  I descend the stairs quickly and slip in the large, horrifying cavern, past the chained prisoners and through to the chamber filled with severed limbs. Above, the spiders shift in their rafters and corners, long legs brushing against stone, each movement setting my hair on end. They don’t move to intercept. They know me by now.

  My goal is clear. I cross the cold stone floor toward the curled remains of a large spider corpse... the one Two had slain when he brought me here. It's remains are half-consumed by its kin, but the fangs and venom glands I need are still intact. I kneel and draw my knife.

  The blade slides cleanly, slicing flesh with minimal resistance. I work quickly, slipping the glistening black glands into a waxed pouch.

  Didn't think I'd be using these again after what happened to Joss...

  A hiss cuts the silence.

  Then another.

  I look up.

  The spiders have shifted. All of them. Dozens of eyes glint in the shadows... fixed on me, legs splayed, bodies tensed. Watching as I desecrate their dead.

  I freeze, heartbeat thudding in my ears. I pocket the pouch slowly, inching back without turning, without sudden movements....

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  Then they ease back, vanishing once more into the ceiling’s black.

  I exhale sharply and slip from the chamber.

  My next stop is Two’s quarters. The halls remain mostly empty, the fort still half-asleep. I don’t bother to knock, pushing straight into the room.

  He’s fastening his cloak, freshly dressed, sword at his hip. He turns as I close the door behind me.

  "What is it?"

  "It’s about Maldor," I say. "About killing him."

  He barely glances my way, tightening his sword belt. "What about it?"

  "How soon do you need it done?"

  He shrugs. "I’ve time. Though, the sooner the better, of course."

  I nod slowly, stepping forward. "Then I have a suggestion."

  He smirks, looking at me properly this time. "Go on then, little brother. Let’s hear it."

  "Rather than gaining his trust… waiting for him to let his guard down, I’ll kill him in battle."

  He laughs, clearly amused. "You think you can?"

  "I won’t be alone." I say, my hand squeezing the club at my belt.

  Two remains quiet, watching me. So I press on. "I’ll go to Ravencroft and rally the mayor’s men. You already know he wants these brigands dead, the moment I tell him of this place’s location, he'll lead an assault on the fort. When he does, I’ll be with him and I'll make sure Maldor dies in the battle.”

  Two nods strokes his chin as he considers my words. It’s hard to tell if he’s convinced or not, so I continue, making my last point.

  “If you want your hands clean of Maldor’s death, having your own brother kill him is surely not the most effective way. But him dying in a battle against Ravencroft? It’s perfectly plausible. Even expected… if he were on the losing side.”

  Two smiles, intrigued. "But there's an issue. He won’t be on the losing side. No battle can be won against Edric while I’m on the field. So long as I fight, we win."

  "Then don’t fight," I counter. "Stay out of it."

  He shakes his head. "They'll expect me to. It’s what I’m here for, why Edric tolerates me. If I were to refuse battle… it would raise far more questions, especially given my disposition."

  He pauses for a moment, eyes wondering… then, they fall back to me and he smirks. "Unless, of course... I’m occupied. A worthy foe might be enough to keep me busy, for a time."

  I raise an eyebrow, unsure. "If that’s the case, I could inform Mother you're here…"

  His expression hardens in an instant, all amusement wiped clean. A low hum builds in the air, I take one step back... then another... as the light in the room seems to dim around him. His voice cuts through the air like a blade. "No. Involve her, and your plan is dead."

  I nod wordlessly, certain not to push the issue further.

  He exhales, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "But... I am aware of your friend from the east. The hunter. He’s tracking me, isn’t he?"

  He already knows about Ren...?

  "Perhaps he’ll do. If he challenges me during the battle, I’ll be obliged to respond. Of course... I’ll kill him when it’s done."

  I hesitate, weighing the cost. Then nod. "Ren plans to challenge you anyway."

  Two gives a single, final nod. "Good. Then we’re agreed. But make sure Maldor dies, Brother. If he doesn’t... you know the consequences."

  I nod, a wave of cautious relief washing over me.

  He actually accepted.

  It’s coming together. Finally.

  If this works, I’ll have everything I wanted out of coming here...

  Or perhaps even more...

  Two beside me, when I face Vael...

  That thought lingers as I leave without another word and descend toward the dungeon.

  The air down here is damp and stale. Rust stains the walls. No true prisoners remain, all now locked in Maldor web, to be used and toyed with. Which makes it a suitable hideout, for Luna who sits curled in a corner, wrapped in her cloak, her face slack with sleep.

  Ren sits beside her like a statue, sword across his knees. He nods as I approach.

  I explain everything. The escape, the battle, the plan to kill Maldor. I hesitate only at the last part... his role.

  "When the battle begins.... Two will expect you to challenge him. If you do, he'll accept and fight you... alone."

  A faint smile touches his lips and his eyes light with something like excitement. "Excellent," he says. "Much gratitude. The battle will be glorious, I am certain."

  I meet his gaze, voice somber. "You can't win Ren. Two can't be beaten."

  He chuckles, the sound soft and unshaken. "Improvement comes from facing the insurmountable. My blade has been sharpened with the bones of many foes, but it has yet to meet its limit. Its peak. A clash with your brother... is sure to draw me closer."

  He inclines his head slightly. “But I must apologize, for when I kill him.”

  I say nothing more. He’s made his choice.

  Behind him, Luna stirs. She blinks groggily, voice soft. “Seven... is it time?”

  "Almost."

  A silhouette appears in the doorway, William, lit by the thin blue glow of the rising dawn filtering through the slit window.

  "It’s time," he says. "Yurik's gathering the men. Let’s move."