Chapter 293: Leaving Percvale for Vrethka

"You don’t know what they have," Garren said. "They could have mages. They could have something specifically designed to counter necromancy. They could have magic that limits your ability to control your undead."

Garren’s concern wasn’t simply that Darion could lose a fight. It was that Darion could encounter something he had never dealt with before.

"You have your undead. You have that golden light skill. You’re stronger than you’ve ever been." He paused. "But you’re still the Baron."

Darion understood what he was saying. If a normal knight died, the territory lost one knight. If Darion died, Percvale could lose its leader, its strongest individual, and potentially its entire defensive structure.

"If something happens to you, what happens to Percvale?"

Darion didn’t immediately answer. Because he knew Garren had a point.

But Darion also knew that staying behind had its own danger. "And what happens if I stay?"

Garren looked at him.

"We prepare."

"For what?"

Darion gestured toward the outside. "We don’t know their numbers. We don’t know when they’re coming. We don’t know where their army is. We don’t even know why they’re attacking us." His voice remained calm. "How exactly are we supposed to prepare for that?"

Garren didn’t immediately have an answer.

Darion continued. "If I sit here and wait for them to arrive, Percvale might be finished anyway." He reminded Garren of Valdenmoor without needing to explain every detail. "I’ve already made that mistake once."

Darion didn’t intend to make it again.

Seren had been listening quietly throughout the argument. She finally spoke. "Then I’ll go with him."

Darion looked at her. Garren immediately turned toward her.

She explained that she was an archer. She could fight. She knew how to move quietly. She had experience traveling through forests and observing people without being noticed. If they were trying to gather information, having someone capable of stealth and ranged combat was useful.

Then she pointed out an even simpler problem. "Darion doesn’t even know where Vrethka is." Darion paused. Seren gave him a look. "I do."

She explained that she knew the general location of Vrethka and had enough knowledge of the surrounding region to guide them. Two people also made more sense than one. "If something happens, one of us can help the other."

Darion looked at Seren. He hadn’t originally planned to take anyone. His goal was to travel quietly and avoid attention. But Seren made a fair point. He didn’t know the location. She could fight. She was an archer, which meant she could support him without necessarily getting into close combat. And she knew how to move through the wilderness.

She’s right.

Darion finally nodded. "Fine."

Garren looked unhappy about the decision. "I’m still not convinced."

Darion gave him a small smile. "I know."

Garren realized Darion wasn’t going to change his mind. Continuing to argue wouldn’t stop him. So he shifted from trying to prevent the trip to preparing for Darion’s absence.

"Then I’ll stay here."

Darion nodded.

Garren explained what he would do while they were gone. He would keep the castle secure. He would make sure the knights continued training. He would increase the guards around important locations. He would begin quietly preparing defensive positions. He would make sure the people didn’t panic. He would monitor anything suspicious around Percvale.

Darion agreed. "Good."

Garren looked at him seriously. "And if we receive any information that Vrethka is moving?"

Darion answered immediately. "Prepare for them."

The decision was made. Darion and Seren began preparing for the trip. They didn’t take a large amount of equipment. The entire point was to remain inconspicuous. Darion took whatever equipment he considered necessary. Seren prepared her bow, arrows, and basic travel supplies.

Maret eventually learned they were leaving and immediately began preparing food for them. She packed enough food for the journey, along with water and other simple supplies. Darion watched her work. "We’re not going for that long."

Maret didn’t even look up. "You’re still going to eat."

Darion sighed. "Fair."

She finished packaging the food and handed it over.

Darion checked that everything was ready. Seren adjusted her equipment. Garren met them near the castle entrance. For a moment, nobody said anything. The atmosphere was noticeably heavier than usual. This wasn’t a normal trip. Everyone understood that.

Darion looked back toward the castle. The newly renovated rooms. The beds. The people. The place that had slowly become home.

’I’ll be back.’ he thought.

Darion and Seren finally began walking away from the castle. They didn’t take a large escort. They didn’t announce where they were going. They simply left. Garren remained at the entrance, watching them.

Darion glanced back once.

Garren raised his voice. "Come back alive."

Darion paused. He looked at Garren. "I will."

Darion and Seren left Percvale after night had fully settled. The castle was mostly quiet now, most of the workers and servants asleep, while only the necessary guards remained awake. The torches along the walls flickered in the darkness, casting long shadows across the courtyard. The air was cool, carrying the scent of dew and earth.

Darion didn’t want anyone outside their small group knowing exactly where they were going. If word somehow reached Vrethka that the Baron had left Percvale, it could become useful information for their enemies. They needed to move quietly, unseen and unnoticed.

They quietly passed through the castle gates.

Once they were far enough from the castle, Seren looked back. The castle walls were barely visible now, just dark shapes against the night sky.

"You know, this would be a lot easier with horses."

Darion glanced at her. "And a lot easier for someone to notice."

Seren nodded. "Understandable."

Horses would be useful, but they were also obvious. Two people riding horses along roads would attract attention. If they were supposed to be investigating Vrethka secretly, the last thing they needed was for someone to notice them days before they arrived. They also avoided the main roads. Instead, Seren guided Darion through smaller paths and stretches of wilderness.

"We’re not traveling to Vrethka as nobles. We’re traveling as two people who don’t want to be noticed."

Darion preferred it that way.

After they had gotten sufficiently far from Percvale, Darion decided to make the journey faster. He summoned his large undead wolf. The enormous undead creature emerged from the darkness, its green eyes glowing, its body still and waiting. It was massive, easily twice the size of a normal wolf, its fur patchy and dark, its claws sharp and long.