Chapter 43: The White Shadow of the North

[Northern Road — Several Hours Later]

The capital had disappeared behind them; the magnificent towers of Qashmar were now nothing more than distant silhouettes swallowed by the horizon. The further north they traveled, the colder the air became.

The green forests gradually disappeared, the roads became rougher, the mountains grew taller and the cheerful sounds of the capital were replaced by the relentless rhythm of—

THUD...

THUD...

THUD...

Hundreds of horses marching toward the northern frontier. Kael rode at the front of the formation, his crimson cloak whipping violently behind him. Veyrith remained perched upon his shoulder, his amber eyes constantly scanning the surroundings.

Duke Lucein rode several steps behind him, while Captain Cedric commanded the knights. Kael’s gaze remained fixed upon the distant mountains. Something about the north felt...wrong.

He could not explain it, as he could feel the air itself seemed heavier. As though the mountains were hiding something. Kael slowly tightened his grip around the reins.

"Duke Lucein."

The young duke immediately approached. "Yes, Your Majesty?"

Kael kept his eyes on the distant mountains. "How far until the northern settlement?"

"Approximately two hours, Your Majesty."

"I see..."

The column continued forward, the forest grew thicker, and the road narrowed between ancient trees whose branches twisted overhead like enormous claws. Even the sunlight seemed weaker here.

Kael’s fingers tightened around the reins.

Then—

CAWWWWWWWWWWWWWW—!!!

Veyrith suddenly erupted into a furious cry, his wings spread wide, feathers standing on end.

Kael flinched. "Veyrith?"

The raven’s amber eyes locked onto the trees.

"What’s wrong?"

CAWWWWW... CAWWW...!

Not an ordinary warning. It was anger, pure, unmistakable anger. Lucein immediately reached for his sword. "Your Majesty..."

Kael’s eyes narrowed. "Something is—"

FWWWWOOOOOSHHHHHH—!!!

A shadow exploded from the canopy; something human-shaped dropped from above at terrifying speed.

CLANG!!!!!!!!

A knight barely raised his sword in time; the assassin’s blade slammed against it with such force that the knight’s horse staggered backward.

"AMBUSH!"

Another figure descended, then another, then five and then ten.

Dark figures poured from the trees.

FWOOSH!

CLANG!

SHING!

Within seconds, the Imperial formation was surrounded. Lucein’s expression changed as his fingers curled tightly around the reins. "An assassination attack..."

His eyes swept across the masked figures. "This was planned, Your Majesty."

Kael’s expression became cold; the Imperial Knights immediately formed a defensive circle around him. Cedric drew his sword and positioned himself directly before Kael.

"Protect the Emperor!"

SHING! SHING! SHING!

Hundreds of blades were drawn; Grand Duke Lior moved beside his son, his sword already in his hand.

Kael glanced around; the assassins weren’t attacking randomly. They were coordinated and disciplined, and every single one of them was looking directly at him.

Cedric’s jaw tightened.

"Looks like some clan leaders couldn’t hold themselves back."

One assassin suddenly laughed beneath his mask. "You should have stayed away from the north, Emperor."

Kael’s eyes sharpened as he slowly drew his own sword. "So...you know exactly who I am."

The assassin raised his blade. "Everyone knows."

Kael’s expression remained emotionless as he lowered the tip of his sword towards them. "Then you should also know...that I don’t forgive people who interrupt my journey."

CLANG!!!!

The first assassin lunged.

Cedric intercepted him. CLANG—!

Steel collided.

Another assassin attacked from the opposite side, and a knight blocked him.

SHING!

Then three assassins simultaneously charged Kael. Grand Duke Lior stepped forward. "Protect His Majesty!"

BOOM!

The Imperial Knights surged; the forest erupted into chaos. Steel flashed between the trees, horses screamed, men shouted, and blades struck armor.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

One assassin slipped past the defensive line; his dagger flashed toward Kael’s throat. Kael’s eyes widened but before the blade could reach him—CAWWWWWWWWWW—!!!

Veyrith launched himself from Kael’s shoulder; the raven became a blur.

FWOOSH!

The assassin barely had time to react. Veyrith’s claws struck his wrist.

CRACK!

The dagger fell; the assassin screamed. "What the—?!"

Veyrith’s eyes suddenly began glowing amber, brilliant and otherworldly. The shadows beneath the assassin’s feet moved; the man’s expression froze.

"...What?"

Black tendrils erupted from the ground.

SHHHHHK!

They wrapped around his legs, then his arms and then his throat. He was dragged violently into the darkness.

FWOOSH!

Gone.

Everyone froze, even the Imperial Knights. Kael stared at Veyrith; the raven landed calmly upon a nearby branch. Its feathers settled.

As though nothing had happened. Kael blinked.

"...Veyrith?"

The raven tilted his head. "CAW."

Lucein stared at the bird. "...That is not an ordinary raven."

Cedric looked equally stunned; his grip tightened around his sword. "No, definitely not."

An assassin roared and charged Kael from behind. Veyrith’s head snapped around.

CAWWWWWW—!!!

The assassin’s shadow suddenly stretched unnaturally across the ground; his feet stopped. His entire body was swallowed by darkness.

FWOOSH!

Another vanished, then another, and the assassins began panicking. "What is that creature?!"

"Kill the bird!"

"Don’t let it stay near the Emperor!"

Too late. As Veyrith spread his wings, the forest darkened. A wave of black energy swept across the road.

BOOOOOOM—!!!

Every assassin caught within it was thrown violently against the trees; some dropped their weapons, and others collapsed before they could even rise.

The remaining assassins stared at the raven in terror as one whispered, "Monster..."

Veyrith’s amber eyes narrowed. Then—FWOOSH!

He disappeared; a heartbeat later—THUD!

One assassin collapsed.

THUD!

Another.

THUD!

Another.

The raven moved too quickly for human eyes to follow; every time his wings flashed, another assassin fell, and within moments...silence. The surviving Imperial Knights stared across the battlefield; broken weapons lay scattered across the road.

The assassins were motionless; not one remained standing. Veyrith returned to Kael.

Caw.

He landed neatly upon his shoulder. Kael stared at him. "...You could have mentioned that you could do this."

Veyrith merely tilted his head. "Caw."

Lucein slowly lowered his sword. "Your Majesty..."

Kael looked toward the bodies, his expression hardened. "These men weren’t Grimfangs."

"No," Cedric said grimly. Kael’s eyes moved toward the dark forest. "They were waiting for us."

Grand Duke Lior’s expression became severe. "And they knew exactly where we would be."

Kael slowly tightened his grip around his sword. The assassination attempt had failed, but it had answered one question: someone knew about their expedition, someone powerful enough to place assassins along the northern road, and someone desperately wanted the Emperor of Qashmar dead...before he reached the Grimfang territory.

***

[Imperial Camp — Northern Territory — Midnight]

The northern night had fallen completely.

Beyond the walls of the Imperial camp, the mountains stood like enormous black silhouettes beneath the moonless sky. A bitter wind swept across the frozen ground, making the banners of Qashmar snap violently against their poles.

Inside the Emperor’s tent, however, there was only silence. A small fire crackled in the brazier. Grand Duke Lior stood near the entrance, looking at his son with concern.

"You’ve had a long day, Kael."

Kael was seated beside the fire, still wearing part of his ceremonial armor. His sword rested against the table beside him.

Lior sighed. "You should sleep."

Kael looked up at him and gave a tired smile. "Thank you, Father. You should rest as well."

"I will." Lior hesitated before adding quietly, "Tomorrow will be worse."

Kael’s expression hardened slightly. "I know."

Lior studied his son for another moment before finally nodding. "Then at least give yourself tonight. Good night, Your Majesty."

Kael’s lips curved faintly. "Good night, Father."

The tent flap fell shut behind him; outside, the Imperial Knights immediately straightened. Captain Cedric stood among them, his hand resting against his sword.

"No one enters without authorization."

"Yes, Captain."

The guards formed a tighter perimeter around the Emperor’s tent. Inside...Kael leaned back in his chair and exhaled slowly, his eyes closed.

"The nobles...they really won’t stop, will they? Even after I became emperor, they still found another way to reach for my throat, even when the clans were in danger."

A soft flutter interrupted him.

FWOOSH.

Kael opened his eyes. Veyrith descended from somewhere above and landed directly in his lap.

"CAW..."

Kael blinked, then his tired expression softened. "I thought you were asleep."

Veyrith simply lowered himself against Kael’s stomach as though the Emperor’s lap had been reserved exclusively for him. Kael chuckled quietly as he ran his thumb beneath the raven’s chin.

Veyrith immediately relaxed.

"CAWWWW~~~"

Kael smiled. "So you really like that?"

Another satisfied... "CAWW~~~"

Kael gently scratched beneath his beak. "You become completely useless whenever I do that."

Veyrith closed his eyes. Kael laughed under his breath, then his smile slowly faded; his fingers continued stroking the raven’s feathers. "He said you’re a part of him...but somehow, you’re much gentler than he is."

Veyrith opened one amber eye. Kael stared at him for several seconds, then he sighed. "Why am I thinking about him?"

Silence.

The fire crackled. Kael leaned his head against the chair. "I shouldn’t; he does not care about me."

Kael looked toward the tent entrance. Yet somehow...his mind kept returning to that golden gaze.

Kael’s fingers curled slightly into Veyrith’s feathers. "...I miss him."

The words escaped before he could stop them. Kael froze, his eyes widened. "...What?"

Veyrith stared at him. Kael immediately looked away. "That’s ridiculous. Why did I say that?"

Veyrith tilted his head.

Outside...

STOMP.

A heavy foot struck the frozen earth; the guards didn’t hear it.

STOMP...

Another.

Something enormous moved through the darkness beyond the camp. The trees trembled; snow slipped from their branches. The Knights noticed the rustle and immediately drew their swords.

Then a massive white figure emerged between the trees. It stood nearly as tall as a small house. Its body was covered in thick, snow-white fur, blending perfectly with the frozen landscape, which made it hide carefully.

Two enormous claws dragged across the ground.

SCRAAAAAPE...

The creature slowly lifted its head. Its yellow eyes surveyed the imperial camp, and the enormous beast tilted its head.

"...Grrr?"

Its nostrils flared. It could smell them; the beast’s ears twitched. Its gaze shifted toward the Emperor’s tent. For several seconds...it simply stared.

Then—

GRRRRRRR...

A low growl vibrated through its enormous chest, but it did not attack. Instead...the beast slowly turned around.

STOMP...

STOMP...

It disappeared between the trees. Inside the tent, Veyrith suddenly opened his eyes, his feathers rose.

CAW...

Kael looked down. "What is it?"

Veyrith stared toward the northern forest. Kael followed his gaze. "Did you hear something?"

Veyrith remained completely still. Far beyond the camp...the enormous white Grimfang stopped. It turned its head one final time toward the Imperial camp.

Its eyes narrowed. Then, from deep within the darkness...another growl answered.

GRRRRRRRRR...

The white beast lowered its head and disappeared into the mountains. Kael knew nothing of what had just happened; he simply sat beside the dying fire, holding Veyrith against his chest...while somewhere in the northern wilderness—

Something had seen the Emperor...and deliberately chosen not to kill him.