{The deepest lies are spoken in daylight; the truest oaths, whispered in the dark.}
The war room emptied like a tide pulling back from a shore. Torches hissed in their brackets as the chill of early dusk seeped through the stone corridors of Baron Edric Valhan's estate. Kaavi followed behind the rest, his footsteps measured, silent. Edric's request still lingered in his thoughts; He could feel the weight of request echoing in his mind…
Help me find the traitor.
He had every reason to walk away. And yet...
A voice pulled him from his thoughts.
"Kaavi." Gavril's tone was low, urgent. The younger man moved quickly to his side, glancing over his shoulder. "Come with me. Now."
Kaavi caught the seriousness in his eyes and nodded once. They moved through a side corridor, away from the soldiers dispersing into the estate's outer halls. Viktor trailed behind, silent but alert, his eyes flickering between the two older men.
They stepped out into a narrow stone alleyway behind the estate…cold air biting at their cloaks. Gavril didn't speak until they were clear of prying ears.
"I saw them. The woman and the child of Darian."
Kaavi turned to face him fully.
"A nurse led me through the infirmary tents on the southern quarter. The girl's name is Lilia. Her mother's Elara."
Gavril paused. "I saw them earlier. Helping the nurses. Names matched. Elara and Lilia."
Memories of Darian's final moments flooded back…the weight of the satchel in his hand, the blood soaking into the snow, the last request whispered through gritted teeth. "Tell them I tried to come home. Tell them I didn't run."
"Are you sure?" Kaavi asked, voice low.
"I followed them from the outer tents," Gavril said. "Didn't get close. But from the way the other nurses spoke to them... Elara and the child…they're well known among the wounded. She volunteers daily. No one questions her."
Viktor stepped forward, his voice brimming with conviction. "Then we should go. Tell them. They deserve to know the truth."
Kaavi's face didn't change, but something tightened in his shoulders.
"No. Not yet."
Viktor blinked. "Why not?"
"Because we're being watched, Viktor. There is a traitor in Baron's ranks... speaking to Darian's family now could draw attention to them. The wrong kind. Baron Edric asking for our help so openly may have already painted a mark on our backs. And if."
Viktor opened his mouth to argue but saw the tension in Kaavi's jaw. He looked down.
Kaavi exhaled slowly, the weight of the moment pressing against him. "We will speak to them. But not until the danger has passed. For now, we return to the barracks."
The sun dipped behind the hills, leaving only streaks of crimson in the clouds. In the old garrison barracks, the three sat near a small hearth, the room barely lit save for flickering flame and dusky twilight.
Kaavi leaned against the wall, cloak draped over one shoulder, eyes unfocused.
Gavril stirred the fire, saying, "You're thinking of helping him, aren't you? The Baron."
Kaavi didn't respond immediately.
"I won't fight in his wars. I'm not here to serve a flag," he said at last. "But there's a debt unpaid. Darian died alone. That man had a family. If this traitor is responsible for what happened at Whitehold... then stopping him is the only way to make sure Lilia and Elara stay safe. Darian's family won't be safe until the rot is cut out"
He looked at Viktor, eyes narrowing.
"That's why I'll help. From the shadows. On my terms."
Kaavi stood.
"Get some rest. Both of you. And Gavril you pretend to sleep but stay alert. I'm going to speak with the Baron. If he's foolish enough to trust strangers, I need to make sure he's not putting our lives at risk in the process."
As Midnight arrived.
The moon was high when Kaavi slipped out of the barracks. The courtyard was quiet, save for the occasional clink of armour or the murmur of a guard post. Cloaked in a dark robe, Kaavi moved with precision… steps light, breath steady. He knew the keep's layout well by now.
He slipped through the side wing and reached the Baron's quarters undetected. He rapped softly on the door.
"Come in, I expected you."" came a voice. Tired.
Kaavi entered.
"You're awake," Kaavi said, stepping inside.
Baron Edric Valhan sat by the fire, a half-empty goblet in hand, armour loosened but not removed.
"Couldn't sleep," he said with a tired smile. "Would you? In my position?"
"No," Kaavi admitted.
Edric chuckled, dry and low. "At the very least I want to die on my feet. Not stabbed in my bed."
Kaavi gave a brief nod, stepping toward the table. "You asked for my help."
"I did."
"It was foolish," Kaavi said. "You shouldn't have asked in front of others."
"I don't like politics," Kaavi said. "But I hate deception more. You put me in a dangerous position."
Edric sighed, placing the goblet down. "Apologies, I know. It was a mistake. I saw something in you…and I acted on impulse. I meant no harm. But I meant it. You see things others miss. And I need that."
Kaavi studied him in silence. Then, he pulled out a chair and sat across from the baron. His gaze lingered on the Baron's face… weathered, lined, but alert. He sensed no deceit.
Edric winced. "You're right. I thought making it public would pressure loyalty, discourage dissent. But it seems I have only made it worse. I may have painted a target on you."
Kaavi crossed his arms. "You did. And on yourself also."
"I know." The baron's voice was heavy with regret. "Now what is done is done, lets focus on the path ahead."
Edric rising slowly. "I've prepared something."
He walked to a hidden alcove, pulling out a leather scroll case sealed in black wax. "Hollow Swords," he said. "A secret unit. I trained them myself. Only I know of their existence. Five of them… sworn to silence, deadly, loyal.""
Kaavi took the scroll, inspecting the seal.
Kaavi turned the scroll in his hands. "And you trust me with them?"
"I don't trust you," Edric said plainly. "I trust my instincts. Years on the battlefield honed them. You don't carry malice. That's enough for me."
"You have access to them. No interference. No orders from anyone, unless they come through me."
Edric remained standing. "Now you leave at dawn. You'll make a show of it. Say' I've rejected your offer. That I'm heading east'. You play the part, and vanish from view."
"And then?"
Baron's expression hardened. "Then we begin. Quietly. Also, there's an abandoned hunter's lodge north of the cliffs. Half a day's ride. You can use that place as you base of operations. Go there, and you will also find the hollow swords there."
"That will do." Kaavi turned to leave.
"I'll use them."
As Kaavi vanished into the night, Edric sat back in the chair, looking into the flames.
"From the shadows, then," he whispered, his eyes distant, locked on the horizon beyond the window.
The fire whispered. And morning waited
By dawn, Kaavi had returned to the barracks. Viktor was still asleep; arms tucked beneath his head.
Gavril sat upright by the hearth, blade in hand.
"All quiet?"
"For now," Gavril said.
Kaavi nodded and looked at Viktor, breathing slow and steady.
Gavril noticed. "You told the Baron you'd help, didn't you?"
Kaavi nodded. "We leave before first light. We feign retreat. But we're staying in this fight.
He sat down slowly, cloak rustling."
Morning
The courtyard buzzed with activity…soldiers shouting, horses being saddled, messengers sprinting between gates. The air smelled of leather, steel, and smoke. Kaavi stood near the outer gate with Viktor and Gavril, cloaks pulled tight against the morning chill.
"We leave soon, "said Kaavi.
"To where?" Viktor mumbled.
"Outskirts," Kaavi said. "Eastward. That's what they'll believe."
Gavril nodded knowingly. "The act begins."
Edric emerged from the inner steps, followed by several guards. He nodded toward Kaavi, his voice raised so all nearby could hear.
"It is a shame," the baron said, loud enough for the gathering to witness. "Your knowledge and experience could have helped turned the tide."
Kaavi dips his head, the picture of remorse. The firelight catches the silver in his hair, the frayed edge of his cloak. When he answers, his tone is just loud enough to carry—respectful, but final. "Apologies, my lord. I only came here to deliver a message. My path lies elsewhere."
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Soldiers exchanged glances. Some looked relieved, others confused.
Viktor shifted beside Gavril. "They believe it."
"They have to," Gavril replied.
"Your refusal wounds me," Edric said, fingers toying with his signet ring. The ruby caught torchlight like a drop of fresh blood. "We could have burned our enemies together."
Kaavi's answering bow was just deep enough to be respectful, just shallow enough to be insulting. When he straightened, his face was all polite regret,
"Some fires spread beyond control, my lord." A beat. "Best left to those who enjoy the heat."
A choked laugh escaped one of the younger guards before being hastily smothered. Edric's smile didn't reach his eyes as he stepped closer, lowering his voice to a blade's edge:
"Run then. But remember - shadows stretch longest at dusk." His hand brushed dust from Kaavi's shoulder in a parody of affection. "You're not the only hunter abroad."
The Leaving
The town gate's shadow fell across Kaavi's face like a portcullis slamming shut as he passed beneath it. Behind them, the Baron's banner snapped in the wind.
Gavril tossing Kaavi a waterskin without breaking stride. "Did they take the bait?"
"Maybe," Kaavi muttered, catching it one-handed. He didn't look back.
Just before they crossed the threshold, a voice cut through… Captain Renn, leaning against the gate with a lazy smirk.
Renn: "Leaving so soon, wanderer?" His fingers drummed against his sword belt. "The Baron's hospitality not to your taste?"
Kaavi didn't stop walking, but he tilted his head, just enough to meet Renn's gaze. His voice was mild, almost amused.
Kaavi: "I've overstayed my welcome."
Renn chuckled, though. "Funny. I heard you turned down a place at his table." He pushed off the wall, stepping into Kaavi's path. "Men like you don't refuse a baron's favour… unless they've got something better waiting. Either you're running from something... or toward it"
The air went taut.
Kaavi smiled….a thin, razor thing. " All men run, Captain. The wise ones just pick their direction."
A beat. Then Renn barked a laugh and waved them through. "Go on, then."
Kaavi gave him a nod… just shy of mocking.
Beyond the Walls:
The moment the gate's shadow slipped from their backs; Gavril exhaled sharply.
Gavril spat onto the road. "He was fishing. He doesn't know a damn thing."
Kaavi didn't answer. His eyes were on the tree line ahead, where the first stars pricked through the canopy. Somewhere in those woods, their true path waited along with the traitor they'd been sent to hunt.
Kaavi "Let's make sure he never does."
With that, the three men melted into the forest, leaving the town's torches behind… and the game far from over.