Dawn broke over the kingdom, and the small inn still groaned from the previous day's heat. The sounds of merchants unloading their crates echoed through its windows, and the alleyways were filled with perfumes, spices, and fabrics.
Sarotto and Lucien rose quickly, as if the night had left them with only a faint weariness. They washed their faces, ate a light breakfast, and returned to their room.
They sat facing each other. Lucien's eyes still bore the weight of a question, while Sarotto's face was taut with a mixture of anticipation and barely concealed excitement. He stretched his hand across his chest, and the shadows around him widened. The four figures, the soldiers of deception, gathered quietly without uttering a word. They were more like living emptiness than people—faceless, nameless.
Saruto gestured for them to stand in a small circle, then they stepped into his shadow one by one. It seemed as though the shadow was swallowing them whole. Then, a flood of sounds, smells, and sights began to play in his head—information from the palace, the whispers of the guards, details of the guard corridors, the routine of the changing of the guard, and a precise description of a deep chamber overlooking a fortified hall: the Sand Family's treasure room.
Saruto paused for a moment as the sound's softness faded, then breathed with obvious relief and closed his eyes slightly. He looked at Lucien and smiled. "Finally," he said.
"Did they bring the information we need?" Lucien asked in a low voice.
Saruto nodded. "Yes. The good news: the princess isn't in the palace. She's gone to the Forest Kingdom for an important meeting. This allowed us to storm the palace without encountering the princess… but the bad news is that the two generals assigned to guard the treasure rooms are still there." If they sense any suspicious movement, they'll activate the alarm, and all the soldiers will gather there.
She swallowed for a moment, then Lucien laughed wearily.
"If you're saying that Apameera has gone to the Forest Kingdom, Caip and Rayne will face a lot of trouble there. It's a good thing we're not in their place." "So what do you suggest for storming the treasure room?"
Sarotto replied calmly, his plan clear: "The plan is this: you'll use your Ice Breathing skill to slow everyone in the palace, and we'll speed towards the treasure room. When we reach the two guards, I'll use my Warrior Realm skill, and the four of us will enter my world. There, we'll eliminate them without leaving a trace."
A flicker of curiosity crossed Lucien's face, tinged with a hint of concern: "Are you sure the plan will work? I'm afraid we'll fail."
Sarotto looked at him with his deep eyes, as if they had read his every thought and secret:
"Yes, I'm certain. Because I've analyzed every detail of the palace by reading my soldiers' memories, so don't worry, Lucien, everything will be fine."
Lucien smiled briefly.
"Alright, then, let's put your plan into action instead of waiting any longer, because every minute that passes will mean we'll lose to Kyle and Ryan."
Sarotto put his hand on Lucien's shoulder. "You're right. Let's get to work."
They waited until nightfall, then left the inn and headed for the mansion. As they slipped through the alleyways, the city seemed to breathe with a natural calm. Beneath their feet, the sand creaked, and the voices of the vendors faded into the background.