The cave trembled as Kaela and Arion made their way back toward the entrance, the glowing runes fading behind them like dying stars. Arion leaned heavily on her, his breath uneven, but his eyes were clearer than before.
"You shouldn't be walking," Kaela muttered, tightening her grip around his waist.
"I'm fine," he lied.
"You're terrible at that."
A faint smile tugged at his lips. "So are you."
Kaela didn't answer. She couldn't. Not when her heart was still pounding from the visions, from the truth, from the way Arion had looked at her when she told him what she remembered.
They reached the fallen boulder blocking the entrance. The storm had weakened the rock, leaving cracks spiderwebbing across its surface.
Kaela pressed her palm against it. "It's loose. We can push through."
Arion braced himself beside her. "On three."
They pushed.
The stone shifted with a grinding roar, sliding just enough for them to squeeze through. Cold morning air rushed in, sharp and biting.
Kaela stepped out first.
And froze.
Tracks.
Fresh ones.
Boot prints in the mud. Deep. Heavy. Too many to count.
Arion saw her expression and stiffened. "Varek's men?"
Kaela crouched, touching the prints. "Six… no, eight. They were here recently."
Arion's jaw tightened. "They found the cave."
Kaela rose, scanning the treeline. The forest was quiet — too quiet. No birds. No wind. No movement.
A hunter's silence.
"They're close," she whispered.
Arion swayed slightly. Kaela caught his arm. "You need to rest."
"We don't have time."
She hated that he was right.
Kaela guided him toward the horses, but the moment they reached the clearing, a sharp whistle cut through the air.
Kaela's blood ran cold.
"Down!" she shouted.
An arrow sliced past her ear, embedding itself in the tree behind her.
Arion stumbled, and Kaela dragged him behind a fallen log just as a second arrow struck the ground where he'd been standing.
Voices echoed through the trees.
"Spread out!"
"They're here!"
"Find the prince!"
Kaela's grip tightened on her sword. "They're surrounding us."
Arion's breathing quickened. "Kaela… go. Leave me. You can escape."
She turned on him, eyes blazing. "I'm not leaving you."
"You have to."
"No."
Arion stared at her, stunned by the force in her voice.
Kaela peeked over the log. Shadows moved between the trees — armored figures closing in from all sides.
Eight men.
Maybe more.
Too many for Arion to fight in his condition.
Too many for her alone.
But she didn't hesitate.
She rose from behind the log, sword drawn, eyes cold as steel.
"Kaela—" Arion reached for her, but she stepped out of his grasp.
"You want me to believe the truth?" she said softly. "Then let me fight for it."
Arion's breath caught.
Kaela stepped into the clearing.
The first scout spotted her. "There! The girl—"
Kaela moved before he finished, her blade flashing. She struck him across the helm, sending him crashing into the mud. Another charged from the left — she parried, twisted, and slammed her elbow into his throat.
Two down.
Six to go.
Arion tried to stand, but pain forced him back to his knees. "Kaela!"
She didn't look back.
A third scout lunged. Kaela ducked, sweeping his legs out from under him. A fourth swung his blade — she blocked, sparks flying, and kicked him hard in the chest.
But the fifth came from behind.
Kaela spun too late.
A hand grabbed her hair, yanking her back. She gasped, blade slipping from her fingers.
"Got her!" the scout snarled.
Arion's heart stopped. "Kaela!"
The scout raised his dagger—
Kaela slammed her head backward, cracking his nose. He howled, loosening his grip. She twisted free, grabbing her fallen sword and driving the hilt into his jaw.
He collapsed.
But the sixth scout was already aiming an arrow at her chest.
Kaela froze.
Arion's voice tore through the clearing. "NO!"
He pushed himself to his feet, staggering forward, raising his dagger—
But the arrow never flew.
A horn sounded in the distance — sharp, commanding, unmistakable.
The scouts stiffened.
"That's the signal," one muttered. "Fall back!"
"But the prince—"
"General's orders! Fall back!"
Kaela watched, breathless, as the scouts retreated into the trees, disappearing as quickly as they had appeared.
Silence fell.
Kaela lowered her sword, chest heaving. "Why would they retreat?"
Arion leaned against a tree, trembling. "Because Varek doesn't want me dead."
Kaela turned to him. "Then what does he want?"
Arion met her gaze, eyes dark with fear and certainty.
"He wants the Seal," he whispered. "And he wants you to lead him to it."
Kaela's blood ran cold.
The noose was tightening.
And Varek was closer than ever.