Ayla was happy for the twins. She knew how much they wanted to find their n’alxa, and she was sure they would make Zell very happy if she let them. Eude and Hudde had wanted someone sweet and gentle, but Zell was the right n’alxa for them. Atlas frowned, drank from his goblet, but said nothing. Rhobart moved next to Ayla. He grinned and said into her ear, “Zell and the twins? I can’t wait to see how this unfolds.” Zell shook her head. “You don’t understand. If I don’t marry him, the Emperor will destroy my tribe. But as Prince Timon’s wife, I can ask, beg even, for the Emperor to spare my people.” Eude ran his thumb over Zell’s cheek. “We will save your tribe, but you have to trust us.” Zell jerked herself away from the twins and held her head high. “Your t’aja or not, I am returning to Tuhai. As I said before, I don’t do manwhores. You are not worthy of being my t’ajas, my n’alxaes.” Zell turned on her heels and left. The twins looked devastated. How could Zell reject her s

“Do not dare talk back to me! And what are you wearing? Look at your hair. I can’t decide if you want to look like a cheap Nordmarian whore or if you are pretending to be a man.” “I am wearing what King Rhobart gives me. I can’t make demands of the King. I am nothing more than a slave to him.” “Ah, but a slave that warms his bed. Too bad he has to find another whore to fuck. We are leaving!” the man said angrily. Ayla tried to take a step back, but the man grabbed her hand. “But… but I am King Rhobart’s property! You can’t take me away when you wish to.” He slapped her again. Tears pricked her eyes, but she blinked them away. “You will do as I say. Besides, your days as a spy are over. Your work here is done.” Someone stepped out from behind a half-burned bookshelf. Godefray. Ayla had to stop herself from cursing and shouting at Godefray. She should have brought Kerra with her, after all. “I never doubted that you were as rotten as your brother and father, but to come to Nord

The ceiling above Rhobart, Milton, and the twins collapsed, trapping them beneath a pile of stone, books, and wood. Fortunately, Milton had activated a shield around them, preventing them from being killed. A dim globe of light floated above them. “Fuck!” Rhobart swore while trying to find a way out so he could go after Galian and Ayla. Galian. That son of a bitch not only came after his soulmate, his wife, but he had hit her, and Rhobart hadn’t been able to stop that bastard from doing so. Not when Galian had held a cursed dagger against her neck. And it wasn’t the first time Galian had put his hands on Ayla. ‘My favorite game was to count how many times I could make Ayla scream while I broke her fingers or I whipped her. Among other things,’ Galian had said. Galian had whipped Ayla. And had done many other things to her. How could he not have known about it? No wonder she looked at him like he was a monster, Galian made her believe that. And he had put his hands on her as well

The once busy roads of the Kingdom of Myrthana were mostly empty. Except for Orcs and mercenaries, almost no one dared travel between towns or villages. The road to Erylas, the capital of Myrthana, was empty except for four riders and their horses. A fifth horse had the carcasses of two deer and some pelts and furs. The riders were dressed simple—trousers, pants, and cloaks. The cloaks were mottled grey, green, and brown. A man with wings was embroidered on the left side of the cloaks—the mark of the Dark God. The riders had the hoods of their cloaks over their heads, and shadows hid their faces. They rode in silence, studying the dusty road or the green forest. One of the riders, the biggest and the strongest, lifted his head and looked at the sky for a few seconds before turning his attention back to the road. He said nothing as he rushed his black horse. The others did the same as they followed his lead. Sometime later, they reached a bridge. Orcs and human mercenaries wearing ar

Erylas, the capital of Myrthana, was built on a big plateau. A river separated the city from farms, fields, orchards, and the main road. Except for the North-East gate, all the other gates were closed, and the bridges were up. Orcs and mercenaries patrolled in and around Erylas.South of the capital was the most important vineyard of Myrthana. A minor road was behind the last rows of vines of grapes. The road led to a big hill covered by a dense forest of pines. After leaving the cabin from the grove, Drax took Rhobart, Milton, and the Paladins to a forgotten mausoleum built in the heart of the pine forest. Moss and vines covered the mausoleum, and the doors were long gone. Two wolves made from marble guarded the entrance.Drax dismounted his horse and tied the reins close to the mausoleum. The others did the same. Rhobart let Kerra out of his shoulder bag. “What is this place?” he asked, looking at the forgotten place. “A long time ago, Eike, a Son of Earth, and his loyal men fou