The dungeons of the Black Tower were cold, even more than Nordmar. The thin dress Galian had forced Ayla to wear did not protect her from the cold. She forgot how it was to feel warm and safe. She didn’t remember how it was not to be tortured and not to feel pain all the time. She might have even forgotten the taste of food, for all Godefray and she received were water and old, moldy bread. Ayla looked at the little piece of bread she had in her hand and put it down next to her. It did not matter if she lived or died. Not anymore. Her hands shook from everything the Dark Master and Galian did to her. Or perhaps it was from the cold. She didn’t know. A rat that lived in a hole made in one of the cell’s walls came and stole Ayla’s bread. “Stupid creature!” Godefray said and pushed his share of bread into Ayla’s hands. “Eat!” he said. Ayla’s hands spasmed hard, and the bread fell on the dirty floor. Godefray picked it up, cleaned it as best as he could, and took it to Ayla’s mouth

Godefray sat on the mattress with Ayla across his lap. Her throat hurt badly from all the screaming she did. But her body—Gods, her body—was a constant source of pain. Even Godefray avoided looking at it most time. Except for her face, her skin was full of cuts and bruises. After Galian used the five Soul Eaters, her body hurt more than usual, and her hands twitched badly.Godefray leaned her head over his left shoulder, tucked some hair behind her ear, and picked up one of the vials. “When we return to Nordmar, I will teach you how to wield a sword properly. After that, I will stand next to you while you take Myrthana from Galian and King Amul.” He opened one of the vials. “But first, you must drink the potions Eluvene left for you.” Ayla blinked. She didn’t want more potions or torture. Or anything else. She just wanted to close her eyes and rest. She deserved that much. Godefray cleared his throat. “You know, when Rhobart took you to Nordmar, I disliked you very much. I thought the

As Eluvene led Rhobart and the others to the back of the Royal Gardens, where she had made an escape route, Ayla looked for one last time at the Royal Castle. The tower that once belonged to Saturas, Drax’s teacher, was burning. Flames were coming out through the windows. Ayla never learned what happened to Saturas. She wondered if Galian killed him or if he ran to the Water Monastery. As Rhobart took Ayla away from the place that had been a constant source of pain and suffering for her, she realized she didn’t care what happened to Saturas. He had never treated her kindly, not even when he healed the wounds Galian inflicted on her. Ayla rested her cheek on Rhobart’s strong chest. She was sure Galian regretted not having a Water Mage around the Royal Castle. Saturas would have put out the fire in seconds using his magic. When they reached the far end of the Royal Gardens, Eluvene signaled the others to stop. The tall wall that separated the Royal Castle from the rest of the Erylas w

Standing next to the warehouse, Milton watched how Rhobart picked up Ayla from the ground. After using her magic, she lost consciousness. In Rhobart’s arms, she appeared to be sleeping peacefully. Godefray got up; his knees were still shaking. Sadness and concern filled his eyes.Kerra licked Ayla’s hand, letting out a yelp.Even tortured and full of bruises, Ayla still conserved that inner beauty Milton came to admire and appreciate so much. He wasn’t the only one that loved her; Ayla had gained the trust and respect of all of Rhobart’s men. Even Godefray, who disliked Ayla with all his heart and had sworn he would never accept her as his Queen, had been ready to give his life to protect her.Then there was Rhobart, the man Milton admired the most in his life. Since that cursed day, when Galian took Ayla and Godefray, Milton had watched how guilt ate Rhobart alive. No one knew that Rhobart and Ayla had married in secret. Not even Milton suspected. Rhobart had explained why they didn’

The Shamans lifted their left hands, the magic runes glowing in their big palms. Their lips moved as they talked in Orkish. The Orcs and mercenaries drew their weapons out and rushed to the river. Drax and Eluvene jumped out of the boats and went to Milton. Godefray wanted to do the same, but Rhobart growled at him, and the Paladin remained on the boat, his eyes fixed on Eluvene. “Let’s put up shields using our elements!” Milton said. The other Mages nodded, and he took out a magic rune. “Fire Shield!” Milton used as much mana as he could. A big firewall appeared in front of the Orcs, blocking their path. Drax was next. “Ice Shield!” Drax’s magic slowed down the mercenaries. Galian let out some curses. A wicked smile appeared on Eluvene’s face. “What is your biggest fear?” she asked Milton. “To be eaten alive by rats!” Milton answered without missing a heartbeat. “You wouldn’t fear rats if you cleaned your tower more often!” Tizgar said. He was left to Milton. The Paladin rem