The night was as dark as ink, with the border between Moontrace and Bloodfang smoldering. The cold wind swept across the withered branches, blowing through the wolf-oil lamps beneath the watchtowers, making a low, mournful sound.
A wolf rider cloaked in dark gray crouched low on his horse, rushing swiftly through the dense forest, using the cover of the night. His shoulder was wrapped in thick furs, and hidden inside was a letter—one personally written by Derrick, addressed to the Eastern Command of the Grey Iron Pike mercenaries.
He was moving quickly, avoiding the main path, taking obscure trails, quietly nearing the border. But just as he was about to cross the ravine, a cold wind blew, and an arrow shot through the air, embedding itself with a sharp "whoosh" into his shoulder.
He screamed in pain, falling off his horse. Before he could get up, several figures leaped out from the forest, quickly pinning him down.
"Don't move," the lead officer growled, pressing the tip of the arrow against his neck.
It was Colonel Belk, the commanding officer of the Moontrace border guard. His cold eyes pierced through the night, his expression stern, and his posture tense, with the strong presence of someone accustomed to battle.
Quickly, the messenger's secret letter was retrieved. Under the firelight, the distinctive paper of the Grey Iron Pike mercenaries was unmistakable. Belk quickly skimmed a few lines before his face darkened, his voice cold as he spoke,
"Take him back to the guard tower. This letter... immediately present it to Lady Raylin."
The next morning, in the courtyard of the Moontrace Embassy.
Selena sat on the stone steps, a border map spread out before her as she was sketching the deployment of the battle lines. Belk approached briskly, bowing as he handed her the letter.
She took the letter, quickly scanning the first few lines. A cold, calculating expression appeared on her face, the corners of her lips curling up into a slight, humorless smile.
"Take the messenger to Bloodfang's camp," she said as she folded the letter, her voice cold as ice. "I'll deliver the man and the letter personally."
Noon. The stone hall was filled with tense energy.
The fire in the bronze cauldrons burned brightly, casting eerie shadows on the carved images of ancestral spirits on the walls. The atmosphere was heavy with a sense of imminent danger.
Leo stood to the side, his expression unreadable. Kael frowned, sensing something ominous in the air. Selena's face was composed as she handed the letter to Orton, who sat at the head of the table.
Orton opened the letter, his brow furrowing deeper with each line. Suddenly, he slammed his fist down on the stone armrest, his voice booming through the hall.
"Aha, Derrick!" His voice was thunderous. "To think he would attempt to use the enemy's hand to eliminate his own brother!"
The hall erupted in murmurs.
"Derrick?" one of the elders asked in disbelief.
"Is this true?" another voice trembled.
"The handwriting matches Derrick's, and the seal on the letter is his," Selena replied calmly. "The messenger is here, and you can interrogate him anytime."
Her gaze swept over Derrick, a clear hint of disdain in her eyes. What a fool, letting his own subordinate carry the message.
Orton was silent for a moment, his throat working as if struggling to contain his anger.
"Though he plotted ill, he hasn't truly betrayed the tribe," he murmured. "This matter is a personal grudge between brothers and hasn't resulted in real harm... Derrick will be imprisoned in the water dungeon, and no one is to release him without my order!"
Kael immediately acknowledged the order and left to carry it out.
Leo stood there, his emotions tangled. Of course, his father still favored his brother... Even after all of this, Derrick would only be imprisoned, not even punished with a lash.
He lowered his eyes, all his emotions sinking into the silence.
Selena approached him and gently took his hand. Leo froze for a moment and looked at her.
Selena smiled at him, her lips moving softly: "Don't worry."
One week later.
The border between Bloodfang and Moontrace was alive with smoke and war drums, the flags flapping in the wind. The two armies clashed in a brutal engagement, with corpses littering the ground and the sky ablaze.
At that moment, the main force of the Grey Iron Pike mercenaries stormed in, hoping to take advantage of the chaos and swallow both armies whole.
However, just as they entered the fray, both the Bloodfang and Moontrace armies suddenly ceased fighting, turned, and with a roar, pounced on the Grey Iron Pike!
The soldiers who had been lying among the bodies sprang to life, having long been lying in wait. The entire battlefield shifted in an instant!
The Grey Iron Pike was thrown into chaos, their formation shattered as they scattered in every direction.
Kael led the cavalry from the flank, cutting off their retreat, while Leo and Selena had already laid traps, waiting for them to fall right into their hands.
The enemy collapsed in panic, their shrieks echoing through the valley. Hundreds of elite soldiers fell at the entrance, and the rest fled in terror, only to be caught in traps, their bodies piling up.
The allied forces of Moontrace and Bloodfang pressed the advantage, charging straight into the Grey Iron Pike's main camp, capturing their leader, seizing weapons, and burning their camp to the ground.
Word of victory spread back to the stone hall, and the gathered warriors cheered.
Orton's face was filled with satisfaction. "Our long-time enemies are finally eradicated in this battle, and we have no more worries!"
But then, he turned to Selena, his tone slightly pausing.
"Lady Raylin... about the spoils of war..."
Selena's expression remained calm, her voice steady. "We ask for no rewards. If not for the brave battle fought by Bloodfang, Moontrace would have been in peril. Consider the spoils as our gift to you."
Orton laughed heartily, his face gleaming with joy.
"You're Truly Magnanimous, Lady Raylin. Come on, set up the feast! Tonight, We shall drink with our friends in celebration!"