The night sky was slowly starting to lighten, hinting that morning would arrive in a few hours.
Inside the quiet inn, while everyone still slept in their rooms, Oliver and the guard confidently led the Ulrik soldiers through the corridors.
"Sir, will we get our money now?" Oliver couldn't hold back his question. He looked eagerly at the leading soldier.
The soldier frowned in disgust. Oliver had come too close, and the stench of wine on him was strong.
Noticing the look, Oliver quickly stepped back with a sheepish grin, while the guard beside him shook his head.
"If we find him, you'll get your reward," the soldier said coldly.
Behind him, his fellow soldiers smirked at each other. They knew their leader well. The reward for catching one of Yiorgos' knights would never make its way to some drunken villager. It was already spoken for.
But Oliver didn't notice. Grinning foolishly, he shared a pleased look with the guard.
Without wasting time, Oliver led them to the room where the travelers had stayed.
"Is this it?" The lead soldier asked.
Oliver nodded. The soldier signaled two of his men, who stepped forward and broke the door down in one hard push.
Weapons drawn, the soldiers stormed in.
The sound of metal hitting something made Oliver's grin stretch wider. He turned to the guard and whispered excitedly, "I'm going to get myself a wife... a young, beautiful girl—"
But before he could finish, a fist crashed into his face, breaking his nose.
"Ahh!" Oliver screamed, stumbling back as blood poured down.
The guard stared, frozen in fear, as the lead soldier stepped forward, eyes sharp and dangerous.
"Where is that man?!"
Far from the inn, Rayan and his knights moved quietly along a dark road. Their faces were covered now, unlike the night before.
The village behind them slept peacefully.
At the outer wall protecting the village, Eden was the first to climb over it swiftly. One by one, the others followed.
Only Rayan and Aria were left now.
He turned to look at Aria. She was holding onto his sleeve, eyes full of confusion.
He sighed.
She didn't understand what was happening, but she had helped them. When they returned to their room earlier, she had carefully taken out a painting from her pocket to place it in her bundle. She was afraid it would get damaged if she slept with it.
Curious, Rayan had looked and instantly understood.
Ulrik soldiers had made it to the village.
He was surprised, but only for a moment. Then he alerted his knights, and they left the inn immediately, taking all their belongings with them.
Staying in the inn had been a mistake. But a part of him had simply wanted Aria to have one peaceful night of sleep. And Linus—his injuries were serious. Maxim had told him so.
He thought they could afford a little rest.
He was wrong.
And now, the Ulrik soldiers even knew his face.
He wished he could explain everything to Aria—how dangerous things had become. But there was no time or way to do that right now.
"Tristan, help Aria." he said.
Then, without waiting, he lifted Aria by the waist in one swift move.
She gasped, surprised, and her hand let go of his sleeve. In the next moment, she found herself sitting on the top of the wall, staring wide-eyed at the others who had already crossed.
Her hand losing warmth of Rayan's sleeve slowly, making her panic.
Tristan was waiting to help her down.
Still, Aria looked back at Rayan, who was now on the other side of the wall.
"Rayan!" she called out.
He nodded calmly and motioned for her to go down with Tristan.
She hesitated but finally obeyed.
The knights stood quietly, waiting for their master to join them. But then Rayan's voice called from the other side:
"It will take two days to leave Ulrik. During those two days, you will protect Aria the same way you protect me."
The knights were shocked.
"My Lord!"
"My Lord, we should stay together in times like this!"
It was Maxim who spoke.
But Rayan had made up his mind.
"They've seen my face, Maxim. If we stay together, all of us will be in danger. I also need to find the rest of our soldiers. They're still waiting for us."
Fifteen soldiers had left Yiorgos with them. Now Rayan needed to find them—and to make sure Ulrik's men didn't follow Aria and the others.
The knights fell silent. What could they say?
"I'll go with you, my Lord," Tristan said firmly.
"Follow my orders, Tristan," Rayan replied, voice steady.
Tristan clenched his fists and looked down in frustration.
On the ground, Aria could still hear Rayan's voice. She didn't understand the words, but she heard him mention her name.
"Rayan!" she called out again.
"Aria," came his soft reply.
Then, one final word:
"Leave."
And with that, there was silence.
Aria stood there, still looking at the wall, waiting for Rayan to appear.
But he didn't.
She called out again.
But Rayan was no longer there to answer her.