"Chris! Are you alright?!"

A cry was heard over the rumbling of the incoming cavalry. A young knight was leading the company. She was much taller than the average Altheran woman, comparable to the knights surrounding her. She could be mistaken for a man if not for her long, deep silver hair fluttering in the wind. Her armour was battered and speckled with bloodstains throughout, denoting the fierce battle she had just taken part in.

She stopped her impressive black battle horse just meters before the trio and dismounted. She removed her dented helm, revealing her elegant features. Despite her young age, her sharp eyes were evidence of her wealth of experience. She carried herself with grace even while sporting heavy armour. The blood smeared on her face only accentuated her stoic nature.

Despite being related, I can see why the young noble ladies in the Capital are crazy about her, Christina thought.

Seeing the exhausted Princess, the young woman rushed to her side, burying her in her embrace. Christina wanted to struggle as she was pressed against the cold stained metal of her breastplate but chose to relent this time only. She looked up, noticing tears welling in the corner of the tall woman's eyes.

"I'm fine, Maria, I'll recover," the Princess said.

After a moment, Christina tried to push herself away, but Maria held her tight. She only reluctantly let go of the Princess once she heard her men's embarrassed coughs. Once Christina was free, the forty or so men all knelt on the ground simultaneously.

"The Silver Knight Order greets your Highness!"

The knights' armours weren't much better than Maria's. Most were dented, some even missing pieces entirely. Christina frowned. Their conditions were terrible. Less than forty men had returned. The fight had been more gruelling than she had anticipated.

"Forgive me," Christina said. "I underestimated our enemy's determination in this matter. If not for a lucky encounter, the worst could have occurred."

Surprise flashed on Maria's visage before a comforting smile graced her lips.

"When we became Silver Scale Knights, we made a vow to support you, your Highness," Maria replied. "As long as you are safe, everything else is irrelevant."

Complex emotions whirled in Christina's heart. Despite being the heir to the Kingdom, she was only but a child of sixteen years of age. Loyalty breeds expectations and pressure, a pressure much too heavy for her small frame to bear.

She sighed and regained her composure. There was still much to do, and she could not allow herself to wallow in her anxiety.

"Prepare to make camp," Christina ordered. "We will spend the night here, on the outskirts of the forest. Claire and Maria, come with me."

A short distance away, the trio sat upon fallen logs while the rest of the company busied themselves, pitching tents, tending to the wounded, and preparing meals.

"Wouldn't it be better to head east?" Claire asked. "There should be a town not far from here where we could acquire lodging."

"And get ambushed a second time?" Maria replied. "Despite being a confidential mission from Her Majesty, the Queen herself, they somehow knew our route and schedule. We even utilized multiple decoys, yet they could find Chris despite all this. There's no doubt in my mind that we have a traitor in our midst."

Claire's expression was ugly. She did notice clues pointing to the existence of a traitor but dismissed them, refusing to believe that her comrades would harm their lord. Reality was harsh, however. Her denial had put the Princess in danger. Seeing her expression, Christina smiled sadly.

"We all refused to believe this," she said. "But the past cannot be changed; only the present and future matter."

"Can we flush him out?" Maria asked.

Christina shook her head.

"Not now. The mission entrusted to us takes precedence."

"Surely, Her Majesty would understand our predicament and prioritize your safety," Claire said.

"I'm sure she would, but what about the Prime Minister?"

The trio fell silent. Despite all three being from prominent families within the Kingdom, they were merely pawns within the power struggles of the Court. No one could assure their safety. They could only rely on themselves.

"So what's the plan?" Claire asked.

"Head west, heal and continue the mission," Christina said after a long silence.

"The castle overlooking Redwaters?" Maria replied. "Are you sure? There have been reports of unrest in the region. Besides, the Empire's movements have been much too tame lately. Sometimes, I wonder if the war didn't just end with the armistice we signed."

"Isn't it our job to find out? Besides, things aren't as simple as they appear. The Empire was never one to take things lying down,"

The trio fell silent once again, mulling over her last sentence. The conflict between the Kingdom and the Empire had been raging for multiple generations, dating back to the birth of both nations. It came down to a cease-fire six years ago. Minor skirmishes still happened occasionally, but full-blown war was a thing of the past, at least for now.

"Only time will tell," Christina added. "For now, we will just do what we can."

Both women nodded, then dispersed, busying themselves with preparing for the night. Christina stood rooted in place, deep in thought. The day's events had taken their toll on her, and she needed to review them, hoping to find clues to pinpoint the traitor.

The dense summer heat had given way to a cool night breeze. As the sun went down to its temporary reprieve, the stars showed their glamour for all creation to see. Christina was still swimming aimlessly in an ocean of her own design, seeking answers to questions left unsaid. Her thoughts drifted endlessly as she lost herself in the beauty of the night sky.

Why do I keep thinking about him? She thought. I've seen many mercenaries, yet why does he seem so... different?

She shook her head, clearing all idle thoughts. Thinking about it would only bring more questions to the surface. She busied herself, ate and retreated for the night.

She had a pleasant dream.

******

Although the sun had just set an hour ago, the night was pitch black as rain clouds covered the sky. Felix walked along the road briskly, eager to find shelter for the night.

Ever since I left the forest, those damn clouds followed me everywhere I went, he thought, staring at the dark mass overhead.

Rain fell, echoing its ephemeral life as it collided with the hard ground. It was meagre at first, then more and more, until it blanketed the earth with its torrents. The sound deafened all creatures standing under this illusory curtain of moisture. Felix wondered if it would be better to wait out its end under a tree, but as the minutes passed, the rain only deepened. While his misery intensified by the second, he finally saw hope ahead. Light cut through the dark night.

"Finally," he sighed. "Signs of civilization."

He approached the light eagerly. After a while, he could finally see its origin, a small town. Unsurprisingly, the streets were deserted. He meandered for a while until he finally saw what he was hoping for, an inn.

He checked his waist for the small pouch hanging off of it, counting the coins inside. Satisfied, he entered, only for all the patrons to stop what they were doing and turn to face him. Their stares bore through his skin.

Here we go again, he thought.

The inn seemed typical of what you would find in a small town. Comely barmaids serving hot meals and ales to drunken patrons wasting time away, too afraid to go back to their wives after a long day's work. Or so he thought.

The atmosphere was all wrong. Instead of jovial conversations and laughter, he was greeted by tense silence and restlessness. All their gazes seemed to nervously point to an area at the back of the dining hall. He quickly scanned from the corner of his eye, and what he saw cleared his doubts.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

A group of armed men were embroiled in a heated discussion. From what he could tell from this distance, those men were part of a gang ruling this corner of town. In the centre was their boss, a giant man easily over two meters tall. He seemed half as wide as he was tall, but thick and hard muscles shone under a deep layer of fat. He looked more like a bear than a man.

Around him were two women busy serving him food and drinks. They were beautiful and their outfits revealing, but their appeal was marred by the barely masked look of terror on their faces. A third woman stood seated on the bear's knees. Her emerald hair and inviting violet eyes shone under the light, attracting all gazes toward her. Felix had rarely seen such a beautiful colour.

Her clothes were revealing without being too vulgar. Her dress hugged the curves of her body, and the skirt ended just above the knee, revealing her long, slender legs. Such a design was a rarity in the Kingdom, preferring more conservative fashion, and was more widely worn in the Empire. The dress perfectly showcased her appeal while still retaining an air of elegance. Her mannerisms while she flirted with the bear reminded Felix of a high-grade prostitute. However, hidden within her tender gaze was a well-concealed killing intent.

Felix shrugged. This had nothing to do with him. He approached the counter manned by a corpulent man with a sour look.

"A room and a meal," Felix said.

The man kept silent, ignoring him. A look of contempt was fixed on him. Felix was bewildered for a while by the man's harsh attitude but soon realized why. The cloak covering him was battered and bloody from the day's conflict, adding the unexpected rain made him look like no more than a beggar.

Felix sighed before dropping his pouch on the counter. The metallic coins rattling inside echoed in the hall, breaking the strained silence. The thugs in the back silently turned to face him, a glint in their eyes. Felix noticed but ignored them. The man's reaction from behind the counter was predictable. The sour look he sported was replaced by a radiant smile.

"Ten silvers," the innkeeper said.

Felix frowned. This was much more than the average rate—at least ten times more. Considering the town's location, merchants and tourists should be common occurrences. Felix reached for his pouch, opting to find another dwelling as this wasn't the first inn he had seen. But before he could leave, the man stopped him.

"This is the standard fare in this town. You won't find a cheaper inn."

How can they hope to stay in business? Felix thought. Ten silvers is the average weekly income of the Kingdom's citizens. Where do they find their customers?

Felix sighed, resigned to his fate.

"Ten is too much; five is the best I can do."

Contrary to his expectations, the innkeeper's smile didn't leave his face, but he seemed overjoyed by his response. Felix chose not to pry further and simply left the coins on the counter before sitting at the bar in the hall.

"A meal and an ale," he said the barmaid behind the bar.

She relayed his order to the kitchen before giving him his drink. The beverage was warm and somewhat stale, but it was a welcome sight at the end of a long day. A few minutes later, the barmaid returned with his food. The meal's quality was no better than the ale's, but he was famished and would eat anything. Before the server could leave, Felix held her arm.

"Why all the fear?" he asked.

The woman kept silent. She tried to free herself, but Felix's grip was made of iron. Her look was one of terror. She kept glancing at the back.

"Something I shouldn't ask?"

She clawed at his hand. Knowing he wouldn't get anything out of her, he let go. The woman almost ran into the back room. The rest of the inn was so silent that you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was staring at their food, yet Felix could still feel their gazes on him.

He shrugged and started eating when a man casually sat next to him. He was a slender man with unremarkable features. The only thing special about him was that he came from one of the gang's tables. The man leaned forward and observed Felix while he was eating; the man grinned.

"Where are you from, stranger?" he asked. "Quite daring of you to simply waltz in here like this. Are you a fool or simply ignorant?"

Felix simply stared at him before saying, "Can you get to the point? I'm quite busy."

The man's smile vanished.

"A fool, it seems. Listen closely. These parts belong to the Raging Beasts Gang. See that man there?" he said as he pointed to the giant man. "This is our boss. He rules this part of town. If you don't want any problems with your stay here, you better show him some respect!"

"Don't worry," Felix replied nonchalantly. "I've no interest in your little gang, and I don't intend to overstay my welcome. I'll be gone tomorrow morning."

"Then what was that earlier?"

"Can't a man flirt a little?"

The man scoffed at his response before getting up, obviously unhappy with his answer.

"You'll regret this," the man said under his breath as he left.

Typical, Felix thought.

Felix travelled a lot in his work, but outlaws were the same everywhere: arrogant, conceited and foolish. They would oppress the common populace, all while sucking up the ones in power.

These criminals are so blatant, Felix thought. They must have reached some sort of agreement with the local government; otherwise, the guards might simply be incompetent... Well, I wouldn't rule that out.

After his meal, Felix got up and went to see the innkeeper for the key to his room. The room he was given was on the third floor. As he climbed the stairs, Felix noticed that most other rooms seemed empty. Judging by the state of the inn and the exorbitant price of those rooms, he wasn't surprised; no one should be willing to pay for them.

Deep in thought, Felix finally reached his room. It was at the end of the corridor, meaning the only way out was to retrace his steps. Felix wondered if such an arrangement was by coincidence or deliberate.

One might think he was paranoid, but it wouldn't be the first time such a thing had happened to him. He thought of asking for a different room but quickly dismissed the idea. It probably wouldn't work anyway.

The room was small, with only a bed, a coat hanger on the wall, and a basic dresser. Felix didn't really expect much more than this, as this was way better than sleeping outside in the rain, but it was obviously not worth the asking price.

No wonder this place is deserted, he thought.

Felix put down his luggage in the corner, hung his cloak on the support, and could finally dry himself. He looked out of the only window in the room, then heard a knock on the door, followed by a young woman's voice.

"Dear customer, I've brought hot water for you to wash yourself."

Felix opened the door cautiously, ensuring one of his daggers was within arm's reach. He had learned from experience never to be too cautious. He was surprised by the woman on the other side of the door. She was the one who was sitting on the gang leader's lap. While she wore the same exotic red dress, she felt more reserved and pure than she did downstairs.

Felix took a moment to observe her, and curiously enough, she did the same to him. While she stared at him, Felix noticed her face gradually turn red. His eyebrows rose in surprise at the unexpected blush until he realized that he was currently bare-chested. Considering the situation on the ground floor, he found that reaction quite curious.

Felix failed to realize that, compared to the gang leader's overly fat physique, Felix's body seemed chiselled out of marble due to numerous years of fighting as a mercenary. Even the countless scars on his chest only improved his manly appeal. Few women wouldn't be attracted to such a physique.

Felix thanked her for the hot water, which pulled her out of her reverie, yet her gaze was still stuck on his chest. Felix found it quite funny, and he couldn't help but let a laugh escape his lips. Upon hearing the chuckle, the young woman's blush only deepened, and she finally raised her gaze to look him in the eyes. Her deep violet eyes captivated him. It took him quite an effort of will to break eye contact. Cold sweat poured out of his skin as dread washed over him. He had to use every ounce of his strength to not let it show on his face.

Felix was a seasoned mercenary, and he was used to danger. He had no qualms about risking his life and could roam the battlefield fearlessly. Yet, this young woman's eyes felt more dangerous than most of the things he had encountered. What made Felix feel fear wasn't that she threatened his life but that her eyes possessed an unnatural charm—so strong that one could lose one's free will and become a simple thrall in her presence.

Her charm wasn't akin to some simple physical attraction but something more visceral, instinctual. Luckily, Felix wasn't a stranger to this type of charm. He had encountered many creatures possessing this type of power on multiple occasions, just not in humans.

Charms were also quite challenging to use, as once the target is aware of them, their effectiveness drops considerably. Although Felix was now aware of the charm, the young woman still seemed just as attractive. Felix finally relaxed a little when he saw the young woman fidgeting in front of him as he was silently staring at her.

"Is there something else?" he asked.

"Hmm..." she answered hesitantly. "You're not from around here, right? You seem like a traveller."

"I'm only passing through."

Her face brightened, and she was obviously overjoyed at his answer. A radiant smile appeared on her face, and her charm was in full swing. Felix had to hold himself back from hugging her.

"I've been stuck in this small town my whole life, and I've never had the opportunity to talk with an outsider," she said as she leaned closer to him. "Tell me! What's the outside like? Is it true that monsters roam the forests, and some are so big that they tower over even the town's wall?"

The unexpected change took Felix by surprise. She was now so close that he could feel her breath on his face. Her upward gaze and thin red lips made her quite endearing. Returning to her senses, the woman recoiled lightly and apologized for her outburst. Her blush intensified.

Felix simply smiled before beckoning her inside his room. Although the young woman was initially hesitant, once Felix started talking about some of his adventures, she entered, joy visible on her face.

While Felix was washing, he continued telling his stories. The young woman was sitting on the small bed, wholly absorbed in his words. As enthralled as she was by his stories, Felix could still feel her gaze wandering over his body.

The young woman seemed to be no older than twenty, a few years younger than Felix himself. Yet, she exuded maturity and elegance as she sat on the bed, listening— contrasting her previous demeanour.

He finished washing his upper body and started on his lower parts. The woman left her seat and approached Felix. Her eyes were glued to him, and her breath quickened. Her slender hands glided over his skin. Felix saw no reason to refuse. He wrapped one arm around her slim waist and pulled her even closer. Both her hands left his chest and reached for his face, pulling both of their lips closer until they finally made contact. Felix was also no stranger to the female form, yet the sensation of her lips felt out of this world. It took most of his willpower not to lose his mind.

Felix wanted nothing more than to lose himself in her body, but he knew better than to be so careless. That is, until she pushed herself gently from his arms, turned around and unhooked her dress, letting it fall to the floor. The sight of her bare back almost took his breath away. He had seen many women, but this one had them all beat. She was neither too fat nor too skinny. Her muscles were well-toned, yet she felt soft to the touch. Her breasts were neither too small nor too big, which gave just the proper contrast against her waist and hips.

Standing there in her undergarment, she turned around, beckoning Felix to her as she let herself fall on the bed. Felix stood there, motionless for a few moments, as he admired the view, his arousal quickly rising.

He approached the bed; she reached for his arm and pulled him in for another kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulled him closer, and kissed him frantically. His arousal was about to explode. Felix finally let go and immersed himself in her body.

As they battled under the sheets, Felix remarked that she wasn't as clumsy as she made herself appear. This was obviously not the first time she did this. He pondered the implications, but she seemed to redouble her efforts, and her charms finally overwhelmed him.

The night deepened, and midnight came and went; they finally grew apart, exhausted but content. Felix lay on his back, feeling the afterglow as she snuggled under his arm, laying her head on his chest. He could feel her soft breath on his skin as they drifted asleep.

It has been a long time since Felix felt so relaxed in the company of another, as he would always keep his guard up. Yet, for some reason, he found it natural to be with her. She was a stranger to him, and he didn't even know her name. Yet, he felt closer to her than he thought possible.

She felt perfect, yet such perfection felt unnerving.

******

As the first few rays of morning light flowed through the sole window, Sofia awoke. She looked to her left only to find the man she had spent the last few hours with fast asleep; a complicated expression marred her delicate features. She gently slithered out of his embrace, making sure not to wake him before getting out of bed.

She quickly dressed in the clothes she had left on the floor, then glanced around the room, looking for anything valuable.

She was more complex than she made herself out to be. As she inspected the room, her eyes rested on the sword in the corner and the small pouch on the dresser. Trying not to make any sound, she quickly reached for them both. However, the wooden floor suddenly creaked as she put her hand on the sword.

Sofia quickly stopped and eyed the man on the bed. She held her breath, only to see him turn on his side away from her. Fortunately, he was still fast asleep. Relief washed over her, and she let out a slow breath. Without wasting another moment, she took both the sword and the pouch before leaving the room. As she closed the door, Felix suddenly turned around, his eyes wide open, and stared in the direction she had left.

Interesting, he thought.