David hugged Imani and Bram goodbye at the house in Deva. He said goodbye to Lane at the palace, for the crowd, George Louis doing his best to smile as they kissed. The people only knew that he was leaving town to set a trap for the enemy, and there was certainly weariness in their cheering. The shrill whistles of people venting their displeasure.

That was fair, David thought. What would they do if he knew of his plan? Lynch him on the spot?

He didn’t have an escort—the less people who saw where he was going and whom he picked up, the better. He certainly didn’t trust some random city guards to keep their mouth shut.

In place of a guard, Nathan insisted on riding out to Fort Brunich with him, silver tipped spear attached to the saddle. The greater surprise was that Greg and Andrew decided to come, too.

The Feleke Four ride again, Morgulon commented.

She stuck around until they left Deva behind. As soon as they passed the final buildings she whispered in David’s head, I’ll meet you there, and vanished from sight.

Maybe she knew how special this moment was. Just the four of them, for the first time since—David didn’t remember. Probably since that day at the Savre Camp right after the Rot attack.

He inhaled deeply, tasting the hot summer air—cloying in places, the dust of the road mixing with the sweat from the animals, the tang of leather, the wildflowers growing in the fields. He hoped today wouldn’t lead to the same kind of calamity that the Savre Camp had had to withstand. Hoped that the Red would truly be able to defend Deva. That Deggan would be evacuated in time. That the Valoise wouldn’t come up with another trick he hadn’t foreseen.

That it was possibly to steer the Rot and drive it all the way towards the enemy.

They didn’t talk about all the things that could go wrong with this plan. They didn’t speak much at all, just enjoying the company. David tried not to let the thought that it might be the last time they were all together settle in.

Alvin’s ghost trotted along, as untouchable as ever.

David watched the apparition, still fascinated by the way the corn didn't move as it passed right through. Was he putting too much faith in the spectre? Would the dead youth really be able to protect him from a Rot-queen? Was he insane for attempting this?

He’d find out soon enough.

As Fort Brunich came into view, David sat up straighter in the saddle. As if he had felt the tension, Alvin stopped frolicking through the fields, gathering around his shoulders like a protective cloak.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Morgulon was resting in the sun right outside the fort’s stone walls, panting like a giant dog in the summer heat. When David rode up, she got up, stretched and asked:

Do I need to come inside?

“They might have some water for you inside,” David said. “But no, this shouldn’t take too many long.”

He just needed to collect the traitors, and the other three werewolves Morgulon had chosen to drive the Rot-queen, say goodbye to his brothers. Then they’d be on the road again.

Ragna was waiting for him right inside the gates, already wolf. Laurent and Fox stood back a little, also wolves, Picot between them, Pettau and deVries on either side—human. Neither of the three traitors was shackled, but one of the veterans stood a few feet apart from them, holding chains. Silver chains: He wore gloves even in the summer heat.

David climbed out of the saddle, and then waited stiffly as the camp commander made a big show out of greeting and welcoming him. A typical, old-fashioned Loegrian officer—which meant he hadn’t fought in decades.

David was certain he heard Nathan snigger. He thought it was about the commander until he caught a muttered half-line about the duke and his “first knight”--unless that was a pun about “first nights.”

David inwardly rolled his eyes. And still wished he could take Nathan along on the journey to come. Maybe he should have asked the Wayfarers for their amulets.

Too late now.

Nathan stopped joking as the commander followed up with a brief report on how the unsettled werewolves had gone through the full moon. Mainly listing the names of the soldiers who had died a pointless, unavoidable death.

By the time the commander had finished, Andrew had already taken the chains out of the young werewolf’s hands and was busy attaching them to David's saddle.

Hopefully, they wouldn’t be needed at all strange as it felt to wish that Picot of all people wouldn't succumb to the curse. But it was a lot easier to watch Fox order the three traitors around without a word.

“Where will you take them?” the commander asked.

“They'll fight for Loegrion for once in their lives,” David said. “We are leaving now,” he added, before the commander could ask how. “I trust you will continue to take good care of my soldiers until I return.”

I'll make sure he does, Rust promised. And you better make sure you do come back.

David nodded at the giant wolf waiting in the sun, then turned to Ragna. “Ready?”

One moment, she said. A couple of younger werewolves hurried over, carrying harnesses with packs attached. They quickly strapped Ragna in—Fox and Laurent, too.

David wondered what the traitors were thinking of the preparations. All three of them stood stiffly, unmoving. Unable to complain or ask questions.

They looked rather pitiful in their threadbare prison clothes, nothing like the haughty nobles David used to know them as.

He shook himself. They had tried to kill George Louis and hand over all of Loegrion. Had happily accepted the deaths of countless innocents and doomed even more soldiers—human and werewolf—at Port Neaf.

If anyone deserved their fate, it was these three.

Time to go.

One last salute, and David walked out of the camp with his brothers, the elders and the sacrifices. Morgulon was waiting for them, eagerly sniffing the packs the other three elders carried. Her excited reaction made David suspect that it was mainly food.

With a heavy sigh, he turned to his brothers.

“You’re sure about this?” Andrew asked at the same time that Nathan said, “you sure you don't want me to come along?”

Greg didn't say anything at all.

“I'm sure, yes,” David lied. “Take care of each other. And the rest of the family.”

“Take care of yourself,” Greg said.