The two young people stopped in a small clearing to eat. They tied their horses to nearby trees, and Lara took out a large blanket from her bag which she placed on the floor before inviting her friend to sit near her.

“You aren’t going to stand up the whole time, are you?”

The Phemacian settled down and its wings formed a barrier that protected them from the wind.

“It's bulky but very practical,” Lara commented.

“Right?” The young man smiled.

“I apologize for earlier,” she continued. “I don't like when decisions are being made for me.”

“I understand.”

“It's difficult for me… Everything. Since I was a little girl, I'm used to running away. My father always made the decisions for me.”

Lara sighed and hugged her knees.

“I don't know what to do.”

The Herald remained silent. Fleeing was not in his nature. From the cradle, he had been raised with the idea of standing up and overcoming each obstacle. Choosing the Mecens route had been obvious for him. However, nothing was ever imposed on him. He had always been free to choose his path, as long as he accepted the consequences. Aydan carefully chose his words.

“The essence of life is change. The same attack cannot be suitable for all adversaries. In a fight, you adapt to find a way to survive.”

“I don't see the connection with…”

“I'm coming to that. Just because you're used to running away doesn't mean it's the solution to all your problems. And you know it. You faced your exams, right? I’m sure that when you think about it, you will see that you can overcome difficulties, in your own way. Because you already did… multiple times. You have an important choice, but the decision remains yours. But I believe you have already made up your mind; you are only afraid of the consequences it will bring.”

Lara remained silent and bit into an apple while thinking. Aydan wasn’t wrong. Deep in her thoughts, she finished her fruit and looked at the back of her hand. Would it be different without the layers of makeup applied to it daily? The people of the Republic proudly displayed their differences, after all. And who would know what the color of her skin means? She may very well find a way to protect herself from the soldiers sent by Emperor Kaligula.

She shivered as a burst of cold wind brushed her neck and looked up. The Herald already stood up and was untying the horses. She came to join him.

“What have you planned next?” He asked.

“I wanted to spend the night on the shores of Lake Perdu. It’s not far away, and the place is splendid.”

“Your father will worry.”

“He will indeed,” she replied, uncomfortable.

She felt guilty for lying to him. But what other choice did she have? Her father would have never agreed for her to spend the night near the lake.

“Do you want me to ask for him to be informed?”

“No,” she replied after a few seconds. “He won’t always be able to know my every move. He should get used to it.”

“As you wish.”

The Herald suddenly took a step back as he heard the gloomy sound of a drawn steel. Imperial soldiers, so far from a Door? He looked around the edges of the clearing while his hand came to rest on the pommel of his sword. There were only three of them. Their black uniform designated them as scouts; without armor. Beside him, Lara was motionless, petrified by surprise.

Their leader, recognizable by the two red bands on his shoulders, approached them, his blade drawn.

“Follow us without making a fuss, and everything will be fine.”

“I do not think so,” Aydan retorted.

He drew his sword and took three steps to attack the soldier. While exchanging blows, the Herald saw the weakness in the position of his opponent. He slipped under a sword thrust and struck the imperial soldier with his elbow. By the time the latter found his balance, Aydan had already stuck his sword in the man’s chest. He pulled out his weapon and took his stance.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Two more, he thought as the soldiers rushed on him. Meeting them meant leaving Lara vulnerable; he had no choice but to let them approach.

They were inexperienced. He realized how the first engaged in combat without waiting for his comrade. Aydan had no difficulty passing his guard to strike him a fatal blow. He had gained a few seconds of respite to face the last man, who raised his blade, screaming as if to empower his attack. Did he really imagine that he was going to stay there, motionless, while he was taking such a big swing?

The Herald dodged sideways, and the strike missed him by a few inches. A little too close, he realized, seeing a piece of feather stuck in the ground with the blade. It was a shame for the imperial soldier because he had put all his strength into his last blow. As a result, his sword had deeply penetrated the hardened ground. And it was more difficult to counter any attack when his weapon was immobilized. Aydan didn't even have to force his talent to pierce his heart. He glanced around. He found no trace of more enemies. But it was better not to hang around, the situation was abnormal.

“We're leaving,” he said in a grave tone.

Lara nodded in silence. Her little trip suddenly seemed much less exciting to her.

“Not so fast, kid.”

Aydan froze while discovering his new adversary, who untied his cape to let it slide to the ground. On his grey uniform were nine red stars forming a circle, like a reminder of the scarlet wings that rose behind the back of the individual.

The young man swallowed hard and tightened his grip on his sword. The Commander of the Srax, the elite troops of the Empire of the Nine Worlds, stood before him, a strange smile at the corner of his lips. It was Zain of the Red Wings.

Now may be the time to call for reinforcement. Aydan said to his familiar.

Not maybe, definitely. You're no match, Aydan. Rha replied.

Don't you think I'm aware of it?

“Show me what you’ve got, kid. Then, I'll take care of your girlfriend,” The Commander said, drawing his sword.

It was out of the question for Aydan to run away in front of the traitor to the Phemacian nation. He gritted his teeth in anticipation of the disaster that was looming and awaited his opponent’s attacks.

Commander Zain didn’t bother with superfluities. He attacked as fast as lightning, as flexible as a snake. The Herald immediately found himself on the defensive. The young man barely blocked a blow that would have cut off his leg. But he couldn’t prevent the blade from cutting the flesh deeply. The pain instantly traveled throughout his limbs. He knew the injury was going to be a big problem… and fast. He moved his weight to his left to compensate for his injured right leg.

To his surprise, the Commander took a step back instead of pushing his advantage, bringing his sword back to a normal stance.

“I expected more resistance from a Herald... Don't tell me that's all you can do?”

Aydan greeted his teeth and tried to concentrate despite the pain. Not responding to the enemy’s provocation seemed obvious.

But you're dying, Rha pointed out.

Anyone would be… with such an injury. I’m bleeding out. The young man added.

He is confident. He gauged you rather harmless. The mistake that caused you to be injured can become an advantage.

I will do my best.

Aydan estimated the distance between him and his opponent. Three steps. To wait for him would be to condemn himself; He was running out of time. But attacking when the Commander had just invited him to do so was downright suicidal. Or wouldn't he imagine he was so stupid?

Go for it. His familiar encouraged.

The Herald rushed towards the Commander. The blades collided with a crystalline tinkling. Aydan had time to see a trace of surprise on the face of his opponent. Immediately he pulled back his blade and attacked again. This time, Commander Zain fell into his feint. When Aydan made his move, it was too late to react. But Zain’s reflexes surprised him. He managed to bring his weapon back in a parade, deflecting most of the power of the blow. The young Herald allowed himself a smile. He had cut him! A bloody line appeared on the cheek of the Commander of the Srax.

“Kid, you're going to pay for that,” Zain of the Red Wings said.

Aydan paled, feeling the rage and determination that invaded his opponent. He almost fell on the ground when he inadvertently tried to put his weight on his injured leg. The Commander relentlessly attacked him, and very quickly the Mecen found himself overwhelmed. The difference in level was simply too significant Despite all his combat knowledge, he couldn’t regain control of the fight.

The Herald dodged what turned out to be a feint, exposing his flank. The Veris crystal blade plunged into tender flesh. Aydan let out a hiccup of surprise mixed with painful groans. His sword escaped from his hand and he fell on his knees as the Commander pulled out the dark blade with a satisfied smile. The surroundings became blurred for the Herald.

“Aydan!” Lara yelled, rushing to his side.

He sketched a pale smile and struggled to talk for a moment.

“Run away,” he whispered.

Hold on, Aydan, I'm coming. Rha’s voice reached him.

The Phemacian struggled to remain conscious. The pain radiated through every fiber of his body.

Resist, don't let it carry you away.

Breathing became difficult for him. He resisted the best he could but knew it was already too late.

Aydan!

His vision blurred and he sank into darkness.