Felix strode out into the training arena. Many palace guards were drilling across the square, and Felix saw Rolan and Foer, both Paladins, sparring on the far side.

Braydan was once again on the balcony overlooking the arena, where Felix noticed he seemed to be spending much of his time these days. Felix climbed the steps up to the balcony and leaned against the railing beside Braydan. Braydan did not look up at him, keeping his eyes on the arena below. “I was told you wanted to speak to me?” Felix asked.

“I do,” Braydan replied. He turned towards Felix after a few moments. “How are things with your apprentice?”

“It’s going well, Braydan. She is very talented, and I am enjoying training more than I thought I would.”

“That’s good. We need good Paladins, now more than ever.” Braydan turned back towards the arena. “Did you hear Ingmar has returned?”

“No, I hadn’t. He was in Challter, wasn’t he?”

“Yes. It seems there is a full revolution going on. Nailhaim was only the first of the city states to fall. Porgim, Jorgow and Brather are also in the hands of rebels, and the final two won’t last much longer.”

“What is Caedan going to do?”

Braydan spat on the floor. “Nothing.”

The aggression in Braydan’s voice worried Felix. He had never known Braydan to get so riled up by Caedan’s decisions. He decided to bring the conversation away from Challter. “Braydan, why did you want to speak to me? Have you a task for Kaesyn and I?”

“There will be plenty of tasks soon enough, for all of us. War is coming Felix, and all of us will be put to the test.”

“Then why am I here?”

Braydan looked at him. “We need to talk. Just you and I.”

“Is that not what we are doing now?”

“It needs to be far away, away from any prying ears. Meet me in the ruins of the temple in the mountain tonight, before sunset.”

“You think that is necessary?”

“I do.” Braydan turned back to the arena. “Now leave me.” Felix descended the steps of the balcony. He had known Braydan for a long time, and yet he had no idea what he was thinking. The whole conversation had been strange, but Felix hoped it would make sense later.

***

Felix leaned against the ruins of a pillar, looking down over the city. The torches of Lorr shone brightly, the sun almost at the horizon. Lorr was a sprawling city, the biggest Felix had ever seen. The palace loomed in the centre, the building so extravagant that none could doubt the power of Caedan.

Felix turned away from the city. He sat down on a fallen marble column and waited. The old temple lay in ruins around him. It had been that way for decades, maybe even centuries, long before Lorr or Prolla or Camelot were known in the Afterlife. Felix did not know who the temple was built in honour of, the details lost like the builders of it.

Few came to the ruins, the paths overrun with plants. Felix had not been there himself in years. Master Zoran used to take him and Braydan up there, and it was in these ruins that Zoran had taught them many lessons. Felix thought he ought to bring Kaesyn up there soon. It commanded a view for leagues in all directions, and it was from up there that one could fully appreciate where Lorr was situated. The mountains defended the city’s south, the sea guarding the west and northwest. In the northeast, beyond the horizon, Sentinel Fortress lay, ready to block any army that came for Lorr. The city was unreachable.

Felix looked up as Braydan approached. The moonlight shone down on him, illuminating his outfit that was identical to Felix’s. He wore a long black cloak, the silver lion clasped around his throat. His clothes were simple and plain. His sword hung from his hip.

Felix did not rise from the fallen column. Braydan stopped at the edge of the ruins, looking at Felix without talking. “I am here, Braydan. What is it you wish to discuss?” Felix asked.

Braydan looked Felix up and down. “Times are changing, Felix. War is coming here once more. I am sure I don’t need to tell you that.”

“I am not frightened of war, Braydan. It is what I am bred for.”

“I know, Felix. It is why you have been so useful to the Order. But this is about more than the war. This is about Caedan.”

Felix looked at Braydan carefully. “What about Caedan?”

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Braydan began pacing through the ruins. “Caedan has grown weak. He fails to see to the needs of his people. Fails to do what needs to be done. He is so focused on his wars, he doesn’t even see what is happening. Challter is just another example. They were our allies, and now they fall while Caedan watches.”

“Braydan, what are you planning?”

“I am planning nothing. I cannot say the same for Xavier. He strikes for Caedan tonight.”

Felix rose from the pillar, horrified. “We must stop him,” he said, beginning to walk towards the edge of the ruins.

Braydan grabbed his arm as he walked past, pushing Felix back. “No. We will not stop him.”

“What do you mean?” Felix demanded, stepping back. “We have sworn allegiance to Caedan. He is our leader.”

“By dawn, Xavier will be our leader.”

“What are you doing, Braydan? We need to act!”

“I am acting, Felix. I have spoken to Xavier. Once Caedan is found dead, I will ensure Xavier is recognised as the new Emperor.”

“Braydan, you cannot be serious! Why?”

“Stop being naive, Felix! Learn to see what is before your eyes. Caedan will bring our land to ruins, and drag the Order with him. He is already phasing us out. Already, he excludes us from discussions and decisions. Xavier says he is planning on removing us, and killing us!”

“You are blind, Braydan. Xavier is playing you! He only wants the throne!”

“That doesn’t matter, Felix. He will bring the land to prosperity, and undo what Caedan has done. And he will have our full support.”

“This is not how our Order works!”

“Do not talk to me about the workings of the Order, Felix!” Braydan turned his back to Felix, striding across the ruins angrily. “We must adapt, and survive. That is what we have always done. I cannot let the Order fall.”

Felix drew his sword. “I will stop you.”

Braydan sighed, his back still to Felix. “Don’t make me do this, Felix. I don’t want to. I feared you would react like this, and I will do what I must, but don’t make me kill you.”

“Oh, don’t worry, you won’t have to kill me.”

Felix leapt forward. Braydan spun around, drawing his blade as he did so. Their swords crashed together. Felix pushed Braydan’s blade backwards, closing in quickly. Braydan slipped to the side, past a crumbling wall. He dodged Felix’s attack, not launching into one of his own.

Felix forced Braydan to retreat across the ruins, his blows flying forward. Braydan made no move to strike back, only blocking Felix’s swings. Felix knew he had to act quickly, if he wanted to reach Lorr in time to save Caedan.

Braydan smashed Felix’s blade to the side, kicking him square in the chest. Felix stumbled, tripping over a thick tree root. He rolled across the floor.

“Ugh, Felix, you are so stubborn!” Braydan said as he circled Felix. “Don’t you see that this must be done? Caedan has to go, for the good of Lorr and the good of the Order.”

“I’ll kill you,” Felix muttered, struggling back to his feet.

“Don’t make me do this, Felix. Go away, leave Lorr, leave the Order if you have to. Just don’t make me kill you.”

“I’ll kill you!” Felix roared.

Braydan sighed. “I didn’t want to do this.”

They both leapt forward at the same time, their blades crashing together. Braydan pushed Felix backwards, and finally moved in to kill. Felix retreated deeper into the ruins, blocking blow after blow of Braydan’s. The moon overhead was their only light as they fought.

Braydan pushed Felix’s sword to the side, smashing the hilt of his weapon into Felix’s face. Felix stumbled backwards. He recovered just in time to dodge Braydan’s attack, swinging quickly to nick Braydan’s shoulder.

Braydan continued his assault, forcing Felix deeper and deeper into the ruins. They came to a part where Felix had never been before, where it looked like no one had gone in decades. What remained of stone walls were overrun with roots of trees, the branches arching overhead dimming the moonlight.

Felix swung wildly. Braydan dodged the blow, letting the sword sink into the trunk of a tree. Felix wrenched his blade free, bringing it up sharply. He caught Braydan’s sword with his blade over his head. Their blades locked together for a moment, and as they did, Felix stared into his oldest friend’s face. But the warmth from Braydan’s eyes was gone, replaced with a hardness, and underneath it sorrow. Felix saw the fierce face of a warrior, saw what so many had seen before they died. Felix knew he had to survive. He couldn’t die here, no matter what. For his Order.

He pushed Braydan backwards and hopped over a wall, giving himself a moment to breathe. But it was only a moment, as Braydan charged after him. Felix retreated under the flurry of blows, trying to come up with a way to beat his friend, his brother. He had duelled Braydan many times before, but none like this. None where death was on the line.

Braydan kicked Felix in the stomach, forcing him to stumble backwards. Suddenly, Felix felt something other than stone beneath his feet. He looked down to see a floor of rotting wood creaking beneath. It felt like it could break at any moment.

Felix looked up again as Braydan charged forwards. As Braydan swung, Felix dived past his friend. He tumbled to his feet, turning and kicking to force Braydan onto the rotten wood. As Braydan tried to recover, Felix drove his sword into the wood.

Braydan screamed, both with rage and fear, as the wood cracked. He disappeared down the hole, his scream eventually cutting out far below. Felix leaned over the edge and looked in. He could not see the bottom or Braydan, the moonlight not strong enough to penetrate that ancient darkness.

What have I done? Felix though, stumbling backwards. He had killed Braydan. Braydan was dead. How could he have done that? His brother was dead.

Felix straightened up as he began to make his way out of the ruins. He had to go back to Lorr. He had to save Caedan, and stop Xavier. He had killed Braydan, but it had been necessary. For our Order. Braydan had made a mistake, and it was sad he had to pay for it with his life, but Felix had done the right thing. He was certain he had done the right thing. For our Order.

Felix reached the edge of the ruins, looking out over the lights of Lorr. He had to move quickly. He had to save Caedan. That was what the ideals of his Order demanded of him.

A shadow passed overhead. Felix stared upwards as a massive beast flew forward, giant wings beating and its body blocking out the stars.

The dragon opened its jaws and roared as it flew for Lorr.