Kane
The cold winds of Ithrador whispered through the towering spires of Vyrden Academy, carrying the weight of an impending storm. I stood at the edge of the training grounds, my gaze fixed on the distant mountains that marked the border between our kingdom and Kaedros. The eternal divide. A land of fire and ambition on one side, a realm of ice and discipline on the other.
Kaedros had always been our rival. Their warriors were raised in the art of conquest, bred to believe that power alone dictated one's right to rule. They sought expansion, dominance, and glory at any cost. In contrast, Ithrador valued tradition, honor, and discipline. We did not strike firstâbut we always finished the battle. It had been this way for centuries, a fragile balance that now teetered on the edge of war.
I turned away from the mountains and made my way toward the inner halls of the academy, my mind heavy with the words of the summons I had received. The head of the Valdyrs had called for me, and that meant one thingâwar was no longer just a whisper.
The great hall was empty when I arrived, save for the man who awaited me at its center. Lord Aldric Vaelmont, the head of the Valdyrs, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his silver hair a sharp contrast to the dark tunic he wore. His presence alone commanded respect, but it was the look in his steely gray eyes that sent a chill through me.
"You called for me, Lord Aldric," I said, stepping forward.
He turned his gaze toward me, unreadable as ever. "You've been training the Draythar girl." It wasn't a question.
"Yes," I confirmed.
"What do you think of her?"
I hesitated. Fallon Draythar was reckless, stubborn, and entirely too bold for her own good. And yetâshe had the makings of a warrior unlike any I had seen before. "She's determined," I admitted. "Stronger than most. But she still has much to learn."
Aldric gave a slow nod. "She may have to learn faster than expected." He gestured for me to follow him, leading me toward the large map table at the center of the hall. I recognized it immediatelyâVaeloria in its entirety, with Ithrador and Kaedros marked by their respective banners.
"We intercepted reports from our scouts this morning," Aldric said, resting his fingers on the eastern border. "Kaedros is moving troops closer to the divide. They claim it's routine training, but we both know better."
A muscle in my jaw tightened. "They're preparing for war."
Aldric's silence was confirmation enough. He studied me for a moment before speaking again. "Ithrador cannot afford to be caught unprepared. If Kaedros moves first, we may not have time to mount a proper defense. The king is already considering the next step."
I knew what that meant. "An attack?"
"Perhaps," Aldric said carefully. "But not without gathering more intelligence first." His gaze sharpened. "That's where you come in."
I straightened, my instincts already on high alert. "What do you need me to do?"
"There's been talk of an assassination attemptâone that could shift the balance of power in Kaedros. If we can uncover who's behind it, we may be able to use it to our advantage. I want you to lead a small team beyond the border. Find out who's pulling the strings."
It was a dangerous mission, but that had never stopped me before. I nodded. "I'll do it."
Aldric seemed satisfied. "Good. Choose your team wisely. You leave within the week."
I inclined my head in acknowledgment before turning to leave, but his voice stopped me just before I reached the doors. "One more thing, Kane."
I glanced back.
"Keep an eye on the Draythar girl." His expression was unreadable. "Her role in this may be greater than either of us realize."
The weight of his words lingered as I stepped into the cold night air. War was coming. And Fallon Draythar was somehow at the heart of it.