The group advanced through the forest that extended toward the west. Heavy steps crushed damp roots, while the mercenaries' breathing mixed with the distant murmur of owls and night insects. Among them, common travelers walked in nervous silence, protected only by the presence of those who carried swords.
The trees, however, were not simple trees. Their trunks rose twisted, resembling carved columns, and the canopies joined in shapes that seemed to obey a divine purpose.
One of the men murmured, almost like a contained prayer: "It is the work of the Transfiguration… the gods changed everything, even the forests."
Another answered, with a bitter tone: "They did not change. They took. What we see is not nature, it is dominion. Every leaf belongs to them, every stone was shaped to remind who reigns."
A heavy silence fell over the group. The idea of walking on land where even the wind blew according to a god's will was enough to make any man feel small. Still, the road to the marquisate was before them, and retreat was not an option.
Karna stretched his shoulders and let out a half-smile. "Finally, let's begin. What a pity we couldn't stay in the same group. Kael and Brianna stayed behind…"
Telvaris, with a serious expression, answered without hesitation: "Yes, but Kael had already predicted this. That night, at the inn, we drew up a plan in case this was the direction."
Karna made a face of disapproval. "Don't even remind me… just thinking that Brianna might sleep with that guard gives me chills. Thanks to the uproar that Ereon created, nothing happened."
Ereon remained silent, keeping pace with the group with steady steps. It was then that he murmured: "We are about to sight the first village of the marquisate."
Karna whistled, surprised. "Can you see that far? Damn the hour I traded the sword for the bow\... I also wanted to have a superior god."
"Be careful what you say, Karna." Telvaris warned, narrowing his eyes.
Before another comment arose, a female voice echoed behind them, soft and cutting like a blade. "Yes, you should have been careful. You never know if the enemy is lurking."
The three turned at the same time, instinctively bringing their hands to their weapons. None of them had noticed her approach.
Her features were fine and exotic, capable of catching the gaze immediately. The golden eyes, like molten gold, shone with predatory intensity, mystery and authority in every gesture. The long, straight hair, black as night, fell over her shoulders, while the straight fringe further accentuated the strength of her penetrating gaze. There was something in her expression — serene confidence, almost challenging — that imposed respect without it being necessary to say a word.
A firm voice sounded behind the platoon: "What are you doing there, Liora? Return before our group gets into some trouble."
She only gave a slight smile, cast a brief look at Ereon and, unhurried, returned to her group.
Telvaris's and Karna's hands were damp with sweat. Karna broke the silence, his voice trembling: "She is dangerous. I only felt something like that once… it was before crossing the Abyss. On the day of the Hunt."
Telvaris nodded, his gaze fixed on the spot where Liora had disappeared among the trees. "Yes… she is really dangerous. Few people manage to approach without making any sound."
Ereon watched the figure that moved away until she vanished from sight. Then, without saying anything, he resumed walking with the group.
The guard who followed further ahead raised his hand, and the entire platoon stopped. The moon lit the tense faces, revealing sweat and nervousness. Before them, only three hundred meters away, the first village of the marquisate appeared.
Tension grew. No one knew what they would find there — only that there was no turning back. Fear, excitement and hope mixed like embers about to ignite.
The guard turned to the group and spoke, as if trying to motivate them: "For many of you, this is the first campaign. I have no words to soothe your fears. But know: after this village, there are only five left until we reach the marquisate. Follow a simple rule: kill the enemy before you and move forward. Everything you conquer here will be yours. Remember: all who live in the marquisate are our enemies. Spare no one. Kill and sack."
The words, which ignited the greed of mercenaries coming from the slums south of the walls, sounded like an absurdity to others.
Telvaris could not contain his indignation: "Is he really giving orders to kill everyone? Even children, old people… people who cannot even be called enemies?"
Ereon held the guard with a black look, heavy as lead, and spoke bluntly: "This is his method: massacre innocents, order thefts and abuses, and then celebrate the destruction as conquest. This is how he creates followers."
When he finished, his eyes changed, becoming even colder, as if carrying the weight of something the others could not comprehend.
Nika's words echoed in his mind: "Ereon, never forget… in times of war, it is not the kings who fall — but the villages that never knew your gaze, reduced to ashes by the fire they did not light."
The thought was interrupted by the men's shouts, who were already advancing against the village.
"Let's go!" said Karna, anxious. "If we don't go now, nothing will remain!"
Telvaris cast a look at Ereon, seeking an answer. "I suggest you wait until it's all over." Ereon spoke, firm. "There are no soldiers in this village. Before continuing, understand: I don't know how things happened the orphanage, but what you will see now is the true nature of men when they obtain power."
Telvaris frowned. "What are you trying to say?"
Ereon remained standing, at the edge of the forest, staring at the flames that were beginning to rise in the distance. "Didn't you notice? There are no count's soldiers here. That means we are only disposable pieces for him."
Karna swallowed dryly. "This is starting to get kind of scary…"
In the village, the fire spread quickly. The screams echoed to the forest's edge, reaching Ereon, Telvaris and Karna.
Beside them, some mercenaries — the few who had also perceived the guard's hidden orders — hesitated to advance.
That night, Telvaris and Karna, after the tragedy that had already marked the orphanage, would learn the true meaning of war: an era in which the strongest dictated how the weakest should live.
After Ereon's declaration, the group proceeded in silence to the entrance of the village.
The smell of smoke, dense and bitter, burned the throat, while the flames consumed the wooden houses, illuminating the night with an infernal glow.
Armed men looted, laughing as they dragged residents out of their homes. Children cried in their mothers' arms, old men fell to the ground like useless burdens, and women were taken to alleys and ruined houses.
Telvaris and Karna stopped in silence, motionless. What they saw was not war — it was pure destruction. Children ran between the burning houses, while the platoon advanced, looting and abusing like animals.
For a moment, the world seemed to tremble. Telvaris felt his stomach turn; Karna almost let the weapon fall from his hands. Neither of them was prepared to witness that.
Liora approached the boys and stopped beside Ereon. "Apparently, it is not you he first time see this. But your friends will be fine. They are prepared for what will happen in the villages ahead."
Ereon lowered his voice, attentive: "Who are you?"
She flashed a quick, almost sarcastic smile before speaking: "My name is Liora. I ran away from home, my father never gave me much freedom. I met a group of mercenaries, and I have been traveling with them for two years…" she smiled lightly. "And you, aren't you going to introduce yourself?"
Ereon answered, in a somber tone: "Until now, the tension has blinded them. After today, the taste for power over the weak will intoxicate them. Do you think you are going survive among so many men?"
Liora rolled her eyes, an ironic smile on her lips. "As if you are worried about me. Is that why you put a shadow to follow me? Sorry, you're not my type. I'm warning you, in case you're in love... see you later, Ereon.."
She covered her face with the hood and went on, joining her group, which decided to pass and continue to the next village.
Ereon remained standing, staring at the figure that walked away, trying to understand how she knew his name without him having said a word.
Far from the chaos of the village, in the marquisate's mansion, an emergency meeting unfolded.
"Sir, did the count really declare war?" one of the servants asked.
Another answered: "Yes, but our scouts did not see any count soldiers. There were only mercenaries and militias from poor neighborhoods."
The marquis raised his voice, authoritatively: "He is testing us. He will continue massacring the village until the walls of the marquisate. And we only will be able to act when we discover his plan.... Until there we will have to play his game."
A servant hesitated: "But what about the citizens outside the walls? Will they be killed for nothing…"
The marquis answered coldly: "Are you saying we should risk to save useless lives? As long as the walls and the nobles within them remain alive, I do not care if all the villages are burned."
He turned to the assistant: "Did you manage to find her?"
"Not yet, sir. She is hiding very well," the assistant answered, hesitant.
The marquis struck his fist on the table, impatient: "What is going through her head? The county declared war, and she still wanders around. Find her before the count's knights make their move."
Outside the walls, the sparks of war had already been lit. Each step taken could decide the fall of one of the sides, and tension spread like a cutting wind. But, in the shadows, something else slithered, waiting for the right moment to strike — a silent, patient force that could change everything in a single instant.