My half-crazy master used to say, ‘A true warrior’s spirit shines brightest when the world is cloaked in darkness.’

For the first time in my life, I felt an urgency unlike anything I’d ever experienced. I was running back to the estate like a bat out of hell. My mind was doing cartwheels with thoughts of Catherine’s little murder plot. I believed it wasn’t just about me. That Silverlion prick had boldly revealed that tonight my house would fall.

But we are the Stormbournes, for Pete’s sake! We have magic swordsmen among us, like Aiden and Grinwald. Did Catherine honestly believe her forces would triumph? Oh right, she’s got that Arcane Swordsman fellow of hers. What was the dude’s name again? James Wuss? Yeah, he could definitely have given our boys a tough time.

Anyway, what truly had driven the Lysanders to such lengths? The leading noble house besides us, and they had ties to the royal family. Did they truly believe they could withstand my father’s wrath? Had they not seen or heard the accounts of his countless battles and victories? My father had been bestowed the title “Tempest Blade” by our kingdom, not just because it sounded cool, but because he could command the very winds with his sword. Literally.

Of course, I personally had not witnessed this power myself. But from the stories I’d heard from Grinwald and a couple of other dudes, they were all but exceptional and thrilling. Him being able to call forth raging storms and fierce gales to his aid in battle, cutting through enemies with the force of a hurricane? Hmm… maybe just half of what they’d told me was probably true. Still, my father’s reputation alone was fearful enough to strike terror into the hearts of our enemies.

And yet the Lysanders had dared to challenge us. Sheer arrogance or utter desperation. One of these two had steered them toward this reckless decision. Were they ready to plunge into a war with our family, the strongest in the kingdom, just to bring down their own house? Or maybe there was another sinister layer to this plot, which made them think it was possible to defeat us? A disloyal dog in the pack. Could there be a traitor in our house helping them?

A member of the Stormbournes, though, who would have had the audacity to betray our house? My uncles? Too lacking in spirit or hardihood were they to execute such a bold stunt. Apart from that, the information I’d heard was that the three geezers only knew how to drink and chase after barmaids at the Royal Rose, dressed in their skimpy skirts. So who did that leave? The main family? Obviously not me. Neither Alistair, unless someone threatened to knuckle his head. Nor could it have been Aeryn who was too pretty to be a conspirator. And definitely not our little cute Alice. So there could only be one person left. Aiden. Come to think of it, there was something off about him during the lunch reception. The way he had conversed with Catherine in secrecy. The serious expressions they both had worn. It all seemed too conspiratorial. Could he be disillusioned with our family? But why? As the heir, what more could he possibly want?

Finally, I was on the outskirts of the town and gasping for breath. Use a horse next time you visit the town, you idiot! I cursed my habit of always shunning them. From a distance, the place I called home was veiled with thick black smoke rising in columns. The estate that had once been a proud symbol of my family’s power and status had turned into a battlefield. I steeled myself and resumed my run.

Just as I reached the estate gate, I came to a full stop. Our sentry guards lay dead, mixed with a few Silverlion soldiers. The scene beyond the gate was chaos. Buildings were on fire, smoke thick in the air, and the acrid stench of burning wood mixed with something else I didn’t want to think about. Flames overcame the dark sky with a roaring hunger. Distant wails of battle and death mingled with the night air. My family’s home was under siege. The once-proud banners of House Stormbourne were now charred and tattered.

And then it hit me like a blow to the gut. The dream. This was exactly what I’d seen in my dream, a premonition of our family’s downfall. But in the dream, there had been Jitters, standing in the heart of the inferno, unharmed, gazing at me with those piercing green eyes. What did it mean? Don’t tell me Jitters was the traitor? Our meeting in the alleyway probably hadn’t been coincidental. Maybe it had been arranged by some being beyond our comprehension—

Nah, what the hell was I thinking? I was talking crazy stuff again. It was ridiculous that a cat could orchestrate such a horrifying act. I pushed the silly thought aside and sprinted into the estate. Find my family. Warn them. Fight alongside them. Just hope I wasn’t late. The fate of my house depended on it.

But where should I head first? Of course, the main mansion! That must be where it all began. The dinner reception where the whole family had gathered. And that’s probably where Catherine must have started her plan. Damn that conniving bitch! I gritted my teeth in anger.

My footsteps clattered on the gravel ground as I dashed through the estate grounds. Everywhere I glanced, there were scenes of bloodshed that made me want to stop and gawk. Estate guards, Silverlion soldiers, even members of the staff lay dead among the burning buildings. The remaining structures, those not yet consumed by flames, formed jagged silhouettes against the night sky. Bright green eyes glinted from the shadows within them. The fire’s roar merged with the distant sounds of battle and terrified screams, creating a truly nightmarish soundscape.

The grand mansion loomed into view, a few areas engulfed in flames. Smaller fires licked hungrily at its edges. The unwelcoming sight made me stop, grimacing. On the ground, I spotted a figure I knew all too well. Warden Grinwald. His chest rose and fell faintly, and he still gripped his bloody sword. Around him lay four Silverlions, their lifeless eyes staring vacantly at the sky. I reached out, turned Grinwald over, and his eyes fluttered open. I looked down at him with a mix of sadness and fear.

“Warden! Wake up, don’t die,” I gave him a light shake.

Grinwald’s vision was foggy, but he managed to focus on me. “Alex… is that you?”

“Yeah, it’s me.”

“Good… at least you’re still alive. You have to run, Alex… The Silverlions are still roaming around, killing people.”

“Since when had you been done in by these mere soldiers? You’re an expert level!” I couldn’t help but ask.

“Not just soldiers. Magic swordsmen… there’s a dozen or so in the Lysanders’ force. Adept and Skilled.”

I glanced at the fallen Silverlions. “But we have our Stormtroopers. Where are they, and why aren’t they helping?” Stormbourne Stormtroopers were our elite guards, skilled at the highest levels. Their captain, Gantz Hoffmeier, was a master swordsman, just like Aiden. He had served my father faithfully for ten years.

“Huh?” Grinwald squinted as if trying to understand. “You mean… our Stormreavers?”

“Yeah, yeah, that’s what I meant.”

Grinwald blew out a breath. “They’re escorting your father to the royal meeting in Tuvia.”

“All twenty of them?” My brows creased.

“Yes.”

“Why does he need all of our elites? He’s the strongest man in the land!”

Grinwald coughed violently, his lips stained with blood.

“Hey, old man, don’t die on me now.” I started to panic. “I’ll get Wallenby; he can patch you up.”

“I think I’m beyond it, Alex.” His voice was barely a whisper now. “Remember this last piece of advice from me. All men have weaknesses, whether they’re weak or strong like your father. And your father is taking his two to Tuvia.”

“Two what?”

“Your mother and your sister.”

“Mom and Alice!” My eyes widened. How could I have been so blind?

“Right, Alex. Your father couldn’t fight at his full strength when he had to protect his loved ones.”

I shook my head, cursing my lack of insight.

“Now run… At least you’re safe from this madness. Tell your father what had taken place here. Live, Master Alex.”

“And Aeryn and Alistair? I need to find them.”

“Not sure where they are. Probably at the main mansion,” another cough. “And Aiden… He fought off five Silverlions the last time I saw him.”

I sighed with relief. That ruled out Aiden as a traitor. “But where is he now?”

“I think he’s fighting Catherine’s personal bodyguard somewhere.”

“Are you talking about that James Wuss guy?”

“Huh?” Grinwald’s eyes narrowed again. “You mean… Lance White?”

“Yeah, yeah, that’s what I said,” I nodded.

At that moment, an explosion erupted from the rooftop of the main mansion, startling me. A bright light vivified the dark sky, blinding me briefly. The clash of powerful magic swordsmen created a dazzling display of spells and blades linking in destruction.

“Grinwald, I think Aiden’s up on the roof fighting that Lance dude.”

But when I turned back, Grinwald’s eyes were closed. His breathing had stopped. The old man had finally kicked the bucket. I couldn’t help but feel grief, knowing I had come close to killing him myself.

I rose to my feet and drew my sword. My long-neglected partner, which I had tucked under my bed for years, felt rather significant in my hands. I sprinted toward the main mansion. I must find out what happened to Aeryn and Alistair. I wasn’t sure how I could turn the current situation to my favor, but I definitely needed to find a way to escape this terrible nightmare.