The forest held its breath. The voice from the shadows sent a shiver down Kieran’s spine, but he forced himself to stand tall. Julian shifted, positioning himself between Kieran and the unseen threat, blade glinting in the firelight.

A slow, mocking clap echoed through the glade. Then, figures emerged from the darkness—four men, clad in dark leathers, their weapons drawn but held loose, confident.

“Well, well,” the leader purred, stepping forward. He was tall, lean, with cruel eyes that raked over Kieran like he was prey. “The runaway noble and his pet thief. You two are becoming quite the nuisance.”

Julian smirked, but his grip on his blade didn’t waver. “And you are?”

The man tilted his head. “No need for names. Let’s just say I’m here to collect something very valuable.” His eyes locked onto Kieran. “And I don’t mean the thief.”

Kieran’s pulse pounded in his ears. They were after him—not the ledger, not Julian. Him.

Julian shifted slightly, a silent signal. Kieran understood. They had one chance.

The leader sighed. “Let’s not make this difficult, hm? Hand him over, and maybe I let you walk away, thief.”

Julian barked a laugh. “That’s cute. But you see, I don’t take requests.”

Then he moved.

In an instant, Julian lunged, his dagger a blur of silver. Kieran barely had time to react before chaos erupted. Blades clashed, sparks flying in the night. Julian was a force of nature—quick, precise, relentless.

Kieran grabbed a fallen branch, swinging it hard at an approaching attacker. It wasn’t elegant, but it sent the man stumbling back. He had no time to think before another came at him.

A sharp pain lanced through Kieran’s arm as a dagger grazed him. He bit back a cry, dodging just in time as Julian took down another man with brutal efficiency.

The leader, unfazed, merely watched. Then, with a sigh, he raised his hand.

“Enough.”

A sharp whistle rang through the air.

Before Kieran could react, something struck him from behind. A numbing sensation spread through his limbs, his vision swimming. Poison—coating the blade.

Julian’s shout was the last thing he heard before darkness swallowed him whole.

To be continued...