The stench of blood and death filled the air, but I forced myself to ignore it so I wouldn't collapse and retch.
I ran toward Malek, positioning myself at his side, guarding his back.
"Fenric’s behind this," I said, keeping my eyes fixed on the advancing Fae. My heart ached at the sight of so many familiar faces among the enemies.
Malek simply nodded. His expression carried pure determination to end the battle before it claimed more lives.
"Go to your brother. We're going to need him."
"Right."
I didn't question him, even though part of me screamed to stay at his side and protect him. The adrenaline racing through my veins pushed me forward, forcing me to ignore the chaos around me while I ran toward Leone’s cabin. The fighting blurred at the edges of my vision, but the sounds—the screams of pain, the relentless clash of weapons, and the roars of the orcs—followed me every step of the way.
I reached the cabin and burst through the door. Leone stood in a defensive stance, clearly expecting someone to attack him.
"What’s going on?" he asked, his voice tight, already braced for the answer.
"Ceilte is invading. Fenric decided to attack Oksha and brought practically the entire garrison with him," I explained, cutting straight to the point. "It was time to improvise, brother."
Leone didn’t hesitate. Even without the longsword or the golden armor he usually wore, he stood ready to fight beside us. A faint smile tugged at the corner of my mouth, impossible to suppress.
My brother truly was incredible.
"Let’s go."
The way back proved even more chaotic. The battle had spread throughout the village. Groups of High Fae stormed the huts, destroying everything and forcing the orcs to fight in cramped spaces to protect their homes. The scene was pathetic—a perfect example of what the High Fae, my own family, had done to the orc clans for centuries.
Leone and I ran into a group of three guards heading straight toward us, and my brother stepped in front of me as though I needed protection.
"Halt! By whose orders did you invade this clan?" he demanded in his pompous heir voice. Under different circumstances, I would have made fun of him.
It took them a moment to recognize my brother; after all, he looked thinner and far more disheveled now, his clothes filthy and hanging loosely from his frame.
"Lord Leone!" one of them exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"I want to know the same thing, guards! Who ordered this attack? Lord Alasdair would never give such a senseless order."
The guard hesitated, glancing toward the other two.
"Lord Fenric assured us that Lord Alasdair ordered the attack after discovering their leader, the Ruk’hai, had invadedour kingdom to kidnap you. We're here to rescue you and punish the Oksha clan."
"And where is Lord Fenric?" I asked, my axe raised and ready to hunt down that bastard.
The guards finally turned their attention to me, clearly uncertain whether they should answer an orc.
"Answer her, now!" Leone bellowed, losing patience.
"He’s… commanding the attack," the guard replied, wavering. "He said it was a retaliatory strike, a matter of honor for the throne of Ceilte."
Leone shot a furious look toward the battlefield as the pieces finally fell into place.
"Is Lord Alasdair in Ceilte?"
"No, my lord. He traveled to the Autumn Court for an audience with King Faélán."
Leone and I exchanged confused glances. The last time Alasdair left Ceilte for something like that, we hadn't even been born. Whenever diplomatic matters required attention, he usually sent Leone in his place. Sometimes, even my mother and I accompanied him.
"And Lady Laurelin?" I asked.
