Chapter 18 – Shadows and Alliances

Draven

Carlo was exactly as I remembered. A bit more gray, maybe, but with that same sharp gaze that always saw more than he let on. When he saw me carrying Violet, unconscious in my arms, he didn’t say a word. He simply stepped aside. And when she was finally laid on a cot beside the fireplace, covered in furs, he finally spoke:

“I didn’t know dead men went around parading themselves—let alone carrying princesses wanted by half the world.”

I gave a humorless smile.

“I didn’t have much of a choice.”

“There’s always a choice, Draven. The problem is, you never pick the easy road.” He crossed his arms. “Tell me, how did you get yourself into this?”

I glanced at Violet, who mumbled something in her fevered sleep. I adjusted the blanket over her before answering.

“I need your help, Carlo. Supplies. Clothes. Food. A place to stay for a few days.”

“I’m already making soup for the girl,” he replied, pointing with his chin toward the cauldron over the fire. “But you’ll have to tell me how this all started.”

I sat on the wooden bench, exhaustion settling over me like a soaked armor.

“I found her in the forest. She had fallen from a horse. She was alone, injured. I brought her into my camp. After that… everything changed.”

Carlo raised an eyebrow.

“You were in enemy territory… on a mission?”

I swallowed hard. I couldn’t answer. It was part of the code. But he understood my silence.

“Cardan is moving. The king’s daughter reported it. Burnt seals, secret plans... Whispers have already reached Espadaris.”

Carlo stood in stunned silence for a few moments.

“The treaty is in danger, Carlo. If Cardan acts behind the other kingdoms’ backs, the accord is broken. Everything could fall apart. Joker might be involved.”

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He scoffed, bitter.

“You still think this war hasn’t started? Wake up, Draven. It already has. The king of Cardan won’t accept excuses. He’ll want your head. He’ll strike Espadaris without blinking.”

“That’s why I came here. You need to write to my brother. Tell him Violet isn’t our enemy. She wants to tear down the masks. Tell him about Joker, about what could be behind all this. He trusts you. He knows what we’ve been through in the last war.”

Carlo stared at me in silence. Then he nodded.

“And you? What do you plan to do?”

I stood.

“Find trusted allies. Move in the shadows, like the Queen of Cardan did. Until it’s safe to return to Espadaris and explain everything.”

He said nothing. He simply vanished to the back of the cabin. When he returned, he carried something wrapped in dark cloth. He unrolled it and handed it to me.

“Florence,” he said, as if naming an old friend. “My sword. She saved my life more than once. Now she’s yours. Take care of her. And take care of yourself. You’ll need it.”

I gripped the hilt with reverence. It was light but solid. The metal gleamed faintly, forged to endure.

That night, I slept beside the fire—for the first time in days, at peace.

The next morning, Carlo prepared supplies. Violet could finally sit up, still pale but more alert. The fever had eased. When we were ready to leave, Carlo walked us to the edge of the clearing.

“Take care of yourselves.”

I nodded.

“You too. I hope we meet again soon.”

He looked at me as if he knew something I didn’t.

“This is truly our farewell, old friend.”

“What do you mean? I’ll be fine, trust me.”

“I’m not talking about you, my friend,” he said, then turned his back.

The road swallowed us once again. Violet remained silent, her gaze fixed on the horizon. After a while, she shot me a sharp look.

“I’m not on Espadaris’ side. I never was. I’m on the side of peace. No matter the cost, I will fight for it.”

I nodded, saying nothing. Because deep down, I wanted the same.

Hours passed in silence. As the afternoon began to fade, she finally broke the ice.

“So… now what? What’s our next step?”

I adjusted the reins.

“We’re going to find an old contact of mine. A black market dealer. He operates in Cardan’s borderlands, but he hates the king as much as anyone. He might have information about Joker.”

She didn’t respond immediately. She simply pulled her hood tighter and stared ahead.

But I knew. I knew that every step from now on would be more dangerous.

And that the peace she sought… would not come without blood.