The noble shuddered as the weight of Kael's dagger caused his once-calm attitude to break. His eyes darted between his captors, looking for a way out that was not there.
"You have no idea what you're interfering with." He whispered.
The noble swallowed hard as Kael leaned in a little and pressed the icy edge of his blade against him. "Then enlighten me."
Flipping through the letters on the table, Mira looked at the well-written script and the royal seals. She frowned. "These aren't reports of battles. They're orders."
Sera raised an eyebrow. "Orders?"
Mira's eyes darkened as she nodded. "Directives issued by the royal council, not the generals." She read aloud from a note she held up.
"Ensure the war does not cease. The people must believe in our cause, and the Fire Kingdom's existence must remain a threat. Any attempt at negotiation is to be silenced."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Kael's grip tightened on his dagger. "So this war is nothing but a ruse?"
The noble let out a strained chuckle. "A necessary one."
Mira slammed the letters onto the table. "People are dying. Your soldiers believe they're protecting their homeland, but you're feeding them a false enemy."
The noble stopped trembling and a smirk slowly appeared on his face. "And what do you intend to do about it?"
Kael didn't answer immediately. He studied the man, weighing his options. Killing him wouldn't solve anything. The war machine was already in motion, and this noble was just another cog in it.
But information? That had value.
"You're going to tell us everything," Kael finally said.
The noble scoffed. "And if I refuse?"
"Then I stop being polite." Kael smiled an expression that said 'I dare you' while placing his dagger on the noble's groin area.
The noble paled.
Mira took a step forward, delicately tapping the table with her fingers. "I'll venture a guess. This conflict is actually still going on because someone profits off of it, no?"
The noble's smirk faltered.
Intrigued, Sera cocked her head. "Trade? Resources?"
Mira's sharp eyes narrowed. "Or power?"
The noble exhaled slowly, realizing he had already lost the battle of words. "You're not wrong," he admitted. "War unites people under a common enemy and fear strengthens a ruler's control. If the war ends, the kingdom's stability crumbles with it."
Kael's jaw tightened. Even though he had suspected corruption, hearing it spoken so plainly made his blood boil. He wasn't a righteous fellow either, but there were certain boundaries he wouldn't cross.
Sera spoke in a calm but piercing tone. "What about the royals? Are they really prisoners? Or are they merely pawns in this game of thrones?"
The noble hesitated. Then, finally, he spoke. "They are alive. But they are not prisoners of war." His lips curled into a bitter smile. "They were never meant to be rescued."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"The Earth Kingdom gave them to the Fire Kingdom," the noble continued. "An offering I would call it. A way to justify the continued war while pretending to seek peace."
Slowly, the realization settled over the room. The royals weren't hostages, no. They were sacrifices for the greater good.
Kael exchanged a glance with Mira and Sera. The truth had changed everything. This was no longer about picking a side. The goal was to break the cycle of deception.
Mira rubbed her temple and let out a breath. "The entire war effort could collapse if we reveal this information."
Sera folded her arms. "But we might be playing right into their hands if we just storm in and save the royals without knowing where they stand."
Kael turned back to the noble. "Where are they?"
The noble smirked again. "Why should I tell you?"
Kael's dagger pressed harder. "Because my patience is wearing thin."
A bead of sweat trickled down the noble's temple. "A fortress," he finally admitted. "Near the western border. The Fire Kingdom keeps them there, but only because the Earth Kingdom allows it."
Mira's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
The noble's voice was almost amused. "If the Fire Kingdom wanted them dead, they would be dead. But keeping them alive maintains the illusion of war. The Earth Kingdom doesn't want them back. They want to keep the idea of them alive to fuel their cause."
Kael's grip on his dagger loosened slightly. A fortress at the western border. That was where they needed to go.
KNOCK!~KNOCK!~
A sudden loud knock echoed through the manor's halls before they could press further.
Kael, Mira, and Sera exchanged quick glances.
The noble smiled faintly. "Ah. It seems I have guests."
Kael grabbed him by the collar, yanking him to his feet. "Who?"
The noble barely had time to answer before the door burst open.
Three soldiers entered, their armor shining in the candlelight. Their gaze shifted between the intruders and their lord, who was now being held captive.
The leading guard's expression darkened. "Release Lord Elric."
Kael let out a sigh. "I was hoping for a quiet exit."
Sera had already raised her bow with an arrow notched. "Should we run or fight?"
Mira glanced at the window that was open. "Both."
The soldiers made a lunge.
Kael reacted instantly, shoving the noble forward. They gained a few seconds as the man stumbled and collided with the closest guard.
Mira grabbed the stack of letters from the table. "We can't leave without these."
Sera loosed an arrow, striking one of the soldiers in the shoulder. He stumbled back with a grunt, but the others continued to move forward.
Kael's dagger flashed, deflecting a spear thrust as he twisted to the side. He didn't waste time on a drawn-out battle; he moved with precision, striking at weak points in the soldiers' armor.
One collapsed with a painful scream. The others hesitated.
"Window!" Mira yelled.
Kael didn't need to be told twice. He sprinted toward the open balcony, vaulting over the railing.
The night air hit him like ice as he landed on the stone courtyard below. Mira and Sera followed seconds later, their cloaks flapping behind them.
The manor erupted in shouts. There were more guards on the way.
Kael spotted their stolen horses still tied where they had left them. "Get moving!"
They dodged arrows while running as they got to the horses. Kael grabbed the reins and swung upon his horse. He kicked his horse into action as soon as they were fastened, with Sera and Mira following closely after.
They sped through the city's streets, dodging patrols and weaving between buildings. The alarm bells were already blaring though they were already too far ahead.
The gates were in sight.
Sera shot an arrow into a distracted sentry before he could react. Kael and Mira charged forward, using the chaos to break through.
The stronghold disappeared behind them, swallowed by the darkness. Only when they reached a safe distance did they slow.
Kael turned to Mira and Sera. "We know where they are." His voice was steady. "Now we get to them first."
Mira smirked. "Before either kingdom can stop us."
Sera exhaled, adrenaline still thrumming in her veins. "This is going to be intere—."
BOOM!!!~
A fireball struck close to them, cutting Sera off and the explosion rippled outwards, sending them flying from their high[1] horses.
***
[1] Pun Intended.