Davon was the fastest runner in the group. He left Lyla and Kai slightly behind as he ran through the encampment, keeping his eyes locked on the fleeing three-horned helmet. Meanwhile, enemy soldiers were stirring all around him, roused from their tents by the sound of combat.

  Suddenly, three Crimson Reavers jumped into Davon’s path and forced him to stop. Davon cursed beneath his breath. Then he split his bow into swords and prepared to fight, waiting for his foes to make the first move.

  The three soldiers lunged towards him from different directions, all swinging their weapons at once.

  Davon’s perception of time slowed as he thought about his options. Taking a risk, he ducked to the left, just barely evading the combined attack. As a blade swung an inch from his face, he carried his momentum into a strike, driving a blade into the gut of the leftmost soldier. Davon carved through the creature with unusual ease, cutting it almost in half.

  As the first soldier fell to the ground, the other two readjusted around Davon, maintaining the flank. The two soldiers swung their weapons in symmetrical, upward arcs. Thinking quickly, Davon brought both of his blades down to parry one of the strikes, simultaneously dodging the same direction. His blades knocked one strike aside while his momentum carried him safely away from the other.

  Preparing himself to attack again, Davon turned on his heel just in time to see Kai crash into one of the Crimson Reavers. The young warrior moved so fast that Davon could barely track it. The next moment, the enemy soldier landed on the ground with a thud, stunned.

  The final standing Crimson Reaver wavered, stepping slowly away from Kai. Then, apparently deciding this fight wasn’t worth it, the soldier turned and ran.

  Before Davon could react, a spear flew by him. The Crimson Reaver fell with the weapon impaled in its back. Turning, Davon saw Lyla recall her spear with a wave of the hand.

  “Come on, we need to find that leader,” Davon demanded, whirling around in search of their quarry. He could no longer see the three-horned helmet, but he spotted a set of tracks in the thin layer of ash.

  Davon dropped into a sprint as he followed the tracks. Then a noise like thunder erupted from somewhere behind him. Startled, he glanced back over his shoulder.

  A beacon of light rose from inside the largest tent, briefly lighting up the night sky. Davon recognized the ability Emma had demonstrated in their previous battle.

  That must be the flare, he thought. She’s signaling Grant and the rest to attack.

  Part of him wanted to stay and help. He didn’t want to miss the chance to kill as many Crimson Reavers as possible. But then Emma’s command echoed in his mind, and he forced himself to turn away.

  They had been given a task, and he would see it through to the end.

  With Kai and Lyla close behind, Davon continued following the tracks out of the encampment. The trail took them to the forest-covered road leading away from Walden’s Hold. Then, suddenly, the tracks vanished.

  Stopping at the edge of the road, Lyla muttered something under her breath. Her spear burst into magical flames. With the help of Lyla’s light, Davon looked for signs of their enemy, but failed to find any.

  “Damn it, where now?” he muttered in frustration.

  “Leave this to me.” Kai crouched near the place where the tracks stopped. After a few moments, he paused, peering at something on the ground. “This way.”

  Curious, Davon asked, “Where’d you learn to track?”

  “Family tradition,” Kai replied as the group set off again. “A warrior needs to know how to find his prey, my father used to claim.”

  Now guided by Kai, the group continued down the road, eventually taking a turn into the forest.

  Every so often, Kai called a halt. He would take a few moments to inspect their surroundings. Then he would point out a piece of broken foliage, an unusual mark on a tree, or a footprint the other two had missed, and they would set off in that direction.

  Davon was thoroughly impressed by Kai’s tracking abilities. He wondered briefly why the warrior hadn't taken the lead in their previous missions, but decided this was not the time to ask.

  An hour into the chase, Kai froze.

  “Tracks are getting closer and closer together,” he whispered, concern plastered on his face. “It slowed down. We might be getting closer.”

  Davon recognized Kai’s anxiety, as his own was bubbling beneath the surface. The last time they faced an enemy like this, they had found themselves completely outmatched and overpowered.

  But then, Davon thought to himself, last time, I wasn’t capable of cutting a Crimson Reaver in half.

  He calmed his nerves, remembering the improvements he had gained within the Imbuement Chamber. The thought of testing his abilities against a powerful enemy didn’t have to be fearful.

  In fact, it was exciting.

  They continued on for another half-hour before an all too familiar scent caught Davon’s attention. The trio halted as one. Sharing a look of silent understanding, they readied their weapons. Then, Kai in the lead, they crept to the edge of a small clearing.

  Davon could see their target through the break in the trees. The Crimson Reaver leader was standing calmly in the center of the clearing, back turned to the group.

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  “Does this feel like a trap to anyone else?” Davon whispered.

  Before either of his companions could answer, a guttural voice echoed from the clearing.

  “Persistent. Good. Come, face me. I am eager to test myself against you.”

  The voice grated against Davon’s ears, causing him to wince. The way the creature spoke was inhuman, more like a growl.

  How does it know our language? Davon thought, but he quickly remembered their first encounter with a similar Crimson Reaver. It had also spoken in the common tongue, although only a few words.

  Unsure how to proceed, the group held their positions. Lyla extinguished the flame on her spear with a whisper, leaving the moon as their only source of light.

  “Still you hide?” the Crimson Reaver mocked. He turned towards the trio with hands outstretched, showing himself to be unarmed. “Come! I’ll allow you the first strike!”

  The waxing moon above them shone brightly into the clearing, allowing Davon to scrutinize the figure. He couldn’t spot any weapons on the Crimson Reaver, but that only made him more nervous.

  “Come! I hold no deceptions!” The figure took a few steps towards the group. “My sergeants fell like chaff against your blades! I, Captain Aelius, challenge you to a fair fight!”

  “What a showman,” Davon scoffed, his words dripping with contempt. “We should spread out, surround — Kai?”

  Kai was getting to his feet, interrupting Davon’s attempt at strategizing.

  “He issued a fair challenge,” the young warrior stated. “That’s not something I can deny, as an Ulrich son.”

  “What are you — Kai! That thing is a monstrous invader!” Davon snarled. “What rules say you have to treat it with honor?!”

  Kai looked at Davon, eyes steely with determination. “Whatever it is, or wherever it came from, it issued a warrior’s challenge.”

  Lyla opened her mouth to speak, but Kai had already turned away and was striding into the clearing.

  “Damn it, Kai!” Lyla hissed as she hurried after the young warrior. “Come on, before he gets himself killed!”

  The trio stepped onto the clearing, prompting satisfied laughter from the Crimson Reaver.

  “At last! Out in the open, and away from the cutthroat theater of war!” Aelius raised his hands in mock celebration. “I’ve been waiting for this!”

  “Enough talking,” Kai commanded. His voice was calm as he approached their foe. “You wanted a fight? You're getting one.”

  “So eager!” Aelius made no attempt to conceal the glee in his voice. “How I wish the general would allow me to do this more often!”

  Davon’s ears perked up at the Crimson Reaver’s words, questions floating to the surface of his thoughts.

  “But very well!” Aelius concluded, lowering his arms into a fighting stance. “Let us fight.”

  Before Davon could think of a way to coax more information out of Captain Aelius, Kai bellowed a war cry and ran at their foe. Using his forward momentum, Kai raised his axe above his head and brought it down in a wide arc.

  Aelius stepped to the side gracefully and dodged the attack. The earth shook with the force of Kai’s blow, a small crater forming as evidence of his raw strength. Still, the Crimson Reaver didn’t miss a beat. Aelius ran his armored fist into Kai’s chest with two quick jabs, setting the Revenant off-balance.

  Davon dashed around to the captain’s flank, calculating his aim as he ran. But by the time he found a clean shot and drew his bowstring, Aelius had already sent a swift and powerful kick into Kai’s side. The young warrior stumbled directly between Aelius and Davon’s raised bow.

  He’s smart, Davon admitted to himself grudgingly. I’ll need to be smarter.

  Davon dashed around again, trying to put Aelius directly between Kai and himself.

  While Davon was repositioning, he kept his eyes peeled on the ongoing fight. Enraged by the captain’s assault, Kai brought his axe up suddenly in an attempt to strike Aelius with the blunt side. Aelius realized the Revenant’s gambit just in time to jump backwards.

  Safely out of the way, the captain threw a haymaker, aimed at Kai’s chin. But Kai had expected a follow-up. He invoked his barrier rune just in time to prevent the fist from reaching him. For just a moment, the clearing filled with golden light.

  Then the barrier shattered from the force of Aelius’ blow.

  Finally in position, Davon raised his weapon and waited. The crackling of the arrow and bowstring sent waves of anticipation through him, but he needed the perfect shot. He wasn’t looking for a chance to strike at the captain directly. This fight couldn’t be won by a single decisive strike.

  Instead, Davon would be a distraction.

  On the far side of the clearing, Davon saw Lyla raise her spear and take aim. When she flung her weapon forward, carried by conjured wind, Davon let loose his own attack. Aelius, focused on the incoming spear, failed to notice the arrow flying towards him from behind.

  Davon’s arrow struck Aelius’ left leg, making the captain stagger. Unable to dodge, Aelius could only watch as the spear flew towards him and struck him in the chest. A vicious shriek echoed through the air as Aelius stumbled backwards.

  Roaring with fury, Aelius raised both of his arms. The crimson trim of his armor began glowing intensely. He then brought his fists down on Kai in a slam.

  A crimson shockwave rocked the earth, emanating from the point of impact. Kai had hunkered down and raised his axe, bracing for the blow, but he crumpled beneath the force of his foe’s rage. For a moment, Aelius reveled in his victory, gloating as the young warrior squirmed in pain.

  Realizing the opportunity, Davon invoked the Scattershot rune and loosed his second arrow. Aelius didn’t realize he was being attacked until a shower of arrow splinters struck his back. Davon saw the fragments sink into his foe’s armor, followed by rivulets of blood.

  Yet Aelius seemed unbothered. His movements were casual as he ripped Lyla’s spear out of his own chest and threw it towards Davon.

  Barely able to react, Davon rolled out of the way. He felt a rush of wind as the spear flew by. A moment later, he heard a tree fall behind him.

  Then the sound of thunder erupted over the clearing.

  Davon looked up. Lyla was standing tall, holding her spellbook in one hand while the other was outstretched towards Aelius. As Davon watched, a torrent of electricity flowed from Lyla’s fingers and struck their enemy in the chest.

  Despite the constant flow of electricity, Aelius maintained his posture, walking slowly towards Lyla. He raised a hand and snapped his fingers. Davon noticed the air around Lyla turn crimson, and let out a sigh of relief when she jumped forwards. A second later, the ground where she had been standing exploded in crimson flame.

  Guttural laughter rose above the unfolding chaos.

  “Is this all you have to offer?” Aelius mocked, hands outstretched once again. “Is this really the best —”

  Aelius never got to finish his sentence. Davon watched in surprise as Kai suddenly reached out an arm and grabbed the arrogant Crimson Reaver by the ankle. With a roar, he pulled Aelius’ leg from under him, forcing him to fall to the ground.

  The captain rolled onto his back as Kai loomed over him. A look of pure rage marred the young warrior’s face as he raised his axe and brought it down with a shriek.

  Silence fell over the clearing.

  “Your challenge has been met,” Kai announced almost ritualistically as he stumbled away, leaving his axe stuck in Aelius’ body. “And you have been found wanting.”

  Davon hurried over to his companion, but his eyes were glued to the twitching body pinned by the young warrior’s axe.

  “Well, what a surprise…” Aelius mumbled through a dry chuckle. “Maybe the general will meet his match yet.”

  Then the captain’s body went limp, leaving the trio to ponder his dying words.

  It was Lyla who broke the silence, looking uneasily in the direction Aelius had been running.

  “He was heading towards Heinburg. Do you think that’s where this general is?”

  “A question for later.” Davon nudged Aelius’ body with his foot. “For now, let’s enjoy our victory.”