The Morris Port sell-swords came pouring out of the holdfast. Most of them carried loot as they fled from the smoke and fire. Royce sat on his horse, restless to leave, watching the smoke engulf the holdfast before him.

"Where is Tamin?" Duboi shouted. "He cannot still be in there, can he? Lebber, go fetch him."

"Where was he last?" Lebber replied.

"I don't know, Leb. If I did, I would not be sending you to find him would I. Ask these men at the gate." Lebber dismounted and began stopping the men as they came out. When none of the sell-swords could tell him of Tamin's whereabouts, he made his way back into the holdfast.

"We still have not heard from Rudan," Royce said. "Where the hell did he get off too?"

"He could be following a lead, or fallen to an ambush," Juvey said.

"That beast of a man ambushed?" Samus laughed. "He had more than enough men with him. Likely he is following some trace of them. They will not get far, the net tightens." There was a cry coming from beyond the walls. Duboi and Juvey drew swords and dashed to the gate.

Lebber was coming out of the holdfast with one of the sell-swords, dragging a body between them. "It's Tamin, make way, make way!” Royce rode forward to meet them, figuring Tamin was caught in the buildings setting the fire, but as he got closer to the group he saw the horrifying truth of the matter.

They lay the youth on his back, the blood clear for all to see. Duboi, Juvey, and Lebber crouched around the body, speechless. Royce dismounted and joined them. The boy died fighting, that much was clear from the look of the body. Royce felt a chill run over his body. Tamin, the youngest member of his party, was dead. Royce was unsure if the boy had ever laid with a woman. To lose him this way, after everything they went through, seemed a cruel punishment. He rubbed his forehead to ease the searing pain suddenly running through his head.

"That wound, he would have died instantly," Royce said, breaking the silence. "At least he did not suffer." Royce looked up and saw tears welling up in Lebber's eyes. Royce could not ignore the feeling of guilt he felt at that moment. His carelessness cost him the life of a good man. He had lost soldiers before, yet this was different, Tamin was more like a little brother to him.

"Which one of you bastards did this," Lebber yelled as he stood up to face the men loyal to Samus. "Which one of you greedy bastards murdered him."

"Wait a moment," Samus said, as he came forward. "Let us not jump to conclusions. Why would any of my men kill him? We all liked him very much." The men all nodded in agreement.

"You're bastard men did this! They did it over loot, and I'll have the man's soul who murdered my friend," Lebber cried, as Duboi and Juvey held him back.

"You are in pain, I understand," Samus replied. "But please be reasonable. Royce, tell him it was not my men. These are trustworthy men, and there was more than enough plunder for everyone." Royce believed Samus; Tamin got along with everyone, and early on, he recognized that Samus's men liked him the best out of Royce and the others. The one who killed him was not with their party. The person must have been fleeing out of some secret hiding place when Tamin came upon them.

Royce stood up, peering out into the night. "It was the woman, I know it. She was here."

"We cleared out all the buildings," Lebber shouted. "There is no way anyone remained hidden from us."

"I know we did, Leb," Royce said. "But it is likely they had some hiding place that we missed, it is not uncommon in old places like this, you know what I am saying is true. These men did not kill him.” Royce could see the sadness in his eyes, yet Lebber was a warrior. He would turn his emotion into anger. Royce understood his need to lash out.

Royce walked up to Lebber and placed his hand on his face, forcing him to look directly into his eye. "It is unfortunate, and we will all miss him. I suspect who did it; it had to be her. She is out there somewhere, fleeing like the vermin she is. We will have time to mourn our brother, but he would not want us to abandon our quest. We cannot bury him properly, but let us burn the body, I do not relish the idea of him left to the wild beast of this forsaken place. It is the best we can do for him."

Royce embraced Lebber and then leaped upon his horse. The sell-swords quickly fell in line, gathering their things and preparing to ride out. After a day and night of murder and burning, they were eager to continue on this so far bountiful quest. Royce meant to strike when the anvil was hot and push them while the excitement was still fresh.

"Lebber, where did you find the body?" Duboi asked.

"At the back of the kitchen," Lebber said, pointing dismissively. Duboi nodded and made his way around the outside of the holdfast toward the back.

“Lebber, go with Duboi," Royce said. "Take some men with you. I will ride out with the others to find Rudan. We will meet you at the crossroads where we first entered into this realm, Duboi will remember the place." Lebber nodded and left. Royce knew only revenge would ease Tamin's passing. Until then, he would try his best to keep him occupied. They would have justice only when Nisila was dead and the prince was in their custody.

With lit torches held aloft, Royce rode into the woods with Juvey and Samus at his side. Royce knew that he led a party of death through the region of Mount Hope, and their deeds would be infamous in the months to come. God help any poor farmsteads they encountered this night. The acts they committed were despicable, he would never deny that, but the safety of his family was in the balance, and nothing would stop him from protecting them.

There was a time in his past that he would never consider attacking unarmed civilians and that nearly cost him everything. It was because of his decision to preserve innocent lives that he was one eye short and separated from his family.

After surrendering to Rancine's forces, he was ordered to raid his land and harry his people. Royce would not issue the order and force his men to slaughter their own family and friends. That choice cost him his war-band and title, and Rancine wanted to hang his entire family and all of his men. History would always remember him as a traitor for surrendering to Rancine. He told himself he did not care what history thought. Royce only wished to protect his mother and sisters.

What he could not stomach was the idea of killing innocent men and women in their homes. He could not turn on the people who were part of his tribe and community, who depended on him and his warriors for protection.

In the end, he was forced to make the ghastly sacrifice of removing his eye, a show of loyalty to Rancine. With the sacrifice of his flesh, the warlocks now held power over him. So far, he had not given them a reason to use their curses but he had seen the dark magic cast against others, and it was not a thing he wanted to experience.

After all of that, the villages were still raided and burnt. That was all the convincing Royce needed. Even if he were not the one to start the raids, Rancine would have found another to do it. In his mind, the crimes he committed in Mount Hope was worth it, to keep his family out of harm. In his heart, he knew Rancine would never let him go, but he needed to gain his trust, which would grant him the freedom to plan their escape from under his rule.

Royce learned much about Hattan from the traitor Samus. The southern region had a climate that would be perfect for growing and tending livestock. Despite his reasons for being in this country, he did not entirely dismiss the notion of fleeing into south Hattan. If they eventually escaped Rancine, they could never call the Middle Islands home again.

If all went well, he would take his men to southern Arlem, to see if they could eventually make a home there. Morris Port had potential, and his mother could grow another export business. He missed the company of his mother and sisters, and it broke his heart because they needed him more than ever, and he needed their council.

As he rode through the night, following the bobbing torches, the thought of his mother returned him to Tamin. Of all his men, Tamin was his mother's favorite. She had a special place in her heart for the youth. Seeing them together brought him back to his childhood when he was the only man in the house. His mother doted on him in those days, and he was nothing more than a doll for his sisters to dress up.

Tamin was an embodiment of the spoiled baby boy, and Royce found joy in seeing him happy and content at his mother's table. He opened his home to these four warriors and bonded them to his family, making them more than soldiers. They were his brothers. Royce was suddenly overcome by a dreadful feeling that coursed through his chest and coiled into his stomach, realizing he would never see Tamin smile again.

He quickly turned his sadness into hate, fighting back the emotion that threatened to bubble to the surface.

There will be no tears this night, only blood.

On and on they rode, taking a wide berth back toward the south. The night air grew cold, and it would be a difficult time for anyone out in the wilderness. He did not think Nisila would have the boy out in the elements without a fire, so it was his hope they would spot some trace of their camp.

As they made their way down a small hill, scouts came out of the woods to greet them. "My lords, we have found your man's party, the one named Rudan," Samus ordered them to lead the way. After a short ride, they came across the bodies. Men lay face down on the frozen grass, surrounded by discarded weapons. Royce dismounted to inspect the bodies. They found many of the men who rode with Rudan slain, along with men they had not seen before. Samus confirmed them to be the warriors given to Nisila.

"Search far and wide," Royce ordered. "If the woman or the prince is here, I want them found. If dead, we take their heads, but I prefer we capture them alive." Juvey took some men and began searching the surrounding woods. As Royce made his way through the scene of the battle, he came across Samus. He was kneeling next to a body.

"I found your man," Samus said as he stood and made way for Royce. "I am sorry. They were good soldiers, and I am sure you will miss them dearly." Royce sighed as he looked at the body laying on the ground. Tamin and now Rudan, in one night.

How did this happen?

Royce had seen both men through the most desperate battles, where they were always just moments from death. The tragedy of losing them on a quest they all hoped to be a simple task, was unbelievably tragic. Royce could not help but feel he had failed as a leader.

Juvey made his way to Royce. "We found no sign of the woman or the prince. Is that Rudan? How is this possible?"

"It seems we have underestimated these warriors of the Brotherhood," Royce said. "Despite having the numbers, these sell-swords failed miserably against them." Royce glared at Samus who stood with his thumbs in his belt. He shifted nervously under Royce and Juvey's stare.

"You do not mean to blame me, do you?" Samus said incredulously. "They were led by Rudan, he obviously—"Juvey cuffed Samus before he could finish his words, knocking him to the ground. He jumped on him and raised his hand to strike again. At that moment, the sell-swords drew their weapons.

Royce stepped in and grabbed Juvey, dragging him to his feet. "Calm, brother. He is not worth it. What is done is done."

"I lost more men than you," Samus spat blood as he stood up. "I can just as easily save the rest of these men and leave you to your business on your own."

"And do what, Samus?" Royce said. "Run back to your guild master? I am sure he would love to hear the tale I might have to tell."

"There will be no tale if you have no head to say it with," One of the sell-swords said as he stepped forward. He was a slim fellow with a shock of blonde hair and ruddy skin.

"Put that sword away, before I sheath it in your ass," Juvey replied. Samus raised his hand and moved his man back. He then signaled to the others, and they slowly lowered their weapons.

"This night takes a toll on us all," Samus said. "We all have lost much, but in turn, have gained even more working together. If we hope to continue this arrangement, we must trust one another. Rudan and Tamin were both tragic losses and not the fault of my men. From what I have seen so far, mostly all the men who have come with Nisila have died here. This is good news, is it not." Royce was listening to Samus, but he kept his eye on the slim man who threatened to take his head.

"The woman is alone, with the prince," Samus continued. "It is only a matter of time before this entire ordeal is over. We will find them cold and afraid in the wilderness, mark my words. That is our goal, yes? So let us move past this."

Royce looked at Samus and cracked a smile. "You are right. Our disagreement is over. You speak of trust, and I agree it is important to our continued success. So far, you have been loyal, and I suppose that should make up for your incompetence."

"You speak so highly of yourselves, you island boys," The blonde man said. "Yet two of your men lie face down in the snow."

Samus grabbed the man by his shirt and pushed him back. "That is enough out of you. Royce, ignore him, he is weary and in need of food and rest."

"I need nothing," The man snapped. "You can lick these foreigners boots if you like, but not me. Pay me my money when the time comes and stay out of my way."

Royce could feel Juvey go tense, and his rage emanated from his body like a smoldering fire. He knew his friend's mind, and though it would be satisfying to knock the man's teeth down his throat, he needed them to complete his quest. Royce lay his hand upon Juvey's shoulder. They exchanged a look, and Juvey understood his meaning. He reluctantly backed down. A smirk played upon the sell-swords face.

"So we agree, that is good," Samus said as he wiped the blood from his lip. "We made our peace. I will have my man stay out of your way, Jujay, all is forgiven.”

"It's Ju-Vey, you imbecile," Juvey replied.

Samus laughed as he backed away. "Yes, of course, Juvey. I will see that my men are ready to ride and continue the search." They all turned to leave, but one man lingered. The sell-sword who made the threat smiled at Royce, his eye sparkling in the surrounding torchlight as he celebrated his petty victory. Royce was ready to walk away as well, but the childish smirk on the man's face forced his hand.

It was a smile he knew all too well. It was a sneer of disdain that followed him throughout his service under the late King Bohemond. He did not come from royalty like the other captains who flew the king's banner. His mother built her wealth from the dirt and fought unimaginable odds to place him in the king's service. The other captains never missed an opportunity to remind him of his station.

Now, as he stood in the cold beneath a foreign sky, he was being challenged by a man of no real worth. This coward, who fancied himself a warrior, could not stand in the shadow of any of Royce’s men. Here he was, smiling in Royce's face enjoying a laugh at his expense and disrespecting the memory of his fallen brothers.

As the man turned to walk away, Royce moved quickly and threw his arm around his throat, sticking his blade into the sell-swords back. The man released a sigh and fell to the ground dead. Royce hoped he took his smirk into the afterlife with him.

Samus spun back around. "What are you doing? We just made peace. Why did you kill him?" The other men drew their weapons again, but they were too stunned to act. They looked to Samus for instruction, but he stood aside with his mouth agape as Royce and Juvey casually strolled past him.

Royce wiped the blood off on his pants before sheathing the sword. "The man said he would cut my head off, and I was frightened. However, I feel much better and I can sleep with my good eye closed tonight." Juvey let out a boisterous laugh as he made his way to his horse.

Samus had his hand upon his sword but remained dumbfounded by what had happened. "I don't see the humor in this. We speak of trust and then you stab a man in his back like that?"

"It is a simple lesson," Royce replied. "Cheat me, cross me, threaten me, and you die. See to it that you burn Rudan's body. He will not be left out as food for the beast in this forest." Royce did not fear for his safety among Samus and his men. They were all cowards; he knew it from the first time he saw them. It was a distasteful arrangement, but it was the best they could do. He would kill them all if it meant getting Tamin and Rudan back. Nisila would have to answer for both losses. He only hoped to find her alive. He had to know how she was capable of besting not one, but two of his finest warriors.

He knew she was a capable warrior and a woman of great courage. All accounts about her had said as much. What she was able to accomplish so far was praiseworthy. However, he would put an end to her soon enough, luck only lasted so long and when hers ran out, he would be there waiting.

When Royce and his men first set out, it was a time of celebration. They were embarking on a quest to win back their freedom. They would have to explore a faraway land in search of the prince, and upon capturing the boy, which they thought would not be a difficult task, they would return home in the good graces of King Rancine. Now Royce could not see any joy in his hunt, only regret.

If he had been more vigilant and not underestimated the woman, maybe both Tamin and Rudan would still be alive. He hated himself for failing, he hated the cold, and he hated the flakes of snow that now fell upon his face. He hated everything about his current situation and things were not getting any better.

He mounted his horse and waited in silence for Duboi and Lebber to return. Juvey remained at his side, and Royce could feel his friend watching him. For the most part, he was good at hiding his moods. Juvey was always able to understand him in a way the others never could.

"If you have something to say, just spit it out," Royce said, finally breaking the silence.

"I know what troubles you," Juvey said, keeping his voice as low as possible. "It will not do any good for you to carry this guilt with you."

"You speak as my friend, or as an officer?" Royce asked.

"As your officer, my lord, I wish for you to be clear-headed and focused on your task. I have faith in you, my lord, that you will lead us to success once again, as you have in the past. My lord has lost many warriors in his time, and it is the way of things."

"I did not only lose warriors this night, Juvey," Royce said as he felt a wave of emotion rising within him. "I lost Tamin, our little Tamin. He deserved a better death. Moreover, Rudan, the man who pulled me from beneath my fallen horse and carried me like a babe. Look how I have repaid the favor.” Royce shuddered as he took a breath.

Juvey rode around and stopped before him. "They are gone, Royce. We will miss them, and we will honor them, then we will move on."

"You know what the worst part is," Royce said softly. "The worst part is that they died alone. I always dreamed that all of you would live with me in peace, that we would always be together."

"And do what? Die in our beds as old men?" Juvey replied. "You would have your children, grandchildren, and your poor wives crying at your bedside?"

"Wives?" Royce replied.

"You heard me," Juvey said with a smile. "We are warriors, Royce. The highest and most noble calling a man can ever answer. We deal in death and just so we shall die in battle. Be glad, old friend. You still have Lebber and me, and to the detriment of us all, Duboi. That bastard is so dry it's a wonder he hasn't blown away riding his horse. The day Duboi tells a joke, will be the day I take my own life. I will have no more reason to live, and there will be no greater wonder in the world to experience."

"You keep taunting him, and he just might kill you before that," Royce replied.

Juvey laughed out loud. "Kill me? That man loves me, though he has way too much pride to admit it." Royce shook his head, thankful that he had Juvey at his side. He meant to keep him there from now on, along with Lebber and Duboi.

"From now on, we remain together," Royce said in a severe tone. "We are warriors, and we are destined to die in battle, but it will not be in this fight, not on this mountain."

"I am with you, brother," Juvey said. "Trust me. I have a strong incentive to make it back home."

"I am glad to hear it," Royce said. "I am glad that you think of the future. We must make the most of it, for Rudan and Tamin. Come, let us find Duboi and Leb. We have many more trying hours before us."

"Could it just be you, Lebber and me?" Juvey replied. "Duboi will sour the mood again."

"Stop it," Royce replied as a bright smile broke across his face. They rode back to observe Rudan's cremation. The men set his body apart from the others and put several torches to him. The fire burned brightly, making eerie shadows dance upon Royce's features. He was transfixed by the flames consuming his friend, the second friend he had burned that night. He would not lay another one of his brothers to rest in this country. He would get them all back home in one piece.

Royce heard a flutter above his head, and he looked up. It was too dark to see anything, but he was sure it was a bird of the night, an owl perhaps. The fire and smoke likely spooked the animal.

Royce gave the order, and they made their way south, where they would meet up with Duboi and Lebber. Somewhere out in the darkness, Nisila was running for her life, dragging the little prince alongside her. Royce knew in his heart that he would find her and the prince, and when he did, he would ride them down into the dirt.