Chapter 27

Year 163 – Summer – Quartus Mensis – 42nd day

Avem, town of House Valmai, land of the Vale

There were no windows, only the cold steel bars. Vatra had stopped crying and was gazing at the sole candle outside of her jail when a strange voice with a low tone reverberated.

Strange voice – “So, you’re the one who has set the forest on fire? A precious gift, I must say.”

Vatra – “Who’s talking?”

Strange voice – “Does it matter?”

Vatra – “Are you a prisoner?”

Strange voice – “A prisoner? One could certainly see it that way.”

Vatra – “How long have you been here?”

Strange voice – “In this world? Far too long . . .”

Vatra – “There’s no window. How do you know I’ve set the forest on fire?”

Strange voice – “Whispers, young one . . . I hear many . . .”

Vatra – “Are you like a medium or something?”

The voice laughed with a low and broken guttural tone.

Strange voice – “Your soul seems worthy. It truly is a shame you’ve already been claimed.”

The jail entrance reopened, and the sound of the mail ringing came through it.

Vatra – “What are you talking about?”

Ethen walked down the stairs and looked around before spotting Vatra.

Ethen – “Were you talking to me?”

Vatra – “No, my Eagle.”

Ethen scanned the room again before looking at her with confusion.

Ethen – “Were you praying?”

Vatra – “No, I was talking to the other prisoner.”

Ethen looked around a third time with even more confusion in his eyes.

Ethen – “Listen, I know you’ve been played by Thorkel and that you’ve been wrongly arrested.”

The girl’s eyes illuminated with hope at the words resonating in her head.

Vatra – “So, you came to release me?”

Ethen – “It’s more complicated . . .”

An uneasy feeling crawled beneath her, releasing a shiver down her spine.

Ethen – “The strategic value of burning the forest is real, but our people didn’t want to lose their riches and there’s no saying how many days the forest will burn. Only a few small clouds remain in the sky. The damage will take decades to heal. House Krain used you as a scapegoat to carry the job of burning the forest while not being accused of it. I am on your side, but we need a culprit to maintain the morale while sustaining the siege, so we can’t release you.”

Vatra was confused and enraged at the poisonous news.

Vatra – “SO YOU’RE JUST GONNA LET ME ROT HERE?”

Ethen – “NO! I’ll try to find a solution, but I haven’t found one yet . . . I’ll bring you something to train with and a proper meal each day until I figure this out.”

The girl wiped away her tears before talking again.

Vatra – “Thank you for not being part of this scheme.”

Ethen – “I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I asked Thorkel to find a way to start the fire.”

Vatra – “I don’t even want to know. How did the raid go? Did you miss my presence?”

Ethen – “It . . . It went . . . less well than expected, I suppose.”

Vatra – “What does that mean?”

Ethen – “We suffered some casualties, but overall, it was a success. Don’t worry yourself too much about it.”

Vatra relaxed a bit. Knowing she had some allies was comforting her.

Vatra – “Alright . . . I’ll be waiting to see you every day. You better not miss it!”

Ethen smiled but swiftly regained a more serious composure.

Ethen – “That’s not how you’re supposed to address your superior, soldier.”

Vatra giggled a little at the situation and tried to act along. She went back on her feet and placed her right hand on her heart.

Vatra – “Yes, my Eagle.”

Ethen – “That’s better! I’ll be back later.”

Vatra – “Say hi to Morgan and Marco if you see them.”

Ethen – “Yeah . . . I’ll do that.”

The Eagle of Vale walked up the stairs and left the jail.

Vatra – “I’m sorry for the mess, but what did you mean by my soul being worthy and claimed?”

A dry silence followed her talk.

Vatra – “Are you mad or something?”

Yeah. Just ignore me. I’ll do the same . . .