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A REWARD of FIVE GOLD coins is offered for information that leads to the capture and execution of any Raven or known loyalists to the false traitor High King, Thane Athayel.

A wave of heat flooded his body and Thane grumbled. So, he was the traitor now, not his father who would sell them to the pale ones for power. He glanced around to see if the people watched him too closely or if he drew suspicion in his cloak and hood, but no one appeared to take interest.

“Come on, sire,” Gunner said quietly, adjusting his eyepatch. “The poster holds no true meaning. You are not a traitor.”

Thane shook his head, and they started off again. Leif nudged people aside to make way for Thane, but the streets thinned out as the sky began to darken. His stomach gurgled at the smell of roasting boar. It wasn’t that Vesstan was a bad cook, but he only ate fruits, vegetables, nuts, and bread with honey and that’s all Thane had too. Smoke rolled out of a beige stone chimney. A place named Effy’s Bakery. In the windows, layered cakes on platters were on display, and trays of buttered rolls and swirling buns with glaze. A lady turned theopensign over toclosedas they went by.

A shorter, stout elf bumped into Thane, sending tendrils of pain through his core. Thane clenched his fists and sucked in a sharp breath, unable to stop himself from bending slightly at the waist. He didn’t want to admit his incapacity, but Thane was in no condition to be on a rescue mission.

It was one of his father’s guards who stopped and said, “Apologies, sir. Are you alright?”

Thane quickly turned his face away, staring at the light-tan stone under his feet. He didn’t dare speak or they’d recognize his voice. Preparing for the worst, he slid his hand to the thirteen-inch dagger at his hip.

Gunner grabbed Thane’s arm, steadying him. “He’s simply had too much to drink. I’ll be sure to get him inside.” It was a risky move drawing attention to himself like that. The Ravens were wanted elves. Thane watched the guards’ boots shuffle closer, and slowly withdrew his dagger from the sheath, keeping it hidden under his cloak. Leif would be more recognizable with his red hair and close friendship with Thane. He wisely remained quiet.

“You from Pridam?” the guard asked.

“Malock,” Gunner answered.

“I always liked the markings the elves from the east do on their skin. Yours are lunar phases. Does it mean anything?”

Thane quietly groaned, hoping it would be enough for Gunner to end this conversation. Too many questions. Too much time spent in one place.

“It’s a family tradition, but I best get him inside before he retches.” He pulled on Thane’s arm, and they started off.

The guard called out, “Wait.”

Letting out a huff, Thane bit down, gripping his dagger’s handle tighter. He stood at his full height and glanced up at the sky. The last of the pink and blue faded, revealing the stars. With fewer people on the streets, they could possibly kill these two without drawing a crowd if it came to it.

“I think you dropped this.”

Thane glanced back. The guard held a folded piece of parchment with a black Raven seal that would be their unveiling.Shit. Thane’s heart thundered. With narrowed eyes, the other guard snatched it, and pulled it open.Damn it all.Gunner’s dark-brown eye flicked to Thane and his throat bobbed. If there was nothing important in it, they could claim it wasn’t theirs and keep moving.

“What’s in it?” Thane breathed.

“Locations, names,” Gunner whispered. “We can’t let them leave with it.” The quietshingof Gunner’s dagger sliding from his sheath rang as he stepped forward and grabbed the parchment. “A letter from my grandmother. Thank you for letting me know. She’s ill.” He attempted to pull it, but the guard didn’t let go.

“That is a Raven seal. Your grandmother a Raven?”

“My brother was. He died. Damn pale ones. She still uses the stamp to seal letters. She’s sentimental.” He pulled again and the two of them began a staring match both unwilling to let go of the parchment.

“How’d you lose that eye?”

“Stabbed by an intruder who broke into my home.”

Another set of guards came around the corner, and Thane silently cursed.

“Orders, sire?” Leif whispered as he stepped beside Thane.

“Take Evalyn and the gnome and go ahead.”

There was little choice now. In three strides, Thane was at the side of the guard, unwilling to let the parchment go, and shoved his dagger into his heart. The guard let out a quiet breath, mouth gaping. The other went for his sword, and Gunner stuck him through the middle.

“The other two?” Gunner asked, guiding the guard he stabbed slowly to the ground. He touched his forehead and whispered a quiet prayer, “May you rest and find peace this world doesn’t offer in the eternities.”

The other soldiers ran at them with swords drawn. Gunner threw two knives, hitting both his marks directly in the chest. After a few staggered steps, they hit the ground. Blood pooled around their bodies, reflecting the moonlight.

“Leave them,” Thane ordered, looking around. There were sure to be witnesses. They needed to move. Now. Gunner grabbed hold of Thane’s arm again, offering assistance as they jogged down the street. The pain seemed to recede slightly from the rush of tense energy coursing through his veins.