Chapter 40
Catrin Arwen stood in the antechamber with her arms folded. She paced once, then twice, her boots striking sharp notes on the stone. Elowen Pryce leaned against a pillar, pale from shock. Rhyosyn Vaughn clutched her spellbook so tight her knuckles had gone white.
A pulse of cold light appeared in front of all three women at the same time.
The System had an update.
Catrin froze. Elowen gasped. Rhyosyn nearly dropped her book.
The panel unfolded in front of them.
SYSTEM UPDATE Feud Status Change
House: Tanim
Action Recorded: Hostile force engaged and defeated.
Casualties attributed to household head: • Three hostile humans • Two hostile mounts
Outcome: A first victory in the Blood Feud has been secured.
Feud Effects Updated: • Household prestige increased • Household survival rating adjusted • Enemy morale reduced • Crown observers notified • Fiancées assigned as primary supporters in conflict
The panel faded. Silence took its place.
Elowen spoke first. Her voice shook. “He killed them. He really killed them.”
Rhyosyn swallowed once, then pressed her fingers to her mouth. “They should not have taken him. They pushed him into a corner. What did they think he would do.”
Catrin lifted her chin. Her eyes were sharp and bright. “He warned them. He warned all of us. A man fights when he must. We knew he would defend himself.”
Elowen shook her head. “This makes everything worse. The Crown will panic. The Houses will panic. Whoever took him wanted this outcome.”
“No,” Catrin said. “Whoever took him wanted him frightened. They did not expect him to fight back.”
Rhyosyn nodded slowly. “Three dead. Two horses. He hit them hard enough to break their line.”
Elowen pressed a hand to her own chest as if steadying her heart. “He is alone. Injured. Outnumbered. And he is still winning.”
Catrin stepped forward and placed her hand on the table in front of them. “We go now. I do not care if the palace is locked down. I do not care if the streets are watched. He is fighting for his life. We will fight for him.”
Rhyosyn whispered a short spell and her braid tightened behind her shoulders. “I can track him if we reach the forest.”
Elowen straightened her dress and wiped her eyes. Her hands still trembled, but her voice steadied. “I will speak to the gate wardens. They will listen to House Pryce.”
Catrin nodded once. “The System has marked us as primary supporters. That gives us rights. And it gives us responsibility.”
Rhyosyn closed her spellbook with a soft thud. “Five dead. A first victory.”
Elowen looked between them. “Then we must reach him before the second.”
All three women turned toward the door at the same time.
United and more dangerous together than they had ever been apart.