---- 373.


    1AM THE DUKE NARRATOR Nicis'' leg fractured instantly, his bones splintering as a powerful log cut off his escape.


    It had appeared out of nowhere, wielded by the rough hands of a man hidden behind a tree.


    He crashed to the ground, rolling violently before twisting around to face them.


    "Please!" he sobbed, crawling over the damp earth, pain vibrating in every word.


    "I wont say anything, let me go! I have a family, I have children and a wife!" Through his blurred vision, he saw the two naked men emerge.


    They had been waiting for him; he never really had a chance to escape.


    "T''m sorry, but I have a family too," Aldo responded before pouncing on the soldier, shing his throat with razor-sharp ws.


    His death cry was swallowed by the vastness of the forest.


    "Aldo, Elliot ising," Tomas warned, turning to watch as the dark-haired warrior emerged swiftly from the deep underbrush.


    are you both alright?" Elliot let out a relieved sigh upon finding them safe.


    ---- He barely spared a nce at the soldier''s bloodied corpse on the ground.


    "Thanks to you arriving in time.


    Otherwise, we would have fought to the bitter end," Aldo extended his arm, and Elliot sped his forearm in a brotherly warrior''s handshake.


    Tomas stepped forward and did the same.


    "Did anyone else escape the ambush?" Elliot asked with concern.


    "At least not through here.


    We''ve been keeping watch for any runners," Tomas replied.


    "Good.


    We need to move quickly.


    I n to attack Thesio''s camp this is our chance," the Duke said urgently.


    "I brought you some clothes, get dressed." He tossed them the pack he''d carried while searching for them, having left Vittorio in charge of clearing the battlefield.


    How did you find us? Did Gordon bring the chest?" Aldo asked as he grabbed a pair of pants that Elliot had stripped from a corpse and pulled them on.


    "He did.


    The evidence is safe, thanks to you two.


    Now we have to rescue Alvaro," Elliot answered, his mind already spinning with strategies.


    "And His Lordship? Did he approve this attack? I mean, this is an outright deration of war against Duke Thesiowe''re in his territory," Aldo voiced his concerns while yanking on a shirt as, they began heading back toward the horses.