ELLIOT

I slipped out through a service door, my senses sharp, leading me toward the woods, staying alert for any spies who might be following me.

Pushing past the tall grass, I quickly reached the spot where a man was already waiting, dismounted from his horse.

"Vittorio, what happened?" I got straight to the point.

"My Lord, I bring news from the south. One of our spies arrived at the border, severely wounded, and delivered a message to the sentries. They rode all night to inform us that our men have been discovered."

I shut my eyes for a second, damn it—exactly what I had feared.

"It seems they were cornered in the border mountains. Duke Thesio found out about the skirmish. They're in grave danger," he dropped the news all at once.

I tensed, worry tightening my chest, my brain working at full speed, calculating strategies.

I had to save them. Save Aldo, save Tomas, save my men.

"Prepare the elite warriors, quickly, Vittorio. I want them armed to the teeth…"

"Already done, my Lord. T