Chapter 21: The Journey to the Shadow Lands

The western boundary of the five territories ended at a canyon called the Devil’s Throat.

The name had survived three dynasties, two territorial wars, and countless attempts to replace it with something less ominous. No official title endured because no

Chapter 22: The Rogue Massacre

The attack came before midnight.

Silas led Harper, Axel, Alistair, and the ten Blackwood guards along a narrow route beneath a collapsed stone watchtower. The passage had once been part of an old military road, but centuries of decay had reduced it to a trench betwee

Chapter 23: The Ruins of the Dead Forest

The dead forest became colder as they approached the castle.

No snow fell beneath its black branches. The ground remained bare and cracked, poisoned by ancient magic left from the Great Cleansing.

Silver wolves had once ruled here.

Harper felt traces of t