Hours of galloping with only the shortest possible breaks took Manfred, Nathan, and Kelly to the Monteraynian capital in an impressive two days, but only at the cost of great exhaustion from both man and beast. Once they came to a halt outside the stable near the castle and knights' hall, Manfred let out a long sigh. He stumbled off his mount while clutching a stiff spine with one hand and wiping sweat off his brow with another. His shoulders tensed when a frigid early morning breeze washed over his face.

With a stretch and a groan, Manfred set himself into motion and stepped over to help Nathan dismount. He offered Kelly his hand afterward, but she refused it and hopped down on her own.

Manfred opened his mouth to speak with Nathan, but then the pounding of hurried footsteps to the south caught his attention. He glanced over to see a pair of young knights dashing from the knights' hall to greet them.

He held up a hand before either of them could speak. "Go back and have Sir Holt come to the castle, one of you. And you," Manfred began, pointing at the other, "go ahead of us. We have information to urgently deliver to his majesty, the princess, and Captain Troy if possible."

The shorter of the two knights nodded and scampered off back to the knights' hall. His comrade, on the other hand, halted after taking one step toward the castle.

"What should I tell them, Sir...Rickland?"

Manfred exchanged a glance with Nathan. "We found the assassin and heard word of an impending Innutukian invasion in the process. If we can meet in the throne room to give further details, that would be appreciated."

After barking out a clipped affirmative, the young man hurried ahead while Manfred, Nathan, and Kelly followed behind at a slower pace. The trio trudged up to one of the side entrances, and after exchanging a glance with the guard watching over it, Manfred pulled the door open. All three of the weary travelers let out sighs upon stepping into the grandiose dwelling place of Monterayne's king.

After winding through the maze of intricately decorated corridors, lined with all manner of tapestries and carvings, Manfred, Nathan, and Kelly found themselves waiting at the impressive wooden double doors to the throne room. The guard on duty assured them their admission into the chamber was imminent.

Just as the man had said, the doors swung open, and a well-groomed servant ushered them in. As Manfred entered, his gaze ascended from the fluffy violet carpet under his feet to the majestic golden throne, upon which sat King Maxwell Alder of Monterayne. He bowed his head upon making eye contact, after which he glanced to the king's right and spotted Princess Kate standing with fidgeting fingers and an impatient expression. To King Maxwell's left, Captain Sloan Troy stood stiff as a statue, much as one would do if a portrait were being composed of them.

Manfred noted the skeptical glances all three figures cast at Kelly on his left before coming to a stop a few feet from the throne and lowering to one knee. He exhaled his entire lungful of air while dipping his head and closing his eyes. The shuffling sounds on either side of Manfred indicated Nathan and Kelly were following his lead.

"Rise." King Maxwell called in his deep, authoritative voice, his tone laced with impatience. "Speak swiftly, Sir Rickland."

Manfred rose to his full height with a wince and straightened his scabbard on his hip. "As we speak, your majesty, enemies of Monterayne are assembling on our western border. Both internal and external. They're coming together to present a unified affront to your authority."

"I should appreciate greater specificity in this matter."

"Of course. Captain Andre Feliz of the Innutukian hordes is leading an invasion force. Assisting them are the Garuntan tribe and several members of the former knightly order. They'll join forces to attack this nation and bring it down if they can."

"More specifically," Kelly interjected, drawing a sharp glance from everyone present aside from Nathan and a nearby servant who appeared infatuated with her, "the knights and tribesmen will attack the garrison on your western border, and if my guess is worth anything, they're doing that already. That'll serve as an open door so the Innutukians can swoop right in."

King Maxwell slowly nodded before resting his intense gaze on Manfred. "Exactly who did you say this woman is?"

"She's...the assassin we were hunting, your majesty."

At this, both Maxwell and Kate recoiled, and Captain Sloan took a step forward with clenched fists. "And you thought it fit to bring her into the presence of the king?" he demanded.

"Let's not burn up all our firewood in one hour, people." Nathan said with hands raised placatingly, "The only reason we have all this information is because she gave it up. Heinous as her crimes are, she's resolved to make amends."

"Will her amends bring back the dead?" Princess Kate asked with narrowed eyes and hands on her hips.

"Of course not, but they will prevent quite a few deaths if we act fast. Without her cooperation, we'd be entirely blind as to this invasion budding on our border, but now we have the opportunity to smash the egg rather than slash the hen."

Kate's fiery green eyes came to rest on Kelly, making the blonde Danlashian nervously shift. "Your warning is much appreciated, but justice does not turn aside merely for one act of kindness."

Kelly visibly swallowed and nodded. "I understand, your highness."

"All the same," King Maxwell began, his voice calling all attention to himself, "the more pressing matter under consideration here is our counterattack. Captain Troy, how soon can you have a battalion equipped and headed for the border?"

"I would estimate an hour or two, your majesty."

"Make it so."

Sloan gave the king a brief bow before shuffling out of the throne room at a brisk pace. The moment his footsteps faded into silence, a familiar voice called out to announce his presence, that of Tom Holt. Manfred glanced back and exchanged a tight-lipped smile with the leader of the knightly order before returning to his attentive stance oriented toward the king.

"We have an Innutukian invasion brewing on the western border, Sir Holt, and they have inside assistance." Maxwell said once Tom had taken a place beside Nathan, "I need a task force of knights to set out as soon as you are able, in order to batter them back until the main battalion arrives."

Tom's one eye widened, and he nodded vigorously. "It shall be done, your highness. Any special considerations?"

"You will be facing knights from our old order, as well as Garuntan tribesmen and the typical Innutukian warriors. I should like you to bring your best and brightest."

Tom exchanged a glance with Manfred. "Of course. If that is all..."

King Maxwell's head bobbed up and down. "Saddle up and ride swiftly."

When Tom sprinted off, Manfred felt the piercing gazes of the king and his daughter alike alight on him, and he shifted his weight nervously. He opened his mouth to utter some inquiry as to what further service he could offer, but Nathan spoke first.

"Excuse my boldness, your majesty," Nathan said, "but I request your permission to bring this woman with us to engage the invasion force. With her skill in dispatching our knights unlawfully, I see an opportunity for redemption. Let her use those talents in destroying the traitors."

Maxwell glanced back at his daughter, who appeared rather skeptical with the prospect. But nonetheless, the bearded king turned to Nathan again and nodded. "I grant your request, Sir Korynn. Our further dealings with her may not be so merciful, but nonetheless, this mercy is given."

Nathan and Kelly thanked King Maxwell in unison, giving a synchronized bow before turning to exit the throne room. Manfred gave a stiff version of the gesture for himself and pivoted to follow, but the king's voice called him back. With a wrinkled brow he complied and stared expectantly.

"I understand you and Captain Feliz were close friends, Sir Rickland." Maxwell stated calmly, gaze focused in as if he were examining Manfred's very soul.

"We were, your majesty. But that...it was a long time ago."

"A year is hardly any length of time, especially in matters of the heart. Are you quite sure you would not rather remain here than go out and engage him?"

Manfred's eyes darted up to meet Kate's for a moment, and her sensitive demeanor evoked emotions both happy and otherwise inside him. "I'm loyal to Monterayne. And my belief is, so is Andre. He just needs to be liberated."

"Allegiances change, Sir Rickland, as do those who hold them. Are you sure your former affection does not merely blind you to the truth of the matter?"

"Andre always wanted to be a hero. A great man. I can't imagine he considers serving the Innutukians a fulfillment of that."

King Maxwell leaned forward. "And what comes of the matter if you are wrong?"

Manfred gulped. "I have no choice."

After a long pause, the king let out a deep breath. "Go forth, then, and uphold Monterayne's security. Fight well, and keep a warrior's spirit about you."

****

The pasture grounds outside the knights' hall served as a staging ground for the men and their mounts as they prepared to set out with Tom and hold off the incoming invasion. Nathan and Kelly stood against the fence on one end and changed the dressing on his healing wound. On the other side of the pasture, Tom and his blonde wife Alice saddled up his aging horse Exuberance. As for Manfred, he sat on the fence nearby his grazing mare while chomping down on an apple himself. Upon hearing a feminine voice clearing her throat behind him, he smirked slightly to himself and turned around.

Of course, it was Kate. He regarded her with a nod and hopped down from the fence. "Long time no see. There's something I should know?"

Kate's lips twitched into a brief smile, but her eyes didn't carry the lively spark they usually did. "Not particularly, but I simply...I worry for you, Manfred."

"Why's that? Anything I—"

"I would trust you to do almost anything. You're an excellent combatant, a skillful judge of character, and an overall cautious individual. But when it comes to Andre..."

Manfred sighed. "You fear I'll let him get away like last time."

"That would be the best case scenario. But I fear far worse than that."

"I'll be careful. I promise."

"And that will be your downfall." Kate sighed, "I can't help but sense that you will exhibit excessive care toward him, more than any other enemy. I don't blame you in the slightest for that, but I worry for that very reason."

Manfred swallowed and stood in silent thought for a long moment. "I'll do what I need to, Kate. But I just feel...his straying isn't permanent. He only needs to be guided back into the fold."

"I sure hope you're right about that." Kate said with a gentle touch on Manfred's forearm. "I know you loved him as a brother, but...just don't fail to forget brothers have shed one another's blood before. Andre is the sort of man who is quick to act; don't let that be your downfall."

"I won't."

Kate offered one of her heart-melting smiles and reached out to embrace Manfred. He returned an understated smile of his own and returned the favor. When they parted, Kate turned back to the castle, and Manfred returned his attention to their impending departure. Even if his confidence hadn't been bolstered, his motivation had been. Manfred felt himself readier than ever to face down the Innutukian encroachment.