Shadow Empire is the sequel to 'Ice & Fire, and the final book in the "Fate Of The Crown" duology.
If you haven't read the first book yet, please read do read it before proceeding to this book.
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She had been through hell for so many times now...
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Vince shivered and ducked deeper into the shadows as he looked around him warily. He had been quietly keeping the neighboring kingdoms on his watch through his many scouts. And tonight, he had met with one of them with the news of finally finding safe ground to keep them and the monarchs safe. It was a complicated process and it took longer than Vince wanted to, but he was patient. It was necessary, to make sure they won't be betrayed again, to make sure that wherever they are going to can be trusted.
Roslavia.
It's a far journey but it's the only place that could keep them safe for the time being. Roslavia is very detached to its neighboring kingdoms as they consider most of their lands sacred, they maintain peace that way. There are many clans within its region, one of which that resides at the southern part of Roslavia, owes King Jake a good favor. It was a few years back when Jake was newly crowned King that he found a man washed ashore and took the liberty to help the man until he's capable to journey back to his home.
It was a simple act of kindness on Jakes part, but had the man landed to a different kingdom, he would've been sold as a slave or worse, killed. Jake had provided the man care, shelter and secured his safe voyage back to his Roslavia, even going as far as packing extra grains of rice and vegetables to take to his family that he left unfed and worried back home. To his gratitude, he offered Jake a deal to repay his kindness. The man then introduced himself as the leader of the clan back home and made a pact, should Jake need help he would offer hospitality just as Jake did to him—without question or any condition.
Vince knew of this, as he was the one who was appointed by Jake to take the leader of the clan back to Roslavia. It was the reason why he had sent out his scout there first. And thinking back to the events that happened then to now, it was as though fate had planned it all, as though fate knew they would all be put into this situation, that they would put that deal to use someday. It gave him hope, however little that hope is, it makes him believe fate is still somewhat on their side.
As Vince was about to head back with this information, the back of his neck prickled as if he were being watched.
He is being watched.
Throughout his years of experience, this, this felt different. He took a slow-paced step, testing the waters, feeling his surroundings all the while gripping the hilt of his sword tight. Normally, he'd have a good sense of where his opponent could be watching from. But this one, he feels as though it's everywhere. He felt like an ant trapped in jar being watched, he felt so little and everything around him felt huge and suffocating.
This was different.
It all happened quickly, he didn't even recall running for his horse or when he decided to run for it. But right now, he's being chased. His head buzzed with a firm conviction that the only way he'd be safe was if he get the hell out of there. Or at least lead it towards the light.
