Ayaka Rin POV
The air smelled of ash and wine, a lingering reminder of last night's false promise of peace. My camp was quiet now, shadows stretching like dark wings across the ground. We'd let Thorne's convoy slip through. Perfect. He'd chosen honor over hunger.
I poured a cup of thorn-root tea and studied the flickering flames. Each ember reflected the strategy unfolding beneath them.
They guard his pride, not his people.
A soft knock came from outside.
"Come in".
It was Morgra, holding my satchel.
"Messenger arrived. No markings, but the wax, simple white crescent seal."
My pulse quickened.
"Let me see".
Inside, a single line, handwritten in steady script: "Hope rests on the widow and the wolf."
I traced the words, tasting the tease. Thorne was speaking directly now. Possibly signaling a secret meeting. Or... a trap.
I smiled. "Prepare the night cloaks. We ride."
General Caelum Thorne POV
The moon was high and cold as I stood in the forest clearing. Ivory trees cast pale shadows. Across from me, in an alcove of faint torchlight, stood her.
Ayaka Rin.
Not as demon strategist. Not as feared villainess. Just a woman.
She stepped forward, cloak loose, no armor. I noticed the quiet confidence in her stance.
"General Thorne", she said softly.
"Lady Rin."
Neither spoke again for a long moment.
Finally, I said, "Hope rests on the widow and the wolf?"
She nodded. "Words I stole from your letter. Thought you might appreciate the poetry."
I started to respond, then thought better of it. Silence was sometimes more dangerous than words.
Ayaka Rin
The clearing glowed with the last embers of my night-light. I gestured to a fallen log. "Sit".
He did. I mirrored him. Darkness felt lighter here, shared.
"You took my bait", I began.
He exhaled. "You offered it too easily. Even I almost believed."
"A diversion is only effective if the target believes they're acting, not reacting."
His jaw tightened. "So what now?"
We looked at each other. We were both tired.
"How about a truce?" I whispered.
His eyes flashed. "I've sworn to break your line."
I shook my head gently. "Not your line. The slaughter that comes after."
He touched the crescent on his cloak. "I serve my people."
"So do I", I replied. "We're standing in the same night, just differently lit."
General Caelum Thorne
Her offer settled like a stone in my gut.
I breathed out slowly. "A truce… under what terms?"
She looked at her hands. "No attacks for ten days. No spies. No raids on civilians."
I weighed it in my mind. Our soldiers were hungry. Ours too.
I nodded once.
"Only if…", she paused. "We share scouts. Prove that we're acting in good faith."
I allowed myself a small nod. "Agreed."
We rose together, like generals completing a silent treaty.
Behind us, the forest seemed to exhale.
Ayaka Rin
As I walked away, I realized the crow both of us had ignored.
Morgra emerged from the trees. "You trust him?"
I paused. "Trust is fatal. But a truce… can be studied."
Morgra nodded. "Then watch him. And be ready."
I turned back once, watching the silhouette of the silver wolf at Caelum's shoulder.
Two predators, sharing a forest.
Time to learn each other's moves.