Amanda stepped out into the street.
The night greeted her with a cold wind that carried the scent of smoke and horse sweat. Somewhere beyond the city walls, in the darkness of the steppe, the khan’s army slept — thousands of throats that would begin to roar at dawn.
She took a few steps and stopped.
Mia was sitting on the porch of a neighboring house, hugging her knees. Her tail lay limply on the steps, ears pressed flat against her head. She wasn’t crying anymore — the tears had run dry. Something else burned in her eyes.
Something heavy. Something angry.
“You came out,” she said without lifting her head.
“I did.”
“You talked for a long time.”
“Yes.”
Mia raised her head. Her gaze pierced straight through the red lenses of the helmet.
“What about?”
Amanda remained silent. She knew this conversation would be harder than the reunion with Kaelan.
“About the past,” she said at last. “About what happened. About what we both lost.”
“We?” Mia gave a sharp, humorless laugh. “You and him — ‘we’? And what am I?”
“You’re my…” Amanda faltered. “You’re the one who’s by my side.”
“I’m your wife,” Mia cut in sharply. “Not ‘the one who’s by your side.’ Your wife. By the laws of the Forest Clan. In front of my father. In front of all the warriors.”
She stood up and stepped toward Amanda. Her tail stiffened, ears pricked forward — she was ready for a fight. Not a physical one. A different kind.
“You threw me out,” she said. “You watched as the guards dragged me away like a dog. In front of him. In front of your… Kaelan.”
“Mia…”
“I waited for you,” her voice trembled. “I believed you were mine. I fought for you. And you… you—”
Amanda froze.
Mia fell silent for a moment. Then she asked, quietly, almost in a whisper:
“Who is he to you, Reaper?”
Amanda looked at her. At the wolf girl who knew almost nothing about her, yet had become such a big part of her life. The one who had held her hand, fed her when she was too weak, slept beside her, and shielded her from prying eyes.
“He…” she began.
“Don’t lie,” Mia interrupted. “Please. Not tonight. I’m tired. I don’t want to hear ‘it’s not your business’ or ‘later.’ I want the truth.”
Amanda let out a heavy sigh.
“Kaelan is my brother,” she said.
Mia froze.
“Your… what?”
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“My brother,” Amanda repeated. “Not by blood. But he is my brother. We grew up together. He saved my life. Many times. And then… we were separated. I thought he was dead. He thought I was dead. And now we’ve found each other. Please… don’t ask me anything else.”
Mia was silent. She stared at the black figure, at the glowing red lenses, and the anger in her eyes slowly faded, leaving only pain behind.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” she asked. “Why did you hide it?”
“I didn’t lie. I just didn’t tell you everything. Those are different things.”
“Not to me,” Mia stepped closer. “I’m your wife. I should know everything. Not because I want to meddle in your affairs, but because I want to be with you. Truly with you. Not just beside you.”
She took his hand.
“Do you understand?” she asked. “I want to carry your past with you. I want to know what haunts you. I want to share it. Because I love you.”
Amanda looked at her.
“I know,” she said softly. “I know, Mia. And I… I want to tell you. Everything. But not now.”
“When?”
“After the war,” Amanda said. “When we win. When no one is looking at me as the Reaper anymore. I’ll take off the helmet and tell you everything. About myself. About my past. About who I really am.”
Mia stared at her for a long moment. Then she nodded.
“Fine,” she said. “I’ll wait. But, Reaper…”
She squeezed his hand tighter.
“You don’t have the right to die. Do you understand? You don’t have the right to die and leave me with all these questions.”
Amanda smiled beneath her helmet.
“I’ll try.”
“Promise me.”
“I promise.”
Mia nodded.
She turned and walked away.
Amanda remained alone.
In the morning, Amanda was awakened by a knock at the door.
“Reaper,” Kaelan’s voice came through the wood, muffled but firm. “Wake up. The council meets in an hour. I want you there.”
She sat up in bed. Beside her, curled into a tight ball, Mia was still sleeping — she had slipped under the blanket during the night without asking, silent as a shadow. Her tail covered her nose, and her ears lay relaxed.
Amanda rose carefully, trying not to wake her.
“I’ll be there,” she replied.
Kaelan’s footsteps faded down the corridor.
She had slept in her armor. She straightened her cloak and pulled on her gloves.
Mia stirred.
“Leaving?” she asked sleepily.
“Council meeting. Kaelan called for me.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“You were sleeping.”
“Not anymore,” Mia sat up, stretched, and her tail swayed lazily. “I’m your wife. I should be by your side. Especially where other chieftains will be.”
Amanda didn’t argue.
The council had gathered in the same house where their meeting had taken place the day before.
Around the long table sat the commanders of the various forces — former slaves, clan chieftains, and bandit leaders who had come to Kaelan seeking freedom or loot. Björn, Mia’s father, occupied the seat to Kaelan’s right. His massive, bear-like figure towered over the others.
When Amanda entered, the conversations died down at once.
A black figure in black armor, red lenses glowing, cloak draped over her shoulders. Beside her walked the silver wolf girl, hand resting on the hilt of her sword.
“Reaper,” Björn said with a nod. “Good that you came. Sit.”
He gestured to the seat on Kaelan’s left — directly across from himself. It was the place of the first advisor. A seat that spoke of high status.
Amanda sat down. Mia took the chair beside her and deliberately placed a hand on his knee for everyone to see.
Kaelan glanced at her. Something flickered in his eyes — surprise? Jealousy? He quickly turned his gaze back to Amanda.
“We’re here to discuss the defense of the city,” he began. “The khan’s army will arrive in two days. Thirty thousand soldiers. Five thousand heavy cavalry. Ten thousand light cavalry. The rest are supply train and infantry.”
A murmur rippled through the hall.
“We have only five thousand,” one of the commanders said. “Three hundred of them are beastfolk. The rest are former slaves armed with pitchforks and spears. We won’t hold.”
“We will hold,” Kaelan cut in sharply. “Because we have walls. And courage.”
“Walls are good,” another commander replied. “But they won’t survive a long siege. The khan has catapults. He’ll pound the gates until they collapse.”
“What do you suggest?” Björn asked.
Kaelan rose to his feet.
“We strike first,” he continued. “We don’t wait for them to reach the walls. We meet them in the steppe. Hit their supply train. Burn their provisions. An army without food won’t last three days. It could actually work.”
“Suicide,” one of the commanders snorted. “They have thirty thousand. We have five.”
“They need to feed thirty thousand mouths,” Amanda supported her brother. “Every rider needs a horse, and every horse needs fodder and water. Their supply train stretches for miles. One solid strike, and they’ll be left without food.”
“And what if they surround us?” Björn asked.
“We’ll be gone before dawn,” Amanda replied. “A small force. Cavalry only. Hit hard and pull back.”
Kaelan looked at her. Surprise and pride mixed in his eyes.
“Do you really think this will work?” Mia asked.
“Otherwise, we’re finished,” Amanda answered.