Viktor's Wrath

The Aftermath

The execution was over, but the weight of it remained.

Inside the dimly lit cabin, embers flickered low in the hearth, casting jagged shadows across the walls. A chill had settled…a quiet unease that no one dared voice. Viktor stood near the fire, arms crossed, the scent of blood still clinging to the air.

Baron Edric adjusted the glove on his left hand, his eyes flickering between the men before him. He hadn't removed his coat since stepping inside, his movements precise, controlled.

Edric: "At first light you ride for the town. Kaavi find the midwife. Move carefully." He said, his voice low. "If there are any other spies, they will be watching. We cannot afford suspicion."

Kaavi inclined his head, "Do not worry, I will make sure it says quiet."

Edric glanced once toward the prisoner's slumped form the body cooling against the cabin floor…before pushing open the door and stepping into the night. He left without another word, his absence deliberates.

 If anyone had been watching, they would see nothing unusual.

As soon as the door shut, Kaavi turned to the rest of them.

 "Tomorrow, we track the midwife. No unnecessary scenes. No mistakes."

Joren exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple. "She moves through the market in daylight, but when she heads toward the apothecary, those alleys…" He gestured toward the map spread across the table. "…are empty. That's where we take her."

Kaavi nodded. "Agreed. If we do this right, no one will know."

A flicker of movement caught Viktor's eye… Gavril pushing himself upright, stretching his arms, exhaling a bored sigh.

"Fine, fine," Gavril grumbled. "But I need fresh air before I lose my damn mind sitting in here."

Kaavi narrowed his eyes, but said nothing.

Gavril cracked his knuckles and smirked. "I'll help Corren and Liran take care of the body while I'm at it. His stink's ruining my appetite."

Corren rolled his eyes, grabbing his cloak as Liran hoisted the lifeless corpse onto his shoulder.

 Corren: "Since when do you have manners?"

Gavril grinning "Since I'm stuck with you lot."

"Make sure no one sees you," Kaavi reminded them. "Out in the woods. Bury it deep."

The three left without another word.

The Burying

The forest swallowed them in cold silence.

Corren and Liran worked efficiently, digging a deep hole beneath a cluster of frost-rimmed pines. The spy's body lay beside them, face pale beneath the dim moonlight.

Gavril knelt, flicking open the dead man's coat, rummaging through the pockets.

Liran raised an eyebrow. "Looking for something valuable?"

Gavril scowled. "It's called curiosity, thank you."

Nothing. Just a dull scrap of parchment. Gavril grunted in disappointment.

"Useless bastard didn't even carry anything decent."

Corren chuckled. "Spies rarely carry anything obvious. Check his boots."

Gavril hesitated, then yanked one off, flipping it over in his hands. It looked normal.

Then he pulled off the second boot…and two silver coins tumbled into the dirt.

A slow grin spread across Gavril's face.

"Well, well," he murmured, palming the coins. "Guess the rat had a tiny bit of dignity."

Corren smirked. "So, what now? Adding it to your collection?"

Gavril scoffed. "What, you think I'm running a damn treasure chest?"

Liran rolled his eyes. "You are materialistic."

Gavril ignored him. Pocketing the coins, he helped push the body into the freshly dug hole. Dirt was packed over it, erasing any evidence that the spy had ever existed.

"You two are slow," Gavril muttered, shaking his head. "Good thing I came along."

Corren chuckled. "You got your damn coins. Don't complain."

The Next Day

Morning crept into Branwyke with a reluctant dawn.

Kaavi led the team with a steady purpose. The midwife moved through the market as expected…calm, unaware, her steps casual beneath the weight of unseen pressure.

She had no idea they were watching.

Viktor observed from the rooftops, absorbing every movement, every flicker of hesitation in her walk.

Joren pointed toward the narrow alley leading toward the apothecary district. "That's where we take her."

Kaavi nodded once. "Move."

The Hallow Swords split into formation, their movements seamless....Joren and Corren closing off the main escape routes, Veyl watching the northern entrance.

Gavril exhaled slowly, gripping his twin axes, eyes sharp. "If she runs, we're cutting it short."

Kaavi didn't answer. He watched. Calculated.

Then, the moment arrived.

The midwife stepped into the alley…. alone.

Joren moved first. Quick, efficient.

She barely had time to react before the walls closed around her.

She stumbled back, fear flickering through her eyes.

"No," she whispered.

Gavril was the one who grabbed her by the cloak, forcing her still. His grip was strong, but not cruel.

"We need to talk," Kaavi said simply.

She shook her head violently, panic rising. "I did everything you asked…I swear…please…. let…"

"Shut up."

Her breath hitched.

Then, Viktor saw it… the break in her expression. Not defiance. Not anger. Just… something else.

Desperation.

"Please," she whispered. "Leave us alone..."

Silence.

Kaavi's expression remained unreadable, but Viktor saw Joren glance toward Kaavi with a flicker of uncertainty.

"We are with the Baron" Kaavi finally said.

Tears welled in her eyes. "They… have my son."

The words hit like a blade.

Viktor's breath caught in his throat.

The Hallow Swords didn't speak. Didn't react. They were trained for this—not to let emotion dictate action.

But Viktor saw it. The way Gavril's grip faltered for half a second.

She swallowed hard, trembling. "He's three. I…I did not want to betray my people; I just did what was told and I only gave them scraps…. bits of information that meant nothing…"

Kaavi remained silent. Then, slowly, he exhaled. "And what do they want now?"

Her shoulders shook. "I don't know. I… I thought they were going to let us go…. but…."

She broke then, silent tears slipping down her face.

Viktor didn't know what to say.

Gavril clenched his jaw, shaking his head. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath.

Kaavi stepped forward. "Where is he?"

She hesitated.

Viktor saw the fear in her eyes…not for herself. For her son.

"I don't…" Her voice cracked. "They contact me through letter and never show their faces. I never know where they keep him."

Kaavi exhaled, slow. Thinking. Calculating.

And Viktor knew, in that moment, that whatever happened next would change everything.