and she felt a shiver run down her spine. There was something

icker of recognition. The man's gaze seemed to bo

demanded, trying to

. "My name is Kael," he said. "And I hav

ng about Kael that didn't add up. She could sense a darkness e

his wrist. It was a symbol she had never seen before

ean?" Aria asked, trying

f the Shadowhand Clan," he said. "A group

Assassins? What did Kael me

in his hand. He was holding a small dagger, one

?" Aria demanded, trying

orders, Princess," he said. "Orders to elimina

or. She was a threat to the

ad to act fast. She had to protect herself,

She took a deep breath and approached him

hy have you been sent to eliminate me? I'

ange, but Aria saw a flicke

ess," Kael said. "I don'

ia sensed a hesit

I must admit, I am curious. You are not like the other me

t. Was Kael actually begin

ria asked, trying to

justice, Princess. A sense of compassion. You are not c

Maybe, just maybe, she coul

ill trying to elimin

ncess, I have sworn an oath to the Shadowhan

ght be willing to betray his oath, but it seemed th

locked onto hers, and Aria saw a glimmer of somethi

a choice. You can either come with me, and I will spare your life.

s racing. What

d, but she had a feeling that Kael was not like other assas

way that she had never seen before. They made their way through the

ng to get her bearings.

ave a horse waiting for us nearby. We'll ride to the Shadowh

ors of the Shadowhand Clan, a group of deadly

t wonder what lay ahead. Would she be able to convinc

hideout, a heavily fortified compound surrounde

ed by the leader of the Shadowhand Clan, a

said, his voice dripping with ma

"I'm here to negotiate," she said. "I want

, Princess. You are qu

nt. "The reason I've ordered your elimination is

wed. "What do you

ower to unite the warring factions of the kingdom,"

hadowhand Clan was involved in the kingdom's politic

adowhand Clan. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but sh

eep her voice calm. "But I'm willing to work with you. Perhaps we

, clearly intrigued by Aria'

Shadowhand Clan work with her to unite the warring factions of the kingdo

nreadable. When Aria finished speaking, he lea

posal is... interesting. But I'm not sure it

She knew she had to think fast, to come up with somet

denly, an ide

ia said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Somethi

w, clearly intrigued. "What

power to communicate with the Moon Whisperer," she said. "A

and Aria knew she had him. She had of

across his face. "I accept your proposal. You will work with us

the beginning. She had just made a deal with a group o

seething with doubts and fears. She knew that she had just made a deal

she was walking into a trap. She kept looking over her shoulder, expecting t

Princess," he said, his voice low and reassurin

expression. Was he genuinely trying to

o know the city intimately. He led her through narrow alleys and hi

ng house on the outskirts of the city. Kael push

Princess," he said, his e

ad for her? Would she be able to navigate the treacherous world

that she had to be careful, but she also knew that she

s small but comfortable. There was a fire burning i

to prepare a meal. Aria watched him, fascinated

an. He explained that they were a group of assassins who

never heard of such a group before, and she couldn't h

at ease. Kael seemed to be relaxing around h

, Aria heard a noise outside. It was a faint scrat

a with a warning glance. "Stay here," he whi

aited for Kael to return. Who wa

the murmur of voices. It sounded like Kael was talking to so

He was followed by a figure that Aria didn't recognize -

even. "He's a member of the Shadowhand Clan,

er. She didn't like the look of him, a

w that she had to be careful, but she also kn

t?" Aria asked, trying

proposing to offer us, Princess," he said. "Kael here tells me that y

as willing to work with the Shadowhand Clan to unite the warring factions of the

g as he considered Aria's words. When she

s not that simple. The Shadowhand Clan has certain... requir

f this. "What kind of requirements?" she

Oh, just a small test of your loyalty, Princess,

her to be cautious. She didn't li

t she had to be careful, but she also knew that she

keep her voice steady. "I agree to

give you a task to complete," he said. "If you succe

ences unspoken. Aria's heart sank,

" she said. "W

. "It's a small, golden statue with a ruby in its eye. It's said to be hidden in the palace's east wing, but I

ing was forbidden territory, and that the guards were not

e said, trying t

thought you would," he said. "Kael will escort you to

on. She knew that she was taking a huge r

what lay ahead. Would she be able to retrieve the statue and pa

w that he was a skilled assassin and that he h

ds the palace. "I don't know the palace's layout, and I don't know how to avo

aid. "But we need to be careful. The palace is full of traps and gua

of relief. She knew that she

that she hadn't noticed before. "This is a servants' entrance,"

made their way through the winding corridor

ce's layout and the location of the statue. Aria l

nally reached the east wing. Kael led Aria to

e is inside. But we need to be careful

repidation. She took a deep breat

space for any signs of traps or guards. But as they looked around,

ispered, her heart r

the statue. Aria carefully picked it up, f

or them with a look of anticipation. Aria handed him

s," he said. "You h

ped forward and handed Aria a

Clan," Kael explained. "A token of o

beautiful silver necklace with a

e said, touched

r alliance is one of mutual benefit. We will not harm you or

e was free to return to her palace, and she knew that sh

ope and optimism. She knew that she still had many challe

t the future held for her and the kingdom. Would she be able to main