(Y/n)

"Drakon, you handle the first line of defense.

Yamuraiha, focus on strengthening the magical shield around the kingdom and stay close to the palace.

Spartos, Sharrkan, and Hinahoho, you will stay with the troops around the kingdom.

Masrur, (y/n), and Ja'far will stay around the palace.

Pisti, help our soldiers evacuate the citizens. After that, you will be our eye. Look out for the enemy."

Those were the orders given to us by King Sinbad.

Messengers will be sent to spread fake news to the people of Kou that King Sinbad's right hand man has been killed by an assassin. The assassin was immediately executed.

The sun is setting over the kingdom now, but its golden rays do nothing to ease the unsettlingness of the ghost town Sindria has become. Of course, it's a good thing that all the citizens have been evacuated. Still, nightfall is coming. How long is it going to take for the fake news to reach Judal? When will they attack? They could come tonight or they could come by the end of the week.

I turn my head when I hear footsteps approaching.

Masrur.

"I'll take the first shift," he says, his stoic expression remaining unchanged as always.

"Hai."

I walk away at once. I'm sure that Masrur, Yamuraiha, and the others all harbor ill feelings towards me. They should after my attempt to kill Ja'far. But for now, we have to work together against Al Thamen. After this is over, they have the right to do whatever they want to me.

"Chirp."

I spin around to see Masrur holding his hand out to me. In his hand is Irie. She's grown...at least enough to not look dwarfed in Masrur's hand.

"I leave her to you. Keep her somewhere safe," he says.

"Hai...thank you," I reply, muttering the last two words before rushing away.

Ja'far

It's about time for my shift. I get out of bed and head down the hallway. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get much sleep...for some strange reason, the cold feeling returned. Despite wrapping myself as tightly as I could with my blanket, I couldn't get rid of the feeling.

Dang it. It's even colder out here in the hallway, but along with the chill was something else...a tenseness in my body, a barely suppressed urge to attack.

"What is this?" I wonder out loud. Suddenly, images flashed in my head, memories from my time as an assassin-in-training. I was fighting against the other older assassins, fighting against my bitterly cold environment. Blood dripping onto white snow. The body lying face down before me. My ragged breathing loud in my ears.

"Ja'far? What are you doing here?"

I turn around to see Yamuraiha holding her staff. She yelps before quickly composing herself. I scratch the back of my head. "Well, it's time for my shift. You should get some rest," I tell her. She nods, advises me to take care of myself too, and turns back down the hall.

Yamuraiha

Ja'far's right, I probably do need more sleep. After all, I'm starting to imagine things. There's no way that I could've caught a glimpse of such a scary look on his face.