Scylles moved anyway. He grabbed the sword and turned in one motion, swinging toward the nearest soldier. The blade struck against a raised shield, pushing the soldier back. Another soldier stepped in immediately and drove his sword forward; the point of his blade pierced Scylles’ shoulder, severing the whole hand. Pain shot through his whole body immediately. Blood splashed the walls and sprayed the soldiers’ faces.

Scylles let out a sharp cry, his eyes filled with terror as he saw his hand on the floor. The maid screamed as she backed away quickly, pressing herself against the wall, shaking.

"I warned you." Vornak moved towards where Scylles knelt, writhing in agony.

"Bastard! Damn the royal household!" Scylles cried.

Vornak raised his sword, and in a swift move, he slit Scylles’ throat, ripping off his head. Blood oozed out even more. His body fell forward, hitting the floor with a heavy thud.

The maid covered her mouth as more tears streamed down her face. Vornak looked at her for a moment, then he spoke. "Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you. Where can I find your master?" He asked the maid.

"In...his...private...room."

Vornak turned to his men. "Find Elder Toben!"

Elsewhere in the estate, Elder Toben had swiftly moved to a private room that had an underground escape route. He had also heard the bells, which meant only one thing to him. The mission had failed.

He had heard the commotion in the courtyard and understood what was happening.

A chest lay open on the bed. He was moving quickly, placing items inside without care. Documents, jewelry, coins, and other valuables. His hands were unsteady.

"Damn you, Varon!" Toben spat as he kept glancing toward the door.

When the sound of boots approached, he stopped.

The door opened. Soldiers filled the entrance. Toben looked at them, then at the chest.

For a moment, no one spoke. Vornak stepped into the room, his eyes landing on the chest on the bed. He threw the head of Scylles’ on the floor.

Toben’s eyes widened in shock and terror. He let out a loud cry as he fell on his knees. "What have you done?!"

"On the orders of King Alaric, you are under arrest for treason, Elder Toben," Vornak said.

The soldiers crossed the room, took him by the arms, and led him out. He kept swearing at Vornak. He cried at the loss of his only son.

Across the city, a similar scene unfolded. Doors broken. Voices raised. Some resisted and were cut down. Others surrendered quietly. Families watched as their heads were taken away.

Lord Corin, the master of coins, was taken from his stable, where he had been preparing a horse for a swift departure. He offered no resistance but tried to bribe the soldiers to let him go.

"I have lots of gold! I can give you all of it. Just let me go, and your generations to come will thank you for it."

They ended up gagging him with a strip of cloth and dragged him along.

Lady Virella, Lady of the Manor. She mostly managed marriage alliances of the Noble Households. She was found in her kitchen trying to burn a stack of letters in the hearth. Soldiers pulled the letters from the flames, burning their fingers in the process. She was led away in her nightgown, her face blank with shock and fear.

Lord Ulthok, a retired general, was discovered in his crypt, kneeling and praying. He did not startle when the soldiers entered. He did not speak when they pulled him to his feet. He went with them in silence.

Elder Tor, a local townsman and a wine merchant. He was found in his wine cellar, hiding behind barrels. The soldiers dragged him by his hair while he begged for mercy.

Lady Syra, a Mistress of Law, one of those who uphold and enforce the Laws of Lycanthria. She was arrested in her garden. She had been cutting roses when the soldiers arrived. She laid the shears down carefully on the stone bench and asked if she might bring a cloak. The captain in charge allowed it. She walked with them without resistance.

At Lord Korthan’s estate, one of the king’s advisors, the soldiers found him in the middle of breakfast with his family.

"What is this?" he demanded as they entered.

No one answered. They pulled him from his seat and forced his hands behind his back.

"You can’t do this! I serve the crown!"

"You serve the wrong side." The captain in charge replied to him.

His wife tried to step forward but was warned to step back. Lord Korthan continued to argue as they dragged him out.

Lady Seraphine, a Governess, a woman who educated noble daughters on etiquette, accomplishments, and social grace. She locked herself in her chambers. She had heard the bells and understood what they meant. By the time the soldiers reached her door, she had already pushed furniture against it.

"Open the door," the captain in charge ordered.

She said nothing.

They broke it down. She stood near the window, the thought of jumping crossed her mind, and her hands were shaking.

"I did nothing," she said.

"You will answer that elsewhere. We do not want to hurt you." The captain replied.

She did not fight when they took her.

Lord Brenek, a Military Examiner, is a high-ranking official overseeing the examinations, ensuring candidates are physically fit and knowledgeable in tactics. He attempted to escape. He used a rear passage meant for servants, hoping to reach the outer wall. He didn’t make it far.

Soldiers intercepted him before he reached the exit. He tried to run. They brought him down and restrained him.

Elder Drax is an older man who has given counsel to the royal house for decades. He was found seated in his chamber. He did not move when the soldiers entered.

"I assume you’ve come for me," he said.

"Yes," the lead soldier replied.

Elder Drax stood slowly and extended his hands. He did not resist.

In total, warrants were issued for more than fifty individuals. By midday, most of them were in custody. Some were dead. But Varon wasn’t found.

It became clear that the reach of the Dark Lord inside the kingdom was deeper than anyone had believed.

In the palace, the recovered documents were laid out in the council chamber.

Aveloria stood at the table, reading through them. Each page confirmed what had already been suspected. Names of nobles. Records of meetings. Agreements signed. Payments made.

Everything tied back to one network. The Dark Lord.

Varon’s name appeared repeatedly. So did others already taken into custody.

Aveloria placed one document down and picked up another. Her expression remained steady, but her thoughts raced. The scale of it was larger than expected.

This was not a small group acting in secret. This was organized, planned, and maintained over time.

Galen stood nearby. "The arrests are ongoing as more names are being confirmed."

Aveloria nodded. "No one involved walks free," she said.

Galen didn’t respond, but he understood the order.

Outside, the bell continued to ring. And across Lycanthria, the kingdom was being torn open to remove what had been hidden within it.