The Beta’s Regret

Three days.

Three days was all it took for the spies to get back to us.

There was a tense silence in the camp as I stood before them, listening to the only survivor as he told us exactly what had happened.

Out of the four men that went out as spies, only one of them made it back.

Dread pulled at my veins with every word he uttered. This wasn't what I had envisioned would happen, and suddenly I began to doubt my decision.

The day they left camp to spy on the palace, I was filled with hope that they would come back with information that would hopefully help us defeat Pison and take back our territory.

It wasn't supposed to be a very difficult mission; at least that was what I thought before.

"Tell me, Killian, how did it go?" Even though I had already been briefed on what happened, it was still agonizing to hear the end of their quest.

"We didn't make it." I heard the man kneeling in front of me say. His voice broke as he bowed in despair. "When we got to the palace, we decided to go our separate ways so we could cover more ground."

He shut his eyes tightly and tightened his fist on the ground.

"They didn't make it out of there. I barely escaped myself."

My teeth clenched. I never anticipated this disaster.

"What happened there?" I asked.

"We got little information on King Pison and his men, but while trying to sneak out of the palace, we met some rogues. They were drunk and having some sort of celebration... It was unexpected. They immediately knew that we were spies and took us down." He looked away as he continued.

fought hard against them, but we were outnumbered, and no matter how hard I fought, the rogues were stronger. It was as if they had some kind of extra power. They were extremely aggressive... brutal. It was

"I couldn't save them."

did you escape?" I

"Dain." He said softly.

was able to place the name with a face. Dain was

a few seconds before he continued, his

when I saw that I couldn't help the others, I ran back to the camp. I knew I had to inform you

I hadn't told those men to go out and spy, they

only did I put these men in danger, but I have also put us in a tight situation. It was certain that King Pison would never let those

gather,

silence was still strong. The people looked at me, waiting

to evacuate the camp right now. Pack everything valuable and let's go now!" Immediately, the crowd burst into a loud murmur. No

away from here? We just moved to this place." A man shouted

keep running? We

noise in the crowd increased, and soon I could hardly keep track of what

called

King Pison and his rogues are capable of. They will need answers, and they will find it. No one

gasped in

things. We leave in a few minutes."

are one." The crowd cheered in response

I bawled, tears falling down like a flood. I felt the guilt gnaw at me as I held in the

heard a furious female scream

eyes and made my way outside, my eyes still red-rimmed. I saw

witch!" She cried

"Who are