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.

hard against them, but we were outnumbered, and no matter how hard I fought, the rogues were stronger. It was

"I couldn't save them."

you escape?" I

"Dain." He said softly.

Dain was the

few seconds before

escape. At first I tried to help, but when

turned away, unable to hold the pain that pricked me. This was all my fault. If only I hadn't told those men to go out and spy, they would be fine with their families. Instead I

was certain that King Pison would never let those men go

gather, I

The people looked at me, waiting to hear

to evacuate the camp right now. Pack everything valuable and let's go now!" Immediately, the crowd

here? We just moved

running?

increased, and soon I could hardly keep

I called

captured. And we know what King Pison and his rogues are capable of. They will need answers, and they will find it. No one is safe here. The sooner we leave,

gasped in one

We leave in a few minutes." I said, dismissing the crowd. "We are one!" I

are one." The crowd cheered in response as they

made it to my tent before I crumbled to a mess on the floor. I bawled, tears falling down like a flood. I felt the guilt gnaw at me as I held in the screams I felt tempted to release. Knowing I had no time, I grabbed what

a furious female scream from

made my way outside, my eyes still red-rimmed. I saw a woman, clothes torn apart from

She cried

frowned. "Who are