Chapter 158

The commander rode until the first light of dawn appeared. When he finally arrived at the village, he saw all the destruction around.

Houses were burned, taverns and bodies scattered, and John dismounted the horse and walked through the ash-covered place. He looked at the small and large charred bodies, forcing himself not to shift. His heart was heavy with all the pain from that horrific scene.

As he walked, he heard a noise and immediately drew his sword, turning toward the figure approaching.

The blade pressed against King’s throat, who stared back, perplexed.

He raised his hands in surrender, and John met his gaze, slowly lowering his sword and sheathing it.

“I thought I told you not to follow me, King,” John exclaimed.

King took a deep breath, then looked around at the horror before them.

“Who would do this?” King wondered, then coughed violently.

John turned his back to him and kept walking, surveying the surroundings. T