My novel is now completely free to read on Webnovel and Roy@lRo@d(replace @ with "a"). That means you can enjoy the story without spending a dime!
But if you're someone who can't wait to see what happens next...
🔓 Unlock Advance Chapters on P@treon! /A
By joining my p@treon/Aryavarta community, you get early access to unreleased chapters before they're published anywhere else. You'll also be supporting me directly as an author and becoming part of a passionate reader community!
I listed P@treon Advance Reader Plans at the bottom. Enjoy!
-----------------------
The warning came from a rat.
Not a man, but an actual rat, its mind linked to Alex's through Beast Mind-Link. It scurried into the rafters of his main warehouse, frantic squeaks spilling into his mind in crude, broken impressions: movement… weapons… too many.
Alex didn't question it. He trusted his animal scouts more than most human informants.
He stepped out onto the loft walkway and looked down at the main floor of the spice warehouse. Wooden crates were stacked in neat rows, each marked with the sigil of the trade guild that officially "owned" them. In reality, they were his shipments—spices, silks, and the kind of fine steel that could start a small war if smuggled into the wrong city.
Tonight, that wrong city was Pentos.
The Threat
Through the rat's memory, Alex saw the approaching group: twenty armed men, all wearing dark sashes over leather armor. Derrion Varr's colors.
Derrion was a rival gang leader who controlled the southern docks. He'd been testing Alex's influence for weeks—stealing minor shipments, bribing guards to delay inspections, even roughing up a few of Alex's street lookouts. This, though, was an escalation. A direct strike at the warehouse meant Derrion wanted to force Alex into open war.
Fine. He'd get his war.
The Core Assembles
Alex sent a silent pulse through the Beast Mind-Link, summoning his bonded wolves from their patrol routes. He didn't need many—three would do. They were faster, quieter, and far deadlier in close quarters than any untrained thug.
Then he called his core fighters. Twelve men arrived within minutes, fully armed, each one part of the loyal cadre he'd been drilling since gaining Commander's Presence. They fell into formation without needing to be told, eyes on him.
"They're coming for the spice," Alex said simply. "They'll be here in minutes. When they arrive, we don't drive them off—we end them."
There was no hesitation. That was the beauty of the aura—orders were obeyed instantly, without argument.
Mask of the Many
Alex reached for Mask of the Many. His features rippled, shifting into the hard, angular face of one of Derrion's own lieutenants. In the chaos, this disguise would sow confusion. If any survivors crawled back to Derrion, they'd bring with them the story of betrayal from within his own ranks.
The Trap
The warehouse had two entrances: a wide front gate for wagons, and a narrow side door for workers. Alex stationed half his men near the side, the other half spread among the rafters, crossbows ready.
He took position near the front, wolves crouched low beside him.
The moonlight spilling through the high windows glinted on the steel of his hidden blades.
The Raid Begins
The first blow came from outside—a heavy ram slamming into the front gate. The wood shuddered but held. A second strike splintered the top beam, and with the third, the doors crashed inward.
Derrion's men surged through, weapons drawn.
"Move!" Alex barked—not to his men, but in the voice and mannerisms of the lieutenant he was impersonating.
The attackers hesitated for a heartbeat, just enough for the wolves to spring.
The Wolves Unleashed
One wolf tore into the first man's throat before he could raise his sword. Another darted between two attackers, snapping at legs and forcing them to trip over each other. The third wolf leapt straight into the ranks, scattering them into smaller, disorganized clumps.
Pack Instinct flared in Alex's mind, letting him coordinate the wolves as extensions of himself. Every snarl, every lunge, every feint was timed with his fighters' movements.
Commander's Presence in Action
While the enemy faltered, Alex's men advanced in perfect unison. Shields locked, they pushed the invaders toward the center of the warehouse, forcing them into the kill zone where crossbow bolts rained down from above.
Even as blood began to slick the floorboards, Alex kept his voice level, calm, and commanding. That was the trick—panic spread like fire if a leader lost control. But with Commander's Presence, his men fed off his composure, growing more aggressive with every kill.
The False Betrayal
Halfway through the fight, Alex made his next move.
Still wearing the face of Derrion's lieutenant, he shouted over the din: "Pull back! It's a trap!"
A few of the raiders turned toward him, confused. "What—? You were supposed to—"
They never finished the sentence. Alex's dagger slid between a ribcage, hot blood coating his hand. The others, realizing too late they'd been deceived, broke formation—and his wolves tore into them without mercy.
No Survivors
When it was over, the warehouse stank of blood and spilled spice. The last attacker fell to his knees, clutching a deep slash across his stomach. Alex walked up to him, mask still in place.
"Tell Derrion," Alex said coldly, "that he's next."
Then he slit the man's throat.
The Aftermath
Alex ordered the bodies removed before dawn. Some were dumped into the canal, others buried in shallow graves outside the city walls. He kept one—a corpse dressed to look like Derrion's lieutenant—and left it in the southern docks with a note pinned to the chest.
The note simply read: "For betraying your own."
Message Received
By noon, word had spread through Pentos like wildfire: Derrion's raid had failed. His lieutenant was dead. The southern docks were tense, his gang fractured with suspicion.
That night, one of Derrion's own men approached Alex in secret, offering information in exchange for protection. It wasn't loyalty yet, but it was the first crack in Derrion's armor.
System Log Update
System Summary – New Tactical Record:
Commander's Presence (Level 0) – Effectively controlled morale in battle, resulting in zero friendly casualties.
Mask of the Many (Level 0) – Successful infiltration and psychological manipulation of enemy.
Beast Mind-Link (Level 2) – Coordinated three wolves for maximum disruption in confined space.
Pack Instinct (Level 1) – Synchronized group and animal tactics for superior control of engagement.
Outcome: Target eliminated, rival gang destabilized, fear-based reputation established.
The Shift in Reputation
Until now, Alex had been a shadow—whispers in the underworld, a man who pulled strings but avoided open conflict. The Night Raid changed that. He was now seen as something else entirely: a leader who would meet force with overwhelming, calculated violence.
That reputation was worth more than gold.
The Magister Hears
His patron, Magister Calvorys, summoned him the next day.
"I hear Derrion's men paid you a visit," Calvorys said, swirling wine in his cup. "And that none of them walked away."
Alex inclined his head. "They came uninvited."
Calvorys smiled faintly. "Good. Pentos needs fewer rats."
The Magister didn't ask how Alex had done it, and Alex didn't volunteer the details. That was the nature of their relationship—Calvorys gave space for results, not explanations.
Looking Forward
With Derrion weakened, Alex now had a foothold in the southern docks. It was a critical gain—not just for smuggling goods, but for controlling the flow of information in and out of Pentos.
He knew this was only the beginning. The Night Raid had solidified his power in the shadows, but it had also drawn new eyes to him—eyes that might belong to allies… or to enemies who would not underestimate him again.
Either way, he was ready.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you're eager to read ahead, join my P@treon community and unlock even more content!
By becoming a patron, you'll not only gain access to advanced chapters, unpublished content, and the ability to suggest future scenes, but you'll also be supporting my journey as an author—and joining a passionate community of fellow readers.
Choose a tier that suits your reading appetite:
📖 Tier 1 – Early Reader ($3/month)
Get 2 chapters in advance
Perfect for those who want a small head start and support the story
📚 Tier 2 – Intermediate Reader ($5/month)
Get 4 chapters in advance
Dive deeper with extra content ahead of the public
🏆 Tier 3 – Advanced Reader ($10/month)
Get 10 chapters in advance
Full access to the current exclusive content + highest support level
To join, visit:👉 https://[email protected]/Aryavarta (replace @ with a)
Or simply search for Aryavarta on [email protected] (replace @ with a).
Thank you for reading—and for supporting independent storytelling!