The Broken Blades Trilogy, #3
Three Shattered Souls
by Mai Corland
Contents
Chapter Three
Overview
Yusanian soldiers raid the Berm inn and try to abduct Aeri, but Mikail and Fallador slaughter the attackers. Suspicion briefly falls on Gambria until she drags in the innkeeper, who admits he reported them because Berm is under Yusan control. Mikail executes the informant, confirming the group’s exposure and urgency to escape.
Summary
Aeri wakes to Yusanian soldiers dragging her from bed. Disoriented and unarmed, she prepares to use the Golden Ring and Sands of Time, but Mikail bursts in with the Water Scepter and a flaming sword, cutting down the men holding her. Fallador kills a fleeing soldier, and the room falls silent amid the bodies.
Royo and Sora arrive ready to fight but stand down when they see the carnage. The group questions how the soldiers knew their exact rooms. Royo suspects Gambria; Sora adds they saw Gambria speaking with the king’s guard. Aeri considers Gambria’s past loyalty but notes her love for Quilimar could drive betrayal. With no captives left alive, they lack answers.
Mikail reasons it wasn’t an ambush: too few troops, likely a routine report of suspicious strangers, and no proof the relics are with them. The group debates immediate escape versus walking into an ambush, recognizing their out-of-place appearance likely drew notice.
Gambria returns holding the innkeeper at knifepoint. Under pressure, the innkeeper admits he reported them because, as Yusanian subjects, Gayan citizens must alert authorities about unfamiliar travelers. This clarifies Gambria’s actions and the soldiers’ presence. Mikail then snaps the innkeeper’s neck, eliminating a witness and confirming they are compromised and must flee Berm quickly.
Who Appears
- AeriPOV; nearly abducted, considers using fused relics; questions Gambria; sees group’s exposure.
- MikailLast Gayan royal; wields Water Scepter and flaming sword; kills soldiers and executes innkeeper.
- GambriaReturns with the innkeeper; forces his confession, dispelling suspicion she betrayed the group.
- RoyoArrives to defend Aeri; suspects Gambria; conflicted feelings toward Aeri persist.
- SoraRushes in armed; reports seeing Gambria with king’s guard; urges practical next steps.
- FalladorKills a fleeing soldier; questions how they were found; supports immediate escape.
- InnkeeperReports the group to Yusanian guard as required; confesses under duress; executed by Mikail.
- Yusanian soldiers (king’s guard)Small squad sent after a report; attempt to seize Aeri; killed in the inn.