Chapter 58

Jo and her group reach Maile’s base camp at dusk as the retreat horn sounds. Acker delivers the tall captured man to the healer’s tent and orders him restrained. Amid injured soldiers and frantic healers, Raina reports that General Samasu was searching for Jo.

Outside, the camp churns with anxiety while trolls tear at the city’s rear defenses. Samasu greets Jo with a fierce embrace, then shifts to command: munitions are moving and Evelyn is reforming the front. He pointedly greets Acker, reminding him of Jo’s abduction, and orders Acker to assist Evelyn. Acker departs after reassuring Jo, with Zion following.

Fredrich bravely seeks to apologize to Samasu, but Samasu coldly declares Fredrich will never serve under him again. A distant explosion shakes the valley, confirming the enemy’s momentum. Samasu instructs Jo to resist any urge to fall back until he gives the signal, then leaves to check the palace and Beau.

Snow begins to fall as Jo advances to the front. She finds Acker, Fredrich, and Zion rallying weary soldiers whose nerves are frayed by the day’s brutal fighting and the sound of trolls breaching stone. Fearing for Acker and her loved ones, Jo steadies herself, meets the army’s gaze, and frames the stakes: they fight not for crowns or territories, but for their families and the freedom to live without tyrants like Wren.

Evelyn appears in support as Jo raises her sword and floods it with light. The soldiers’ answering roar swells across the valley, their resolve rekindled as Wren’s forces regroup for the next assault.