Melody of Strength novel

At Hell Monarch Estate, Carissa was helping Rafael pack his belongings, her expression marked by a hint. of worry.

“Why don’t I go with you? I’m not comfortable with you going alone.”

“I won’t be alone. I’ll have Dylan and Jacob with me. You should stay behind to handle Kiera’s wedding arrangements. Besides, Ryan will be going to the academy soon.”

“How is Jacob’s martial prowess?”

Carissa wasn’t very familiar with Jacob. Although he was an important figure in the estate, he often seemed rather inconspicuous.

“He’s average in skill but sharp–witted.”

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Hearing that, Carissa was still uneasy, considering the dangers of infiltrating the Sandorian border city.

“Then, perhaps Violet should go with you?”

Rafael embraced Carissa, kissing her forehead. Her concern genuinely pleased him.

“No need. I’ve invited my master to accompany me.”

“Sage Everett is going with you? That’s good.”

Everett was highly skilled and elusive. Even when he was far away, he seemed to appear out of nowhere whenever needed, as if he were omnipresent.

“Yeah, don’t worry. I’ll rescue Septimus.”

Rafael placed another tender kiss on his wife’s cheek, feeling reluctant at the thought of being apart for at least a month.

“His name is Septimus Tetra?” Carissa asked.

“That’s right. He sent us intelligence while mingling with the Sandorian supply convoy headed to the Southern Frontier. The fact that Westhaven soldiers had disguised themselves as Sandorian troops was verified through him.

“After we reclaimed the Southern Frontier and returned to the capital, Louis took over coordinating with him. The plan was for him to stay in Sandoria for a year and only return once we were certain there would be no more conflict,” Rafael explained.

“Septimus Tetra… Septimus Tetra, Carissa repeated. Is that a codename?”

“No, it’s his actual name. His surname is a little unusual, I know,” Rafael said, then paused thoughtfully. “A codename? In another language, Septimus means seven, while Tetra means four. Wait… seven plus four is.eleven….

As Carissa pushed him away gently, their eyes met, and an unlikely thought emerged in both their minds.

Almost simultaneously, they exclaimed, “The Farrell family’s eleventh son, Thomas Farrell!*

Rafael’s heartbeat quickened. “Is that possible?”

12

But why not?

He had heard Timothy mention Thomas several times while on the Southern Frontier battlefield. Thomas had been young and brave-if he hadn’t died on the battlefield, he would have surely been a commanding figure by now.

Timothy had both cherished and respected his cousin,

Rafael recalled, “General Farrell once said that the battle was fierce and chaotic. The Sandorian soldiers launched a surprise night attack and set fire to the camp, resulting in heavy casualties. The soldiers‘ remains were buried in a large pit, many burned beyond recognition.

“Timothy sawThomas fighting fiercely against the enemy in the firelight. Thomas was eventually injured and kicked back into the flames, but the battle was so chaotic that Timothy couldn’t look for him.”

Carissa mused, “If Thomas was injured and kicked back into the fire, he might have crawled out unnoticed by Timothy and been captured.”

Rafael nodded solemnly. “That’s a possibility.”

Carissa remembered Thomas‘ mother, Alice. Since her son’s death, she had been reclusive. She had attended Helen’s birthday banquet, but seeing her former daughter–in–law, Viola, had been a significant

blow.

If Septimus was indeed Thomas, then….

It was unfortunate that he had now been captured by the Sandorian forces and was likely being tortured. Carissa hoped Oliver could stall the negotiations long enough to at least give Thomas a chance to be rescued.

“I hope he remains unharmed. Whether or not he is Thomas, he has contributed greatly to the reclaiming of the Southern Frontier. He must safely return to Starhaven,” she said, her heart aching for him.

On the battlefield, anything could happen, but those who survived the direst situations were few and far

between.

“I won’t wait any longer. I’ll leave the city tonight. There could be unforeseen developments,” Rafael declared.

He couldn’t predict Oliver’s temperament. Though Salvador had yet to decide whether or not to agree to Sandoria’s proposal to exchange Septimus for a city, Oliver would certainly refuse. Rafael feared that if Oliver refused too decisively, the Sandorian people might execute Septimus on the spot.