Up on the raised wooden platform, the hot afternoon air was still thick with excitement.

Kade quickly walked up the wooden stairs. He approached the General. He leaned in very closely to relay the request to Damon.

"My Lord," Kade whispered softly, keeping his voice hidden from the other commanders. "The champion fighter has made a special request. He says he is a traveler. He cannot carry the wooden chest of gold coins. He asked if we can reward him in paper bank notes, or perhaps a deed to a land or a property that is exactly equivalent to the coins."

Damon listened to the practical request. He thought about it for a second. It made perfect sense. A smart, wandering fighter would never want to drag a chest of gold across the dangerous country roads. Paper bank notes were much easier to hide and protect.

Damon nodded his head slowly in complete approval.

"He is a wise man," Damon replied calmly. "Go to the camp treasurer. Issue him the royal bank notes for the full amount and make sure Gideon is okay."

"Yes, My Lord," Kade bowed. Kade immediately turned around and left the platform to go to the treasury tent to get the paper bank notes.

Down on the field, the massive crowd was finally starting to move. Everyone started to disperse. The death match was officially over, and the people were heading back to their homes and taverns to talk about the incredible battle.

Zade and Austin stood near the thick wooden ropes. Austin let out a long, tired sigh. He was ready to go back to his estate.

"Can we go home now?" Austin asked, rubbing his tired eyes.

Zade shook his head firmly. He kept his eyes completely locked onto the slim, black-clad figure standing in the middle of the field.

Zade said, "Let’s wait a little bit. I want to confirm it myself."

Zade was incredibly curious. Austin had planted a very crazy idea in his head. What if that deadly fighter really was his older sister? He had to know the truth.

They waited for a very long time. The afternoon dragged on. Evening was already approaching when Kade finally returned to the field. The sun had begun to set, casting long, dark orange and purple shadows completely across the dusty ground.

Kade walked up to the slim fighter. He handed over a thick, neat stack of crisp paper bank notes.

When she finally got the money, Camilla nodded her covered head in thanks. She quickly counted the thick paper bills to make sure the amount was correct. One hundred thousand gold coins worth of paper money. She was officially incredibly wealthy.

Camilla carefully folded the thick stack of bills. She hid the bills securely inside the inner pocket of her black combat attire, pressing them flat against her chest so they would not fall out.

She turned around and began to walk away from the main camp, heading quietly to where her horse was tied up near the outer fences.

As Camilla walked through the quiet, darkening camp, her instincts immediately flared to life. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up straight. She listened carefully to the sounds around her. She heard the soft snapping of a dry twig.

She noticed instantly that she was being followed.

About fifty feet behind her, Zade and Austin were sneaking through the shadows of the large canvas tents. They were murmuring quietly as they were stalking her.

"Why are we doing this again?" Austin asked miserably, his voice whining softly. He was already completely tired from waiting for so long in the hot sun. His feet hurt, and he wanted his soft bed. "We are stalking a deadly killer. He will chop our heads off."

Zade walked in front, bending his knees to hide behind a wooden barrel.

Zade replied in a harsh, forced whisper. "To confirm if what you say is true! You are the one who said it looked like my sister! Keep your voice low, he might hear us."

Ahead of them, Camilla stopped walking. She let out a heavy, deeply annoyed sigh.

She turned around completely. She looked directly at the large, leafy bush where the two young lords were currently trying to hide. Their expensive boots were sticking entirely out of the leaves.

She shook her head slowly in disappointment. They were the absolute worst spies in the entire kingdom.

"Come out," Camilla said out loud. She did not bother to disguise her voice this time. She spoke clearly and firmly.

Inside the bush, Zade and Austin completely froze. They looked at each other with wide, terrified eyes.

Slowly, they both came out. They brushed the dry leaves off their expensive coats. They stood awkwardly in the dirt path, looking like two children caught stealing sweet cakes from the kitchen.

Camilla stood perfectly still. She raised her black-gloved hand. She gestured with her hand to Zade, motioning for him to come closer to her.

Austin grabbed Zade’s arm tightly.

Austin spoke to Zade in a rapid, terrified whisper. "Are you sure you should go? He just killed a giant monster! He will snap your neck!"

Zade swallowed hard. He was scared, but his pride as a noble lord forced him to act brave.

Zade replied, puffing his chest out slightly.

"What are you afraid of? This kingdom is governed strictly by the rule of law. Nothing will happen to me. He cannot just attack a noble."

Then, Zade looked at Austin. His brave face crumbled slightly. He leaned in and whispered his final will and testament.

"But," Zade whispered seriously, his voice shaking just a tiny bit. "If I die... you can have my entire sword collection."

Austin nodded his head solemnly. He tapped Zade’s back in a show of deep, brotherly support.

"I will cherish it like they were mine," Austin promised, completely accepting the free swords.

Zade took a deep breath. He bravely walked forward to where Camilla stood.

When Zade reached her, Camilla did not say anything. She simply raised her hand again. She gestured to Austin too, commanding him to join them.

Austin gulped loudly. He slowly shuffled forward, dragging his feet in the dirt until he stood right beside Zade.

Zade looked at the dark black cloth covering the fighter’s face. He could only see the hazel intense eyes staring back at him.

Zade asked bravely, "Who are you?"

Camilla did not answer with words. She decided to use a very familiar, highly effective punishment.

She reached out her hand with speed. She grabbed Zade’s right ear tightly between her fingers. She pulled his ear sharply downward.

"Ouch! Ow! Ow!" Zade yelped, leaning his head down to follow her hand.

"You two absolute idiots," Camilla scolded them angrily. Her voice was completely normal now. "You have gotten incredibly bold, right? You dare to stalk me through a military camp?"

Zade stopped yelling. His eyes widened to their absolute maximum limit. He ignored the stinging pain in his ear.

"That voice sounds extremely familiar," Zade thought to himself, his mind racing wildly. He knew that specific, scolding tone anywhere.

He stared into her hazel eyes.

"Camilla?" Zade said out loud, his voice full of mind-blowing shock.

Camilla let out an annoyed sigh. She left his ear, dropping her hand to her side.

She reached up with both hands. She grabbed the dark black cloth covering her nose and mouth. She pulled the cloth completely down to reveal her face.

Austin gasped loudly, covering his mouth with his hands. He was completely shocked. His jaw dropped so far open it almost hit his chest.

Zade stared at her in total disbelief. He looked at his older sister, wearing a black combat uniform, standing in the middle of a military camp after just murdering a giant mercenary.

Camilla crossed her arms over her chest. She glared at the two young men.

"Start confessing," Camilla spoke coldly. "Why are you following me? Did you want to steal my reward money?"