Back in the citadel, Jin looked out at the dark forest.
He didn't see the spy.
But his heart told him something was coming.
He narrowed his eyes.
"Let them come," he said with a small smile.
"I am not afraid."
Far to the east of Garnolith, past rivers and mountains, there was a rich and powerful kingdom. Its capital city was filled with golden buildings and tall towers. At the center stood a shining royal castle.
Inside, the king's court was busy. Today, a special meeting was being held. The royal council had been called.
Nobles, generals, scholars, and priests entered the golden hall. They sat around a round table covered in maps and scrolls. Everyone looked serious.
At the head of the table sat a young man with short golden hair and sharp blue eyes. He wore a red cloak and a silver crown. This was King Lioren, only twenty-two years old. He was young, but he ruled with fire in his heart.
A royal advisor stood and bowed. "Your Majesty," he said, "we have news… about a city in the western forest."
The king raised an eyebrow. "Garnolith?"
"Yes, my king," the advisor answered. "It grows fast. They have strong walls, powerful magic, and golems made of stone. A man called the Stone King leads them."
Another noble added, "Merchants say the people follow him like a god."
The king frowned. He stood and walked to the window, looking at the sky.
"He builds a kingdom… without a crown," the king said. "Without permission. Without fear."
The room was silent.
A general asked, "Should we prepare for war?"
"No," King Lioren said. "Not yet. War is loud. We need to be quiet."
A priest whispered, "You mean… spies?"
The king smiled. "Yes. Let's see what this Stone King really is. A hero? A tyrant? Or a monster in stone skin?"
He turned back to the council. "Send shadows. Eyes no one sees. Hands that steal. Tongues that twist lies."
The nobles nodded.
The royal spymaster stepped forward. He wore black robes and a mask. He bowed deeply. "I will gather the best," he said.
"Good," said the king. "And if this Stone King becomes too dangerous… we end him."
Everyone stood and bowed. The meeting ended.
Outside, the wind blew cold. The kingdom to the east had made its move. But in the forest, Jin Haru did not yet know… danger was coming.
---
Later That Night
The council was over, but King Lioren stayed in his private room. A small fire burned in the corner. The king stood alone, holding a map.
The name Garnolith was marked in red ink. He stared at it for a long time.
"He builds fast," the king muttered. "Stone walls, towers, magic… and people call him a god?"
He sat down in a golden chair and clenched his fist. "I am the ruler of the East. No man builds a kingdom in my land without my blessing."
A knock came at the door. "Enter," he said.
The spymaster stepped in, still wearing black and a mask. He bowed low. "My king, I am ready."
"I want eyes in Garnolith," the king said. "I want to know what kind of man this Jin Haru is."
"I have chosen ten elite agents," the spymaster said. "Each skilled in stealth, poison, illusion, and lies."
The king stood and looked out the window at the full moon. "Your mission is simple. Find weaknesses. Learn secrets. Spread fear if needed. But do not let them know you are spies."
"What if we are caught?" the spymaster asked.
The king's eyes turned cold. "Then say nothing. And if the Stone King finds you… pray to the gods."
The king picked up a small stone statue of a golem. "This is the enemy," he said. "He's not noble. Not chosen by gods. Just a wild spirit playing god."
He threw the statue to the floor. It shattered.
"Send your spies. Let Garnolith know—the East is watching."
---
Orders of Espionage
That night, in a dark building with no windows, ten spies gathered in silence. They all wore black. Their faces were hidden by masks.
Each had a special skill:
One used poison.
One climbed walls like a spider.
One spoke many languages.
One used weak magic to change their face.
Others could steal, sneak, or listen better than anyone.
The spymaster entered the room and looked at each one.
"You are going to Garnolith," he said quietly. "Not as soldiers, but as shadows."
"You will not go together. Each will take a different path. Some will act like traders. Others will pretend to be poor or sick."
He gave each of them a small paper scroll. It had names, fake stories, and plans.
"Once inside," he continued, "learn everything. Who guards the city? Who leads it? Where is the Stone King?"
"Do not fight. Do not kill. Just watch and report."
One spy raised a hand. "What if we are discovered?"
The spymaster's voice became sharp. "Then disappear. Burn your scroll. Leave nothing behind. Or… die without speaking."
The spies nodded. Outside, the wind blew softly. The mission had begun.
"Be careful," said the spymaster. "The Stone King is no fool. He built a kingdom in weeks. He controls golems. We do not know what he truly is."
One by one, the spies took their scrolls and left into the night—some on foot, some on horseback, one across rooftops.
They moved like shadows, fast and silent, heading west toward Garnolith.
---
Danger Draws Near
The spies crossed hills, rivers, and forests. They avoided roads and soldiers. They spoke little and only traveled at night.
One spy, a man named Karo, walked through the dark forest. His feet were sore, but he kept going. He had heard stories about Garnolith—about golems and miracles. About the Stone King.
But Karo only cared about the mission. If the Stone King was a threat, he had to be stopped.
A noise came from the trees. Karo froze and reached for his dagger. But a figure stepped forward—it was another spy, a woman named Lira.
"You're not alone," she whispered. "We're close. The others are near too."
Karo nodded. Relief and worry filled him.
"We must be careful," Lira added. "I heard the forest is full of watchers. Golems that see everything."
Karo had heard the same rumors. He felt a chill in his bones.
By morning, they reached the edge of the forest. The spies made camp under thick trees. They ate quickly and spoke in low voices.
Their goal was simple: learn everything about Garnolith. The future of their kingdom depended on it.
But deep in the forest, something was watching them. It was not human. It was something older… and far stronger.
The golems of Garnolith had begun to move.
The spies were coming.
But so were the watchers.