Her Graceful War Song (Carissa Sinclair) novel Chapter 495

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."

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?"

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.