Baron Aldric Thornvale stood tall and commanding in the middle of the House of Pearl's grand courtyard, his presence impossible to ignore. His two bodyguards flanked him, their ceremonial armor polished to a mirror shine, each bearing the crest of Thornvale on their breastplates: a stylized oak tree wrapped in thorny vines with a crown above it. Their halberds, gleaming in the lamplight, added an air of menace to the otherwise refined gathering. The baron's bright red hair caught the flickering glow of the lanterns like a flame, marking him as a beacon amidst the crowd of merchants and other influential figures who had come to the Pearl for the evening's gathering.
A much shorter man stood before him, draped in a fine blue robe trimmed in gold thread, the luxurious fabric catching the light as he gestured with languid ease. The man's bald head gleamed under the warm lanterns, and his neatly trimmed black beard gave him an air of elegance. In one hand, he leaned casually against a green staff adorned with vibrant red gems that shimmered like embers.
"It's been some time since the Whispering Woods called us in for a favor, hmm?" the wizard mused, his voice smooth and measured, carrying an undertone of intrigue. His gaze flicked around the courtyard as though he were cataloging the evening's attendees even while speaking.
Baron Aldric nodded slowly, his sharp green eyes fixed on a distant point beyond the wizard. Though his tone was casual, there was a weight to his words. "Not since the days of my father," he said. "And it was never a good omen back then. I suspect this time will be no different."
Kaelith Verdannis, Master of the Wizard Tower of Maze, chuckled softly, his excitement at the prospect almost boyish despite his otherwise refined demeanor. "Oh, but doesn't that make it all the more fascinating?" he replied. "It's been dreadfully dull at the Tower lately. My research has reached an unfortunate impasse, and, well, this promises to be an excellent diversion."
Aldric turned his gaze to the Tower Master, his expression hardening ever so slightly. "Master Verdannis," he said, his voice edged with a trace of impatience, "please don't say such things. Any trouble in the city inevitably finds its way to my doorstep. And it is my work that multiplies."
Kaelith waved his free hand dismissively, the gems on his staff catching the light with the motion. "Ah, my apologies, Baron," he said with a small, knowing smile. "I forget myself. It's only that it has been far too long since I've had the opportunity to stretch my legs, so to speak."
Before Aldric could respond, a server approached, carrying a tray of spiced wine in finely wrought crystal goblets. Both men reached for a glass, their manners polished, each taking a measured sip as the server retreated.
"Ah, now that hits the spot," Kaelith said, his voice rich with appreciation as he savored the wine. "The Pearl has always had an excellent selection."
The corner of Aldric's mouth curled upward, his sharp features softening into an amused expression. "You've frequented this establishment before, Master Verdannis?"
Kaelith froze mid-sip, coughing slightly as he hurriedly waved a hand in front of himself, his robe's golden trim catching the light. "For… information," he said hastily, clearing his throat. "They tracked down a lead on an ancient text I was researching. Purely professional."
"Of course," Aldric said, his smile deepening as he raised the goblet to his lips, hiding his amusement behind another slow sip.
Kaelith, clearly eager to shift the subject, let his gaze wander across the courtyard before landing back on the baron. "I hear your daughter has awakened her mana pool recently," he said, his voice laced with genuine interest.
At this, Aldric's expression transformed entirely, his face lighting up with an unmistakable pride. "Yes," he said, his tone warm. "I am very proud of her. She's worked hard, and seeing her efforts bear fruit has been… immensely rewarding."
Kaelith smiled, inclining his head slightly. "A momentous occasion, indeed. I would be honored to visit Thornvale Keep soon, if you would permit me. Awakening one's mana is only the beginning, and the bonding of an elemental can be an overwhelming, even dangerous, experience without proper guidance. If she is already feeling the flow of magic, I suspect the event will be upon her very soon."
Aldric nodded slowly, Kaelith's words turning his face into a thoughtful expression. "Your assistance would be greatly appreciated, Master Verdannis. I would be in your debt."
Kaelith waved the comment away with an easy chuckle. "Nonsense, Baron. What are neighbors for?"
The two men stood in companionable silence for a moment, sipping their wine as the hum of the courtyard's activity surrounded them.
Lira glided into the courtyard of the House of Pearl with enamoring grace, the emerald green of her gown almost glowing in the lamp light. The lace-trimmed fabric clung elegantly to her figure, several heads turning in attention as she moved through the crowd. Her presence commanded respect, a small smile decorating her face. Gallen followed a few steps behind, his imposing frame and watchful eyes making it clear that Lira was never far from protection.
She approached the two most powerful men in the courtyard, her eyes flickering briefly between them. With a practiced smile that could melt hearts or disarm rivals, she bowed low and offered her hand.
"My Lord Baron, Master Verdannis," she said, her voice smooth and inviting. "It is a great pleasure to have you both accept my invitation to this humble gathering."
Both men took her hand in turn, their gestures polite and restrained as decorum dictated. The baron, smiled broadly in reply.
"Mistress Lira," Baron Aldric Thornvale said warmly. "It has been too long."
Kaelith Verdannis, the Tower Master of Maze, gave a polite incline of his head, his lips curling into an amused smile. "Always lovely to see you again, Mistress."
Lira straightened, her expression tinged with remorse. "I apologize for the short notice of the invitations. I know your schedules are demanding."
"Not at all," Aldric replied, waving the comment away. "This matter concerns us all."
"Especially after the incident with that vile dark spell in the city," Kaelith interjected, his voice tightening with disdain. "Raising the dead… what a disgusting act."
"Yes, deeply disturbing," Aldric agreed, his tone grave.
Kaelith stroked his trimmed beard thoughtfully. "I examined the site personally: the Ravens' Nest. Whoever did this used shadow magic of considerable power. My suspicion is they wanted to distract us from something far more sinister."
Lira's smile thinned. "If it pleases you, my lords, we should move to a more private setting to discuss why I called you here."
Both men nodded in agreement, and with a graceful bow, Lira turned and began leading them toward the grand staircase at the edge of the courtyard. As she passed through the crowd of finely dressed partygoers, her eyes caught those of several key individuals. Subtly, they excused themselves from their conversations and fell in step behind her.
The group ascended to a secluded lounge on the second floor, its ambiance quieter and more refined than the bustling courtyard below. Baron Thornvale recognized several of the attendees following them, his expression hardening as he noticed faces that had long been antagonistic to his family. Though he loathed being in the same room as some of them, he couldn't ignore the importance of the Whispering Woods; or the power Lira wielded as its representative.
The Whispering Woods, a shadowy organization with influence spanning the continents, thrived on the buying and selling of information. Neutral in most conflicts, their presence here was a signal that something monumental was unfolding. Aldric's unease deepened, but he maintained his composure.
At the entrance to the room, Aldric posted his ceremonial guards, they would be close at hand in case of any trouble. Inside, the room exuded opulence, with a large circular table set with crystal goblets of spiced wine and silver platters of delicacies. As the guests settled into their seats, Lira took her place at the head of the table.
Kalahan, the head of the city's Thieves' Guild, strode in with an easy swagger. Late as usual. He was a wiry man, his frame lean but sinewy, dressed in dark leather armor that bore intricate silver stitching. His face was a portrait of sharp angles, his smile wide and toothy beneath a thin, neatly trimmed mustache. His patch-covered left eye added to his roguish charm; though it was his remaining eye, a hazy sky blue, that held an unsettling glint of mischief. In his hand, he toyed with a silver coin, flipping it idly as he walked.
"Well, well, if it isn't the great Baron Aldric Thornvale," Kalahan announced, his voice loud and filled with mock warmth. He spread his arms theatrically as if greeting an old friend. "The man who has turned Maze into a thriving gem. A real marvel, Baron. Why, it's almost made it too easy for a humble thief like me."
The room fell silent, the other attendees watching the exchange with thinly veiled interest. Aldric turned his sharp gaze to Kalahan, his polite smile masking the simmering irritation beneath. He rose slowly to his feet, his towering frame making the thief appear almost diminutive by comparison.
"Kalahan," Aldric said smoothly, his voice a careful blend of civility and steel. "Your… gratitude is noted. I'm pleased to hear that my governance has provided such fertile grounds for your endeavors."
Kalahan laughed, a rich, hearty sound that echoed in the quiet room. "Oh, indeed, Baron! You've made Maze quite the playground. Prosperity everywhere, and where there's prosperity, well..." He flicked the coin into the air with a practiced motion. It spun rapidly, catching the light before he snatched it from its descent and slapped it onto the back of his hand.
"…Opportunity," he finished with a grin, lifting his hand to reveal the coin. "Tails. Lucky me."
Aldric's polite smile didn't falter, but the tension in his jaw betrayed his annoyance. "Speaking of opportunity," he said, his tone as smooth as polished marble, "I must thank you for your recent donation."
Kalahan arched a brow, feigning confusion. "Donation, you say? I don't recall making one."
"Oh, but you did," Aldric replied, his voice dropping to a quiet but cutting register. "Your left eye, as I recall. A most generous contribution to the peace of this city. I would be glad to accept the other one at any time."
The room held its collective breath, eyes darting between the baron and the thief. For a brief moment, Kalahan's smile tightened, the glint in his remaining eye hardening into something dangerous. But just as quickly, he burst into laughter, diffusing the tension with his easy charm.
"Ah, Baron, always the wit," Kalahan said lightly. "But fate seems to have other plans." He held up the coin, its tail side gleaming faintly in the lamplight. "Tails, remember? I guess I'll be keeping this one for now, old baron mate."
Aldric's smile returned, though his gaze now carried a subtle air of dismissal. "Indeed. For now."
With a chuckle, Kalahan slipped into a chair across the table, leaning back with his usual nonchalance as if the exchange had been nothing more than friendly banter. The tension lingered in the air, unspoken but undeniable, as the meeting resumed.
"Let us begin," Lira said, her voice calm and composed.
Meanwhile, in the quieter shadows of the back entrance, Vince leaned against the doorframe, his eyes heavy with exhaustion. His body still ached from the day's ordeals; the harrowing chase, the fight in the alley, and the chilling aftermath that still lingered in his mind. He couldn't shake the memory of the man's blood dripping from his blade, his hands, pooling on the cobblestones.
But there was no time to dwell. Gallen had given him his orders: guard the back entrance. Tors and Ren had quickly joined him, their mischievous energy a welcome distraction. The twins were dueling nearby with their sheathed daggers, their movements sharp but playful.
Tors broke through Ren's guard with a swift strike to his ribs, eliciting a sharp grunt.
"OW, you gutter rat!" Ren snapped, clutching his side.
"Ha! Too slow. That's what you get for being younger!" Tors crowed triumphantly.
"By three seconds, you dope!" Ren shot back, his voice indignant.
The playful argument quickly devolved into a wrestling match, the daggers clattering to the cobblestone floor as the brothers grappled, their laughter echoing in the quiet. The sight brought a faint smile to Vince's face, the horrors of the day momentarily fading in the light of their antics.
When the twins finally broke apart, panting and disheveled, Vince stepped between them, draping an arm around each of their shoulders.
"Thanks, guys," he said quietly.
Both twins looked at him, puzzled. "For what?" they asked in unison.
"For being you," Vince replied, ruffling their hair with a grin.
The twins laughed, brushing his hands away.
"Always got your back, mate," Tors said with a grin.
"Yeah, bro. You're stuck with us," Ren added.
The three boys sat together against the wall, a comfortable silence settling over them. After a moment, Tors glanced at Vince, his expression unusually serious.
"You know, when all this craziness settles, I've got a plan."
Ren, who had been fiddling with his dagger, looked up with a smirk. "You mean besides losing every coin you ever earn at dice?"
Tors glared at his brother. "No, rat-brain. A real plan. I'm gonna take over the Thieves' Guild."
Ren let out a bark of laughter. "You're gonna be the head of the guild? Over my dead body. That spot's mine."
"Oh, come on," Tors retorted, sitting up straighter. "I've got the brains for it. You're just good at talking your way out of trouble after you've made it."
"And you're good at getting caught," Ren shot back, jabbing a finger at his twin. "The guild needs someone with charm. Someone who knows how to lead."
"Charm?" Tors scoffed. "You think charm's gonna get you to the top? You need guts, and I've got plenty of those."
The brothers locked eyes, the tension between them palpable for a moment, before they both burst into laughter.
"Alright, fine," Tors said, shaking his head. "We'll see who gets there first. But don't cry when I'm the one sitting in the big chair."
Ren grinned. "As long as you're not too busy tripping over yourself to get there, sure."
They both turned to Vince, their playful energy shifting to curiosity. "What about you, Vince?" Tors asked. "Think you'll end up as head of the guard here at the Pearl? You're already Gallen's favorite."
Ren nodded, a sly smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, you'd look good barking orders at everyone. Might even scare a few people."
Vince tilted his head back, staring at the wooden beams of the ceiling as he considered their question. He hadn't given much thought to his future—not seriously, at least. Gallen's words from earlier in the day surfaced in his mind, unbidden: Seems you might be sensitive to magic. Not something expected.
He sighed, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. "I don't know," he admitted. "Gallen said something to me earlier. About… magic."
Tors and Ren exchanged surprised glances before Tors leaned forward, his voice hushed. "Magic? You?"
Vince nodded slowly, his gaze distant. "Back at the Ravens' Nest, I felt something. It wasn't the blood or the fight; it was like the air itself was wrong. Gallen said I might be sensitive to magic, but… what does that even mean?"
Ren whistled softly, leaning back. "Well, that's something. Magic's nothing to mess with, though. You thinking about becoming a wizard or something?"
"I don't know what I'm thinking," Vince replied, his voice tinged with frustration. "All I know is this city feels like it's falling apart. Dark magic in the streets, gangs fighting for control, people too scared to walk outside after dark. How am I supposed to plan for the future when the present's such a mess?"
The twins fell silent, their usual banter giving way to a rare moment of reflection. Tors rubbed the back of his neck, his brow furrowed. "Yeah, things are bad. But that's why you've got to think about the future, right? If you don't, then what's the point of all this?"
Ren nodded, his usual smirk replaced with a more thoughtful expression. "He's right. The city's always been a mess. But if you find something worth aiming for, you can cut through the noise. Whether it's the guard, magic, or something else, you've got to have a goal."
Vince looked at them, their faces earnest in the flickering light. For all their rough edges and constant bickering, the twins had a clear vision for their futures; even if it meant competing with each other. He envied that clarity, that drive.
"I guess," Vince said finally, though his voice lacked conviction. "I just… I don't want to make the wrong choice."
"Don't worry about that too much," Tors said, clapping him on the shoulder. "You've got time to figure it out. Just don't forget us little guys when you're some big-shot wizard or captain of the guard."
Ren grinned, his earlier energy returning. "Yeah, and maybe when I'm running the guild, I'll even let you borrow some coin. You know, for old times' sake."
Vince chuckled despite himself, the weight on his chest easing slightly. "Thanks, guys."
"Hey, Vince," Tors began, his tone hesitant. "They taught you to read and stuff, right?"
"Yup," Vince replied with a shrug. "Among other things."
Tors hesitated, glancing at his brother before continuing. "Think you could teach us? I mean… I've always wanted to know."
Ren chimed in eagerly. "Yeah! It'd be great to read like those fancy nobles."
Vince chuckled. "Sure, not a problem. I can do that."
Fetching a piece of charcoal from the nearby kitchen, Vince returned to the boys and began writing the alphabet on the cobblestone floor, saying each letter aloud as he wrote it. The twins followed along, their faces scrunched in concentration. Hours passed in this way, the quiet camaraderie making the long night bearable.
The sound of Gallen's heavy boots broke through his teaching as the grizzled veteran entered the room. Vince stood to greet him, brushing dust from his trousers while the twins scrambled to their feet.
"Ah, lad," Gallen began, his tone gruff but carrying a faint warmth. "Looks like the meeting's winding down. I just wanted to—"
A bloodcurdling scream shattered the quiet, echoing through the halls of the House of Pearl. It was distant but unmistakable, the raw edge of panic and terror slicing through the air. The sound froze everyone in place, their muscles tensing as their minds caught up with the noise.
Gallen's head snapped toward the door leading deeper into the building. "That came from the courtyard," he said, his voice low and sharp. His hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword, his entire body coiled like a spring.
The scream came again, louder this time, followed by the distant crash of shattering glass. The sound seemed to reverberate through the very walls, sending a chill down Vince's spine. The twins exchanged uneasy glances, their earlier playful energy replaced by wide-eyed fear.
"Stay here," Gallen barked, his voice cutting through the momentary paralysis. "Guard the back entrance, and don't let anyone through."
Vince's heart hammered in his chest, but he nodded sharply. "Yes, sir."
Gallen didn't wait for further acknowledgment. He moved with purpose toward the door, drawing his sword with a smooth, practiced motion. The blade gleamed faintly in the dim light as he disappeared into the next room.
The room fell into a tense silence as the boys listened, straining their ears for any sign of what was happening. Faint sounds drifted in from the direction of the courtyard—muffled shouts, the clatter of something heavy falling to the ground. Each noise seemed to amplify the tension in the room.
Ren shifted nervously, his hand hovering near the hilt of his dagger. "What do you think it is?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.
"I don't know," Vince replied, his eyes fixed on the door Gallen had gone through. "But whatever it is, it's not good."
Tors frowned, gripping his own weapon tightly. "You think it's another attack? Like what happened at the Ravens' Nest?"
Vince hesitated, his mind flashing back to the dark, magical carnage he had seen earlier. The memory sent a fresh wave of unease through him. "Maybe," he admitted, his voice low. "But we can handle it, Gallen's here."
Ren swallowed hard, his earlier bravado replaced by a quiet.
"We've got your back, Vince." Tors gulped.
Before Vince could reply, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway. All three boys snapped to attention, their hands on their weapons as they waited. The footsteps grew louder, accompanied by labored breathing, until a young maid burst into the room, her face pale and streaked with tears.
"They're in the courtyard!" she gasped, her voice trembling. "Something's in the courtyard! They're…"
Before she could finish, the sound of another crash thundered through the halls, followed by a guttural roar that froze the blood in Vince's veins. The maid clapped her hands over her mouth to stifle a scream, her eyes wide with terror.
Vince's hand tightened on his sword hilt. "Stay here," he told her firmly. "Don't move until we come back."
The twins looked at him, their expressions a mix of fear and resolve. "What's the plan, Vince?" Tors asked.
Vince glanced toward the door leading to the courtyard, the sounds of chaos growing louder with each passing second. His heart pounded, but he forced himself to stay calm. "We hold this position. If Gallen needs us, we go in. But until then, we don't let anyone through."
The twins nodded, their grip on their daggers steady despite the tension in the air. Vince took a deep breath, his eyes flicking toward the door as another inhuman roar echoed through the halls.
Whatever was in the courtyard, it wasn't friendly.