House Aravel's grand villa greeted Jayce, Irelia, Sylas, and Captain Jax as they arrived. The Aravel family was one of the rare ones that stayed neutral in the war for the throne in the Water Kingdom.
The villa had a large dome that glittered in the sun. The walls were covered with carvings of sea creatures and legends. The gardens were full of flowers that bloomed all year round, thanks to magic. The air smelled like spring, even though it was winter.
Lady Iliana was waiting for Jayce in the lavish room. She saw him and pointed at him angrily. "You! You are working with Viktor, aren't you?" she shouted, her voice full of rage and doubt. "Guards, kill him and his friends!"
Jayce was furious. He held his sword tightly. He moved fast, like lightning. He fought with the four guards, who could not match his speed and skill. He killed them all with ease.
He walked towards Lady Iliana, who was scared. She started to say sorry, her voice shaking. "I'm so sorry! Viktor has been chasing me. He wants to marry me and take my lands. He tried to kidnap me and make me his wife, even though I said no," she said, sounding desperate.
Jayce did not care about her problem. He only wanted one thing. He looked at her hard. "Tell me about a girl named Riven," he said.
Lady Iliana took a deep breath, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and resignation. "I've heard of her, but I never knew her personally," she confessed. "The girl taken by the Xerathians, she actually belonged to House Arathor. She was never a part of my house. Viktor used that lie to manipulate you into delivering me to him."
One of the mercenaries who served under Viktor's command stepped forward, eager to take Lady Iliana despite her frantic pleas. Jayce, his voice firm, turned his gaze upon her once more. "No," he declared. "I won't subject you to Viktor. I have no warm feelings for you but he is a lower life form."
Gratitude flooded Lady Iliana's eyes as she thanked Jayce profusely. The weight of her ordeal was momentarily lifted from her shoulders, replaced by a glimmer of hope.
Jayce's attention shifted, his focus unwavering. "Tell me, where can I find the head of the Arathor household?" he inquired, his voice resolute.
Lady Iliana hesitated briefly before responding. "Isabel Arathor is currently at war. She will be in a camp on the other side of the battlefield, opposite Viktor's men," she revealed, her voice tinged with a mix of concern and caution.
Jayce nodded, his mind already calculating the next steps. He turned to his companions, Irelia, Sylas, and Captain Jax, who stood poised and ready. "Stay here at the Aravel villa," he instructed firmly. "I'll retrieve Isabel and return with the information we seek."
With a determined stride, Jayce left the villa.
Lady Isabel Arathor stood in her command tent, surrounded by her top officers, engrossed in the strategic discussions of the ongoing battle. Suddenly, a messenger burst into the tent, breathless and panic-stricken.
"Milady, an army wielding lightning and fire magic has cut a path directly towards us! We need to evacuate you to safety immediately," the messenger urgently conveyed.
Before Lady Isabel could react, Jayce strode into the command tent, his presence commanding attention. "It's too late for that," he interjected, his voice firm and resolute. "Tell me everything you know about a girl named Riven."
Lady Isabel stood dumbfounded, her officers exchanging bewildered glances. "You decimate my forces just to ask about a minor figure like Riven?" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief. "She left to join a cult almost a decade ago."
Impatience flickered in Jayce's eyes as he leaned closer, his voice edged with urgency. "I don't have time for games. Tell me what you know about Riven," he demanded, his tone brooking no further resistance.
Lady Isabel's resolve hardened, her gaze unwavering. "I refuse to divulge any information to the likes of you," she declared, her voice laced with defiance. "Guards, get rid of him!"
Jayce's fury surged, his muscles tensing as he prepared for conflict.
But as Lady Isabel's guards hesitated, their loyalty crumbling, they turned tail and abandoned their commander.
Seizing the opportunity, Jayce closed the distance between them, his eyes blazing with intensity. Lady Isabel's fear became palpable as she realized the gravity of her situation. "Please, spare me," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "I'll tell you everything. Riven is my younger sister. Our parents are long dead. We were close once, but she left to join a cult. I don't think she even cares about me anymore."
Jayce's anger remained unabated. "What is it about everyone in this Kingdom that they first try to kill me then later try to negotiate with me?!"
He reached out and lifted Lady Isabel gently, supporting her as they left the command tent. Together, they returned to the Aravel villa, where Captain Jax awaited their arrival.
Jax's expression was grave as he approached Jayce. "Viktor has taken Iliana by force," he informed, his voice heavy with regret. "We were powerless to stop him."
Jayce massaged the bridge of his nose, trying to disperse his anger before it consumed him. "Keep Isabel Arathor under close watch. She stays with us," he instructed Jax firmly. With renewed determination, Jayce set off in search of Viktor, his sights set on justice.
Arriving at Viktor's tent, Jayce's gaze met Viktor's fearful eyes. The arrogant veneer had crumbled, replaced by a desperate desire for protection. "Guard me!" Viktor cowered behind one of his loyal soldiers, his voice trembling.
The guard, recognizing the gravity of the situation, stepped aside, his loyalty shifting. "If Jayce commands your death, I will not get in the way," he responded, his voice devoid of hesitation.
Viktor's pleas fell on deaf ears. Jayce had endured enough of this vain man's machinations. With a gesture, he instructed his guards to strike Viktor down, and they carried out the order with a sense of satisfaction.
Leaving behind the remnants of Viktor's camp, Jayce reunited with his group, Isabel Arathor in tow. They departed, leaving Lady Iliana as the reluctant Duchess of the Island of Mann. Jayce's determination burned brighter than ever as he ventured forth, driven to reshape the turbulent waters and uncover the truth about Riven's past.