Eryk stood by the window, staring out at the estate's courtyard. The tension in the air was almost palpable as the day of the gathering drew closer. His thoughts drifted to recent events—the confrontation with Lilia, the cryptic messages, and the suspicions swirling around the estate. The pieces were starting to fall into place, but the picture was still incomplete.
I'm close, he thought, clenching his fists. If I can expose the traitors at the gathering, it will turn the tide in our favor.
He turned away from the window, his resolve hardening. This was no time for hesitation.
…..
Eryk's training with Selene had become more intense in the past week. Today was no exception. They circled each other in the training hall, wooden daggers in hand. Selene's magic flickered around her, an aura of pale blue light that danced across the air. She had already shown her ability to manipulate water-based spells, and now she was combining her magic with physical strikes.
Eryk tightened his grip on the dagger. His body ached from the constant practice, but he wasn't about to back down. He dashed forward, aiming a low strike at Selene's legs. She parried with ease, her movements fluid, almost effortless.
"Is that the best you can do?" she taunted, her voice light but challenging.
He gritted his teeth and spun to avoid a follow-up strike, catching a glimpse of the blue aura as she conjured a stream of water to drive him back. He managed to duck and roll away, narrowly avoiding being drenched. As he got back to his feet, he saw a glint of approval in Selene's eyes.
She's testing me, he realized.
Eryk pressed the attack, striking with a series of quick jabs. Selene countered each one, using the momentum of her movements to create small waves of force that threw him off balance. Her skills were far beyond his own, but he managed to stay on his feet, evading her strikes without relying on any magical enhancements.
Their sparring escalated quickly, each exchange growing more intense. Selene's magic surged with greater power, and Eryk found himself having to anticipate her every move. He was just barely keeping up, and that was only because he wasn't trying to match her strength—he was trying to outlast her.
But then, as he went to sidestep another of her strikes, his foot caught on a loose floorboard. In the same instant, Selene lunged forward, and they both lost their balance, tumbling to the ground. Eryk hit the floor first, with Selene landing on top of him.
For a moment, there was only the sound of their breathing as they lay tangled on the ground. Eryk felt a rush of embarrassment, though he quickly hid it behind a wry smile. Selene's face was close enough that he could see the faint glow of her magic in her eyes.
"Well," she said, breaking the silence, "I suppose that counts as a draw."
Eryk chuckled, shaking his head. "I guess so."
Selene pushed herself up and extended a hand to help him back to his feet. "You've improved," she said, her tone serious again. "But if you plan to rely on endurance alone, you'll need more than quick reflexes to survive the gathering."
He nodded, appreciating the honesty in her words. "I'll keep that in mind."
…..
Eryk's investigation into the conspiracy had been yielding subtle but promising results. He continued to monitor the household staff, spreading false information here and there to see who might act on it. So far, no one had taken the bait, but he was confident that it was only a matter of time.
One servant, in particular, had caught his attention during an encounter earlier that day. The man had seemed nervous, his eyes darting around as he answered Eryk's questions. The inconsistencies in his story were too many to ignore. Eryk made a mental note to keep a close watch on him, as he might hold a key piece of the puzzle.
…..
Later, Eryk found himself in the library, where he crossed paths with Lilia. She was examining a map, her brow furrowed in concentration. When she noticed him approaching, her expression hardened slightly.
"Still playing games?" she asked, not bothering to look up from the map.
Eryk gave a small shrug. "I could ask you the same thing," he replied, his voice calm. "It seems like you've been busy investigating on your own."
She glanced up, her gaze sharp. "I don't need your permission to do what's necessary."
"True," Eryk agreed, taking a step closer. "But I do appreciate your efforts, Lilia. I know you've been trying to protect the family."
For a moment, she said nothing. Then her expression softened, if only slightly. "You may have everyone else fooled, Eryk, but not me. I know you're hiding something."
He met her gaze steadily. "Then I guess you'll just have to figure it out," he said with a faint smile.
Lilia shook her head, a hint of frustration in her eyes. "Just… don't get yourself killed."
"Don't worry," Eryk replied, his tone light. "I've got more than a few tricks left."
…..
As the day of the gathering drew nearer, the tension in the estate was palpable. Preparations were being finalized, guards were being briefed, and the atmosphere grew heavier with every passing hour. Eryk moved through the halls with a sense of purpose, ensuring that all the arrangements were in place.
Yet despite all the measures taken, there were still signs that something was amiss. He noticed servants whispering in darkened corridors and caught glimpses of shadowy figures where they shouldn't be. The feeling of being watched had grown stronger, and he knew that danger lurked closer than ever.
But Eryk was ready. He had prepared for this moment, and he wasn't about to let anything stand in his way.