The atmosphere in the Great Hall had transformed. The flickering candles cast long shadows across the stone walls, creating an air of tension and anticipation. Valen stood at the head of the council table, his heart pounding with determination and a twinge of fear for what lay ahead. Isolde's revelation about the Night's Veil weighed heavily on his mind.
"Isolde," Valen began, glancing at the woman who had disrupted their meeting. "You've spoken of the Night's Veil and their intentions. What do we know about their leaders?"
Isolde straightened, her green eyes glinting with the faint light of the candles. "They are a mix of nobles and commoners, individuals who have lost faith in the new order and see the return of Aroth's rule as their only salvation. One of their most influential figures is a man named Garrick—a former general loyal to Aroth."
Rowan's face paled at the mention of Garrick. "He was feared on the battlefield. His loyalty to Aroth was unshakeable."
"Exactly," Isolde replied. "His charisma and strategic mind are potent weapons. If he unites the remaining loyalists, it could spell disaster for us."
Valen felt the weight of dread settle over the council. "Then we must find him before he gathers strength. What else can you tell us?"
### * * *
Isolde leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Garrick has been seen meeting with the disillusioned throughout Eldoria. He is rallying those who believe they have been wronged by your brother's defeat. They think that chaos is the path to a new order."
"Then we need to counteract that chaos with our own show of strength," Valen declared, a fire igniting in his chest. "We can't let them gather support without a response."
"While we prepare to confront Garrick, we must also secure the loyalty of the common people," Seraphine suggested, her brow furrowed in thought. "We can't allow fear to sow division among us."
"Agreed," Valen said. "Let's arrange for gatherings in the villages, as I proposed earlier. But we'll also spread word of the Night's Veil and their intentions. If we expose them, perhaps the people will see their true colors."
### * * *
As the council continued to debate strategies, Valen's mind raced with possibilities. Just as he began to feel a sense of control, a distant commotion echoed from the entrance of the hall. The massive wooden doors creaked open, and a group of guards rushed in, their faces ashen.
"Valen!" one of them gasped, struggling to catch his breath. "We've just received word—there's been an attack in the southern village of Eldenmoor!"
Gasps rippled through the hall, and Valen felt his heart drop. "An attack? By whom?"
"The Night's Veil," the guard replied, eyes wide with fear. "They've set fire to several buildings and are rallying the people against the council."
### * * *
Valen's resolve solidified in an instant. "We must act now!" He turned to his council. "Gather our forces! We need to show the people that we will not cower in the face of tyranny. Seraphine, organize a group to aid Eldenmoor. Rowan, you and I will head to the village."
"Valen, it's too dangerous," Seraphine protested, her voice edged with concern. "What if this is a trap?"
He grasped her shoulders, looking deeply into her eyes. "If we let fear guide us, we will lose everything Aroth has built. The people need to see that we are willing to stand with them. We need to show them that we are not just talking—we are ready to fight for their freedom."
### * * *
The urgency of the situation hung heavy in the air as the nobles scrambled to execute Valen's orders. As they prepared to leave, Isolde approached Valen, her expression grave.
"Be careful, Valen. The Night's Veil won't hesitate to use violence to achieve their goals. They thrive in chaos, and they will likely be expecting you."
Valen nodded, feeling a chill run down his spine. "We'll be ready for them. Thank you for your warning."
With a final glance at Seraphine, who was rallying the nobles, Valen turned toward the hall's exit. The sun had long since dipped below the horizon, leaving only the pale glow of twilight. Shadows stretched like fingers across the cobblestones as he stepped into the night.
### * * *
As they made their way toward Eldenmoor, Valen couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Each rustle in the trees, each shadow that flitted past, heightened his instincts. But he pressed on, fueled by the determination to protect his kingdom.
The village came into view, and Valen's heart sank at the sight of smoke billowing into the sky. Flames licked the wooden structures, and cries echoed through the night, a haunting reminder of the chaos that had erupted.
"Ready yourselves," Valen commanded, drawing his sword as he and Rowan approached the village center. "We'll make our stand here."
### * * *
Just as they reached the edge of the chaos, a figure appeared in the flickering shadows—a man clad in dark armor, the emblem of the Night's Veil emblazoned on his chest. It was Garrick.
"So, the new council sends its champions to battle," Garrick taunted, his voice smooth and mocking. "You think you can save Eldoria? It is already too late."
Valen's grip tightened on his sword, the fire of defiance igniting within him. "We will fight for Eldoria. You will not take this kingdom back into darkness!"
A chilling laugh escaped Garrick's lips. "Oh, but the darkness is already here, Valen. You just don't see it yet."
### * * *
As the battle began to unfold, chaos erupted around them. The clash of swords, the cries of villagers, and the crackling of flames filled the air. Valen felt the pulse of danger thrumming through him as he faced Garrick, knowing that this confrontation was just the beginning of a deeper struggle against the shadows that threatened to engulf them all.
### *To be continued…*