The sun was slowly rising on the horizon as the carriage left the city gates. The road to the capital was long and bumpy, but it was surrounded by beautiful, picturesque views. The forests they passed were full of birds singing, and the morning mist still lingered between the trees, creating an atmosphere almost magical.
There was silence inside the carriage. Kellan sat across from Anabell, propping his head on his hands, while Seraphine leaned against the wall of the carriage, fiddling with the ribbon on her luggage. Anabell, as usual, was lost in thought, looking at the map she held on to her lap.
– The trading station at the Seven Rivers Bridge is our first haven, – she said suddenly, breaking the silence. – There I will meet one of my father's envoys, who has provided me with several reports from the border. There will be clues that will confirm my theory.
Seraphine straightened up, tossing the ribbon aside. If the cult you are talking about really exists, then any information can be crucial.
Kellan, sitting with his eyes closed, seemed absent. His hand trembled slightly, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. Seraphine noticed this and looked at him anxiously. – Hey, Kellan, are you okay? – She asked, leaning towards him.
The boy opened his eyes and looked at her, trying to smile. – Yes, I am just tired, – he replied, though there was a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
Anabell looked at him inquisitively but said nothing. She knew Kellan was hiding something, but she decided not to push her. They had more important things on their minds, and whatever was bothering him had to wait.
When the carriage stopped at the trading station, there was more traffic than they had expected. Merchants laid out their goods, guards patrolled the area, and travelers rested at a small inn. Anabell quickly located her contact – an elderly man with gray hair and a face marked with wrinkles. He waited at a table outside, sipping something from a clay cup.
– Lord Gregor, – Anabell greeted him, curtseying gently.
The man looked up and smiled slightly. – Lady Anabell, it is nice to see you. He looked behind her, where Kellan and Seraphine stood. – And these are your companions? –
– Yes, it is Kellan and Seraphine. They are with me on this journey. Anabell sat down at the table, gesturing for the others to join. – What have you got for me, Gregor? –
Lord Gregor sighed, pulling a few rolls of paper from his leather bag. Attacks on villages have been brutal, and witnesses speak of strange symbols left on the ruins. It looks like ancient magic, although I am not an expert in this field.
Kellan frowned at the words. Seraphine, on the other hand, reached for one of the scrolls, unfolding it curiously. On the parchment was a sketch of the symbol—a circle surrounded by runes, with a sharp, vertical sign cutting it in half.
– That looks familiar, – Seraphine murmured, narrowing her eyes. – I saw something like that in one of the books in the library of the magic academy. It is a seal used in summoning rituals.
– Summoning what? – Anabell asked.
– I do not know, – Seraphine said, shaking her head. – But if that is what I am thinking about, then someone is trying to open a passage into the shadow dimension.
These words fell in silence. Even Gregor looked worried. Kellan lowered his eyes, feeling his heart start to beat faster. The dimension of the shadows... This is the place where he spent years, although for him they were like a fraction of a second. A place that still haunted his dreams.
– We need to hurry, – Anabell said, getting up from the table. – If someone really tries to open the passage, we must stop it.
Gregor nodded, and Anabell took a deep breath, looking at Lord Gregor.
– Do you know anything more about the situation with the Empire? – She asked, her voice sounding with a hint of anxiety.
Gregor nodded, frowning.
– Unfortunately, the situation is becoming more tense, – he began, unrolling another parchment. – Your father, Lady Anabell, has received news from his Rangers. The Empire claims that their villages are also under attack, and what is more, they accuse our kingdom of it.
– Are they accusing us? – Anabell raised her eyebrows in disbelief. – This is absurd! We have no reason to attack their territories.
Gregor nodded, although his face was tired.
– Yes, your father thinks the same. The Empire denies having anything to do with the attacks on our villages and claims that it also suffers from the same aggressors. The situation is so serious that the prince ordered several troops to be sent to the border to strengthen the defense. However, diplomatic talks with the imperial envoys do not bring any results, and the atmosphere becomes more hostile.
Kellan frowned at the words but did not interfere. Seraphine, on the other hand, frowned as she looked at Anabell.
– If they are being attacked, too she began, but stopped when she saw Anabell raise her hand to silence her.
– My father does not believe in coincidences, – Anabell said, more to herself than to the others. – Is it known what actions he intends to take?
Gregor sighed, then replied
– He intend to go to the border in person in two days to prepare our troops for a potential conflict. – He wants to gather more information and try to determine if the Empire really has nothing to do with it. But—– Gregor hesitated for a moment. – I am afraid that if we do not find evidence of a third party soon, there could be a war.
These words hung in the air like a weight. Anabell clenched her hands on the edge of the table, trying to keep her composure. Her mind was swirling with thoughts. A sect, a shadow dimension, symbols on the ruins... All of this pointed to a threat that went beyond mere border conflicts. But if the Empire were indeed the victim of the same attacks, it could mean that someone was deliberately stoking tensions to divide the two kingdoms.
– It is impossible for the Empire not to know who is behind this, – she said quietly. – Their spies are one of the best. If they really had nothing to do with it, wouldn't they be trying to warn us?
– They know more than they say, – Kellan suggested, suddenly joining the conversation. – But their pride and prejudice may prevent them from working together.
Gregor nodded. The Empire is not known for its willingness to share information, especially with a kingdom with which they have a history of strained relations.
– And what about the border villages on our side? – Seraphine asked, trying to put all the information together. – Did our soldiers find anything more?
Gregor looked at her seriously. testimonies that seem implausible. People talk about shadowy figures, appearing suddenly and disappearing just as quickly. Some mention strange, frightening sounds coming from the forests. The border guards are terrified, and morale is falling.
Anabell looked at the symbol on the parchment that Seraphine still held in her hands. She felt that time was working against them.
– We cannot wait for my father to gather evidence at the border, – she said determinedly. – We need to act faster.
– Are you suggesting cooperation with the Empire? – Gregor asked, raising his eyebrows.
Anabell hesitated for a moment, but then shook her head.
–No. Not yet. We must first understand what we are dealing with and get evidence. If it turns out that we have a common enemy, we will be forced to talk. But for now, we must act on our own.
Gregor nodded, though his face was worried.
– Then be careful.
– We're ready, – Anabell said solemnly, though deep down she felt that there was much more at stake than anyone could have predicted.
Gregor shook his head anxiously, then pulled out a rolled-up map from under his coat. He spread it out on the table, smoothing its edges, and then pointed to a point southwest of the capital.
– Lady Anabell, I am afraid by the time you reach the capital, your father will be gone. – His retinue will set off in two days. If you want to meet him, you'd better catch him on the way. He looked at her, and then at her companions, waiting for a reaction.
Anabell frowned, leaning over the map.
Gregor ran his finger along the route and stopped him at a small point labeled Fort Blackthorn. This is the last major fort before the border. Your father plans to stop there to meet with local commanders and make sure that the border defense is properly prepared. If you leave tomorrow at dawn, you should be there in time.
Kellan leaned over the map, carefully analyzing the route. We must be careful, especially if the sect is active in this area.
Gregor nodded. Recent reports speak of increased bandit activity in those forests, but your group looks well prepared. However, if you encounter any difficulties, Fort Blackorn is the best place to seek refuge and help.
Anabell took a deep breath, then looked at Seraphine and Kellan. We need to speed up our journey. If my father goes to the border in person, it means that the situation is more serious than we expected.
Seraphine smiled slightly, clearly excited. Kellan only nodded.
– Then I wish you good luck, – Gregor added, rolling up the map and handing it to Anabell. – I will be waiting for news, Lady Anabell. – I hope you can uncover the truth before the bloodshed occurs.
– Thank you, Gregor. Anabell put the map in her bag and got up from the table. – We'll make sure it does not all go to waste. –
Gregor nodded as he watched them leave the room. There was concern in his eyes, but also a quiet hope that the young lady and her companions would be able to prevent the catastrophe, which was approaching faster and faster.