The meeting with Father Anabell took place in the fort's tactical room, where maps and documents were laid out on a solid table. Lord Edmont, a tall, well-built man with graying temples, stood over one of the parchments, carefully studying the boundary lines. As the door creaked, he looked up, and his gaze rested on his daughter. For a moment, his stern face seemed to soften, but it quickly returned to a neutral expression.
– Anabell, – he said in a tone that betrayed no emotion. – It is good to see you.
– Father, – she replied, curtseying slightly with respect. – Thank you for finding the time.
Edmont looked behind her and frowned as he saw Kellan standing a few paces behind her.
– I will always find time for my own daughter. Who is this man? He asked, looking at Kelan. – Shouldn't the comrade wait outside the door?
Anabell quickly spoke before Kellan could speak.
– It is Kellan, my companion, and friend. – He witnessed many events that I want to talk to you about. His presence may shed new light on some things, besides, if it were not for him, I would not be here.
Edmont looked at Kellan as if he were judging his worth in an instant.
– Well, then, you have my thanks for saving my daughter. He repeated with a hint of skepticism. – If you say it is useful, let it stay.
– Thank you, father. – she replied confidently in her voice
Edmont was silent for a moment, then nodded, though not very willingly.
– Okay, but everything that will be said here is to remain between us.
Kellan bowed slightly, wanting to show respect, but he kept his distance, not wanting to provoke the lord's wrath.
– Let us get started, then, – Edmont said, sitting down in a chair and pointing to the seat opposite. – What's going on that makes you decide to travel all the way here, risking your safety?
Anabell sat down across from her father, and Kellan stood aside, as if ready to support her from the background.
– Father, there is more going on at the border than just bandit attacks, – she began, trying to speak calmly, even though she could feel her heart beating faster. – Villages are under attack, both ours and the Imperials. But these attacks... They are not the work of ordinary people. There is evidence of the use of magic.
Edmont frowned.
–Magic? Edmont raised an eyebrow, looking at his daughter inquisitively. – Do you think I do not know that?
He said softly, and there was a hint of steel in his voice.
– For weeks, I have been receiving reports of – strange phenomena– at the border. But what can you do about it? You are my daughter, and though I have provided you with the education to be able to cope in combat, you are still not a soldier or a mage. You could convey the information in the traditional way, thanks to a postal courier or a pigeon.
Anabell felt irritation welling up inside her.
– I may not be a soldier, but I am not going to sit idly by when something like this happens! – She exclaimed. – If it is true that you know about these events, why don't you do anything about it?
Edmont was silent for a moment, as if he were debating whether to say more. Finally, he stood up and walked slowly around the table, his hands behind his back.
– Power means making tough decisions, and these are not made in a surge of emotions, because if you do it, people die. He said finally, his voice quiet but full of tension. – What is happening requires caution. The prince has given me full authority over this section of our borders, I am responsible for everything that happens here. That is why I cannot afford to make too hasty decisions.
Kellan, who had been silently to one side, ventured to speak.
– But isn't it just as risky to ignore it, sir? – He asked, surprising even himself. – If someone manipulates the situation, they can lead to a war without your consent.
Edmont stopped, looking away at him.
– And you, boy, what do you know about it? – He asked, his tone icy but devoid of open hostility.
Kellan straightened up. Despite his experience on his neck, Anabell felt like a kid with his father.
– Well, as Anabell mentioned, I helped her during one of these attacks. These are not ordinary bandits, but someone uses old magic. I have had to deal with such magic before and I know how to counteract it. However, I am worried that someone has this knowledge and is trying to use it for a purpose unknown to me. – he replied calmly.
Edmont looked at Kellan for a moment, as if trying to see something more in him. Finally, he looked back at Anabell.
– What exactly do you want me to do Anabell? – Am I supposed to send people to the territory of the empire to look for some information? Our intelligence is already working at full speed there. Just like their intelligence in our ranks. If I take any steps, they will know it very well.
Anabell lifted her chin. There was a glow in her eyes, she knew that this was the best possible moment.
– I want your permission to investigate. – She replied confidently.
Edmont frowned, thinking for a long moment. He did not expect such an answer, but he did not let it show.
– Why should I let you go there on your own? – Why would I risk the life of my only daughter?
Anabell hesitated for a long moment, not sure if mentioning a potential connection between the legend and these attacks would convince her father. However, she decided not to let go and then looked him straight in the eye.
– We are going to go to the Empire to find out about these incidents there as well. We have suspicions that need to be investigated, otherwise something far worse than a war with the Empire could happen.
– Something much worse than an armed conflict with a local military power? What would it be? The older man did not give up, asking further.
-This. I cannot say yet, but you must trust me. I have never let you down or even given you a reason to be ashamed, so please trust me.
Edmont shifted his gaze to Kelan, flipping through him carefully. Their eyes met in a silent duel. The man noticed how determination was pouring out of the boy who saved his daughter.
– I do not believe she is giving up her daughter's safety to a strange man, but Kellan will have that responsibility now.
Anabell refrained from squealing with joy, her father's words meant that he had agreed to her proposals. She will have a chance to show what she is worth and prove that she is worthy of being called De Varienn.
– You, young man, promised to protect her. Do not try to let me down. Regardless of your experience, however, never forget. That if Anabell happens something, there will be no place on earth where we will not find you.
Kellan nodded, taking the warning seriously.
– I understand, sir. I will do everything to keep my word.
Edmont straightened up, his face stern as if the conversation had just ended.
–Well. So, get going as soon as possible. Time is not on our side. – He hesitated for a moment, then added – And Be careful.
These words were barely audible, as if they had been uttered against his will. Anabell smiled slightly, feeling that although her father was not effusive in showing his feelings, he had encapsulated everything he wanted to convey in these words.
– Thank you, Father. – Her voice was full of gratitude, but also determination.
They both bowed slightly, letting us know that the conversation was over. Edmont returned to his maps, not looking at them anymore, as if returning to his world of duties. Anabell and Kellan left the room in silence, and as the door closed behind them with a thud, Anabell let out a breath she did not even notice she was holding.
– It was not easy, but I made it, – she said quietly, looking at Kellan gratefully.
– I saw it, – he replied with a slight smile. – And now it is all up to you. – Are you sure you want to do it?
– I have never been more confident, – she said, her eyes full of unwavering will.
Anabell, tired after talking to her father, was ready to hide in her assigned chamber and collect her thoughts. Fort Blackorn, though rugged on the outside, had surprisingly comfortable quarters for guests. When the servant led her to her room, she saw a small but cozy room with stone walls decorated with tapestries, a warm carpet on the floor, and a comfortable bed with woolen bedspreads.
– At least it is not a cell, – she muttered to herself with a smile, throwing her coat on a chair.
The woman had barely had time to change into her clothes for the night when she heard the animal howling from behind the walls. Intrigued, Anabell walked out of her chamber and walked to the door of Kelan's room. From behind them one could hear the growling and muffled words of Kellan, alarmed by the quick movement, she opened the obstacle separating them.
The sight made her must cover her mouth with her hand to stop laughter. In the middle of the room, among the sprawled bedspreads, sat a large, shaggy dog, holding Kelan's shirt in its mouth.
– Where did he come from? – She asked, barely holding back her laughter.
– I have no idea! – Kellan replied, gesticulating vigorously. – I came in here before I could pull myself together, he jumped off the bed. At first, I thought it was a blanket to warm up on freezing days. However, no. He took his bed, and when I tried to chase him away, he looked at me as if I were an intrusive guest!
Anabell, unable to help herself, laughed aloud.
– He thinks it is his room and you are an intruder?
Kellan frowned and sighed as he walked over to the dog, which was still occupying the center of the room.
– Listen, my friend, I am only here for one night, and you have the whole place to yourself. Can't you just...? – He tried, raising his hands in a reassuring gesture.
The dog responded with a loud yawn, then lay back on the floor, as if to make it clear that he was not going anywhere.
– He liked you, – Anabell said, still amused.
– Or the opposite, – Kellan said resignedly. – Do you have a plan, or should I spend the night in the stable?
Anabell, shaking her head with a smile, walked into the room. She raised her hand in the direction of the dog and whistled softly. The animal lifted its head, then, to Kellan's surprise, walked over to it, wagging its tail.
– Come on, your furry ball, – she said gently. – We'll find you another place.
The dog followed her without much resistance, as if the whole scene were a game for him. Kellan looked at her with obvious admiration.
– How did you do it?
Anabell shrugged.
– You just must know how to talk to them. One day I will teach you.
When Anabell returned to the room after walking the dog, she was wearing a loose night mantle. The material, although straight, slightly hugged her figure, and her long, loose hair fell to her shoulders, adding a certain subtle elegance to her. She did not seem to care, completely absorbed in solving the day's problems. Kellan, who had sat up on the bed before, looked up at her. His thoughts almost stopped, and for a moment he did not know where to look as she sat next to him.
– The problem has been resolved, I think that if this is one of the biggest problems we will encounter. Then I think everything will go smoothly.
– Thanks for the rescue, I do not know why the animals react badly to my presence. Not counting Midnight, where I came here without any major problems than my buttocks aching.
Kellan looked away a bit, as if something extremely interesting had suddenly appeared on the floor. Anabell frowned, glancing at herself, and only then did she realize that the loose material of her nightrobe was slightly exposing her shoulders and cleavage. Instinctively, she pulled her cloak back, slightly blushing red on her face. The boy broke the silence, noticing that Anabell was redder in the face than usual.
- So, we are going to the Empire, namely to the territory of the former kingdom of Elnor, but now the Empire.
Anabell, still blushing, quickly changed the subject, as if to distract from the awkwardness of the moment.
– Yes, the area of the former Elnor. But this place is no longer what it used to be. – Her voice, though calm, betrayed a certain unease.
Kellan nodded, trying to put on a more serious expression, though he was still glancing at Anabell out of the corner of his eye with a little embarrassed fascination.
– I know what you mean. Elnor was not only conquered by the Empire. That is where it all began.
– You mean the Lord of Shadow? – She asked, her voice now firmer.
- Exactly, and I think that there we will find the answers that bother us. However, first we need to get a good night's sleep.
Anabell looked at Kelan, noticing a mixture of determination and fatigue in his eyes. She sighed softly, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.
–You are right. We cannot produce anything sensible for tired heads. She glanced at the window, behind which the night had long since taken possession of the world. – Tomorrow everything will be clearer.
Kellan smiled slightly, tearing his eyes away from the floor, which seemed extremely interesting just a moment ago.
– If tomorrow is going to be brighter, it is better to get some sleep before we both fall face down at breakfast.
Anabell laughed, though she suppressed it quickly with her hand so as not to wake the rest of the house.
– Sleep well, Kellan.
– I will try, – he replied with a smile, even though he had not been able to count on this privilege for years.
Anabell shook her head, but a slight smile betrayed that his words had relieved the last of the tension.
– Good night, – she said, heading to her room.
– Good night, – Kellan said, watching her disappear out the door.
As the door closed softly, Kellan sighed as he collapsed onto the bed. The long days of wandering and the burden of memories began to take their toll. He looked up at the ceiling, trying to focus on the thought that, though uncertain, their path still led ahead.
The room was silent, broken only by the soft crackling of wood in the fireplace. Eventually, the dream came slowly, bringing with its images of the ruins, shadows, and former glory of Elnor, mixed with the whispers carried by the wind.