Back at the Tamer's Guild in Eryndral, the map fragment lay spread out on the large wooden table in the center of the room. The glowing runes etched into its surface seemed to shimmer with an unnatural light, casting shifting patterns across the faces of Kaelron and his companions.
Nyx leaned over the table, her fingers tracing the runes thoughtfully. Beside her, her black panther, Umbra, sat silently, its glowing yellow eyes fixed on the fragment. Ignis perched nearby, her feathers faintly smoldering as she kept watch. Zerin lounged in a chair, his dagger spinning idly in his hand, while Eryk leaned against the wall with his frost wolf, Frostbane, sitting alertly at his feet.
Guildmaster Tasia Merrith paced the room, her expression a mixture of frustration and concern. "These runes might hold the key to uncovering the cult's plans," she said, stopping abruptly, "but decoding them won't be easy."
Nyx straightened, her sharp eyes meeting Tasia's. "It's not just a language—it's a cipher. And if I'm right, the Alverine family might hold the key to unlocking it."
Tasia frowned. "You're suggesting infiltrating one of the most powerful noble families in Eryndral? Do you have any idea what kind of risk that entails?"
Eryk's voice was calm but firm. "If the Alverines are working with the cult, they're a threat we can't ignore. We need to know how deep their ties go—and what they're hiding."
Kaelron glanced at the map fragment, then at his companions. "Whatever the risk, we have to take it. This is our only lead right now."
The group huddled around the table as Nyx outlined their plan.
"The Alverine estate is massive, surrounded by high walls and guarded around the clock," she began. Umbra padded silently around her, its tail flicking as if sensing the tension. "We'll have two entry points: the servant's passage on the western side, or the library skylight. The library is our best bet—it's where they keep their archives, and it'll have the information we're looking for."
Zerin grinned. "Climbing rooftops and breaking into a noble house? Sounds like my kind of night."
Nyx ignored him and continued. "Eryk and Frostbane will stay outside with Kaelron and Ignis to watch for any signs of trouble. Zerin and I will go inside and search the archives."
Eryk knelt beside Frostbane, running a hand through the wolf's icy fur. "If things go south, we'll be ready to cover your escape."
Kaelron nodded, his resolve firm. "Let's move. We'll need to act fast."
---
The streets of Eryndral were quiet as the group made their way toward the Alverine estate, their footsteps muffled against the cobblestones. The towering stone walls of the estate loomed ahead, their surfaces slick with dew. Torches flickered along the perimeter, casting flickering light across the sprawling courtyard beyond.
Nyx crouched near a corner of the estate, her gaze sweeping the area. Umbra slunk ahead of her, its sleek form blending seamlessly into the shadows. "The roof is clear," she whispered, glancing back at the group. "Zerin, you're with me. Kaelron, Eryk—stay sharp."
Ignis gave a low rumble of acknowledgment, her ember-like feathers glowing faintly. Frostbane padded silently beside Eryk, its icy breath misting in the cold night air.
"Let's do this," Zerin said, his tone light but his daggers ready.
Nyx and Zerin scaled the outer wall with practiced ease, their movements fluid and silent. Umbra leapt gracefully from ledge to ledge, its claws finding purchase on the slick stone. Reaching the library roof, Nyx crouched by the skylight and peered inside.
The library was grand, its walls lined with shelves packed with ancient tomes and scrolls. A large desk sat at the center, cluttered with open books and scattered papers.
Zerin began working on the skylight's lock. "Give me a moment," he muttered.
With a faint click, the lock disengaged, and Zerin carefully slid the glass pane aside. He gestured for Nyx to go first.
Dropping into the room, Nyx landed silently on the polished floor, Umbra following close behind. Zerin joined them moments later, his daggers drawn as he scanned the room for threats.
Nyx moved to the desk, her sharp eyes scanning the documents scattered across its surface. She picked up a ledger filled with names and numbers, her brow furrowing as she flipped through its pages.
"These are records of payments," she whispered. "Large sums of money being funneled to unnamed recipients."
Zerin leaned over her shoulder. "Probably cult operatives. But look at the dates—they coincide with major attacks and cult activity."
Umbra growled softly, its ears flicking toward the library door. Nyx glanced at the panther, her instincts sharpening.
"Someone's coming," she hissed.
Zerin gestured toward a small door at the back of the library. "We're not making it out the way we came in. This way."
The two moved quickly, slipping through the door just as heavy footsteps echoed outside the main entrance. A pair of guards entered the library moments later, their lanterns casting long shadows across the room.
Nyx and Zerin crept through a narrow hallway, the sound of the guards searching the library fading behind them. Reaching a side exit, they slipped out into the courtyard, where Kaelron and Eryk were waiting.
"You get what you needed?" Kaelron asked, his staff glowing faintly in the dark.
Nyx held up the ledger. "This has everything. Payments, dates, even notes about shipments. It's not just evidence of the cult's influence—it's a roadmap of their operations."
As the group made their way toward the outer wall, a shout rang out behind them. Guards poured into the courtyard, their weapons drawn.
"Run!" Nyx shouted.
Ignis spread her wings and launched into the air, letting out a piercing cry as flames erupted around her. The guards hesitated, shielding their faces from the heat, giving the group a precious few seconds to act.
Frostbane leapt into action, its icy breath forming a slick sheet of frost that sent several guards tumbling. Umbra darted through the chaos, slashing at a guard's leg before vanishing into the shadows.
Kaelron turned, raising his staff as a wall of fire erupted from the ground, cutting off their pursuers.
The group reached the servant's passage and slipped through, vanishing into the labyrinth of Eryndral's streets.
---
Back at the Guild, the group gathered in a dimly lit room, the stolen ledger spread out on the table. Nyx flipped through its pages, her expression grim.
"This isn't just about the Alverines funding the cult," she said. "They're coordinating attacks, supplying resources, and even helping the Veilborn Order infiltrate other factions. Their reach is deeper than we thought."
Eryk frowned, his hand resting on Frostbane's head. "This changes everything. The cult isn't just working in the shadows—they're embedded in the kingdom's power structure."
Kaelron nodded, his expression tense. "Then we need to root them out before they gain more ground. This ledger is just the beginning."
Tasia entered the room, her face pale as she looked at the evidence. "If this is true, the Alverines aren't just a problem for Eryndral—they're a threat to the entire kingdom. We'll need allies if we're going to take them down."
Kaelron met her gaze, a spark of determination in his eyes. "Then we start gathering them. The Veilborn Order thinks they're untouchable. It's time we prove them wrong."
As the group began planning their next steps, the lights of the Guild flickered faintly against the darkness of Eryndral. From a distant rooftop, a shadowy figure observed their movements in silence. Its violet eyes glowed faintly, reflecting the growing tension in the night. After a moment, it melted into the shadows, vanishing without a trace.