Terry walked briskly through the dense forest path, the message from Mr. Wesdon tucked securely in his pouch. The mission seemed simple enough—deliver a sealed note to Mr. Shade, one of Mr. Wesdon's trusted confidants, and return. Yet, something about this errand felt unsettling.
The air was heavy with tension, the kind Terry couldn't shake. His system, usually eager to comment on his tasks or provide updates, remained ominously silent.
"Why does he want me to deliver this?" Terry muttered under his breath, adjusting his sword at his hip. Mr. Wesdon didn't usually involve him in these types of dealings. His gut told him there was more to this than just a message.
---
After several hours of travel, Terry reached Mr. Shade's manor, a foreboding stone structure half-hidden by creeping vines and thick mist. The building exuded an aura of secrecy, its darkened windows and towering iron gates a stark contrast to the surrounding wilderness.
Terry pushed open the gates with some effort, the screech of rusted hinges echoing through the quiet air. As he approached the manor's entrance, he noticed something strange—a faint light flickering from one of the upper windows.
Someone's here.
He hesitated, his instincts telling him to tread carefully.
---
Terry knocked on the heavy wooden door and waited. Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing Mr. Shade's slender, pale figure. His sharp features were illuminated by the flickering light of a nearby lantern.
"Terry," Mr. Shade greeted him with a thin smile. "What brings you here?"
"Mr. Wesdon sent me," Terry replied, pulling the sealed envelope from his pouch.
Shade's eyes flicked to the letter, but before he reached for it, he glanced over his shoulder. Terry followed his gaze and caught a glimpse of a cloaked figure standing in the shadows of the dimly lit hall.
The figure moved quickly, disappearing into a side room before Terry could get a better look.
Who was that?
"Come in," Mr. Shade said, his tone casual as if nothing unusual had happened.
---
The interior of the manor was just as foreboding as its exterior. The air was thick with the scent of old wood and damp stone, and the flickering lanterns cast long, eerie shadows across the walls.
Terry handed over the letter, watching closely as Mr. Shade broke the seal and began to read. His expression remained neutral, but there was a subtle tension in his posture.
"This is concerning," Mr. Shade muttered, folding the letter and tucking it into his robe.
"What does it say?" Terry asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Nothing you need to worry about," Mr. Shade replied with a faint smile. "Just matters of security."
Terry's eyes flicked toward the hallway where the cloaked figure had disappeared. "Who was that?"
Shade's smile didn't falter. "A guest. Nothing more."
---
As Mr. Shade led Terry back to the entrance, the silence between them grew heavy. Terry's curiosity gnawed at him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.
Before they reached the door, Terry heard faint whispers coming from the side room. He slowed his steps, straining to catch the words, but they were too muffled to discern.
"Is something wrong?" Mr. Shade asked, his tone light but his eyes sharp.
Terry shook his head quickly. "No. Just tired from the journey."
Shade nodded, opening the door for him. "Safe travels, then. Give my regards to Mr. Wesdon."
As Terry stepped outside, he glanced back over his shoulder. The door closed behind him with a resounding thud, cutting off the light and leaving him alone in the encroaching darkness.
---
Terry didn't leave immediately. Instead, he lingered in the shadows near the manor, his curiosity refusing to let him walk away.
After several minutes, the side door of the manor creaked open, and the cloaked figure emerged. They moved swiftly and silently, their form barely visible in the faint moonlight.
Terry crouched low, watching as the figure disappeared into the forest.
Who are they? And what are they planning?
---
The journey back to Mr. Wesdon's estate was filled with unease. Terry's mind raced with questions, each more troubling than the last.
Why had Mr. Shade acted so secretive? Who was the cloaked figure, and why had they left so stealthily? What was in the letter that Mr. Shade didn't want him to know?
When Terry finally reached his quarters, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. He locked the door behind him and sat down, running a hand through his hair.
His system chimed softly.
[ SLAVE SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ]
**Do you wish to analyze the events at Mr. Shade's manor?**
Terry frowned. "What do you mean?"
***Based on observed behavior and environmental factors, an analysis of potential threats or anomalies can be provided . ***
Terry hesitated before nodding. "Go ahead."
The system displayed a series of observations and probabilities:
< Cloaked Figure: Likely a high-ranking individual or a spy. >
< Shade's Behavior: Avoidance tactics suggest the presence of classified information. >
< Potential Threat: High. >
Terry sighed, leaning back in his chair. "So, I'm not imagining things. Something's definitely going on."
---
Terry couldn't stop thinking about the cloaked figure and Mr. Shade's cryptic behavior. He considered bringing it up to Curl or Soden but decided against it.
This was something he needed to figure out on his own.
As he trained in the yard, his mind kept drifting back to the manor, to the whispers he couldn't quite hear, and to the way Mr. Shade had smiled as if nothing was wrong.
---
Terry knew he couldn't ignore this. Whatever was happening, it was bigger than just a simple message. And if Mr. Wesdon was involved, it could mean danger for everyone.
"I'll find out the truth," Terry vowed, clenching his fists. "No matter what it takes."
But what if , just what if it was a declaration of war ? What if Mr Shade was a crook against the werewolves or was he planing a great amok against someone or something ?