Chapter 65: Echoes of the Ice Warden
The room was quiet, save for the faint sound of the clock ticking on the wall. Lucian stirred on the bed in the nurse's office, his breaths even but shallow. His left arm and eye were heavily bandaged, and a faint chill lingered in the air around him, remnants of the ice magic that had assaulted him the day before.
Alaric sat beside the bed, his posture straight as ever, though his expression betrayed a rare moment of concern. His round glasses reflected the dim light, and his hands were clasped in front of him. Celeste stood by the door, her usual stoicism replaced by a faint crease of worry across her brow.
"I sent the letter to Seraphine and Quintin," Celeste informed him softly. "They should be back soon."
Alaric nodded but didn't look away from Lucian. "Good. They need to know the extent of this battle. The Ice Warden is no ordinary demon."
Celeste hesitated before stepping closer. "Do you think the Ice Warden was acting alone? Or is this another ploy by the Crimson Witch?"
Alaric leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest. "The Crimson Witch rarely acts without purpose. If the Ice Warden was here, it was likely a test—or a distraction. Either way, we'll have to be prepared for what's coming next."
Meanwhile, at the Capital
Seraphine and Quintin were exploring a bustling market square in Locaris. The air was filled with the scent of spices, roasted meat, and the faint tang of salt from the nearby docks. Street performers entertained passersby, and vendors shouted about their wares.
Quintin held up a strange device with a curious gleam in his eyes. "Look at this, Seraphine! It's a mechanical potato peeler! Do you think Lucian would like it?"
Seraphine raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Why would Lucian need a mechanical potato peeler? He's probably better at slicing potatoes with a sword than this thing."
Quintin shrugged, placing the device back on the vendor's table. "Fair point. But still, it's neat, isn't it?"
Before Seraphine could respond, a courier rushed toward them, a letter clutched in his hand. "Miss Seraphine, Sir Quintin!"
The two turned, and Seraphine immediately recognized the guild's seal on the envelope. She took it from the courier, her expression growing serious as she read the contents.
"What does it say?" Quintin asked, leaning closer.
"It's from Celeste. Lucian's injured. Badly." Seraphine's voice was calm, but there was an edge of urgency. "We need to get back. Now."
Back at the Guild
Lucian stirred awake just as Seraphine and Quintin burst into the nurse's office. Quintin looked wide-eyed and concerned, while Seraphine's gaze immediately locked onto the bandages covering Lucian's left side.
"What happened to you?" Seraphine demanded, her voice sharp but undercut with worry.
Lucian sat up slowly, grimacing as pain shot through his body. "Ran into the Ice Warden," he muttered. "One of the Crimson Witch's partners. Let's just say… he left an impression."
Quintin's fists clenched. "That bastard… Did you kill him?"
Lucian shook his head. "No. He ran. But I'll find him again."
Alaric, who had been quietly observing the reunion, stood and adjusted his glasses. "Lucian's injuries are severe, but he'll recover with rest and proper care. However, this encounter confirms that the Crimson Witch's influence is spreading faster than we anticipated."
Seraphine crossed her arms, her sharp gaze cutting through the room. "So what's the plan? We can't just sit here and wait for her to make the next move."
Alaric's lips curled into a faint smirk. "We won't be waiting. The Ice Warden may have escaped, but he left behind traces of his magic. I'll be using those to track him down. In the meantime…" He turned to Lucian. "You'll be staying here to recover. No arguments."
Lucian's jaw tightened, but he nodded reluctantly.
Quintin, however, was brimming with energy. "What about us? Can we help with the tracking? Or maybe hunt some other lackeys?"
Alaric chuckled softly. "Patience, Quintin. I have a different task for you and Seraphine. One that involves gathering information from an old contact of mine. But first, you should both make sure Lucian doesn't try to sneak out of bed."
Lucian scowled. "I'm injured, not helpless."
Seraphine smirked. "We'll see about that."
Later That Evening
As night fell, the trio sat together in the guild's common area. Lucian was propped up on a chair with his arm in a sling, while Quintin and Seraphine discussed their next steps over a map spread out on the table.
"Alaric's contact is supposed to be somewhere in the eastern forests," Seraphine said, tracing a route with her finger. "It's a long journey, but it could be worth it."
Quintin leaned closer. "Do you think this contact knows anything about the Crimson Witch's plans?"
Seraphine shrugged. "If they're one of Alaric's allies, they might. Either way, it's a lead."
Lucian remained silent, his gaze distant as he replayed the fight with the Ice Warden in his mind. The power he had absorbed through his Legacy ability weighed heavily on him, both a blessing and a curse.
"Lucian?" Seraphine's voice broke through his thoughts. "You okay?"
He nodded slowly. "Just… thinking."
Quintin grinned. "Don't think too hard, or you might hurt yourself again."
Lucian shot him a withering glare, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. For now, they would focus on the next mission—but the shadow of the Crimson Witch loomed ever larger.