This the the last chapter of volume 1 hope you guys enjoy . if u guys give me your support i can write volume 2 for u ^^
Chapter 65: The Hunt Begins
The moon had shifted to a higher point in the sky by the time Adrian left his chambers, his mind still swirling with the revelations of the evening. Lord Alistair. The name echoed in his thoughts, bringing with it a wave of unease. If Ralvyn had betrayed him, it wasn't just a personal grudge that had been created—it was a potential political storm that could send shockwaves through the entire kingdom. And that storm, Adrian knew, had only just begun to stir.
Cassandra met him outside his chambers, her expression calm but her eyes alert, as if she could sense the gravity of the situation. "Do you have a plan?" she asked, her voice steady.
Adrian nodded, tightening his cloak against the evening chill. "We find Lord Alistair. We start with his known associates and work our way through the web. There's no way he's acting alone."
Cassandra's brow furrowed slightly. "What do you think he's after?"
"I'm not sure yet," Adrian admitted, his gaze far away. "But whatever it is, it's tied to Ralvyn's death. And if he's trying to cover it up, it means he has something to hide."
"I'll gather the men and start with the city's underbelly," Cassandra said, her tone unwavering. "I have some contacts who can help us. We'll find him, Adrian."
Adrian met her gaze, his resolve hardening. "We will. And once we do, we'll make sure Ralvyn's death is not just swept under the rug. No matter the cost."
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The following days were filled with activity. Adrian and Cassandra set out to follow the few leads they had, tracing Alistair's steps, interviewing informants, and piecing together the fractured puzzle of Ralvyn's life. The deeper they dug, the more they uncovered a network of whispers and half-truths. But Lord Alistair remained elusive, always one step ahead.
It was not until a late evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, that Adrian's efforts bore fruit. A tip came from one of Cassandra's trusted contacts—a low-ranking noble who had fallen out of favor with Alistair years ago. The tip was brief, but it was enough to give Adrian a direction.
"Lord Alistair is hiding in the old estate on the outskirts of the city," the informant had said. "It's not a place anyone would willingly go. But that's exactly why he'd be there."
Adrian didn't hesitate. He turned to Cassandra. "Prepare the men. We leave at once."
---
The journey to the old estate was long and treacherous, the path winding through dense woods and narrow roads that seemed to swallow the light. By the time they arrived, the estate loomed before them, a decaying structure that spoke of years of neglect. The windows were dark, and the walls had crumbled in places, as though the house itself had given up on its former glory.
Adrian's heart thudded in his chest, the tension in the air thickening with every step they took toward the estate. Cassandra, ever watchful, motioned for the men to spread out, ensuring they weren't walking into a trap.
The front door creaked open as they approached, its hinges protesting the intrusion. Adrian entered first, his steps slow and deliberate. The air inside was thick with dust, the smell of decay lingering in the corners. The once-grand interior now looked like a forgotten memory, the walls lined with faded portraits of a family long gone.
Adrian moved deeper into the house, his every instinct on high alert. Cassandra followed closely behind, her sharp eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the creaking of the floorboards beneath their feet.
And then, a voice—low, but unmistakable—cut through the stillness.
"You're getting too close, Adrian."
Adrian's hand immediately went to the hilt of his sword, but he didn't draw it. Not yet. Instead, he took a slow, deliberate step forward, his gaze locking onto the figure standing at the far end of the hallway.
Lord Alistair. Tall, regal, his face a mask of indifference, but his eyes—those eyes gleamed with a knowing, calculating look. The man had been waiting for them, it seemed.
"You've been busy," Adrian said, his voice steady but filled with quiet menace. "A little too busy for my liking."
Alistair's lips curled into a slight smile. "I'm merely trying to ensure my survival. Isn't that what you're doing as well?"
Cassandra stepped forward, her posture rigid. "You've been playing a dangerous game, Alistair. Ralvyn's death was not just a simple matter of betrayal. There's more at stake here, isn't there?"
Alistair chuckled softly. "Always so quick to jump to conclusions, Cassandra. You've been listening to too many rumors."
"Then enlighten us," Adrian pressed, his voice sharp. "What's your involvement in all of this? Why go through the trouble of hiding Ralvyn's death?"
The smile faded from Alistair's face, replaced by a more calculating expression. He took a step forward, his eyes flicking from Adrian to Cassandra, then back to Adrian. "You still don't understand, do you? This isn't about revenge or power. It's about control. And you're standing in the way of it."
Adrian's brow furrowed. "Control of what?"
Alistair's smile returned, but there was something darker in it now. "The future. The kingdom. Everything. Ralvyn was a pawn in my game, and you, Adrian, you've become one too."
The realization hit Adrian like a blow to the chest. "You're playing both sides."
"You could say that," Alistair replied, his voice dripping with amusement. "But in the end, it's always about who has the most power. And I will have it, one way or another."
Before Adrian could respond, Alistair raised his hand, signaling something. A sudden noise filled the air—footsteps, heavy and fast—and shadows moved in the corners of the room. Adrian's instincts flared. The trap had been set.
Cassandra drew her blade in one swift motion, stepping in front of Adrian as men—Alistair's men—emerged from the shadows, their weapons drawn.
Alistair's smile widened. "This is your final chance, Adrian. Walk away now, and I'll let you live."
Adrian's hand tightened around his sword's hilt. "I don't think so."
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End of Chapter