Chapter 16
1008 Words
Lucien stood in silence after Nyxir disappeared, the room was quiet, but the air was heavy like her darkness had not fully left
He didn't move, he just stood still looking at the spot she was earlier, her words echoed in his mind
“ You asked for this life, you gave up Eryndor ”
“ You are not him anymore, you belong to this”
He looked down at his hands, they didn't feel like his own
These were not the hands of the knight he used to be
They were Lucien's now. Strong. Cold and Dangerous
Maybe Eryndor had truly died on that battlefield
He walked away from the window and moved to the bed and sat down
He carefully raised the edge of the bed cover up and slipped under it, the bed shifting slightly with his weight as he lay down
He glanced up at the ceiling hoping for sleep to come.
Morning light slipped through the curtain, but Lucien had not slept at all
He lay down on the bed staring at the ceiling
Nyxir's words still echoing in his head
The darkness inside him was growing, pressing heavier with each passing hour
He had waited enough
Watched and listened
He had let others move their pieces while he sat in silence
That ends now
He wouldn't be a pawn in their game anymore. He was done watching
He sat up quickly, a sharp pain shooting through his head but he ignored it
He had stayed quiet long enough
Watched long enough
It was time to act
He swung his leg off the bed over the other side of the bed and stood up
He steadied himself ignoring the pain burning behind his eyes, headache pounding from lack of sleep and roo much thoughts
He walked to the other side of the room and reached for his tunic
He threw it over his shoulders and fastened the belt tightly at his waist
His movement was fast and rough and without hesitation he walked to the door and pulled it open
The hallway was quiet
“ Guards” He called out, his voice was firm
A few seconds later , a young soldier came rushing down the hallway, straightening as he approached.
“ My Lord ?” The guard said bowing his head immediately he approached .
“ Go to Lord Marr , tell him I want to see him . Now!" He ordered
The guard gave a sharp bow and hurried off without another word
Lucien began to pace the hallway, his hands behind his back, his jaw tight and his eyes focused, his steps he made echoed softly against the stone floor
He stopped by the window, the morning light creeping in
He exhaled slowly
Another day had begun
Lucien didn't wait long before Marr arrived. The older man walked in quickly, his cloak still dusted from the travel.
Lucien was standing by the window , his arms crossed and his face was serious and hard
“ Well well well, you asked for me Lucien ” Marr said, bowing slightly, trying to make a joke
Lucien didn't turn immediately, he stood there staring outside the window
“ I need you to start watching Aric, quickly ” he said , his voice low
Marr raised a brow “ You suspect something?” Marr said
“ I don't suspect ” Lucien said , finally turning to Marr “ I know he's been too bold lately and too confident and I want to know the reason behind that”
Marr moved closer, closing the distance between them “ And Elias?” Marr asked, lowering his voice
“ Both. I want you to know everyone they have spoken to in the past week. Every coin exchange. I want you to follow the trail”
Marr nodded slowly “ You want me to dig?” He asked, raising a brow
“ I want you to uncover every rotting thing buried under this house ” Lucien said “ And bring them to now”
He turned back to the window “ No mistakes, Marr. If they are planning something. I will strike first”
Marr gave a small smile, patting Lucien at his back “ It is about time”
“ it is only the beginning ”
“ Then, I'm off to start looking for anything I can find” he pat Lucien as he turned and walked away.
Getting to the door he stopped and turned back to look at lucien “ Maybe next time when next I'm here we are going to drink a good whiskey and talk ” Marr said with a smile and left
After Marr left, Lucien stayed quiet for a moment thinking
The he turned and called out for another guard. The guard entered quickly, bowing low
“ I want you to start watching the healer ” he said, not wasting time “ Elira ” he added, his voice cold
The guard caught off guard blinked “ Yes, my Lord . What I should I look for?”
“ Everything, who visits her, where she goes and what she says . I want to know if she is truly harmless as she looks”
The guard nodded “ Understood ” he bowed and hurried off
“ Guard” Lucien called making the guard halt and turned back to look at lucien
“ Also I want to know more about Elira and Eryndor before he died ” he said waving the guard off. The guard bowed, turned and walked away
A flicker of hesitation passed through him. Elira had been kind , gentle in a way that made something stir in him, something he didn't want to name.
But kindness could be a mask
He watched the guard leave before he turned back to the window, his arms crossed behind his back, his jaw tight and his face showing no emotions
He couldn't afford to let sentiment cloud his judgement. Not now
His mind already racing with questions
Nothing would slip past him now.
- Writer
