Chapter 18
1157 Words
Light from the morning sun slipped through the tall windows of Lucien's study, casting a long shadows across the room.
He sat behind his desk, dressed in black, the collar of his shirt slightly open
A half eaten breakfast beside him, that he hadn't touched in a while
His eyes were fixed on the door
Waiting
A knock came
“ Come in” he said
The door creaked open, a guard stepped in quietly, his clothes covered in cloak.
Lucien remembered sending him weeks ago, no one knew not even Marr
He had told the guard to follow Elias's allies from the shadow
Lucien's eyes met the guard own and gave him a small nod
“ You have returned” he said “ It took you longer than I had expected ”
The guard bowed his head “ Forgive me , my Lord. I had to be sure of what I saw”
Lucien leaned forward “ Start talking”
The guard stepped closer “ I did as you ordered ” the guard said “ I watched Elias's circle , his allies, his home but Elias himself vanished , no one has seen him”
Lucien's eyes narrowed “ Dead?” he asked
“ I don't think so . That would have stirred noise but something is off. Orders are still coming and his men follow them without any question ” The guard replied
“ So someone is acting in his place” Lucien said, his voice low and calm
“ It seems so ” the guard said “ and they are good at hiding ”
Lucien rose from his seat slowly , he walked towards the guard and stopped few steps away away from him and placed his hands behind his back
“ And the others?” he asked “ those who answer to him?”
“ They are moving quietly, visiting nobles, traders and there is also whispers of deals, new loyalty. They are preparing something but beneath the surface ”
“ Keel watching, I want names and if Elias is truly gone, I want to know who his playing his role ”
The guard bowed, turned and left quietly
Lucien walked back to the seat and sat down , his clenched.
Lucien remained seated in his study, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.
He needed to act very quickly.
A soft knock came at the door.
“Come in,” he said.
The door opened, and three servants stepped in, heads bowed low.
They were the ones Lucien can say he trust more than others, they were quiet and loyal.
Still, he watched them carefully. Trust, in his world, was a dangerous thing.
“I have a task for you” Lucien said, voice calm but sharp. “One that must be done exactly as I say.”
The servants looked up, alert.
Lucien stood slowly. “You’ve served in this house long enough to know I don’t like repeating myself” he began, his voice calm but firm. “So listen closely.”
He stepped around the desk and began to pace slowly in front of them.
“ I want you to start a rumor,” Lucien continued. “A soft one. One that spreads without drawing attention.”
The servants glanced at each other, confused but stayed silent.
Lucien’s lips twitched faintly. “You’ll speak of a shift in my routine. A guard rotation that seems lacking. A moment of weakness. Illness, even I don’t care how you say it make it believable, quiet enough to sound true, Loud enough to reach those who hunger for it.”
The servants said nothing but nodded one after the other.
“ I need it to feel real, I want it to reach the ears of the wrong people the ones hiding in shadows.”
He stopped walking and faced them again.
“You’re not to tell anyone that I sent you. Not even the guards. Just let the words slip, let them wonder.”
The servants nodded slowly again.
One of them looked nervous, but Lucien’s stare held them in place.
“This is important,” he said quietly. “And if you fail, I will know.”
The air in the room felt heavier for a moment.
“Go.”
They left quickly without a word, closing the door behind them.
Lucien turned back to the window, his reflection faint in the glass. His jaw clenched.
Let them come for him now.
Let them believe he was weak.
He was ready.
And when the traitor took the bait, there would be no second chances.
After the servants left the study, Lucien sat still for a while.
The room was quiet, papers scattered on the table, half drunk wine on the table and breakfast from morning remained there, the fire in the hearth burned low.
His eyes remained on the door.
A few moments later, he stood and left the study. His steps were slow but heavy.
The halls of the manor stretched out before him, light dim and the halls quiet. No guards followed. No servants spoke as he passed, they all bowed, no sound it was just the sound of his boots on the floor echoing in the halls.
When he reached his chamber, he didn’t bother lighting the lanterns.
He pushed the door closed behind him and sat on the edge of the bed.
The light from the high window spilled onto the floor, soft and cold.
He ran a hand through his hair and let out a slow breath.
Eryndor.
That name used to mean something.
A man of honor.
A brother in arms.
A friend.
But now, no one knew Eryndor existed not truly. Not even Elira.
And maybe Nyxir was right. Maybe Eryndor was truly gone.
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
He remembered her voice soft like a mother talking to her child but sharp like a blade.
“ You chose this path. Eryndor is nothing but a shadow. All that remains is vengeance”
Lucien’s fingers tightened into fists.
He had made the deal.
He had agreed to wear Lucien’s face.
To take his place.
To finish what Eryndor could not.
But now, the line between the two was fading more and more each day.
He had already started forgetting.
The sound of his old laugh.
The way his hand used to hold a sword.
The people he swore to protect.
Gone.
Only fragments remained just enough to keep him moving, enough to remember why he was doing this.
He stood up from the bed and walked slowly to the window, staring out at the grey sky.
If he didn’t act soon, Nyxir would come back and she wouldn’t just speak in riddles next time.
She would take control.
Lucien pressed his hand to the cool glass. His reflection stared back his, but not his.
He had to finish what he started.
- Writer
