Binding Fate: Betrothed to the Otherworldly Duke

Chapter 5

Henry digs his heels into his stallion's sides, propelling it forward with a sense of urgency. The sun hangs precariously low, and every fleeting moment counts. They need to reach Aeloria before darkness engulfs the land.

Up ahead, Belmont rides fiercely, setting a breakneck pace. His red hair, glowing like a beacon in the afternoon sun. The unplanned river rescue earlier in the day had cost them time, forcing them to push their horses to the brink of exhaustion.

Trailing Henry are two knights, their expressions focused and their attire simple—a deliberate choice to avoid drawing attention. But, despite their best attempts, Belmont's fiery locks stand out, impossible to overlook amidst the vast landscape.

As the sun sinks, painting the sky with vivid hues of red and purple, the silhouette of Aeloria's gates finally looms ahead. Immediately recognizing Belmont's fiery crown, guards instantly step aside, granting them unspoken entry.

Within the city, the streets lay largely deserted, shops and stalls closing up for the night. Those few souls who caught sight of their procession gaped in astonishment at the strangers arriving late in day.

"Turn at the next corner!" Belmont calls back, his voice echoing against the cobblestones.

Following his lead, they dive into a shadowy alley, a known shortcut and a way to evade curious eyes. They maintain their speed until Belmont signals with a raised hand to decelerate. Their pace slowed as they venture into the area of town where residents kept their faces hidden, slipping in and out of establishments in a clandestine dance. It was the part of town known to all yet spoken of in hushed whispers, a seedy underbelly that even those who frequented it claimed never to visit.

Reacting to their surroundings, Belmont and the two knights pull up their hoods, attempting to blend in. As Henry reaches to do the same, he realizes his cape is missing. His thoughts flashing back to the river rescue and the enigmatic girl he had encountered. Amidst the rush, he hadn't had time to ponder her presence, but now her peculiar otherness nagged at his thoughts. Before he could delve deeper into these musings, they reach their destination – a modest standalone building guarded by a burly figure. Belmont dismounts and approachs the man.

"The silver moon unveils the path to the forgotten forest," he murmurs, a passphrase whispered in secrecy.

With a nod of understanding, the man rises and gestures them around the building. A rhythmic knock breaks the silence as the man taps his knuckles against the back wall. A responding echo comes from within, and a trapdoor opens at their feet unveiling a stairway plunging into the unknown

"Guard the horses and stay alert," Henry instructs the knights. Their affirming nods seal the command.

Together, Henry and Belmont begin their descent. Their path is illuminated by a row of flickering flames on each wall that k****e one by one, revealing a narrow corridor barely wide enough for two men to stride side by side. Heavy nets of cobwebs hang above them sticking to their clothings as they delve deeper.

"That girl at the river," Belmont voices his thoughts, "Did she strike you as... odd?"

"She didn't fit in," Henry acknowledges, pondering the mystery she represents.

However, before they can delve deeper into their speculations, they stand before a massive wooden door. Belmont's hand instinctively rises to knock thrice. Almost immediately, a small slit in the door reveals curious eyes that scan the two men. Realizing he's still concealed by his hood, Belmont unveils his fiery red hair, and a flicker of recognition passes across the onlooker's gaze. The slit slams shut and the clinking of unlocking mechanisms fills the tense silence.

With a heavy creak, the door swings open, revealing a vast chamber bathed in an otherworldly glow. The room is carved out of rugged stone, with the floor covered in places with elaborate rugs. Entangled roots snake their way across the ceiling, appearing as though the very heart of nature pulses through this hidden haven. The damp scent of earth mixed with a distant whisper of subterranean waters fills the air.

At the chamber's core, a dark, well-used altar stands made of an old wood, and behind it is a large desk equally as impressive. Several tomes and loose sheets are strewn across the top of the desk. Every single wall with ceiling to floor bookshelves housing of old grimoires, dusty scrolls, peculiar relics and luminescent crystals. Their soft glow casting a mystical ambiance, enhancing the room's enchantment.

Belmont strides confidently toward a man stationed by the altar. With unkempt long dark hair and a matching beard, the man, dressed in weathered garb, appears lost in his own world. His eyes remain closed, hands suspended over a map of Aeloria, sensing... something.

"Where did you detect the anomaly, Aldric?" Belmont demands, impatience edging his voice.

Ignoring Belmont's incredulous gaze, the old man remains lost in his meditative trance at the altar, his aura undisturbed by their presence. Belmont turns to Henry, an expression of bewilderment etched on his face.

"He's been like this since yesterday," the man by the door chimes in, as he fastens the last lock in place. "Nothing has broken his concentration or lured him away." He approaches and stands beside Henry.

Belmont huffs at the news. "While I respect your dedication to your work, Aldric, lack of rest won't serve us well," he admonishes the old man, who remains unperturbed by Belmont's words. He then shifts his gaze to the man next to Henry.

"Why do you look so terrible, Ras?" Belmont inquires.

Ras, seemingly oblivious to his disheveled appearance, pats his face and hair casually. "Do I? Well, you see, Elowen and I had a bit of a disagreement, and I haven't been home in a few days..."

Both Henry and Belmont tune out Ras's continued explanation. Belmont peers over the altar, hoping for some sign or change on the map, while Henry meticulously scans the notes scattered across the desk. Belmont approaches Henry when it becomes evident that Aldric won't provide any insights.

"Find anything useful?" Belmont asks. Henry points to several sheets of paper covered in rough sketches of the city and hastily scribbled notes in the margins.

"Nothing substantial," Henry responds. "Looks like they're trying to pinpoint the exact location of the energy pulse they sensed." Belmont scrutinizes the chaotic scribbles and notices that most of the locations are within Aeloria or its immediate vicinity.

"If it were outside the city, they would have made a discovery already. It's all open plains to the north until Verdantvale," Belmont muses aloud. He flips through more pages, squinting hard at a few that look to be quickly and haphazardly drawn, and comes across a few where the energy points are farther from the city.

"What's this?" He points to a spot south of the city. "Isn't this Kyusa Forest?" Henry leans in for a closer look.

"And then the doctor said the lump on my head would go away in a few days, but it's been a month. But I'm sure it's all fine," Ras finishes his monologue, finally realizing he's been talking to himself.

"Ras, what's on the map?" Belmont calls out to him.

"Oh, umm, let me see," Ras responds, then walks over to them. "Ah, that's Elysarra's Forest."

"Elysarra's Forest?" Belmont raises an eyebrow. "When did the empire change the name?"

"It was renamed when the King granted it to the church as their 'Holy Land.'" He replies, adding quotations with his hands and rolling his eyes as he says the last part. "It's also where the new saintess is said to reside," Ras finishes.

"Have you sent anyone to investigate the area?" Henry queries.

"We dispatched someone, but they haven't returned," Ras answers.

"I see. And what about this area?" Belmont inquires, holding up another sheet with a few marks northwest of Aeloria.

"Oh, that's near Verdantvale, the northern farming village," Ras points to the northernmost spot. "You would have passed through it on your way here. And this," he points to the marker southwest of the town, "is part of the Zandel River."

Belmont and Henry exchange knowing glances. "The girl," they both exclaim in unison.

"The girl?" Ras appears puzzled.

"On our journey here, we had to assist in a river rescue," Henry begins.

"There was a girl, dressed peculiarly, clearly out of place among the villagers," Belmont adds.

"Hmm..." Ras contemplates, rubbing his chin. "What did she look like?"

Henry describes the girl, "Long dark hair, medium height, tan skin, and she wore the oddest clothing. Not like what the other villagers were wearing."

Recognition dawns in Ras's eyes. "Perhaps..." he mutters. "Come with me. There's something you might want to see." He walks toward a bookcase, selects a tome, and it shifts to reveal another hidden door. Henry and Belmont follow him through it.