Ashes of Devotion

The Invitation

The morning sun streamed weakly through the frost-laced windows of the outhouse, casting a golden hue over the room’s rustic interior. The air was thick with the scent of burning wood from the small fireplace, its warmth doing little to chase away the winter chill. The men were gathered around the wooden table, their breath faintly visible in the cold morning air, sipping what little remained of their rations of coffee.

A sharp knock at the door shattered the early silence.

Hale and Daniel exchanged a glance before Hale stood and made his way to the entrance. Upon opening it, a young servant stood nervously in the doorway, the early morning frost clinging to his coat. He held out a thick parchment envelope, the wax seal embossed with the Winchester family crest, his hands slightly trembling as he presented it.

"For Lord Blackwood and company," the servant said, his voice barely above a whisper, before he quickly turned on his heels and disappeared down the path, as if he dared not linger any longer than necessary.

Daniel took the envelope from Hale, running his thumb over the hardened wax seal before cracking it open. The heavy cardstock within bore an elegant, flowing script:

Lord Blackwood and esteemed company, you are formally invited to celebrate the 21st birthday of Lady Emilia Winchester. A night of grandeur awaits you in the halls of our estate. Your presence is expected and most welcome.

Daniel set the invitation down on the table, a smirk playing at his lips. "Well, gentlemen, it looks like we’re to be guests of honor at the biggest event of the season."

Graves snorted. "A night of grandeur, huh? More like a night of noblemen sipping their wine while watching us like hawks."

Hale stretched his arms and dropped into a chair. "At least the food will be good. Haven’t had a proper meal since arriving here."

"Food, yes," another soldier muttered, rubbing his hands together. "But let’s not get too carried away with the wine. We drink, but we don’t get drunk. We need to keep our wits about us."

"And no whoring," Daniel added sharply, giving the men a pointed look. "Not even the servants. We are there to observe, not to be entertained."

A collective groan filled the room.

"Ah, come on, Captain," Graves protested with a mischievous grin. "You really expect us to be surrounded by beautiful women and just, what? Keep our hands in our pockets? That’s cruel."

Daniel’s glare was warning enough. "Unless you’d like to wake up missing a limb courtesy of Lord Winchester himself, yes."

Hale smirked. "Besides, we all know our dear Captain has already got his eyes on someone."

The room erupted in low, knowing laughter, and Daniel stiffened, his fingers tapping against the edge of the table. He gave no indication that Hale’s comment had affected him, but inwardly, a frustration bubbled beneath the surface.

"She’s a means to an end, nothing more," he said coolly, but even as he spoke the words, they felt hollow.

"Sure," Graves teased, "that’s why you looked like a man struck by lightning when you first laid eyes on her."

Daniel ignored the jab, but it didn’t stop his mind from betraying him. Emilia Winchester. The girl who had unknowingly become a key player in a game she didn’t even realize was being played. She was meant to be just another part of the mission, a pawn to be manipulated like all the others. And yet, her presence unsettled him in ways he couldn’t explain.

She was untouchable. That was the only thought he needed to focus on. Any distraction could lead to disaster.

He exhaled sharply, pushing the thoughts aside. "Enough," he said, shaking himself free of his reverie. "We have two nights to prepare. We go in as the perfect guests, we blend in, we listen, we gather information. That is our only objective."

Hale stood, rolling his shoulders. "Perfect guests, huh? You might have to work on your charm, Captain."

The room filled with laughter once more, but behind their jokes, the weight of the mission loomed heavy. This wasn’t just a celebration. This was an opportunity to get closer to the Winchesters, to understand them, to manipulate them when the time was right.

The ball was a test.

And Daniel intended to pass it flawlessly.