Chapter 13: A Storm On The Horizon

Kaelthorn clenched his teeth, his fingers digging into the wooden floorboards. The cool night air did nothing to soothe his frustration.

“I don’t know what you are, but I’ll make sure my student never becomes like you.”

The words lingered in the room, unbothered by the creaks of the beams or the fluttering trees outside.

He shakily rose, dizziness lancing through him as he struggled to stabilize. A heavy swing into the wall left a dent, and finally, he slumped into a chair in the farthest corner of the cabin. The beams groaned under his weight as he relaxed.

His gaze fell on Aden, still pale and trembling. Kaelthorn’s mind revisited his actions—and their consequences.

A complete invasion of another’s mind.

In this world, taking full control of someone’s consciousness without consent was taboo.

One’s techniques, deepest secrets, Resonance core, even personality—all resided within. No one could feel comfortable revealing such things.

That was the minor concern. The greater danger was the chance of Character Imprint—subtle as a change in mannerisms, or as severe as the permanent embedding of memories, often the most traumatic ones.

Hence why such invasions were rarely performed, reserved for rogue warriors or hardened interrogators. The typical result? Death—either of the invader or the invaded.

Kaelthorn had committed what amounted to a capital offense.

Most of these rules didn’t trouble him—except for the randomness of Character Imprint. There was no way to know what he had left in Aden’s mind, not even with his capabilities.

His face fell into exhaustion. He exhaled slowly, feeling the weight in his chest grow heavier with each passing second.

After three consecutive days of a taxing mental expedition, Kaelthorn’s mind was stretched thin, and his body had lost a significant amount of blood.

His eyes became heavier, his mind refused to compute and register any thoughts, his breaths became steady.

Succumbing to the arms of slumber, Kaelthorn chanted a spell under his breath as he watched Aden’s body dissapear behind his darkening eyes.

A cold wind blew past the cabin, causing a chill to run through Aden’s spine and a slight shiver from Kaelthorn.

A short while passed before Aden’s finger twitched subtly.

….

….

….

Redwyn exited his manor and approached a carriage adorned with gold filigree and restrained gemstone inlays—extravagant, yet deliberate. The coachman bowed and opened the door.

“The king and queen await you.”

Redwyn settled against the velvet cushions, exhaling softly as the carriage began to move. His thoughts drifted back to his second conversation with Ceredic.

The meeting had irritated him. He had been moments away from drawing plans to killing his wife when Baldric’s name surfaced. That alone had earned Ceredic an audience.

Baldric’s interest in joining the search for his son’s ring was unexpected—but welcome. Redwyn knew the man well enough to recognize that nothing he did was ever simple.

“I wonder what role you intend to play this time, Sir Baldric,” he murmured.

The carriage halted.

Before him stood the gates of the Royal Castle of Solstice—gold and white entwined around the sigil of the Crown. Knights stood at attention, their presence alone pressing against the air. At Redwyn’s approach, they bowed and opened the gates without a word.

Beyond them laid meticulously trimmed grass surrounding a majestic water fountain that stood in the centre.

Birds perched on the tall trees that stood close to the castle.

Redwyn gave a small nod. He would send his gardeners to learn the art.

Inside, a servant opened the door before Redwyn could reach it, humming softly as he stepped aside.

The waiting chamber was quiet. Redwyn unfolded the white envelope once more, eyes skimming the familiar words before returning it to his coat.

A voice interrupted the silence.

“Good morning, Sir Redwyn. I’m pleased you accepted our invitation.”

Redwyn rose immediately.

The queen descended the steps in a flowing purple gown, her presence warm yet unmistakably commanding. Her smile was practiced, her eyes sharp.

“My queen,” Redwyn said, bowing. “I would never ignore a summons from the Crown.”

She laughed softly. “Let’s spare the formalities then. The king is waiting.”

In the inner court, King Alavric sat upon a throne of gold, Resonant chandeliers casting a steady glow across the chamber.

The queen took her place beside him as Redwyn was seated at the table below.

“Thank you for coming, Redwyn,” the king said evenly.

Redwyn nodded calmly.

“I apologize, the princess is currently absent at the moment.”

Redwyn chuckled. “Please stop apologizing to me. You’re not indebted to me in any way”

The king nodded in satisfaction at his response.

The discussions began. From the current state of the kingdom, to the looking threats from the neighbouring kingdoms and the declining economy of the dwarven nation.

The queen just nodded from time to time, the calm and welcoming smile never leaving her face.

“I talked with the minister of technology yesterday and he’s rather confident of the new invention that will allow teleportation to different parts of the kingdom.”

The king hummed in satisfaction, his finger tapping the throne rhythmically.

The king’s eyes closed as he hummed softly.

“What’s the status on your child?”

The air grew solemn, the queen’s smile faltered just a bit before returning to it’s prime state.

The professional smile on Redwyn’s face dropped immediately and was replaced by a cold, almost unfeeling expression.

“The information is still successfully contained within the high ranking member’s of the Royal Guards and my household— excluding my two daughters, of course.”

“I’m sure his absence hasn’t been noticed?” The king asked.

“No one cares for that child. If anything, they only feel relief at his absence.”

For a father to speak of his child in such a manner— especially his death, it was downright horrifying.

“And the ring? Has it been retrieved?”

Silence hung over the room, and even the queen adjusted slightly.

Redwyn shook his head. “Plans have been set in motion to retrieve it.”

“What if it’s been stolen already?” The king stroked his beard, his eyes searching.

Redwyn looked at the king’s eyes with neutrality.

“This kingdom would have fallen into utter chaos and destruction had it been removed improperly.”

“Although I still don’t understand why you would seal something of that magnitude within the body of that child—”

“I’m sorry your majesty, but I would appreciate it if such matters weren’t discussed further.”

One could hear a pin drop, the queen’s eyebrows raised and the king hummed, his hands still caressing his beard.

“Very well. I trust you would deliver the ring to me once it’s retrieved?”

“…..”

“Did you not hear me?”

“….I will do as you’ve asked.”

“Good.”

The queen exhaled slightly, and the atmosphere lightened just a little at the end of their conversation.

Suddenly, Redwyn asked:

“I trust the princess is well?”

Confliction flashed through the king’s eyes, but it vanished as soon as it appeared.

Redwyn didn’t miss this.

“She’s doing fine. A little dissapointed, but fine.”

“Disappointed? What could she—”

“Thank you for having us, Redwyn, I trust you can see yourself out?”

Redwyn’s mouth hung open with the unfinished question before he smiled softly and took to his feet.

“Of course. Extend my greetings to the rest of the family.”

“I will do so,” the king replied, his back leaned against the throne.

His wife silently squeezed his hand as she watched Redwyn leave the inner court.

<Why didn’t you tell him about our daughter’s situation?> She spoke telepathically.

Alavric expected this question as he replied. <I cannot possibly tell my subject that the first and only daughter of his king is depressed because she could not be with his scummy son, now can I?>

<You could’ve at least told him how his other son was doing his best to please her.>

<We both know how smart Redwyn is. Don’t we, Castilla?>

Castilla remained quiet.

“His importance in our equation cannot be underestimated, but that doesn’t mean we have to lay all our cards before him” Alavric spoke aloud this time.

Castilla nodded calmly and closed her eyes, her mind filled with unknown thoughts.

A low thunderclap sounded in the distance and the soft drizzle of rain hit the ceilings of the castle unevenly.

Something big was about to happen.

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