Chapter 64: Seeds of despair (fixed)

Claudia rested her arms on the railings of the balcony. It’s been about two days since she arrived Aurelia. The siver moonlight enhanced the glow of her pale skin even further as she tried her best to feel at home.

This new home sat at the city’s heart on a hill that gave view of everything below and also a nice look at the white frosty peaks that bordered Aurelia on both sides.

The Aurelian castle wasn’t grand like Valir keep nor was it ancient but it’s foundation seemed to carry something that her home missed. The potential for growth beyond what it was.

This resonated with Claudia more than she expected. Turning from the balcony, she walked into a room that was designed by her own hand through Auryn’s orders.

Bookshelves stood like towers on the south side of the room with a massive bed. Enough for ten people if she wanted at the northern side of the chambers.

Everything seemed unfamiliar other than Auryn of course, and her books. Even the servants here minded their businesses except for Borin.

Auryn had called the dwarf his retainer and the dwarf made each moment welcoming than she’d expected.

She saw little of Auryn since they’d arrived but Borin seemed more than happy to show her all of Aurelia if she needed.

Claudia smiled as she laid on the silky warm sheets. Waiting for dinner, afterall Auryn and Lyra had disappeared into their chamber very early and the kitchen was busy all through the day.

Claudia rubbed her jaw in thought.

“Are they planning me a surprise party?”

She wondered, after all her seventeenth birthday was in a few days. It was the reason her mother had given her the ring.

“I wish they would come,” she lost herself to her thoughts while staring at the black ceilings.

If only she could celebrate this birthday with her parents and siblings like before.

—————————————

Somewhere beneath the Palace, in Shadowfen.

Within a chamber that had no official name and existed on no architectural plans, a jade crystal light pulsed.

It was the only illumination in confined darkness. Sending ripples just far enough to allow anyone there atleast know they were not alone.

Vaedon stood beside it. His posture was as relaxed as ever. Hands tapping softly on the table where the crystal was placed.

Even after hearing news from the Eastern province and how his small network within Valir Keep was dismantled.

It didn’t make him panic in the slightest. it was only in two years did Auryn really became a threat over there.

It was still his district and all he needed to do was remove Castor’s bloodline… when the time came.

Footsteps.

A figure approached from where light never dared touch. His gait was slow and yet carried a sense of dread.

This was the kind of pace that suggested whoever was coming, had all the time in the world and enjoyed taking it.

Magnus emerged into the crystal glow. He was tall with a lean build. His movements were smooth. Each purposeful in all the wrong ways.

His face was pleasant, handsome even, in the way that made people uncomfortable because nothing about his smile reached his eyes.

“Vaedon.” His voice was warm but not friendly nor was it aggressive. If there was ever aggression. It was cloaked in silk like a dagger hidden in plain sight.

“What may I do for you,” he asked with devious grin that spread from ear to ear.

“I appreciate your time, first of all” Vaedon gestured toward the crystal. Its pulse reflected off Magnus’s face and made his smile look carved instead of real.

“I have a proposal.”

“I’m listening.” Magnus tilted his head while still keeping his grin.

“I have a target for your little experiment,” Vaedon paused while he tapped his lap twice.

“It’s a village just at the edges of the northern district called Hollow Creek. Its isolated with no near-by settlement”

Magnus’s grin reduced slowly. “Perfect.. So what do you want for it?”

Vaedon pulled an object from his coat. It was small and wrapped in black cloth.

He set it on the table beside the crystal. “I need something from you in exchange.”

Magnus approached and unwrapped the cloth with careful fingers to reveal an ancient artifact humming with dormant power.

“Beautiful,” he spoke without making contact with the item.

“You want the souls sealed in there?” Magnus asked with a different expression.

“I want it activated and your magic allows for that,” Vaedon rewrapped it and slid it across to Magnus.

“You get Hollowcreek. I want this artifact delivered active after your work is complete. And one more thing.”

Magnus picked up the wrapped artifact that looked like a dragon’s petrified heart.

“What is it?” He asked with a brow raised.

“The Guild. Your network there…” Vaedon’s eyes were cold and calculating even as he tapped slower.

“I need rumors spread through there. Specific ones, about a negligent prince who failed to protect territory he claimed.”

“Ah,” Magnus’s expression shifted with delighted understanding.

“You want your brother blamed for what I’m about to do?”

“Precisely so…. There are adventurers that might take matters into their own hands. I need the brat busy,” Vaedon smirked.

“Clever.” Magnus rubbed his chin with hand that made even the darkness look bright.

Vaedon smirked. He’d thought it through.

The village feeds Magnus’s work. The artifact aids him . The rumor damages his brother. It was killing three birds with one stone.

Magnus chuckled as he thought it through as well.

“You don’t waste effort, do you?”

“Never,” Vaedon answered simply.

The space wielded silence like a glove. The crystal pulsed and Magnus’s steady breathe remained like he didn’t need air and only remembered to pretend like he did.

“Three days,” Magnus said finally.

“I’ll need time to prepare the ritual properly. Grief this rich deserves careful cultivation,” he spoke while licking his lips.

“Three days, alright.” Vaedon nodded once.

Magnus turned to leave then paused. Looked back over his shoulder.

“Those souls… do they have children?”

“Yes,” Vaedon answered casually.

“Good.” Magnus’s smile grew even more sinister.

“Children grieve so beautifully.”

Vaedon’s skin crawled at this smile.

This bastard.. he thought.

Magnus turned and walked back into the shadows and his footsteps disappeared like they were never there.

Vaedon stood alone with the crystal’s pulse. His mind drifted through it all.

Draelor would be left unable to influence his plans in the near future and he could finally put him in his place.

Auryn on the other hand would learn that learning how to creep didn’t make him a horse yet.

“You’ll have to watch your head now… little brother,”

He smiled as the ground around him cracked and darkness swallowed everything.

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