In the heart of Duramara, the Governor's Palace stood as a beacon of power and authority. Its towering spires pierced the sky, casting long shadows over the bustling citadel. The palace walls, made of polished marble, gleamed under the sunlight, giving it an almost ethereal glow. Intricate carvings adorned the exterior, depicting scenes of ancient battles and legendary creatures, each one telling a story of the city's storied past.
Inside the palace, in the office of Duramara's current lord, two individuals were engaged in a heated argument.
Lord Tarron Alaric Blackwood, a man of imposing stature with dark hair streaked with silver and piercing blue eyes, stood behind his desk, his hands clenched into fists. Across from him, Duke Edmund Blackwood, a slightly older man with graying hair and a well-trimmed beard, sat in a plush armchair, his expression one of frustration.
The room itself was a testament to the wealth and power of the Blackwood family. Rich Murals hung on the walls, depicting the family's coat of arms and scenes from their illustrious history. A large fireplace dominated one wall, its mantel adorned with intricate carvings of mythical beasts. The furniture was made of the finest materials, from the polished mahogany desk to the velvet-upholstered chairs.
Duke Edmund leaned forward, his voice low and insistent. "Tarron, you must see reason. The Noble Assembly is the key to securing our family's future. By joining forces with the other noble houses, we can wield unparalleled influence within the empire."
Lord Tarron shook his head, his jaw set in a stubborn line. "I have no interest in playing these games of power, Edmund. My duty is to defend our borders, not to engage in petty squabbles with the other factions."
The Noble Assembly, a coalition of the most powerful and wealthy noble families in the Nexus Empire, was known for its ability to sway the decisions of the emperor and shape the course of the empire's future. Its members were notorious for their ruthless ambition and their willingness to go to any lengths to protect their own interests.
Duke Edmund sighed, his frustration evident. "If not the Noble Assembly, then perhaps one of the other factions could offer us the support we need. The Guild of Golden Talons, for example, with their vast economic resources and trade connections. Or the Ivory Tower, with their mastery of arcane knowledge and magical artifacts. H*ll, even the Steel Legion, with their military might and tactical expertise, could be a valuable ally."
Lord Tarron's eyes narrowed. "And what of the cost, Edmund? These factions are not known for their altruism. They will expect something in return for their support, and I will not compromise my principles or the safety of our people for the sake of political gain."
Duke Edmund's voice rose, his tone becoming more insistent. "You fail to see the bigger picture, Tarron. The emperor's power is waning, and the factions are poised to fill the void. If we do not act now, we risk being left behind, our influence diminished and our family's legacy forgotten."
Lord Tarron slammed his fist on the table, his anger boiling over. "Enough! If it weren't for you and those other power-hungry factions, the empire wouldn't be in its current state!"
At that exact moment, a knock sounded from the room's door, causing both Lord Tarron and Duke Edmund to turn their gazes in its direction. After a pause, a voice called out, "Lord Blackwood, I've brought one of the adventurers who accompanied the Young Lord and Lady to the Great Beast Lake. She claims to have urgent news that Lord Marcus tasked her to deliver directly to you."
Lord Tarron glanced at Duke Edmund before adjusting his sleeve and calling out, "Come in."
As the door slowly opened, Lord Tarron fixed Duke Edmund with a steely gaze. "My decision is final, Edmund. I will not entertain this topic again."
Duke Edmund rose from his chair, his face flushed with anger. "You had better hope that you won't regret this decision, Tarron," he growled as he stormed past Lyra, knocking her to the side in his haste to leave.
Lyra quietly called him a bastard as the young guardsman helped her up, murmuring, "Pay no mind to the duke, miss. He's one of those nobles who believe they can do no wrong."
With an irritated look, Lyra rose to her feet, shaking off the guard's assistance.
As they proceeded into the chamber, the guard secured the entrance and stood at the ready while Lyra approached Lord Tarron's desk under his watchful eye.
She executed a slight bow, her right hand placed over her heart and her eyes firmly shut. "Greetings, Lord Blackwood. I am Lyra, a C-rank adventurer." Lord Tarron scrutinized her for a moment before granting her permission to lift her head. He then inquired, "So, you were entrusted with conveying urgent tidings from my son? Is this related to the Guardian Turtle of Great Beast Lake, or was there an issue with the Elves?"
In response to his query, Lyra merely shook her head as she reached into her leather armor, retrieving a piece of parchment. Upon noticing it, Lord Tarron's brow furrowed deeply when he observed the blood stains encircling its edges.
In the Blackwood family tradition, marking the borders of parchment with blood signified that misfortune had befallen a relative.
Before Lyra could utter a single word after procuring the bloodstained document, Lord Tarron hastily commanded her to deliver it to him at once, his voice laden with urgency and authority. Lyra was mildly taken aback by the sudden intensity of his demand, but she promptly complied with his request.
Having obtained the parchment, Lord Tarron wasted no time in unrolling it, his eyes immediately scanning the contents with a mixture of apprehension and determination. His brow furrowed as he absorbed the information, the weight of the message evident in his tense posture and the tightening of his jaw.
Lord Tarron Blackwood's eyes scanned the parchment, his expression growing increasingly tense as he read the distressing news. The letter detailed the group's journey to Great Beast Lake, where they discovered the corpses of numerous animals scattered around the area. It also mentioned a mysterious altar and the discovery of a place called Whispering Song Forest, home to various magical beasts and strange green creatures.
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As he continued reading, Lord Tarron's brow furrowed deeply, his concern mounting with each word. The parchment revealed that the group had split into two; one led by Lord Marcus to explore the forest, while the other remained behind to guard Aurelia in the flower field. However, upon their return, they found all the adventurers dead, and Aurelia was nowhere to be found.
Frustration and worry coursed through Lord Tarron's veins as he crumpled the parchment in his hand. He took a long, deep breath, attempting to regain control of his emotions. Placing the crumpled letter on his desk, he stood up and walked towards Lyra, his steps measured and deliberate.
Lord Tarron reached out and patted Lyra's shoulder twice, his touch firm yet reassuring. "Thank you," he said, his voice tinged with gratitude. However, instead of removing his hand after the second pat, he kept it there, his gaze fixed upon her. "Is there any other information that I should be aware of?" he asked, his tone serious and probing.
Lyra shook her head, her response a simple "No." Lord Tarron studied her for a long moment, his hand still resting on her shoulder.
Finally, he removed his hand and gestured towards a nearby chair. "Please, take a seat," he instructed, his voice calm yet authoritative. "I will make arrangements for you to stay in the Palace for the next two days while I prepare for our departure."
With those words, Lord Tarron strode towards the door, his mind already racing with the necessary preparations. As he reached the exit, the guard stepped to the side and saluted him, a show of respect and loyalty.
Just before exiting the room, Lord Tarron leaned in close to the guard and whispered, "Keep watch over Lyra." His words carried a sense of urgency and importance, underlining the gravity of the situation at hand.
As the door closed behind him, Lord Tarron's thoughts were consumed by the troubling news he had just received. The disappearance of his daughter, the mysterious altar, and the discovery of Whispering Song Forest all weighed heavily on his mind. He knew that swift action was necessary, and he was determined to unravel the secrets surrounding these events and bring his daughter back to safety.
Later that afternoon, in one of Duramara's high-end restaurants, Duke Edmund Blackwood sat in the VIP section, surrounded by an array of exquisite seafood dishes.
The dining room was a testament to luxury, with its rich mahogany walls, crystal chandeliers, and plush velvet seating. The table before him was adorned with a crisp white tablecloth, upon which rested an assortment of delicacies from the depths of the ocean.
As Duke Edmund savored a spoonful of Aquatic Magical Beast Eggs, a delicacy akin to caviar, a delicate female figure gracefully sat down in the seat across from him.
She was dressed in an elegant gown of deep emerald, the fabric clinging to her curves in a way that was both sophisticated and alluring. Her raven-black hair was styled in an intricate updo, with a few stray tendrils framing her face. Her icy blue eyes seemed to pierce through the very soul of those who dared to meet her gaze.
The steward, standing dutifully to the side, frowned at the woman's uninvited presence, but remained silent as Duke Edmund continued to eat, ignoring her arrival.
The woman's lips curled into a playful smile as she asked, "How did the meeting with your cousin go?"
Duke Edmund paused, the spoon of caviar hovering just before his mouth. With a sigh, he placed the spoon back into the bowl and replied, "How do you think? You should know my cousin's personality is just as stubborn as any of the other dogs the emperor has in his employ. I even tried asking him to join another faction to help strengthen the family, but he just shot me down."
As he reached for his wine glass, the woman swiftly intercepted it, taking it into her own hands. She swirled the crimson liquid, taking a sip before responding, "Then wouldn't it be better to just k—"
Duke Edmund cut her off abruptly. "No. Killing him would just invite the Elves to attack Duramara, restricting our access to the wood from the forest." He leaned back in his chair, letting out a heavy sigh. "I hate to admit it, but the Empire needs him in Duramara. If anything happens to him and Duramara ends up like the rest of the empire, then we're screwed. It's already bad enough that half of the empire's armies are stationed at the eastern border, leaving the remaining half to defend the north, west, and south borders on top of guarding the many cities and villages within the empire itself. Do you really think it's wise to deal with my cousin?"
The woman glanced at him, continuing to swirl the wine as she responded, "It doesn't matter to me whether the empire is engulfed in chaos or not. Or have you forgotten who you're talking to?"
Duke Edmund met her gaze impassively and spoke with clarity. He snapped his fingers, signaling to his steward to pay for the meal, as he had lost his appetite. The steward bowed, casting one last glance at the woman before descending the stairs to settle the bill.
Once the steward had departed, the woman reached into her shirt and pulled out four letters, handing them to Duke Edmund. He took them, his brow furrowed as he inquired about their contents.
The woman smiled enigmatically. "This is the information you requested. The first is a detailed report about the adventurer team commissioned by your cousin's children. The second contains the information you'll need to blackmail Aurelia and Marcus. The third details Aurelia's disappearance, and the fourth is a small request from the Midnight Hand."
As she spoke the final words, she brought a finger to her lips in a shushing gesture, her eyes glinting with a mix of mischief and secrecy.
***
As the trio sat around the campfire, the soft patter of rain created a gentle symphony that seemed to harmonize with the tranquil environment of the dungeon's first floor.
The flickering flames cast a warm glow on their faces as they enjoyed a modest feast of fruits, plants, and wild game, their hunger satiated by the bounty of the land.
During their time in this unfamiliar landscape, Marcus, Thorne, and Elias had learned much about their surroundings. They had observed the goblins from afar, taking note of which plants and fruits were safe to consume. They had also watched the Ocelot-kin, learning the most effective techniques for capturing rabbits and other small magical beasts. However, despite the beauty of the environment, they had quickly come to understand that it was a place of great danger, unforgiving to those who were not prepared.
As they finished their meal, exhaustion settled upon them. The search for Aurelia had been relentless, but the traces left behind by her kidnapper had been washed away by the incessant rain after the first night.
Occasionally, they would stumble upon a torn piece of her clothing, covered in mud and scattered in random locations. Sometimes, they would find a piece to the east, while other times, it would be to the west. They had even discovered a piece wrapped around a goblin's arm or stuck in the teeth of a sleeping beast.
Elias broke the silence, his frustration evident as he complained about the passage of time. "It's been ten days already," he sighed, his gaze fixed on the dark sky above. "And Lord Blackwood still hasn't arrived."
Marcus rolled his head to the side, his voice calm and reassuring. "My father would never abandon a relative," he said, his tone unwavering. "I'm not sure what's taking him so long, but I'm certain he's on his way by now."
Elias and Marcus continued their conversation, their voices low and thoughtful as they discussed the situation at hand. Thorne, meanwhile, lay quietly, listening to their words as he enjoyed the soothing sound of the rain.
During their time in the dungeon, they had also discovered that the water, whether it came from the rain, the rivers, or the lake, possessed minor healing properties. It was remarkably effective at restoring one's energy, and constant exposure seemed to have a beneficial effect on one's state of mind and physical strength, although the effects were subtle at first.
As the night wore on, the three adventurers found solace in each other's company, their bond strengthened by the challenges they had faced together.