“You want to do what?” Echo asked, her sudden shouting startling the nearby dock workers nearby, one of them nearly dropping a wooden crate.

“I want to lure the Dragon from the Pyre’s crest to the Island of Moire and burn down Joixari and his fellow pirates' fleet,” Eloken said as if that was a simple normal statement and Echo looked at him in disbelief.

Trokt shared the similar look that Echo had. “Dragon?” He asked unsure what to think. “Are you sure they are real, that might be just a fabricated story to sew fear into the people.”

“I mean it might be, but we were attacked by ghouls and fucking skeletons that wielded swords masterfully. We have a creature that is half Lion half something out of the fairytale in our backyard, how far-fetched could the dragons be.” Eloken said.

Trokt shrugged his shoulder, while Echo still looked at him in disbelief.

“That’s why you are going to find that young sailor who says he was the lone survivor of the Pyre’s Crest dragon attack and you’ll have him tell you every detail about it.” Eloken continued. “And then if it's true I am going to lure the creature down to the Island of Moire and have it do the job for use, have it reign fire on our enemies.”

“If the creature exists, how the hell are you going to lure it almost seventy kilometers from Pyre’s Crest to the Island of Moire, and what’s stopping it from burning you to crisps?” Echo asked.

“I’ll think of something,” Eloken said his mind racing with the possibilities. “And we have Cel, she managed to subdue Serapion, who’s to say it wouldn’t work on dragon.”

“You’ll leave here out of this, we talked about it,” Echo said and Trokt shook his head in agreement looking at Eloken with concern. “We are not going to risk any more kid’s lives before they are truly ready, have you already forgotten about Lorien?” Echo asked.

“No I haven’t,” Eloken said. “And I never will!.” He bowed his head just slightly, but Echo noticed, he truly felt at fault, and for Eloken that was a step in the right direction, he cared about his students, they were not just tools or means to an end as many thought.

“I won’t put Cel in danger, she is too valuable,” Eloken said. “I’ll think of something else.”

Echo nodded. “You better.”

“Ok, so,” Eloken said. “We need to leave for Reobard’s estate. Trokt you know your tasks.” Eloken asked.

“Yep, find out the exact number of the ships in their combined fleet, check how rare are those fiery arrows and if Joixari has any of them. Find that young sailor who claims that has seen the dragon and get every detail from him directly.” Trokt went over the tasks.

“And find another bottle of that wine we just had,” Echo added trying to lighten the mood.

“You think I would bring you just one bottle?” Trokt asked with a smile. “There will be at least three more bottles waiting for you in your room once you get back.”

Echo smiled a true smile and hugged Trokt. “Take care.” She said.

“You too,” He replied. “And don’t stab Reobard. I know it will be hard, but you can do it!”

“I’ll keep pointy things out of her reach,” Eloken said while shaking his friend’s hand. “Take care and see you soon.”

Over the past three months, ever since they had that hearth-to-hearth talk on the balcony of the Academy, Echo felt like things were getting back to normal. Ever since Eloken discovered magic Echo felt like he started slowly to lose himself. Yes, he was always arrogant, cocky, and confident, but once he felt the power of magic he became unbearable at times. And then in months leading to Honorable Combat she found herself not enjoying their conversations anymore, he was distant, angry, and overall not too pleasant to be around to the point where Echo started avoiding him..

She was happy to put that time behind them even though the world was changing at rapid speeds she felt happy that she had her friend back. Their trip to Reobards mansion was mostly empty talk. As they reached the grand mansion of Reobard, the vast estate sprawled before them, dozens of gardeners keeping the estate tight. The master-servant, a dignified figure with years of service etched into his poised demeanor, awaited them at the entrance. His uniform was immaculate, a perfect representation of the order within the mansion's walls.

"Welcome, Mistress Echo, Master Eloken," he greeted, his voice seasoned with a respectful warmth that only years of service could perfect. "Lord Reobard has been expecting you."

Eloken's gaze swept over the man, a flicker of recognition lighting his eyes. "I remember you," he remarked, addressing the servant. "I visited this estate with my parents when I was just a little kid, you guided us then."

The servant's face softened into a smile. "Indeed, Master Eloken. It is a pleasure to see you return, grown and distinguished."

Without further ado, the servant led them through the opulent halls of the mansion. Echo followed her surroundings and noticed the Servent was leading them to the same office she tried to spy on Reobard’s meeting with Stonecutter guild during the ball.

They arrived at the ornately carved doors of Reobard's office, the servant pausing to announce their presence. "Lord Reobard, Mistress Echo, and Master Eloken have arrived," he intoned, pushing open the doors to reveal the lord of the estate seated behind a desk that was as much a piece of art as it was a testament to authority.

"Thank you, leave us," Reobard directed, his attention now fully on his guests. The servant bowed deeply and retreated, closing the doors behind him, leaving Echo and Eloken in the company of their enigmatic host.

The office was a reflection of Reobard himself—powerful, refined, and surrounded by the weight of his family’s history. “Please take a seat,” Reobard pointed to two large leather chairs in front of the table. “Echilia, it is so nice to see you again, it’s a shame we didn’t get to finish our dance last time you were at my estate.”

Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

Eloken glanced at her, looking confused, he knew she hated being addressed by her real name, but she just shrugged her shoulders not wanting to give into Reobard’s games. “Nice to see you too Reobard.” She said as she made herself comfortable in the large leather chair.

“So…” Reobard played with the small glass with brownish liquid. “What brings you to my estate today?”

Echo let Eloken speak. “We had some things to discuss, but I am afraid we have more pressing issues, so I am going to be straightforward with you.” He said. “We need your fleet to attack Joixari and his pirates and free the Moire from the blockade.”

“Why now? The blockade has been active for three months now, what has changed?” Reobard asked.

“We have reliable information that Moiran’s might break and give in to the Joixari’s demands, and without their support, we are doomed in the long term,” Eloken said bluntly.

“I see...” Reobard said slowly as if contemplating what he could get out of them with this new information.

“Let’s not play any more games Reobard,” Echo interjected. “Now’s now the time.”

“I am not the one playing games,” Reobard said. “You guys got the kingdom in this situation, you overthrew our king who kept us at the top, and you brought an incompetent replacement so you can rule from the shadows. You brought the magic into the mix with you and disbalanced the whole world with it and brought the wrath of many factions upon Isari Kingdom.”

“Yes, but…” Echo started but Reobard cut her off.

“Please let me finish, Mistress Echilia,” Echo felt the surge of anger, but he was right, she did cut him off so she calmed herself down and let him finish. “And still you keep me, and the rest of the nobility in the dark about your true purpose, your plan, your secret trips to Azarim and other places you visit thinking we don’t notice. The rise of these foul creatures all over the continent, mysterious illnesses and plaques turning living into walking dead…”

“Ok, I am sorry but I have to cut you off,” Eloken said. “Your points are valid, but we can’t discuss them now, time is of the essence, if you help us now I am willing to sit down with you man-to-man, and tell you the full scope of everything that is going on.”

Reobard thought about it for a second. “How do I know you won’t just remove me,” He made a quotation gesture with his hands. “As you did to your uncle, once you get what you need from me.”

“He was a tyrant, a madman,” Eloken said. “It was good for the Kingdom to remove him.”

“Sometimes tyrants are needed for the greater good,” Reobard said.

“He killed my father, his own brother, and my mother and brother, in cold blood just so he could secure the throne,” Eloken said frustration seeping out of him. “You really want to defend that man?”

“No,” Reobard said and sighed. “I don’t think I had the chance to say to you that I am truly sorry for what happened to your family. I knew your parents, we were close. After the incident, I personally came to Sherback Forest to look for the clues and try and find their killers but your uncle had already cleaned the area and, from what I now know, staged it so it looks like Kotors patrol had done it.”

Eloken’s expression softened, just for a moment, and with a nod he acknowledged Reobards claims. “Alright, let’s not dwell on the past anymore, we need to focus on the present, Joixari’s blockade must be broken.”

Reobard nodded slowly, “Very well Eloken, your father was a man of his word, so I’ll hold you to your. So I will commit a quarter of my ships to this cause, knowing damn well most of them will be destroyed. But remember our agreement. Full transparency once this crisis is over.”

“I have to ask you a question,” Echo said. “Are you in any way in league with Joixari?” She knew he wouldn’t tell the truth even if he was, she also knew that he might get insulted by this question and ruin even this bad of a relationship they have with him now. But she thought maybe she could read him, gouge if he was telling the truth by his reaction.

Reobard seemed to be taken aback by the question, but not insulted. He exhaled slowly and spoke, “With that savage?” He made a small pause. “No, never. I just never thought him a threat.”

“And yet, someone you didn’t think was a threat blockaded our most important ally and trade partner, and now you are still unwilling to help us fully,” Echo said keeping eye contact with the nobleman.

“I gave you a quarter of my ships and as I said before until you are one hundred percent straightforward with me with everything that is going on and your end goals, you are not going to get my full support.” He said straightening up in his chair. “Until then, this is the best I can do!”

Eloken shot her a killing glance, but Echo just shrugged it off and turned to leave. Eloken stayed in the office after she left, so she decided to wait for him by their carriage outside.

“Has the meeting gone according to your expectations,” The Master Servant said startling Echo. “Lord Reobard can be a difficult man, but he is a good man nonetheless.”

“I don’t know about that,” Echo answered politely. “To me, he seems to only have his interest in mind.”

“Not his own, but his family’s best interest has always come before the kingdom and everything else.”

“I can understand that,” Echo said. “But still, the way he operates and all the games he plays give me a feeling that he is not a good man.”

The Master Servant nodded, his expression unchanged. “Perhaps. But I’ve known Lord Reobard since he was a child, and he was a good boy, good deep down in his heart, and I believe he still is. But he needed to become like this to navigate these treacherous waters, and I still trust his judgment.”

Before Echo could respond, the doors of the mansion swung open, and Eloken emerged, his face a mask of frustration and resolve. He walked briskly toward the carriage not acknowledging the Master Servant or Echo’s questioning look.

Echo followed him into the carriage, and as it began to roll away from Reobard’s estate, she broke the silence. “What happened?”

Eloken sighed, rubbing his temples. “I asked him more about the day my family was killed and his connections with them.”

“And what did he say?” Echo asked, leaning forward slightly, her eyes intent on Eloken’s face.

Eloken hesitated for a moment as if contemplating whether to tell Echo everything as he stared out of the carriage window at the passing countryside. “Something caught my mind, that’s why I wanted to pry more. He said he came to the Sherback Forest to look for clues.”

“Yes, and?” Echo asked not sure what Eloken meant by his statement.

“You know they have been killed there because I told you so. But the general public doesn’t know, my uncle told everyone that they died in the Somerstal Woods, which is closer to the Kotors location and a valid route towards Worlin.” Eloken said rubbing his stubble beard. “So he knows the exact location where they died, which is weird, something more is at play here.”

Echo nodded, understanding Eloken’s frustration now. “So did he say anything else?”

“Not really, he just said he and my parents were close, and that their death took a toll on him, but he is hiding something else,” Eloken said. “But I can’t bother my mind with it right now, Let’s just get to the Academy and plan how to break the blockade.”

Echo nodded, putting her hand on his knee trying to comfort him with her touch. She felt sorry for him, his family’s death haunted him all these years later, and the mystery of what exactly happened remained to be found out.