The Empty Throne
The gilded doors of Aldrich Goldleaf's opulent office burst open, the sound echoing through the suddenly silent hallway. Lady Argentum strode in, her silver-embroidered robes swirling around her feet, a squad of royal guards at her heels.
"Goldleaf!" she called out, her voice sharp with authority. "Your time is up. The crown demands..."
Her words trailed off as she took in the scene before her. The office, usually a picture of meticulous order, was in disarray. Drawers hung open, papers were strewn across the floor, and the grand desk at the center of the room was conspicuously empty.
Lady Argentum's eyes narrowed. "Search every inch of this building," she commanded the guards. "Find him."
As the guards dispersed, she moved to the desk, her fingers tracing the edge of a hastily cleared surface. A single piece of paper caught her attention, half-hidden under an overturned inkwell. She plucked it free, her eyes scanning the hurried scrawl.
"'When sky and sea unite'," she read aloud, her brow furrowing. "What game are you playing, Goldleaf?"
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A guard returned, slightly out of breath. "My lady, there's no sign of him. But we found this in his private quarters." He held out a small, intricately carved model of an airship.
Lady Argentum took the model, turning it over in her hands. Her expression hardened as understanding dawned.
"So, this is where our investment went," she murmured. "Not into the royal coffers, but into the sky itself."
She set the model down with deliberate care, then turned to face the guard captain who had just entered.
"Captain," she said, her voice cold and precise, "I have a mission of utmost importance. Find Cindermask."
The captain's eyes widened slightly at the mention of the notorious royal assassin. "Yes, my lady. Any specific instructions?"
Lady Argentum's gaze drifted to the window, where the sprawling city lay below, unaware of the storm brewing in the upper echelons of power.
"Tell Cindermask to track down Aldrich Goldleaf. I want to know every move he makes, every ally he has, and most importantly, the full extent of his... aerial aspirations." Her lips curved into a humorless smile. "The crown's investment will be recouped, one way or another."
As the captain hurried out, Lady Argentum turned back to the window. Somewhere out there, Goldleaf was implementing a plan that threatened not just the royal coffers, but potentially the balance of power in the entire realm.
"Fly while you can, Aldrich," she whispered to the empty air. "But remember, even the highest flyer must eventually come back to earth. And when you do, we'll be waiting."
With a swirl of silver-embroidered robes, Lady Argentum swept out of the office, leaving behind the chaos of Goldleaf's hasty departure and the promise of a hunt about to begin.