A figure cloaked in the opulence of the mansion materialized in the courtyard. Elder Maison, a titan of the realm, stepped into the morning light, his presence a tangible force. A phalanx of guards followed, their faces etched with the same unquestioning obedience as the armour they wore.
Their world, however, was about to shatter.
In front of them, a scene of chaos spread out. Captain Kaelen, a man of iron and honour, was kneeling. His opponent, a young man with remarkable features, wearing a tunic shirt and black pants that emphasized his relaxed stance, stood over him. It was a silent accusation of the defeated soldiers scattered around like discarded toys. The wide-eyed guards mirrored the absurdity of the situation with their disbelief.
"Tend to the wounded," Elder Maison's voice was a low, commanding rumble. It was a stark contrast to the surreal chaos. The guards began their grim task with mechanical precision, their movements sharply contrasting with the stillness of the fallen.
"Do my eyes deceive me?" Elder Maison began as he approached both David and Captain Kaelen, who was now standing. Elder Maison, with a puzzled expression on his face, recognized his nephew from the prestigious main house of De Gor. It was odd, even disconcerting, seeing the disgrace of the family in his own residence.
David turned toward the voice and locked eyes with a nobleman walking toward them with an air of authority. The man was dressed in sumptuous robes lined with luxurious fur, exuding wealth and power.
His silver hair and beard, glistening under the light, framed a face marked by age and experience. He had a stern yet regal expression, his deep-set eyes reflecting wisdom and determination. The intricate patterns adorning his attire, along with the gleaming pendant hanging from his neck, reinforced the aura of command and respect he exuded.
"Elder Noble," Captain Kaelen politely greeted as he bowed down in a show of deep respect, acknowledging the noble's presence.
"Captain, it's good to see you. I assume you have neutralized the intruder," Elder Maison stated, his eyes now on David. "Young Master, what a splendid surprise! By the goddess, what are you doing here?" he asked, his tone a mix of shock and curiosity.
"Ahem," Captain Kaelen coughed, drawing Elder Maison's attention.
"What might be the problem, Kaelen?" Elder Maison inquired, noticing the Captain's strange behaviour.
"Elder Noble, it would seem that the intruder is... the young master," Captain Kaelen explained.
"Captain, is this some kind of joke? No," Elder Maison corrected himself, knowing Captain Kaelen was not a man to jest, especially in his presence. He observed the carnage of fallen, unconscious men, the realization hitting him like a hammer. "How?" he muttered aloud.
David, a mere mortal, found himself confronted by the Awakened guards stationed within the estate. These guards were all skilled swordsmen, ranging from 1st to 4th rank, with capabilities far surpassing the mundane. The question remained: how could he, as a mere mortal, take down so many warriors with such superior abilities?
Captain Kaelen's voice, a low rumble in the tense morning, cut through the disbelief. "My lord, perhaps we should continue this discussion within," he suggested, his gaze flicking to the mansion, a silent fortress of age and power.
Elder Maison's mind was a tempest of confusion and disbelief. His nod was a mere reflex, a mechanical response to a world turned upside down. A chasm of incomprehension yawned within him. His voice, when it finally emerged, was a mere whisper, a stark contrast to his usual authoritative tone.
"Of course, of course," he managed, his eyes wide with astonishment. With a trembling hand, a gesture utterly foreign to him, he extended it towards David. It was a silent plea for understanding, a desperate attempt to regain control of a situation spiraling beyond his comprehension. "Young master, please, follow me," he urged, his voice barely audible above the storm raging within.
David turned to Seraphina. "Return to the Rusty Dragon. I'll join you once I've finished here," he instructed. Seraphina nodded, her gaze steady. Without another word, she turned and left the estate, her departure unnoticed.
As they stepped into the mansion, the world transformed into a gilded cage. The hallway was a labyrinth of shadows and secrets, each step an echo in the grand hall of history. Ornate carvings, like frozen whispers, adorned the walls, telling tales of gods and heroes, their golden sheen mocking the mundane reality that had shattered outside. The air was thick with the scent of old money and forgotten dreams, a heady perfume that seemed to cling to the very fabric of the mansion.
David moved through this opulent corridor like a ghost, his presence a jarring dissonance in the harmonious world of the old. Captain Kaelen, a specter of silent efficiency, followed close behind, his eyes never leaving the young man. Elder Maison, meanwhile, was a man adrift in a sea of doubt. The pieces of a puzzle were scattered before him, but the image they were meant to form remained elusive.
At last, they reached a chamber that seemed to be the heart of the mansion. Sunlight, filtered through stained glass, painted the room in hues of gold and crimson. It was a space where power resided, a throne room for the mind. Elder Maison gestured towards a plush armchair. "Please, be seated, young master," he said, his voice a strained attempt at normalcy.
The grand room was bathed in the soft glow of morning light, exuding an air of timeless elegance. An ornate chandelier hung majestically from the high ceiling, its crystals shimmering like captured stars. Richly upholstered sofas and armchairs, arranged around a central coffee table, invited guests to sit and linger in conversation. The walls, adorned with antique portraits and tapestries, whispered stories of bygone eras.
The warm morning light cast a cosy, golden hue, illuminating the intricate details of the room's decor, from the marble fireplace to the carefully curated knick-knacks adorning the shelves. Tall windows, draped with heavy curtains, offered a glimpse of the garden outside, adding to the room's enchanting ambience.
David took a seat opposite Elder Maison, who settled into an equally plush chair, while Captain Kaelen stood beside the Elder, his presence a silent guardian. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the three figures prepared to delve into matters of great importance, the elegant surroundings a stark contrast to the tension simmering beneath the surface.
Elder Maison, a towering figure of authority, ushered David into the manor with a gesture that was both welcoming and guarded. The morning light painted the man's face in hues of gold and shadow, emphasizing the lines of experience etched into his weathered skin.
"Welcome," he began, his voice a low rumble. "I apologize for the...enthusiastic greeting from my men." His gaze flickered to Captain Kaelen, a silent acknowledgement of the misunderstanding. Piecing together the situation, he realized his guards had never seen David, who had been secluded in the De Gor estate in Eldoria, the heart of Aethelwarin, mistaking him for an intruder.
Elder Maison's keen eyes studied the young man. "Good," he replied, relief washing over his features.
A flicker of curiosity ignited in Elder Maison's eyes. "Your sudden arrival is quite unexpected, nephew," he said, the word 'nephew' carrying a question mark. "Our relationship, as you know, has always been distant."
David met his gaze, his eyes holding a depth that belied his years. "Ah yes, but my visit concerns a matter of grave importance," he began, his voice carrying a weight that hung heavy in the air. "An attempt on my life."
The words hung suspended in the room, a silent bomb that detonated in the minds of the two listeners. Captain Kaelen stiffened, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword, while Elder Maison's face remained indifferent.
Elder Maison leaned back, a thoughtful expression gracing his features. "Ah yes," he murmured, his eyes distant.
"That fateful day when you were hunted like a sparrow by those who sought to extinguish your light." His voice was a low rumble, carrying the weight of memories. "But why come to me, and not the Earl, your father?" The question hung in the air, a challenge masked as curiosity.
David's eyes held a steady gaze."Simple, really," David countered as the elder leaned in, intrigued. "The Fingers," he said. "Who have had an iron grip on the underworld for quite some time...are indeed the culprits"
A flicker of amusement crossed Elder Maison's face. "And so, the noble prince comes to me, the humble town elder, for assistance in bringing down the underworld?" His tone was laced with sarcasm.
"Because if that is the reason, I believe I cannot help you," Elder Maison declared.
David's smile was a predator's grin. "Hardly," he replied, his voice low and dangerous.
"The Fingers are no more. Their reign of terror has ended, by my hand of course." David dropped the bombshell, watching as Elder Maison's amusement vanished.
"My question is, why was their base of operations here?" The words hung in the air, heavy with accusation.