Kaelith's expression hardened as the outline came closer into the range of the dim torchlight.
An unfamiliar face, but something about his demeanor was quite unsettling: stalk like a fluid, motionless shadow that had been biding its time.
You, Kaelith muttered.
The man pulled back his hood, revealing sharp features framed by dark hair, and eyes that glimmered like storm clouds.
"Indeed," he said. Voice cool and smooth. "I wonder when you'd find me."
Theron stiffened, hand moving towards his dagger as Kaelith raised her palm.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"A friend," the man replied, silver-tongued smirk plastered on his face. "Or at least, I was."
Ice traced Kaelith's spine. Flickered memories surfaced—fragments of secret rendezvous, buried promises, a betrayal she had not fully comprehended.
"Why reveal yourself now?" she questioned.
"Because the game has changed," he bluntly stated. "And need backers you can actually rely on."
"Trust is a luxury you don't deserve," Theron grimaced, eyes dark.
The stranger chuckled ever so lightly. "Both of you look different from the last time we met. But, time is of the essence."
Kaelith moved up a pace, "It you don't get to the point, I will be forced to take action."
He shook his head. "The Queen's purge was only the start, there is a bigger danger out there than all of us combined."
Kaelith's heart raced.
"Which threat?" she kept pressing.
"A cell in the court," he voiced, striking his tone lower. "They are more sinister than any adversary you've encountered. And they're nearer than you anticipate."
Kaelith glanced at Theron and Mira.
"Give me the names," she demanded.
He seemed to think through his answer, and finally said, "The Raven Council," so softly she had to strain to hear him.
Her fingers tingled with a sudden rush of cold.
"Who are they?" Corven questioned from the dark.
"An ancient secret society," the stranger explained. "They control the throne without the throne's permission. The Queen answers to them, willingly or unwillingly."
Kaelith slammed her fists together, biting her lip.
"Then we shall expose them."
"No easy task," the glare the stranger sent Kaelith made her uncomfortable. "They monitor everything. And they will sacrifice everything to protect their control."
A sound in the hollowed out wall made everyone freeze.
Footsteps. Slow and measured.
"We've run out of time," he said.
"Show us," Kaelith said gesturing.
Their walk deep in the city's dungeon increased.
The stranger, who had finally identified himself as Eryk, outlined all that he knew of The Raven Council's members, their ceremonies, and their intelligence network.
The council's grip on the crown deepened with each revelation.
Eryk halted at a rusted iron door.
"This is my stop," he told them.
Kaelith frowned. "Why?"
"That is because beyond this door lies the heart of the Council's power and you will have to face it alone."
Theron stepped forward saying, "We go together."
Eryk shook his head, saying, "No. This is your burden, Duchess."
Kaelith's breath caught.
"He just… I mean, that's totally insane. How can he just leave?"
Her eyes wildly darted about and eventually landed on Eryk.
She blinked and imagined the man before her disappearing with a caped flourish. He was fully intending to remove his coat and toss it over his shoulder.
His hands were inside his pockets, and she imagined that he was preparing to take them out.
This wasn't a game.
By the slightest concession, he would tip the scales towards chaos.
So, she had to make the choice herself.
We' were not tied to calculate our footsteps.
"Enough for ease us."
As if to settle every forthcoming quarrell.
With the sharpened shaking hand, she swung the door wide-open.
Ahead of her, nothing but pitch-black void existed.
From beyond the blind, a cold…
"Welcome, Duchess Ravencourt. We've been expecting you."
Note: Lack of narration wrap the sceneries swords that had set прикстрації directly fending for paving floor.
And captivates worlds came telling prevailed.