Shadows of the Forgotten Realms

3

When the last person at the table pushed their plate away, Naraina stood up, and the others followed suit. It had been over an hour since the guard's knock had interrupted their meal. They said their goodbyes without words, as usual. They met irregularly but quite frequently. They didn't know the exact locations they were heading to, but they knew ways to communicate and exchange information.

Her confidante and friend, Caelia Starwhisper, appeared at her side. She was the one whose face people knew, the heart and soul of the order. They didn't make a mistake in that regard. The apartment where they had their dinner was small but had served as the meeting place for the order for many years. Previous generations of members, much like them, had sat at the same table to share a meal. However, as the organization grew, so did the number of members. When Naraina joined the order, it was led by three people. Anara Stocks, a woman with a deadly gaze and unpleasant manners, was one of them. During one of her forbidden excursions, she had sneaked into a place where the woman was practicing, and that's when she had learned that the woman was a fae. Of course, Anara had heard her before Naraina even stepped forward from behind a stone pillar and asked her to join them. She didn't demand secrecy from her or threaten her, yet she didn't reveal the information she had gathered to the others.

The next person at the helm of the order was Mornon Strags, a man who gave off a misleading first impression. He came from Marandoll and was a specialist in the defense and warfare of that land's people. Despite Naraina's gentle demeanor, she always considered him the most dangerous. Thirdly, there was Onur. She never learned his last name, and he rarely spoke. When he did, it was usually to deliver punishments to her, and he made sure they were severe. Just a few months after her acceptance, Anara was murdered. Officially, King Hadeon was blamed for it, as he had always wanted to destroy the order or infiltrate its ranks. Unofficially, it was believed that the other two members were behind the woman's murder. Killing a fae was not easy, and Anara was an excellent warrior. A few months later, more disturbing events occurred, resulting in Onur's death, and Mornon disappeared. Naraina wasn't the only cadet they had accepted into their ranks, but along with Caelia and Vaelen, she made sure they weren't pushed to the sidelines. That night, when the old order fell apart, a new one was formed. She was just over 17 years old when the order changed.

During their absence from the order, others lived there, individuals who managed the household and were integrated into their network, organizations. The order was just the tip of the iceberg of the illegal organization. Although they operated against the law, no one pursued them, except for Hadeon. However, after the change of power within the order, he only tried to approach them once. Too many people benefited from their services.

Together, the three of them navigated the corridor and stood in front of the room where the king was located. Inside, one of the order members was guarding him. Caelia entered the room and left Naraina and Vaelen, who had moved behind a curtain into a narrow corridor, one of many similar spaces in the apartment, ideal for eavesdropping. Vaelen sat on the floor and leaned against the wall, which had small holes through which Naraina could observe what was happening in the room. The holes were located in the right corner of the room, allowing Naraina to always keep an eye on Caelia during such meetings. It had saved her life several times.

The woman entered the room and sat in an armchair upholstered in dark blue fabric without looking at the king, who, in contrast to her, sat on a simple wooden chair. When they began accepting assignments during the fall of the order, they had ensured, by checking all the chairs in the apartment, that the least comfortable one would be in this room. Caelia focused her gaze on the scrolls and notes. There was nothing important in this room, and she was sure the guard had scrutinized everything on the surface and more. She didn't say a word to him. Instead, Naraina saw everything.

She had seen the king several times before, either during his outings to show himself to his subjects or when she occasionally sneaked near the palace. The man wasn't fat or short, but he didn't look like someone capable of fighting, and that was what made him the most dangerous. He had spent years strengthening his position. He had light, non-human Marandoll eyes and fair skin. His black hair reached his shoulders and was tied at the back. He was dressed in dark red pants and a cloak, looking like he had bathed in blood. Hadeon, sitting in the room in front of her, was one of the most dangerous creatures in this world. Naraina was certain that if he had lived 126 years ago when the curse was cast, the world she knew today wouldn't exist.

"Address your king," Caelia spoke to the guard standing next to the seated monarch, who had his hand on his unsheathed sword. He looked at her disdainfully but complied with her request.

"I want to speak with your leader, the head of this order," King Hadeon's voice was deep and serious. He wanted to give the impression of being relaxed, which he would have achieved if it weren't for his restless leg.

"I am your only chance. You can speak or leave," Caelia licked two fingers and then turned a page in her book. No one in their group hated him as much as they did.

"Sir," the monarch raised his hand and interrupted the guard. "I want you to show me respect." Naraina's hand drew her dagger when Caelia, with a low sweep, turned a page in her tome. She didn't look at him.

"You come uninvited; what do you want from us? You won't get respect from us," Naraina declared.

"I want to hire you. Princess Enora has been kidnapped," Naraina widened her eyes at the sound of that familiar name. She knew the king's daughter, although the princess didn't know her true identity. It was clear that the guard was privy to this information.

"I want one of you to infiltrate Valendor and rescue her. All necessary information will be provided to you upon agreement, under one condition."

"We set the conditions," Caelia urged him. "If we are to agree, we demand gold equal to the weight of your royal behind, a secure port, and a retroactive written agreement without specifying the person's identity but guaranteeing their safety. We also demand a certificate of affiliation." Caelia had the full choice of whether to agree or not.

"What do you expect?" Naraina's hand moved her dagger, and Caelia turned another page with a thud.

"The task will be undertaken by Naraina," she said, and Naraina was sure that Hadeon looked directly at her. He somehow knew.

Vaelen raised his head, and Caelia didn't change her posture, although she knew what the king had done. There was silence, during which no one spoke. Vaelen shook his head in disagreement.

"Don't even think about it," he whispered, and Naraina looked at him.

"We'll consider it and send a message to the palace," Caelia stood up with the intention of leaving, but the guest's words stopped her.

"Lately, there have been many incidents," the king looked around at the books scattered on the street, but there was nothing in this room that could betray them. "People with whom the kingdom has certain... agreements... have been disappearing." He pondered for a moment. "I must admit that this is very inconvenient for me. I've mobilized special units to search for the culprit. My spies are very meticulous and can gather information." He took a folded piece of paper from his inner breast pocket and placed it on the desk. Caelia suspiciously picked it up and sat down, carefully reading its contents. "I know she's here," he said, looking straight into the small hole through which Naraina was peeking. "I won't wait for your response. If I leave here without your consent, I will make a few marks on the list."

Caelia's hand drew Naraina's gaze. She lowered it low enough so that the king couldn't see what she was signaling.

"Names and locations," Caelia's hand seemed to say. Naraina muttered a curse under her breath and then looked at Vaelen, who was shaking his head.

She knocked twice on the wall and left. She heard a quiet curse from the boy behind her. Caelia presented the king's conditions and gave him a summary to sign. Each of their assignments was recorded, and anyone who used their services was on the list.