Chapter XXV

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All I see is Luke sitting in the chair being held down with chains. Bloody and bruised just like Xaden and Liam's Fists.

"God Dammit just tell me" I say in frustration. In the cobblestone walls of the cell I feel claustrophobic. I can't take it any longer, and with that I take the dagger from my thigh, and I make one last threat.

The dagger gleams ominously in the dim light of the cellar, its edge catching the flickering torchlight. Luke's eyes widen in fear as he realizes the gravity of the situation. The tension in the air is palpable as you hold the blade menacingly, I feel frustration boiling over into desperation. Sweat beads on my forehead as I await his response, knowing that this moment could change everything.

"Did you get the letter?" he asks, his gaze fixed on me.

"No, I haven't. What letter?" I responded, arms crossed, anticipating his answer. Xaden and Liam watch the tense exchange.

"The letter was sent. You should be receiving it soon."

"Tell me, what's in the letter?"

"The thing is, I don't know exactly, but it's an invitation."

"Well, that's great, if only you could explain," frustration seeping through my words. We engage in a staring contest, each waiting for the other to crack under the pressure.

"Wait for the letter. It would be better to explain but you most certainly do not..." His sentence is cut short as his head rolls to the other side of the cell. Shocked, I turn to Xaden, who is now splattered with blood.

He stood holding the blood-stained dagger, the weight of Luke's final words hung heavy in the air. Xaden and Liam exchanged a silent glance, their expressions mirroring the tension that permeated the dimly lit cellar.

With a heavy sigh, I released the dagger from my grip and turned away from Luke's lifeless form. The walls of the cellar seemed to close in around me, suffocating me with their oppressive presence. I needed to escape, to find solace in the familiar confines of my dormitory.

The journey back felt interminable, each step weighed down by the burden of unanswered questions and the weight of guilt. What had Luke known? What secrets had died with him in that dank, shadowy cell?

Upon reaching my dormitory, I pushed open the door with a sense of trepidation, unsure of what awaited me on the other side. Yet, as my eyes fell upon the elegant envelope resting on my neatly made bed, a spark of curiosity ignited within me.

The contrast between the opulent envelope and the surroundings of our wing was striking, lending an air of intrigue to the mundane surroundings. With trembling hands, I reached out and plucked the envelope from the bed, the soft rustle of paper echoing in the silence of the room.

For a moment, I hesitated, my fingers hovering over the seal as though afraid to break the fragile barrier that separated me from the unknown contents within. But curiosity prevailed, and with a decisive motion, I tore open the envelope, my heart pounding in anticipation.

As I withdrew the letter nestled within, the words on the page seemed to dance before my eyes, taunting me with their cryptic message. It was an invitation, just as Luke had said, yet the true significance of its contents remained shrouded in mystery.

With a furrowed brow, I began to read, my mind racing with questions and uncertainties. What secrets lay hidden within these carefully crafted words? And more importantly, what role would I play in the unfolding drama that awaited me?

As I pondered these questions, the flickering torchlight cast eerie shadows across the room, imbuing the air with a sense of foreboding. Little did I know, this simple letter would serve as the catalyst for a chain of events that would forever alter the course of my destiny.

Dear Nora Cyra Freysson,

It is with great honor that I address you. Your father was a man of integrity, and I believe you possess the same admirable qualities. You must be cognizant of the shifting tides and the looming specter of dissent from neighboring kingdoms. Thus, I write to propose a solution born of necessity but one I believe you would like to be a part of.

A grand ball is to be convened, a gathering where the elites of all kingdoms shall convene beneath the same celestial canopy. This event heralds an opportunity for you to forge alliances with your fellow rulers, fostering unity and understanding. While the cautionary whispers that may have reached your ears, the apprehensions voiced by my son, Luke—brave yet stubborn, his counsel tinged with the hues of skepticism. But let me assuage your doubts, dispel the shadows of mistrust that threaten to eclipse the brilliance of our aspirations. For in this endeavor, our aspirations are aligned, our visions intertwined in a tapestry of collective destiny.

Let us, then, cast aside the shackles of discord that bind us, transcending the artificial boundaries that delineate our kingdoms. Let us embrace the spirit of unity, standing as one against the tide of adversity, for in unity lies our strength, our resilience, our hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Warm regards,

Gerard Rugfurd Ruler and Founder of the Second Party Army of Bhaltair



My Heart stops 

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