Empire of Shadows

Chapter 17: Desmond

The past three weeks have become for Desmond chaotic, quickly flashing pictures, like in a book when you flip through page after page mindlessly. There is too much happening, everything is confusing, making him worried and disturbing his sleep. In fact, he did not sleep well at all. Thoughts about his sister, still stuck in the prison in Shadoo, did not give rest to the young heir of Light Clan.

It so happened that when the news of Dark Clan's piece of the Seal was stolen by the children of the Light Clan leaked beyond Shadoo's territory, Keyon and Edlyn Light personally came to visit Rasmus, demanding to release them. Other mages were able to leave Shadoo as soon as the accused were found. Keyon and Edlyn had to deal with the consequences of the stupid actions of Haylee, Harvey and Desmond themselves; the rest of the clans preferred to remain on the sidelines, not expressing their sympathy for any of them.

After long and loud negotiations, Clan Leader Dark agreed to release two of the three children – Desmond and Harvey since they were only accomplices. The main blame was placed on Haylee, because she was seen holding a piece of the seal and trying to get rid of the evidence.

Since Dark Clan didn't want to make concessions, Keyon and Edlyn had to take extreme measures and convene a Mage Council. Formed under the ancient mages, the ancestors of the seven clans, the Council resolved conflicts between clan strife and tried to prevent possible wars. It usually consisted of archimages, clan leaders and their heirs. In fact, the Council has executive power in the Noir Empire, all mages and their troops are subordinate to it. Although, Emperor Dorian the Great has the highest rank in the realm, his power is rather representative and symbolic. The empire is actually governed by this Mage Council.

It was decided to hold the meeting in Lys, at Keyon's residence. From the very morning, mages from different territories and clans arrived in a hurry to make it by noon. Nervously adjusting his shirt under the black caftan, Desmond looked around at those gathered in the main hall near the round table.

Over there on the right, Marwan and Ghassan were whispering, the latter one also casted worried glances at Adrian Tero from time to time. On the left, near the wall with straight backs and proudly raised heads, Eri and Katsuo Aisu stood like ice statues. Opposite his parents were Clan Leader Serene and her husband Remus, they were talking with one another while actively gesticulating. At a distance from everyone was Adrianna Vanora, the head of Water Clan. She was deep in her thoughts, face darkened by a shadow of anxiety.

Two clans are missing. Fei and Dark. Will they appear at all? Considering what recently happened in Huang's residence, I wouldn't be surprised if today there won't be no Air and Winds Clan. However, is Rasmus's delay alarming? Does he really not want to resolve the conflict peacefully through negotiations? Is he that confident in his power and influence in the mage world?

Desmond suddenly felt someone pinching his leg. Emerging from his thoughts, the youth drew attention to the curtains, next to which he stood, leaning against the wall. Outstretched fingers appeared from the side, and then a whisper was heard. "It's me, don't panic. Don't make a noise or we'll be noticed. I wanted to get to the Council, couldn't do it any other way."

Harvey, what an idiot. To set himself up and for what? Our Mother will kill him if she knows.

"Get out now, you shouldn't be here," barely moving his lips, answered quickly the older Light brother.

"Well, I am here now whether you want it or not," Harvey continued to whisper, but it sounded more like a hiss. "I couldn't stay in my chambers while Haylee's fate was being decided on this Council."

Even though he is a fool, I cannot forbid him to be here. He worries about her just as much as I do. If not more.

"Your twin connection with Haylee doesn't allow you to think rationally, you doom us all to shame and the disgrace of the clan, but this time I will not interfere with you. Sit quietly, keep your head down, we'll talk about everything later," Desmond cleared his throat and walked away from the curtains, indicating the end of the conversation.