Empire of Shadows

Chapter 18: Ghassan

After Dark's Clan leave, everyone else slowly began to gather their belongings and make their way towards the main hall's doors. The Light Clan family saw off others, quietly saying goodbye, while Naar and Tero Clan were still sitting at the table. The Mage Council made Ghassan look at things differently. He realized that now there was no longer any hope for peace. The new reality portends the threat of war and attacks on each clan's palace. It made him even more anxious when he thought about his younger sister Layla. She hasn't written to him or Marwan since last two months and although he knew that she could stand up for herself if anything happens, but now when the future was so unpredictable, he only wished to see her safely at home. If not for her tough and persistent character, brother would've never agreed to let her wander the Empire. It's been almost half a year!

Shaking his head to free himself from uneasy thoughts, Ghassan turned his gaze to his older brother and listened to his conversation with Remus Tero, another archimage, besides Edlyn Light and Zhu Fei on the meeting today. Their voices were strained and muffled. "Clan Leader Naar, this is a risky idea. We do not know the intentions nor the thoughts of Rasmus Dark. How do you assume he'll react if we set up a camp next to his troops?"

"I'm aware how crazy that looks and sounds more like a madman's joke, however, just listen." Marwan noticed that his younger sibling was attentive to his words as well. The corner of his lips rose in the semblance of a smile. "This will be simply a distraction while Adrian and Ghassan secretly explore the area and then report back to us if there are any oddities. I don't believe that these soldiers are standing there just like that, they are either preparing for a war or guarding something of a value."

"Clan Leader Rasmus said that these soldiers are there for protection," Remus added, frowning slightly, "but he kept silent from whom or what. This just makes things more confusing."

"Despite that we must act now," insisted Clan Leader Naar, impatiently tapping his fingers on the table's surface, "I don't like nor support how Dark Clan treated Light Clan and I intend to find out what they are hiding from us."

"I hear my brother is shocking others again with his unbelievable ideas," Ghassan joined the conversation with a chuckle, hoping to ease the tension. "As you may know, so many people, so many minds."

"Young Master San," addressed him quite informally Serene Tero, "what do you think of this? Shall we do as Marwan is saying?"

"Umm..." hesitated the red-haired mage, looking firstly at her and then at his older sibling, "well..."

"Why are you all looking at the poor boy like that? It's obvious that he's embarrassed."

Keyon's sudden appearance behind them made Ghassan sigh in relief. Now I don't have to be between two fires, otherwise Clan Leader Tero knows how to put me in an awkward position. "What made you stay late?" Clan Leader Light walked to the round table, fingers lowering on the surface. "The Council is officially over."

"It was my fault they were delayed, Clan Leader," Marwan smiled mischievously, "I was thinking about a strategy to find out the true intentions of Rasmus Dark and just shared my plan with Clan Leader Tero."

"Oh," noticeably perked up Keyon, "Edlyn, did you hear it?"

Madam Light strolled forward, eyebrows raised, following Desmond who was curious as well to the father's sudden mood shift. "Heard what?"

"Clan Naar and Tero are plotting to expose Rasmus's true colors," smirked in amusement Master Light. "Shall we join them?"

"Keyon, slow down," shook her head Edlyn, her face puzzled. "What is the meaning of this? Do you propose acting behind other clan's backs?"