The Crown of Dusk and Flames

Chapter 4 - Alaric

The wind tore at my cloak as I hurried up the steep path toward Skyreach Citadel, heart thudding in my chest. Evander and Valentina had seen me- seen everything. That realization gnawed at my mind, twisting like a blade. I clenched my fists as I pushed through the night, the cold air biting my skin but doing nothing to cool the panic rising in me. I should have been more careful, but I had thought I'd be safe under the cover of dusk. What were they even doing down at the docks? Valentina was always restless, and Evander... he was too cautious for his own good. Always watching, always analyzing. I should've known he wouldn't let anything slip past him. My breath came out in short, ragged bursts as I neared the towering walls of the citadel, its spires piercing the sky like dark sentinels under the starlight. The familiar sight that had always brought me comfort now felt oppressive.

What was I going to do? Father had to know. He needed to hear about this before Evander or Valentina did something foolish. If they talked to Mother, it could unravel everything. The meeting with the assassins was supposed to be secret, part of a plan far bigger than either of them could comprehend. If they said anything... I didn't want to think about what might happen next. As I approached the massive gates of the citadel, the guards, recognizing me, gave a sharp salute before pulling the doors open. The warmth of the interior hit me like a wave, the smell of roasting meat and spices filling the air. Dinner would be starting soon. Perfect. Father would be there, and I could find a way to speak to him alone. The thought of facing him made my stomach churn, but I had no choice. This was bigger than my nerves. Bigger than any fear I had. I always did the exact things Azaroth told me to do, there wa no way he can be overly mad at my mistake.. right?

I strode through the grand halls, the ornate tapestries and polished marble floors reflecting the light of the floating lanterns that lined the ceiling. My mind raced through the possibilities. Father was ruthless but precise, a master at controlling the game. He would know what to do. The dining hall was already filled with the low murmur of voices as I entered. My family sat at the long, dark wooden table, the golden candelabras flickering gently. Mother, her light blond hair perfectly coiled, looked up at me with a soft smile. Feeding my youngest sister with some sort of purred fruits . Valentina was there too, her defiant eyes locking on me briefly before flicking away. She said nothing, but the tension was clear. Evander sat beside her, his expression guarded, but I knew him well enough to sense his worry. Father sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding as always, though he hadn't noticed me yet. He was engrossed in a conversation with one of his advisers, the ever-looming General Kaelis, his face as stoic as stone. Father's dark, piercing eyes swept over the room as he spoke, his tone casual but authoritative. Every word he said was weighted with purpose.

I took a deep breath, moving to my seat across from Valentina and Evander. I kept my gaze forward, trying to focus on the food before me, though I had no appetite. I needed to get Father's attention without raising suspicion. My mind raced through how to approach him, how to get him alone without drawing Mother's curiosity. Father finally turned his gaze toward me, his voice cutting through the hum of the hall.
"Alaric,"
he said, his tone even, but there was always that undercurrent of expectation when he spoke my name. "You're late."
"I apologize, Father,"
I replied, keeping my voice steady.
"There was something urgent I needed to attend to."
His eyes narrowed slightly, studying me.
"Is it resolved?"
"Not yet,"
I said carefully, glancing briefly at Valentina and Evander. I couldn't say more with them sitting here.
"It requires your attention, in private."
That seemed to catch his interest. Father's gaze lingered on me for a long moment before he gave a slight nod, signaling that he understood.
"Very well,"
he said, his voice low but sharp enough to cut through the conversation around us.
"After dinner."

Relief washed over me, but it was fleeting. The hardest part was yet to come. I couldn't risk giving anything away during the meal, so I forced myself to eat in silence, barely tasting the food as I waited for the moment when I could finally speak with him alone. My eyes flicked occasionally toward Valentina and Evander, but they remained quiet. Evander glanced at me more than once, suspicion clear in his eyes, but neither of them said a word. When dinner ended, Father rose from his seat, his presence commanding as always. He nodded toward me, a silent cue to follow. I stood and trailed behind him through the halls, my heart pounding louder with each step. The tension between us hung in the air as we walked, the grand hallways of the citadel feeling strangely claustrophobic. We entered his private study, the heavy wooden door closing with a soft thud behind us. The room was dimly lit, the faint glow of the hearth casting shadows across the dark stone walls. Shelves filled with ancient tomes lined the room, and Father moved toward his large desk, standing behind it with an expectant look on his face.
"Now, Alaric,"
he said, his voice steady but with a dangerous edge.
"What is it that couldn't wait?"
I took a deep breath, steadying myself.
"Evander and Valentina... they saw me tonight. At the docks. They saw me meeting with the assassins."

For a moment, Father didn't react. His expression remained unreadable, his dark eyes fixed on me. Then he moved slowly, walking around the desk until he was standing directly in front of me, his hands clasped behind his back.
"And what did they see, exactly?"
he asked, his voice low and controlled.
"They saw enough,"
I replied.
"They didn't know who I was meeting with, but they were suspicious. I threatened them, told them to stay quiet, but... I don't know if they will. Especially Valentina."
Father's gaze hardened, and he nodded slightly, as if considering the weight of my words.
"You did well to come to me,"
he said, his voice soft but with that same undercurrent of power.
"But this... complicates things."
He turned away, moving toward the large window that overlooked the Cloudsea, his hands still clasped behind his back.
"The plan is delicate, Alaric. Every piece must fall into place perfectly, or we risk everything."
I stepped forward, my voice hushed.
"What is the plan, Father? I know you've kept it from me... but I need to understand."

For a moment, Father said nothing. The silence stretched, filled only by the distant hum of the winds outside the citadel. Then he turned back to me, his eyes gleaming with something dark and dangerous.
"Very well,"
he said, his voice a whisper of steel.
"You're ready to know the truth."
He moved back toward his desk, pulling out an intricately drawn map of Eldoria, spreading it across the table. His finger traced the border between our floating isles and the human lands called Valtoria. Both parts of Eldoria were ruled by a different kind. While Darkhelm was ruled by monsters, Valtoria was ruled by humans. Both parts were never well with each other, there was always a conflict happening, but nothing tragic enough to let big war happen. But it was always a thin line between conflict and peace.

"This world, this fragile balance of power, is built on lies and fear. The humans think they can control Eldoria, that they can keep the peace with their treaties and alliances. But we are stronger. We are destined to rule."
His voice grew colder, more determined as he spoke.
"The assassins you met with tonight... they are the key. They will eliminate key human leaders, sowing chaos in their ranks. Once their empire falls into disarray, we will strike. A war that will sweep across Eldoria, and when it ends, the humans will be ours to command."
My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of fear and something else- something darker. I had always known Father had ambitions beyond our floating islands, but this... this was something else entirely.
"And Evander and Valentina?"
I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Father's gaze turned cold, calculating.
"They cannot interfere. If they do..."
He let the words hang in the air, their meaning clear. I swallowed hard, the weight of his words pressing down on me. The path before me had never been more dangerous.