DARK DEALINGS: A Warlock's Legacy

5. Wholesome Gratitude

Kadas stood in the dim glow of his modest room, the soft amber light casting shadows across the walls. Elowen sat on the edge of his bed, looking as though she'd barely begun to process the night's events. Her eyes were tired, but curiosity still glimmered within them. Kadas could tell that after all she'd been through, a bit of distraction would be welcome.

With a wave of his hand, he summoned a small orb of light that floated to the center of the room, swirling with an ethereal, silvery hue. Whispering a simple enchantment, he formed an entertainment spell—a spell he'd first learned as a novice, more useful for amusement than anything else.

As the spell took shape, ghostly figures appeared, each representing memories from his childhood and the life he'd once known. They reenacted scenes of laughter and moments of celebration, scenes of his parents and his early days of training. The figures moved with a hazy fluidity, like actors on a stage veiled by mist, their faces and movements softened by the shimmer of magic.

"Think of it as a window to the past," Kadas said with a soft smile, watching Elowen's eyes light up as she took in the scenes unfolding before her. "It's something we use to remember, a little glimpse of life before all the madness."

Elowen's expression softened, and for the first time that night, a hint of a smile touched her lips. "It's beautiful... Thank you, Kadas."

He nodded, feeling a warmth settle over him. He motioned to his bed with a gentle hand. "Take your time, but when you're ready, you should rest. The night has been... eventful, to say the least."

She looked at him, her weariness finally showing through. "Thank you. Truly."

With that, he quietly left the room, heading down to his undercroft. The stone steps leading below were cold beneath his feet, and the air held a chill that only deepened as he descended into the shadows. This hidden space was where he kept his most precious items—a vault of knowledge, a trove of secrets bound in parchment and potion vials.

He entered his secure room, carefully dismantling the protective wards he'd set, which shimmered and faded at his touch. Inside, shelves were lined with intricate scrolls, potion bottles of various shapes and hues, and delicate items of witchcraft knowledge passed down through generations. Each item was kept in perfect order, each spell and potion carefully protected from prying eyes.

Stepping into the vault, he took the Grimoire of Fiendish Desires from beneath his robes and placed it in a niche carved into the wall, where other rare tomes resided. This book, with all its dark secrets, had its place here, away from the light of day and safe from wandering hands. He would study it further when the time was right, but for now, it was best kept under lock and key.

After securing the vault, he made his way to a small cellar carved into the stone wall, filled with barrels of ale and casks of stronger spirits. Selecting a bottle of a smooth, spiced wine he'd kept for rare occasions, he made his way back up, carrying two glasses—though he expected Elowen might already have drifted off to sleep.

Returning to his room, he found Elowen curled up on his bed, fast asleep. The spell he'd cast still lingered in the air, the fading figures from his memories casting faint silhouettes against the wall. He set down the wine and quietly approached her, pulling the blankets up to her shoulders and tucking her in gently.

Kadas let out a sigh, exhaustion settling over him like a weight he hadn't fully noticed until now. He glanced at the settee near the window, his usual refuge on sleepless nights. Taking one of the glasses of wine, he settled into it, sipping quietly as he stared out at the moonlit landscape beyond the window, letting his thoughts drift.

There would be challenges ahead, he knew that much. But for this one quiet moment, he allowed himself the comfort of peace, content to watch over his guest as she slept, sheltered—if only briefly—from the dangers lurking in their world.