Night's Cold Embrace

Chapter 4

"Garrett, I was beginning to think you had forgotten about me."

Garrett stepped out of the shadows and into the silvery light of the moon streaming in through the cracks in the ceiling. The Queen of Beggars sat in her faded yet lavishly-cushioned armchair. She gripped the arms of the chair with frail hands, wrinkles and spots mapping out a lifetime across her skin. With a small grunt she lifted herself up and stood on stiff, shaking legs.

"We haven't spoken for nearly two years now, is it? But your friend, he came to visit me quite recently."

"Basso?" Garrett raised a brow.

"He seems to care deeply for you, Garrett. I trust you're not giving him too much to worry about."

"No more than usual."

The man standing silently beside the Queen placed a wooden cane in her hand. She slowly walked over to the tea tray resting on a table. A silk cloth was spread across the top, covering the worn, splintered surface underneath. The only sound was the sharp tapping of the cane on the stone floor as she walked past Garrett.

"You seek my counsel?"

She poured the tea into a cup, her shaky hand rattling the crockery. She turned around and, as she always did, offered him the tea. Garrett accepted it for decorum's sake; it was the least he could do for her.

"I need to ask you something." Garrett stared down into the steaming, russet liquid. The aromatic smell wafted through the cool air, a burst of colour against the cold, bleak night.

"I've been told that there's been a rekindling amongst the Graven. Is this true?"

"It's come to my attention, yes, but their rather enigmatic leader has yet to be known."

"Could this be connected to the Primal?" He asked as he rocked slightly on his feet, anxious for her response. He walked to the table and quietly placed the teacup back on the tray.

"That has also crossed my mind. I can feel the lingering sickness, Garrett, the darkness that refuses to vanish. The City is not yet rid of the Gloom. I daresay you can feel it as well."

Garrett grew uncomfortable under her omniscient gaze. He started pacing slowly, feeling her eyes following him with every step he took.

"I sealed the Primal stone in Orion's book - " He turned to face her again.

"But three pieces are not the whole." She finished his sentence. Her blind eyes seemed to drift towards his right eye.

"I'm willing to bet that whoever this new leader is has the book, and with that the Primal power." Garrett said as he averted his eyes from her piercing stare.

"The Primal has once again fallen into evil's hands. There is no predicting what will happen this time. The Graven are experienced now, more knowledgeable of the stone and its great power." She reached out and gently grasped his arm. "Garrett, you must stop the madness before it begins, for both your and the City's sakes!"

"I'm no hero." He said bluntly. He stiffened, then gently shrugged her off.

With nothing left to say, he ascended the stone steps leading to the exit, leaving his mentor alone in the middle of the decrepit hall.