Chapter 021 Aldor 2
The sky above Aldor darkened, and the cold wind carried the scent of damp earth and smoke from the torches lit along the fortress city's streets. Inside a tightly sealed meeting room, Alwyn sat at a long table with maps of Aldor and Ironvale spread out before him. Marcel and Wilham stood at his sides, while across from them, Edric Valmond and Calen sat silently, each with expressions difficult to decipher.
"The latest report we received mentions movement from an armed group near the mines," Wilham said, his tone flat yet sharp. "Not much, but enough to make the workers uneasy."
Edric sighed, his hands clenched on the table. "We've sent additional patrols there. But so far, there's no sign of open resistance."
"Because they're not that foolish," Marcel interrupted, narrowing his eyes sharply at Edric. "They know when to move and when to hide. If we rely only on patrols without decisive action, we're just waiting for them to be ready to strike."
Edric seemed ready to argue, but before he could speak, Calen spoke calmly. "I agree with Sir Marcel. This threat needs to be dealt with before it escalates into something bigger."
Alwyn stared at Calen intently. There was no tension in his voice, no panic like Edric's. Calen not only understood the situation, but he was also manipulating it.
"So, what do you suggest, Sir Calen?" Alwyn asked.
Calen smiled faintly, his gaze sharp. "We let them think we are unaware of their full presence. Then, when they feel confident enough to move further, we capture their leader. Without a leader, the group will lose direction."
"Interesting," Alwyn murmured, then turned to Marcel and Wilham. "What do you think?"
Marcel nodded slowly. "It could work, but we need a convincing bait to get them out of hiding."
Wilham added, "And we need to ensure the execution is flawless. If it fails, we'll give them reason to act more aggressively."
Alwyn stared at the map before him, thinking quietly. This wasn't just about dealing with a small group of rebels; it was a much larger strategic game. And he knew, within this room, there was more than one person playing their own game.
"Alright," he finally said. "We'll go with this plan. But I want every movement reported directly to me. No mistakes, no oversights."
Edric nodded quickly, though his face still carried an air of concern. Calen, on the other hand, only smiled, as if he had anticipated this outcome.
Outside, the wind grew stronger. And in the shadow of Aldor, the game had only just begun.
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The Unseen Game
The sky over Aldor grew gloomier as dusk crept in. In Edric Valmond's study, the flickering candlelight cast long shadows on the cold stone walls. Behind the large desk cluttered with documents, Edric sat, his face full of strain. Across from him, Calen stood calmly, his expression unreadable.
"They're starting to suspect something," Edric whispered, his fingers tapping the surface of the table, betraying the unease he tried to hide.
Calen smiled faintly, folding his arms across his chest. "Of course, they'll be suspicious. Alwyn Gusev's arrival isn't without reason. That man wouldn't travel all this way just to hear your nonsense, Edric."
Edric clenched his fist. "You should have been more careful with our people. If one of them talks—"
"No one will talk," Calen interrupted, his voice cold. "I've ensured everyone remains under control. All you need to do is keep playing your part well."
Edric swallowed hard. Despite being the official ruler of Aldor, he knew very well who truly held power in this region. Calen didn't just control information; he controlled the loyalty of those who should have been under Edric's command.
"Don't think I don't understand my position," Edric finally said, his voice trembling slightly. "But I don't want Aldor falling into chaos just because you're too confident."
Calen chuckled softly. "Chaos, Edric? It's actually I who keep this city running. Without me, you're just a weak official, to be played by every noble with their own interests. I maintain Aldor's stability in ways you cannot."
Edric fell silent. He knew Calen's words held some truth. However, allowing the man to remain in power too long was also not a good option. The problem was that Edric didn't yet have enough control to overthrow Calen—and if he moved too quickly, he could fall victim to his own game.
"So what do we do about Alwyn?" Edric asked finally.
"I'll handle him," Calen answered without hesitation. "Let him think he's in control. Let him see what we want him to see. But never let him dig deeper than he should."
Edric eyed him with deep suspicion. "And if he's not satisfied?"
Calen leaned forward, his expression cold. "Then we make him satisfied. In our own way."
Outside the castle, the night air grew colder. But inside that room, the unseen game continued, with Aldor as the chessboard and its players hiding their true intentions.
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Shadows in Aldor
Night had reached its peak, but Aldor remained far from peaceful. Inside the castle, Alwyn sat in his room with an untouched glass of wine. Documents from the previous meeting were scattered on the table, his mind busy connecting one thing to another.
Footsteps echoed from outside before the door was knocked. Without turning, Alwyn said, "Enter."
Marcel stepped in, followed by Wilham. Both looked uneasy.
"We have a problem," Marcel said bluntly.
Wilham closed the door and leaned against the wall. "Our people outside the castle have found something odd."
Alwyn raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Marcel placed a sheet of paper on the table. "There's a report of a large troop movement. But there's no sign of them being in Aldor."
Alwyn studied the document closely. The names listed there should be in the garrison, but their whereabouts were unknown. "They've been sent somewhere..." he murmured.
Wilham interrupted, his voice lower. "Maybe to the mines."
There was a brief silence. That possibility made sense. Ironvale had always been a focal point of tension, and with Calen's strong control over Aldor, anything happening at the mines could be more than just a dispute with the local populace.
Alwyn straightened in his seat. "We can't just stand by. Marcel, investigate this supply route. I want to know who's behind this movement. Wilham, see if there's any sign of increased security around the mines. If they're hiding something, we need to find out before it's too late."
Both nodded and quickly left the room. When the door closed, Alwyn turned back to the documents before him.
Something larger was happening in Aldor.
And he was determined to uncover it.
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Schemes Behind the Shadows
Morning in Aldor arrived with a stifling quiet. Fog still hung low over the castle grounds, while Alwyn, Marcel, and Wilham reconvened in their office. The large table in the middle of the room was covered with maps, documents, and reports from the previous night.
Marcel slouched in his chair, feet up on the table casually. "I told you so. Edric is nothing but a puppet." He glanced at Alwyn with a victorious look.
Alwyn gave him a quick look before pushing Marcel's feet away with a pile of documents, almost causing him to fall. "Feet down. We're not in a tavern."
Wilham, who was pouring tea for himself, sighed. "If you two are done, maybe we can focus on this report?"
Alwyn ignored Marcel's annoyed grunt and started flipping through the documents they had gathered. "There's something odd in the garrison's financial reports. The number of troops listed is higher than what we've seen in Aldor."
Marcel took a sip of his tea with a bored expression. "And we know who's behind all of this. Calen."
"It's more than just that." Wilham interjected. "The Ironvale mines have a workforce that doesn't match the records. Either they're hiding people, or there are people who were never recorded in the first place."
Alwyn tapped his finger on the map of Aldor and its surroundings. "That's what we need to find out. If Calen's moving troops in secret, where are they going? And more importantly—why?"
Marcel shrugged. "Simple. We make his people talk. Or better yet, we make Calen talk."
Alwyn narrowed his eyes. "You want to confront Calen directly? That could speed things up—or ruin our chances."
Marcel grinned. "Oh, so now you're scared? You usually love arguing with dangerous people."
Wilham set his cup down gently. "If you two want to argue egos, do it outside. I just poured this tea, and I don't want anyone spilling it."
Alwyn and Marcel both glared at him before returning their focus to the map.
"We need another way," Alwyn finally said. "Wilham, meet with some of our trusted people in Aldor. Find out about the troop movements. If any have been sent out of the city or to the mines, I want to know why."
Wilham nodded. "Understood."
Alwyn turned to Marcel. "And you, don't be reckless. I know you like causing trouble, but this time, we can't afford to be careless."
Marcel chuckled. "Me? Cause trouble? Ah, Sir Alwyn Gusev, you underestimate me."
Alwyn sighed deeply. "That's the problem. I don't underestimate you at all."
Wilham could only shake his head as the two resumed their staring contest. He knew one thing for sure—today would be a long day.
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