The palace was restless.
Torches burned through the night, their flames flickering along the corridors. The once grand halls of the palace now felt scary.
Alaric hadn't slept.
He stood over the war table in the Emperor's study, maps and sketches spread before him, but his thoughts were elsewhere.
Aidan entered quietly, bowing. "We searched the east wing again, General. Nothing."
Alaric didn't answer right away. He stared down at the parchment before him; a floor plan of the palace drawn decades ago by the original builders. He tapped a section with his finger.
"The ballroom has a basement," he said slowly. "A passage that was sealed off years ago."
Aidan frowned. "You think he's there?"
"We won't know until we check," Alaric replied.
He rolled the map up. "Gather ten of our best men. We move now."
Aidan nodded and hurried off.
Minutes later, the small group assembled in the dark corridor behind the grand ballroom.
