Marion lay awake throughout the night, unable to shake Skender's words from his mind. Ever since Chief Zion's death, he had blamed Skender for everything. Watching the Crimson Lantern become successful while he lost nearly everything had only deepened his resentment. He turned to the other side of the bed and sighed.
He was getting married soon, yet despite living in such a grand estate, he barely had enough money for the wedding. His mother had done all she could, but it wasn't enough. If he married now, what kind of life could he offer her? Closing his eyes, he made up his mind.
"Tomorrow... I'll hear Gerald out."
The following morning, Marion attended the palace meeting as usual. Once it ended, he headed straight to Lord Skender's office. Skender was busy reviewing documents when Marion entered.
"Good morning, Lord Gerald."
Skender looked up with a small smile. "Good morning, Your Grace. It seems you've refused to stop calling me Gerald."
Marion chuckled. "It suits you better than Skender."
"Then Gerald it is," Skender replied with a laugh.
Marion's smile slowly faded. "I've thought about what you told me yesterday... and I've decided to give it a try."
"Really?" Skender's face brightened. "I'm glad to hear that."
"But understand this." Marion's expression hardened. "If you deceive me again, I won't forgive you."
"You have my word," Skender said sincerely.
Just then, Duncan walked into the office.
"Good morning, Your Grace. Lord Gerald."
Both men greeted him before Duncan sat beside Marion.
"So," Duncan began, "what exactly happened between you and Chief Zion?"
Marion leaned back in his chair and released a long sigh. "Nothing complicated. I invested almost everything I owned. I even thought about using my estate as collateral, but I stopped myself. My gambling addiction only made things worse, and before I knew it... I had lost almost everything."
Duncan frowned. "Then why blame Lord Gerald?"
"Because I believed he had used my investment to expand the Crimson Lantern," Marion admitted. "Watching it grow while I struggled... I thought the two of them had planned it together."
Skender slowly shook his head. "I was ruined too, Marion. I borrowed money from everywhere just to survive. We were all victims."
Marion lowered his head for a moment before speaking. "Then... I owe you an apology."
Skender smiled warmly. "Let's leave the past where it belongs."
The tension that had existed between them for years finally disappeared.
"So how are you planning to help me?" Marion asked.
"I've already moved into my new estate," Skender replied. "I'll rent out my old mansion. Once tenants move in, part of the income will go towards your wedding. More importantly, we need to find out why Chief Zion deceived us in the first place."
Marion nodded. "There is one person who might help."
Duncan leaned forward.
"His name is Zayn Thornfield. He oversees tax collection near the borders. We were never close, but Chief Zion met him often. Whenever Zion travelled to Zafarya, he usually returned after meeting him."
Duncan exchanged a glance with Skender.
"At least we finally have another lead."
Later that afternoon, Blackwood Estate was filled with activity. Servants carried furniture through the gates while wagons unloaded crates one after another. Ruby supervised the workers while Althaia directed the maids inside the house. Though smaller than Skender's former mansion, the new estate felt far more peaceful.
"It already feels like home," Ruby said with a smile.
"It does," Althaia replied. "Perhaps this is exactly what our family needed."
Before anyone could say another word, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the courtyard. A palace messenger rushed in, breathing heavily before dropping to one knee.
"My, Lords!"
Skender immediately turned towards him. "What happened?"
"The commoners' district... Stone Valley..." The messenger panted. "A terrible fire broke out this morning."
"What?" Skender exclaimed. "Were there casualties?
"Yes, my Lord."
Duncan's heart skipped a beat.
Stone Valley, Alora.
Without another thought, he grabbed his sword and hurried outside.
"I'll investigate."
Skender nodded. "Go carefully. I'll remain here in case more information arrives."
Duncan mounted his horse and galloped towards the commoners' district. Thick black smoke filled the sky long before he arrived, and as he rode through the streets, cries for help echoed from every direction. Guards were already helping residents salvage what little remained of their homes.
Ignoring everything else, Duncan rode straight towards Alora's house, the wooden door was locked, his heartbeat quickened, and he looked around but saw no sign of her.
Without wasting another second, he urged his horse towards Benjamin's bakery. As soon as he arrived, relief washed over him.
Alora stood behind the counter, serving customers while Irene packed fresh bread nearby. Neither of them appeared hurt.
Duncan allowed himself a small smile. "Thank goodness..."
He almost entered the bakery but stopped himself. He wasn't dressed as a commoner today. If he walked in wearing noble attire, people would recognise him immediately, and unnecessary rumours would spread.
After watching her for a few more seconds, he quietly turned his horse around and rode away.
Inside the bakery, Alora looked up just in time to catch a familiar figure disappearing into the distance.
"...Lord Duncan?"
She stepped closer to the doorway, her eyes following him until he vanished around the corner.
"It really was him..."
Her heart sank. He had come all this way... yet he hadn't spoken to her.
Her mother's words echoed in her mind once again.
"Don't become too attached, Alora."
She lowered her eyes and returned to work, convincing herself that perhaps Duncan no longer wished to see her.
Meanwhile, Duncan arrived at the centre of Stone Valley. Burnt timber covered the streets while smoke still rose from several destroyed homes. Families searched through the ashes for anything they could save. He questioned several residents.
"It was the nobles!" One elderly man shouted angrily.
"No," another interrupted. "It was bandits!"
"I heard strangers were seen before dawn," a woman added while comforting her crying child.
Everyone had a different story.
None of them had proof.
Duncan frowned as he carefully inspected the scene. Something didn't feel right.
"My Lord!"
One of the guards hurried over carrying a burnt wooden torch.
"We found this near where the fire started."
Duncan accepted it. A strange symbol had been carved into the handle, his eyes narrowed.
"I've seen this before..."
Without delay, he rode towards Ashford Estate.
Marion welcomed him into his library after hearing about the fire.
"Whenever I travel beyond Valtheris," Marion explained, pulling several old books from a shelf, "I always collect books on foreign languages. They've been useful more than once."
The two men spent nearly an hour comparing symbols, lage after page, and book after book. Finally, Marion stopped.
"I've found it."
Duncan quickly moved beside him.
Together, they translated the inscription.
Only four words were written.
We are coming... to destroy.
Silence filled the room. Duncan slowly closed the book.
"We need to show Gerald."
Without wasting another moment, both men rode to Blackwood Estate.
Skender listened carefully before Duncan handed him the burnt torch.
Without saying a word, Skender disappeared into the storage room.
When he returned, he carried the black cloak recovered from Chief Zion's manor.
He laid both items on the table, and the symbols...were identical.
Silence settled over the room. Marion stared at the writing, Duncan slowly looked from the torch to the cloak, then at the other two men. Finally, he broke the silence.
"Someone from Zafarya has entered Valtheris."
No one disagreed, outside, thunder rolled across the evening sky.
The war they had feared...
... might already have begun.