The tension in the air felt so thick that Moulin could almost taste its bitterness. It had already been a few minutes since his last words were spoken, and now silence plagued the n and won around him. But calm as a tranquil stream, Moulin stood waiting for the impending stone to shatter all peace.
Moulin observed the high priestess's and the oracle's expressions. Although they no longer showed intense reactions, perhaps because of the brief mont to think, Moulin knew they held heavy doubts.
Suddenly, Lady Celeste released a deep sigh. A wrinkle could be found in between her brows. Her eyes glanced towards Moulin. "Do you not realize the wrong in your actions, young lord?"
"I am aware of risks, but if I have to do anything to reach my goal, I have no regrets," Moulin answered sincerely. "I understand if you are disgusted and apprehensive of my decisions. However, I assure you..."
Silver eyes brimd with silent determination. "Everything I have done is for the benefit of people and the selfless warriors who are ready to risk their lives for this war."
Na'El had not said a word but only gazed at the youth as though trying to find any fault in his declaration. Lady Celeste nodded briefly before turning to face Moulin's ntor, the renowned sorceress.
"My Lady, I'm sure you also have sothing to explain to us?"
With a soft smile, Lady Calanthe nodded. "Indeed, Your Holiness. It was who gave Moulin the forbidden art. The young man had convinced with all efforts and my eyes have seen truth in his words. His visions are broad, his actions are careful, and his heart is firm."
"Why did you hide this from us?" Finally, the elven oracle spoke.
"I am at fault for that. I told him to keep it a secret from the two of you because otherwise if you had known earlier, this young man wouldn't be able to fully imrse himself in his work and progress." Lady Calanthe tilted her head and gave them a pointed look.
"An oracle where every bit of his life has been aversed to darkness and a high priestess who has wholly served her patron with a pure heart throughout her life. Both equally despise anything involving the forbidden arts. Yes, I'm sure not one of you would try to impede Moulin's growth. Could you have managed to prevent yourself from obstructing him? To protect his safe distance from danger and your beliefs, you would have limited his opportunities."
She arranged her hands on the table surface, and her facial expression beca gentle. "Moulin needed to overco these trials for the path of destiny, which would build his true potential. If you two had known earlier, you could have unintentionally or intentionally controlled his choices. I could not allow that."
The woman could feel resistance in the room, so she looked at them heuristically, daring them to argue with her. Surprisingly, they were silent. "Now I shall ask you, will you try to stop him now that things are already set in motion? Or will you impede him of the vision he is bound to reach?"
Frowning, Na'El spoke, "How certain are you of his success?"
"Quite certain." Lady Calanthe unhesitantly answered. "You have already witnessed his recent progress and the works which are bound to help quell suffering the Kron has bestowed. You cannot possibly tell yourself otherwise, can you?"
The elf paused, thoughtfully assessing her words. Not long after, he turned and t the youth's bright eyes. "Associating yourself with cursed magic would eventually affect your mind and spiritual body. It is powerful, but it could be addicting. Can you assure us you can relent?"
The youth's silver gaze turned deep. His tone is gentle but his words held strength. "You have trained specifically for that sole reason. So I am not so easily swept by its false promises and lies and that my mind and heart stay firm. I refuse to surrender to it."
His eyes swept toward his three ntors. "You all have ford my comprehension while challenging my determination. Every session would have beco worthless if I were to fail at this mont. I refuse to let that happen."
Na'El stared at the young man with deep observation to find any indication of weakness. But he found none. His eyes are clear and determined, just as they were when he first t him.
Eventually, he released a sigh. "Your confidence protects you only to a degree, but you need more to stay secure. All types of minds without exception have surrendered to temptations."
Lady Celeste addressed them while turning her chin upwards. "And yet, so rise above it."
She looked at the young man while suppressing her amusent. "Your confidence demands the demonstration of your claims. Show us that your strength is not a dominion which controls your ntal state."
The young man stared back without hesitation. "I intend to."
...
Both Lady Celeste and Na'El silently exchanged glances. Before them, Moulin watched their interactions with pounding anticipation. He could not help but fumble with his fingers, hands behind his back.
Finally, Na'El t the youth's gaze. "We have decided to support you."
"Wise choice." Lade Calanthe put her hands together as her eyes curved into crescents. The feathers of her hat bounced as she moved.
"Honestly..." The elf shook his head inwardly, hoping he wouldn't regret this decision or his predecessor's teachings would be all for nothing.
His eyes lowered as he recalled how the late oracle had warned him of the youth's terrible prophecy. Moulin had already overco two deaths.
One could presu he was either blessed or cursed. But despite all that... this young man continued to stand, unbroken, unwavering. Suffering has refined his soul while maintaining his spirit above hopelessness.
Releasing a breath, the elven oracle discarded all doubts that had been weighing on him.
"Then it is settled." His tone held a calm but decisive tone.
With a faint nod, Lady Celeste spoke, "We place our faith in you, but this is not an ignorant belief, Moulin. Our presence will serve either to reel you back towards the light or to prevent your fall if danger threatens."
Silver eyes are captivatingly bright as though the moonlight had shone upon them, giving the youth's gaze a luminous glow. "I would expect nothing less."
"And from now on..." Na'El turned to the smiling sorceress. "Please do confide in us if you two would co up with another 'brilliant' idea that could shake Corhan's beliefs. one would think you are colluding with evil. What would the common people think? And what would the Royal Council do once they found out?"
He froze in realization and turned to the silent priestess beside her.
For the first ti, Lady Celeste's expression shifted under the three people's gazes. She tried to mask her discomfort and hesitantly spoke. "Forgive ..."
.....
Thirty minutes later, a loud sound startled the sleeping Snow awake. Curling on the bed, the little fox groggily lifted his head, ears perking as they heard familiar footsteps within the quarters. His eyes turned bright. Finally, his master was back!
He hurriedly scurried towards the bedroom door, but a firm hand suddenly picked him up by the scruff. "...?"
In the next second, he found himself nestled in the crook of a strong arm. The warmth made him comfortable so he could only sit back in relaxation as he was carried out of the room.
Moulin leaned over his desk, supported by his hands. His aura made him unapproachable. The cold filled the room as swift as a knife slash.
"Now, what has troubled you?" A deep voice cut through the youth's chaotic thoughts.
Moulin lifted his head and was welcod with the sight of Lord Hercullio approaching him with slow steps. He carried Snow with one arm as the other reached out to place a hand on Moulin's shoulder.
"Did you know about it?"
"About what?"
"That the Royal Court would be assessing in a week?"
Lord Hadrian paused. Golden eyes grew cold, deepening in a darker shade. "I did not. Who told you this?"
Moulin massaged his temple as he replied. "Lady Celeste. I do not know what their goal is, but the crown prince seed keen to interfere with my affairs."
Hadrian's voice deepened. "The man feels threatened."
A mocking smile graced his face and made him look even devilishly handso. Snow shuddered, instantly shifting his gaze away. As Hadrian settled the little fox on the couch, he spoke. "His fear of losing his influence finally bested him."
Moulin rolled his eyes. Running a hand through his hair, he turned away, sighing deeply. "Although I'm already aware of the obvious tension between you two, is it necessary for him to go against this ti? I don't think it's wise to incite any internal conflicts right now."
Honestly, they should already be in the process of unity so they could show a strong, unified front before their common enemies. As the regent, Archaen shouldn't be wasting all this ti provoking him. Moulin had the urge to smack this childish crown prince in the head.
Frustrated, Moulin checked the calendar he had marked on his desk. "I'm not ready to prove anything significantly useful before the Chrysolite is in my hand. My artifacts aren't enough to support my goal."
Hadrian approached the youth. "Then we stall. I will request an audience with the prince."
Doubtful, Moulin turned his head slightly. "I don't think he's that easy to deal with."
"A man like him desires many things." Golden eyes wore a calculating gleam. "Tempting him will be swift. Ever since childhood, he's always been watchful and full of pride."
"It sounds like you know him quite well." Moulin glanced at him.
Lord Hercullio closed the distance between them, wrapping an arm around the youth's waist. His hand rested on Moulin's belly.
Moulin released a breath, feeling warmth caress his skin even though he was fully clothed.
"I was in my youth, and his ambitions were greater," Hadrian explained. "Nothing about him has changed... ddling with my affairs grants him comfort and relief from his insecurities. Thus, I am deeply apologetic for sharing this burden with you, dear madam."
Silver eyes narrowed. A vein seed to pulse once the nickna dropped. Moulin released a sigh. "He will try to disparage your na. That ans I had no choice but to pray my brother and the expedition return sooner."
A kiss is pressed on his temple, and Moulin hears Hadrian speak. "There is much to do..."
.....
"My Lord, the rocks will cut."
Lord Emlen Fraunces waved, dismissing the sentinel's help, as he laboriously lifted himself off the ground to climb down the ledge. His fingers are scraped, his muscles burned, and dust has accumulated in his thick fingerless gloves. Panting and sweating profusely, the Pathfinder lord took a mont to catch his breath at the side, waiting for the others to climb down.
Grey eyes scanned the entire area. After a few days of travel, Emlen still felt uncertain of their route. His group had been exhausted, searching for a way across. To their fortune, they found a gigantic bridge-like structure connecting the gorge's walls. However, it was located several ters beneath, covered with heavy dusty air.
How could they breathe?
But with ti running against them, they had to take it. Perhaps they could also lose the watchful eyes preying upon them when they enter the smoke-filled area.
Emlen's eyes narrowed, lifting his gaze to see the hazy skies and the vast view of the chasm.
User Comments
0 comments from readers