The long stone hallway creaked under hurried footsteps.The king Advisor moved swiftly, his dark robes whispering against the cold floor as he approached the massive double doors of the throne room. With a deep breath, he pushed them open.
Inside, the chamber was dimly lit by tall iron braziers. Prince Ivar Thorsen sat upon the ancient throne —his father's seat now claimed by blood and ambition. Tall and broad-shouldered, with sharp features and cold blue eyes, Ivar wore a simple black tunic and a heavy fur cloak. Two elite guards stood motionless at his sides, spears planted firmly.
"Sire, you called for me," Dorian said, dropping to one knee.
"Stand," Ivar commanded. His voice echoed through the hall like distant thunder.
Dorian rose smoothly.
"You were my late father's advisor, were you not?" Ivar asked, leaning forward.
"Yes, Your Highness. I served King Erik faithfully. When I heard the news of his death… I wept. My deepest condolences, my prince."
"It is *Your Majesty* now," Ivar corrected sharply. "I am the king."
"Of course, Your Majesty. By birthright, the throne is yours."
Ivar's lips curled into a thin smile. "My father was too weak to carry this kingdom forward. He let his beast of a brother belittle him at every turn. I am not weak like him. I will end this war—by any means necessary."
"I admire your fearlessness, my king," Dorian replied carefully, "but others will disagree. Your uncle is already being whispered about as the next ruler. The council will likely name him soon. It is only a matter of time."
"That is precisely why you are here." Ivar smiled wider, eyes gleaming with calculation. "How would you like to become my advisor, just as you served my father?"
"It would be the greatest honor, Your Majesty."
"Good. First, I must be formally named king by the council. I need you to… take care of that. Anyone who refuses to see me as the rightful ruler—make them see reason. After all, it is my birthright."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Dorian bowed low, a malicious smile flickering across his lips for the briefest moment.
"What is your name?" Ivar asked.
"Dorian Kallistratos, Your Majesty."
"That is a very strange name. Where are you from?"
"A very far place, sire." Dorian bowed again and turned to leave.
"Wait," Ivar called. "What about the daughter of the Greenwood king and her companions? Are they still in the kingdom?"
"They remain here, Your Majesty."
"Keep a close eye on them."
The heavy doors slammed shut behind Dorian, sealing the new king in shadow and ambition.
---
**Cut to Vespers' quarters**
Vespers sat bolt upright in the large bed, chest heaving. Beside her, a young woman stirred sleepily under the silk sheets.
"Stay longer," the woman murmured, reaching out with a lazy smile.
"No." Vespers rose, naked and unashamed, and tossed a heavy sack of coins onto the bed. "Go. Don't you have things to do?"
The woman's smile faded. She dressed quickly, and headed for the door.
"You know, I didn't come here expecting this kind of treatment," she muttered.
She stepped out, then doubled back, grabbed the sack again, and slammed the door behind her.
"You really could have left it!" Vespers shouted after her.
"Shut up!" the woman's voice echoed from the corridor.
Another knock sounded. A Golden Cloak knight entered, armor gleaming.
"What is it?" Vespers asked irritably as she pulled on her clothes.
"Uhm… I received a message today from the Allthing Council. They request that you bring the boy and the prisoner immediately."
"Can't they see I'm busy?" Vespers snapped, striding past him into the hallway.
The knight hurried after her. "Mage, how should we proceed?"
Vespers stopped abruptly and turned. "We are in Thornhold Kingdom. He is a guest here. If we move carelessly, we could spark a battle against Boldr. How many of your knights are you willing to sacrifice for that?"
The knight faltered. "Uhm… none."
"Then be patient. I have someone I need to see now. Stop following me and go do something useful."
"Yes, ma'am."
---
**Cut to Dot's chamber**
Soft morning light filtered through tall windows. Yiva sat beside Dot's bed, smiling gently, while the little girl they had rescued from Yutor perched on a stool, swinging her legs shyly.
"Uhm… I'm glad you're getting… better," the girl said quietly.
Dot looked between them—Yiva warm smile, the girl's hopeful eyes. For the first time in what felt like forever, a real smile broke across his face. It started small, then grew until his shoulders shook with quiet laughter. The weight on his chest felt lighter, if only for a moment.
The chamber door suddenly burst open.
Everyone tensed. Vespers stormed in, cloak swirling.
Yiva stood quickly to make introductions, but Vespers raised her hand. Glowing runes appeared on her palm. She whispered a single word.
"Bonda."
A spectral green snake materialized from thin air, thick as a man's arm. It coiled around Yiva in an instant, pinning her arms to her sides. The little girl screamed and ran toward her, but an invisible force slammed Dot upright, yanking him to his feet. He now stood face-to-face with Vespers.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
His eyes dropped to her hands—to the glowing mark. Recognition hit him like cold water.
"You're a mage…" Dot's eyes widened. "How?"
Vespers flicked her wrist. Two more spectral snakes shot from her fingers and wrapped tightly around Dot's throat. He gasped, clawing at the constricting coils, coughing desperately for air.
"Stop!" Yiva shouted, struggling against her own bonds.
"How are you alive?" Dot rasped.
"Huh? You really thought you killed all the mages?" Vespers smirked. "You really are a dummy."
"Not… yet," Dot choked out.
"What was that?"
"Don't kill me yet. You can… after I accomplish my goal."
"So you admit you're guilty."
"What is this goal you speak of?" Vespers asked, tightening the snakes slightly.
"After I kill the man responsible…" A cold breeze suddenly swept through the room. Vespers' eyes widened in shock.
**Flashback – Inside the containment cube**
"Let him out, you witch!" Sylric snarled.
"I'm taking him to the Allthing before he hurts anyone else," Vespers replied coldly.
"You're consumed by revenge," Dren said quietly. "It's clouding your judgment."
Dren turned to Sylric. "Leave us. I need to speak with her alone."
Once they were alone, Vespers demanded, "What really happened in Hidenheim? Tell me the truth, or I take him right now."
"Why do you carry him—this demon responsible for ending my sister's life?"
"He is not responsible," Dren said firmly. "He might look dangerous, but the boy never wished for any of this. He was given this curse. He did not kill your sisters. Autuss Lock did."
"Shut up. Autuss is dead."
"I thought so too. But when I found the boy after what happened to Hidenhiem… when he started healing back . He bled from his finger and wrote a symbol on the sheets."
"What symbol?" Vespers asked.
"I had it translated. It was in an ancient tongue—very old. It said 'Redman.'"
Vespers' face paled.
"The boy said he saw that same symbol on what he was wearing the night he Hidenheim fell. He clung to it like his life depended on it."
"What is the boy?" Vespers whispered.
"Autuss was always obsessed with creating a body strong enough to hold the fire giant. I believe Dot is that vessel. He is not guilty of what happened… but he carries the guilt anyway. He feels he failed to protect the ones he loved. He is… like you."
At the door, unseen, Sylric stood listening in silence.
**Present**
"I have to find him," Dot said, voice raw, "or I'll lose my only reason for living." His eyes flicked to Yiva. Her expression shifted—hurt, confusion, something deeper.
"So you can kill me after that," he continued. "I deserve to die. If I had been strong enough that day, I could have protected them. No one should die for me. I'm a nightmare—everything I love or touch gets destroyed. But I see now… I'm here for a reason. I am living for a reason."
Vespers studied him for a long moment, then released the snakes. They dissolved into green mist. She turned toward the door.
"Tcch," she quietly left.
Dot coughed violently, stumbling toward Yiva. "Yiva, wait—"
She bolted from the room.
"Yiva!" he called after her.
She collided with Sylric in the hallway. He steadied her gently, then stepped into the chamber.
"What a mess," Sylric muttered, looking around.
Dot turned to him, still breathing hard.
"Not you," Sylric clarified with a small smile. "I'm talking about the room."
"I overheard everything," he added.
"Of course you did," Dot sighed.
Sylric crossed his arms. "How would you like me to train you? To make you stronger?"
Chapter ends