Chapter 20: A New Routine

The first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains of Elias Thorne's modest apartment, illuminating the organized chaos that filled the space. Papers were stacked neatly on the desk in one corner, a collection of half-burned candles sat near the window, and his brass monocle gleamed atop the bedside table. Elias groaned, sitting up in bed and rubbing his eyes, the weight of the last few days heavy on his shoulders.

He swung his legs out of bed, reaching instinctively for the monocle before pausing. The events his last mission and what he learned about artifacts surfaced in his mind.

With a sigh, he left the artifact where it was and shuffled to the kitchen.

Elias cracked a pair of eggs into a pan, watching them sizzle as he prepared his modest breakfast. The rhythmic scrape of the spatula against the pan served as a quiet distraction. His thoughts wandered to the previous day's mission. Subjugating the Hollowed had been harrowing, but the sense of teamwork and purpose it brought was undeniable.

He plated the eggs alongside a slice of toast and poured himself a cup of coffee. Sitting at his small dining table, he considered the day ahead. There was still so much he didn't know about the Lanterns, the Veil, and the artifact left to him by his father. Questions he hadn't cared to ask before were now nagging at the back of his mind.

The gentle knock at the office door broke through Elias's reverie. He set his cup down and rose to answer, already knowing who it would be.

Marian Draycott stood in the hallway, her smile warm but reserved. She wore a practical dress and carried a small satchel. Her demeanor had become more confident since accepting Elias's offer, though she still radiated a sense of humility.

"Good morning, Marian," Elias greeted, stepping aside to let her in.

"Good morning, Mr. Thorne," she replied, her voice bright.

"Elias," he corrected gently, as he had a dozen times before.

Marian smiled, nodded, and stepped into the office.

Elias gestured toward the desk that now served as Marian's workspace. "I've already sorted through yesterday's inquiries. You'll find a few potential clients there. Most are mundane cases—missing items, suspected infidelity. Should be straightforward enough."

Marian nodded, unpacking her satchel and arranging her materials with practiced efficiency. "I'll make sure to keep everything in order. And if anyone comes in while you're out?"

"Take their details, and remind them that all consultations are confidential," Elias instructed. "And remember, you don't need to stay past five. If I'm not back, lock up and head home to your daughters."

Marian hesitated before nodding. "Of course. Thank you again, Elias. This job... it means a lot to me and my family."

"You're doing great so far," Elias said, offering a small smile.

As they settled into the day's routine, Marian brought up the morning's headlines. "Have you heard about the factory closures in the northern districts? It's been all over the papers."

Elias nodded. "Something about unsafe working conditions, wasn't it?"

Marian frowned. "That's the official story, but people are saying workers have been vanishing. Families are scared, and there's talk of organizing protests."

Elias filed the information away, his mind already connecting threads. He would need to keep an ear out for any potential links to Veil activity.

"There's also news about the Cyndralis-Dravenholm trade agreement," Marian continued. "They're finally addressing the tariff disputes. It might mean cheaper goods coming into Arkwright."

"Good news for the city, at least," Elias said, though his thoughts remained elsewhere.

By late morning, Elias set out for the Lanterns' hidden base beneath Arkwright. The streets were bustling with activity, carriages clattering over cobblestones and vendors shouting their wares. Elias walked with purpose, blending into the crowd.

He arrived at the unassuming entrance—a nondescript alley leading to an iron gate. After muttering the passphrase Adrienne had taught him, the gate creaked open, revealing the stairs to the underground sanctuary.

Elira greeted Elias in the training hall, her demeanor as composed as ever. The older Veilborn woman had an air of quiet authority, her silver hair tied neatly back as she prepared the training space.

"Elias," she began, gesturing for him to join her. "Today, we'll focus on your shadow manipulation. You're beginning to show some aptitude, but control remains key."

Elias nodded, stepping into the center of the room. Elira began to guide him through a series of exercises: shaping shadows into tendrils, obscuring his form, and maintaining concentration while manipulating multiple elements at once.

"You're improving," Elira observed after a particularly successful attempt. "But remember, the Veil is not a tool to be wielded recklessly. It demands respect."

As they worked, Elias broached a subject that had been on his mind. "Elira, you mentioned before that artifacts can be crafted. Can they... inherit traits from their creator?"

"They can," Elira replied. "An artifact reflects the will and essence of its creator—or the chaos of the forces that shaped it. Whether forged by a practitioner, deity, or Aberration, artifacts are imprinted with unique traits."

Elias hesitated before continuing. "And if one doesn't know its origin?"

"Then its purpose remains a mystery, waiting to be uncovered." Elira met his gaze, her expression serious. "The monocle your father left you... it's no ordinary trinket. You must tread carefully, Elias. Artifacts often demand a price."

Elias nodded, the weight of her words settling over him.

At around two in the afternoon, Aric strolled into the base, his usual casual demeanor in stark contrast to the seriousness of the Lanterns' work. "Ready to play detective?" he quipped, adjusting the strap of his satchel.

Elias smirked. "I thought you preferred the term 'tracker.'"

"Depends on the day," Aric replied with a wink.

Veylan appeared moments later, his presence commanding immediate attention. "Elias, Aric, your mission is straightforward: investigate the disturbances near the Cinderreach Forest and surrounding villages. Gather intel, observe any anomalies, and report back. This investigation may last indefinitely, depending on what you uncover."

Adrienne chimed in. "Given your skill sets, the two of you are best suited for this job. Elias's investigative instincts and Aric's tracking abilities should complement each other well."

Veylan nodded. "Elias, you're authorized to adjust your training schedule as needed during the mission. Balance is key."

Elias acknowledged the directive, already mentally preparing for the task ahead.

Before departing, Elias and Aric discussed their strategy.

"We'll start by speaking with locals near the forest," Elias suggested. "Get a sense of the patterns and any unusual sightings."

"Sounds good," Aric agreed. "I'll handle the tracking once we have a lead. You stick to asking questions and piecing things together."

Elias glanced at the setting sun as they left the base. Tomorrow, their investigation would begin in earnest, marking the start of yet another chapter in Elias's increasingly complicated life.