Chapter 9: The Assignment

Cassia stood in the middle of the lavish meeting room, the air thick with the scent of old wood and parchment. It was a familiar place, filled with shadows and memories. She had spent much of her childhood in this very room, often watching her uncle, Marcus, work from the sidelines, learning to be silent, observant, and patient. But today, everything felt different. There was a tension in the room that sent a shiver down her spine.

Lucius stood by the far window, gazing out at the bustling city of Ironclad Hold. His posture was relaxed, but Cassia could sense the weight of his thoughts. Beside him, the twins, Dorian and Castor, sat at the large oak table, their eyes focused on the documents spread before them. The sound of their pens scribbling was the only noise in the otherwise silent room.

Marcus sat at the head of the table, his brow furrowed. His eyes met Cassia's, and a flicker of something passed between them—concern, pride, perhaps even fear. He motioned for her to take a seat. "Cassia, it's time."

She nodded, stepping forward to sit beside Lucius. Her gaze shifted to the papers on the table, but she didn't need to read them to understand the gravity of the situation. Marcus had called them here for a reason.

"My spies have discovered something," Marcus began, his voice low and steady. "There is an auction taking place in Valenport—one that involves more than just rare artifacts. I suspect someone powerful is behind it, someone whose influence extends far beyond the borders of Velmora." He paused, letting the words sink in. "We need to find out who and why."

Cassia's heart raced as she listened intently. It wasn't the first time she'd been sent on a mission by her uncle, but this one felt different. Dangerous, even. "Who's going to be there?" she asked, her voice steady but filled with curiosity.

"That's where you and Lucius come in," Marcus replied, looking directly at them. "The auction will be held in a secure location, one that only trusted individuals are allowed access to. You both will be going undercover."

Lucius turned toward her, his expression unreadable. "Undercover?" he asked, his voice laced with a touch of skepticism.

"Yes," Marcus confirmed. "The auction will be a cover for something much bigger, but the guests won't know that. I need you two to blend in, gather information, and find out who is behind it. This is no ordinary auction—it's a gathering of the most influential figures from across the kingdoms of Omora."

Cassia could feel her pulse quicken. She had been trained for moments like this, but the stakes felt higher than ever. She glanced at Lucius, who seemed equally determined but cautious.

"I trust you both will be able to handle the mission," Marcus continued. "Cassia, you're no stranger to going undercover. You've done it before, and you've proven yourself capable. But I warn you, this time, things may be more complicated than they seem."

Cassia's mind raced as she considered Marcus's words. The mission was more than just about finding out who was behind the auction—it was about uncovering something far more sinister. Her thoughts drifted to the group known only to her in whispers, Kleos Exilium, the assassins her uncle had long been connected to. She knew of them, but never their members. They were a silent force, operating in the shadows, and their actions were often tied to the empire's most sensitive operations. Marcus, as Grand Minister of Ironclad Hold, was the perfect person to guide them, but Cassia had never been given full insight into their operations. The knowledge of their existence was the closest she'd ever come to understanding the true extent of their influence.

Her eyes shifted to Lucius. He was calm, too calm, as if he had already made peace with what they were about to do.

Marcus's gaze turned piercing as he spoke again. "Cassia, Lucius, you'll need to use every skill you have. Trust no one, and remember that the auction is just the surface. What lies beneath is far more dangerous."

The room grew heavy with the unspoken implications of his words. Cassia swallowed her unease and turned her attention back to the map on the table. Valenport. The Velmorain city of merchants. It was a place filled with wealth, influence, and hidden dangers. If they were to succeed in their mission, they would need to navigate its labyrinthine streets and tangled webs of power.

Dorian and Castor exchanged a glance, their expressions unreadable. "The auction will be guarded, but the guests will be of the highest caliber," Dorian spoke up, his voice smooth and confident. "You'll need to use your wits to blend in. Everyone there will be someone important. You'll have to make alliances, gain trust, and never forget who you're dealing with."

Cassia nodded, feeling a sense of resolve settling within her. She wasn't new to this—undercover work was her life. But what lay ahead was something far more dangerous. A shadow loomed over the auction, and she had to find out what it was.

Just as the tension in the room began to settle, a voice from the corner interrupted. A masked man stepped forward, his features hidden behind a dark, intricate mask. Cassia's breath caught in her throat. She knew that mask. She had seen it before, at the midnight market. His presence sent a chill down her spine.

"Grand Minister Marcus," the masked man spoke, his voice cold and calculated. "I trust you understand the stakes. The Kleos Exilium will be watching. You obviously have our full support, but you must be careful. They are not the only ones interested in the auction."

Cassia's eyes widened in recognition, but she kept her expression neutral. The masked man had been a figure of mystery, a whisper in the night, and now he was here, standing before her as if he belonged.

Marcus gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable. "I know, but this mission is more important than ever. Keep your eyes open, Cassia. The stakes are higher than we imagined."

The masked man turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving a sense of unease in his wake.

Cassia and Lucius exchanged a brief glance. This mission was about to become far more complicated than they had ever expected.

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