Chapter 16: The Shopping Excursion

The sun had barely risen, and already, the Obsidian Fortress was alive with the bustling energy of the day. The walls, dark and imposing, echoed the life of the fortress's inhabitants as they prepared for another busy day. In one of the expansive courtyards, Selene stood next to a pillar, adjusting her gloves with a look of pure annoyance on her face. The twins—Dorian and Castor—stood nearby, grinning mischievously, as if they'd just come up with an idea they were sure would make Selene regret her stubbornness.

"You can't go shopping without us," Dorian teased, his voice light but insistent.

"I don't need anyone's help," Selene snapped back, crossing her arms tightly.

"You sure about that?" Castor smirked, his eyes glinting. "You can't possibly handle all those dresses on your own."

Selene shot him a look of disdain but didn't respond. She was stubborn, but even she knew the twins were relentless once they set their minds to something. After a few more minutes of banter, Selene finally caved, her lips curling into an exaggerated sigh.

"Fine," she muttered, "but don't get in my way."

The twins exchanged satisfied glances, then Castor grinned, "Oh, we'll stay out of your way. For a price."

"You're impossible," Selene grumbled under her breath, but there was a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

Just as Selene began to move toward the courtyard exit of the Obsidian Fortress, she turned and, in a teasing voice, called over her shoulder, "Lucius, you should join us. Come on, it'll be fun."

Lucius, standing nearby and absorbed in a scroll, looked up at her with a slightly bemused expression. He raised an eyebrow at her suggestion, clearly not amused.

"I have work to do," he replied flatly, rolling up the scroll in his hand. His voice was calm and indifferent, as though he hadn't even heard the sexual undertones in Selene's playful remark.

Selene pouted for a brief moment before laughing softly. "Such a serious Guild Master. You're barely twenty-two, Lucius. Lighten up."

Dorian, who had been observing the exchange with a raised eyebrow, let out a chuckle. "You know, I'd expect someone of your age to be a little more carefree. You're so serious for a 22-year-old."

Lucius only offered a faint smile, his expression unchanging as he gave Dorian a knowing look.

Cassia, who had been standing nearby, caught the exchange and let her mind wander. Twenty-two. She felt a strange pang in her chest as she thought about it. Lucius was only two years older than her, but already, he had accomplished so much. He was the Guild Master of the Golden Concord, a position that demanded a level of maturity and responsibility beyond his years. Cassia wondered what it was like to live with that weight on your shoulders, to be someone who had already shaped a part of Velmora's future at such a young age.

How had he done it? What kind of person was Lucius to achieve such success?

Her thoughts were interrupted when Selene called out to her.

"Come on, Cassia! Let's get going before I change my mind about taking you shopping."

Cassia quickly shook off her thoughts and nodded. "Right. Let's go."

The group moved through the Obsidian Fortress, heading toward the grand entrance. Once outside, the heat of the day hit, and the large, dark stone walls of the fortress gave way to the sun-drenched streets of Kadia. The market district lay beyond, where the pulse of the city could be felt in the vibrant bustle of the crowds. The fortress, though imposing, was positioned strategically at the edge of the city, its towering spires providing a perfect view of the surrounding landscape.

As they made their way to the shopping district, Cassia found herself walking alongside Selene. She seized the opportunity to ask, "How did you meet Lucius? I've always been curious."

Selene shot her a glance before answering, her expression softening a little, though she still maintained an air of sophistication. "I'm from the Kingdom of Lunareth," she began, her tone a bit nostalgic. "I was a scholar there, studying the ancient arts of diplomacy and magic. I had heard rumors of Lucius's travels and his connection to the kingdoms of Velmora. When I was sent on a diplomatic mission to Kadia, I sought him out."

Selene's eyes brightened as she spoke of her past. "Lucius was different from anyone I had ever met—his knowledge of the world was vast, and his insight into politics was unparalleled. He had already formed the Golden Concord by that time, and he needed someone with my skills to help bridge the gaps between scholars and magicians."

"Wait, you were his advisor?" Cassia asked, her curiosity piqued.

Selene nodded. "In a way. I became part of his inner circle. Over time, my role expanded, and I came to see him not only as a fellow scholar but also as a leader. The work we did together—establishing ties between the kingdoms—was unlike anything I had experienced. It changed the course of my life."

Cassia nodded thoughtfully as they continued walking. As much as Selene had her own mystique, it was clear her bond with Lucius was rooted in shared goals and mutual respect.

Cassia then turned to Selene, intrigued by the way she spoke about Lucius. "He's very young for someone with so much power. What's he like, really? Outside of the Golden Concord?"

Selene's expression softened again, her lips curving into a small, almost wistful smile. "Lucius is... complicated. He carries the weight of his responsibilities with grace, but there's a depth to him that most people miss. He's not just a leader—he's a dreamer.

As they entered the shopping district, the bustling streets of Kadia greeted them with vibrant colors, the scent of spices wafting in the air, and the sound of merchants shouting out their wares. It was a world so different from the somber tones of the Obsidian Fortress, but to Cassia, it felt like a gateway to the life beyond the walls she had come to know. She walked alongside Selene, her mind still whirling from the conversation about Lucius and the people who had become his closest allies.

Selene caught Cassia's pensive look and smiled knowingly. "Curious about what you've heard, I imagine?" she asked, as they navigated through the crowd.

Cassia nodded. "I never realized Lucius had such... loyal companions. Each of you seems so different from one another, but at the same time, there's a kind of unity."

Selene's gaze softened, and she slowed her pace just slightly as they moved past a row of brightly colored tapestries. "Lucius has a way of bringing people together. It's not just his position, though. It's something about the way he listens to people. He understands their struggles and makes them feel seen, heard, valued. It's a rare gift."

Cassia's breath caught slightly, intrigued by how easily Selene spoke of him. "He seems... more than just a leader. There's a lot of respect for him."

Selene smiled, her eyes glinting with quiet admiration. "He's more than just a leader. He's a person who values those around him, who sees potential in others. He's been through a lot, but he doesn't let it cloud his vision. He wants to see Velmora united, not just ruled."

Cassia couldn't help but wonder what had shaped Lucius into someone so driven by such a grand vision. He always seemed so composed, so purposeful—yet there were still mysteries about him that Cassia was only beginning to scratch the surface of.

"But how did you come to work with him?" Cassia asked, genuinely curious. "You seem to have such different backgrounds. What made you trust him?"

Selene's eyes grew a bit distant, as if she were reflecting on her own journey. "I was a diplomat in Lunareth. I've seen the politics of Velmora up close—how kingdoms are divided, how alliances are fragile, how trust can be broken in an instant. I wasn't sure if I wanted to get involved with someone like Lucius at first. But when he spoke to me, it wasn't just words. It was an understanding—an understanding of what needed to be done, not just for Lunareth, or for any one kingdom, but for the whole of Velmora."

Cassia was listening intently, trying to imagine what it would be like to see such a vision in Lucius. She had always seen him as a confident guild leader, someone with a strategic mind. But to hear Selene speak of him as someone with a deep understanding of the world around him, someone who could unite disparate people... it shifted her perception of him.

"You said you helped him form the Golden Concord," Cassia said slowly, thinking back to what she knew about the alliance. "But there's so much more to you all than just politics."

Selene nodded, her expression softening with something like pride. "The Golden Concord was more than just an alliance. It was a way of bringing people together—people who might never have spoken to each other otherwise. Lucius didn't just want power, Cassia. He wanted a future where all the kingdoms could stand side by side, not at each other's throats."

"And Ulderic?" Cassia asked. "He's... different, isn't he?"

Selene chuckled softly. "Ulderic is a man of few words. He's not one for speeches or grand gestures. He's the muscle, the one who makes sure the vision stays protected. But beneath that tough exterior, there's loyalty. He's the one Lucius trusts when everything's on the line."

"And Dorian?" she asked, turning back to Selene.

Selene's smile turned sly. "Dorian is... well, he's a wildcard. But he's brilliant. He's always got a plan, even if it's a bit unconventional. You never know what he's thinking, but he's fiercely loyal. If Lucius asked him to go to the ends of the earth, he'd do it without hesitation."

Cassia nodded, absorbing Selene's words. She had seen Dorian in action, quick with a joke or a clever remark, but there was something more to him than met the eye. The way he'd handled that incident back at the fortress made her realize that beneath the charm and humor, there was a sharp mind.

"So it's not just loyalty," Cassia mused aloud, her thoughts swirling. "It's something deeper. You all are more than just... allies."

Selene's eyes softened. "Yes. It's something you'll understand better as you spend more time with us. We each have our own reasons for standing by Lucius. But in the end, we believe in what he's fighting for."

Cassia's thoughts drifted back to her uncle. She had always thought she understood loyalty—had always thought that family came first. But Lucius and his companions had a different kind of loyalty, one that wasn't born of blood but of shared purpose and vision. It made Cassia wonder just how much she had to learn about what it truly meant to fight for something greater than yourself.

As they reached the first clothing stall, the sounds of the market seemed to fade into the background as Cassia's mind raced with the new understanding of the people she had come to know. But her thoughts kept drifting back to Lucius—his quiet strength, his enigmatic nature, and the kind of leader he was becoming.

Cassia had only just begun to understand him. And maybe, just maybe, the more she learned, the more she would realize how much more there was to this strange and intricate world she was now part of.

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