Chapter 20: Shadows and Silence

The moon hung low over the fortress, casting long silver beams through the corridors as Cassia walked back to her chambers. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of stone and the lingering warmth of the evening feast. She wrapped her arms around herself, but the cold wasn't what unsettled her. It was Lucius.

The way his voice softened when he asked her to stay. The way his pain had been so carefully concealed—until she noticed.

She shook her head, pushing the thoughts away. She couldn't afford distractions.

But as she turned a corner, the soft flicker of torchlight revealed a figure standing at the far end of the hallway. A shadow detached itself from the wall.

Ulderic.

His sharp, calculating gaze locked onto her. Unlike the others, Ulderic never bothered to hide his scrutiny. He was a man who observed everything, and tonight was no different.

"You've caught his attention," he said, his voice smooth but unreadable.

Cassia halted mid-step, meeting his gaze without hesitation. "I don't know what you mean."

A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he took slow, measured steps toward her. "Lucius. You may think he's an impenetrable force, but you—" he tilted his head slightly "—you're chipping away at something."

Cassia exhaled through her nose. "I doubt that."

Ulderic studied her for a moment before glancing past her, toward the hallway that led to Lucius' quarters. "He doesn't let people in. Not fully. If you plan to linger in his presence, be mindful. There are those who would prefer to see you gone."

A chill crawled up her spine, but she kept her expression neutral. "Is that a warning?"

"It's advice," Ulderic said simply, his smirk fading. "Be careful where you step, Cassia."

Without another word, he disappeared down the corridor, his presence vanishing into the darkness.

Cassia remained still for a long moment, gripping the fabric of her dress. She wasn't naïve. Lucius held power, and wherever there was power, there was danger. But Ulderic's words weren't just idle conversation.

She had caught Lucius' attention.

And that alone put her in the center of something she wasn't sure she was ready for.

...

Lucius stood at the window of his quarters, his fingers pressed against the cool glass. The pain in his side still throbbed dully, but he barely noticed it now. Cassia's voice lingered in his mind. Soft, warm—something that felt distant yet familiar at the same time.

He shouldn't have asked her to stay.

He shouldn't have let his guard slip.

A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts.

"Enter."

The door creaked open, and one of his most trusted men, Lorian, stepped inside. He was a man of few words, his face lined with experience and battle. His presence alone meant something needed attention.

Lucius turned, leaning against the windowsill. "What is it?"

Lorian's dark eyes met his. "News from the outer sectors. There was an attack near the eastern supply routes."

Lucius frowned. "By whom?"

"We don't know yet. But the precision suggests someone with knowledge of our movements." Lorian hesitated. "We lost men."

The words hung in the air like a cold weight. Lucius' jaw tightened.

"How many?"

"Seven. Two more are injured."

Lucius exhaled slowly, his fingers curling into a fist. "And the cargo?"

"Gone."

Silence stretched between them. The eastern supply routes were crucial—cutting off those resources would weaken them considerably.

Lucius ran a hand over his face. "I want a full report by morning. Double the guards at the checkpoints. And find out who did this."

Lorian nodded. "Understood."

As the door closed behind him, Lucius exhaled. The tension coiled in his muscles, sharp and unrelenting. He was used to enemies, to betrayal—but this felt different.

Something was shifting in the shadows.

And he wasn't sure if Cassia's presence in his world was a coincidence—or a part of it.

...

Cassia sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the flickering candlelight. Sleep felt distant, her thoughts restless.

Something was changing.

Cassia barely slept that night. Every time she closed her eyes, Ulderic's words echoed in her mind. You've caught his attention.

She wasn't sure if that was a good thing.

By morning, she forced herself up and prepared for the day. The auction was approaching, and with it, the perfect opportunity to gather information. If she wanted to uncover the truth about her uncle and his connection to the Black Knights, she needed to remain focused.

Dressed in a deep red tunic embroidered with gold thread, she pulled her hair into a simple braid and fastened it with a silver clasp. She had no intention of standing out, but she also couldn't appear weak. People in Lucius's world respected strength, and she needed to play her role carefully.

A knock at her door interrupted her thoughts.

She opened it to find a young servant girl, no older than fifteen, holding a tray with fresh fruit and a small piece of parchment.

"For you, mistress," the girl said softly before lowering her head and retreating down the hall.

Cassia took the parchment and unfolded it.

Meet me in the northern courtyard before the auction. We have much to discuss. – U

Ulderic.

She exhaled sharply. Whatever he wanted to tell her, it had to be important.

...

The northern courtyard was quiet, the air crisp with the scent of damp stone and morning dew. Cassia found Ulderic leaning against a pillar, arms crossed, his expression unreadable as usual.

"You came," he noted.

"You left a note," she replied coolly. "What do you want?"

He chuckled. "Straight to the point. I like that." He pushed off the pillar and took a slow step toward her. "The auction is more than just a place to trade wealth and power. It's a battlefield. People will be watching. The wrong move could cost you."

"I can handle myself," she said, keeping her chin high.

"Maybe." His eyes darkened slightly. "But do you know what you're walking into?"

Cassia frowned. "You think I don't?"

He tilted his head. "The auction isn't just about rare goods. It's about influence. And tonight, there will be names you should remember."

He pulled out a small parchment and handed it to her.

Cassia unfolded it. Several names were scrawled in neat handwriting. Some were familiar—wealthy merchants, high-ranking officials. But one name stood out.

Lord Elias Verrin.

Her grip tightened on the parchment. "He'll be there?"

Ulderic's smirk faded. "He's not just attending. He's one of the main bidders."

Cassia's heart pounded. Verrin was one of the most powerful merchants in Velmora. He controlled vast trade routes and had connections with nearly every noble family. But more importantly—he had once been her uncle's business partner.

If he was at the auction, then something much bigger was at play.

Ulderic watched her reaction carefully. "Do you understand now? This isn't just an auction. It's a gathering of power. And whether you like it or not, you're part of it now. And oh, Master Theon, Selene's teacher will be there as well." Giving her another paper with a drawn face on it.

Cassia looked up, her mind racing. She had come to uncover secrets. But it seemed the auction held far more than she had bargained for.

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