Chapter 21: The Auction of Shadows

The grand hall in Valenport—Velmora's famed City of Merchants—was alive with opulence and intrigue. Rich tapestries adorned the walls, and polished marble floors reflected the flickering light of oil lamps. Exquisite relics and priceless artworks were arranged on ornate pedestals, while the air thrummed with the low murmur of the elite gathered for the auction.

Before the main event, a side chamber hosted a small, discreet gathering. There, Selene, Ulderic, and the twins—Dorian and Castor—had assumed the roles of discreet servers, sharing fine drinks and exchanging wry remarks about the evening's proceedings. Their conversation was a blend of insider gossip and lighthearted banter, a momentary reprieve from the gravity of what was to come.

"Tonight promises to be interesting," Selene murmured as she poured a measure of spiced wine into a crystal goblet.

Ulderic, his tone gruff but with a rare twinkle in his eye, added, "Let's hope no one dares upset the delicate balance of power in our beloved Valenport."

Dorian grinned mischievously while Castor, ever the quieter one, simply nodded in agreement. Their laughter and subtle jibes lent the room a touch of levity despite the tension that hovered in the background.

Outside the servants' chamber, the auction was about to begin. The majestic hall slowly filled with the powerful and the influential. At the center of the commotion, the stage was set for the unveiling of the night's most coveted artifact—a gemstone of such exquisite beauty that legends claimed it contained the very essence of twilight.

In that moment, the grand doors swung open and all eyes turned as Lucius Marcellus, the Grand Master of the Golden Concord, strode into the hall. Flanked by his two trusted guards and secretaries—Lorian and Merrick—Lucius carried an aura of quiet authority. His dark, finely tailored cloak swept behind him as he made his way to the podium. The murmurs in the room hushed in deference; he was the guest of honor, and his presence spoke volumes about the importance of tonight's event.

Cassia—disguised as Lady Gazelle—moved through the crowd with a practiced grace. Her eyes darted about, scanning the throng for any mention of Lord Elias Verrin, the name that had been whispered in caution among her informants. The artifact was said to be linked to deeper intrigues, and every detail mattered. Suddenly, amidst the low hum of conversation, a single, clear name reached her ears: "Aurelian Varro."

Her heart leapt. That name—so familiar yet fraught with danger—sent a jolt of alarm through her. Frantically, she began scanning the crowd, trying to spot anyone whose features might match the description she had gathered over hushed whispers. In her haste, she bumped into someone—a rough hand knocked her aside, sending her sprawling to the cold marble floor. Her vision blurred as she tried to recover her bearings.

A sharp cry cut through the murmur. A gleaming dagger flashed briefly in the light—too close. Cassia's eyes widened in horror as she saw it narrowly miss its intended target. It struck, instead, Master Theon—a venerable figure who had once been Selene's esteemed teacher. Time seemed to slow. Master Theon crumpled, his noble features contorted in shock and pain.

Cassia rushed to his side, her disguise forgotten as she knelt beside him. "Master Theon!" she cried, her voice trembling with urgency.

Through ragged breaths, Theon struggled to speak. "Cassia… listen… the gem… it's the key… to the Arcane Kingdom… get it… and…" His voice faltered as he clutched at his chest, his eyes filled with desperate warning. In his final moments, with trembling fingers, he pressed a small folded note into her hand. "Trust no one… protect… the gem…" he whispered, before his eyes closed forever.

A roar of shock and chaos erupted in the hall. Selene burst through the crowd, her face pale as she recognized her old teacher lying lifeless on the floor. "No! Master Theon!" she cried, her voice echoing through the tumult as she pushed past the panicked onlookers.

In the ensuing commotion, Cassia felt her world tilt. Amid the panic, she bolted toward the front of the hall, her eyes fixed on the pedestal where the prized gemstone was to be displayed. But before she could reach it, a firm hand grasped her elbow.

Dorian, the ever-watchful twin, intercepted her with a mixture of concern and determination. "Lady Gazelle, stop!" he commanded, his voice both gentle and urgent. "You're not in a condition to act on your own." With a swift motion, he revealed the gleam of the gemstone tucked securely beneath his cloak. "We've already secured it, so come with me—quickly."

Cassia's heart pounded in her ears as Dorian guided her away from the chaos, his grip both protective and insistent. The roar of the crowd and the bitter scent of blood filled her senses as they exited the hall, leaving behind the shocking scene of betrayal and loss.

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