Chapter 23: The Shadow of Pursuit

The salty breeze of the Valenport docks carried the scent of fish, damp wood, and the faintest trace of oil from the lanterns that swayed in the night air. The harbor was quieter than usual—news of the assassination at the auction had spread like wildfire, and the city watch was beginning to tighten its hold on every major exit.

Cassia kept her head low, the hood of Dorian's coat shielding her face as they made their way toward a waiting ship. The Zephyros was a sleek merchant vessel, owned by one of Lucius's contacts, and their best chance of slipping out of the city unnoticed.

Dorian walked beside her, his pace brisk but controlled, while Castor and Ulderic lingered behind, watching for signs of pursuit.

Cassia's grip tightened around the note in her palm. "Find Elarion." Who was he? Why had Master Theon spent his last moments urging her to seek him out? And how was he connected to the gem?

The gem.

She glanced at Dorian's coat, where she knew the artifact was hidden. It was a deep crimson, pulsing faintly in the dim light, its energy unlike anything she had ever seen before. Master Theon had said to take it to the Arcane Kingdom. And Lucius…

Her stomach twisted at the thought of him.

Lucius had stayed behind to handle the fallout. He had been speaking to Lord Elias Verrin when the attack began, discussing her, no less. And before she could even process that, she had been thrown to the ground, a dagger narrowly missing her and embedding itself in Master Theon's chest.

She could still feel the warmth of his blood on her hands.

"Stop thinking so hard," Dorian murmured beside her. "You'll drive yourself mad."

Cassia exhaled slowly. "I need to know who Elarion is."

"And you will." Dorian's voice was steady. "But first, we have to get out of Valenport alive."

A sharp whistle sounded from the docks ahead—a signal. Castor immediately pushed Cassia forward. "Move. Now."

The Zephyros was in sight, its sails furled, the crew tense as they prepared for departure. But before they could reach the boarding plank, a shout rang out behind them.

"There! That's them!"

Cassia turned just in time to see a group of armed men rushing toward them, city watch uniforms glinting under the lantern light. They weren't just guards. There was something off about them—their movements too precise, their intent too sharp.

"Not just city watch," Ulderic muttered. "Hired blades."

Dorian cursed under his breath. "Lucius's distraction didn't last long."

The crew of the Zephyros was already preparing to cast off, but they wouldn't wait forever. Cassia felt her pulse spike. They had to get on that ship.

"Run," Dorian ordered.

No one hesitated.

They sprinted down the dock, boots slamming against the wooden planks, the sound of pursuit deafening behind them. Cassia's breath burned in her throat, but she forced herself to move faster, her mind screaming for her to make it to safety.

As they neared the boarding plank, one of the pursuers pulled something from his belt—a crossbow.

"Cassia, down!" Dorian shouted.

She dropped instinctively, just as the bolt whizzed past where her head had been. Dorian turned, throwing a dagger in one swift motion, and a pained yell confirmed his aim was true.

The crew of the Zephyros was shouting now, urging them to hurry. Castor leaped onto the plank first, helping Cassia up as she stumbled. Dorian was right behind her, Ulderic covering their escape.

More shouts. More crossbows being raised.

Cassia turned her head—just in time to see Lucius, flanked by Lorian and Merrick, stepping onto the docks behind their pursuers. His sharp gaze met hers for the briefest moment before he shifted his attention to the hired blades.

Then, in a single commanding voice, he spoke.

"Stand down."

The effect was immediate. The pursuers hesitated, caught between their orders and the authority in Lucius's voice.

It was the only opening Cassia and the others needed.

With one final push, they boarded the ship. The gangplank was hauled up, and the Zephyros began to pull away from the docks, its sails unfurling in the night wind.

Cassia stood at the railing, panting, as the city of Valenport grew smaller behind them. Her heart still thundered in her chest, her thoughts a whirlwind of uncertainty.

She had escaped.

But she knew, without a doubt—this was only the beginning.

...

Lucius wasn't done yet.

With the city watch distracted by his words, Lucius took quick, deliberate steps toward the ship, his bodyguards Lorian and Merrick moving in sync behind him, guiding a reluctant Lord Elias Verrin between them.

The merchant lord looked less than pleased with the situation, but Lucius was intent on ensuring their exit was as smooth as possible. His sharp eyes scanned the scene—his priorities clear. Cassia had made it aboard, but Selene was still back at the docks, caught in the chaos, her figure frozen as she wept over Master Theon's body.

"Lucius!"

The scream came from the shore, cutting through the noise like a blade. Lucius's head snapped toward the sound. Selene was pushing her way through the crowd, her face streaked with tears, her grief palpable.

Without a moment's hesitation, Lucius leaped from the dock and onto the ship.

He didn't look back as he cleared the gangplank, his arms already reaching for Selene, who was about to collapse to her knees in agony. Lucius caught her mid-fall, lifting her effortlessly in his strong arms.

"Selene," he murmured, his voice firm. "We're leaving now."

Her cries were muffled against his chest, but she clung to him, shaking. "I couldn't save him. I couldn't—"

"You're safe now." Lucius's tone was unyielding. His gaze flickered briefly to Lord Elias and his secretaries, who were making their way onto the ship, escorted by Lorian and Merrick. He could feel the weight of the situation pressing on him. The attack had thrown everything into disarray, but they couldn't afford to wait.

He turned, striding toward the captain, his voice authoritative as he ordered the ship to set sail. The city was no longer safe, and it wouldn't be for much longer.

Behind him, the hired blades were still in pursuit, their crossbows aimed at the retreating vessel. But Lorian and Merrick stood at the ship's edge, their weapons drawn, ready to engage any who dared to follow.

As the ship began to pull away from the harbor, Lucius glanced back one last time at Valenport. The city that had held so many secrets—and the place where everything had begun to unravel.

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