Chapter 9: Hidden Stairways, Hidden Truths

The faint clink of porcelain faded behind her She could still hear the soft hum of chatter in the front room, the clatter of tea cups, and the faint breeze that stirred the curtains. But here, past the wooden panel door, everything was still.

Velira appeared beside her, locking the door behind them with a quiet click. She glanced once over her shoulder before reaching out to a wall-mounted lantern. Her fingers twisted the brass base in a particular motion—three clicks left, one right.

The wall creaked.

Then, with a hiss of hidden mechanics, the wood-paneled wall beside them shifted inward, revealing a narrow, spiral staircase descending into darkness.

"This way," Velira said smoothly, not bothering to light a lamp. "You can manage the steps, can't you?"

Luna said nothing, but she let the blind act fall away. She straightened her shoulders, raised her chin, and with a firm grip on the railing, descended the steps with measured ease.

Velira chuckled behind her. "So you can see after all. I was almost sad when I figured it out. You played it too well."

"You took your time," Luna replied, voice low, almost amused.

"I give everyone the benefit of the doubt," Velira said. "Even miracles."

The stairwell was steep, curling in a tight spiral for what felt like forever before opening into a stone landing. At the end of the corridor, a single steel door stood tall.

Velira stepped past Luna, produced a key from beneath her coat, and unlocked it.

The door swung open to reveal a room unlike anything above.

It wasn't as bright as Serion's study, nor as luxurious. But it was well-organized, clean, and quietly powerful. A wide wooden desk sat at the center, with documents stacked in precise columns. Shelves lined the walls, filled with scrolls, ledgers, and maps. A single lamp glowed above the desk, casting a warm light that softened the cold edges of the space.

Velira took her place behind the desk, and Luna, shedding the blind girl persona entirely, moved to the seat opposite her.

For a moment, they sat in silence. Two women, vastly different, now bound by truth.

Velira slid an envelope across the table.

"Everything you asked for."

Luna took it. Her fingers trembled only slightly as she broke the seal and pulled out the contents.

Each page was covered in neat handwriting, marked with dates, times, and names.

"Varric Thorne," she whispered.

"He went to the capital two weeks ago," Velira said. "Stayed at a backwater inn outside the central district. Then, five days ago, he met with a man wearing a full robe and a mask. No insignia, no guard, no escort. My people followed him in, but we weren't able to hear the conversation."

Luna's fingers tightened.

"They just... talked?"

"That's all," Velira said. "No object exchanged. No scroll, no coin, no potion. Just a ten-minute conversation. Then the masked man left. Varric returned to this territory—to a private cabin outside Tevril Forest."

Luna flipped to the last page.

Her blood ran cold.

"Three days ago," she murmured. "He sent a letter. To Serion."

Velira nodded. "A coded one. My spies broke the cipher this morning. He asked your brother to meet him today. Alone. He didn't mention your name or any specifics. Just said... he had something Serion was 'looking for.'"

Luna lowered the paper, heart pounding.

He said he had work to do.

She had assumed it was political. A meeting, a visit to one of the guild offices. She hadn't thought it could be...

Was this it? Was today the beginning?

Luna's head jerked up. "But you said no object was exchanged."

Velira frowned. "Yes. I did. They only spoke. But whatever was said... it shook Varric. That night, he locked down his cabin and sent the message."

Silence hung heavy between them.

Luna folded the report slowly, setting it aside. Her fingers touched her temples, trying to ease the pressure building behind her eyes.

What if he gives it to me today? What if this is the same path?

What if I lose myself... and become her again?

Velira studied her carefully, then leaned forward, her face curious, sharp. "Now... will you finally tell me how a blind girl read that report so fluently?"

Luna didn't look up.

"You already know."

"I want to hear you say it."

Luna sighed, her voice tired. "Some days ago, I had a fever. Bad enough that I couldn't speak for nearly a day. When it broke, I noticed... light. At first I thought it was a dream. But every day since then, my sight has come back, little by little. Blurry at first, clearer by time"

"How clearly can you see?"

"Not well in the dark. Or at dusk. Sometimes my vision flickers like a candle about to go out. But during the day? I can walk. Read. See faces." She paused. "But not for long. I don't know how much time I have."

Velira's eyes gleamed. "A miracle, then."

Luna looked up. "Or a curse."

"I like you more and more, Luna Caelora," Velira murmured, resting her chin on one hand. "You're the strangest creature I've ever met. I promise to keep your secret. In exchange... let me stay close. You're too interesting to leave alone."

Luna didn't smile.

Her heart was still caught somewhere else.

In the quiet solitude of a carriage moving through the forest path, Serion Caelora leaned back, gloved fingers resting against his temple.

The letter burned in his pocket.

The Hollow Crossroads was less than an hour away now.

His guards rode far behind. He had ordered them to stay out of sight.

Luna's smiling face lingered in his mind.

Please let me visit a friend, she had said. Her smile had been so gentle, so alive. It was the first time in years he had seen her look that way.

He closed his eyes.

If there is even a chance this man has what I need... I will take it.

He remembered the accident. Her screaming. The blood. Her limp body in his arms.

He remembered every sleepless night since.

If this mysterious man truly had a way to restore her sight...

I will bring it back. Whatever it costs. Just wait for me, Luna.

Trust your brother.

The carriage rolled on.

Toward the crossroads.

Toward a fate that would test both of them.