Sir Eryndor stood at attention, the polished marble floor of the Imperial Throne Room a cold mirror reflecting his weary posture. It had been a couple of days since he and Prince Vaelorian returned from the camping trip that had turned into a frantic search for missing kids and the hunt for the people that abducted them. Now that the commotion had died down, and the consequences of their findings still loomed in their minds. This was Sir Eryndor's last meeting with the emperor before he was to return to his post as Prince Vaelorian's bodyguard at the camp.
"Come closer, Sir Eryndor." Emperor Aldric's voice, though not unkind, held the weight of the crown. Eryndor stepped forward, his armor clinking softly. The Emperor's gaze was sharp, a practiced look that could discern truth from lies in a single glance.
All the knights of the Empire were required to appear in their official uniform before the Emperor.
"You and my son have done well," the emperor continued, the words a balm to Eryndor's tired soul. "The information you provided about the suspects and their hideout was… disturbing. For that reason, I've given the order for a full investigation to be launched as we speak."
A wave of relief washed over Eryndor. He had been worried the emperor would see their investigation as a wild goose chase. He and Vaelorian had stumbled upon something far more sinister than they had anticipated. They thought it was a cult of fanatics at first, however, they were not just kidnapping people to perform dark rituals like the traditional cultist do. These people are just disappearing without traces. The memory of the distressed victim's families and the terrified citizens they had spoken to is still fresh in his mind.
"I am glad to hear it, Your Majesty," Eryndor said, his voice a low rumble. "The prince was instrumental in uncovering these informations. His instincts are… unparalleled."
A hint of a smile touched the emperor's lips. "He gets that from his mother. But tell me, how fares my son? He has been uncharacteristically quiet in his reports. Is he well?"
"He is well, Your Majesty," Eryndor answered truthfully. Vaelorian was more than well. He was invigorated. The hunt had lit a fire in the young prince's eyes, a purpose that went beyond the endless courtly duties.
"Good. And what of you, Sir Eryndor? Are you prepared to return to the palace soon?"
Eryndor straightened his posture. "I am, Your Majesty. I believe the prince and I have done all we can in Dawnspire. I think It is time for us to return and prepare for what's to come."
The emperor nodded, his eyes distant for a moment. "The queen...she misses him dearly. She asks for him every day. Tell him to write to her. He may be a man grown, but a mother's heart knows no such thing."
A pang of understanding hit Eryndor. He knew the bond between the queen and her son was a strong one. "I will be sure to inform him, Your Majesty. He will be overjoyed to hear from his mother."
The emperor's expression turned somber. "There is another matter. I am entrusting you with a letter for Vaelorian. This is for his eyes only. It outlines the meetings I had with the Great Houses and our next steps in tackling these disappearances. He should not speak of its contents to anyone except you. The attack in Dawnspire is just the beginning. I fear we have stirred a hornets' nest, and we must be prepared for what comes next."
He placed a sealed scroll in Eryndor's hand. The seal was that of the Royal Knights, a symbol of absolute secrecy. Eryndor bowed deeply, tucking the letter safely into a hidden compartment in his armor.
"It will be done, Your Majesty."
The journey back to the camp was a blur as the knight teleported. Eryndor's mind raced, a whirlwind of thoughts and questions. He could still feel the weight of the sealed letter against his chest, a secret burning a hole through his armor. What was in it? The Great Houses are always in the struggle for more power which often affects the innocents. What new horrors have they unleashed now? He trusted the emperor's judgement, of course, but the man's cryptic words filled him with a sense of dread.
Sir Eryndor appeared just outside the camp's grounds as he took a moment to catch his breath. He took in the familiar glow of the place, the way it beacons in the twilight. Somehow he understands Vaelorian's attraction to the place.
Meanwhile, Vaelorian was cleaning his swords by the fireplace after lunch, his profile silhouetted against the flames. The prince looked up as his trusted friend and bodyguard suddenly appeared, his face a mask of weary anticipation.
"Welcome back, Eryndor." Vaelorian greeted, his voice steadily despite the anxiety building up inside.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Sir Eryndor bowed respectfully in greetings.
"Well? What did my father say?" Vaelorian asked, his voice low but urgent.
"He said we've both done well," Eryndor began, his heart heavy with the weight of the message. Vaelorian gestured for him to sit down beside him, the fire's warmth a welcome comfort. "He's launched a full investigation, and has given his permission to use any means necessary to interrogate the men we captured." A dark expression crossed Vaelorian's face after hearing those words and he nodded in understanding.
"What else?" He pressed further.
"He also told me to tell you the queen misses you and wants you to write to her." A small, genuine smile bloomed on the Prince's face.
"My mother... I've missed her dearly. I'll write to her tonight."
The prince's smile made Eryndor's heart feel a little lighter. It was a good thing to see the prince's soft side. Eryndor had always known that beneath the polished veneer of royalty, Vaelorian was still a son who loved his mother dearly.
"There's more," Eryndor said, his voice dropping to a whisper. He reached into his armor and pulled out the sealed letter. "The emperor gave me this. It's for you, and you alone. He said it contains the next steps in our strategy, and he thinks that the abduction in Dawnspire is just the beginning in whatever the enemy is planning."
Vaelorian swallowed thickly as he took the scroll. His fingers traced the royal seal, a crease forming on his forehead.
"My father is trusting us with this, Eryndor." Vaelorian began gently and then he paused briefly before speaking again, "But what could be so important that he couldn't even bring himself to tell you?"
Eryndor just shook his head, his gaze fixed on the fire. "I don't know, Your Highness. But I do know one thing. Whatever is in that letter, we are in this together."
Vaelorian nodded with an appreciative smile before breaking the seal, the firelight danced across his face, illuminating a newfound purpose in his eyes.
He unfolded the letter and began to read, his expression shifting from curiosity to shock, and finally to that of complete devastation as his mind immediately went to Riven. Vaelorian was used to court politics but Riven was not going to like this at all.
Sir Eryndor took one look at Vaelorian's expression and he immediately took in sharp breaths. He knew that look all too well. The prince was no longer a kid playing a hero. He was now a man with a lot of responsibilities and that means constant compromise.