"House Thorne remembers when Albrecht stood tall. We also remember who cut you down."
Lady Elara's words from their brief garden meeting echoed in Caelan's mind as he prepared for their second, more private discussion.
Two days had passed since the royal reception, days spent carefully navigating court politics while maintaining his facade of weakness.
The meeting place Elara had suggested was clever—the Royal Botanical Gardens, specifically the Rose Pavilion.
A public space where nobles often met for innocent conversation, yet large enough to find privacy among the maze of fragrant blooms.
No one would question their presence there, especially given Caelan's supposed interest in medicinal plants for his condition.
Aldric helped him dress in simple but proper attire, suitable for a minor noble taking the air.
"Remember, my lord," the old servant cautioned as he adjusted Caelan's collar, "House Thorne has survived five royal successions by never fully committing to any side. Their loyalty shifts with the political winds."
"All the more reason to understand Lady Elara's true motives," Caelan replied.
"Is the message secure?"
Aldric nodded, patting a hidden pocket in his vest.
"The documents are copied exactly as you instructed. Enough to intrigue, not enough to expose our full hand."
"Good. And have you checked for watchers?"
"Three rotations of the grounds showed no unusual observers. Though I noticed Lord Kress taking breakfast in the eastern gardens. Best to avoid that area."
Caelan nodded, thinking of the royal treasurer whose seal he'd found on the slave trading documents.
"Noted. Did you learn anything more about House Thorne's recent difficulties with Fenn?"
"Only whispers," Aldric replied.
"Something about water rights along their shared border. Lady Elara's father, Lord Thorne, is reportedly ill and rarely leaves their estate, leaving her to handle most house affairs despite her youth."
"Interesting." Caelan filed this information away.
"So she holds more power than her position might suggest."
"Precisely, my lord."
The Rose Pavilion lived up to its name—hundreds of varieties from across the kingdom were displayed in carefully arranged beds, their colours and fragrances blending to create a sensory paradise.
Several nobles strolled the gravel paths, servants trailing discreetly behind them.
Court life continued here in a more relaxed fashion, away from the formal confines of the palace.
Caelan spotted Lady Elara near the center of the garden, seated on an ornate bench beneath a trellis of climbing red roses.
She wore a gown of deep green today, her auburn hair arranged in a simpler style than at court.
As he approached, leaning heavily on his cane, she dismissed her lady's maid with a gentle wave.
"Lord Albrecht," she greeted him with a measured smile.
"How kind of you to join me on such a pleasant morning."
"The pleasure is mine, Lady Thorne," Caelan replied, his voice deliberately soft as he took a seat beside her.
"Though I fear I may not be much company. My strength wanes quickly these days."
A carefully calculated opening, reminding any observers of his supposed weakness while allowing Elara to direct their conversation.
"Then we shall keep our conversation light," she responded smoothly.
"I was just admiring these Crescent Roses. They're quite rare, imported from the southern Isles. Beautiful, yet their thorns contain a potent toxin."
"Beauty and danger often go hand in hand," Caelan observed.
"Indeed." Elara's smile remained pleasant, but her eyes sharpened.
"Much like politics at court. Speaking of which, Lord Vaeron seemed quite displeased by the king's grace period for your tribute payment."
"Lord Vaeron is seldom pleased by anything that doesn't immediately benefit House Fenn."
"True enough."
She adjusted her position slightly, ensuring they couldn't be easily overheard.
"I've been meaning to ask—have you heard about the merchant who was killed?
Cordus Thane, I believe his name was. They found him with a silver raven clutched in his hand. Most curious."
And there it was—the first test. Caelan kept his expression neutral.
"I've heard the rumours. A tragedy, of course. Though I never had the pleasure of meeting the gentleman."
"Few nobles would admit to 'pleasure' in meeting Thane," Elara said with the slightest edge to her voice.
"He dealt in goods most would prefer not to acknowledge. Including, some say, human cargo."
Caelan allowed his eyebrows to rise slightly.
"A serious accusation."
"Fact, not accusation."
Elara's voice hardened momentarily before returning to its pleasant tone.
"House Thorne has been watching Thane's operations for some time. His death, while unfortunate for him, has been most convenient for others."
"I imagine many merchants have enemies," Caelan offered noncommittally.
"Oh yes. Though few end up with house emblems in their dead hands."
She gave him a measured look.
"The raven rises at night, they say. First in the villages near Albrecht Manor, now in the capital itself."
The conversation had entered dangerous territory.
Caelan decided to redirect slightly.
"You mentioned that House Thorne has also suffered under Fenn's schemes," he said quietly.
"I'm curious to know more."
Elara studied him for a moment, then seemed to accept the topic shift.
"Three years ago, the River Silverbrook changed course slightly after spring floods—a natural occurrence.
The new course placed it entirely within Thorne lands, rather than serving as a border between our properties."
"I imagine Lord Vaeron objected to losing water access."
"Vehemently."
Elara's eyes flashed with genuine anger.
"He claimed ancient rights superseded geographical changes. When my father refused to grant new access points, Fenn began damming tributary streams on his lands, reducing our water flow by half."
"Affecting your crops and livestock," Caelan surmised.
"And our people."
Elara's voice grew passionate.
"Three villages depend on that water. We've had to dig wells at great expense, and still it's not enough.
Meanwhile, Fenn diverts the water to create ornamental lakes on his estate."
Caelan nodded, understanding.
"And your appeals to the crown?"
"Dismissed." Bitterness crept into her tone.
"Lord Kress, the royal treasurer, reviews such disputes. He and Vaeron are... close associates."
The connection to Kress, whose seal Caelan had found on the slave trading documents, was revealing.
The web of corruption extended further than he'd initially suspected.
"A difficult position," Caelan sympathised.
"It seems we both have reason to be cautious of House Fenn's influence."
"More than cautious, Lord Albrecht."
Elara leaned slightly closer.
"House Thorne believes the time has come for more direct action. Which is why I sought you out."
"I'm afraid I have little to offer in an alliance," Caelan said, deliberately echoing his words from their first meeting.
"As you've noted, House Albrecht stands diminished."
"Perhaps in open court," Elara countered.
"But there are whispers of the Raven's Ghost. A shadow that moves through the night, striking at Fenn's interests. Bandits mysteriously destroyed. A merchant was found dead with a silver raven in his hand."
She paused, watching his reaction carefully.
"I don't ask for confirmation, Lord Albrecht. Plausible deniability serves us both. I simply observe that our interests may align more than is immediately apparent."
Caelan maintained his neutral expression.
"What exactly are you proposing, Lady Elara?"
"An exchange of information, to start. I know much about Vaeron's operations that might interest you. In return, I seek whatever you might have discovered about his more... illicit activities."
This was the crucial moment—the decision to trust, at least partially, or to withdraw. Caelan weighed the risks carefully.
Elara suspected his involvement in Thane's death, yet hadn't exposed him.
Her grievances against Fenn seemed genuine. And House Albrecht desperately needed allies.
"I may have certain documents," he said carefully.
"Acquired through means I won't specify. They suggest Fenn's involvement in enterprises that would disturb the king if brought to light."
"As I suspected." Elara's smile was triumphant but controlled.
"My sources have hinted at such activities but lacked proof."
"And what do you offer in exchange?"
"Knowledge of Fenn's magical resources and weaknesses."
She lowered her voice further.
"He employs three court mages—publicly acknowledged—but also maintains a shadow coven of five blood mages operating from a hidden sanctuary in the western wing of his manor."
Caelan's interest sharpened. Blood magic was technically legal but heavily regulated due to its dangerous nature.
A secret coven suggested activities beyond the crown's approval.
"That would explain the magical protections I've... heard about," he said carefully.
"Indeed. House Thorne employs certain specialists in magical detection. They've mapped most of Fenn's defensive systems." She paused.
"Such information might be valuable to someone planning to... access Fenn properties unannounced."
"Hypothetically speaking, of course," Caelan added with the faintest smile.
"Of course." Elara matched his expression.
"I've brought a small token of House Thorne's commitment to this exchange."
She withdrew a sealed letter from her sleeve, passing it to him with practised discretion.
"This details the rotation schedule of Fenn's magical wardens and the specific nature of his estate's protective spells. Most importantly, it identifies the weak points in his defensive network."
Caelan accepted the letter, tucking it into his vest.
"I'm impressed by your thoroughness."
"House Thorne believes in preparation," she replied simply.
"Now, I believe you mentioned certain documents?"
Caelan nodded to Aldric, who had been standing at a respectful distance.
The servant approached, handed Caelan a folded packet, then retreated again.
"Copies," Caelan explained, passing them to Elara.
"The originals remain secure. These show Fenn's connection to Thane's operation, including details of the profit distribution and shipping arrangements."
Elara scanned the documents, her composure slipping momentarily as she absorbed their contents.
"This is... more explicit than I expected. Human trafficking, with detailed accounts. And this seal—the royal treasurer!"
"An unfortunate association," Caelan remarked mildly.
"This is enough to destroy both Fenn and Kress," she whispered.
"Why haven't you taken this to the king?"
"For the same reason, you've not openly accused Fenn of damming your water—proof without power is merely a death sentence for the accuser.
The king relies heavily on Kress. Without sufficient allies to support such accusations, we would be dismissed as desperate slanderers."
Elara nodded slowly.
"A wise assessment. Together, however, Houses Thorne and Albrecht might garner enough support to force the crown's hand."
"Perhaps. Though I suggest we move carefully. Powerful men, when cornered, become most dangerous."
"Agreed."
She tucked the documents into a hidden pocket in her gown.
"I propose regular exchanges of information while we build our position. My father may be ill, but his name still carries weight among the older noble houses."
"A sensible approach," Caelan said.
"Though there is one matter that concerns me immediately."
"Yes?"
"You mentioned the king's advisor wears Fenn's collar but serves darker masters. What did you mean?"
Elara's expression grew serious.
"Lord Sylvan Vess. The king's closest advisor and confidant. He presents himself as politically neutral, above house rivalries. Yet my sources have observed him meeting with Vaeron in secret no less than seven times in the past month."
"That alone doesn't suggest darker masters beyond Fenn," Caelan pointed out.
"True. But three of those meetings included a third party—a hooded figure bearing a half-eclipse symbol. The same symbol was found on medallions recovered from Thane's private quarters after his death."
The Eclipsed Order.
The cultists seeking to free the Black Seraph that Caelan's ancestors had bound.
"Concerning indeed," Caelan said, careful to hide how deeply this information disturbed him.
"Do you know this third party's identity?"
"Not yet," Elara admitted.
"But we're watching closely. The medallions suggest a connection to some secret society, though its nature remains unclear."
Caelan nodded, adding this new piece to his mental map of threats and alliances.
"We should both exercise extreme caution around Lord Vess."
"Without question." Elara rose gracefully, indicating their meeting was concluding.
"One last thing, Lord Albrecht. If you should ever need immediate assistance in the city, look for a shop called 'The Gilded Quill' in the eastern market.
The proprietor is loyal to House Thorne. Give him the passphrase, 'Ravens fly where thorns cannot grow,' and he will provide whatever aid is within his power."
"That's most generous," Caelan replied, struggling to his feet with calculated difficulty.
"I hope such emergency arrangements prove unnecessary."
"As do I. But in these uncertain times, prudence outweighs optimism."
As they prepared to depart, Elara added in a near whisper,
"Beware the coming days. Thane's death has stirred the nest. The Eclipsed Order moves more openly now, and whispers say they seek the last Albrecht for purposes unknown."
With that cryptic warning, she departed down a separate path, her lady's maid rejoining her at a discreet distance.
Caelan watched her go, his mind calculating the value of this new alliance against its risks.
House Thorne had provided valuable intelligence, but had also confirmed his worst fears—the Eclipsed Order's influence extended into the highest levels of court, possibly to the king himself through Lord Vess.
"Well, my lord?" Aldric asked quietly as they began their slow walk back toward their lodgings.
"A useful arrangement," Caelan replied.
"Though like all thorny roses, we must handle it carefully to avoid being pricked."
His first true political alliance had formed.
The board was expanding, the pieces multiplying.
And somewhere in the shadows, the Eclipsed Order watched, waiting for their chance to claim the last Albrecht and unleash the darkness his ancestors had bound.
The game grew more complex with each passing day.