Three days remained in the capital, three days before the payment was due.
Caelan stood at the window of his modest lodgings, watching the early morning fog blanket the city streets.
The royal conclave was drawing to a close, with most nobles preparing to return to their estates.
King Edmond had made his grand declarations of unity and prosperity, treaties had been signed, and alliances formed or broken over elaborate dinners.
For Caelan, however, the political maneuvering was secondary to the darker game he now understood.
After witnessing the Eclipsed Order's ritual and learning of their plans for the coming dark moon, his priorities had shifted dramatically.
"Everything is packed, my lord," Aldric reported, entering the room with a steaming cup of tea—the special blend Madame Lissa had provided for pain management.
"The carriage is prepared for an early departure tomorrow."
"Thank you, Aldric."
Caelan accepted the tea, grateful for the old servant's steady presence.
"Any word from Lady Elara?"
"Her messenger arrived an hour ago. She will meet you at The Gilded Quill this afternoon as arranged."
Caelan nodded, sipping the bitter tea.
He had sent word to Lady Elara immediately after discovering the Eclipsed Order's plans, warning that both House Albrecht and House Thorne might be targeted.
His alliance with Elara had not gone unnoticed by the cult's spies.
"And the other matter?" he asked quietly.
"I located your mother's workshop in the east wing," Aldric confirmed, his voice equally low.
"The entrance was sealed, but the adjoining manuscript room provided access as Master Thaddeus suggested. I discovered..."
He hesitated, glancing at the door to ensure they remained private.
"Items of significant value to our situation."
"Tell me."
"Lady Eveline's research was extensive. She had developed Nullcraft techniques far beyond what we've practised—methods specifically designed to counter, contain, and permanently seal shadow magic. Most importantly, she had documented the pattern of wards used by your ancestor Morvian to bind the Black Seraph initially."
This was exactly what Caelan had hoped to find.
"Were you able to recover her notes?"
Aldric nodded, patting the inner pocket of his vest.
"The most critical materials are here. The larger texts I've hidden in a secure location in the city, as you instructed. Lady Elara's shopkeeper was most helpful."
"Well done," Caelan said, genuine warmth in his voice.
"Your loyalty continues to—"
A soft knock at the door interrupted him. Both men tensed, exchanging cautious glances. No visitors were expected this early.
Aldric moved to answer while Caelan quickly assumed his sickly noble posture, slumping in his chair and arranging a blanket across his lap.
The charade had become second nature—a mask that both concealed and protected.
A street urchin stood in the hallway, barefoot and dirty.
"Message for Lord Albrecht," the boy announced, holding out a sealed parchment.
"Lady at the market paid me to deliver it."
Aldric accepted the message and a coin from the messenger before closing the door.
He examined the seal carefully before handing it to Caelan.
"No house insignia, but the wax contains a subtle crescent pattern."
Caelan broke the seal and unfolded the parchment.
The message was brief, written in cipher—one he recognised from the Shrouded Bazaar's coded communications.
"The Whisper has been captured. Assets scattered. The Halo hunts at midnight. Beware the shadowed doors."
He passed the note to Aldric, who read it with a deepening frown.
"Troubling news, my lord. If the Whisper has truly been silenced..."
"Then we've lost a valuable ally and information source," Caelan finished.
"And the Black Halo is actively moving against us again."
This development complicated an already dangerous situation.
The Whisper had been one of the few people in the capital with both knowledge and resources to counter the Eclipsed Order.
Her network of spies and informants had provided critical intelligence. With her removed from the board, Caelan's position was significantly weakened.
"The timing is suspicious," Aldric observed.
"Three days before the dark moon ritual. The Order is eliminating potential interference."
"And potential allies," Caelan agreed.
"Which means Lady Elara may also be in danger. We need to warn her immediately."
"Perhaps we should reconsider our departure plans," Aldric suggested.
"Remaining in the capital might be safer than travelling exposed on open roads."
Caelan shook his head.
"The capital is their territory. At Albrecht Manor, we at least know the ground. And we have preparations to make before the dark moon."
A plan had been forming in his mind since witnessing the ritual.
The Eclipsed Order expected him to be in the capital during the dark moon, where they could easily reach him.
His unexpected departure would force them to adjust, giving him a small but crucial advantage.
"What of Lord Vaeron's tribute demand?" Aldric asked.
"The deadline coincides with our return to the manor."
"Which brings us to our next move," Caelan replied, a cold smile touching his lips.
"It's time to use what we learned from the Whisper's payment. Bring me the financial documents."
From a hidden compartment in the floor, Aldric retrieved a sealed packet containing the records of Lord Vaeron Fenn's massive foreign debts—leverage that could destroy House Fenn without bloodshed.
"I've been patient, waiting for the right moment," Caelan said, examining the documents.
"But with the Whisper captured and the Black Halo hunting us, we can no longer afford to delay. It's time to strike first."
Their morning was spent preparing letters to three recipients: the Merkesh Trading Consortium, the Royal Bank of Ostoria, and the Crown Treasurer's office.
Each contained carefully selected excerpts from Fenn's financial records, revealing his precarious position to those who held his debts.
"These will not be delivered immediately," Caelan explained as they sealed the letters.
"Instead, they'll be held by three separate agents with instructions to send them only under specific circumstances."
"If you die," Aldric surmised grimly.
"Precisely. The Black Halo and the Eclipsed Order need to understand that eliminating me will only accelerate Fenn's destruction. It won't save their plans—it will merely complicate them."
This form of insurance was familiar territory for Marcus Chen. In his previous life, he had maintained similar arrangements—deadman switches that ensured critical information would be released if he failed to make regular contact with certain individuals.
"A clever precaution," Aldric approved.
"But Lord Vaeron remains dangerous even when threatened. Cornered predators often strike most viciously."
"Which is why we'll apply pressure gradually," Caelan replied.
"The first step is to ensure he understands exactly what we know."
He drafted one final letter—to Lord Vaeron Fenn himself. Unlike the others, this one contained no documents, merely a message:
"The tribute will be paid in full upon my return to Albrecht Manor, as promised to His Majesty. In preparation, I've arranged for certain financial records concerning your Merkesh and Ostorian obligations to be held in trust by neutral parties. Their continued discretion is contingent upon my continued good health. I look forward to resolving our business permanently."
The letter was deliberately vague yet specific enough that Vaeron would understand exactly what information Caelan possessed.
It created uncertainty without making direct threats—a delicate balance that would force Fenn to hesitate before taking action.
"Send this by royal courier," Caelan instructed.
"It should reach Lord Vaeron shortly after we depart the capital."
"A bold move, my lord," Aldric observed.
"And one that will undoubtedly provoke a response."
"I'm counting on it," Caelan said.
"But the response I want is hesitation, not immediate action. Every day Fenn spends wondering about my intentions is a day we gain to prepare."
Their afternoon meeting with Lady Elara took place as planned at The Gilded Quill.
The shop's back room had been secured against eavesdroppers through both physical and magical means—a precaution that seemed especially prudent with the Black Halo actively hunting.
"The Whisper's capture changes everything," Elara said after Caelan shared the morning's message.
"She was one of the few powers in the capital not aligned with either the traditional noble houses or the Eclipsed Order."
"Do you know who holds her?" Caelan asked.
"My sources suggest House Fenn's agents made the capture, but they immediately transferred her to others wearing the half-eclipse insignia.
She's likely being held somewhere in the old temple district, where the Order maintains several hidden facilities."
Caelan absorbed this information, calculating possibilities.
"Could she be freed?"
"Not without resources we don't currently possess," Elara replied frankly.
"The Order's strongholds are heavily warded. Even my father's best magicians would struggle to breach them."
The mention of her father reminded Caelan of the Eclipsed Order's plans to use leverage against him.
"Lady Elara, you should know that you and your house may be targeted as a means of pressuring me. The Order has specifically mentioned our alliance."
She nodded, unsurprised.
"I've already increased House Thorne's security. My father, despite his illness, remains a formidable magister. Our wards have been strengthened, and additional guards have been posted."
"The dark moon ritual is their immediate focus," Caelan continued.
"But their longer-term plans involve what they call 'awakening the cursed blood' in House Albrecht—my blood. They believe it will somehow free the Black Seraph."
"The entity your ancestor bound," Elara said, demonstrating her knowledge of the true Albrecht history.
"My family's records suggest the binding was never meant to be permanent—merely a containment until a permanent solution could be found."
"A solution my mother may have discovered," Caelan revealed.
"Aldric has recovered her research from her hidden workshop. She had developed advanced Nullcraft techniques specifically designed to permanently seal the Seraph."
Elara's eyes widened.
"That would explain why they eliminated her. Such knowledge would threaten centuries of their planning."
"And why they're so intent on controlling me now," Caelan agreed.
"They fear I've inherited not just the Albrecht blood, but my mother's Nullcraft abilities."
Which was precisely what had happened, though not in the way anyone had anticipated.
Marcus Chen's consciousness, inhabiting Caelan Albrecht's body, had activated dormant abilities that might otherwise have remained suppressed.
"What do you need from House Thorne?" Elara asked directly.
"Eyes on Albrecht Manor while I'm travelling," Caelan replied.
"And a secure channel of communication once I return. If the Order moves against me during the dark moon, I may need to send messages quickly."
"Consider it done."
She hesitated, then added, "You should also know that Lord Vaeron departs for his estate tomorrow—a day earlier than planned. Something has him concerned."
"Good," Caelan said with grim satisfaction.
"My message to him is already having an effect."
As their meeting concluded, Elara presented Caelan with a small wooden box.
"A gift from House Thorne. It contains three crescent blades forged with nullstone—a rare metal that disrupts magical energy. They may prove useful against the Order's mages."
"Thank you," Caelan said, genuinely touched by the gesture.
"House Albrecht won't forget this alliance."
"See that it survives to remember," she replied with a wry smile.
"The storms ahead will test us both."
Their journey from the capital began at dawn the following day. The skies threatened rain, matching Caelan's sombre mood as their carriage passed through the city gates.
Behind them, the royal conclave was concluding with a final feast that neither Caelan nor Lord Vaeron Fenn would attend—both having departed early, each aware of the other's movements.
The first day of travel passed uneventfully, though Caelan remained vigilant.
The attack during their journey to the capital had taught him not to underestimate Fenn's reach, and now the Black Halo added another layer of threat.
On the second day, as they approached the borders of Albrecht's lands, Aldric noticed unusual tracks on the road—multiple horses and wagons had recently passed this way, heading toward the manor.
"Too many for ordinary travellers," the old servant observed.
"And deliberately keeping to the sides of the road to avoid notice."
Caelan instructed their driver to take a less direct route, approaching Albrecht Manor from the western hills rather than the main road. This path, overgrown and rarely used, provided a view of the manor and surrounding lands from elevated ground.
What they saw confirmed their worst fears.
Albrecht Manor was surrounded.
At least thirty men were positioned around the perimeter, with more inside the grounds, judging by the smoke from cook fires.
Though they wore no identifying colours or insignia, the organised nature of their encampment suggested trained soldiers rather than common bandits.
"Siege forces," Aldric murmured.
"Waiting for our return."
Caelan studied the situation through a small spyglass.
Among the weapons visible in the encampment were several that caught his attention—distinctive curved blades similar to those used by the Black Halo assassins who had ambushed him in the capital.
"Not just Fenn's men," he observed grimly.
"The Order has sent their killers as well. They're ensuring I have nowhere to run when the dark moon rises."
"What now, my lord? We can't approach directly—they'll capture you before you reach the manor."
Caelan considered their options.
The situation was dire but not unexpected. It offered certain advantages—their enemies were concentrated in one location rather than scattered across the kingdom, and they believed they had the upper hand.
"We make camp here, out of sight," he decided.
"Tonight, I'll scout their positions more thoroughly. Neutralising their lookouts will be the first step."
"You intend to attack them?" Aldric asked in disbelief.
"There are dozens of trained fighters down there."
"Not attack—infiltrate," Caelan corrected.
"The manor contains resources we need—mother's Nullcraft materials, father's hidden weapons, and the boundary stones that protect our lands. Before the dark moon rises, I need to access them."
Aldric looked skeptical but nodded.
"And after you've gathered these resources?"
Caelan's expression hardened as he watched the forces surrounding his ancestral home—House Fenn's soldiers aligned with the Eclipsed Order's assassins, all preparing to capture or kill the last Albrecht when he arrived.
"Then I will teach them why my ancestor was called the Raven King," he said quietly.
"They've spent generations manipulating my family, using us as pawns in their dark schemes. Now they face an Albrecht they didn't anticipate—one who understands their game and refuses to play by their rules."
The sun began to set behind them, casting long shadows across Albrecht's lands.
In two days, the moon would enter its dark phase, and the Eclipsed Order would attempt their ritual to free the Black Seraph.
They expected to find a vulnerable heir, pressured from all sides, desperate enough to embrace the shadow magic they believed slept in his blood.
Instead, they would face Marcus Chen's tactical genius in Caelan Albrecht's body, armed with his mother's Nullcraft knowledge and his growing abilities.
The Order had orchestrated events for centuries, manipulating noble houses and common folk alike toward their dark purpose.
But they had never faced a player who could see all the pieces on the board.
"When the raven spreads its wings," Caelan murmured, watching as torches began to light around his besieged home, "storms follow."
And this storm would shake Velderra to its foundations.