The cart lurched into motion.
The wheels crunched loudly over the frozen snow as Fenn tightened his grip on the reins. The icy wind cut into his face, made his eyes water, but he didn't blink. He did look back, but just to check if his mask didnt fall off.
Behind him, the headquarters of the Black Synod still towered dark and massive from the mountainside, its black window fronts reflecting the pale morning light. Guards stood motionless in the watchtowers, like frozen shadows.
A gift, Thornec said.
The path grew steeper. The cart slowly picked up speed, rattling over sheets of ice while the horses found their footing with practiced certainty. Cold mist hung in the air, and with every meter downward it felt as if an invisible weight was lifting from Fenn's chest.
Above, near the entrance of the headquarters, three figures still stood.
Noen leaned lightly against the railing, his gaze following the cart until it grew smaller and smaller. Beside him stood Thornec, legs planted wide, one hand raised as he waved to Fenn one last time. Brynja had her arms crossed and watched the scene with her usual, scrutinizing look.
For a moment, no one said anything. Only the wind rushed across the mountain ridge.
Then Brynja broke the silence, leaning slightly toward Noen.
"And we can really trust this… Lum you keep talking about… one hundred percent?"
Noen grinned and turned his head slightly toward Thornec. The Vice Leader had lowered his arm by now, his gaze still fixed on the place where Fenn had disappeared, as if he wanted to make sure the boy truly made it down safely.
Thornec looked at Brynja and said:"Absolutely! You wouldn't know, because you're too young. Since Noen wouldn't be able to hurt him…"
Noen nodded.
"…there is absolutely no doubt that he's a good guy."
The heavy entrance door of the headquarters opened with a deep, muted rumble.
Cold mountain air poured outward, but only for a moment before a single figure stepped outside.
Bram.
One of the seven members of the Black Synod.
His steps were calm, almost soundless on the icy stone ground. He stopped beside Thornec, turned his head slightly toward him, and said in a completely matter-of-fact tone:
"We are ready now."
No pathos .No urgency. Just a statement.
Thornec nodded once.
The hidden room behind the rotating wall looked exactly as it had the first time.
Large. Round. Cut off from everything outside.
The massive stone table in the center of the room had already been cleared, the heavy chairs around it occupied. Dim light fell from above, making the black uniforms of the Black Synod shimmer dully.
Everyone was here.
Varrick, grinning broadly, arms loosely crossed. Bram, calm and alert, hands folded. Rinnay, leaned back, eyes sharp. Saevin, conspicuously relaxed, wearing that oddly cheerful expression. Rhuven, silent, upright, hands resting calmly on the table. Brynja, focused, head slightly tilted. And Thornec.
He stepped forward last.
He positioned himself at the head of the table, let his gaze slowly pass over everyone present—measuring, gathering—and then slammed both hands onto the stone surface with a dull thud.
"Thank you all for coming here today. Again."
The echo rolled briefly through the room before Thornec continued without hesitation:
"Today we will discuss the strategy to bring down the mayor of Halmswick, Beldrin!"
For a moment, the room exploded.
Cheering. Applause. Varrick's fist slammed enthusiastically onto the table, Saevin laughed loudly, even Bram let out a sound of approval.
But then—
Rhuven raised his hand.
No grand gesture. No words.
Just that single, calm stop signal.
And it was enough.
The noise faded almost instantly. Conversations died. Movements froze. Even Saevin's laughter broke off mid-breath.
Actually a job for the Supreme One.
Thornec noticed it, briefly twisted his mouth—not annoyed, more respectful—and nodded.
Then he continued:
"First of all! I'm assuming none of you know what his godly power is."
Several heads immediately shook. Others remained still.
"Except Saevin and Rhuven!"He briefly pointed at both. "You two are stationed in Halmswick."
Saevin leaned back grinning, casually placing one hand behind his head, and said:
"Sorry, I don't know anything about his powers, hehehahaha!"
Then—almost simultaneously—
all heads turned toward Rhuven.
Rhuven let the silence linger for a moment.
Not long. Just long enough for everyone in the room to realize that something important was coming.
Then he lifted his gaze.
"It makes sense why none of you — even Saevin — know what kind of godly power Beldrin possesses."
A few brows furrowed. Saevin raised an eyebrow slightly.
Rhuven continued, calm, almost matter-of-fact:
"It is quiet. Not flashy…"
He paused briefly.
"…and that is exactly what makes it so effective."
No one interrupted him.
"Believe it or not," Rhuven said at last, "I was, a long time ago, … one of his underlings."