Chapter 10: Tribute from the Shadows
The doors were unlocked, a careless oversight or perhaps a silent invitation for the shadows to seek the truth. He pushed them open, revealing a smaller, more intimate chamber.
The room was a study in opulence, with bookshelves laden with ancient tomes, a large mahogany desk, and a fireplace that had seen better days. The ashes were cold, but the scent of sandalwood and incense lingered in the air. The walls were lined with tapestries depicting scenes of mythical battles, the threads frayed with time.
In the center of the room stood a round table, surrounded by high-backed chairs. Upon the table lay scattered remnants of the masquerade—half-empty goblets, discarded masks, and a deck of cards.
Aldwyn approached the table, his eyes drawn to the cards. They were ornate, with gold filigree along the edges, and the faces depicted scenes of ancient battles and beasts. He picked one up, the touch of the cool metal surprising him. It was heavier than he expected, and when he turned it over, the image of a crimson-eyed beast stared back at him, its jaws open in a silent snarl. He placed it back down carefully.
The room was a treasure trove of secrets, but he knew time was not on his side. He searched the desk drawers, finding only dust and forgotten trinkets. As he moved to the bookshelves, a hidden compartment clicked open, revealing a journal. The leather was soft and worn, the pages filled with a delicate script that spoke of meetings and deals.
He scanned the entries, his eyes catching on a name: The Red Baron. The journal spoke of a meeting between the Baron and someone named 'The Hollow'. The name was unfamiliar, but the urgency in the writing suggested it was someone of significance.
As Aldwyn flipped through the pages, his instincts screamed at him to leave. The Palace was a dangerous place to be, especially for someone who didn't belong.
He tucked the journal into his coat and moved towards the balcony. The cool night air was a welcome respite from the stifling atmosphere of the room. The moon had moved further across the sky, casting the city in a pallid glow.
As he stepped out, the sound of footsteps echoed through the corridor, growing louder with each passing second. He flattened himself against the wall. The door to the study swung open, and a figure stepped into the room. It was a guard, his armor clanking as he walked, his eyes scanning the shadows.
He waited, breath held, as the guard approached the table. The man paused, noticing the displaced cards, then the open compartment on the desk. He looked around the room, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.
Aldwyn's pulse racing like a wild beast in the throes of a hunt. His hand hovered above the hilt of his sword, ready to strike should the guard turn his way. But the man's gaze passed over the balcony, and he moved to the bookshelves instead, muttering to himself about carelessness and the need for order.
Seizing the opportunity, Aldwyn slipped away, his boots silent on the cold stone floor. He had to move quickly—his presence here was no longer a secret. The guard's footsteps grew fainter as he retreated into the shadows, but the tension remained, a palpable presence that clung to him like a second skin.
He had to find a way out before the alarm was raised. The Palace was a maze of corridors and hidden passages, a place where a man could easily become lost, or trapped.
As he approached the balcony where he entered, he heard muffled voices below, their urgent tones breaking the silence of the night. He peered over the edge and spotted a group of guards gathered in the courtyard. They were looking for something, or someone.
Aldwyn knew he had to leave now, but the only way out was through the same balcony he came in. He took a deep breath and focused, calling upon the power of the 'Shadowborn' Assassin to make himself almost invisible. He slid the journal into his pocket and dropped silently to the ground, his body contorting into a graceful roll that absorbed the impact.
The guards had not noticed him, their torches casting erratic patterns on the walls as they searched. He had to move fast. The shadows grew thicker as he sprinted across the courtyard, using the darkness as a cloak. His heart raced as he approached the main gate, the heavy wooden doors standing tall and foreboding.
He heard the jingle of keys, and his eyes narrowed. The gate was about to be locked, sealing his escape. In a flash of movement, Aldwyn scaled the gate, his boots finding purchase on the uneven stones. The gatekeeper looked up, surprise etched on his face as the shadowy figure leaped over the gate with inhuman grace.
"Halt!" the guard shouted, but Aldwyn was already disappearing into the night, his form a mere blur. The alarm bells began to toll, their clamor echoing through the streets of Helgarde like the cries of a dying beast. He knew the city would come alive with the chase, guards and bounty hunters alike seeking the intruder who dared to breach the Royal Palace.
The streets grew narrower and more treacherous as he descended into the lower districts, the shadows becoming his ally once more. The moon was now a sliver in the sky, a silent accomplice to his nocturnal escape.
„That was close, without my new abilities, I wouldn't have stood a chance."
Suddenly, the world around him began to spin, the cobblestones beneath his feet feeling like a heaving sea. A sharp pain pierced his skull, as if an invisible dagger had been driven into his forehead. He staggered, his hand shooting out to brace himself against the cold, damp wall of an alley. His breath came in ragged gasps, his vision swimming with spots of color.
The power he had drawn upon was new, untested, and it was taking its toll. His head felt as if it might split in two, the pressure building until he thought he would scream. He had overexerted himself, pushed the limits of his abilities in his desperation to escape.
Forcing himself to focus, Aldwyn stumbled through the alleyways, the world around him a haze of pain and shadow. He had to find somewhere to hide, to recover. Above, the stars swirled in a dizzying dance, their light fading in and out of existence.
He spotted a narrow gap between two buildings, barely wide enough for a man to slip through. Summoning the last of his strength, he squeezed into the space, his back pressed against the cold brick. His breaths came in shallow, painful gasps, his heart pounding in his ears like a war drum.
The sound of the alarm grew distant, swallowed by the cobblestone maze of the city. He waited, listening intently for any sign of pursuit. The minutes stretched into hours, each one heavier than the last. The pain in his head began to subside, leaving behind an aching throb that pulsed in time with his heart.
When the city had finally settled into its nocturnal rhythm, Aldwyn cautiously emerged from his hiding place. He made his way back to the Hall of the Sword, his mind racing with the implications of his discovery.
The guild hall was a beacon of warmth and activity amidst the cold, indifferent streets. The clang of swords and the murmur of hushed conversations filled the air as he entered. The guild members looked up from their drinks and card games, their eyes lingering on the silver griffin badge that gleamed at his chest.
Master Sewell looked up from his desk as Aldwyn approached, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "You've returned," he said, his voice low. "Find anything of interest?"
Aldwyn pulled out the journal from his pocket, the leather warm from his touch. "This was in the study of the Royal Palace," he said, his voice tight with pain. "It mentions a meeting between the Red Baron and someone called 'The Hollow'. It might be connected to Lady Yesenia's disappearance."
Master Sewell took the journal, his eyes scanning the pages with a practiced ease. "Interesting," he murmured. "The Red Baron is a name whispered in the shadows of Helgarde. A man of great power and even greater mystery. If he's involved, this goes deeper than we thought."
Master Sewell looked at Aldwyn seriously. "What exactly happened to you? You're pretty pale and don't look well. Grab something to eat in the entrance hall!"
Aldwyn nodded and walked into the hall where food and drink were laid out for the members of the Hall. He took a piece of bread and a cup of water, his hand trembling slightly. The adrenaline of the escape had worn off and the reality of his condition hit him hard. He took a bite of the bread, tasting the grit of dust from his journey. The water was cool and soothing on his dry throat.
As he ate, he couldn't shake the feeling that the shadows had whispered to him during his escape. They had been his ally, but now he wondered if they were also watching him, waiting for him to falter. He had to be careful, to keep his powers in check.
The bread was stale, but it filled the void in his stomach. He took his time, savoring each bite and listening to the murmurs of the guild members. They talked of jobs and rumors, none of which concerned him. His mind was elsewhere, piecing together the puzzle of Lady Yesenia's disappearance.
„I need to find out as quickly as possible who the 'Red Baron' and 'The Hollow' are and what exactly their mission is."
Master Sewell joined him, his eyes scanning the room before they landed on Aldwyn. "The Red Baron," he said, his voice a mix of awe and caution, "is not someone to be trifled with. He operates from the shadows, and his power is felt in every corner of Helgarde."
Aldwyn took another sip of water, his eyes never leaving the journal. "What do we know about this 'Hollow'?"
Master Sewell stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Very little. The name is new to me, but it has the stench of the occult. It's possible that a cult is involved, or perhaps even something more...divine."
The whispers of the Darkness in his head had been growing stronger since he became a Shadowborn. He pushed the thought aside and focused on the task at hand. "I need to find out more about this 'Hollow' and the Red Baron's dealings."
Master Sewell nodded. "I'll send for some of our best researchers. In the meantime, rest and recover." He clapped Aldwyn on the shoulder, a gesture of camaraderie that was foreign to him. "You're one of us now. We stand together."
„I was careless from the start...first I left tracks behind me so that I was almost caught. Then I had to use a lot of my strength to escape and almost collapsed. And last but not least, I should have thought about getting help from the guild in the first place. Just because it's my contract doesn't mean I have to do everything on my own."
The words resonated with Aldwyn, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was dancing with a force beyond his understanding. He took the stairs to his quarters, each step a testament to his fatigue. The room was sparse, but it felt safe, a sanctuary from the chaos outside. He collapsed onto the bed, the softness enveloping him like a comforting embrace.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
OfficialDenni
OfficialDenni I thought I should publish the first 10 chapters together to give you an idea of the Story. From here on I'll try to publish one new chapter every 2-3 days.
I hope you enjoy it so far :)
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