Kelar was walking outside the royal palace. He passed the guards, who bowed to him, and continued through the large garden that separated the palace from the noble district. The moonlight was bright, with thick clouds moving lazily across the sky. Kelar strolled alongside a row of trees, their shadows stretching long behind them.
He looked up at the moon.
"Looks like I'm late for Cynthia's session tonight," he muttered.
"Daria, bring Cynthia as usual."
He called out to his assistant.
But something felt off.
"Daria!"
No response.
Usually, she would appear at the first call. This was the first time she hadn't.
His calm face slowly shifted into a serious expression.
Suddenly, from the shadows beneath the tree, a robed figure appeared. But it was not the one he had summoned.
"I deeply apologize, my lord. We lost Daria today… in the Cave of Coldshire," the robed figure said, voice muffled behind the mask.
"What did you just say?" Kelar snapped, his composure breaking.
