The castle stood in eerie silence, as if the stones themselves were holding their breath. As Bryan entered the great doors, the torches flickered slightly, sensitive to the icy aura around him. Without a word, he walked through the corridors, his steps ringing with a natural authority that no one dared to challenge.
He descended the spiral staircase leading to the dungeon. The air grew heavier, saturated with the metallic smell...and a hint of fear. A few meters from the place of torture, he stopped; the silhouette of the tied prisoner was silhouetted in the darkness. Before he advanced further, the head guard appeared and bowed.
"My lord," he declared, his voice respectful but nervous.
- SO ? Bryan said, coldly, direct.
"He… he's ready to talk."
Bryan slowly approached the cell. The prisoner raised his head with difficulty, his face distorted by pain, his muscles trembling.
"Speak," Bryan ordered, his voice sharper than any blade.
The prisoner swallowed, fear burning his eyes.
"My… prince," he stammered. I swear… I didn't want to. The orders came... from your big brother... Prince Alastor...
Bryan's eyes widened. The emotion had only lasted a fragment of a second, but it had existed. He immediately recovered, tightening his jaw.
- For what ? he asked in a voice so calm it was terrifying.
The prisoner shivered.
"It was… to teach a lesson to a girl who had irritated Lady Morena. We...we were only supposed to scare him, nothing more. But others arrived...and they weren't one of us. I think… they…
— WHAT?! Bryan growled, the room vibrating with his suppressed fury.
The prisoner jumped.
—That they were sent by Fishlegs...
A heavy silence fell. Bryan turned abruptly, his gaze dark.
The head guard stepped forward cautiously.
"My lord… what should we do?
Bryan inhaled slowly, then spoke with icy coldness.
—Give him a punishment he will never forget...then release him.
—Good, my lord.
Bryan turned away, his bodyguard immediately following him. Behind them, the prisoner's heartbreaking screams began to echo through the hallway.
His bodyguard broke the silence.
"Sir… do you think he's telling the truth?" What if he was in cahoots with Fishlegs' troops?
Bryan shook his head slightly.
- No. I don't think he's lying.
He paused.
"Most importantly, I think someone knew about Morena and Alastor's plans... and informed his master, Fishlegs. He then took advantage of the situation.
The close guard turned pale.
—So... there is a traitor?
- Yes. And it will be difficult to identify.
He sighed.
—It could come from the wizard clan… or the vampires. There's a witch and a vampire involved. But it could also be a hunter... or a werewolf.
—What makes you think that? asked the guard.
Bryan stopped in front of a window overlooking the cold courtyard.
— Because, often... the enemy comes from where we least expect him.
The close guard froze, swallowing this truth with difficulty.