11:00 a.m. | Morven's house:
Morven paced slowly around his bedroom, right hand resting beneath his chin, muttering to himself.
"The black ring… found in the Chancellor's son's room."
He stopped abruptly and stared at the candlestick on his desk.
"Could it be… Lucien's? Or… something to do with the black market?"
He strode to the desk and slammed his palm down hard. A book slipped silently to the floor.
Morven sighed, about to lean back against the desk, when the door burst open. Marcus and Edward appeared in the doorway at the exact same moment.
Edward strode in with his usual easy grin.
"Hey, boss! Doing alright? Planning a trip and you don't even tell us?!"
Morven exhaled and shot Marcus a weary look.
Marcus raised both hands defensively. "This time it really wasn't me!"
Before Morven could reply, Edward added quickly, "Don't be mad—just… after I hand over all the watch shop orders, what am I supposed to do then?"
Morven's lips curved into a faint smile. He slowly slid the black ring from his finger and held it out to Edward.
"Investigate this. Use every contact you have, if you must."
Edward's eyes went wide the instant he saw it. He stepped forward, took the ring carefully, and turned it in the light.
"A black ring… I've seen several, but they're nearly impossible to come by. Only the head of the black market and the board members wear rings like this."
Morven fixed him with a sharp stare.
"So the killer of the Chancellor's son was someone from the black market?"
Edward studied the ring more closely.
"Not exactly… The ones I've seen have a thin gold line running through the middle. This one is completely black."
Morven glanced at Marcus.
"Marcus… we leave London this evening. And as William said, there may very well be highwaymen on the road."
Both Marcus and Edward stared at him in stunned silence.
Marcus swallowed. "Is there… anything I should do?"
Morven gave a low, sardonic chuckle, lowered his gaze, took a deep breath, then looked up again.
"Go fetch my special cane. You know exactly which one I mean."
Marcus's eyes trembled for a fraction of a second, but he kept his composure.
"You mean… the sword cane?"
The moment the words left his mouth, Edward's eyes widened. He turned to Morven, but Morven answered before he could speak.
"Yes, Marcus. I'll be needing it."
Marcus bowed slightly.
"Yes, sir. Understood."
He left the room quietly, leaving the door ajar, and headed toward the bedroom near the stairs.
Morven gave Edward a faint smile.
"I've got a bad feeling about this journey…"
Edward glanced at the wall clock.
"Is it really necessary to bring the sword cane? Or even take it at all?"
He started to say more, but Morven cut him off with a calm smile.
"No one knows. But it's the only weapon I can carry openly without raising suspicion."
Edward exhaled slowly.
"I understand…"
───────────────────────────
Minutes later | Morven's room:
Marcus returned carrying a long, narrow wooden case.
Morven smiled faintly when he saw it. Edward still looked uneasy about the whole idea.
Marcus unlocked the brass clasps and carefully lifted the lid. Inside lay a polished brown wooden cane with an ornate silver handle engraved with delicate vines and flowers.
Morven bent down, took the cane, and pressed the silver handle firmly with the heel of his hand. With a soft metallic whisper, the wooden sheath slid free, revealing a slender, 70-centimetre steel blade.
Morven smiled quietly.
"The last time I used this was a year ago—against that smuggler. This time… it's simply to protect myself."
He slid the blade back into its wooden sheath until it once again looked like nothing more than an elegant walking cane.
Marcus and Edward watched in silence, then both let out long, quiet breaths.
Morven pulled the shop key from his coat pocket and tossed it to Edward.
Edward caught it clumsily.
"Right then, boss… from now on, the watch shop is mine to run!"
Morven's smile softened.
"Good. Now you may go."
Edward glanced once more at Marcus—still kneeling beside the open case—then stepped out. At the doorway he turned back, gave a small, respectful bow, and said softly:
"Safe travels, my lord."
Then he disappeared toward the stairs.
Morven turned to Marcus.
"Up you get. No need to kneel like that. Go pack. This evening we ride for the northern gate of London."
───────────────────────────
2:50 p.m. | London, Northern Gate:
Morven and Marcus passed beneath the great archway and stepped onto the open road beyond the city walls.
Morven glanced left and immediately spotted William leaning against a tree, two saddled horses waiting beside him.
Morven approached with a faint smile.
"You've done well… Now, while I'm gone, I want you and your people to keep a very close eye on Lucien and every move he makes."
William placed his right hand over his heart and bowed slightly.
"Yes, my lord. Your orders will be carried out perfectly."
Morven gave a small nod, then turned to Marcus.
"Marcus—mount up. It's time."
Once both were in the saddle, Morven looked back at William one last time.
"I'm leaving London's safety in your hands. Be careful."
William closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again.
"Yes, my lord. Rest assured, I will guard the city."
Morven allowed himself the faintest of smiles, urged his horse forward, and started north.
Marcus glanced back at William.
"Goodbye…"
William returned the smile.
"Take care of Lord Blacktide. He sometimes… loses control."
Marcus grinned.
"Got it!"
Suddenly Morven's voice rang out from ahead.
"Marcus! Hurry up!"
Marcus sighed, spurred his horse, and caught up. When he drew level, Morven only smirked and kept riding.
Marcus fell in half a pace behind.
Morven spoke softly, almost to himself, as the fog of London began to thin behind them:
"For a while… I'll be far from the mists of London, and from the war between shadows and light…"