Cassian stood at the parapet, watching Rudravaan's back as he walked away.
How is he that confident they will come. He turned the question over, finding no answer that satisfied him.
Then Rudravaan stopped at the edge of the wall.
Cassian opened his mouth — and Rudravaan stepped off.
The air left his chest. He rushed to the edge and gripped the parapet, looking down.
Rudravaan stood at the bottom, dusting off his sleeve, completely unbothered.
"Emperor—" Cassian's voice came out tighter than he intended. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." Rudravaan rolled his shoulder and started walking.
A guard nearby glanced up at Cassian with the quiet exhaustion of a man who had seen this before.
"He does this often," the guard said. "Scares everyone every time."
Cassian stared down at Rudravaan's retreating figure, then back at the height he had just jumped from.
"Who," he said, mostly to himself, "could possibly be fine after a drop like that."
On the other side of the city, Leon Ash's carriage rolled to a stop before a modest palace tucked away from the main roads.
He stepped down before it had fully settled. The guards at the gate dropped to one knee as he approached.
"Greetings, noble guard."
Leon Ash didn't slow his stride. "How many times have I told you not to kneel."
They rose. He looked them over — standing straight now, eyes forward, weapons at their sides.
"Better." He stopped in front of them. "Anything happen while I was away?"
"Nothing out of order, sir. However—" The guard straightened. "Lord Jasper Reed has arranged a meeting. The nobles are arriving tomorrow."
"I will handle it from here."
He walked through the gate.
Inside, the palace moved with quiet activity — servants carrying documents, guards changing posts, everything in its place. Leon moved through it without pause until he reached a closed door at the far wing.
He knocked.
"Who is it?"
"Leon Ash."
A short pause. "Enter."
He pushed the door open. Jasper Reed sat behind a wide desk, papers spread before him, quill in hand. He looked up as Leon stepped inside.
"How is the investigation in Thalvaron?"
"Still nothing on Rudravaan," Leon said.
Jasper's eyes narrowed. He set the quill down slowly. "Do not take this matter lightly, Leon. Assign more men if you must — but move quickly."
"Sir." Leon met his gaze evenly. "With respect — I believe you are giving this more weight than it deserves. He has been quiet for years. And we have the backing of other emperors. I do not think—"
Jasper's head rose.
The shift was small. But the room felt different after it.
"You do not know him." His voice stayed level — which somehow made it worse. "Even with every emperor behind us, we cannot touch that man. Not directly." He leaned back. "He has been still for years — yes. While others worked to erase what he built, what he was. They thought the quiet meant he was finished." He paused. "Now they have disturbed him. He will come. That much is certain."
Leon said nothing for a moment. "Is he truly as dangerous as you say?"
Jasper let out a short laugh. "You would not believe me if I told you. So I will not bother." He straightened the papers on his desk. "Anything else?"
"Yes." Leon stepped forward. "I came across two suspicious people in Thalvaron. They approached me asking to train under me — but the one who fought was clearly stronger than most of our guards."
Jasper's eyes sharpened. He leaned forward. "Who are they?"
"I do not know yet. He was injured during our test duel. I came straight to you." Leon paused. "If you wish, I can bring them before you."
Jasper was quiet for a moment — then shook his head. "I have the noble meeting tomorrow. You handle it." He picked up his quill. "Look into them properly first."
Leon Ash bowed his head. "Then I take my leave."
He turned and walked out, pulling the door shut behind him.
The infirmary was quiet.
Fenlor lay on the bed staring at the ceiling while Henry sat nearby, watching him with the patience of someone who had nothing else to do. Outside, the low murmur of guards drifted through the wall — words too muffled to make out, but voices that had been there a while.
Then the footsteps came.
The door opened and Leon Ash stepped inside. He looked Fenlor over once, then crossed his arms.
"How are you feeling?"
Fenlor pushed himself upright and swung his legs off the bed. "Tired of lying here." He looked at Leon. "Can you start training me?"
Leon studied him for a moment — the split lip, the bruised ribs he was clearly pretending weren't there, the complete absence of any intention to stay in bed a moment longer.
He let out a short breath. "You really are something else, kid."
"I hear that a lot," Fenlor said.
Leon turned toward the door. "Come to the ground then."
He walked out. Fenlor followed without hesitation, Henry a step behind.
The training ground fell quiet as they emerged. The guards drilling stopped — some mid-stance, some mid-step — and turned to look.
Leon swept his gaze across the yard. "These two are new. They will be training here from now on." His eyes moved across the guards. "Keep an eye on them."
A few nods. A few exchanged glances. No one asked questions.
Leon turned to Fenlor. "For now, train with the guards. You may be stronger than most of them — but you can still learn something."
Fenlor nodded. "I'll do that."
Leon's expression shifted — something quiet and deliberate settling over his face. He called one of the guards over with a gesture and walked toward the gate, the guard falling into step behind him. He said nothing more to Fenlor or Henry.
Henry waited until they were out of earshot, then leaned close and tapped Fenlor's arm.
"What?"
"I don't know what you're planning," Henry said, keeping his voice low, "but can you at least tell me what we're doing now?"
"We wait for the right moment," Fenlor said.
"How long is that going to take?"
Fenlor glanced at him. "Who knows."
Leon and the guard passed through the gate of Eldoria and out onto the road. After a few steps, Leon spoke without turning.
"How is the investigation in Thalvaron going?"
"Still nothing, sir."
Leon stopped. He turned and grabbed the guard by the collar — slow, deliberate. The guard's breath caught.
"How long are you going to keep giving me the same answer?"
"S — sorry, sir—"
Leon released him. "Use more men. Do whatever it takes. But be fast." He started walking again. "And bring everyone you have."
The guard scrambled to keep up. "Sir — where are we going?"
"Thalvaron," Leon said. "I will see the investigation for myself."