The Warmth of the Hearth

“This can’t be...” Laurent’s eyes quiver, a cold sweat trails down his forehead. He has heard the tales of the darkness that once plagued Ezicion. How the mages of old struggled to contain its existence from the nearby nations, and how they barely managed. If this was to surface once again, then it really is a matter of urgency. “Rem.” He calls out, bringing Rem back to open the door. “Send a letter to Kayden telling him that I shall come visit him within tomorrow. I want it sent as soon as you can.”

“Very well. Is there anything else you would like me to write?” Rem nods, ready to jot down the message within her head.

Laurent shakes his head. “Nothing specific.” He puts down the letter from Fahren and proceeds to look through the rest of the papers ahead of him. His eyes spot the sigil of the House of Alder, a rival house in which they have found more trouble with than they could even count. “Also Rem, have you heard of any sort of news regarding the issue within the Slums? The one about the mage that went rogue, I would like to question him if possible.”

“I believe that the mage you are referring to has unfortunately escaped, Master Laurent. He was reportedly a Zephyr user and his intentions of the sudden attack are currently unknown.” Rem pauses, struggling to think of any more information that might help but comes up with none. “That is all I know as of now sir.”

“I see. If it’s not too much trouble, could you look more into this issue for me Rem?” Laurent asks politely. He was worried that this may be more than what meets the eye. If this really was, there’s a good chance that it may be related to several other issues Ezicion is currently facing.

“Not at all sir, I’ll see what I can find.” Rem answers obediently as she once again, leaves the room.

Laurent returns to addressing his work, going through paper after paper as the sky behind his window turns its warm orange tinge into the pink hazy fade of dusk. It was getting late and fortunately; he was almost done with his work for the day. He finishes the last of the toll and stands up, finding bliss in the relief of having his entire body stretch after the taxing paperwork he had to go through. “Ahh, thank the gods I am done with all of that.” The scent of the food being prepared floods the halls of their manor. His stomach rumbles as hunger finally makes itself known within him. “I am starving.”

As he makes his way into the dining room, he finds Olin missing. “Rem, has Olin sent word as to why he is still absent?” He asks Rem currently cradling Luke in her arms.

“No sir. There was no word of Master Olin since he left this afternoon.” Rem answers, one hand caressing Luke’s head.

“I see. You guys have dinner ahead without me. I’ll go see what Olin has got himself caught up in.” Laurent grabs a nearby coat and dons it on as he walks out the front door. It is unlike him to be this late.

The sky above him shone with the bright moon at its center, the breeze cool as it seeps into the skin that wasn’t covered by the coat. This does not bother Laurent however, for he rarely gets cold. He turns the corner that leads to House Alder’s manor when he notices Olin talking to a person he did not recognize. Who is it? The man talking to Olin was tall, his face clean of facial hair but riddled with scars, as if he’d seen his fair share of conflict. “Olin.”

“Laurent, did you come to fetch me?” Olin acknowledges him with a smile.

“That is exactly what I came here to do. I rarely see you late. Is the world going to end?” Laurent jests, approaching the two men and establishing himself in conversation. “Laurent Laisren.” He extends a hand towards the stranger who greets him with an awkward smile, as if he was not used to doing such.

“I am merely an informant from Fahren dear masters, and I am forbidden to reveal more than what I am required to. Unfortunately, that includes my name.” He answers with sincerity that seemed to be genuine. The man talked surprisingly better than Laurent expected of him. “Hopefully, under different circumstances, I would be able to introduce myself properly to you in the future.”

Knowing Fahren, this is highly likely the case. “Understandable. I assume this is about the letter Fahren has sent me?” Lauren asks, deducing that this was indeed the case.

“That is correct. It appears that Master Fahren has found more crucial information that may be of use to us. I have already briefed Master Olin regarding the matter, and it seems that you both have an idea as to what sort of information I may be talking about.” The informant answers, eyeing Laurent and Olin.

“The attack on the Slums. I had my suspicions that it was more than a rogue mage going rampant.” Laurent answers as he watches both Olin and the informant nod. “Then that must mean you know something we do not.”

“Unfortunately, not much in terms of the whereabouts of the missing mage.” He pauses, pulling out a parchment from his coat. “However, we know a bit of who might have been involved in the incident. And we have all of them in this list.”