Chapter 8
Two weeks had passed since the goblin incident.
Lucian and his men buried the fallen with full honors, standing beside freshly dug graves as prayers were spoken and banners lowered. He personally attended to the widows of the dead, listening to their cries, their anger, and their grief, taking it all in, no matter how heavy it weighed on him.
He ordered Jay and his scouts to investigate the forest, tasked with locating any goblin hideouts or signs of movement. At the same time, Saturn was placed in charge of rebuilding the broken wall, aided by the Ironhearth Clan, a dwarven people renowned for forging weapons and weaving magic into stone and steel. The methods they used were closely guarded, known only to their kind.
Lucian's final step was paperwork. A requests he had tirelessly prepared to ensure all necessary arrangements were in place before operations could begin.
With his preparations complete, Lucian headed for the main castle, where the royal family resided—and more importantly, his father, the Hand of the King. He had little choice in the matter. After clashing with the five ministers during the council meeting, he knew there was little to no chance they would approve his requests willingly.
Lucian climbed the castle steps and found two maids cleaning the grand doors.
"Good day," Lucian said politely, drawing their attention.
The maids froze as if they had seen a ghost.
"Oh—my lord!" they exclaimed, bowing deeply. "How may we assist you?"
"I wish to speak with Lord Thandor, the Hand of the King," Lucian said calmly. "May I ask where I might find him?"
"Yes, my lord," one maid replied. "Lord Thandor was last seen in the library a few hours ago, before we stepped outside to clean the outer halls."
"Thank you for the information," Lucian said, bowing his head slightly. "I apologize for disturbing your work."
"Oh no, my lord," the maids said quickly. "Please don't bow to us. It was our pleasure to help."
Lucian nodded in gratitude and proceeded into the castle.
The library doors stood wide open. Lucian stopped at the threshold, spotting his father at the center of the room, standing beneath the light of a grand chandelier, while a book in hand.
"My lord," Lucian said respectfully. "May I enter?"
Lord Thandor turned slowly, closing the book and setting it aside.
"Come in," he replied, his voice measured and cold.
Lucian stepped inside the library, stopping several paces away.
"My lord," Lucian continued, posture straight, "I have a request that requires your approval."
Lord Thandor clasped his hands behind his back. "And what kind of request would that be?"
Lucian took a steady breath. "Funds. For recruiting new soldiers, the last attack took some of our best. Payment for the men rebuilding the wall, as well as compensation for the Ironhearth Clan's assistance. And lastly, approval to send my men beyond the walls to investigate what caused the attack and how close the threat is to our territory."
Lord Thandor nodded slightly. "And you have prepared the paperwork for this?"
"Yes, my lord"
"And how much do you require?"
Lucian answered without hesitation. "One thousand gold coins for recruitment. Five thousand to rebuild the wall, including the soldiers' wages. One thousand five hundred to send out my elite scouts. And three thousand reserved for unforeseen circumstances. In total, ten thousand gold coins."
Lord Thandor exhaled slowly.
"I understand. However, the nobles may not agree, especially after you spent four hundred platinum from the treasury without approval."
"Yes," Lucian admitted. "That is why I need your help, my lord. Please, I only ask for these funds so everything can proceed as planned. There is something I must investigate."
Lord Thandor's eyes narrowed. "And what is that?"
"The attack last week was not normal," Lucian said firmly. "Goblins attack recklessly, but they are not foolish enough to assault a fortified city like ours. And yet, they breached a wall built by dwarves and reinforced with magic, with alarming ease."
Lord Thandor nodded. "I agree. That attack was far from ordinary. So what do you suspect?"
"There may be someone leading them," Lucian said.
"Someone," Lord Thandor spoke. "Or something?"
"I don't have the answer yet," Lucian admitted. "That's why these preparations must begin immediately. If the goblins are being led, then another battle might come once again and we must be ready."
Silence hung between them.
Finally, Lord Thandor spoke. "Very well. I will approve your request. Begin this operation at once and inform me of anything you discover."
Lucian bowed deeply. "Thank you, my lord. I won't fail."
Lord Thandor nodded once. "Very well."
Lucian turned and began to leave the chamber.
He had taken only a few steps when a quite soft voice stopped him.
"Please… be careful, my son."
Lucian froze. For a heartbeat, the world seemed to still. Slowly, he turned his head not fully, just enough.
A faint smile touched his lips. "I will, Father."
He did not look back as he left the chamber, but for the first time in many years, the distance between them felt… smaller.