Three days after the razing of Caerwyn, the capital was on high alert. Whispers flew faster than birds of a faceless mage cloaked in ash, of a dagger marked with a crown, and of a name long buried under betrayal: Caelan.
Flynn stood by the war table in Winterbell's command hall, his hands resting on the carved wood as the council bickered around him.
"The enemy's mocking us!" barked a noble. "Planting ancient Elaris symbols on our lands?"
"No this is deeper," Lucian said, arms crossed. "It's not just war. It's memory."
Elior, seated near the window, remained silent his gaze flicking every now and then to Flynn, who hadn't said a word since the council began. Only Khalid dared to break the silence, his voice even and commanding.
"We tracked strange movements in the southern trade roads mercenaries, disguised as pilgrims. One of them bore a dagger with the sigil of Elaris. A traveler, black cloak, silver mask. Said nothing. Killed two men in a blink."
"And then vanished," Lucian added.
Flynn finally looked up. "Show me the dagger."
A guard brought it forward, placing the curved blade on the table. Rusted, old… but unmistakable.
Flynn's fingers trembled as he ran his hand over the hilt.
This wasn't just any dagger. This was Caelan's ceremonial blade. The one given to him when he'd become Commander of Elaris.
Flynn turned away sharply.
Khalid noticed. He stepped beside him, lowering his voice. "You've seen it before."
Flynn gave a half-smile, bitter and small. "I once held it."
Khalid's breath hitched faintly. "You…?"
But Flynn didn't answer.
The council dismissed. Lucian left with the soldiers, Elior remaining near the window, gaze pinned to Flynn like he was trying to break through a veil.
Once the hall emptied, Khalid stepped closer, alone with Flynn now.
"You're not the same anymore," he said softly. "And I don't mean because you've changed names."
Flynn stiffened. "What are you saying?"
"I don't know what I'm saying," Khalid admitted, frustrated. "But something's wrong. I don't trust that traveler. And I don't trust the silence."
Flynn turned to him slowly. "Neither do I."
For a moment, the past pressed in between them Caelan's ghost whispering in the spaces they didn't dare speak aloud.
Khalid broke it first. "Let me come with you. To find the one who left the dagger."
Flynn hesitated. "Why?"
"Because… I have a feeling this isn't just about Elaris or Winterbell anymore." He met Flynn's eyes, voice low and certain. "This is about you."
Flynn didn't answer.
But he didn't say no, either.