The members of the Council stood on the terrace of the Grand Castle in a line facing the podium, where Ludan and Sarric were standing.

  Wrapped in flawless black robes, they all looked alike, with long white beards like that of Lord Lororin. All those honorable lords had applauded enthusiastically as the two mercenaries walked toward the platform.

  To Ludan, that high terrace above the Rock—the same one that had suffered the mysterious harpy attack—looked completely different now: perfectly arranged, with waiters moving from one place to another between the tables, carrying wine to the lower-ranking mages during the award ceremony. The elf fixed his gaze on Lord Lororin. The old man looked less weary than before, and seemed to have recovered all his vigor. Though his head leaned slightly forward, Ludan knew that the old man alone could deal with an entire army of orcs, given enough mana and distance—though much of that energy was spent conspiring and weaving networks throughout Anen and beyond, expanding the designs of his ancient Order.

  He is without a doubt the most influential man among the mages, even if he doesn’t like others to know it. Ludan had thought so after the city’s mayor, Lord Pandolf, and not Lororin himself, had been the one to hand them the honorary plaques. Even so, he knew that the speech given by the old mage who ruled in Panxian had been entirely influenced by Lororin.

  “These plaques are granted with the greatest gratitude from our Ancient Order to the company of the Two Warriors of the Shadows, whose actions have earned them the title of Guardians of the Ancestral Rock,” the mayor had said. The award took the shape of a horned centaur, the main insignia of the Order. “Through your valiant actions of advancing north toward a seasoned horde of steppe riders and fully influencing their movements, you have managed to save our city from a dangerous siege, for which we are eternally grateful. You may now consider yourselves first-rank members of our Council: Lord Sarric, Lord of the Night, and Lord Ludan, Veteran of the Forests Beyond the Sea.”

  The two companions received the miniature statues amid applause, and when the ceremony ended, they were handed cups of wine by the stewards. Despite the initial joy of receiving a significant amount of gold—enough to save them many years of hard labor—Ludan knew that things were not right.

  He drank a cup of wine while gazing at the Sea of Elnia in the middle of the night. His elven eyes allowed him to see the intense waves below with perfect clarity.

  Xyrna is dead. From here, I can feel it. He thought, as a hollow sensation formed in his stomach. Elves had a sixth sense for such things. When one had shared so much time with a woman, it was inevitable. Despite the imminent sadness, he felt a burden lift from his chest. Now she will only live as the demon that dwells within me, the one I myself created. But sooner or later, I will also find a way to rid myself of it.

  Sarric stood beside him, also gazing at the sea with a nostalgic expression. Though the vampire was not the sentimental type, Ludan knew something was troubling him, and he could not help but ask.

  “We’ve lost our freedom, brother,” he replied.

  “What do you mean? We’re still perfectly independent.”

  The vampire let out a low chuckle.

  “I’m afraid not, Ludan. Once you join a brotherhood of mages like this, there’s no turning back. Yes, we are immensely rich now—but our days as completely independent agents are over.”

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  The elf did not respond. He knew that when the vampire declared something, it always turned out to be true. For better or worse, they were now bound to that mysterious imperial brotherhood that had operated from the shadows for centuries, silent as a panther in the undergrowth, slowly growing stronger.

  The highest representative of the Council soon approached them on the balcony where they still stood, gazing at the sea in silence.

  “My esteemed lords, all our members now officially know of the feat you accomplished, though many had already heard rumors.”

  Ludan looked at the dark-robed mages around them, talking and drinking—some in silence, others jovially—but all with the common bearing of powerful individuals, people who commanded vast numbers of beings.

  “You are living proof of that saying: ‘A single man can change the course of a war.’”

  “We are grateful for your words, my lord. Blessed be the moment we decided to come to the honorable city of Panxian,” Sarric replied, taking another sip of wine.

  “I agree with my partner, my lord. Thanks to you, our harsh days of raiding in the orc desert seem to have come to an end.”

  The old mage gave a soft laugh.

  “You can count on that, my lords. And if you continue working for us—as we hope you will—the gold you have received will be only the beginning. Although our city has narrowly been saved, largely thanks to your brilliant work, I fear this war is far from over. The hordes have reached Dalux, and they seem prepared for a prolonged siege.”

  The vampire sighed.

  “My lord, although we have done everything within our power to sabotage the advance of the hordes, I fear there is nothing we can do for the capital. A well-compacted army with such mobility, concentrated in a single point, is something we cannot confront.”

  Ludan felt pleased to hear his companion speak with such frankness, though he did not forget the vampire’s earlier words: Once you join a brotherhood of mages like this, there’s no turning back.

  “Oh, of course I would never send elite troops as valuable as you on a suicide mission. I fear the city is doomed, at best. No, no. The new mission we have for you—should you accept it—is in the South, in the immense southern jungles.”

  The two companions looked at each other. The location the mage referred to could only be the jungle land of Ixtul… where the emperor had sent all his forces, and from which many had never returned. That was undoubtedly one of the reasons why the klurzites were now at the very gates of the imperial capital. Why would those mysterious sorcerers want to send them there?

  “Don’t look at me like that, my lords. It will be a quick mission, and you’ll be back here soon. Besides, the payment will be far better than anything you’ve received so far.”

  Ludan was not entirely sure… but he had seen the expression on Sarric’s face at the mention of gold. Ambition was far too strong in a vampire. There would be no avoiding the journey south. Still, his companion feigned skepticism.

  “What kind of mission are we talking about, my good sir?”

  “A few hours ago, I felt the loss of one of our most important assets… a swordswoman we began raising from her earliest childhood… without her ever knowing. It seems she had reached much of her peak potential, and we were about to bring her back to join our Order in full right—but it appears she has died.”

  Ludan felt a shudder run through him. Somehow, the death the mage spoke of seemed to coincide with the loss he himself had felt of Xyrna.

  “With all due respect, Lord Lororin, if she has already died, what can we do for her?”

  The mage pulled a purple orb from the folds of his robe.

  “You will resurrect her. You see, all members of our Order, upon joining, receive a second chance in this world… even you. Those plaques you received are not mere tokens of gratitude. If you die, an orb of resurrection like this one will bring you back to life. I fear Yowo, the warrior I speak of, has died—but with this artifact you can track her and save her from the Eternal Darkness. It is something that, in the future, someone may do for you now that you are members of the Council—and likewise, only someone as capable as you can help us now, so we do not lose such a valuable asset. Do you still have the tracking orb?”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  “Very well. The fastest mounts we have are ready in the stables. I would be grateful if you departed immediately. We still have a chance to win this war, and that woman is a key piece. Fair winds, my lords.”

  Then, a window of hope opened in the depths of the elf’s chest… perhaps Xyrna also had a chance.