The Envoy of Darkness

Chapter 7 - A show of Authority Part 1

James and Charles were standing before a mansion several hundred miles from the village. The grandeur structure gave off an imposing aura.

Standing at the door, Charles couldn't help but sigh. James, on the other hand, felt a sense of dread. Despite having healed well, the siblings hadn't managed to rid themselves of their haggard appearances. The small tussle with Max and the psychological pressure from failing the Minister had taken a toll.

With dejected expressions, they entered inside. The head maid of the household had them wait while she notified the master of the house.

The gloom and despondency between the brothers made the dimly lit room seem even darker.

"Master will see you now."

"Let's go brother. We can only hope for the best." Charles resolutely said before leading the way.

To the siblings, the long winding corridor seemed to be without end. While the duo sorted through their indescribably complex mix of emotions, they put one foot in front of the other and finally arrived before another door. And then they heard the much dreaded and respected voice of their commander as soon as they approached the wooden entryway. "Come in."

The siblings stood inside a room enveloped by darkness. Before them appeared the silhouette of a man. Wearing a suit, he indifferently stared out the window with his back towards them. Charles and James immediately knelt in his direction, falling on one knee with one hand on their chest and their faces pointing downwards.

"My lord." They said in union.

"Hmm." The man acknowledged their presence, but didn't turn around.

"Let me do the talking." Charles hurriedly whispered to James before continuing in a louder and more audible voice, "We –"

"Encountered a problem?" The man interjected with indifference. "Of course you did. Why else would the two of you be late? And by the looks of it injured too..."

While his tone was level, they knew better. The Minister was clearly disappointed and perhaps even upset. Yet, his pride wouldn't allow for any display of emotions before his subordinates.

The Minister looked like a man in his mid thirties, though he was in the late two hundreds. He sported sharp facial features and greying hair.

More than hundred years ago, the Empire had had countless skirmishes with the Dominion. Many had ended in the Empire's victory with the Minister strategizing from the shadows and leading his men to battle in the light. His accomplishments gained him the trust and respect of even the king.

Tired of the bloodshed, the man had chosen to retire from the battlefield. Declining a formal position in the royal court, he took up an honorary title and settled on the outskirts of the Empire while keeping his distance from everyone.

Since the conversation failed to move forward, the Minister asked with a hint of impatience, "Well... Do you need an invitation? What happened?"

"That's –"

"Not you Charles... James! Answer the question!"

James snuck a quick look at his brother and recounted the story. Save for Max's name, he divulged everything.

Charles was disappointed by the development. With the Minister's permission, he confirmed the story while adding his own conjectures at the end. As a result, Max had been transformed into an enigma who had spared the two.

The Minister pondered over the recent findings and turned to his books as a means to help him process. With a snap of his fingers, a dim light illuminated the room. As the Minister engrossed himself in reading, the siblings began to feel an increasing sense of foreboding.