The letter arrived at dawn.
Kael was still in the tavern, seated in the farthest corner, her back against the wall. She hadn't slept.
She had spent the night thinking about Ronan's words.
"Someone is looking for you."
That meant she had two choices: stay in the shadows or strike first.
Kael was never one to wait.
She was already planning her next move when a serving girl hesitated at her table, holding out a folded slip of parchment.
"This came for you.
Kael took it slowly.
The parchment was cheap, the ink slightly smudged-whoever had written this hadn't wanted to be recognized.
She unfolded the note.
And froze.
Only four words were written inside.
"Your brother is alive."
Her breath slowed.
This was the confirmation she needed, since her brother's name was not in the book, wich meant there was a chance that he was alive.
She read the words again.
They didn't change.
She clenched her jaw, crushing the letter in her fist. Now she needs to verify that information. Buy how?
^ Meanwhile, on Riven's side.Velmont Keep - The Council of Snakes^
Riven hated council meetings.
The entire room was filled with polished nobles, each one dressed in their finest silks, their eyes gleaming with hidden agendas.
And at the head of it all sat King Alden, his expression carefully neutral.
Riven leaned lazily against his chair, his two swords resting at his side.
He wasn't the heir.
He had no real power in this room.
But that didn't mean he wasn't dangerous.
Evelyne sat beside the king, her posture elegant, her gaze cool.
Edric was seated to the left, his hands folded neatly, watching the discussions unfold like a man who already knew how everything would end.
Riven sighed dramatically, earning a sharp glare from a noble across the table.
Lord Garrick-one of Evelyne's most loyal supporters.
"Something wrong, my lord?" Riven asked, voice smooth.
Garrick's lip curled. "We are discussing important matters, Prince Riven. Perhaps you should pay attention."
Riven smirked. "Oh, I am. You're just all so boring."
A few nobles shifted uncomfortably. Others tried to hide their amusement.
Edric chuckled under his breath.
Evelyne did not react.
"Enough," Alden said tiredly. "Let's continue."
The discussion moved on, but Riven knew-he had already disrupted the game.
And he intended to keep playing.
^Back on Kael's side^
Kael moved through the streets of Veyholm with purpose.
She had spent the morning tracking the source of the letter.
The parchment was common, but the ink? It had a particular scent-rare, expensive.
Only nobles or high-ranking officials had access to it.
Which meant someone important wanted her to know the truth.
Or at least, wanted her to believe it.
She had just turned a corner when she felt it
Someone was following her.
Kael didn't react.
Didn't change her pace.
She simply turned into an alleyway, silent as a shadow.
And waited.
A moment later-
A figure followed.
Kael moved before he had time to react.
She grabbed his arm, twisted it behind his back, and shoved him against the wall.
"Who sent you?" she hissed.
The man gasped, struggling. "I don't know what you're-"
Kael pressed a dagger to his throat. "Try again."
He stilled.
A beat of silence.
Then he laughed.
Kael frowned.
"Go ahead," the man rasped. "Kill me. It won't stop what's coming."
Kael's grip tightened. "Who sent you?"
His eyes gleamed. "You already know."
Kael didn't flinch.
She pressed harder.
But the man only smiled.
And then-before she could stop him-
He bit down on something in his mouth.
Kael swore, jerking back.
But it was too late.
The man convulsed-his lips foaming, his eyes rolling back.
A poison capsule.
He had killed himself before she could get any answers.
Kael cursed.
And then, slowly-her eyes drifted to his sleeve.
A sigil was embroidered there.
And Kael recognized it.
Her pulse pounded.
Because that sigil?
It belonged to Velmont Keep.(the royal palace)