Chapter 290: Alliances Are Made

"What’s the plan?" Lord Dargen softly opened his mouth to ask as he stood in the large room they had all decided to meet in the central city.His voice, though gentle, carried through the thick air of anxiety that hung over the chamber like a heavy veil. The room itself was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from the twin torches fixed high on either side of the stone walls, their flames flickering as though restless with the secrets being spoken.

The room was packed at the back with young men and women who held different weapons in their hands and tucked into their waistband, while directly in front were the older men who had severe expressions on their faces.

The underlings stood shoulder to shoulder, silent and tense, sweat trickling down some of their brows despite the coolness of the stone room.

Their fingers sometimes twitched against sword hilts or daggers as though ready to spring into battle even though no immediate enemy lurked nearby. Every single one of them knew that what they were preparing for was not a task for the fainthearted.

The weapons were different kinds of long and short blades that glinted terrifyingly without being drawn. Some of the blades still had traces of sharpening powder dusted across their edges, a reminder that preparations had been made long before this meeting was called.

The older men stood together with severe expressions on their faces even as none of them opened their mouth to respond to the question Lord Dargen had asked especially since they knew what it was but none of them was ready to be the one to say it out loud.

Their silence stretched for a few moments, heavy enough to fill every inch of the large room. It was the kind of silence that suggested not uncertainty, but an unwillingness to voice something dangerous, something that once spoken aloud could never be taken back.

That was until Lord Elvane, who looked the oldest, opened his mouth to speak with a grave expression on his face as he opened his mouth. His grey-streaked beard trembled slightly as he shifted his weight on his walking cane, the wood of the cane tapping against the stone floor with finality.

"The plan is to kill a lord or two. Lord Virelle or Lord Noctare!" Lord Elvane of the house Elvane spoke with conviction in his eyes even as he held his walking cane in front of him without speaking again. His voice echoed, carrying through the room and striking each listener with the force of a hammer.

Aria’s father had been the lord of house Duskbane but in place of his death, his stepbrother had taken over as he spoke. He was the youngest there with black hair and a smooth black beard that made his youth obvious among them as he stood at the very center of the room. His stance, though firm, held a subtle tremor, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him heavier than on the others who had known battle for far longer.

Unable to remain quiet any longer, he opened his mouth to speak, "Why can’t it be Lord Drehk?" he asked with a deep expression on his face that looked more like anxiety and worry. His voice cracked just slightly at the end, betraying the unease he struggled to hide. His question hung in the air, and even before anyone responded, the tension in the room spiked, as though everyone had collectively inhaled and forgotten to release their breath.

But he had barely spoken when Lord Elvane snapped in anger that he didn’t hold back his voice deep and hoarse. "We’ve already had this discussion! Were you listening at all!" he snapped with palpable anger that he didn’t even try to hide. His eyes red as he turned and seemed to stare down at Lord Arun Duskbane, who held his head high and refused to be intimidated as he responded in the same snappish tone that had been used on him.

"....I should be the one asking if you’re aware of the gravity of what we’re about to undertake!" he responded as he fixed his eyes on Lord Elvane. His heart thumping scared in his chest but he refused to let it show as he continued to speak. His breath came slow and measured, a deliberate effort to remain composed in front of the older lords who always seemed eager to undermine him.

"...we’re planning to kill a Vampire lord while trusting the king’s lover who is most definitely going to turn against us!" he pointed out, his fear seeping through as he met the gaze of Lord Elvane and Lord Dargen who had been the first to speak. His words struck the older men hard, and though they didn’t flinch outwardly, their stiff shoulders revealed enough.

"If we fail, the king is going to come for us, make no mistake!" he told them, trying to ensure that they were aware that they were all in it together. His voice dropped lower, more urgent, as though he hoped the truth would seep through the pride and stubbornness layered thick in the room. The weight of his warning lingered heavily.

The two others also had grave expressions on their face but as long-term leaders they knew better than to discuss it there where their underlings would be able to hear their fears and doubt their leadership skills. Even fear, when displayed by a leader, had consequences. They swallowed their unease and masked it beneath cold authority.

"If you are scared, you can leave!" Lord Elvane coldly said without saying more even as Lord Dargen slowly nodded in agreement while Lord Arun Duskbane had no choice but to quieten his protests and speak in accordance with what was being discussed.

The older man’s words were harsh, cutting through the air like a blade, and though Lord Arun’s jaw tightened, he held himself still, refusing to back down entirely.

"Yes, we’re to kill one of the two lords. Preferably Lord Virelle. His bloodline power is speed and something we can manage with numbers!" he said, not hiding the deep-seated frown that was plastered on his face even as he spoke. His words carried the tone of someone forcing confidence he wasn’t sure he felt.

"Then it is settled then! Lady Aria has given her word that she would not use her powers which means that even if he gets seriously injured there would still be a way to finish the job!" Lord Dargen said even as Lord Elvane nodded his head as he agreed.

"Are we really going to give her the ritual though? She’s clearly the king’s woman!" Lord Elvane pointed out, satisfied when instead of responding nothing but utter silence filled the air in a way that made everyone draw the conclusion that she would be ignored and no ritual will be given.

"We already have spies who will be going with them to the werewolf realm! I assume that it is where the attack will take place!" Arun Duskbane said, uncomfortable with the fact that unlike the old Cougars who would be sending representatives, he was to take charge of the attack and ensure it goes smoothly. The burden on his shoulders doubled with every word spoken, but he forced his face into a mask of steady acceptance.

"Yes, you know this! If you have second thoughts we can..." Lord Elvane began to speak but Arun Duskbane didn’t let him finish as he sneered at him in anger.

"I can do it! I don’t need any help!" eyes angry, daring Lord Elvane to say one more word against him. But Elvane didn’t, running his fingers through his beard instead as he kept quiet and simply listened as Lord Dargen continued to talk about details they needed to take note of before the day. The meeting sprawled into long strategic discussions, filled with hand gestures, maps spread over the table, whispered doubts, and forced confidence.

The talk went on for a while until it was done and it was time to depart. Their subordinates moved towards their respective leaders, including Lord Arun who was the first to leave the room entirely even as his people followed after him. The hallway outside felt colder, the gravity of the mission settling on each step they took.

A couple of young men whispering to him as they all walked away together. "You seem angry Lord Arun! If not for your dead brother our house would have artifacts that would allow us to stand on par with the other houses," one said, bitterness dripping from his voice. Another also opened their mouth to speak.

"They wouldn’t look down on you like they do!" another pointed out, their frustration mirroring Lord Arun’s hidden resentment. And although Lord Arun slowly nodded his head as he listened, he couldn’t help the fear that filled his heart, aware that if he failed in the attack he would die and there would be no way for him to survive. Every footstep felt heavier, the echo of doom trailing behind him.

’I just have to ensure the king and other lords are not there!’ he thought to himself, thinking of how he could rope Lady Aria to be more useful, who was already indirectly helping them. His mind raced with possibilities, strategies, and ways to twist her involvement to his advantage. Fear, ambition, and desperation blended as he walked, preparing himself for the path ahead.