Chapter 104: Real power
Fin walked through the forest, his gaze fixed ahead. The steel sword stayed low at his side. Scarlet followed several paces behind him, her steps quiet on the moss and leaves. Fin occasionally changed direction slightly, turning between trees without slowing his pace. They moved out of the forest, crossing the packed earth training ground. The castle loomed ahead, its dark stone walls silent.
The main entrance doors stood slightly ajar. Arachne was not visible. He paused, looking at the open doors, then continued inside. Scarlet followed him through the entrance into the main hall. The large space was empty. Fin looked towards the archway leading to the corridors. He walked towards it.
He moved down a stone corridor, turning left, then right. He stopped outside a heavy wooden door. He pushed it open.
Inside, bookshelves lined three walls, filled with bound volumes. A large desk sat near the far wall. The man stood near one bookshelf, holding an open book, his worn coat still on, the battered case on the floor beside him. He turned the page slowly.
He did not look up immediately when the door opened.
Fin stepped fully into the room. Scarlet stopped just outside the doorway, leaning against the frame, watching.
The man closed the book softly and placed it back precisely into its spot on the shelf. He turned to face Fin. His expression neutral.
"Your castle?" the man asked. His voice was the same low rasp. "Impressive. For a beginner."
Fin didn’t reply. He walked further into the room.
The man’s gaze moved past Fin, towards the wall shared with the adjacent room. "The room next door," he said, nodding towards the wall. "Strong energy signature. Preservation. Unusual."
He started walking towards that wall. Fin shifted his stance, bringing the sword point up slightly. The man stopped near the wall, reaching a hand out towards the solid stone. His fingers hovered inches from the surface. He pushed forward gently.