Chapter 49: Smiling in the smoke
The air still held the scent of smoke and roasted meat, but the mood had shifted, and was serious now. In the common room of the inn, Lucen and members of Thornefang had gathered to report to Lucen’s father, the Iron Duke Vardon.
Lucen asked one of the mages to activate the communication orb, and after a few seconds, his father’s image appeared. Vardon was sitting at his desk, which Lucen could see had several piles of papers stacked up.
The members of Thornefang quickly knelt upon seeing Duke Vardon’s image. Vardon, whose image was like a projection, scanned the room and then looked at Lucen.
He noticed that some of their clothes and armor, despite their efforts to clean them, their clothes and armor still bore bloodstains and ash.
"It seems quite a few things have happened to you," he said coolly.
"It is as you say, Sir," Lucen replied, his voice steady. "Many events have taken place since we last spoke."
"Report," Vardon ordered, tone flat.
Lucen then began recounting the events of the previous night. When the fake bandits attacked them. How the fake bandits did not falter, even though they were bleeding and broken.
There were also the people wearing masks who were stronger than the others. Listening to Lucen’s entire story, Vardon frowned.
"Those were no ordinary bandits," Vardon said. "Those were the fangs of the Drenwick family... The bloodhounds."
His tone shifted, lower and rougher. Even through the magical projection, an oppressive pressure filled the room. The air grew heavier, and some of Thornefang swallowed hard, their eyes fixed to the floor.