Chapter 72: Storm on the Horizon
As the afternoon sun cast elongated shadows across the blackstone walls of Raven’s Nest, the keep hummed with quiet tension. Corvin stood in his study, where tall arched windows filtered golden light across ancient tomes, shifting star charts, and softly glowing arcane crystals embedded in the shelves. The silence was meditative. Then, a precise knock echoed from the door.
"Enter," Corvin said, not needing to look up.
The thick oak door opened and Magus Thaelys Silvernight of the Umbral Synod stepped through. Clad in ceremonial dark indigo robes woven with violet runes and the faint shimmer of a soulbinding sigil on her collarbone, she carried herself with both grace and the cold discipline of a Synod trained Magus. She bowed deeply.
"Your Grace," she greeted, her voice silky but formal.
"Please," Corvin gestured to the high backed chair across from him. "Sit."
She did so without hesitation.
"Tell me, Magus," Corvin said, folding his hands together, eyes narrowing slightly, "do you know why I left the Obsidian Gate and made my way to Argyll?"
Thaelys maintained her posture. "I do not know the exact reason, Your Grace. Only that there were disagreements between you and the Triarch."
"Disagreements," Corvin echoed, his tone nearly amused. "Yes, let’s call it that. We had an accord and they wished to bottle it."
"The Synod does not intend to repeat their mistake," Thaelys replied smoothly. "I come with authority to grant nearly any request. It would be unwise for the Obsidian Gate to lose a Planarch, particularly one whose actions have already reshaped entire powers."
Corvin nodded slowly, studying her expression.
"Then let me test your readiness, Magus. How many of your agents are lurking around my domain right now?"