Chapter 77: The fool
The sun hung high, warming the streets as the Velari people slipped into their daily rhythm. Fruit sellers called out, fresh bread scented the air near the bakery, and the cries of boys selling newspapers echoed through the alleys. It was the familiar buzz of a city waking to another routine day.
But today, that routine was quietly interrupted by a convoy rolling through the streets. One by one, passersby looked up from their tasks, drawn to the rare sight of carriages marked with the Draven household crest. Whispers followed, each wondering what had stirred such commotion.
The convoy paid no mind. It passed through the outer gates with unwavering pace, leaving only questions in its wake.
At the center of the long procession was a striking carriage, built from polished whitewood and pulled by two muscular beasts with flowing crimson manes rippling in the wind. Inside, three people sat.
"Commander Siris, can you give the details again? What exactly are we looking for?" Vesha asked, turning her gaze from the window to the knight captain beside her.
Clad in full silver armor, Siris was tall, nearly matching Adyr in height. Her build was broad, her presence commanding. Everything about her evoked the image of a traditional knight. As the captain of the Draven household’s knights, she had been personally assigned by Lord Orven to lead this expedition and escort Adyr.
Siris locked her dark blue eyes on Adyr, who sat across from her, seemingly unaware of everything happening around him. He was quietly reading a book, flipping through its pages as if the world outside held no interest.
There was a clear trace of suspicion in her gaze, especially once she noticed the book he held was a children’s book. It only pushed her further into doubt, but she didn’t voice it.
"The incident site is about an hour away, near a small village. The first reports of a Rank 2 Spark came in seven months ago. The initial team confirmed its presence. Based on recent findings, it’s believed to be aligned with the Ignis Path."