Chapter 10: Father’s Silence, Brother’s Shadow
Leon bypassed knocking.
He opened the double doors to his father's study and entered.
The aroma of parchment, smoke, and pine resin permeated the space. The back wall was lined with tall bookshelves. A map of the southern border was partially spread out on the desk. Two candles wavered, each close to dripping.
Lord Cedric Thorne lifted his gaze from a letter he was holding, his brows already knit in concern.
"You're back earlier," he remarked.
Leon placed the sealed package on the desk. The convoy came under attack. Two sentinels deceased. "One trader injured."
Cedric stayed still. "By whom?"
"Not thieves."
Leon dug into his satchel and retrieved the cloth-covered dagger he had taken from the lifeless beast—black metal, jagged edge, and not resembling anything made by human hands.
He placed it on the map.
His father's gaze lingered on it for a moment too long.