𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊'𝖘 𝖆 𝖘𝖒𝖆𝖑𝖑 𝖕𝖗𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖊𝖜!

(here's a small preview!)

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Night took forever to come.

Throughout the dull  morning, Sebastian and the others passed the time by watching old French  television shows and playing card games with Remy. He claimed to have  found the deck in the corner store he and Olivier went to. Apparently,  the owner had given it to him for free.

The deck holder was worn  and riddled with tiny holes. The once-black cardboard had turned gray  with age. Its only interesting feature was the golden jester logo on the  front.

Sebastian wasn't really  one for card games. He also wasn't for one for sitting around and doing  nothing. He wanted—needed—to go out and do something. Anything. If he  had to watch Remy beat Ajax in another game of spades, he was going to  lose his mind.

So, when night finally  did come, he jumped at the opportunity to head to the bar to find out  the identity of the wine merchant. The seller was their best bet at  getting to Thania. The other members of the Eldenarian Council—such as  Chieftain Naidini of House Oseda and Fire Queen Kasumi of House  Doragon—were much farther away. If they could warn House Aegeon, it  would give allow them to warn the others as well.

They needed to get on that boat as soon as possible before his father changed his mind and killed them all.

Sebastian, Ajax, and  Olivier were currently walking down the sidewalk to the tavern while  Imogen and Remy stayed behind. The boy wasn't old enough to be permitted  into bars, anyway, and Sebastian was still angry with Imogen after  their earlier debate.

She acted like she knew him. Like he was some book for her to read and analyze.

But she knew nothing. That's what he kept telling himself. She was wrong.

The moon was gone from  the sky above. The yellow light from the streetlamps was just enough to  allow Sebastian and his companions to see where they were going. He knew  this was a fairly small village, but would it have killed them to have  better lights?

"So, how're we going to find this person?" Ajax asked. "We can't just walk in and ask for the magic wine guy."

Olivier cracked a smile while Sebastian rolled his eyes.

"We're not going to do  that," the older man said. "We'll walk in, take a seat, and listen for a  bit. If you pay enough attention, you can find out anything."

Sebastian hoped he was  right. He had done enough sitting around for the day. It was time to set  things in motion. He wanted to be in Thania by the end of the week at  the latest. Ideally, he wanted to get there in the next few days, but  that wasn't exactly realistic.

His father would be  planning his next move soon—and that would be to acquire another  Eldenarian artifact. Sebastian already knew which one he was going for;  the gauntlet of the sea, the item belonging to House Aegeon. The house  was home to the water elementalists, sailors, and healers of the world.

The gauntlet was a  beautiful piece of metalwork. Engravings of tridents, waves, and sea  creatures decorated the silver arm guard. Sebastian had seen it a few  times in person, as he often accompanied his father to the Eldenarian  Palace for the occasional council meeting.

Sirus wore the gauntlet everywhere he went. The artifact was said to control the power of the sea.

Sebastian had yet to see it in action.

"Looks like we're here,"  Ajax said. He grinned as he pushed open the wooden doors. "I hope they  have good beer. I haven't had a pint since I left Hodvekt."

"The drinking age in America is twenty-one," Olivier pointed out.

"Just because I was born  in Oregon doesn't mean I'm an American. My people and I don't even  exist to them." The ginger snorted. "Besides, those are Ordinaire laws,  not mine."

Sebastian cracked a smile and followed the brute inside.

Cigar smoke hung in the  dim air. Ambient lights came from the ceiling and fixtures on the wall.  Along with the dark wood countertops and old furniture, they gave the  establishment a rustic vibe. Almost every table inside the bar was  occupied. Laughter filled the building as people sipped their alcoholic  beverages.

Sebastian surveyed the  faces of those inside. He couldn't tell if any of them were magicians or  not. Apart from the marks on their palms, there was no distinguishing  feature between magicians and Ordinaires.

Olivier led them to the bar counter and the three of them took up a seat.

The man behind the  leather-topped divider peered at them with keen eyes. He was washing the  inside of a rag with a rag, his stare trained on the trio as he did so.  He had a scruffy beard and stringy hair the color of dark oil.

"Haven't seen you three around here before," he said, his voice thick with a French accent.

"We're new to town," Sebastian replied shortly. He kept looking around the bar in hopes of spotting their wine merchant.

"I figured." The man set the glass down and leaned forward. "What house?"

Sebastian exchanged glances with Olivier and Ajax. They looked just as confused and surprised as he did.

"How did you— "

"You look like one of those Thauvins. Are you?"

He gulped. He had almost  forgotten his family was one of the most popular amongst the magician  community. He didn't think people would know his face, though.

Olivier cleared his throat. "I think you can help us with our predicament."

"Oh yeah?" The man grunted. "And what would that be?"

"We heard there was a wine seller from Thania in town," Ajax answered. "We were wondering if you knew where we could find them."

Sebastian narrowed his  eyes at the man beyond the counter. He didn't recognize him. Though, he  did spot the faded silver mark burned into his palm. It was faint, but  his eye was trained to see things like that. He was a magician. A  Solair, to be exact.

"You're talking about  Luka." The man laughed. "He's upstairs." He tilted his head. "What  business do you have with him? You don't really look like customers of  his."

"We weren't really interested in buying any wine," Olivier said with a wry smile. "We just needed to speak with him."

"Alright." He glanced at Sebastian. "What'd you say your name was, boy?"

"Sebastian," he replied through gritted teeth. "Sebastian Thauvin."

"Thorian's boy, eh?" He  mumbled something under his breath. "Ever since Pierre died, this  village hasn't been the safe haven it once was. We no longer get  protection from the werewolf and vampire clans in the area."

"Sorry?"

The man snorted. He  moved from behind the counter and motioned for the three men to follow  him. They passed through the bar and arrived at a hallway leading up to  the second level of the building. The stairwell led to a slightly opened  door.

"Luka's in there," the man said. "I'll warn you, though. He's a bit...busy."

Olivier nodded. "Thank you... I don't believe you ever introduce yourself, my friend."

"Claude." He grinned,  revealing his crooked teeth. "I own this place. It's not much, but it's  all I got. Not everyone can be born into one of the seven houses like  your friend over here."

Ajax cleared his throat. "I was also born into one of the seven houses."

Claude gave the big lad a once over. "I don't doubt it. House Brynjir?"

"Until the day I die."

The man nodded. "Well,  I'll leave you to it. If you need anything, you know where to find me."  He shuffled past them and returned to his perch behind the bar counter  downstairs.

Sebastian turned his  attention back to the door. Finding Luka, the wine merchant, had been  easier than he thought. Now, all they needed to do was convince him to  take them with him back to Thania.

He drew in a deep breath and pushed open the door in front of him.

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🌊

𝖆𝖇𝖔𝖚𝖙

(about)

Everyone is still picking up the pieces after Makaela's decision. But with House Tenebris growing closer to their ultimate goal, some things may have to remain broken.

*****

Following Makaela's betrayal, Thorian has only grown in strength; and he already has his eyes set on the next artifact. However, a determined and hurt Sebastian, along with the others, are determined to put an end to the Order of the Black Lotus.

While the group embarks on a quest of their own to warn House Aegeon of the Order's treachery, Makaela is struggling to fit in with the rest of her new allies. But as her Nightling grows stronger in the depths of her soul, she learns that the art of darkness comes natural for her. When Thorian creates a plan to acquire another Eldenarian Artifact, he trusts Makaela with the operation.

The clock is ticking for both sides. Soon, the siege will be upon them.

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𝖛𝖔𝖑. 𝖙𝖜𝖔 | 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖔𝖈𝖊𝖆𝖓 𝖘𝖎𝖊𝖌𝖊 - 𝖔𝖚𝖙 𝖓𝖔𝖜!

(vol. two | the ocean siege - out now!)