Valdax entered the massive cavern, the sprawling, web-like city spread out before him.
It had been years since he’d last walked these streets.
He adjusted his mask.
Its terrifying visage bore long, protruding horns, deep red skin, sharpened descending canines, and glowing yellow eyes.
At its center rested a brilliant yellow citrine that seemed to radiate power.
As the mask settled over his face, his vision shifted, revealing magical runes and nearly invisible webs woven throughout the cavern.
He smirked and pulled up his hood.
As he approached the gate, the guards tightened their grips on their weapons.
However, the moment they recognized who approached, they shrank away, not daring to meet his gaze lest they incur his wrath.
Some reputations never faded, especially among a people who measured their lives in centuries.
He entered the Lower District and moved silently through the streets, his footsteps making not so much as a whisper.
He quickly arrived at his destination: a lively inn whose boisterous patrons could be heard from blocks away.
A drunk stumbled out of the establishment and bumped into him.
Valdax glanced at the spot where the elf had touched him before slowly raising his eyes to the man.
The drunkard looked ready to start a fight, but the instant his eyes met the glowing yellow visage, he threw himself into the gutter and begged for forgiveness.
Without a word, Valdax gave him two gentle pats on the shoulder.
The elf’s face turned even paler.
Valdax walked past the cowering man and entered the inn, the sound of horrified screams echoing down the street behind him.
Eyes turned toward the screams, catching sight of him as he entered.
Just as quickly, they returned to their drinks and conversations.
He took a seat at a corner table.
A server approached and gave an elegant curtsy.
“Welcome back, Master Valdax. What will you be having tonight?” she asked with a smile.
“Rianna,” he said coldly.
“Bring her here.”
The young woman hurried to the bartender, who immediately barked orders at a porter.
The moment he received his instructions, he sprinted away as though the Hells themselves were about to swallow him whole.
Some time later, a young elven woman arrived.
She had short, wavy silver hair, and her light pink eyes brightened the instant she saw Valdax.
The many silver hoops lining her left ear jingled softly as she walked.
She moved as quickly as her long black one-piece dress allowed.
She slowed to a dignified pace when she noticed the mask.
Leaning close, she whispered something to her attendant, who hurried toward the bar.
Without a word, she sat gracefully across from him.
Valdax inclined his head in acknowledgment, but neither of them spoke.
Her attendant soon returned with a server, and they were quietly escorted to a private room.
Valdax stepped into the center of the room, his eyes sweeping over every detail.
It was surprisingly spacious for such a humble inn, and although the furnishings were old, they were meticulously maintained.
Rianna dismissed both her attendant and the server before carefully closing the door.
The instant it latched, she rushed forward, arms outstretched.
“Master! You’re finally back!”
Expecting the attack, Valdax raised a hand and stopped her against his palm.
She pushed harder, trying to force her way into a hug, but he held her firmly at arm’s length.
“You’re so mean, Master,” she whined.
“You’re not a child anymore. You’re a noblewoman. Remember your dignity.”
She reluctantly lowered her arms, and Valdax dropped his hand.
The moment he did, she lunged again.
Her embrace passed cleanly through an afterimage, and she pitched face-first onto the couch.
Valdax chuckled.
“I’m going to be staying here for a while. I need you to obtain leave from your mother and return with me to Blackspire. I’ll explain the details once you’ve secured permission.”
“It seems that will have to wait.”
He glanced toward the window and sighed.
“Your attendant has developed a bad habit of acting without permission.”
The private room’s door burst open.
Several heavily armed and armored soldiers filed inside, forming ranks along either wall.
An older elven woman entered behind them, wearing a gown so extravagant it looked expensive enough to purchase a castle.
A cold smile spread across her face as her eyes settled on Valdax.
“You are cordially invited to accompany me to the palace,” she said brightly.
“You are not permitted to refuse.”
Without even turning his head, Valdax spoke.
“Inform your master that he will be punished severely for this transgression.”
Their escort led them through the city, soldiers flanking them while the noblewoman strode ahead with a triumphant smile.
“We’re going to escape, right?” Rianna whispered discreetly.
Valdax surveyed their surroundings.
Though the mask no longer revealed the city’s hidden enchantments, his eyes settled briefly on the brooch, where a faint magical shimmer flickered.
“Not possible,” he replied quietly.
“They’re just knights, and there aren’t even that many of them,” Rianna scoffed.
The woman glanced back over her shoulder, her pleasant smile never wavering, though one corner of her lip twitched.
“You aren’t planning anything mischievous, are you, Rianna dear? I’ll have to punish you.”
Rianna immediately fell silent, a look of dread crossing her face.
The group continued for quite some time, passing through several gates before finally stopping before a large, ornately decorated, heavily reinforced gatehouse.
The guard presence here was vastly greater than in the other three districts.
The moment the sentries spotted the procession, one hurried forward, bowed, and shouted behind him.
“Open the gate!”
A deep grinding of gears echoed from beneath the stone as the massive portcullis slowly rose.
Once it reached its full height, two guards rushed forward and pulled open the great doors before bowing low as the party passed.
They continued toward the very heart of the city, drawing ever closer to its most imposing structure.
What had once been a colossal stone pillar supporting the cavern ceiling had been carved into an elaborate palace.
Magical lights illuminated its finest features, accentuating graceful terraces lined with silvery-blue railings patterned like flowering vines.
At the palace gate, a well-dressed elf bowed deeply.
“Welcome home, Madame.”
He opened the courtyard doors.
At its center stood a large fountain, surrounded by flowering hedges covered in brilliant bioluminescent purple blossoms.
To either side stretched carefully tended mushroom groves.
These were no ordinary mushrooms; they towered like ancient trees, each perfectly spaced from the next.
The party was led into the main hall, where an extravagant feast had already been prepared.
Valdax’s eyes swept across the dishes.
Every single one was his favorite.
He glanced at Rianna.
She wants something.
Needed this part to set the tone for future chapters was trying to wrap it up in a single chapter but it ended up being to long and i need to split it into two.
Had the option of this exchange happening out of sight but i felt like having the things that came about from these chapters just happening later would be a bit jarring.
https://i.postimg.cc/qRYQCxZN/Chapter-7-Image.png