"Eight days ago, on Raven Street, the headquarters of the Mercenary Guild, Sons of Dawn, was attacked. It was not a usual brawl or conflict, but a planned attack by a group of powerful mercenary guilds backed by the Elysian Empire and the Vulcan Kingdom. Their target was the Leader, Jaun Solaris, who had just returned from the Grimgrove Forest with his wives after losing the group that had accompanied him on the expedition..."
As soon as they heard her words, their minds started racing, and Qingyue deeply furrowed her brows, trying her best to hide her anxiety.
"Some speculate that Jaun was betrayed by his Guild's Vice-Captain, the man he trusted the most, who dropped the Formation that protected their headquarters and allowed the enemies to enter and catch them by surprise. However, there is no way to verify these details now."
"The Leader of the Sons of Dawn is dead?" Kiara asked as she comfortingly grabbed her sister's hand and squeezed it.
"No, not yet. He's in a coma. Perhaps he will live, but people say that the chances of that happening are very low," the attendant said, shaking her head and sighing. "The Vice-Captain is dead, though. We don't know how he died, but his body was found beneath the rubble. Jaun Solaris lost his wife, Zala Orayen, who died shielding her stepson, Alex Solaris, from their enemies. His older wife, Reya Solaris, survived, and she was able to escape with her son. As for the Heir of Sunsdale City, he held back his enemies, determined to fight until his last breath, and to do so, he sacrificed a very powerful treasure, which destroyed the entire street and killed dozens of people. The blast even shattered several Formations on the nearby buildings, and many civilians were killed as a result..."
The attendant continued, but everyone at the table was frowning now.
Thea's mother was dead, and her father was in a state where there was little hope of him ever waking up.
"Miraculously, he won the battle, having eliminated all the Mercenaries who had attacked him and his guild. A few of his loyal men survived as well. However, they had just breathed a sigh of relief after finishing the battle when the forces of the Elysian Empire arrived at the scene and tried to abduct Jaun. As if things were not messy enough, the forces of the Vulcan Kingdom entered the fray as well. They too were after the Heir of Sunsdale City, and this forced the man to reveal to the world why he was being targeted. Jaun took a Vow in front of everyone that he did not have the Key to the Prison Realm and that he did not know where it was either. He also revealed the plans of the Emperor of Elysia, who wanted to send someone into the Prison Realm to retrieve a recorded Treasure, something that could help him relieve the Curse that bound him. A Curse he suffered after sacrificing his brothers to improve his Bloodline nearly a century ago. The Elysian Forces tried to prevent him from revealing these things, but the Vulcan Forces stopped them and allowed him to finish speaking."
The woman sighed as she recalled that day.
"Jaun must have thought that his words would be enough to trick his enemies, but the Commander of the Vulcan Forces, Zoron, was a shrewd man. He knew that Vows could be tricky half-truths that disguised reality, and he bluntly pointed it out. He asked Solaris to take another Vow and say that he had never possessed the Key to the Prison Realm, and Jaun hesitated before eventually coming clean. He admitted that he did have it, but that he had lost it. He promised them that he had not hidden it anywhere and that he had truly lost the Key. However, his efforts to convince them proved futile as the Vulcan Commander suddenly grabbed him and forcefully tried to read his mind while his men held back the Elysian Forces. It was then that someone else joined the fray. The famous Sword Doctor came to the Solaris' rescue. Once he arrived at the scene, no one dared make any rash moves, and both the Elysian and Vulcan Forces retreated when the Swordsman placed his hand on the handle of his sword."
There was a smile on her face as she recalled the scene that would forever remain fresh in her memory, but then her smile faltered and she sighed again.
"However, the Sword Doctor was a little late. The Vulcan Commander had already broken past the seals in Jaun's mind by the time he pulled them apart. Now, even if Juan Solaris survives, he will never be sane again, and people believe that he will remain in a coma until the day he passes away."
"All of this happened, and the City Guards and the City Lord did not come forward?" Kashish narrowed her eyes, and her question placed the attendant in an awkward position. "He knew it was going to happen, and he allowed it to happen."
"My apologies, My Lady. I cannot partake in any such speculation." She politely replied, but her reaction clearly suggested that she too believed the City Lord was involved.
"What happened afterwards?" Alana asked, and the attendant nodded before continuing.
"The Sword Doctor left with Jaun, and the next day, a piece of news reached the city. The Elysian Forces infiltrated the border city of Sunsdale to eliminate Jaun and capture his father in the middle of the night, but they failed. The Solarian Prince, Raun, who was visiting the city in secret, helped his uncle repel the enemies with his guards. Some of the attackers were captured and executed, and when the first rays of sunlight touched the Solarian Empire, the Emperor declared war on Elysia."
"Interesting." Keith smiled. "But how does this concern Crystal City?"
"The Solarian Forces attacked the city to capture the remaining members of the guilds involved in the destruction of Sons of Dawn. Hundreds of Mercenaries were killed on the streets, and then there was a battle between the Solarians and the Elysians. There were significant civilian casualties as a result of their battle. We lost some City Guards too. Right now, the Realm Tower has blocked access to Solaria and Elysia. Crystal City is being fortified because there are fears that the Orayen Family will retaliate as well. Zala Orayen was the youngest and most beloved daughter of the Heir of the Orayen Family. He will never let it go. The Orayens are known for holding grudges and making things even."
"I see." He nodded and then reached forward to pour himself a glass of Mirium's Rain, a non-alcoholic cocktail known for its delicious and refreshing taste, the cool fizz bubbling gently against the crystal glass. "What can you tell us about the Key to the Prison Realm? Any leads on it?"
The attendant immediately shook her head.
"I have no information about it."
"Is there someone in the city who might have some leads or information about it? Someone who would be willing to sell it?"
"No, My Lord. I don't think anyone would sell that information even if they possessed it." She shook her head again.
"Is anyone from the Sons of Dawn who was close to Jaun still alive?" he asked again.
"I have no information about that either. My apologies."
"It's fine. You can still change your mind about the meal, you know."
She giggled at his words and then stood up, bowing to him.
"Thank you for honouring me with the offer, My Lord. However, I must abide by the rules of the house," she politely said.
"A pity. Well then, kindly check on our food. We are famished."
"Of course, Sir." She smiled and then quickly walked out of the room to check on their meal.
At the table, as soon as the door closed behind the attendant, frowns marred their faces.
Qingyue was visibly sad and angry because her beloved Thea had lost her mother, and her father was unlikely to survive either. It was truly a tragedy that had befallen their family, and from everything she had heard about Zala Orayen, it was clear that she had been a good woman who deeply cared for her daughter and husband.
In all honesty, she had been looking forward to the reunion between Thea and Zala, but it was never meant to happen.
Keith remained silent as well, having just confirmed several things through the System.
Jaun Solaris was dead as well, and so was Reya. The Solaris Lady had been attacked by the Elysian Forces after she escaped, and she died protecting her son. It was she who had used the Communication Tool that the Sword Doctor had left behind to contact him, and he arrived at the location and saved Alex before coming to Crystal City to save Jaun.
The three people whom he had saved from the arms of death ended up dying anyway.
Alex was where he was supposed to be according to the Plans of Destiny. He was now at the Sword Gate under the Sword Doctor's protection. And the only one who had seen a major change in the Plans was Thea, who was in Aerzar right now.
"We could have saved them." Qingyue suddenly whispered, and her words earned several frowns around the table.
"Keith saved them, but they were not meant to escape death. I am sure Zala died at peace knowing that Thea was safe. Imagine what would have happened if he had not taken her away from them." Kiara softly reminded her, and her words made her sister's eyes quiver.
Qingyue quickly masked her restlessness when she heard a knock on the door.
Soon, their meal was served, and except for Alana and the grey-eyed Eldeilyon, who were not in the mood to eat, everyone else ate their fill in silence.
Eventually, under Venessa's stern gaze, both Yue and Alana focused on their meals as well, and the delicious food did help improve their mood, the rich flavours lingering on their tongues with every bite.
"We should get your accounts registered at the Bank of Ariel." Kiara happily said after they exited the establishment.
"Good idea." Venessa smiled and then left with everyone who needed to open an account, and only Alana stayed by Keith's side as they started walking in a different direction.
"Will they be fine?" his Songbird worriedly asked, and he smiled before nodding.
"They will be fine." He told her and then grabbed her hand. "Let's explore the city."
Since it was still raining, not many people were out on the streets, and this provided them with a good opportunity to peacefully explore the beautiful place, the steady patter of raindrops against crystal surfaces creating a soothing atmosphere and a memory that would linger for a long time.