Inside the Bright Castle, Faraam walked through the corridors of the great castle, heading to the top.
Reaching his destination, he saw a great door guarded by two sleepers clad in heavy armor.
The two guards nodded their heads and opened the door. Inside was a grand circular table, surrounded by six seats, with four occupied by the leaders of the Bright Castle: Harus, Seishan, Kido, and Tessai; one was empty, reserved for him; and the last seat at the top of the table sat the Golden Serpent, Gunlaug.
Faraam bowed a little and walked toward his seat closest to Gunlaug.
He looked at the other leaders with quite a bit of interest; soon enough a civil war will erupt, and who knows if the leaders will survive after Gunlaug is killed?
Tessai was as angry as ever; well, he has become more violent these days since a new contender for the throne of the Bright Castle rose.
Seishan was cold and elegant; her beauty was stunning, and some would consider her the most beautiful in the Dark City, if it weren't for Changing Star...
'Her greed is truly unmatched; not only she want the throne, but also want the title of the most beautiful!'
Well... he doubts that the socially awkward girl would even care about that.
Seishan is wearing a simple, but strangely regal dress, its velvet the color of red wine. There was an intricate silver necklace resting on her chest that accentuated her supple figure and two bracelets on her wrists. Her most striking feature, however, was not her grace or her beauty, but her skin. It was grey like stormy clouds, smooth like silk, and devoid of any imperfections.
She looked like a vampire; well, she was one. Every time he saw her suck someone's soul with these fangs, it made Faraam shiver.
As for Kido... she was still depressed from her boyfriend's death even after three years.
Harus... was Harus. This man hasn't changed a bit in three years; he's still a dog to Gunlaug.
"Let us begin," Gunlaug said, starting the meeting.
The leaders nodded, and Tessai took the initiative.
"The guards have a shortage of soul shards; there are not enough to strengthen the newcomers."
Faraam glanced at Tessai and sighed, "And?"
"I request the Minister of Money to lend the guards two thousand soul shards."
'Look at this fucker.'
Were the guards really in need of soul shards? They have always needed them, but not in these large numbers. Then why did he ask for such a large number of soul shards? Well, to strengthen his army, obviously. So, he can win the civil war and take the throne.
"Your request is denied. At this time we have stopped lending money and soul shards to anyone in this castle, unfortunately. You can either buy them or find someone else to lend you some."
Tessai frowned. When did banks start stopping lending money? He knew very well that the man he was talking to loved money more than women.
"Even though the guards still need these shards for them to work, if there are no shards, then there are no guards to protect the castle."
"Tessai... remember your place. You are merely a leader chosen by Lord Gunlaug; there are many replacements for someone like you."
Tessai rose from his seat and slammed his fist on the table; if it were a normal one, it would've definitely broken.
"How dare you, you parasite?!"
"Stop it, both of you!" Gunlaug screamed, his voice filled with irritation. "Faraam, give him five hundred shards, and that's it!"
Faraam glanced at Gunlaug and sighed, "Fine."
Nodding, Gunlaug looked at Seishan and allowed her to talk.
The meeting went as normal as always until the end, as Faraam raised his hand and spoke.
"What about the Changing Star movement? She had already taken control of the tenants, and she is definitely planning to challenge Lord Gunlaug for his throne."
The room turned silent but was soon broken by the Bright Castle himself.
"Let her be; if she is planning to challenge me, let her come. I'll defeat her like the rest before her."
Faraam smiled, "Very well."
With nothing to discuss, Gunlaug ended the meeting, and the leaders started leaving until only three remained: Harus, Gunlaug, and Faraam.
"Harus, leave us," Gunlaug spoke.
Harus nodded his head and walked toward the door, but before he left, he glared at Faraam with killing intent.
Faraam smiled and waved his hand in response.
With no one other than the two of them remaining, Faraam spoke:
"You're going to die against her."
Gunlaug glared at him for a while, then spoke, "Are you planning to interfere using the thing in my head?"
"No, you will die by her hand only."
"You seem to be sure of that."
Faraam smiled, "I'm. Hence, I want you to do something for me before you succumb to death."
Gunlaug raised his eyebrow.
"If you lost and were about to die, give me your echo."
Gunlaug laughed for a few moments, then asked, laughter still in his voice, "And what will you do with it?"
"Obviously I'll..."
***
A few weeks have passed since the meeting, and what was discussed has become true. Changing Star returned from her expedition to the Hollow Mountains, and she had challenged the Third Lord of the Bright Castle, Gunlaug, for the throne of the Dark City.