The castle was constructed from the same pristine marble as the arch at the hill's base, its form rising like a white mountain carved by human hands.
Its central front tower was wide, featuring a tall, decorated gate and a grand staircase that descended to a vast stone platform. This platform served as the official endpoint of the road, creating a formal entrance.
Flanking the main tower, two slightly forward bastions stood guard, connected to the centre by elegant, arched bridges high above. Each of these bastions was accompanied by its own set of smaller, companion towers. This arrangement created a defensive, yet still graceful, front façade.
Behind this front line, the main keep reached even higher into the sky, its ambition almost challenging the distant, menacing Crimson Spire.
A collection of smaller towers, spires, and various wings spread out, forming a complex but ultimately harmonious silhouette. The overall effect was one of incredible beauty, striking to the eye, yet it radiated a firm, secure stability. It felt less like a fortress for war and more like a serene, elevated sanctuary, a place built for a higher purpose than mere mortal dwelling.
It was a mortal dwelling though, one that has been and be drenched in blood. Still, that was two years from now, and nothing to do we us in the short term. We had bigger problems to deal with...like acquiring more Lord Shards and worming our way up the ranks.
For yes, we were aiming to become Gunlaug's lieutenants, even if it meant replacing one of the current ones. Kido and Seishan were out, simply because Sasrir and myself couldn't replace their utility. Harus was also a no-brainer, so that left Gemma and Tessai.
For scouting, Sasrir was far better than Gemma due to Shadow Travel and his ability to instantly kill any creature less than Fallen, but I had nothing to compare against the leader of the Guards, except for possessing two Lord Shards.
Of course, Gunlaug wouldn't replace his old lieutenants simply because they were outdated: while I couldn't speak for the Guards, the Handmaidens, Hunters and Pathfinders were loyal primarily to their primarch and not Gunlaug himself. Replacing Gemma would lose him the respect from some of the Bright Castle's best fighters.
No, we would have to provide definitive proof of our value exceeding the worth of a man with years of experience, relationships and connections. Frankly, I doubt even Nephis herself could have pulled it off.
The corridor finally spilled us into a cavernous space, and the sudden noise was a physical shock after the tense quiet. Up to a hundred Sleepers were gathered here, a murmuring crowd trading and talking in the dim light. A few people near the entrance glanced our way, their eyes sharp, but they quickly looked away, dismissing us as no one important.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding, feeling the knot in my shoulders loosen just a bit. This was the Memory Market, and its chaotic, living energy was a balm after the dead stone of the Labyrinth. I took my time, just soaking in the sight of other people, the simple relief of not being alone in the silence. It was a welcome sight, a strange mix of a frantic bazaar and a somber wake.
I could feel Sasrir's presence at my back, a silent, watchful anchor. He was playing his part, looking casual, but I knew he was on high alert. His eyes, hidden in the shadows that flowed over his shoulders, would be coldly scanning every face, every potential threat in the room.
Where I saw a crowd, he saw a landscape of hidden dangers, and I trusted his instincts more than my own sense of relief. As a Telepathist, I could also read intentions, but not with so many people around in one big blob of mental fluctuations.
I moved forward, looking at the wares. Monster meat, bones, hides and other usable body parts were the majority, though quite a few stalls were used for gambling. Those actually selling Memories were rare, and I didn't spot Aiko or Stev the Jolly Giant anywhere.
I was tempted to buy the Mantle of the Underworld off him, but I didn't want to blow our funds just yet. Even if he sold it at a discount due to being damaged, it was still priced at a hefty value.
Sasrir's subtle watch shifted in another direction, where a group of more more visually inclined to rob me were leaning against a wall. When I leaned in to study a map of what seemed to be the eastern quadrant of the Dark City, he moved to block a seller with an overly-friendly smile. His silent language was clear: Enjoy the view, but don't forget where we are.
I finally stopped at a quiet stall at the edge, drawn to a display of simple, polished stones. "What are these?" I asked the old vendor. "No memories?" He smiled faintly.
"Noise absorbing stones, carved from some strange monolith that was present in the Castle years ago. Most of it was carved away and used throughout the years, but there are still a sizable amount that remain.
The Pathfinders and Hunters use them, to block all sound and conceal themselves. It can also absorb light to some degree, best used around dusk though. One Soul Shard for three stones."
The price wasn't exactly cheap, but it wasn't entirely unfair either. If used right, one of these can net you a kill, and multiple could save your life in trapped in the City after dark. There was no price on your own safety, after all.
That's when I felt the change in Sasrir, a shift from alertness to pure focus. His voice was a low, urgent murmur in my ear. "We've drawn the wrong kind of attention." I followed his hidden gaze to a man in standard clothes, except his jacket was the same as mine-one of Gemma's underlings.
He was standing perfectly still, watching the crowd like a predator...or rather, searching for someone in it. "Our time here is done. It's time to move." The brief respite was over.
I turned back to the vendor, who had witnessed our terse exchange upon spotting the Hunter and had his smile stiffen accordingly. "Any chance you would know who to give this," I gestured to my jacket, "Back to? Found it on a corpse, and it seems to signify something. Don't want to start any misunderstandings, you know."
The shopkeeper looked at me deeply for several seconds before sighing. "Go find a Handmaiden, they usually roam the halls around here cleaning up the place. She can direct you to someone higher up, or even take it off your hands directly. Don't worry, they're more trustworthy than the other groups. Their primarch runs a tight ship."
"You mean Seishan?" I "probed" curiously.
The man nodded but said nothing more. Sasrir nudged me again, and with his urging we turned and tried to blend in with the crowd. Just before we passed through an exit on the opposite side of the entrance, I felt a sharp gaze lock onto my back. I left the room only a second later however, and didn't hear anyone give chase.
Still, it seemed that one of the two we had let go had made it back and reported us. Sasrir seemed to realise that too, as he fell into step beside me. "Is this still going according to plan?" he asked in a low voice. I smiled and gently clasped the Unshadowed Crucifix hanging around my neck.
"You could say things are developing...reasonably."