It was 5 a.m., and the mansion was alive with movement; everyone executed their tasks without distraction or delay. Everything seemed unusually orderly for this hour; the staff didn't wait for my instructions before beginning their duties. The chef, the maids, and the guards were all out working.
Each movement of the staff was precise, almost mechanically perfect.
The guards stood more vigilant than ever, scanning every corner and shadow with unwavering focus.
And breakfast was prepared exactly to my preference without being asked or corrected.
It was pleasing to see the day start out productive; the rhythm of work steady, hoping the rest of it will follow the same pace.
The lieutenants didn't speak a word, which struck me as unusual. The way everyone acted, could it be about what happened last night?
As soon as I was done preparing, Gilda requested a formal briefing instead of a casual on-scene update.
That signaled a lot of things.
I sat at my desk awaiting her entrance, my mind racing with possibilities, curious about what the day's briefing would reveal. I patiently waited for the eventful report.
She arrived holding a book; she greeted me formally before opening the book and calling out the happenings…
She began by listing the names confirmed dead from the party and noted that some victims remained unidentified, their fates unknown.
"Mr. Clause publicly denied any involvement with the party and its happenings," she listed among.
Of course it was Rucien's doing, but he sure would have needed help in order to construct it.
"The Vyre's territory went on an unannounced shutdown overnight; no one knows why—no statement at all." She looked at me, waiting for a reaction, but I was silent.
All these occurences were obviously going to take place.
"The routes are empty; everyone is scared to be the first to go through after what happened." She stated. "The ones that are still working are few and packed."
"The Chris lane, right?" I asked, and she nodded in response, "Who took over that route?"
"The Lyntons," she answered.
"Okay, who amongst our partners is yet to contact us concerning their shipments?" I asked, and she listed.
"Ohhh, and Canez reached out; he wants us to make shipments for him. I heard he's having complications with shipments." She informed me.
"We don't make shipments for him anymore; we're not trade partners…he should find someone else to do the job." I instructed her.
I sat in the office tapping at my desk; the fragmented pieces in my head were way too much. I need to understand what's going on, but everything is too far apart to place together.
A big piece is missing; a part of the puzzle still eludes me despite all my observations.
Canez's secret experiments, the creature's appearance, the party…it has to be connected, plus the dagger. Something scares me about it; it's obviously not normal from the way it drained me yesterday night.
The party was a calculated play, and its aftermath was equally purposeful.
My mind analyzed who might have benefited from it. Due to fear, shipments are delayed, meaning people's territory and routes are expanding; the ones that are making quick moves…they anticipated this.
The ones that panicked, making denial statements, fleeing without notice, overcommunicating…they lack control.
And the ones are silent, no interactions, no announcements, no movements…they're waiting or hiding alignments.
Delay the negotiation with Alex; proceed with the negotiation with Mr. Clinton.
Freeze Valkyrie arms shipments and keep any out for the following names written down, be they movements. I handed the paper to Gilda. "Let them move first."
"Will do." She collected the paper.
As we were going on about information and instructions, a routine report interrupted the meeting.
I went through it and noticed the surveillance stamps don't align; a patrol log was incomplete. Another problem at hand.
I went to the patrol room to confirm this.
"How could all these happen all of a sudden?" I questioned one of the guards.
"Nothing happened, I assure you," he replied.
Something was definitely not adding up; something was deeply wrong. I could sense the trouble brewing, an uneasy weight pressing down on me, though I couldn't pinpoint its exact source.
I sat alone in my office; my mind was swooning at the moment. A lot of things occurred and it filled the air, and I couldn't glue them together, and if I don't figure it out on time, something bad might happen.
I could feel it, the dagger pierced through my thoughts.
My mind went back to the feeling at the entrance of the hall, the boy's presence at the party, and the creature that appeared during the war. My mind circled round it; the feeling was merely the same.
I walked around the perimeter; the woods were eerily quiet, too quiet, with no rustle of leaves or signs of animals anywhere. Strange wasn't a new occurrence anymore.
"It's too quiet," I said.
"It's like the forest went still." One of the guards that accompanied me replied.
Immediately after I was done surveying, I called for Gilda.
"You're to be moved to the western branch for now; there are lots of issues on the ground there that need real handling." I informed her.
"Understood." Her face clearly gave her away. I know she wanted to stay, but I needed her out at the moment.
"Before you leave, schedule all other meetings outside the mansion, reduce the staff available as much as possible, and call in for Skye to fill in while you're gone," I stated.
"Have a safe trip." I smiled.
"I will." She smiled back, and it wasn't happy. She understood what I was doing; she was worried. But something has to go this way.
In the evening, The mansion was cleared; it was quiet; it was peaceful, the moonlight casting long shadows across the polished floors.
I stood by the balcony watching, thinking, waiting; every sense alert, I was sure something was going to happen soon…