The Flame's Ascent

The study felt emptier after Ardyn left, the weight of his words lingering in the air like an unwelcome guest. Lynx sat alone, the faint hum of enchanted sconces the only sound in the room. His father's revelation about the Fenwyk lineage had settled uneasily in his mind, igniting questions he wasn't sure how to answer.

He reached for the metallic orb on the workbench, its etched runes faintly glowing in the dim light. Turning it over in his hands, he studied the intricate patterns, wondering how much of their craft was truly theirs and how much was borrowed from something far older—and far more dangerous.

A knock at the door broke his thoughts. Lynx straightened, setting the orb down as a servant stepped inside.

"Master Lynx," the servant said with a bow, "Lady Vera and Lord Veryl are here to see you."

Lynx frowned. "Both of them? Together?"

"Yes, my lord. They're waiting in the sitting room."

He nodded and rose, the unease from earlier deepening. When Vera and Veryl showed up unannounced, it usually meant trouble—or something close to it.

The sitting room was warm and inviting, its fireplace casting a soft glow across the plush furniture. Vera sat primly on the edge of a chair, her hands folded neatly in her lap, while Veryl lounged on a nearby settee, his legs draped over the armrest. The contrast between the twins was as striking as ever.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Lynx asked, closing the door behind him.

Veryl smirked. "Pleasure, he says. As if we're not here to drag you into something regrettable."

"Ignore him," Vera said with a slight roll of her eyes. Her tone was calm, but there was an undercurrent of urgency. "We've heard things… about the queen's latest actions. And we thought it might be worth discussing."

Lynx took a seat across from them, his brow furrowing. "Go on."

Vera leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping. "There's been an increase in searches, not just in the market but in the smaller villages, too. Drakehaven. Briarhollow. Even Duskfall. They're looking for something specific, Lynx. Artifacts. Magic. Anything tied to the founders."

Veryl swung his legs down and sat upright, his usual flippancy replaced with something sharper. "And when the queen starts digging, you know it's never good news for the rest of us."

Lynx's gaze flicked between them. "Do you think she's onto something? Or is this just another way to tighten her grip?"

"Both," Vera said. "We don't know exactly what she's after, but whatever it is, it's important enough to escalate searches across the kingdom. And it's stirring up unrest. The commoners won't stand for much more of this."

Veryl's smirk returned, though it lacked its usual humor. "And neither will certain noble houses, I'd wager. Everyone's watching, waiting for the queen to slip. The rebellion isn't just a whisper anymore, Lynx. It's growing legs."

Lynx leaned back, his thoughts spinning. The rebellion had always felt distant, like a storm on the horizon. But now, it seemed to be creeping closer, its shadow stretching into places he had thought untouchable.

"And what do you want from me?" he asked finally.

Vera's eyes softened. "We want to be prepared. If the queen's actions push the kingdom too far, the fallout will affect all of us. It's only a matter of time before we're pulled into it, whether we want to be or not."

"So you're asking me to pick a side?"

"Not yet," she said. "But we can't afford to be caught off guard. We need to stay ahead of whatever's coming."

Lynx nodded slowly. He understood their concerns, even if he didn't share their urgency—not yet. The rebellion might be growing, but it still felt like a distant threat. The queen's searches, however, were another matter. If they uncovered something truly dangerous, it could shift the balance of power in ways no one could predict.

"Fine," he said. "I'll keep my eyes and ears open. But we need to be careful. The queen isn't the only one watching."

Veryl grinned. "Cautious and agreeable? Who are you, and what have you done with my cousin?"

"Veryl," Vera said warningly, though there was a trace of a smile on her lips.

Lynx shook his head, rising from his seat. "If we're done here, I need to get some rest. Something tells me tomorrow will be just as complicated."

The twins exchanged a glance before standing as well. Vera gave him a small nod. "Thank you, Lynx. We'll be in touch."

As they left, Lynx lingered in the sitting room, staring into the flickering fire. The storm he had felt on the horizon was closer than ever, and for the first time, he wondered if they would be ready when it finally arrived.