Activity

Olavir looked around the room. Everyone stopped talking and stared at him when he had walked in, which was just what he wanted.

“Well met, gentlemen.” His voice was buttery smooth.

“He- hello sir.” A young man in the corner, fingering a sling that hung from his belt, spoke up. There was fear in his voice.

Good.

Everyone here looked lost, confused, and scared. More likely than not, they had all been drugged, then brought here to this castle. Olavir crinkled his nose slightly, thinking. He had built an immunity to every drug that was known, he thought. His men had traveled to the far edges of the earth to bring all sorts of foreign drugs, just so he could build immunity. Yet… perhaps it was a mix. Some serovine, and Root of Yaste, possibly. Yes, that must be it. Trengle, that double-crossing idiot…

Olavir shook himself from his thoughts. There were others present. He must keep up his appearance.

“I trust you’ve all found your stay enjoyable and altogether welcoming?” he asked.

“Not exactly, sir.” A man in a coat, solemn and battle-scarred.

Olavir donned a polite smile. “I’m sorry to hear that. Which of my servants had the audacity to insult you? I assure you, he will be appropriately punished.”

The man shook his head. “It wasn’t a servant. The castle itself has done things. Thrown us into dungeons, made us face pits and walls, metal dragons and suits of armor.”

Vulferym’s brows rose slightly at this. Interesting… This would need to be thought about carefully. This was dangerous ground on which he stood, both figuratively and literally, it seemed. The man was watching him carefully, analyzing, Vulferym knew. One slip and a duel would likely ensue.

“Well, that’s unfortunate. I apologize, and will look into the issue immediately. In the meanwhile…” he trailed off, and allowed his gaze to wander to the lad with the sling who was doing his best to blend into the corner. “Step into the light, son. Let me see who I have the pleasure of entertaining.”

The young man’s eyes widened in fear, but he took a few hesitant steps forward, tense.

“What is your name, lad?”

“I am-” he began. But Vulferym interrupted.

“Look at me directly. You are not speaking to the floor. And pray do not mumble.”

The lad took a breath, and lifted his head, holding Olavir’s gaze bravely. His voice was strong and clear. “I am Nithel, son of Father.”

Vulferym chuckled. “Most young men are the sons of their fathers, I believe. Nithel… a good, strong name.”

“Do you know why we’re here, sir?” The man with the coat again.

Vulferym turned. “I do. But the reason is not mine to tell. I assure you, you will all be safe.”

“What of our friends? The ones who already faded?” asked another young man, stepping forward. The man in the coat gave him a warning glance, but he continued. “And the mirrors? My friend looked into one of them and saw things. He saw his father, his mother, and his sister. We think the mirror fed on his pain and showed him things he didn’t like seeing.”

Vulferym shook his head. “I do not know.”

“Is this your castle?” The man with the coat.

“It is my uncle’s. I visit sometimes when he is traveling, to keep things in line. But I had not heard of the mirrors and… fading.”

The man with the coat narrowed his eyes slightly. “Who is your uncle?”

“Baron Javier Vulferym. Heard of him?”

The man shook his head. “I haven’t. Who are you?”

Vulferym raised an eyebrow. “Rather forward, aren’t you? I am Commander Olavir Vulferym. You all may call me Commander, Commander Vulferym, or sir, if you are answering a yes or no question.”

_____

Sorry that was kind of abrupt there at the end lol. And hopefully I wrote everyone ok! @rusted-knight @kimlikesart @beth20

Btw, the man in the coat was Franz/Isaac, the lad with the sling is Nithel obviously, and the guy who asked about the mirrors was Jaylin.