Chapter 16: Ch16 Shadows In The Hall
The door closed with a hard sound, shuddering on its hinges as if even the wood itself did not wish to remain shut within the tension.
Outside in the corridor was stillness, with only the insistent beat of rain. Sheets of water lashed against the high windows, thunder drumming in heavy surges that shook the glass.
The figure in the hood remained for a moment, his hand resting on the door handle before relinquishing it. He drew a deep, razor-sharp breath, and then he laughed.
"Pathetic," he muttered to himself, shaking his head. His wooden mask shifted ever so slightly as if mocking the very room he vacated.
He strode in, boots thundering on marble. He’d only taken a half-dozen steps when he stopped, rolling his shoulders a fraction of an inch. His voice cut through the storm raging outside— soft, low, with a touch of humor.
"Come out," he said to her. "Quit sneaking around like a damn cat."
There was a moment of silence, then a tiny sigh floated down from the rafters overhead.
A figure fell from the beam in the manner of a cat, landing with nearly silence. Her cloak rustled, then settled into place, and while her face was concealed behind the hood, the merry laugh gave her away.
She curtsied deeply, her voice in a sing-song. "Master Sorus."
He did not even look at her, but strode on. She kept step behind him, her hands loose around her back.
"So," she began teasingly, her voice sounding like a child asking for sweets, "what did our so-genius leader do this time? Have another tantrum?"
Sorus snorted behind his mask, but his eyes were still fixed forward. "Shh so Mina. His wee plot flew out the window. And when it does, he freaks. Always impulsive. Always short-sighted."
Mina’s laugh chimed through the hall. "Rash? That’s a polite word. I’d call it more like... a spoiled brat kicking his toys."
"Brat, yes," Sorus said. "But don’t underestimate him entirely. The boy has flashes of brilliance. Enough to fool his father. Enough to make half the court bow to him without realizing they’re dancing to his tune."
"Flashes," Mina said, tracing the word along her mouth. She tilted her head. "But flashes don’t persist, do they? Like lightning—glowing, booming, and vanished in the blink of an eye."
Sorus smiled softly. "Just that. Lightning with no flame to come after it. No staying power. No patience."
They descended a long corridor. Torches flared on the walls, their flames battling against the air current. The storm rattled the stained-glass windows, throwing broken colors onto the marble floor.
Mina skipped a step, her cloak billowing. "One of the elders doesn’t even like him, you know. He doesn’t try to conceal it at all. Occasionally I wonder why we’re even serving an idiot such as he."
There was silence between them for one heartbeat.
Then Sorus laughed—a low, booming sound that made Mina blink. "An idiot, aye. But an idiot with power. Never forget it, girl. An idiot with ambition and a crown can bring down empires."
"But you don’t respect him."
"Respect?" Sorus inclined his masked head in her direction finally. "I respect the danger of a fool who thinks himself a genius. That’s not the same as respecting the fool himself."
Mina smiled under her hood. "So you’re just pretending?"
"Pretending," Sorus repeated, enjoying the way it sounded. "Yes... until it ceases to be amusing."
They walked in silence for a few strides. The storm roared on outside, lightning bisecting the sky, momentarily illuminating the lion crest carved into the beams up high.
Mina broke the silence again, her tone reflective. "You know, when he howls like that, I almost feel sorry for him."
Sorus sneered. "Don’t. Self-pity is wasted energy. He’s made his bed with lies and tantrums. Let him drown in it."
"But still," Mina persisted, tilting her head. "He acts like the world is against him. Maybe he does really think so."
"Oh, naturally he does," Sorus replied. "So he hides behind the weak facade. Play the weakling long enough, and nobody notices anymore. He’s clever like that." He fell silent, voice dropping. "But clever men who are not wise always waste themselves. I’m simply. waiting for the clock to strike."
Mina grinned. "You do adore taunting him, don’t you?"
"It keeps me occupied," Sorus replied dryly.
They turned again, their footsteps ringing now in a broader hall. Columns extended upward, shadows darkening between them like waiting beasts.
Mina bent closer, her voice lowering. "You think he’ll really be able to stop them? Liliana, Duke Aithur. and that boy they brought along."
Sorus’s footsteps hesitated. "Hmmm. you think so?"
"Yes.," Mina said, restlessly shifting.
Sorus tilted his head, thoughtful. "Interesting."
"On what?" Mina queried.
"They took a boy with them to that bloody forest"
"You don’t know him?"
"No." His voice was short, but behind the mask his mind was racing a hundred miles an hour.
Mina raised an eyebrow. "Strange, don’t you think? To take a child into that cursed forest?"
Sorus chuckled. "Stranger still that I’ve never heard of him. Which means he’s either insignificant... or utterly too important."
Mina grinned at that, clearly enjoying his fascination.
Sorus walked, his tone sharper now. "The prince is annoyed because they’re ruining his plan. He wants everything to go according to his whims. The world doesn’t work that easily, though."
Mina feigned a pout. "And I thought you said he had moments of brilliance."
"Flashes fade," Sorus said callously. "Mark my words, Mina, he’ll self-destruct before we ever have to lift a finger."
Mina’s laughter danced through the corridor. "Then why serve him at all?"
For a moment, Sorus didn’t reply. Then he looked to the moon through the tall window, half-hidden by storm clouds. His voice came low, almost indulgent.
"Because watching a fool fall is sometimes more entertaining when you’ve built the stage yourself."
Mina’s eyes sparkled with mischief. "You’re wicked, Master."
"Only honest," he said.
They stopped before a tall set of doors, carved with intricate runes. The glow of torches flickered across the wood.
"Mina," Sorus said suddenly.
"Yes, Master?"
"Do me a favor. Run to the elders’ chambers. Call them all together." His tone grew mocking, dripping sarcasm. "Tell them we’ll be having a perfectly urgent, perfectly emergency meeting."
Mina bowed with exaggerated flair. "Of utmost importance, naturally."
"And make sure they’re terrified," Sorus added smoothly. "Fear makes them listen."
Her grin widened. "I’ll scare those old idiots silly."
Before he could reply, thunder ripped across the sky, shaking the walls.
And just like that, Mina was gone—vanished into the shadows, leaving only the echo of her laughter.
Silence returned.
Sorus stayed at the window, the stormlight casting jagged shadows across his mask. His smirk deepened, cruel and certain.
"Oh," he panted into the deluge night. "This is going to be fun."
The second thunderclap lashed through the skies, illuminating his wicked smile.