An Elemental Twist of Fate

Chapter Three - A Plot Revealed

Rek, the Wolves clan leader stood up and answered the knock at the door. He greeted his visitor in the clan tradition with hands clasped forearm to forearm, before both men touched foreheads.

"Welcome Lorak, it is good to see you. I appreciate you meeting me at such short notice."

The older man who looked equally similar in features and stature, raised an eyebrow and smiled. "How could I resist? It is not every day I receive an urgent, if not cryptic message from my estranged son to meet in the dead of night in the most unsavoury of accommodations. That said, I am intrigued."

Rek motioned for his father to enter the shack. By his finely tailored and expensive clothing, it was evident, this part of the city was not a place Lorak would normally associate with. As a result, he looked completely out of place in the squalor. Once both men were inside, Rek shut the door and snapped his fingers. A young woman in a long black dress which also covered her face, revealing only her eyes, stepped from a side room carrying a ceramic jug and two mugs. Without further instructions, she placed the mugs on a crude wooden crate beside a large candle, the sole source of light in the small building. There she proceeded to fill the mugs with red mulled wine before leaving the two men in privacy.

Rek took one of the mugs from the table, nodded and took a long sip. "What I have to talk about needs privacy and anonymity. Where better to speak than in the shacks of the city's Ghetto?"

Lorak took the remaining mug of wine, momentarily swirling the contents around the lip before half draining the contents. "You must forgive my hesitations, son. Given the circumstances of our family, leading up to the Blood Moon sacrifices this meeting could very well have been a stake for power."

Rek laughed as he leaned back against the wall. "Oh it is father, do not doubt that for a moment. Be assured though, this is not my plot to poison your wine. Rather it is to inform you of some vital news of what Calen has been plotting."

Lorak stared at his half-finished mug for a long drawn out moment, then with a confused but eager expression, he looked to his son. "I'm listening."

"You may be surprised to know Calen is currently harbouring a priestess of the Blood in your palace."

Lorak tilted his head to one side. "Dangerous, unlikely, but to what end?"

Rek shook his head and shrugged. "All I know is that cohorting with the priestesses for favours is a grave offence, especially for one of Calen's social standing. Not to mention it seems strangely conveniently to do so just days before the blood sacrifices. Then there is the fact it also reflects badly upon your character."

Lorak smirked. "I wouldn't be too worried about marring my so-called character. That was done decades ago when your mother kicked me out of the palace."

Rek's expression remained serious. "Then, what reason do you think Calen has to associate with a Blood Priestess in the royal residence?"

With a shrug, Lorak replied, "Your guess is as good as mine. But I would ask do you actually have proof of this meeting?"

"Of course. My war leader witnessed the priestess's arrival via magic in the forest. Calen and the priestess spoke briefly before walking off together. They were then seen to enter the palace grounds. I would surmise they spoke with mother and the old healer witch and are plotting something."

"I never did like that old hag, always dabbling in the foul arts. Anything to do with her and the priestess is not going to be good."

"Then I was right to call this meeting?"

Lorak nodded. "Of course. I may not live in the palace for obvious reasons, but it is still in my interest to know what goes on there. Which is why you and I, my son will always be amiable. Together we shall get to the end of this. I will meet with Elantria tomorrow and uncover any plot her and Calen are planning."