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Duskwood had grown dimmer than Lord Cofsi would consider typical. While always darker than its two sister isles, the blackening trees and haunting shadows that began to dress his home had started to raise alarm.

Lord Cofsi had an inkling where he could find his answer, but he didn’t want to stir his people if he didn’t have a definite cause to do so. He knew it had to do with the Veil, The Shadowed Isles wielding dark magick at its heart, making it the closest place in this realm to the Veil. If the isles were sinking in shadow, it’s because the bridge between worlds was deteriorating.

In Kairth, Lord Cofsi arrived alongside other nobles and leaders of different kingdoms, allowing him to blend in with the celebratory crowd. He didn’t want to stick out, especially given the animosity between practically every kingdom and Solstrale. And yet, when Prince Acastus’ silver eyes spotted him, he was immediately dismissive. While Duskwood never had a great fondness for Kairth, it was odd to Cofsi that Acastus would hold such animosity. He acted like he held a personal vendetta against Cofsi.

Even without the prince’s words, he dug out his answer that first night in Kairth. He took notice of the way the Sun Prince wore head-to-toe coverings even with the heat from the beginning of summer. All things pointed to him.

He knew it was the Sun Prince bringing darkness over the lands—the irony not going unnoticed. Now if he could only find out why , then the possibility of stopping this would become attainable. All he had to work with was a growing suspicion.

The morning following his surprise visit to Evrardin’s chambers, he waited on the edges of the dining hall. “Cofsi,” a deep voice said from behind. Cofsi jumped, startled by the guard’s presence. “What? Couldn’t sense me coming?” Evrardin poked.

“I was distracted,” he responded, brushing invisible lint off his shirt.

Evrardin didn’t speak, he just stared at the man.

“Shall we talk somewhere more private?”

“That’ll just draw suspicion. Best we speak in the open.”

Evrardin was right. No one would suspect the conversation Cofsi was about to have with Evrardin was anything but superficial if they did it during a casual morning stroll in the gardens.

Ev gestured his head, urging Cofsi to match his gait as he took off.

“I guess I should just get right to it,” Cofsi started, clapping his hands together. “I know the prince is using dark magick.”

Evrardin stopped in his tracks. He turned to him, his eyes rounded, before shaking off his bewilderment and continuing down the path. His fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword. “Could sense it, I suppose?”

Cofsi clicked his tongue in thought. “In a way… Yes. I could sense it. But not in the way you think.”

“And what do I think?”

Cofsi shook his head. “This isn’t the time to argue semantics, Evrardin. I know he’s using forbidden magick. And I know he’s using it on you. What for? That is the question of the hour.” He looked over at him expectantly.

Evrardin took a breath and glanced at Cofsi, shaking his head.

“Can’t tell me? Or won’t?”

“Take your guess.”

Cofsi stroked his faint stubble, considering the small things Evrardin was saying to him. He figured he might have been somehow blocked from speaking about whatever the prince wanted him to avoid. But he knew it wasn’t out of loyalty. Not after that spectacle in the Old God’s Cathedral. No, it was from forbidden magick.

“Right. We’ll have to get more creative then—to communicate. What kind of language did he use? Maybe he slipped in his word choice, allowing space for you to weasel.”

“I thought this wasn’t the time for semantics.”

Cofsi was tough to irritate, but Evrardin knew how to get under his skin. He lightly chuckled, tucking his hands behind his back as they continued. He was waiting for him to say more, treating Evrardin like a petulant child.

“What makes you so sure I even wish to discuss this with you?”

“Because you’re clearly fucking miserable serving him.” Cofsi flashed his eyes at the captain.

Evrardin grunted in annoyance. It was hard to overlook the constant agony plastered across his countenance—even if he was naturally gloomy.

“And, let me remind you, you were the one who invited me here. Were you just planning to berate me the entire time?”

The captain fell silent.

“Evrardin,” Cofsi said with a quiet urgency. He paused as a couple strolled past them. When they were out of earshot, he focused back on Ev. “I can’t help the kingdoms if I can’t find the root of the problem. You can water and prune a flower all you wish, but it won’t grow if its roots are rotted and without nutrients.”

Evrardin rolled his eyes. “Out with it already.”

“The Shadowed Isles have been seized by the darkness that I see spreading over Kairth. I wish to bring this to an end before it infects all the kingdoms.” He interpreted the expectant expression on Evrardin’s face as indifference. “You may not think yourself responsible for all of that, but do you truly wish to sentence everyone else here to purgatory when our world is taken over by the Veil?” Cofsi gave a mirthless chuckle. “Yes, I know the darkness is spreading from that. I just don’t know exactly how or why the prince would want that. I need you to help me stop him.”

Evrardin continued the rest of the walk in silence. “Maybe we’d be better off,” he finally mumbled like he was imagining the peace he could finally find if the darkness took his life.

“Is there truly no one you care about here? No one you’d want to save from the dark?” Cofsi tried to talk logically to Ev, who was too stubborn to want to play his part. It didn’t matter that he didn’t sign up for all this. It was laid at his feet, and he had a choice to make.

Evrardin veered off the path and into a small section of the gardens. He removed his sword and placed it on the grass. He wasn’t wearing armor this morning as he kneeled before a blossoming lyre flower.

“Gods, is that a bleeding heart?”

Evrardin nodded as he began to clip away dead petals.

“H…How?”

“With death.”

Cofsi knew there wasn’t a threat laced in his words, but rather, a reminder of who he was.

“So, will you help me? Help all of Solstrale and the other seven kingdoms before your prince takes things too far?”

“ Your prince ,” Evrardin growled to himself. “I’ll see what I can manage.” Those were the last words he was willing to express to Cofsi.

Lord Cofsi nodded at him out of respect even though his back was to him, and he made his way back down the path.