The council chamber is a circular room, its walls lined with shelves of ancient tomes and glowing crystals that pulse with soft, steady light. Aria has finished her report, and now the senior members of the Mage's Guild sit around the large round table, their expressions serious as they consider what she's told them.

  Lady Seraphina sits at the head of the table, her expression composed but her eyes sharp. Elara stands behind her, a stack of documents in her arms.

  Master Voren, seated to Seraphina's right, makes a note on his parchment. His expression is neutral, but his eyes are calculating. "A souled artifact. That explains a great deal. But it also raises questions. How did it come to be? What is its purpose? And most importantly—is it a threat?"

  "He's not a threat," Aria says firmly. She's still standing before the council, her posture straight despite the long report. "He could have left us to die, but he didn't. He chose to help us."

  "Or he chose to use you," Master Voren says. "A souled artifact is powerful. It may have its own agenda. We need to understand what it wants."

  "He wants to be free," Aria says, her voice rising slightly. "He doesn't want to be locked in a containment chamber and treated like a dangerous beast."

  Seraphina's expression is thoughtful. "Aria, you understand the position we're in. A souled artifact could be a great resource. But, we don't know what it's capable of. We don't know its limits. And it just escaped from our containment, destroyed tower infrastructure, and engaged in combat with me."

  "He was defending himself," Aria says. "We tried to capture him. We locked him up. What did you expect him to do?"

  "Aria," Seraphina's voice carries a warning note. "I understand your perspective. But you need to understand ours. We have a responsibility to protect this tower, this city, and this kingdom. We cannot simply release a potentially dangerous artifact based on your assessment."

  Elder Corin, an older mage with a long white beard and robes the color of autumn leaves, speaks up cheerfully. A small cat sits on his lap, and he strokes it thoughtfully. "Perhaps we should hear from the artifact itself. We could arrange a meeting, under controlled conditions."

  "And about the wolves?" Elder Corin asks, his expression brightening as he strokes his cat. "Aria mentioned they're intelligent, organized. If they're truly intelligent, we can't simply treat them as animals."

  Master Voren's expression doesn't change. "The wolves are a secondary concern. The artifact is the priority. But if they're truly intelligent and allied with the artifact, they represent a potential threat. We should secure them for study."

  Aria's jaw tightens. "They're not threats. They saved our lives. They're intelligent beings, not animals to be 'secured for study.'"

  "Be that as it may," Master Voren says, "we need to understand the full scope of the situation. The wolves, the artifact, their relationship—all of it needs to be examined."

  Seraphina considers this. "Master Voren makes a valid point. But we need to proceed carefully. Master Voren, continue your investigation into Kai. Elder Corin, prepare a proposal for a controlled meeting with the artifact. And regarding the wolves..."

  She pauses, her expression thoughtful. "We'll need to assess the situation. Elder Corin, based on the outcome of the meeting with the artifact, provide your report. We will decide afterwards."

  Elder Corin strokes his cat, then nods enthusiastically. "Excellent! I'll have a proposal ready by tomorrow." He looks down at the cat with a smile. "Perhaps my Fortune will find some new friends."

  Master Voren objects. "I'll assign a team to locate and secure the wolf pack. We'll need to study them, understand their capabilities, their intelligence level. There is no need to wait for the artifact."

  Aria's expression darkens. "You're going to capture them?"

  "If necessary," Master Voren says. "We need information. The wolves may have valuable intelligence about the artifact. And if they're truly intelligent, we need to understand what that means."

  Seraphina stands, signaling the end of the meeting. "Master Voren. Don't throw caution to the wind. It takes a lot to secure an ally. But only a small mistake to create an enemy."

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  Master Voren frowns.

  Aria nods, then turns and leaves the chamber. As she walks through the corridors, her mind races. She's done what she can—she's told the truth, she's advocated for both Kai and Tara. But the decision is out of her hands now.

  She can only hope that the council makes the right choice.

  Everyone leaves the room one by one.

  Seraphina turns to Elara. "Send a briefing to the Duke's Palace."

  "Yes, Lady Seraphina." Elara pauses, then adds quietly, "Teacher, I think Aria might be right this one time."

  "Only time will tell. Now get moving. We don't have all day." Seraphina dismisses Elara.

  ---

  Outside the council chamber, Master Voren approaches one of his assistants, a young mage named Daren. "Daren, we need to talk to the duke."

  "But Master Voren, Duke Aran has left for Agvara," Daren says.

  "Prepare to send a message to the Duke. Personally from me," Master Voren says with a determined look.

  ---

  Deep in the forest, a group of mages moves through the undergrowth. They're dressed in practical robes, their staffs held ready, their expressions focused. At their head is Kael, Master Voren's apprentice—a young man with sharp features and calculating eyes that mirror his master's.

  "Remember the orders," Kael says, his voice low but clear. "We're here to capture the wolf pack. Specifically, the cubs. Master Voren wants them alive, without fail."

  One of the mages, a woman with short dark hair, glances at him. "And the adults? What do we do with them?"

  Kael's expression doesn't change. "The cubs are the priority. They're young, easier to control, easier to study. As for the rest..." He pauses, then continues matter-of-factly. "We can kill them if they resist. The adults are less valuable, and they're more dangerous. If they fight back, eliminate them."

  Another mage, a younger man, looks uncomfortable. "Kill them? But if they're intelligent—"

  "If they're intelligent, they'll surrender when they see we have their cubs," Kael says, his voice cold. "And if they don't, we eliminate them. It's that simple."

  The group continues moving through the forest, following the trail that leads toward the wolf pack's territory. Kael's expression remains neutral, professional. This is a mission, nothing more. Capture the cubs, eliminate any resistance. Standard procedure.

  They reach a clearing, and Kael stops, studying the area. A cave entrance is visible in the distance, dark and foreboding.

  "This is the spot," Kael says, his voice cutting through the silence. He scans the area, his eyes narrowing. "But I don't see any wolves here. Looks like an abandoned cave."

  The other mages spread out, their staffs raised, ready for anything. The woman with short dark hair moves closer to the cave entrance, peering into the darkness.

  Kael turns, his expression shifting from neutral to alert. "Ross, hand me the map."

  Silence.

  Kael's head snaps around, his eyes scanning the group. "Ross?"

  The mages look at each other, then back at Kael. The younger man who had looked uncomfortable earlier speaks up, his voice uncertain. "He was right behind me when we entered the clearing. I thought..."

  Kael's expression hardens. "Where'd he go? This idiot. And at a time like this... Get in formation. It seems like they found us before we found them."

  ********* Chapter end *********

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