NOVPUB
Chapter 147: Summons To The Capital
A month after the incident at the lake, Tobias Faulkner sat quietly in the back of a carriage, the gentle sway of the wheels on the road doing little to distract him from the weight in his chest.
The long ride from Timberstead to the capital had taken days, but he didn’t mind.
The silence suited him. Gave him time to think.
The king’s summons had come without explanation.
Only a wax-sealed letter with the royal crest and a firm directive — heroes only. Leave your companions behind.
He wasn’t thrilled about that part. He’d left the party behind with strict instructions not to go on any raids missions, just anything within the town.
Elisse, he trusted. Mostly.
But Bran, Zayn, and the rest? They were unpredictable.
Too many variables. And variables led to disaster.
Still, the king wouldn’t summon them all without reason.
The carriage creaked and rolled through the towering gates of the capital.
Tobias shifted, brushing the curtain aside to look out. It had been a while since he had seen it, but it was still every bit as impressive as he remembered.
Massive spires reached for the skies, gleaming banners fluttered in the wind, and the streets were alive with people.
Merchants called from their stalls, hawking everything from enchanted trinkets to exotic beast meat.
They sold spices.
They sold crystals.
And even books.
He ran a hand over his chin, thoughtful.
Maybe he’d pick up something for the team — something small.
Kara could always use a rare crystal for the gem on her staff, Elisse would love a book of magical theory, and Seren... well, she wasn’t the easiest to shop for.
Something sharp, maybe.
His thoughts wandered until the carriage came to a smooth stop in front of the castle.
The royal palace loomed above them, bathed in soft sunlight, its towers casting long shadows over the steps.
Three other carriages had already arrived.
So, they were all here.
He stepped out, adjusting his cloak against the breeze, and followed the guards through the front gate.
Two maids greeted him with polite bows and led him through familiar marble corridors, past towering stained-glass windows and glowing wall sconces.
The door to the royal dining hall opened.
He walked in.
At the head of the long, polished table stood King Alden himself, stern and commanding, with silver armor polished to a mirror sheen.
Beside him stood his daughter, Princess Celeste — poised, elegant, and devastatingly beautiful in a way Tobias found mildly distracting.
Raven-black hair, eyes like polished gold.
If Zayn were here, he’d have said something stupid already. Probably something about falling in love at first sight.
Seated already were the other three heroes.
Cedric Alstein, the Hero of Light, golden-haired and proud, his knightly armor nearly blinding under the chandelier.
Tobias gave him a nod, which was returned stiffly.
Next, Ragnar Helstrom, the Hero of Power, arms folded, legs kicked up on a nearby stool.
It had been a month but he proved to be one of the most relaxed people Tobias had ever met despite being able to punch through castle walls.
He grinned at Tobias as he sat.
And finally, Eve Laurent, Hero of Shadow — expression unreadable, black messy hair tied back, her black attire nearly blending into the shadows of her seat.
She glanced at Tobias and gave a subtle nod.
He returned it, though his guard went up. She was brilliant, cold, and had her own agenda. Always did.
Tobias took the last seat, folding his hands as silence reigned.
The king broke it first.
"My heroes. Thank you for coming on such short notice. I trust your journeys were uneventful."
No one answered that.
King Alden continued, his tone shifting slightly. "A matter has arisen. One we cannot afford to ignore."
He gestured to a maid, who stepped forward and unrolled a scroll on the table, revealing several maps marked with red symbols.
"A cult," the king said. "A growing one."
Tobias narrowed his eyes.
"They’ve begun appearing in small towns. Outskirts first, then border villages. Preaching of a ’salvation’ that will come from the Demon Lord. They claim her return is inevitable... and righteous."
Cedric’s hand clenched on the table. "The Demon Lord is not in the human plane."
"For now," King Alden said. "But they are spreading like wildfire. They speak of her like a savior — someone who will cleanse the world of corruption and elevate only those ’loyal to the truth.’ Some commoners are listening."
Eve’s voice was soft. "And you want us to stop them."
The king nodded. "These cultists aren’t just talkers. Some of them wield magic. Dangerous magic. And in a few places... whole villages have gone dark. We’ve sent knights. Not all returned."
Tobias frowned, already forming a hypothesis. "So it’s not just belief. They have resources. Possibly backing. Possibly... artifacts."
The princess stepped forward, her voice measured. "We believe someone — an unknown leader — is organizing them. Uniting them. We don’t yet know who. Or why now."
"Their symbol," the king added, "is a half moon. We found it branded onto buildings. Even corpses."
Tobias’s eyes flickered with confusion.
King Alden looked over the table. "I am sending each of you out — separately. You will investigate, infiltrate, and uncover what you can. Towns near the borders. Shrines that have gone dark. You must find the source. We cannot allow this movement to grow."
Ragnar leaned forward. "You’re splitting us up again?"
"You work better with your parties," the king said. "You know it."
Tobias inhaled slowly. "Where am I being sent?"
"South," Celeste replied. "A mining town near the cliffs. They recently stopped reporting entirely. Locals claim it was ’divine retribution.’ We need answers."
The king looked at each of them. "And remember: we do not know how deep this goes. Do not act recklessly. And if you see the symbol... be ready."
Tobias didn’t speak. His mind was already racing ahead.
And then the king posed a question, something that made the Hero’s eyes widen.
"Before I forget to ask, How is Zayn doing?"
