Chapter 12 Ian Howder

Chapter 12 Ian Howder
Azael returned to his study without speaking to anyone. He shut the door behind him and locked it. The room was quiet except for the crack from the fireplace.
He didn’t sit. He stood there for a moment, trying to steady his thoughts.
A Watcher had shown up. Not just any Watcher—Ian Howder.
That was enough to make even him tense.
Azael exhaled and said, “Kalaen.”
A small shift in the air answered him. Kalaen stepped out from the shadows, calm as always.
“You called, my king.”
Azael faced him. “Why was Ian here?”
Kalaen didn’t try to guess. “I don’t know, my king. No one ever knows why a Watcher appears.”
Azael stared at him. “He looked at her. Directly. As if she was the reason.”
Kalaen gave a slight nod. “Watchers don’t make random visits. If he came for her, then something is happening. Something we’re not aware of.”
Azael let out a short breath, annoyed but controlled. “In all the cycles, in all the wars we’ve survived… the Watchers have always stayed neutral. Until there’s a problem.”
Kalaen’s expression tightened. “Their involvement has never been good news.”
“No,” Azael agreed. “Because when a Watcher gets involved, it means something is already going wrong.”
Kalaen remained quiet for a moment before speaking. “And you know their record. No one survives fighting them.”
Azael nodded once. “Yes. Which means we need to understand why he came. And why now.”
Kalaen waited. “Do you think this is connected to the curse?”
Azael shook his head slightly. “If it were only the curse, the Watchers wouldn’t care. They’ve ignored it every other turn. This is something else.”
Kalaen frowned. “Something worse?”
“That’s my concern,” Azael said. “This turn feels different already. And Ian showing up without warning confirms it.”
Azael moved to his desk, finally sitting. He rubbed a hand over his face. “What we know is limited. They don’t report to the Court. They don’t swear to the Celestials. They answer to nothing we recognize.”
Kalaen nodded. “And they don’t explain themselves.”
“No,” Azael said. “They don’t.”
Silence passed between them.
Finally, Kalaen asked, “What are your orders?”
Azael straightened. “Increase protection around the fortress. Strengthen the wards. And stay near Elara at all times.”
Kalaen nodded. “Understood.”
“And Kalaen…” Azael added.
“Yes?”
“If Ian returns, I want to know immediately. I don’t care what I’m doing.”
“You think he’ll come back?” Kalaen asked.
“Yes,” Azael answered. “Watchers only appear when the path is changing. So he definitely will.”
Kalaen accepted that with a stiff nod. “I’ll prepare accordingly.”
“Good,” Azael said.
Kalaen stepped back into the shadows and disappeared, leaving Azael alone again.
Azael leaned back in his chair.
Something was shifting. Something bigger than the curse and this turn was already off balance.
He would have to be ready for whatever came next.
Elara put down her staff and took a deep breath. Training with Emily had been tiring, but it felt good. Her arms and legs ached, a reminder that she was slowly getting better at controlling the magic she barely remembered. She needed a break.
She left the training hall and wandered through the quiet castle halls. Her footsteps echoed in the empty corridors. Her mind kept going over what Emily had taught her, the mistakes she had made, and the spells she was still struggling with.
Without thinking, her feet led her to the garden. Last time she had been here, panic had taken over: statues that looked exactly like her, whispers in the wind, shadows that moved. But today, it felt calm. Almost safe.
The iron gate creaked softly as she pushed it open. Moonlight fell on the fountain and flowers. The air smelled sweet, with roses and mint. The marble paths shone faintly in the light. Even the wind felt gentle.
Elara walked slowly along the paths, letting herself relax a little. She bent down and touched the petals of a moonflower. Nothing happened. No whispers, no shadows, no strange movement. She allowed herself a small smile. The garden… it felt normal.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
Elara jumped. She spun around and saw a man standing a few feet away, leaning against one of the columns. He looked calm but strong. She recognized him immediately—Ian Howder, a Watcher.
She stiffened. Watchers were dangerous, mysterious, and no one survived a fight with them.
“I… I didn’t hear you come in,” she said, her voice careful.
He gave a small nod. “I don’t announce myself,” he said simply. “You’ve been practicing.”
Elara gripped her staff a little tighter. “Yes. Emily’s teaching me. I’m learning.”
He studied her quietly for a moment, like he was measuring her every move. Then he relaxed slightly, leaning against the column again.
Elara’s heart raced. Watchers were always secretive. What was he doing here?
“I’ve seen the castle,” he said after a pause. “You’ve been busy.”
Elara nodded. “I have to be. There’s a lot to learn.”
He didn’t answer right away, just looked at her. There was something in his gaze that made her feel like he could see everything she was thinking.
Finally, he straightened. “Keep at it. You’ll need it.”
Elara swallowed. She wasn’t sure if that was a warning or encouragement.
He stepped back into the shadows at the edge of the garden. Elara realized she had been holding her breath. Her heart slowed, but her mind raced with questions. Ian Howder, the Watcher, was here—and she had no idea why.
Elara was still standing in the garden, her fingers brushing the petals of a moonflower, when a familiar shadow appeared at the gate. Kalaen. Azael’s right-hand man.
“Elara,” he said quietly, stepping into the moonlight. His eyes scanned the garden, sharp and calm. “Did anything happen while you were here?”
She straightened, trying to look casual. “Nah, nothing happened,” she said, keeping her voice even.
Kalaen’s eyes narrowed just slightly, but he didn’t press. He had that way of noticing things without saying anything, making people feel like he already knew the truth.
“Alright,” he said finally. “Let’s go inside.”
Elara followed him silently. They walked through the castle halls, the quiet only broken by their footsteps. Kalaen stayed alert, always seeming to notice things she didn’t.
When they reached a more private chamber, he stopped and turned to her. “Be careful, Elara,” he said, his tone firm but not harsh. “I know you want to learn. I know you’re persistent. But some things… some people… are more dangerous than you realize.”
Elara nodded, feeling the weight in his words. “I’ll be careful,” she said softly.
Kalaen gave her a long look, like he was measuring her determination. Then he stepped back. “Good. Keep your focus. That’s all I ask.”
With that, he left, leaving her alone in the quiet of the castle, her mind buzzing with questions, and the memory of the Watcher’s presence still heavy in the back of her thoughts.