Chapter 25 Elder Veyra
Chapter 25
Elder Veyra
Writer's POV
Elder Veyra had mastered the art of appearing harmless. He walked the palace of the Lycan in slow steps - hands folded, calm face, polite smile. No one stopped him. Guards bowed. Servants stepped aside. To them he was merely another elder - old, wise, loyal. Any noticed his eyes lingering out of doors and corridors and faces. None saw the calculation behind his pleasant expression.
That night he never made it back to his chambers. Instead he headed for a wing of the palace that had been forgotten after being sealed off after a fire decades before. Dust filled the stone floor, and the air was filled with the scent of old age. He stopped in front of a small door, knocked twice and once more. It did open just enough for him to slip inside.
A hooded man lay waiting inside. "You're late," the man said.
"I was watched," Veyra responded and dropped his cloak. "King Magnus is growing paranoid."
The man laughed softly. "As he should."
He sat at a little table between them rolled parchment. "The council is divided. The prince has vanished. The people are confused. This is the best time we'll ever have."
The hooded figure leaned forward. "And the other factions?"
"Already contacted," said Veyra. The northern packs are hungry for power. The eastern clans want land. The rogues want chaos. I promised each one of them a piece of the future."
"You promised a great deal," the man said.
"I intend to deliver," Veyra replied.
Days later, messages passed silently over borders. Ravens flew at night. Messengers ran on forest paths no patrol kept Elder Veyra signed no letters, used no seal. Every word went through coins loyal mouths not crowns. In the east, one of the clan leaders read Veyra's offer and smiled. There was an Alpha in the north who sharpened his blade and counted warriors. In the shadows, rogue leaders were listening and nodding.
Back in the palace, Veyra sat in with the elders at council meetings and nodded her head as others argued about war, about Ryder, about Olivia's blood. When King Magnus spoke, Veyra agreed. When another elder called the prince a weak one and said nothing; Veyra sighed. His silence gave him a thoughtful appearance. His smile made him look kind.
Inside, he counted time.
One evening, he met two elders in a private garden. "The fact is Magnus is losing control," Veyra said. He cannot even control his own son.
"That does not mean that we betray him," replied one of the elders.
Veyra tilted his head. "It means that we save the kingdom from him."
The second elder frowned. "You speak dangerously."
"I speak truth," Veyra said. "The people whisper. They fear war. They fear weakness. They are fearful of bloodlines that they do not understand."
"And you?" the first elder asked. "What do you fear?"
Veyra smiled. "I fear stagnation."
They did not answer him, and did not go away either.
As night after night went by Veyra's plans deepened. He placed false patrol reports. He delayed messages that were intended for the king. He redirected supplies. Every little thing seemed innocent by itself. Together they created a crevice under the throne.
The palace gates were opened at dawn. The hinges of iron groaned as if the stone itself saw what was coming. Guards stood straight as Prince Ryder moved past them, his travel-worn cloak fluttering, his face stern. Word got round quickly - servants whispered, soldiers stared. The prince who had disappeared had come back.
King Magnus was waiting in the high hall sitting rigidly on the throne. Elder Veyra was standing beside him with folded hands and a gentle smile on his lips. He watched Ryder ride towards him with utter calm, as if he were riding up on a man whom he already considered he had won.
Ryder stopped several steps from the throne and bowed his head. "Father."
Magnus was studying him in silence. "You left without a permission," the king said. "You defied the council. You shamed this crown."
Ryder lifted his head. "I know."
An uproar went through the assembled nobles. Veyra's smile spread for a fraction of a second.
"I came back to end this division" Ryder continued. "The kingdom needs unity not more fractures."
Magnus leaned forward. "And you expect me to believe this sudden change of heart?"
"You don't have to think it's true," Ryder replied. "You only have to look at the result."
Veyra stepped forward. "The prince has realized his duty" he said softly. "It is a relief."
Ryder's eyes shot to Veyra for a short second, sharp, unreadable, and then back at the king.
Magnus exhaled slowly. "You will remain in the palace. You will attend meetings of the councils. You will obey my word."
Ryder nodded. "I will."
The hall was filled with surprised and astonished noises. Some of the noblemen looked relieved; others looked suspicious. Veyra bowed his head so that no one could see his satisfaction.
Later that day, Ryder paced the familiar halls, his feet muffled. Guards followed at some distance, but not as many as before. Whispers followed behind him as he passed by tapestries, statues and memories. Nothing felt the same.
From a balcony above him Elder Veyra watched him pass through the courtyard. "He plays his part well," said Veyra to an aide.
"Do you trust him?" the aide asked.
Veyra smiled. "Trust is not required."
That night, Ryder was sitting in his chamber alone, looking at the city lights through the window. He tightened his jaw; his thoughts were riveted on the thin line he walked. One wrong move and he would lose everything. But he needed access. He needed time.
Throughout the palace, Veyra encountered three elders in a private room and lit by low flames. "The prince thinks he has fooled the king," Veyra said. "Let him think that."
"What is your plan?" one elder asked.
"He becomes a symbol on his return," Veyra replied. "And symbols fall hardest."
The elder hesitated. "Magnus still holds power."
"For now," Veyra said. "When the strike will come it will not come from the front."
The next morning Ryder walked into the council chamber. Chairs scraped as the elders took their seats. Magnus was talking about borders and patrols. Veyra was listening, his fingers were lightly tapping on the table.
Ryder spoke only when asked. He agreed if it was a safe agreement. He contended when apparently to silence. Each and every word was carefully chosen.
Veyra studied him and saw his restraint and calm. The prince was changed and that made him dangerous.
After the meeting, Veyra waited around while others left.
He came towards Ryder, with an easy smile. "It is good to see you doing the heir again."
Ryder met his gaze. "I never stopped being one."
Veyra chuckled. "We all serve the crown."
"Yes," Ryder said. "We do."
As Ryder was walking away, the smile faded from Veyra's face. He turned towards the shadows at the edge of the hall where there was a messenger waiting.
"Prepare them," Veyra said quietly. "The prince is home. The time is close."