22 Scarlet glow

The note from the Black Lord raised a real stir in the Marsters' house.

Paris, having received the notice, was, at first, confused. He planned to visit the Black castle himself the next morning. But now suddenly they will have to deal not only with the Black Judge but also with the head of the Red Castle.

He had heard about Blaize Rutland, but personally, they met only briefly when the Chief visited the training camp.

The heads of the castles were always chosen by the previous leaders in infancy. Each Head to a certain age had to pick a successor. And even though the final word was still on the Council of the Castle, many knew about who would be the next leader for a long time before the change of power.

Blaize became a student of the head of the Reds at the age of nine, along with several other boys. But over time, doubts about who will be the real head of many have evaporated.

Blaize was like a reborn Raul, the god of fire and war, and according to legend the first Red general. And Paris with respect and reverence looked at the figure of his idol from afar.

And now he is in a situation where he will have to confront not only his leader but also the Black Executioner, who managed to become something like a fairytale monster after only five years in the post. That could count as a kind of achievement too.

The young man could not decide whether to talk about this visit to his sister or not. It's one thing not to take her with him for questioning in a Black Castle, but quite another to make her sit and keep quiet during the visit.

In the end, after lengthy joint disputes, it was decided that Paris and his father would meet the guests and try to explain everything. Calisto and Konrad will join a bit later, only to confirm what was said.

Exactly at the appointed time, the butler announced the arrival of the guests. Paris brought his already shaken nerves in relative peace and in tow with his father, who was also noticeably agitated, entered the living room.

Paris scanned the room with a quick glance. To his surprise, his eyes immediately stumbled upon a fragile figure of a girl against the background of two impressive figures of the heads of the Black and Red Castles.

He did not immediately recognize the old and possibly an only friend of his sister, Anastasia Rutland.

The red-haired imp, which, like a clockwork, always galloped around serious Cali, has now become a beautiful woman with copper-colored hair and a figure that most certainly attracted a lot of looks.

The head of the Red Castle hurried to answer the perplexed gaze of Paris.

"Captain Paris, Lord Marsters I apologize for such a sudden visit and for not notifying you about my sister Anastasia. She asked us at the last moment. As you know, she was very close with your daughter and could not stay away when she found out about her return."

"I understand, maybe it will be even better." - Lester said softly smiling at the girl. - "Hello, Anastasia, very glad to see you again. You have become a real beauty."

"Thank you, Mr. Lester," - Anastasia muttered shyly.

She always liked this man very much. Even before their debut, Cali and Anastasia often escaped from under supervision to secretly sneak into Lester's workshop and watch his work. Anastasia always looked with admiration at a lot of skillful handicrafts and mechanisms.

"I apologize, but sister and Konrad will be able to join us a bit later," - began Paris, stopping behind the chair in which his father had sunk. - "As you must have heard they both suffered during the attack on Khailkhold and I hope for your understanding."

"Of course," - Blaize confirmed. Apparently, he decided to conduct all the negotiations today himself.

Lord Trevelyan set in the corner and from the very beginning did not utter a sound, only tenacious yellow eyes followed everyone in the hall, noting the slightest detail.

"Devon told me about your wish, but unfortunately, rumors spread around the city. And I hope you understand that the sooner we work out this situation, the better for all of us." - started Blaize with interest peering at the young man. As both Paris and his father instantly nodded, he relaxed a little, leaning back in his chair. - "Since your daughter will be later, I would first like to hear your version of what happened in the fortress, Paris."

The young man paused for a bit, gathering his thoughts, but then started to describe in detail the events preceding the appearance of Cali and Konrad. But when it came to the moment of Stone Beasts broking into the commander-in-chief's office, Blaize stoped Paris with a gesture.

"So, you claim that your sister, in the company of several more people, snuck into the fort before the attack, in the disguise of a Stone Warrior and then upon finding you asked for protection?" - Summed up, Blaize. Even his face showed, that he didn't believe a single word.

Now, when Paris said it out loud, the story became even less convincing than they had first conceived. But there was no going back, so young man clenched his fists and answered in a firm tone.

"I know how it sounds, Lord Rutland. But in the office except for me at that moment were both the captain and the general. They will confirm my words. I would like you to understand something before meeting with my sister. During these six years, she had to go through a lot. She was able to overcome all the difficulties only to go back home. I hope you will not make her regret it when she hasn't even had time to recover after all the shocks."

His voice was steady and determined. Paris glanced at the guests, trying to understand their reaction.

Yes, his story was clumsy, but it was the only way to go not so far from the truth. Everyone was aware of Lord Trevelyan's superb ability to precept lying, and the totally made-up story would be dangerous.

...

Devon carefully examined the young man from the moment he entered the living room. And even though Paris respectfully kept behind his father. From the first minutes of the conversation, it immediately became clear who really leads the process here.

Lord Lester was visibly nervous, to the point that a cloud of anxiety covered him completely. But it could well be attributed to parental feelings.

Paris, on the other hand, was covered with steel haze like armor. He was definitely ready to protect his family. Devon felt certain respect watching the young captain.

The guy was obviously a warrior by spirit, and Blaize was lucky to have him on his side. If this boy was of course on his side...

Devon clearly felt the lies, but it was hard to determine precisely what he was lying about.

After all, that Paris had said, Devon was looking forward to meeting the mysterious Countess Marsters.

Still, the picture came out strange. On the one hand, the typical noble girl, arrogant, cunning intriguer, caught herself in her own trap. On the other side, according to the words of a Stacy and family, the unfortunate victim of a tyrant mother.

The fact remained that at the moment there was nothing to accuse her in. The charge of attempted murder was worthless without evidence. The fact that she and her friend Konrad spent six years in Ligarchat as a servant and then disguised as mercenaries fled back sounded like incredible luck, but it was not a crime. The only question was whether the appearance of the young countess was somehow connected with the sudden attack by the Arians.But it also must be proven.

Immersion in his thoughts, Devon did not immediately notice a sudden change in the atmosphere. Those present went silent, and all eyes were directed towards the entrance.

As soon as Devon raised his eyes and found the cause of the general tension, a flash of heat passed from the tips of his hair to the very toes. Struck by his own reaction, Devon seemed to have forgotten how to breathe.

At the door directly in front of him stood a vision. The girl, tiny as a Carpian glass figurine. Long blond hair, like dawn rays in waves came down on narrow shoulders. Pink, slightly plump lips, straight nose, haughty cheekbones, playfully bending eyebrows, all together created a stunningly beautiful face. It was difficult to call her ideal, but she was definitely the ideal of some kind.

Devon could not believe that he was looking at a living person, and not at a living fantasy.

Awareness that not only her beauty and his inexplicable reaction to her made the girl look like a vision brought him to his senses. There was not a trace of any emotions around her. He felt absolutely nothing. As if she was a doll, a statue.

Even when people did not really feel anything, around them clouded a particular fog. The human brain never stops working, even while dreaming. And the echoes of these thoughts, Devon could see clearly.

But there was nothing around her. The Black Judge even had to strain his eyes to see if she was breathing. But as soon as Devon was distracted by the contemplation of her chest... waiting for signs of breathing, of course! A sudden flash nearly blinded his eyes.

The girl started all over and stepped back, bumping into a man standing behind her. Lord Trevelyn raised his eyes in surprise and came across a direct look aimed at him.

At first, he thought that the girl, like many, was frightened. But no, her eyes were full of wonder, and around her, instead of an expected yellowish-grey mist of fear, spread a steady glow of delicate scarlet color.

The same appeared on her cheeks, and her lips parted slightly, letting out a barely audible sigh. This reaction was a novelty for Devon. He could not take his eyes off the strangely fascinating deep blue eyes.

"Lord Trevelyan, Lord Rutland, I want to introduce you to my daughter, Countess Calisto Marsters," - Devon did not even notice how Lord Marsters rose and now was standing beside his daughter.

"Mr. Konrad, cousin of Paris and Cali." - Count continued pointing to the man standing behind the girl.

Devon physically felt an unwillingness to look away from this incredible blue eyes. And as soon as he shifted his stare away from her the whole world around seemed to become a little darker. The glow around the young countess also seemed to decline.

At that moment, the young man behind the girl put a hand on her shoulder, and the glow disappeared altogether.

Sudden anger forced Trevelyan to clench his fists, the desire to pull out this hand, break all the bones in the body of a man, which he had not even had time to examine, shocked the Black Executioner.

As if the monster, whom everyone sees in him and whom he always kept in check, suddenly woke up without asking permission of the owner.

It cost him much effort to bring his mind into balance. Leaning back in his chair, Devon looked around the room, trying to distract himself. Tear off all unnecessary feelings from the brain, lock them in the far corner. When he finally succeeded, Blaize had already stepped forward.

"I am delighted to meet you again, Lady Marsters," -he put on his most charming smile, gently taking girl's hand extended for the greeting and bowing over. Now Devon wanted to break all the bones in Blaize body too...

"You may not remember me, but sometime in the past, we have repeatedly crossed paths during your visits to our home."

Blaize held Cali's hand in his for a little longer than etiquette allowed, with an intensity peering at her face. To Devon's surprise, Countess Marsters didn't react at all to the inflamed look of the Red Leader. Her lips twisted in a friendly smile, but now the girl's eyes seemed to freeze. Not a single emotion slipped on her face.

"Lord Rutland, my respect and compliments, I heard in my absence you not only took the place of the Head of the Red Castle but also achieved considerable success in this field. My brother had time to mention the deep admiration that he has for you." - She said. Her voice was soft and musical. But overall, Devon did not catch anything in the girl's words. Like memorized speech. Thought Blaize, fallen to flattery, especially if it came from pretty girls, broke into a satisfied smile.

"Oh, and you too, Konrad, we also met before," - Blaize continued, looking at the man standing behind.

But as soon as the Red Chief got a better look, a friendly smile froze on his face like it was glued. Understanding the reason for such a dramatic change was not difficult. The girl's companion was utterly different from what Blaize and Anastasia had described before.

Judging by what Devon heard. Konrad was a year and a half younger than Paris and nearly a decade than both Chiefs. The lean, awkward, shy lad turned into a man with broad shoulders, a hard look, and bearing of a warrior.

Only now, despite the fact that he should have been about 26, he looked much older. His ash brown hair had a few grey locks. Light wrinkles and scars were clearly visible on the weathered, tanned face. Devon was surprised to note that it also was impossible to capture any emotion from this man.

"I am glad to meet you again too," - replied Konrad in a slightly husky voice. "Unfortunately I can't take your handshakes," - he continued, seeing Blaize's hand extended.

In response to a questioning raised eyebrow, the man merely raised his right arm, showing an empty sleeve in the area of ​​the wrist.

Blaise stared for a moment, puzzled, shifted his eyes from a crippled hand to Konrad's neutral face, trying to decide how to behave at the moment.

Devon absorbed in watching a strange pair completely forgot about the fact that he and Blaise did not come alone.

Only when from the side he heard sobs, he finally remembered Anastasia. She stood up from the couch in the corner of the room but did not dare move closer to the new arrivals. Now she, with difficulty restraining herself, tried to muffle her own weeping, pressing a trembling hand to her mouth.

Large tears rolled down her cheeks, and the shoulders shook shallowly.

But as soon as those present shifted their attention to her, the girl apparently was no longer able to control herself. She covered her face with her hands and rushed to the door. Konrad tried to move after her, but Calisto quickly stopped him.

Devon was once again struck by a sharp flash, now coming from the guy. For a moment or two, Konrad seemed to be shrouded in a dark purple glow. But then, as soon as the girl beside him put her hand on his shoulder, the glow began to fade and crawl over a thin hand to Calisto. It was like the girl has shared all the pain and self-loathing with him, as the color of the fog pointed exactly at those feeling.

"Sorry, Konrad didn't want to upset anyone with his appearance. We were not aware that Anastasia will be here." - finally broke the silence Countess Marsters, after Anastasia disappeared from sight.

"I apologize for my sister's behavior," - Blaize hurried to reassure her, - " She really wanted to see you and begged us to take her with us. Sometimes it is difficult for my sister to cope with her feelings. Must be after seeing both of you again, she was too overwhelmed. I am sure she will return when calm down."

"You're right. Both of us have changed a lot over the past six years. For father and brother, this was also a shock. Besides, everyone considered us dead" - Cali said in a quiet, even tone, gesturing for them to return to the armchairs by the fireplace.

She tried not to meet Devon's eyes anymore, and even when she came closer, the girl took her place in the corner farthest from him.

To Devon's annoyance and Blaize's delight, this was a chair on the right hand of the Red Head. Konrad stood behind her, and the others took their places.

"Daughter, you are still not familiar with another of our guests," - Mr. Lesor began. -" This is the new head of the Black Castle. Lord Trevelyan."

Devon rose up from his seat rather slowly as not to appear in too much hurry and crossed the distance separating them in two steps.

The closer he came, the stronger the light glow around the girl became. Devon seemed to feel the heat emanating from her and passing on to him, so alluring, so tender.

The girl stood up too and extended her hand in greeting. But this time, unlike Blaize, her expression came to life. Embarrassment, surprise, and awe were apparent on this beautiful little face. Standing just a step away from her, Devon suddenly realized how small she was compared to his colossal figure.

Her head barely reached his chest. Seems, he could lift her with one hand without particularly straining. Calisto had to lien her head back to peer into his face. Her little fingers shook slightly in the big palm of the Black Judge when their eyes met.

"Very nice to meet you,"- she breathed out and fell silent, not finding words.

Devon didn't know what to say either, it was enough for him just to stay like this, gently holding her little palm and look into her blue eyes.

Suddenly, a moment was interrupted by an image that stood before Devon's eyes. Another girl, black hair, a broad smile of plump coral lips, but the same small palm, slightly trembling in his hand. This memory caused Devon to flinch a little. As if he a bucket of cold water was poured on him, bringing him to his senses. He frowned and retreated, letting go of her hand.

"I am also very pleased to meet you finally, Countess Marsters." - He said, sharply - " I heard a lot about you."

Confusion flashed across her face. Then she picked herself, and the face again turned into an unreadable mask. Devon caught Blaise's surprised and curious gaze, returning to his place.

"So, first of all, I would like to express to you how I wish you weren't forced to endure so much horror. Such a young and beautiful lady should by no means be subjected to such trials," - Blaize began floridly, pulling everyone's attention to himself again. - "I am glad that now both of you are safe at home. I heard that you suffered during the attack, and I hope you will recover soon." - He continued carefully looking at the girl.

Indeed, Devon noted, the girl seemed slightly thin, and in some places there were scars, but in general, there were no fresh wounds or bruises on her.

"Thank you for your attention," - answered Paris instead of his sister, - "Fortunately, my sister and Konrad quickly improved after all the upheavals. Maybe I was a little nervous the last time Lord Trevelyan visited us. But I hope for your understanding. All this was a massive shock for us. We lost all hope that we could see Kali and Conrad alive again."

"Indeed, I can not imagine your grief. And yet we will have to ask a few questions from Lady Marsters next." - prompted Blaize, glancing at the old master.

Paris and Lord Marsters exchanged looks. On the face of the former Head of the Greens, appeared a certain discontent. He looked questioningly at his daughter as if trying to say with his eyes that he will support her every decision.

Seeing such sympathy and readiness to protect his daughter, Devon thawed a little. He could not understand yet what exactly led him to such irritation. But the years as the Head of Blacks taught him not to succumb to emotions and keep his mind sharp. Later, it will be time to analyze what happened, now it was worthwhile to throw away other feelings and focus on the perception of facts.

"I am ready to answer all your questions," - Calisto interrupted his thoughts. She sat on a chair with a back straight as arrow, lowering her eyes on her hands folded in her lap. But there were no signs of insecurity or nervousness around her. The voice was flat and smooth.

"Well, then we would like to hear everything from the moment you disappeared." - started Blaize, leaning forward, as if ready to catch her every word.

In response, Calisto just nodded and began to tell. Just the facts, she did not try to smooth things over in her own favor, nor was she justifying herself. It was like she was talking about someone else.

"So, you want to say that it was your mother who guided all your actions?" - Blaize's face clearly reflected distrust. Devon himself did not know how to perceive the story of a girl.

"No, not all. She taught me well, and I could decide in what way to remove rivals. She only intervened when she thought that I was doing something wrong. Only when the prince began to demonstrate his sympathy for the other openly, did she start to lead the process completely." - replied Calisto.

"Did you really loved the prince so much that you were ready to weave intrigues against innocent girls?" - Devon himself was surprised by his irritation. Anger flooded his mind.

He could not understand what annoyed him more, with what serenity this sweet girl told about her crimes or for what purpose she did it?

He expected Lady Calisto to defend or become mad at his offensive words. But in response, the girl fell silent and seemed to consider the question seriously.

The air around her dimmed a bit. Doubt - with a surprised recognized Devon. She seemed to remember those times and tried to understand what she felt. Emotions were very weak as if she was squeezing them out. Shame, insecurity. She did not feel angry, like a person who would blame others for such a situation, nor fear, like a man who realized his guilt. Her aura was a complete mess, like a child who does not yet understand what he sees.

"I never loved the prince," - Cali finally stated in a slightly sleepy voice, as if she hadn't left her thoughts yet, - "We were never close. It was rather like a game with a rule that everyone knows. Everyone had their own position. Mine was a black pawn that was supposed to become the queen. I just wanted to fulfill my role. Both of you are also from a high standing, and you know how court life is. It is highly unlikely that with my disappearance, no one else was making intrigue in order to gain more power, am I right?"

Devon didn't like this answer at all. The image of a cold, calculative intrigue did not suit this girl at all.

For some reason, everything inside Devon twisted in a knot as soon as he tried to write her into one group with the same social lionesses that he regularly met at balls and social events. He did not feel in her arrogance or deceit, vanity or a sense of superiority.

"What exactly did your mother do when she found out about the prince's sympathies to the other girl?" - Blaize decided to lead the conversation in another way, feeling a strange mood of his friend.

Cali related all the plans of Lady Marsters. When the conversation turned into Konrad's involvement in all this. The young baronet also told everything about how he followed the future queen, back then just Viscountess Brand, and finally, how he received an order to help Cali add poison to her drink.

"So the goal was not a prince at all?" - Blaize asked, secretly exchanging glances with Devon.

"No, what's the point in killing a prince? Lady Marsters hoped not only to remove Cali's rival but also to demonstrate her power and strength in this way. By that time, an impressive list of allies gathered under her heel. Including the Acting Head of the Black Castle, as we later learned the hard way." - Konrad replied monotonously. In his voice, there was no anger, no sadness. Just a dry statement of facts. Although Devon was able to notice a slight excitement in the aura of the young man, echoes of the past pain.

"We don't know what exactly she wanted on a global scale. By that time, we only received orders and could only speculate. When this woman ordered us to kill a girl, we tried to challenge this decision. But in response received just threats. Mother said that if we did not fulfill her orders, then the poison could end up in the drinks of my father or a member of Konrad's family. Then we didn't know how far her power extended and decided to report everything to the Castle of Justice, naively believing that Blacks would be able to stop it. But during the audience with Lord Koprit, we met face to face with this woman. She listened outside the door while we were snitching on her. And then she came out and gave us one last chance to agree to her terms. We refused. Then both of us were released, but we didn't make even a couple of meters from the Castle as we were captured."

Calisto's unemotional voice with each new word began to acquire shades. If at the beginning she just describes the facts, then later Devon noticed the haze surrounding the girl. It was as if crawling along smooth, light skin covering her entire with reddish-gray hue. It was painful for her to remember, and the farther she went, the darker it became.

As the story of the victim, which is about to go to the moment of the crime. And Devon did not want to listen. With every word, the desire to stop her grew. He should have been alert, but with all his heart he did not want to let her relive all those terrible moments again.

Fortunately, Blaize could not see what Devon had seen. In fact, The Red Chief hardly even noticed the subtle notes sneaked into the voice of the girl. From the outside, Countess appeared absolutely calm.

"Did you see who attacked you?" - not seeing the confusion of the girl's feelings, continued the interrogation the Head of the Reds.

"Not immediately, it was dark. But later, when they took us out of the city, we saw their faces. Ordinary mercenaries. Their names are unlikely to tell you something. If you want, we will make a detailed description later." - Replied Konrad for the girl, as if he too felt changes in Calisto's behavior. Devon noted how as soon as a dark haze appeared this guy put his hand on Cali's shoulder and moved a little closer.

"That would be very helpful for the investigation," - Blaise nodded, - "What happened next?"

Calisto wanted to continue, but Konrad interrupted her, slightly squeezing her shoulder.

"We were taken by mercenaries to the Arian Ligarkhat. Along the way, we tried to escape. Then I lost my hand, Cali also suffered a few burns. The mercenaries were ordered to take us to the house of one of the merchants and sell Cali to him. And I was added as a slave."

"But they didn't do it," - Devon could not resist adding. He seemed fascinated watching how the feelings of a guy change. Like the bloody dawn, the air around Konrad was filled with colors, bright, crazy.

Even though Konrad remained calm in appearance, a blazing tornado flared up inside as if from nowhere. Feelings flooded all around him. The hand on the girl's shoulder began to tremble slightly, and Cali tried to calm her friend down by squeezing it. Devon saw her try again to share his emotions. But now it did not work.

On the contrary, it seemed to have fanned fire already crawling onto the girl. Cali squeezed her eyes shut and strained, clutching at her friend's wrist with both hands.

She was in pain, felt Devon. Not morally, physically. Not realizing what he was doing, he crossed the room in several steps and crouched down at her feet. Calisto shook slightly, apparently trying to control herself.

Devon carefully but firmly separated the hands of Calisto and Konrad, who frowned but still allowed it. Gently squeezing her cold hands in his, Devon hesitantly called out.

"Lady Marsters," - when the girl did not react, he tried again, making the voice as soft as possible and lightly stroking the back of the girl's palm with his thumb, -"Callisto ... Cali, look at me."

The girl started and slowly opened her eyes. There was still a pain in their depths, but it was slowly disappearing, turning into surprise and something else that Devon could not yet understand. Cali leaned forward slightly, peering into the face of the Black Lord. Devon felt her fingers warm up in his hands, as she relaxed a little. The raging aura disappeared, replaced by a pinkish glow. There was a flush on the pale cheeks again.

"No need to remember. Not today." - He said soothingly. There were no tears in her eyes, but for some reason, Devon wanted to hug her so much and comfort her now. - "You told us enough for today."

Devon with difficulty looked away from the girl's face and carefully laid her hands on the knees, rising and stepping back.

"I think it is enough for today," - he announced looking around at those present, only now starting to understand that everyone else was staring at him strangely.

Blaize's face was filled with wonder and a whole list of dumb questions. Paris and the elder Marsters only managed to rise from their seats, and now they still could not understand what they should do. Devon suddenly realized that no one except him had seen those emotions.

Apparently, those two didn't show them at all, except for the moment when Cali strained slightly as if from a sharp toothache. Only he saw how strangely their feelings manifest, just he realized how hard it is for them to tell this story.

"Come on, we're leaving" - he abruptly threw to Blaize, and bowing to the owner of the house and his son, without turning around, headed for the door.

Lord Rutland lingered a bit, saying goodbye to the Marsters and assuring them that they would report the results of the investigation shortly.

Devon in the meantime went to the crew on which they arrived without stopping.

Cool air freshened up, bringing his thoughts in relative order. The coachman had already managed to take Anastasia home and come back, and now was only waiting for them. Blaize appeared in the doorway in just a couple of minutes.

"I give you time before returning to your mansion. And then you tell me everything." -He said curtly, sitting down opposite. His eyes almost glowed in the dark with impatience. Devon sighed, showing his willingness to comply.

Then he turned his gaze to the window, trying to distract himself from his friend's excited orange aura and concentrating on a detailed and preferably cold analysis of what had happened. If it were that simple... A pretty face stood before his eyes, and his hands still felt the warmth of her palms.

"She smelled like a thunderstorm" - a sudden thought made Devon smile. But a bright flash coming from Blaize side made him wipe the smile off his face immediately.

"Don't even think about keeping any little details from me!" - Blaize hissed from his seat, burning with excitement.

Sometimes Devon began to suspect that he sways his friend in a wrong way. Blaize's ability to lure information from Devon now was entirely on par with many masters of the Black Castle's torture chambers.