Darius stroked his chin, the pads of his fingers rasping softly against the short bristle of his beard. The morning light spilled through the arched windows of his study, dust motes dancing lazily in the air, but he barely noticed them. His focus remained on the man seated across from himm Cedar, the councilman of the people’s welfare.
Ever calm, even-toned, and deliberate, Cedar always carried himself as though he bore the weight of many villages upon his shoulders and in some way he did. Today was no different, though there was a quiet eagerness to his manner that Darius had not seen in some time.
"I believe," Cedar said, folding his hands neatly before him, "that we must offer a gesture. Not a formal one, gods know we’ve had our fill of stiff conversation and veiled threats. But something smaller and gentler."
Darius quirked a brow. "A gesture to Dawnbreak?"
"Yes." Cedar nodded once. "Specifically, to Riven. Let him choose one other of his party, and let them spend a day or two here at the castle. There is no outright agenda, something within the castle ground just... easing tensions. Allowing him to feel the rhythm of the place without scrutiny."
Darius exhaled slowly and leaned back in his chair. "So you mean to give him a tour?"
"In essence. But there is more to it than that. A seat at a quiet dinner table, perhaps. The comfort of a guest chamber instead of the cold quarters of the Keep. Time spent with a few key figures, outside of formalities."
His gaze grew a touch more pointed, but not unkind. "Time spent, perhaps, with someone you trust. Someone he should grow used to seeing at your side."
Darius tapped the desk lightly. "You mean Serena."
The red haired man interlaced his fingers under his chin and then raised a brow at Cedar. He knew that Cedar was the most eager of all the council members to push Serena to the spotlight and into the role he wanted to script for her. He believed so much in the potential she might bring to the negotiations.
"I mean Serena," Cedar confirmed. "The Dawnbreak wolves do not yet know her station, and that is precisely why this should occur now. Let Riven meet her not as a title but as a presence. Let him see her as a confidante, not as a sort of declaration."
Darius tilted his head, considering this, he remained silent for a few beats. Then he turned his gaze to the fire pit in the corner of the room, where only coals remained from the early kindling. This was not the first time he had entertained the idea of soft introduction. In truth, he’d been circling it for weeks. But to hear Cedar give it voice brought it into the limelight.
"She will need to be prepared," he murmured. "She will sense what this means."
"She is not foolish, nor is she fragile," Cedar replied. "I have watched her. She does not shy away from what must be done."
"No," Darius admitted with a quiet breath. "She does not."
Cedar leaned forward now, resting his elbows lightly on his knees. "This is not merely for Serena’s sake, nor Riven’s. This is for the people and for the council. This is for the whispers that carry through stone corridors and markets alike. If Riven returns to Dawnbreak with nothing but formal records and cold meetings, he will paint us with that brush. But if he leaves with a tale of warmth, unexpected, disarming warmth it will do us better than a dozen steel-bound promises." Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by novel~fire~net
Darius gave a low hum of agreement, his fingers threading together atop the desk.
"And if he begins to suspect her true standing?" he asked.
Cedar gave the barest shrug. "Let him. That is the point, is it not? To make the truth apparent without placing it in his hand like a polished gem. Let him wonder. Let him see she is welcome and trusted more than he is. It lays the ground before the seed is planted."
Darius smirked faintly. "You have the tongue of a merchant, Cedar."
"I do not trade goods, only ideas."
There was a long moment of stillness between them, before Darius finally gave a slow nod. "Very well. Let it be done. I will send a letter ahead to the Keep, so they may prepare to receive this... casual invitation."
Cedar’s face softened with approval. "Good. Keep it light. Make it his decision, but make it easy to accept. Mention that the castle has better food and finer wines."
Darius chuckled under his breath. "I am sure he already knows that."
Darius rose from his chair and stretched his arms out slightly, the stiffness of long hours settling into his frame. "I will write it myself, and send it before the hour ends. I would rather no scribe meddle with my tone."
Cedar nodded and stood as well, brushing a wrinkle from the sleeve of his tunic. "Wise. And Darius..."
The Alpha paused, gaze flicking up.
"Be mindful of the others when Serena is brought forward," Cedar said quietly. "Some of them may feel... misled."
"They will feel many things before the thaw," Darius said, tone steady. "But they will learn that what matters is not what she was, but what she is now."
Cedar gave a small bow of the head. "Well spoken."
With that, he took his leave, boots echoing softly down the corridor beyond.
Darius turned back to his desk, already reaching for parchment and ink. The letter would be short, informal but not careless. A line of courtesy, a note of goodwill. And the subtle implication that the real Ironshade was not found in its ancient halls, but in its people.
As he dipped the quill and pressed it to the page, he thought again of Serena and then smiled. Cedar words remained with him: She does not shy away from what must be done.