Bound By Beasts: The Tamer Who Defied Fate

The moon hung low over Eryndral as Nyx and Zerin slipped through the quiet streets of the noble district. Unlike the chaotic merchant quarters or the bustling Guild halls, this part of the city was eerily still, its grandeur shrouded in silence. The sprawling estates were surrounded by high walls and guarded gates, their opulence hidden behind layers of protection.

House Valdris stood out even among these affluent homes. Its tall spires pierced the night sky, and its towering gates, adorned with ornate carvings, loomed over the district. Torchlight flickered along the walls, casting long shadows that danced in the darkness.

Nyx crouched behind a stone planter, her keen eyes scanning the estate. Umbra crouched beside her, the panther's dark fur blending seamlessly with the shadows. "This place is crawling with guards," she whispered. "There's no way we're getting in unnoticed."

Zerin crouched beside her, his smirk barely visible in the dim light. "Getting in is the easy part. It's getting out alive that's tricky."

Nyx shot him a glare but said nothing, turning her attention back to the estate.

From their vantage point, Nyx and Zerin could see the estate's main courtyard. A pair of massive iron gates stood closed, flanked by guards in black and silver livery. Beyond the gates, the courtyard bustled with activity.

Figures moved in and out of the estate's grand entrance, their faces obscured by cloaks. Wagons loaded with crates rolled through a side gate, disappearing into an underground storage area. The guards didn't stop them, suggesting they were expected.

"Supplies," Nyx murmured. "But for what?"

"Nothing good," Zerin replied, his tone light despite the tension. He pointed to a tall figure standing near the gate. "See him? That's not your average hired muscle. He's one of them."

Nyx followed his gaze and frowned. The man Zerin pointed to was clad in dark robes trimmed with violet, the unmistakable mark of the Veilborn Order. He stood apart from the other guards, his posture rigid as he observed the activity.

"They're getting bolder," Nyx said grimly. "Operating out in the open like this."

Zerin shrugged. "Why wouldn't they be? They've got the city's nobles in their pocket."

As they watched, a sleek black carriage pulled up to the gates. The guards moved quickly to open them, and the carriage rolled inside. Its curtains were drawn, hiding the occupants, but the emblem on the door—a coiled serpent—caught Nyx's attention.

"Do you recognize that symbol?" she asked.

Zerin nodded. "House Mortren. They've been tied to shady dealings for years, but nothing's ever stuck. If they're here, it's definitely a gathering of the cult's allies."

Nyx clenched her fists. "We need to find out what's happening inside."

Zerin raised an eyebrow. "And how do you suggest we do that? Knock on the door and ask politely?"

Before Nyx could reply, Umbra let out a low growl. The panther's ears flattened as she turned her gaze toward a nearby alley.

"We're being watched," Nyx said quietly, her hand moving to her daggers.

Umbra's growl deepened, the panther's sleek body tensing as its glowing yellow eyes locked onto the alleyway. Nyx and Zerin exchanged wary glances before slowly drawing their weapons.

From the darkness of the alley, a shadowy figure emerged cautiously. The faint torchlight revealed a young woman, no older than sixteen, with messy, shoulder-length auburn hair and wide, frightened eyes. She wore a plain servant's dress, its edges frayed, and her hands trembled as she clutched a rolled parchment.

"Please," the girl whispered, stopping a few paces away and holding her hands up to show she was unarmed. "I don't mean any harm."

Nyx stepped forward, her daggers glinting in the dim light. "Who are you, and why are you following us?"

The girl hesitated, looking between Nyx and Zerin. Her gaze lingered on Zerin, as if recognizing him. "My name is Lys," she said, her voice trembling. "I… I work for House Valdris."

Zerin arched an eyebrow. "House Valdris? That's a dangerous name to drop around here."

Lys nodded quickly, her breathing uneven. "I know. That's why I came to find you. I overheard something—a plan. They're gathering tomorrow night, and it's bigger than you think."

Nyx narrowed her eyes. "And how exactly do you know who we are?"

Lys hesitated, her fingers tightening around the parchment as she glanced nervously over her shoulder. "I've seen you before. At the market, asking questions about the Alverines and the cult. I recognized you when you were watching the estate tonight. I thought…" She hesitated, then took a shaky breath. "I thought you might be the only ones who could stop them."

Zerin leaned casually against the wall, his expression unreadable. "And why do you care what happens to us? Or them?"

Her hands trembled as she held up the parchment. "Because I don't want to be part of this anymore. I've seen what they do to people who get in their way—what happens to the ones who don't obey."

Nyx's tone softened slightly, though her eyes remained sharp. "What did you see?"

Lys bit her lip, her voice lowering to a whisper. "They bring people to the estate—servants, travelers, anyone who won't be missed. They take them into the basement, and they… they never come out. And those crates you saw? They're not supplies. They're filled with strange weapons and things that… shouldn't exist."

Zerin studied her carefully, his sharp eyes narrowing. "So, you work for House Valdris, and you've suddenly grown a conscience? Why now?"

Lys's face crumpled, her fear giving way to desperation. "Because I saw the list." She held up the parchment again, her hands shaking. "It's a list of everyone involved—the names of the nobles, merchants, and Guild members they've recruited. Tomorrow night, they're all meeting at the estate to finalize their plans."

Nyx glanced at the parchment but didn't take it. "And you expect us to trust you? How do we know this isn't a trap?"

Tears welled in Lys's eyes as she pleaded, "It's not a trap! I swear! I've been trapped in that house for years, doing what they tell me, keeping my head down, pretending I don't see the horrors around me. But when I saw that list, I knew I couldn't stay silent anymore." She looked directly at Zerin. "I heard you asking questions about the cult. You're the only ones I've seen who are willing to fight them."

Nyx exchanged a look with Zerin, who seemed to be weighing her words carefully.

Nyx stepped forward, taking the parchment from Lys and scanning its contents. The list contained dozens of names, including several marked with titles: nobles, merchants, and a handful of high-ranking Guild members. The date at the top confirmed the meeting was happening the next night at House Valdris.

"This could be real," Nyx murmured, her expression grim.

"It's real," Lys insisted, her voice urgent. "And if you don't stop them, they'll use this meeting to spread their influence even further. No one will be able to stop them after this."

Zerin's smirk faded, replaced by a rare seriousness. "She's not lying. At least, not about being scared. But helping us comes with a cost, kid. If the cult finds out what you've done—"

"They'll kill me," Lys interrupted, her voice trembling. "I know. But if I don't do this, more people will suffer. I can't let that happen."

Nyx studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Fine. But if this turns out to be a trap, you'll regret it."

Lys swallowed hard, her wide eyes brimming with determination. "It's not a trap. I'll help you in any way I can."

---

Nyx and Zerin returned to the safehouse with Lys in tow. Kaelron, pacing the room, stopped when they entered.

"Who's this?" he asked, his gaze narrowing as he took in the young woman.

"Someone with answers," Nyx replied, handing Kaelron the parchment. "She works for House Valdris. Says the cult is hosting a gathering tomorrow night, and she's got proof."

Kaelron scanned the parchment, his expression darkening. "These names… They're from all over the kingdom. If this is true, the Veilborn Order is even more entrenched than we thought."

Eryk leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. "So what's the plan?"

Nyx turned to Lys. "You're going to help us get inside."

Lys hesitated, then nodded. "I know the estate well enough to guide you through the servant's passages. But the guards will still be a problem."

Zerin grinned. "Guards aren't a problem—they're a warm-up."

Kaelron ignored Zerin's quip, his expression serious. "We'll scout the estate tomorrow to confirm what we can. If this gathering is as important as she says, we can't afford to miss it."

Nyx nodded. "And if we're lucky, we'll find a way to stop them before their plans go any further."

Kaelron's gaze hardened. "Then we move at dawn. This is our best chance to strike a real blow against the Veilborn Order. Let's make it count."