Elarion does not feel peaceful anymore.
It is beautiful yes yet the peace is gone longer than they ever know.
The arrival of Valtheris changed everything in the silver capital.
The elven guards are now walking around the bridges more often.
People are whispering to each other it is like smoke spreading through the city.
There is a war coming.
Nobody is saying it loud.
Everyone can feel it.
Vaelor is standing on a balcony in the royal guest quarters.
He is looking at the city it is glowing "it is too quiet" Vaelor said.
Cael is sitting behind him he is looking at some papers.
"They are hiding something." Vaelor said.
Cael does not say anything away.
His magic is moving around him it looks like ink in the candlelight.
This magic has been acting strange since they got to Elarion.
It is not telling them where things are.
It keeps saying one thing: Ronan is here.
Cael tells Vaelor to keep watching the palace.
Vaelor is not sure if the Hero is really inside the capital.
Cael says "I know him and if you are right about him entering Sylvaris' borders he must be here at Elarion right now." he said.
That makes Vaelor more unsure.
Meanwhile Ronan is sitting alone in a room deep beneath the palace.
The room is dark except for some lights on the walls.
It is quiet too quiet.
He is looking at the Holy Crest on his hand.
Since he heard Cael's voice his memories have been getting worse.
They are coming back but they are not stable.
He sees flashes of things: a battlefield Cael laughing, his friends arguing.
Then he sees blood, pain, a blade.
Ronan closes his eyes tightly. "Damn it!" he said.
The memories go away before he can see the truth.
The curse is taking over quickly.
Someone is coming Ronan hears footsteps.
It is Elira she has a tray of food "You have not eaten" she said.
"I am not hungry" Ronan said.
Elira leaves the food anyway she sits down.
They do not talk for a while.
"You know the guy that negotiates with the Queen?" Elira asked.
"I used to" Ronan said.
"Do you hate him?" Elira asked.
Ronan does not say anything for a time.
"I do not know" Ronan said.
He sounds tired, not angry.
"I think we fought together for years, I thought he was my friend." Ronan said.
That hurts more than hate.
Elira is listening she understands now.
The betrayal is personal it hurts.
Later Elder Sylvain comes to the room.
He looks at Ronan then he talks.
"Cael never celebrated your death just to let you know." Elder Sylvain said.
Ronan looks up he is interested.
"Cael disappeared for two years after the Demon Lord fell." Elder Sylvain said.
"You know why?" Elira asked.
Sylvain does not know.
Ronan thinks he understands.
Cael feels guilty he is carrying it around.
That night the city is sleeping uneasily.
Cael is moving around in the shadows he is searching.
His magic is spreading through the corridors.
Then he stops he hears something.
It is a pulse of energy it is coming from, beneath the palace.
Cael recognizes "Ronan" he said.
The city above does not know anything.
Beneath its roots the past is moving again.