The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

"Is that Mariela?" Marak slowly shook his head, full of wonder. It seemed that the Cobalt Strike held an abundance of stunning beauty, and it wasn't that there weren't women as beautiful elsewhere, but their allure was unique, intoxicating.

Mariela paid them no heed, striding past toward the courtyard where Alavin stood, and nodded gently. "May I have a word in private?"

Alavin glanced at Mariela, then shrugged innocently as he met Celesse's gaze, signaling he was without fault.

Huh? Marak suddenly grew suspicious. Was this Alavin truly a servant? Could a mere servant attract the company of not one, but two of Cobalt Strike's enchanting maidens? His gaze toward Tyral turned icy, suspecting treachery.

The other guards also cast cold looks toward Tyral with raised eyebrows. Could a servant truly command such attention? He must have been unique in all the realms.

"I..." Tyral looked innocent. Celesse's presence was expected, but Mariela's? That made no sense.

"Please, leave us," Celesse reminded me once more.

Mariela glanced back at Marak and his men, then headed to the warehouse. "Alavin, we have important matters to discuss. Inside!"

"We'll visit another day," Marak said, not insisting further. He nodded with a smile, leading his men away from the warehouse, but as the iron door closed, he kicked Tyral in the side. Tyral cried out, tumbling down the mountain path.

"Dare you mock Lord Marak? Are you tired of living?" The guards scolded, suspecting Alavin was not truly a servant but had some feud with the young man, who used them to punish Alavin.

"Lord Marak, I swear I'm not deceiving you. Alavin is indeed a servant, and I do not know why Mariela is here," Tyral groaned, clutching his side and rising, covered in dust.

"Why did you approach me?" Marak walked past him, eyes cold.

"I..." Tyral's gaze darted away.

Marak pushed Tyral's face aside. "Get out of my sight."

"Were we not in Cobalt Strike, you'd be dead." The guards realized this lad was using them.

Within the warehouse, Mariela regarded Alavin's bare torso with an indifferent gaze, her back to him, "Dress yourself first!"

Alavin, dressed in clean clothes, was puzzled. "What matter warrants a visit from you, Mariela?"

"Why go to Botanic Haven?"

"Curiosity. Just wandering there shouldn't break any clan rules."

"If it were about assigning blame, someone else would be here. Tell me, why Botanic Haven?"

"It disturbs my sleep."

"Who?"

"You might ask your mentor why Botanic Haven, a place of mystical spirits, has become a prison, and what sort of creature it holds captive."

"You've been to Botanic Haven at least six times, and on each visit, the disturbances there worsen, ceasing only when you leave," Mariela said. Her aura was reserve, perhaps from her practice of Combat Magic. A frost always lingered about her. She stared into Alavin's eyes as if to peer into his soul.

Alavin chuckled lightly. "Seems it knows when it's been naughty; a stern look is all it takes to behave."

"Come with me to Botanic Haven."

"Why?"

"You know why."

"You've got the wrong person. I'm just a delivery servant, without the power to affect the secrets of Botanic Haven. I want no part in its affairs."

"Come with me, and regardless of the outcome, I'll give you two Advanced Elixir Herbs."

"Outcome? What outcome?"

"It wouldn't awaken without reason; this all relates to you." Mariela hadn't thought Alavin was connected to the matter and was only curious because of Celesse's inexplicable concern for him. But his repeated visits to Botanic Haven, and the resulting chaos, raised her suspicions.

"You've truly got the wrong person. Why would Botanic Haven's affairs involve me?" Alavin shook his head, uncertainty clouding his mind. He had no idea what awaited him there; danger or sanctuary. He was hesitant to step into the unknown blindly. Moreover, should any mishap reveal the secret of the Shadowbringer to the Elder, the loss would be irreplaceable.

"I offer three assurances. I'll tell no one, I won't harm you, and no third party will witness you."

"Just because I wandered into Botanic Haven, you think I'm involved with its beast? If that were true, it would've been evident eight years ago. Why would I still be in Cobalt Strike, struggling all this time? I've got matters to attend to and won't see you out." Alavin gestured politely, a smile on his face as he bid her farewell. "Pleasure meeting with you, now please leave!"