Chapter 156: A letter from the Empress
As time passed, Jaegar continued his interactions with Chanel and Liam.
Chanel's interest in Jaegar appeared to deepen, and they went on several outings together.
Amidst these social engagements, Jaegar also attended his sessions with Tabitha, exploring the depths of his newfound abilities.
Days turned into weeks, and Jaegar found himself spending more time with these women while remaining vigilant about the activities of the Bureau.
True to their promise, the Bureau had managed to quell the news and concerns surrounding the Novoyants. As a result, the city gradually reverted to its typical routines and rhythms, seemingly leaving behind the recent upheaval caused by the Novoyant phenomenon.
As he stayed mostly idly, he decided to delve into the enchanting world of immemorial arts, an endeavour that had become his passion.
Angelina had taught him the language of magic, the rune language. The runic language, the ancient script that underpinned the very essence of magic, became his language of choice. With each page he devoured from the tomes she provided, Jaegar's mastery of this arcane script grew.
During his years in the domain, the intricate characters etched themselves into his memory to the point where he could discern the contents of a rune by a mere glance at its surface.
It helped him probe into the immemorial arts.
He began to experiment with meditation techniques culled from these ancient scrolls.
The purpose was clear: he aimed to forge a deep, unbreakable connection with the immemorial arts. Yet the path was complex and profound, an obscure mystery that unravelled itself only for those who were truly devoted.
As Jaegar delved deeper into these mystical arts, he discovered that the magic he had wielded thus far was merely the tip of a vast iceberg.
The immemorial arts held endless possibilities, each more tantalizing than the last.
Each day, he found himself drawn further into this captivating realm, spending countless hours in meditation, seeking to unravel the secrets hidden within.
Time flowed like a river, but his mastery over the arts did not progress in a linear fashion. Instead, his understanding deepened, reaching new levels of enlightenment with each passing day.
Jaegar was aware that this journey had no end, only endless vistas of magical discovery, waiting for the intrepid explorer to unveil their mysteries.
*
One ordinary morning, with Jaegar and Diana both present at home, the doorbell rang with an unexpected visitor.
Diana, in her usual composed manner, went to answer it.
To her surprise, a group of three men stood on her doorstep, dressed uniformly in black tunic suits adorned with a distinctive emblem.
This emblem bore the likeness of a royal lion facing forward, its majestic figure crowned with wings.
Diana recognized it instantly as the emblem of the imperial house, a symbol of significant importance.
These men were not mere couriers; some among them carried long, slender swords fastened securely at their waists, a subtle indication of their affiliation and purpose.
With an air of respect, one of them addressed Diana, "Lady Diana, we have come bearing a letter from Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress."
Diana's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the Empress. It had been a while since she last heard from her. And all of a sudden, she sent a letter. Confusion was etched on her face.
With great care, one of the men removed a letter from his inner coat pocket. He held it firmly, bearing the weight of the Empress's message, and began reading its contents aloud to Diana.
As the unfamiliar words filled the room, a curious Jaegar, who had been occupied in the kitchen, raised his voice, "Mom, who's at the door?"
Diana, still trying to make sense of the situation, replied, "Jaegar, I think you should come here."
Puzzled and intrigued, Jaegar swiftly abandoned his kitchen duties and approached the main door, where the group of men in their rather flamboyant attire awaited.
The early morning hour meant that the streets were relatively deserted, providing an almost surreal backdrop to the unexpected visitation.
Diana hesitated for a moment, gathering her thoughts, before finally conveying the revelation to her son. "Jaegar, it seems they have come for you."
The man at the forefront of the group, Bernat, introduced himself with a deep, respectful bow as he addressed Jaegar, "Your Highness, I am Bernat, and we are here to escort you to the Empire, following the orders of Her Imperial Majesty."
Bernat read the letter to Diana, adhering to the Empress's intended recipient, and then turned his attention to Jaegar, explaining his purpose.
Jaegar stood there, still caught in a state of surprise, especially at being addressed as "Your Highness." It was a title he had long forgotten, given his disconnection from his other family.
He recalled briefly meeting his grandmother, though the circumstances were fleeting and distant.
Jaegar, his curiosity piqued, asked Bernat about the reason behind this summons, but the escort had no further information to provide. His orders were simply to escort Jaegar. Alongside Bernat, there were two other men who had accompanied him.
On the side path, the carriage awaited and the men on their horses.
Diana observed the unfolding situation and offered her perspective, saying, "Sweetie, if the Empress herself is calling, you must go. It's likely something of great importance."
In the past, she had talked to her a few times regarding Jaegar through the sphere in the basement. The content of the letter had convinced her that it was safe for Jaegar and that he was needed there.
Jaegar pondered her words for a moment, contemplating the situation deeply.
He took solace in knowing that he had previously cast a protective charm on Diana, ensuring her safety. With that assurance in mind, he finally nodded and agreed to embark on this unexpected journey.
After all, when the Empress personally called, it was bound to be a matter of significance.
Jaegar's decision to go was motivated not only by the Empress's call but also by his desire to see his grandmother.
It was also approaching the time when the academy was set to begin, so the timing seemed fitting.
He bid farewell to his aunt, promising to return as soon as he could.
The men led Jaegar to the remarkable carriage that seemed to radiate its own brilliance. He couldn't help but admire the luxurious design as he climbed inside.
The men took their positions in front to guide the carriage, while Bernat mounted a rather peculiar-looking horse. It had the general shape of a horse but was massive and sturdy, with bulging muscles.
Diana watched with a mix of pride and concern as the carriage slowly vanished from view.
Meanwhile, Jaegar, comfortably seated in the luxurious carriage, continued to take in its intricate details. Through the window, he watched as they swiftly left the suburban area behind and entered the dense forest.
Jaegar sank into the cushion as he watched the forest through the little window. His thoughts ran back to the ones who sent assassins after him. This time, things won't be different, as he has decided to take things into his own hands and deal with the ones who attacked him in the past.
The carriage continued to move steadily through the woods until they reached a vast valley.
In the heart of the valley, he noticed an unusual sight. Enormous stones and tree trunks had been arranged naturally to form the shape of an arch. The arch stood tall, with wildflowers and lush greenery adorning its edges.
Positioned at either side of the arch were two figures dressed in long robes with a distinctive slit down the middle. The scene held an air of mystique.
As the carriage approached the peculiar stone arch in the valley, the two robed figures positioned themselves on either side. With synchronized precision, they placed two stones, which they took out of their robes, at the base of the arch and began chanting an ancient spell.
The air around them seemed to change, and a sudden gust of wind swept through the valley, creating an aura of anticipation.
Quickly, the two robed men dashed towards the carriage, nodding towards Bernat in acknowledgement.
They leapt onto the railing of the carriage, standing on either side.
Bernat, atop his muscular horse, led the way as they entered the newly formed blue portal. The carriage followed closely behind, disappearing into the portal's shimmering depths.
As the carriage traversed the portal, the stones that had formed the arch turned ashen and crumbled into dust. The blue portal vanished as though it had never existed, and the tranquillity of the valley returned, undisturbed.
Upon emerging from the other side of the portal, the carriage found itself in a lush meadow surrounded by vibrant greenery. Birds chirped overhead, their melodic songs filling the air with a sense of serenity. The scent of wildflowers wafted through the meadow, adding to the enchanting atmosphere.
Bernat had already arrived, waiting patiently as the carriage slowly came out of the portal.