Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 110: Red And Ebony.

Chapter 110: Red And Ebony.

Conan’s Bungalow

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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Long shadows were cast across the opulent foyer of the Knights cosy bungalow as the evening sun dipped below the horizon.

Helena stood poised at the threshold, her hand resting lightly on the ornate doorknob.

She is wearing a dark cloak and, she exuded an air of quiet sophistication and mysterious danger, her features softened by the warm glow of the flickering lamps that lined the walls.

She had heard a small meow that made her pause and at her feet was her sleek black cat.

Ebony sat watching her with its keen amber eyes, its tail twitching restlessly against the polished marble floor.

There was an unmistakable air of longing in its gaze as it regarded Helena, a silent plea to take him in the twilight hours.

Sensing the unspoken request, the lady crouched down beside the cat, her fingers reaching out to stroke its glossy fur with gentle affection.

"You want to go out too?" she asked the cat.

If she could hear animals talk, she believed the cat had agreed to her taking it out.

A soft smile graced her lips as she looked into the creature’s eyes, a silent understanding passing between them in the dimming light.

With a graceful motion, the lady scooped up the cat in her arms, cradling it close to her chest as she straightened up once more.

Ebony nestled contentedly against her, its purr a soothing melody in the quiet of the evening as she locked the doors.

Together, they crossed the threshold of the house, stepping out into the cool night air with a sense of shared camaraderie.

Helena’s laughter echoed through the darkness as she walked because the cat wiggled out of her arms and started to walk instead. The sound mingled with the soft padding of the cat’s paws against the path.

As they disappeared into the shadows, the bungalow stood silent and empty like a solitary sentinel watching over the secrets of the night.

And in that fleeting moment as Helena and her cat walked, amidst the whispered secrets of the Critc Arley, the bond between a lady and her faithful companion continued to grow.

She has two friends now she thought before shaking her head, the other is a sister she scolded herself mentally.

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Marketplace.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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In the bustling marketplace of Critic Arley, amidst the swirl of vibrant colours and the cacophony of voices haggling over wares, Helena moved cloaked in darkness.

Her figure was shrouded in a heavy cloak of deepest black that she had always used for this mission, the hood is pulled low over her features to shield her from prying eyes.

With careful, deliberate steps, she navigated the crowded thoroughfare, her movement was fluid and silent as she sought to remain unnoticed.

Beneath the folds of her cloak, nestled snugly in her arms, Ebony, its amber eyes glinting with an otherworldly intelligence she had picked him back up when they dropped out of the carriage for the marketplace, she could have him be lost.

Despite the hustle and bustle around them, Ebony remained eerily calm, its sharp claws retracted as it gazed out at the passing throng with an air of quiet curiosity.

As Helena made her way through the marketplace, her destination became ever closer, an unremarkable doorway tucked away in a shadowy alley.

And with a swift and purposeful stride, she reached her destination, slipping through the door with a fluid grace that belied her cloak’s heavy weight.

She blinked, Inside, the air was thick with the scent of aged parchment and musty books, the dim lighting casting long, twisted shadows across the room.

Without hesitation, she made her way to a desk piled high with papers and scrolls, her movements quick and efficient as she sorted through the clutter with practised ease, she had done this more than once, delivering her papers to the old lady after a few conversations.

Once her task was complete, she turned her attention to the figure seated at the desk, their eyes meeting in a silent exchange of understanding.

"Thank you," she said to the old woman.

With a flick of her wrist, Helena unleashed a subtle wave of magic, weaving a spell of forgetfulness that clouded the old woman’s mind like a thick fog.

And just like that, this encounter was erased from her memory, leaving no trace of Helena’s presence save for the papers she had delivered.

With a satisfied nod, she turned on her heel and made her way back through the maze-like corridors of the marketplace, her cloak billowing behind her.

As she disappeared into the crowd, the marketplace returned to its usual frenetic pace, Helena and her mysterious black cat were now only a fleeting memory in the marketplace’s tapestry of secrets and intrigue.

She had just delivered a new paper for tomorrow and she couldn’t wait until the city could read it.

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Night.

Alley, Arley Streets.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

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As Helena moved stealthily out of the marketplace and towards her rented carriage a meow drew her attention making her pause. It wasn’t Ebony but it sounded so close, she glanced around and just then saw the elegant, sophisticated, and magical Red stepping out of a corner into the moonlit night.

Before she could say something or wonder too much about how the cat was allowed to leave the house, Ebony hopped down, right out of her arms.

She watched the two male cats, one white and the other black, as they met in a silent dance of curiosity and camaraderie.

Their movements were graceful and fluid as if they were engaged in a delicate conversation known only to them.

Helena, the owner of the black cat watched with a smile, enchanted by the sight of the unlikely pair forging a bond amidst the swaying stalks.

At that moment, amidst the rustle of the breeze and the gentle hum of insects, it was as if time stood still, and the language of friendship spoke volumes without uttering a single word.

Ebony too just found a friend, she thought with a smile as she picked it back up to wave goodbye to Red who swished and was no longer visible.