Tale of a Hedonistic wizard

Once Jaegar was seated, Ewen dismissed the other officers with a nod. The inspector let out a long breath as the door closed behind them, leaving Ewen and Jaegar alone in the void-like room. His professional facade cracked for a moment, revealing a glimpse of the young man Jaegar had known at the academy.

"I have to admit," Ewen said, taking the seat across from Jaegar, "when I was assigned to lead the search for you, I never expected it to end like this. You've led us on quite a chase, old friend."

Jaegar leaned back in his chair, the enchanted manacles clinking softly as he moved. "I wasn't aware I was being chased," he replied, his voice hoarse from disuse. "Perhaps you could enlighten me as to why the Ministry seems so interested in my whereabouts?"

Ewen's eyebrows rose slightly. "You really don't know?" he asked, a note of genuine surprise in his voice. "Jaegar, you've been the most wanted wizard in the Empire for the past year. The breach of the barrier between our world and the novizes – caused chaos on a scale we haven't seen in centuries. And all evidence pointed to you as the cause."

Jaegar's mind reeled. One year? The barrier between the worlds? And this talk of breaching barriers – it stirred something in his memory.

"I think," Jaegar said slowly, choosing his words with care, "that there's been a grave misunderstanding. Whatever you think I've done, Ewen, I can assure you that I don't have anything to do with whatever you say."

Ewen leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table. "Then help me understand, Jaegar. Where have you been all this time?"

Then Ewen stopped talking as there was a knock on the door. Then he got up and walked out of the room. The effect of the room faded, revealing the obsidian walls.

The obsidian walls of the interrogation room seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy, reflecting Jaegar's tumultuous thoughts as he sat alone in the oppressive darkness. The charge of "breach of barrier" echoed in his mind, a puzzle piece that refused to fit into the fragmented memories of his past.

As he delved deeper into his recollections, the circumstances of his disappearance began to resurface, shrouded in a haze of confusion and urgency.

The irony of his current situation was not lost on him. Here he sat, accused of a crime he didn't understand, when, by all rights, he should be the one demanding justice for his kidnapping. A bitter chuckle escaped his lips, echoing eerily in the void-like room. Discover exclusive tales on empire

As his mind raced through the events of that fateful night, a name suddenly blazed across his consciousness: Lorcan. He can't help but feel like this was also linked to Lorcan.

Could Lorcan be behind all of this? The breach, the accusations?

Before Jaegar could pursue this line of thought further, the door to the interrogation room swung open, flooding the space with harsh magical light. Two stern-faced officers entered, their wands at the ready.

"On your feet, Ambrose," one of them commanded. "You're being transferred."

Jaegar complied, his legs slightly unsteady after sitting for so long. As they led him out of the room and through the winding corridors of the building, he caught glimpses of frantic activity. Something had changed, though he couldn't quite put his finger on what.

They emerged into the cool night air, where a sight both familiar and extraordinary awaited them.

A magnificent carriage stood before them, its ornate design a blend of craftsmanship and magical enhancement. But what truly caught Jaegar's attention were the beasts harnessed to it – great winged creatures with sleek, feathered bodies and sharp, intelligent eyes.

Ewen stood beside the carriage, an enigmatic smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Let's go on a trip," he said, his tone casual but his eyes sharp and assessing.

As Jaegar was helped into the carriage, the enchanted manacles clinking softly with each movement, he found himself seated across from Ewen. The door closed with a soft thud, and with a lurch, the carriage took to the air, the powerful beats of the beasts' wings carrying them higher and higher into the night sky.

The ascent was smooth, belying the turbulent thoughts swirling in Jaegar's mind. As they rose above the sprawling cityscape of Sphepet Circle, the air around them began to shift. Clouds formed with unnatural speed, dark and heavy with impending rain. Within moments, fat droplets began to pelt the carriage's windows, creating a rhythmic symphony that underscored the tension within.

Ewen leaned back in his seat, seemingly at ease despite the unusual circumstances. "Quite a welcome for you, eh?" he remarked, his voice carrying a mix of amusement and something darker, more complex.

"I wouldn't have expected the Prince of the Empire to be wanted as a criminal."

Jaegar couldn't help but smile in return, a wry twist of his lips that spoke volumes about the absurdity of their situation. "Well, me neither," he replied, his voice rough from disuse. "Though you seem to enjoy it more than me."

The comment hung in the air between them, charged with unspoken questions and shared history. Ewen's eyes narrowed slightly, studying Jaegar with an intensity that was almost palpable.

"You've changed, Jaegar," Ewen said after a moment, his voice soft but clear over the patter of rain. "The man I knew at the Academy wouldn't have surrendered so easily. He would have fought, argued, and demanded explanations."

Jaegar's gaze drifted to the window, watching as streaks of rain created abstract patterns on the glass. "Perhaps that man no longer exists," he murmured. "Or perhaps he's learned that there are battles best fought with patience and understanding rather than force."

Ewen leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "And is that what this is to you? A battle?"

The question hung heavy in the air, charged with implications. Jaegar turned back to face Ewen, his eyes reflecting the flashes of lightning that now illuminated the stormy sky around them.

"That depends," Jaegar replied carefully, "on whether we're on the same side or not."

A tense silence fell between them, broken only by the rumble of thunder and the steady beat of the beast's wings. The carriage continued its journey through the tempestuous night, carrying its passengers towards an uncertain destination and an even more uncertain future.

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