The Sword and Heir of Shadows

Chapter 16: Secret Chamber.

Far from the royal entourage and deep within the forest, Hector and his crew rode stealthily towards the minister's mansion they planned to rob. The road map they had meticulously planned out was their guide through the dense woods.

Hector asked everyone in his whispering voice, "Keep your eyes sharp and your wits sharper, lads. We've got a job to do."

The crew nodded in agreement, their faces masked by shadows, determined to complete their mission.

As they approached the minister's wealthy mansion, Hector and his skilled band of thieves put their expertise to work. They made their way inside the mansion, using their cunning to outwit any security measures in the right place. Soon, they launched their daring work to relieve the minister of his ill-gotten treasures.

Amidst the shadows of the wealthy mansion, Hector and Jack conversed in hushed tones.

Hector's face was sullen and he looked disappointed as he asked Jack, "It seems we haven't found what we were looking for. This place is brimming with treasures, but not the one we sought."

Jack was as disappointed as Hector, he answered back, "I noticed that too, Hector. But there's still more to search for, perhaps hidden in some concealed chamber."

As they were planning on their next move, a commotion echoed from another part of the mansion. Hector and Jack turned to see two of their crew members, the lady and the mapmaker, engaged in a heated dispute over a striking antique piece.

Lady angrily beamed at the man, she was shouting her lungs out, "This belongs in a museum! We can't just steal it!", Although the Mapmaker was not in the mood to listen to her and was firm on his decision defiantly he spoke back to her, "And why not? It's worth a fortune. We each take a share, and it's a new life for all of us!"

"Jack, tell this woman, that she has no right to decide pieces", Mapmaker shouted at Jack asking for his help to ask shut the lady's mouth.

these two fighting people were none other than Isabella and Marco.

Hector and Jack exchanged knowing glances, realizing that more than riches, their crew had found a dispute of values. They were left to mediate this unexpected argument amid their heist.

In the dimly lit room, the lady and the crewman's heated argument continued, their voices sharp but not yet furious, more like teenagers in a squabble. They exchanged heated words as their crewmates watched in disbelief as it turned into a fight.

Their disagreement was conveyed more through actions and gestures than actual violence. Isabella, with her fair hands on her hips, would frequently shake her brunette head and escalate the argument with raised voices. Marco was a muscular man but he was also a charmer right now he was, equally determined, as he would make exaggerated hand movements and stood his ground with a sense of nonchalance. During their dispute, they poked each other lightly in the chest to emphasize their contrasting perspectives. In a particularly animated moment, Isabella gently shoved Marco, causing him to stumble back briefly before regaining his balance. Their actions, while spirited, retained an undertone of playfulness, reflecting their unique relationship and the crew's dynamic. Such conflicts were not uncommon among them and often concluded with laughter or bemused head-shaking. But here, it seemed different as,

Isabella exasperated, "You're being ridiculous! We can't just rob these people blind, Setaling this one might create a problem !"

Marco was still indignant, "And what's the point of this life if we can't enjoy it?"

As their dispute raged on, the lady, in a moment of frustration, accidentally knocked over a small statue. Quickly righting it, she resumed her argument, unaware of the incident.

But a peculiar sound filled the air, like a bone cracking, followed by the unmistakable scent of iron mingling with the wooden aroma of the room. Their quarrel momentarily ceased as the crewmates exchanged uneasy glances, yet they couldn't discern the source of the disturbing noise. The room felt heavy with a lurking mystery. Isabella who was busy fighting, stopped and scrunched her nose, "What's with that smell? ",

The pungent aroma of blood hung heavy in the air, sending shockwaves through the normally composed crew. Héctor and Jack, seasoned in the art of thievery and secrecy, exchanged wide-eyed glances as they realized this was no ordinary mission. With the crew falling in step behind them, they moved forward, their curiosity piqued, their senses heightened.

Their quest had taken an unexpected turn when the crew found themselves in a room that felt as though it had been unearthed. A massive antique statue, standing as a silent sentinel for years, lay in pieces on the ground. It was as if this monumental fall had unlocked the hidden chamber, revealing its long-kept secrets.

As Héctor, Jack, and their crew members spread throughout the room, an array of rare and exotic artefacts met their eyes. Gold and silver trinkets adorned shelves scrolls with indecipherable scripts were neatly stacked, and elaborate masks stared back from the walls. The wealth and history in this room were staggering, almost overwhelming, but it was not the opulence that had initially drawn Héctor and Jack.

They were here on a mission, one that led them to this hidden chamber in the first place. They knew that somewhere within these dusty, dimly lit confines was an item of unimaginable value, an item that could potentially change the course of their lives. Their mission had suddenly taken on an unforeseen twist, and now they were on the hunt for the elusive artefact.

While the crew rummaged through the room's rich treasures, Héctor and Jack focused on the task at hand. They scrutinized every corner of the secret chamber, their hands carefully reaching into the shadows, their eyes scanning for anything out of the ordinary. Their breaths held a sense of anticipation as if they were on the brink of discovering something extraordinary.

As their search progressed, they uncovered relics and curiosities that spoke of a history drowned in mystery. There were ancient scrolls filled with cryptic symbols, ornate masks hinting at long-forgotten rituals, and peculiar artefacts that seemed to have no place in the realm of the living. Each find was like a piece of a puzzle, and with every addition, their fascination and curiosity deepened.

Yet, amidst this growing collection, the object of their quest remained elusive. Héctor and Jack remained unyielding, their determination unshaken. They knew that they could not afford to be distracted by the treasures surrounding them, as their singular goal was to find the one item that had led them to this clandestine chamber in the first place.

As minutes turned into hours, the room continued to yield its secrets. Artifacts, each more intriguing than the last, fueled their desire to unlock the mystery. But Héctor and Jack were keenly aware that time was not their ally. Their eyes met, each reflecting the resolute determination that had brought them here, and they refocused their efforts on locating the object that had led them on this perilous journey. The room held its secrets close, but they were determined to uncover the truth hidden within the minister's secret chamber.