In a room somewhere in the city of Highcrest, Lucien Markov sits quietly, drinking hot tea while lost in thought. His phone beeps beside him. He glances at the screen and sees an incoming conference video call for Arcanus Verdant.
He taps answer. Holographic images of the other members appear around him.
"What do you think?" Richard asks immediately, skipping greetings altogether.
"Ludwig made a very good point," Lucien replies. His eyes glint with something sharp and hungry. The thought of getting his hands on heartstones makes his pulse quicken. He wants them. He must have them.
Richard nods. "I agree."
He scoffs. "But we cannot allow Ludwig's apprentice to take all the credit."
"We do not need his apprentice," Nathaniel says, his voice tight. "We need to send someone else into the dungeon. Our own team. We cannot work with the Monforts."
