The Book Of Anonymous Chapter 25: Chapter 22: One-eyed Raven

Read chapter 25 of The Book Of Anonymous by Untethered_Seraph on NovelPedia.

Power is not an institution, and not a structure; neither is it a certain strength we are endowed with; it is the name that one attributes to a complex strategical situation in a particular society.-Michel Foucault One month ago Alistair slowly stepped down the grand staircase of the Sinclairs ’ mansion. His heavy footsteps echoed faintly against polished stone, vibrating against the quiet, almost empty mansion, moving through the estate without a word. He had waited a while and came down when his grandfather, Valerius, the duke of Ravencourt, had left a few minutes ago for an audience with the king. The halls of the estate were alive with motion, different servants carrying trays, guards shifting positions with disciplined precision, eyeing everyone in the mansion hawkishly. From the courtyard, the rhythmic clash of steel rang out, training, as always. Alistair observed it all. Everyone in his field of vision appeared the same in his field of vision. Grey. People, movement, status… all dulled into the same muted tone within his vision, well, almost all of them. His second brother’s voice drifted from outside, sharp and commanding. Lucien Sinclair. He stood confidently, giving some servants and estate officials several Instructions. His forehead was covered in a light sheen of sweat still clinging to his brow from training. He was probably heading towards the main hall to meet their father. So predictable As a natural sword genius with a shocking bloodline purity of 80%, he always tried ever so hard to prove himself and his ambitions to everyone. not that he really needed to. Even with all his talents and the almost halo-like appearance, Lucien still appeared slightly grey in his vision. He had never really understood the requirements for the lights. But he had always trusted it. Unconditionally. Alistair met his gaze briefly and offered a polite nod and promptly turned away. His brother reciprocated the nod briefly, not paying him much heed as he walked up to the door behind the main hall. As expected A servant quietly approached, head lowered, and placed a folded note into Alistair’s hand, then walked away quickly without any acknowledgement or hesitation. Doing his best to avoid being seen. He quietly slipped the note naturally into his sleeve without a change in expression, gracefully sliding across the stairwell. Further ahead, two guards stood at attention near the main hall. They both bowed slightly. One glanced at him briefly, then stepped aside. Alistair passed between them without slowing, side-stepping the door leading to the gallery as he walked into the main hall. The doors to the main hall were open, and his second brother stood by the side of the door patiently waiting for acknowledgement. While his eldest brother stood within, mid-discussion with his father, his voice was tight with restrained frustration. “The members of the House of Lords are restless; we especially have to handle Earl—” He stopped when he noticed Alistair at the edge of the room. His eldest brother, Desmond Sinclair, appeared like a tiny light beacon in his vision; he was a lot brighter than his second brother, as expected of the future duke. His father’s light paled in comparison. Dimmer. Noticeably so.. Although his father was the rightful next in line to the duke title in name. It was almost widely agreed that the duke, his grandfather, would not pass the title of duke to him. He even swore on it. His father might be a good businessman, but he was definitely not a man of politics. Even Alaric, his father, knew this, and with time, he had finally come to accept it. Acceptance, however, was not surrender. He had not relinquished control. Instead, he moved quietly, positioning his sons with careful precision, ensuring the title would remain within his bloodline. even if it did not pass through him. He had already secured his position long ago, his siblings distanced, their claims resolved. Some through advantageous marriages, others throug