Cursed Lycan's Scarred Mate
Chapter 123: Plotting the escape

Chapter 123: Plotting the escape

Soran had only one motive with Lady Morgana.

One that he’d set in motion for decades since their descent from the Old World.

Something that was already on its way to accomplishment.

Like clockwork every day, even before Lady Morgana’s injury from the unsuccessful binding ritual, Soran never failed to administer her herbal medicine and concoction.

He moved to the wooden table at the other end of her chambers, preparing the ingredients, which he ground down with a mortar and pestle.

Soran used a variety of unusual petals, powders, and a liquid to form the base of it all. When everything had been amalgamated, he retrieved a vial from his pocket containing a yellowish liquid. He added a few drops, stirred it into the bowl and set the spoon aside.

He carried the bowl over to Lady Morgana, using one hand to support her back while he brought it to her lips. She drank the concoction, her expression contorting with dislike due to its bitterness.

"I will never get used to that taste," she remarked, grimacing as she finished the last of the concoction. "The taste is no better than muddy water."

Soran chuckled, setting the bowl aside on the bedside stand.

"You know how important this remedy is for both of us," Soran reminded her, crossing his arms over his chest. "Without it, we won’t survive here in this realm."

Inhabitants and races of the Old World weren’t entirely compatible with the energy surging through the current realm. Their bodies were too accustomed to the strong and dark energy of the Old World and thus those who crossed over still possess a craving and survival need for that chaotic energy.

Lady Morgana and Soran were no exceptions.

Hence, the herbal remedy they consumed on a regular basis was designed to fill the void within them that yearned for the Old World’s dark energy.

It was used to mitigate the cravings and provide a form of pseudo energy from the Old World, which possessed similar properties but wasn’t quite the same.

"I know it’s important; you don’t need to keep reminding me," Lady Morgana almost hissed back, not pleased with Soran’s constant reminder. "I don’t need to be told how much weaker I’ve become since the Era of Chains."

Soran chuckled and held his hands up defensively.

"Then you shouldn’t complain about the taste, Lady Morgana."

However, it wasn’t a simple concoction to aid in reducing her decline.

Administering it over a period of time with a hidden ingredient allowed Soran to harness some influence over Lady Morgana’s mind.

The control was subtle and almost nonexistent. Such was its nature, otherwise Lady Morgana, as adept as she was, would detect that there was something more at hand and it affected her sound reasoning.

Soran only tugged at that thread of control only if it was absolutely necessary. Much like now, when he required her to make a decision about Rowan’s fate in his favour.

Thus far, that had been carried out smoothly.

"Say, Lady Morgana—" His next words were cut off by a loud explosion that sounded in the distance.

Immediately, Lady Morgana’s head perked up and Soran looked towards the chamber doors.

There was a commotion going on outside, stirring up every Wickan in the estate in the dead of night. Voices sounded in the hallways and Soran got up, heading towards the door without an order to seek out the source.

Just then, the doors burst open, and a young hysterical Wickan who was panting for his dear life barged in.

"Forgive the intrusion, my Lady and Master Soran!" The young Wickan spoke hurriedly, bowing.

"What is going on? What was that explosion?" Soran demanded to know, deciding to take control of the situation on Lady Morgana’s behalf.

"There’s..." The young Wickan panted again, his chest heaving. "The dungeon has been destroyed! Rowan is gone!"

********

An hour earlier

When Vivian and Ronan departed from the underground dungeons, they made straight for the infirmary where Lord Eldric and Orion were resting. It was no surprise to find the two of them still awake in deep discussion.

How convenient in their favour.

"Ah, Mrs. Wolfsbane," Orion greeted, standing up from his seat beside Lord Eldric’s bed. "I did not think I would see you soon."

Vivian and Ronan nodded a greeting to Lord Eldric and paid their respects before affording their attention to Orion again.

"I’ll be brief and direct," Vivian started, inhaling a deep breath. "We are planning to help Rowan escape and he has agreed."

Orion’s eyebrows perked up in surprise, not expecting that Vivian would have considered his words and arrived at a decision so soon.

What had changed.

"That is quite a risk, Lady Wolfsbane," Lord Eldric spoke, his expression dark and unreadable. He knew there would be consequences for their actions and the process of escape wouldn’t go as smoothly as planned. "By doing so, you are interfering with Sabre Coven’s internal affairs and shouldering the responsibility of aiding a possible criminal."

"He is no criminal," Ronan intervened, meeting Lord Eldric’s gaze directly. He didn’t bother to explain further.

"And what makes you so sure?" Lord Eldric asked. Although he already had a thorough discussion with Orion and believed the young coven master, a part of him wanted to test the shifter couple.

"My mate says he isn’t a criminal so he isn’t one, simple as that," Ronan remarked. His words held confidence and nor was he ashamed to admit such a simple reason.

Lord Eldric snorted to himself, accepting the answer.

"Very well, what plan do you have in mind, Lord Wolfsbane?" The Ashenhold Coven Leader enquired, rubbing his shoulder where it was sore.

"If we are going to do this, now would be the perfect time," Orion spoke again, moving to sit behind Lord Eldric so he could claim the task of massaging the older man’s shoulders.

Vivian and Ronan exchanged glances with each other, seeing how familiarly the two Wickan Coven Masters behaved with each other.

"Are they..." Vivian used one hand to make a cup shape and cover her mouth from the side as she whispered to Ronan.

"It would seem so," Ronan answered back softly with a smile.

"That’s sweet." Vivian chuckled.

"The question is, can we come up with a plan on the spot?" Lord Eldric inclined his head more towards his left shoulder, allowing Orion to methodically work his delicate fingers into his right shoulder to ease the tension.

"It’s quite simple," Ronan replied, wrapping his arms around Vivian from behind and plopping his chin on the top of her head. "I tear through the dungeons, perhaps causing a distraction in the guard towers with an explosion and creating an opportunity for Rowan to escape. My horse is in the stables and is quite fast, he should be able to get away."

"And have you thought about where exactly he will go?" Orion raised a brow questioningly.

"Frosthowl Frontier." Ronan declared without hesitation. "I will tell him to wait at the next town over for us. My mate and I will be leaving for my estate tomorrow. There is nothing else to be done here at Sabre Coven and if Wickans were useless at helping her, then I will find other means through shifters."

The insult certainly hit its mark for Orion and Lord Eldric, but they couldn’t refuse Ronan’s claims.

"It’s quite a risky and not-so-thorough plan," Lord Eldric commented. "But it should do. We don’t quite have the time to think of something elaborate and judging from the fact that you didn’t think of a more detailed way, Lord Wolfsbane, I believe you don’t think it’s worthwhile to delve into something more intricate."

"Indeed, I don’t." Ronan agreed, keeping Vivian tucked against him. "I am not one for half-assed plans or strategies but we’re pulling a quick one here. We don’t have time to gamble with Rowan’s life."

"Very well," both Lord Eldric and Orion conceded. "There are no objections on our part, except for the fact that a Wickan might not be so welcomed in Frosthowl Frontier as far as we are concerned."

They made a fair point.

"The lad should rather go to Starlight Grove," Orion suggested, ceasing his task for a moment. "He would be safer there and I can keep him under my wing. He doesn’t need to abandon Sabre Coven forever but in his absence the investigation can still be conducted and once his innocence is proven, I will return him to Lady Morgana."

"He should be fine under Orion’s protection." Lord Eldric vouched.