BLOOD & SIGILS

Chapter 9: A New Dawn

Morning sunlight spilled through the grand windows of Veyrin Manor, casting golden streaks across Kael's chamber. The warmth on his face stirred him awake, but his mind had been restless long before the sun had risen.

He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.

Yesterday had left him with too many thoughts. His mother's return. The old book she nearly found. His father's expectations.

And most of all—his choice.

The path of the Veyrins was clear: swordsmanship, Crimson Sigil magic, raw power. A path he had walked all his life but had never truly called his own.

But now?

There was another path.

One hidden in the pages of forgotten knowledge. One that might finally give him a strength that was his alone.

Kael exhaled slowly, pushing himself up.

He had to be careful. He couldn't let them know.

Breakfast with the Family

The dining hall of Veyrin Manor was a grand affair, as always. A long table stretched across the room, covered in fine silverware and overflowing with food.

Kael slid into his usual seat near the end, where he could avoid too much attention. It didn't work.

"Kael."

His father's deep voice made him tense before he looked up.

Duke Veyrin's piercing red eyes were already on him. "You will be training with Sir Aldric today."

Kael forced his expression to remain neutral. "Of course, Father."

Across the table, Rheon smirked. "Try not to embarrass the Veyrin name too much."

Elira shot him a look. "And try not to break another sparring partner's ribs this time, Rheon."

Rheon only grinned, taking a sip of his wine.

Their mother, Isolde, had been watching the exchange quietly. When Kael glanced at her, she only smiled faintly before returning to her tea. As if she already knew something he didn't.

Kael lowered his gaze.

He needed to be careful.

The Training Yard

The clang of steel against steel rang through the air as Kael entered the training yard. Knights sparred in formation, their movements precise and powerful. The scent of sweat and dust mixed with the crisp morning breeze.

Sir Aldric, a seasoned warrior with a scarred face and a sharp gaze, stood waiting.

"You're late," Aldric said, arms crossed.

Kael adjusted his gloves. "Apologies."

Aldric studied him for a long moment before tossing him a wooden practice sword. "Show me what you've learned."

Kael caught it effortlessly, moving into position. His opponent, a broad-shouldered knight-in-training, stepped forward.

The fight began.

Kael dodged.

Then dodged again.

The knight swung aggressively, expecting a parry, but Kael sidestepped, slipping past every strike rather than blocking head-on.

Aldric's frown deepened. "You're avoiding the fight."

Kael barely managed to twist away from another blow before stepping back, lowering his blade. "No… I'm just realizing that maybe the fight isn't where I need to be."

Aldric scowled, but Kael was already stepping away, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him.

This wasn't what he needed.

The sword wasn't his answer.

And so, while the rest of his family continued their day, Kael made a quiet decision.

A Plan in Motion

That night, Kael sat at his desk, his heartbeat steady despite the risk. The book—the forbidden book—was back in front of him.

He traced his fingers over the ancient cover.

The leather was cracked with age, the inscriptions nearly faded. But the words inside…

They were alive.

Kael slowly turned the pages, his eyes flicking over symbols and forgotten knowledge. Runes that had been abandoned by modern magic. Not because they were weak.

But because they were different.

The Veyrin way had always been about overwhelming force, instant power, the Crimson Sigil that burned like wildfire.

But what if there was a way to inscribe power permanently? To store magic, refine it, build it into something that didn't vanish in an instant?

What if his strength wasn't in blood, but in inscription?

Kael's fingers tightened around the page.

He needed time. He needed secrecy.

Tomorrow, he would start small. A test. A single rune.

And if it worked—if it truly worked—

Then Kael Veyrin's journey would begin.