Justice is a double-edged blade, and tonight, it cuts deep. 🗡️🔥
📺 Watch All Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU-N-6CWZ7E6JeraBG7QNreWWUc_Xv5fD
❤️ Episode 447
🎥 Episodes Included: 1009-1011
In Episode 447, the reckoning for Dr. Garrison arrives. Edgar delivers a final, brutal message to the man who betrayed his family, officially ending the "long game" and beginning a total war against the Keeper. But as wanted posters of the Keeper flood the streets of Lockmere, the Red Light District is suddenly set ablaze. 🏰💨
The culprit? Prince Alistair of Eldenfield. In a misguided attempt to "smoke out" the rot, he inadvertently gives the Keeper the cover she needs to vanish into the night. Now, Edgar and Tobias must decide if they can still trust their "ally" or if he’s become a liability they can no longer afford. 🐍🔥
Meanwhile, in Greyhold, a tiny etched spider on the Obsidian Coin leads Kate to a shocking realization: Levina, the barkeep of the Widow’s Fang, has been hiding the Emperor’s Compass all along. 🧭🎰 Damien bets everything on a single game of cards against the "Queen of Greyhold." The prize is the second relic of the Black Pearl treasure—but as Levina warns Kate, this compass points to a power that always comes with a price. 🍷👁️
✨ Story Highlights
🗡️ The Execution: Edgar delivers justice to the traitorous Dr. Garrison.
📜 The Wanted Man: The King puts a bounty on the Keeper’s head.
🔥 The Inferno: Prince Alistair burns down the Red Light District.
🏰 The Parlor: Edgar discovers the Keeper’s secret seat of power.
🎰 The High Stakes: Damien plays Levina for the Emperor’s Compass.
🧭 The Second Relic: The crew finally secures the guide to the treasure.
🐍 Levina’s Warning: "It points to power... but power has a price."
❓ Viewer Question
Was Prince Alistair right to burn the district to the ground, or did he just save the Keeper from being caught? And do you think Kate will listen to Levina’s warning about the compass? 💬🤔
🎬 Production Credits
Story & Characters: A fictional drama for The Duke's Masked Bride.
Visuals: AI-generated for creative storytelling.
Editing: Crafted with Clipchamp.
#TheDukesMaskedBride #Episode447 #EdgarsRevenge #TheEmperorsCompass #HistoricalDrama #TheKeepersEscape #PrinceAlistair
📺 Watch All Episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU-N-6CWZ7E6JeraBG7QNreWWUc_Xv5fD
❤️ Episode 447
🎥 Episodes Included: 1009-1011
In Episode 447, the reckoning for Dr. Garrison arrives. Edgar delivers a final, brutal message to the man who betrayed his family, officially ending the "long game" and beginning a total war against the Keeper. But as wanted posters of the Keeper flood the streets of Lockmere, the Red Light District is suddenly set ablaze. 🏰💨
The culprit? Prince Alistair of Eldenfield. In a misguided attempt to "smoke out" the rot, he inadvertently gives the Keeper the cover she needs to vanish into the night. Now, Edgar and Tobias must decide if they can still trust their "ally" or if he’s become a liability they can no longer afford. 🐍🔥
Meanwhile, in Greyhold, a tiny etched spider on the Obsidian Coin leads Kate to a shocking realization: Levina, the barkeep of the Widow’s Fang, has been hiding the Emperor’s Compass all along. 🧭🎰 Damien bets everything on a single game of cards against the "Queen of Greyhold." The prize is the second relic of the Black Pearl treasure—but as Levina warns Kate, this compass points to a power that always comes with a price. 🍷👁️
✨ Story Highlights
🗡️ The Execution: Edgar delivers justice to the traitorous Dr. Garrison.
📜 The Wanted Man: The King puts a bounty on the Keeper’s head.
🔥 The Inferno: Prince Alistair burns down the Red Light District.
🏰 The Parlor: Edgar discovers the Keeper’s secret seat of power.
🎰 The High Stakes: Damien plays Levina for the Emperor’s Compass.
🧭 The Second Relic: The crew finally secures the guide to the treasure.
🐍 Levina’s Warning: "It points to power... but power has a price."
❓ Viewer Question
Was Prince Alistair right to burn the district to the ground, or did he just save the Keeper from being caught? And do you think Kate will listen to Levina’s warning about the compass? 💬🤔
🎬 Production Credits
Story & Characters: A fictional drama for The Duke's Masked Bride.
Visuals: AI-generated for creative storytelling.
Editing: Crafted with Clipchamp.
#TheDukesMaskedBride #Episode447 #EdgarsRevenge #TheEmperorsCompass #HistoricalDrama #TheKeepersEscape #PrinceAlistair
Category
🎈
FunTranscript
00:00The time for playing the long game is over.
00:02While Edgar delivers a bloody message to a traitor, a new fire consumes the red light
00:07district.
00:08But the greatest treasure, and the darkest power, is just one card game away.
00:14Justice has arrived for Dr. Garrison, but the war is far from over.
00:19As the Keeper's empire burns, Kate and Damien face a legendary barkeep in a game where losing
00:24means everything.
00:26Welcome back to The Duke's Masked Bride.
00:31Dr. Garrison stammered, sweat beating on his brow.
00:36Duke Collins, I am your family doctor.
00:40You have to believe me.
00:42I was coerced, threatened.
00:44I never meant for harm to come to her.
00:47You told her that the only person in her God-given family who loves her was dying.
00:53Edgar spat.
00:54You led her away from our home.
00:57You pulled a knife on her to kill her.
01:01She is hysterical, Edgar.
01:03Only-
01:04You only what?
01:06Edgar stepped forward, eyes blazing with fury.
01:09You only betrayed the family who trusted you.
01:15Dr. Garrison backed up against the wall of the corridor, trembling.
01:20I-I didn't have a choice.
01:23There is always a choice.
01:26Edgar roared.
01:28In a flash, Edgar drew his knife, the steel catching the glint of the oil lamp.
01:34Garrison's eyes widened.
01:36Wait, please.
01:37But it was too late.
01:39With one swift, brutal motion, Edgar drove the blade forward.
01:50Dr. Garrison gasped, the air leaving his lungs in a pitiful wheeze as he collapsed to his knees, clutching at
01:57his gut where blood now soaked his vest.
02:00He looked up at Edgar with wide, desperate eyes.
02:05Edgar leaned in, his jaw clenched.
02:08Go straight to hell, Garrison, and tell the devil I'll be sending the keeper next.
02:16Then, without a backward glance, Edgar disappeared into the mist, leaving behind only the silence of justice and the stench
02:25of cowardice undone.
02:29The rain had stopped by the time Edgar arrived at the palace, but the clouds still hung low, casting a
02:36gray hue over the stone halls.
02:39Tobias stood by the hearth, flames flickering across his solemn face.
02:45When he turned, he immediately caught the fire in Edgar's eyes.
02:49The keeper sent Dr. Garrison after Alessandra.
02:53Edgar said without ceremony,
02:55She nearly died.
02:57My son could have been left without a mother.
03:02Tobias's eyes widened, but Edgar did not give him enough time to respond before he reached into his pocket.
03:08This needs to end, here and now.
03:14He retrieved Stephen LeBow's sketchbook from his pocket, flipping through it until he found exactly what he was looking for.
03:21This is the only image I found of the woman.
03:25It's from that dreaded artist.
03:29Tobias stared at the page, revealing the sharply drawn portrait of the keeper.
03:33Although her face was obscured, there was still a chance people would recognize her.
03:39We'll put a warrant out for her arrest, with a reward.
03:44We'll plaster this image around the kingdom with her name on it.
03:48We'll label her exactly what she is, a traitor to the crown.
03:55He turned to one of the guards stationed at the door.
03:58Have this copied and distributed.
04:01I want every wall, every alley, every pub in Loch Nier to carry her likeness.
04:08By the order of the king, she is to be arrested on sight.
04:13The guard saluted and vanished down the corridor.
04:18Edgar watched the fire crackle in the hearth.
04:21They've gone too far.
04:24Tobias nodded.
04:26It's time we stopped playing the long game.
04:29They're like cockroaches.
04:31They're not easy to kill.
04:33We've starved them, surrounded them, and now...
04:37Edgar clenched his jaw.
04:39We have to gut them.
04:43By morning, Loch Nier had changed.
04:46The Kingsguard moved swiftly through the cobbled streets,
04:49nailing fresh proclamations to wooden posts and stone walls.
04:54One after another, the same sharp eyes and painted lips stared back from parchment.
05:00The face of the keeper.
05:03Her portrait, sketched in charcoal and ink,
05:06looked down from every corner of the city.
05:10At the market square, townsfolk gathered in murmurs,
05:13pointing to the image as soldiers barked orders
05:16and pressed more notices into shop windows.
05:20By decree of his majesty,
05:22one guard announced,
05:24hammering a sheet into the tavern door.
05:26This woman is to be captured and brought to justice.
05:30Anyone with information is to report it at once.
05:34Next, the Kingsguard,
05:36with parchment rolls clutched beneath their arms,
05:40hammers and nails ready at their belts,
05:42was headed straight into the red-light district itself.
05:46But the moment they turned the final corner,
05:49a wall of heat stopped them in their tracks.
05:53The air was thick with the stench of burning wood,
05:57alcohol, and something far darker.
06:00Desperation.
06:01Smoke billowed into the dawn sky.
06:05Flames lit at the crooked rooftops.
06:07The red-light district had been set ablaze.
06:12Shouts rang out as fire leapt
06:14from one ramshackle building to the next.
06:17Lantern glass exploded in bursts of light.
06:21Prostitutes and barkeeps stumbled out of brothels,
06:24coughing and shielding their faces,
06:26dragging trunks and bundles behind them.
06:29A sergeant stepped forward.
06:32By the crowd.
06:33Who ordered this?
06:35No one answered.
06:37In the distance,
06:39screams echoed through the smoke-choked air,
06:42and the crackling of fire
06:44drowned out the sounds of soldiers shouting for order.
06:48With all of the chaos,
06:50no one noticed the narrow cellar door
06:53creak open behind one of the brothels.
06:56It had once belonged to a tavern,
06:58but that tavern was now little more than
07:01smoldering timber and collapsing rafters.
07:05From the dark below,
07:06a figure emerged,
07:08cloaked and hooded.
07:09Her face,
07:11painted with powder and rouge like a mask,
07:14was smudged by soot.
07:16The firelight caught the sharp glint of her eyes.
07:19It was the keeper.
07:22She moved like a wraith,
07:24weaving through the maze of smoke and flame.
07:27Around her,
07:29frightened residents fled with children and bundles,
07:32too panicked to notice her slipping by.
07:35She paused only once,
07:38just long enough to look back at the inferno
07:41that was consuming part of her empire.
07:44A cruel smile curled on her lips.
07:48A whistle rang out,
07:49one of her men waiting at the far end of the alley
07:52with a horse already saddled.
07:55She swept into the saddle with practiced ease,
07:58disappearing into the darkened streets beyond the flames.
08:02By the time the Kingsguard breached the last burning alley,
08:06she was gone.
08:09Smoke hung heavy in the air,
08:11clinging to rubble like a shroud.
08:14Ash floated down and settled on the scorched remains
08:17of the eastern corner of the Red Lake District.
08:21Civilians huddled beneath makeshift tents.
08:24Some coughed from smoke inhalation,
08:27while others were wrapped in blankets.
08:30The Kingsguard moved between them,
08:33offering aid where they could
08:35as they searched for what,
08:36or who,
08:38was the source of the fire.
08:40A night led Tobias and Edgar through the smoke
08:43so that they, too, could assess the damage.
08:47Tobias stepped over a half-collapsed beam,
08:50his expression grim.
08:52He pulled a handkerchief to his mouth
08:54as he and Edgar stepped through the remains
08:56of what had once been the largest building in the district.
09:00The facade was nearly gone,
09:03but the skeleton still loomed.
09:05Edgar's jaw clenched
09:07as his boots crunched over the blackened ground.
09:10His eyes scanned over burnt wooden pillars,
09:13walls lined with ash-covered mirrors,
09:16and the warped remains of a crystal chandelier.
09:19What is this place?
09:22Apparently, this isn't just any building,
09:26the knight explained.
09:27Locals say it never had a name.
09:30No one knew who owned it,
09:32but the people came and went at all hours,
09:35never the same face twice.
09:38Edgar crouched,
09:39brushing away a layer of soot from the ground,
09:42and paused.
09:44Etched faintly into the tile beneath the ash
09:47was a golden inlay.
09:49It wasn't clear at first,
09:51but the more he brushed,
09:53the more the shape took form.
09:55A lion's head with a crown
09:57and a dagger beneath it.
10:00Edgar stiffened.
10:03Tobias.
10:04Tobias stepped over the threshold,
10:07browning.
10:08What is it?
10:09Edgar drew in a deep breath.
10:12The day Reed and I interviewed Joseph Brighton,
10:16the keeper left behind bloodied coins to scare us,
10:20each engraved with this symbol.
10:22Then,
10:24Labau's sketchbook had a drawing of a place called the parlor,
10:28with the same symbol.
10:31He rose slowly,
10:32his heart starting to pound.
10:35This was more than just a brothel or hideaway.
10:38It was hers.
10:41Tobias' eyes widened.
10:43The keepers?
10:45They looked around again,
10:47this time seeing everything with new clarity.
10:50The hidden compartments in the walls,
10:53now exposed and empty.
10:55The burned ledgers.
10:57The placement of mirrors
10:58that allowed anyone inside
11:00to see all entrances and exits.
11:03It had all been calculated,
11:06designed to operate in plain sight
11:09without ever being noticed.
11:11This was her parlor,
11:13Edgar whispered.
11:15This is where she ruled from.
11:18And she burned it to the ground
11:20before we could reach it,
11:22Tobias added bitterly.
11:25She knew we were coming.
11:27Edgar clenched his fists.
11:30She bested us again.
11:32But at least now we know,
11:34Tobias said,
11:36rubbing his jaw with his hand.
11:38This was her seat of power,
11:40and she destroyed it to disappear.
11:44Edgar and Tobias stepped out
11:46of the smoldering remains
11:47of the parlor.
11:49The sky above Lockwood
11:51was still gray with haze,
11:53casting a sickly light
11:55over the scorched streets
11:56of the red-light district.
11:59Edgar rubbed the soot
12:01from his hands.
12:02We were so close.
12:05Tobias gave a grim nod,
12:07his eyes still sweeping the ruins,
12:10as if the Keeper might emerge
12:11from the smoke at any moment.
12:14Suddenly,
12:15the pounding of boots
12:16echoed down the lane.
12:18Your Grace,
12:20your Majesty,
12:21a voice called urgently.
12:23They turned
12:24as a member of the Kingsguard
12:26sprinted toward them,
12:27flanked by two others.
12:30The young guard looked winded,
12:32his uniform scorched at the sleeves,
12:34a leather-bound folder
12:36clutched to his chest.
12:37We discovered the source
12:39of the flames
12:40that ravaged this land.
12:42Edgar raised a hand.
12:45We already know.
12:46It was the Keeper.
12:48She burned it all to the ground
12:50to cover her tracks
12:52and get away.
12:54But the guard shook his head.
12:56No, sir.
12:58That's just it.
12:59It wasn't her.
13:01Edgar and Tobias
13:02exchanged a sharp look.
13:05The guard opened the folder,
13:07pulling out a singed
13:09but intact piece of parchment.
13:11We found this
13:12near the eastern alley
13:13before the fire reached it.
13:15It was tucked
13:16in the alcove of a doorway.
13:18A witness left it behind
13:20after escaping.
13:21They said
13:22they saw a man
13:24with dark hair
13:25and a royal crest,
13:27Eldenfield's crest,
13:28carrying torches
13:30through the back entrance
13:31before the blaze began.
13:33Tobias stepped forward.
13:36That could have been
13:37any rogue
13:37using a stolen sigil.
13:40There's more.
13:41The guard said.
13:43A survivor recognized him.
13:46He gave a name.
13:47Prince Alistair
13:48of Eldenfield.
13:51Edgar's expression darkened.
13:54That's impossible.
13:56Alistair is supposed
13:57to be helping us.
13:59The guard held
14:00the parchment out
14:01toward Edgar.
14:03It's all in the report.
14:05We're not certain
14:06why he did it,
14:07but the timing,
14:08the secrecy,
14:10it all points to him.
14:13Edgar took the parchment
14:14but didn't look at it.
14:16Instead,
14:17he stared out past
14:18the buildings
14:19into the smoke
14:20still rising
14:20in the distance.
14:24Near a checkpoint
14:25lined with scorched
14:27barricades
14:27and weary guards,
14:29Edgar and Tobias
14:30spotted a familiar figure
14:32standing at the edge
14:33of the destruction.
14:34Prince Alistair,
14:36cloak fluttering
14:37in the ash-laden wind.
14:40Alistair!
14:41Tobias barked.
14:43The prince turned,
14:45and the moment
14:46he saw their faces,
14:47his shoulders stiffened.
14:50Edgar strode up first,
14:52eyes sharp.
14:53We know this was you.
14:56Alistair didn't deny it.
14:58I did what needed
15:00to be done.
15:01That place was a rot
15:02in this kingdom.
15:04I burned it down
15:05to send a message,
15:06to drive them out,
15:08to end the Keeper's control.
15:11Tobias stepped forward,
15:12anger simmering
15:14beneath his words.
15:15The only message
15:17you sent
15:17was to run her
15:19into hiding.
15:20She was here,
15:21Alistair.
15:22We had her
15:23within reach,
15:24and this little stunt
15:26allowed her
15:26to get away.
15:28Alistair's expression
15:30faltered.
15:32What?
15:33We found
15:35her secret lair,
15:36completely destroyed
15:38thanks to you,
15:40Tobias said,
15:41enraged.
15:43Alistair's eyes
15:44widened.
15:45Is this true?
15:48Edgar's silence
15:49was confirmation
15:50enough.
15:52I didn't know,
15:55Alistair muttered,
15:56breath hitching.
15:57I thought
15:58I was helping.
16:01I thought it would
16:02smoke her out,
16:03not give her
16:04cover to escape.
16:06Damn it!
16:07He ran a hand
16:09through his hair,
16:10reeling.
16:11I've ruined
16:12everything.
16:13Again.
16:15You didn't just
16:17make a mistake,
16:18Tobias spat.
16:20You made it
16:21worse.
16:22She's gone
16:23now.
16:25Alistair looked
16:26like a man
16:26struck.
16:28Mark my words.
16:29I'll fix it.
16:31I swear.
16:32Just tell me
16:33what you need,
16:34and I'll make it
16:35right.
16:35You've done
16:36enough.
16:37Tobias snapped,
16:39but Edgar
16:40raised a hand
16:41between them.
16:42That's enough
16:43from both
16:44of you.
16:46They both
16:47fell silent.
16:49Edgar looked
16:49between them.
16:51We don't
16:52have time
16:52for blame.
16:53The Keeper's
16:55still out there,
16:56and she won't
16:57stay hidden
16:57forever.
16:59If we start
17:00turning on each
17:00other now,
17:01she's already
17:02won.
17:04Tobias didn't
17:05look convinced,
17:06but he said
17:07nothing more.
17:09Alistair gave
17:09a short nod.
17:11Edgar narrowed
17:12his eyes at the
17:13blackened skyline.
17:15The only way
17:16we'll find her
17:17is if we work
17:17together.
17:20Melanie was
17:21surrounded by
17:22the bustle
17:22of the
17:22Lockwood Market.
17:24She clutched
17:25her basket
17:25tighter,
17:26weaving her
17:27way past
17:28the crowd
17:28when something
17:29caught her eye.
17:31A parchment,
17:32freshly posted
17:33to the side
17:34of a supply
17:35cart,
17:35fluttered
17:36in the wind.
17:37As she got
17:37closer,
17:38the words
17:39inscribed on
17:40it came
17:40into view.
17:42Wanted.
17:43The Keeper.
17:44Dead or
17:45Alive.
17:47Melanie
17:47slowed.
17:49Her gaze
17:49locked on
17:50the sketch.
17:51The woman,
17:52whose face
17:53was hidden
17:54in shadow,
17:55looked familiar.
17:56But then
17:58her heart
17:59stopped.
18:00She knew
18:01that hat.
18:02That black
18:04feathered hat.
18:05She had seen
18:06it just days
18:07ago.
18:09A wave
18:10of nausea
18:10rolled through
18:11her as the
18:12realization
18:12settled in.
18:14Her knees
18:15nearly gave out
18:16beneath her.
18:18Oh my god.
18:21The sounds
18:22of the market
18:23faded to a
18:23dull hum.
18:25She backed
18:26away from
18:26the poster,
18:27her basket
18:28forgotten at
18:28her side.
18:30She had to
18:31go.
18:32She had to
18:33tell Alessandra
18:34and Edgar.
18:35Now.
18:41candlelit belly
18:42of Gideon's
18:43ship,
18:43the table
18:44was strewn
18:45with parchment
18:45maps,
18:46scribbled notes,
18:47and half-drunk
18:48glasses of rum.
18:50Kate sat
18:51hunched over
18:51the captain's
18:52log,
18:53eyes scanning
18:54line after line
18:55of barely
18:56legible text.
18:57Damien paced
18:58behind her,
18:59occasionally
19:00muttering to
19:00himself,
19:01while Gideon
19:02leaned against
19:02a post,
19:03chewing a
19:04toothpick and
19:04looking thoroughly
19:05uninterested.
19:07Are you any
19:08closer to
19:09finding where
19:09the compass is?
19:11Damien grumbled,
19:12running a hand
19:13through his hair.
19:14Kate didn't
19:15respond.
19:16Her fingers
19:17were absentmindedly
19:18rolling the obsidian
19:19coin between her
19:20thumb and
19:21forefinger.
19:21The smooth
19:23surface caught
19:24a sliver of
19:24candlelight,
19:25just enough
19:26for something
19:27to glint
19:27on the edge.
19:29She stilled.
19:30Her brow furrowed
19:32as she angled
19:32the coin,
19:33and there,
19:35just barely
19:36etched into
19:36the rim,
19:37was a tiny
19:38symbol,
19:39a spider.
19:41She stared
19:42at it,
19:43the realization
19:44washing over
19:44her.
19:46Lavina,
19:47the widow's
19:48fang.
19:49Kate remembered
19:50the secret room
19:51Lavina had
19:51brought her
19:52into,
19:52the one with
19:53the nobleman's
19:54portraits hanging
19:55on the walls.
19:56Then,
19:57it hit her.
19:58In the corner
19:59of that room,
20:00on top of a stack
20:02of objects and
20:03books,
20:04Lavina had
20:04a golden
20:05compass.
20:07Kate?
20:08Damien asked,
20:10stepping toward her.
20:11You all right?
20:13Kate stood
20:14slowly,
20:15still staring
20:16at the coin.
20:18Lavina has it.
20:21Gideon lifted
20:22an eyebrow.
20:23The barkeep?
20:25Yes,
20:26she breathed.
20:27The compass
20:28is at the
20:29widow's fang.
20:31Lavina has it.
20:33Gideon pushed
20:34off the post,
20:35suddenly alert.
20:37Damien stepped
20:38beside Kate,
20:39eyes narrowing.
20:40You're sure?
20:41he asked.
20:43Kate nodded.
20:44I saw it
20:45with my own
20:46two eyes.
20:48Gideon grabbed
20:49his coat,
20:50already moving
20:50toward the door.
20:52Then,
20:52what are we
20:53waiting for?
20:56The widow's
20:57fang was loud
20:58and brimming
20:59with the usual
21:00stench of
21:00ale,
21:01sweat,
21:02and secrets.
21:03However,
21:04the place
21:05seemed to quiet
21:05down when Kate
21:06stormed through
21:07the doors.
21:08Gideon and
21:09Damien followed
21:10close behind.
21:11Kate's eyes
21:12locked on the
21:13woman at the bar.
21:14Lavina!
21:16The tavern
21:18stilled for a
21:18moment,
21:19some heads
21:19turning.
21:21Lavina,
21:22perched like a
21:22queen on her
21:23barstool throne,
21:25didn't so much
21:26as flinch.
21:27Her painted lips
21:28curled into the
21:29hint of a smile
21:30as she slowly
21:31turned her head.
21:33Well,
21:34well,
21:35she said,
21:36swirling her
21:36glass.
21:37The lost
21:38little dove
21:39returns.
21:41Kate crossed
21:42the bar.
21:43We need
21:44something.
21:46She lowered
21:46her voice.
21:48And we
21:48know
21:49you have
21:50it.
21:51Lavina's
21:52eyes glinted
21:53with amusement.
21:55To tell.
21:57Kate leaned
21:59in slightly,
22:00just enough
22:00for Lavina
22:01to hear her
22:01whisper,
22:03The
22:03Emperor's
22:04Compass.
22:06For the
22:06briefest
22:07second,
22:07Lavina's
22:08face twitched.
22:09Just a
22:10flicker.
22:11Just enough.
22:12Damien
22:13stepped
22:13forward.
22:15We want
22:15to make
22:16a deal.
22:18Lavina
22:18turned her
22:19gaze to
22:19him,
22:20head tilted
22:21like a
22:21cat sizing
22:22up a
22:22bird.
22:23What kind
22:24of deal
22:25can you
22:26offer me,
22:27city boy?
22:29Damien
22:30pulled the
22:30obsidian
22:31coin from
22:31his pocket
22:32and placed
22:33it on
22:33the bar.
22:34Then,
22:35from inside
22:36his coat,
22:36he slid
22:37out the
22:37worn,
22:38waterlogged
22:39captain's
22:39log.
22:40We
22:41play,
22:42he said.
22:43One
22:44game of
22:45cards.
22:46If I
22:47win,
22:47you hand
22:48over the
22:49compass.
22:50And if
22:51you lose?
22:53Lavina
22:54asked,
22:54her smile
22:55widening.
22:56Then,
22:57the coin
22:58and the
22:59log are
22:59yours.
23:00You'll
23:01have vital
23:01keys to
23:02the black
23:02pearl
23:03treasure in
23:03your
23:03possession.
23:04No
23:05questions,
23:06no
23:06complaints.
23:08Lavina
23:08scoffed.
23:10The black
23:10pearl
23:11treasure is
23:12just a
23:12legend.
23:14Damien
23:15opened his
23:15mouth to
23:16speak,
23:16but then
23:17Kate cut
23:17him off.
23:18If that's
23:19so,
23:20then you
23:20would just
23:20give us
23:21the compass.
23:23Lavina
23:23smirked.
23:25You
23:25know,
23:26I do
23:27love a
23:28good game
23:28of cards.
23:30She
23:31stood,
23:32signaling to
23:32her barmaid
23:33to clear a
23:34table near
23:34the fire.
23:36Very
23:36well,
23:37pirate,
23:37she said,
23:39locking eyes
23:40with Damien.
23:41Let's
23:42see if
23:42your luck
23:43holds,
23:43or if
23:44your greed
23:45writes
23:46your ruin.
23:48The
23:48tavern
23:49gathered
23:49close
23:49around
23:50the
23:50table.
23:51A deck
23:52of weathered
23:52cards lay
23:53between
23:53Lavina and
23:54Damien,
23:55its edges
23:56curled like
23:57the grin
23:57on Lavina's
23:58painted lips.
24:00Lavina
24:01shuffled
24:01with the
24:02grace of
24:02someone who'd
24:03once dealt
24:03in fortunes
24:04and fates.
24:05House
24:06rules,
24:07she said,
24:08sliding the deck
24:09toward Damien.
24:10No bluffing,
24:12unless you're
24:12bold enough
24:13to die for
24:13it.
24:15Damien
24:15chuckled,
24:16cracking his
24:17knuckles
24:17before dealing.
24:19I'm not
24:19from these
24:20parts,
24:21but even
24:21I can
24:21tell.
24:22You
24:23don't
24:23get
24:23far in
24:24Greyhold
24:25without a
24:25little
24:25boldness.
24:27The
24:28first few
24:28rounds
24:28passed
24:29with quiet
24:29intensity.
24:31Cards
24:31slapped,
24:32chips
24:33tossed,
24:33the occasional
24:34groan from
24:35onlookers
24:36as each
24:36player took
24:37turns pressing
24:38the advantage.
24:40Kate and
24:41Gideon stood
24:41nearby,
24:42watching every
24:43flick of
24:44Lavina's
24:44wrist and
24:45every twitch
24:46in Damien's
24:47jaw.
24:48Lavina
24:49won a round,
24:50then another,
24:51her smirk
24:52growing with
24:52each triumph.
24:54You're not
24:55bad,
24:56she purred,
24:57fanning herself
24:58lazily with
24:59her cards.
25:00But you
25:01play like a
25:01man with
25:02something to
25:03prove.
25:04Damien leaned
25:05forward,
25:06calm and
25:07steady.
25:09I play
25:09like a
25:10man who
25:11doesn't
25:11lose.
25:13With the
25:14final hand
25:15dealt,
25:16Lavina raised
25:16an eyebrow.
25:18Careful.
25:19Last time
25:20someone said
25:21that to me,
25:21I ended up
25:22with his
25:22ship.
25:24Damien smiled
25:25back,
25:26slow and
25:26sure,
25:27then laid
25:28his cards
25:29down one
25:29by one.
25:30A perfect
25:31flush.
25:32The tavern
25:34exploded with
25:34noise,
25:35shouts,
25:36groans,
25:37slaps on
25:37the table.
25:39Lavina's
25:39smile faltered
25:40for just a
25:41breath before
25:42she glanced
25:42at her
25:43losing hand.
25:44Well,
25:45she said
25:46coolly,
25:47tapping the
25:47table.
25:48I'll be
25:49damned.
25:50You might
25:51be,
25:52Damien replied,
25:54standing to
25:54his feet.
25:55With a
25:56theatrical
25:57flare,
25:57Lavina reached
25:58beneath the
25:59bar and
25:59withdrew a
26:00velvet-wrapped
26:00bundle.
26:01She slid it
26:02across the
26:03table with
26:03two fingers.
26:05I knew
26:06it'd come
26:06to this
26:07someday,
26:08she said
26:09softly.
26:10But,
26:11mark my
26:12words,
26:12boy,
26:13that compass
26:14leads to
26:15more than
26:16treasure.
26:18Damien took
26:19the bundle
26:19and opened
26:20it carefully.
26:21Inside,
26:22the emperor's
26:23compass gleamed
26:24beneath the
26:25firelight,
26:26its surface
26:27etched with
26:27strange runes.
26:29Behind him,
26:31Kate let
26:31out a breath
26:32she hadn't
26:32realized she
26:33was holding.
26:34Gideon grunted,
26:36impressed despite
26:37himself.
26:38As the
26:39crowd began
26:40to disperse
26:41and the
26:41tavern returned
26:42to its
26:42usual hum,
26:44Lavina caught
26:45Kate by
26:45the arm,
26:46her grip
26:47surprisingly firm
26:48for someone
26:48of her age.
26:50Come with
26:51me.
26:52Kate hesitated,
26:54glancing back
26:55toward Damien and
26:56Gideon who
26:56were still
26:57inspecting the
26:57compass.
26:58Then,
26:59she followed
27:00Lavina through
27:01the narrow
27:01corridor behind
27:02the bar and
27:03out into the
27:04cool night
27:05air behind
27:05the tavern.
27:08Lavina lit
27:09a thin cigarette
27:10and leaned
27:10against the
27:11doorframe,
27:12her eyes
27:13half-lidded
27:13but sharp
27:14as ever.
27:15You've got
27:16a clever head
27:17on your
27:17shoulders,
27:18Kate.
27:18Smarter
27:19than the men
27:20you run
27:20with.
27:22Kate folded
27:23her arms.
27:23Is this
27:25about the
27:25game?
27:26It's about
27:27the prize,
27:29Lavina said,
27:31exhaling a
27:32long stream
27:32of smoke.
27:34Don't let
27:35them steal
27:35your glory.
27:37The city
27:38boy wants
27:38a legacy.
27:39The pirate
27:40wants fortune.
27:42But you...
27:44She turned,
27:45tapping
27:45ash to the
27:46ground.
27:47You've got
27:48nothing to
27:49lose and
27:50everything to
27:51gain.
27:53Kate drew
27:54in a deep
27:54breath.
27:55Do you
27:56even believe
27:57the treasure
27:58is real?
27:59Lavina grinned
28:01slowly,
28:01the smoke
28:02curling around
28:03her lips
28:03like a spell.
28:05Oh,
28:06I know
28:07it is.
28:08I've seen
28:09it.
28:10What?
28:11In your
28:12dreams?
28:13Kate asked,
28:15half-skeptical,
28:16half-curious.
28:18Lavina winked.
28:19The truest
28:21kind of
28:21vision there
28:22is.
28:23That treasure
28:24calls to
28:25people like
28:26us,
28:26those who've
28:28been forgotten,
28:29overlooked.
28:30You get to it
28:31first,
28:32and you
28:33rewrite your
28:34story.
28:36Kate searched
28:37Lavina's face,
28:39unsure whether
28:40to believe her
28:41or laugh.
28:42There was
28:43something in the
28:43old woman's
28:44eyes,
28:45something wild
28:46and sincere
28:47that rooted
28:48her to the
28:49spot.
28:50You keep
28:51that compass
28:52close,
28:53Lavina said,
28:54her voice
28:55turning grave.
28:56It doesn't
28:57just point
28:58to gold,
28:59it points
29:00to power.
29:02But power
29:03always comes
29:04at a price.
29:07He compasses
29:08theirs,
29:09but the warning
29:09remains.
29:10It doesn't
29:11just point
29:11to gold,
29:12it points
29:13to a power
29:13that could
29:14consume them
29:14all.
29:15The quest
29:16for the
29:16Black Pearl
29:16continues
29:17in episode
29:18448.
29:20Join now
29:21for early
29:21access.
29:22And don't
29:23forget to
29:24like and
29:24subscribe.
29:44to have
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