The Fog of Doubt

 The Fog of Doubt
Aurora was now one of the largest confectioners in the city. With her skill and talent, she had already earned the nickname “The Sweet Queen” among the aristocrats. Her chocolates and coffees had become the most precious gifts in the kingdom. This success could not go unnoticed by the Magic Council.
One morning, Aurora received an invitation to attend a meeting at the grand Blue Palace in the city. The chairman of the council, the stern-faced Lawrence, greeted her warmly—or so it seemed. Yet there was a chilling coldness in his eyes.
— “Lady Aurora, we have heard of your talents. We believe a businesswoman like you could be of use to our council,” Lawrence said as he settled into his seat.
— “I will help in any way I can,” Aurora replied with a polite smile. But her heart was pounding. She thought of the promise she had made to Maurice.
From that moment, Aurora began attending all the council meetings, learning of their plans to stop the mysterious force led by the Night Witch—Moris himself. She secretly passed every piece of information to him.
🕯 Operation OneThe council received intel suggesting Moris’s plane might land in a small village outside the city. Hundreds of knights and mages were dispatched. But Moris easily escaped with his aircraft.
🕯 Operation TwoThis time they set a trap in a forested region, attempting to use magic barriers to catch his drones. Again, they failed. Thanks to his drones, Moris detected the ambush early and changed course.
🕯 Operation ThreeHope was fading. Aurora again warned Maurice in time. At the meeting, the frustrated Lawrence slammed the table.
— “How do we always arrive too late?!” he roared.
Some council members began casting suspicious glances at Aurora. No one spoke openly, but they decided not to include her in the next meeting. Though Aurora appeared calm on the outside, her heart was racing.
🌌 A Night Council— “Lady Aurora should rest. Only core members will remain this time,” Lawrence said firmly.
Aurora offered a cool smile and left the chamber. She hurried to send the latest information to Maurice.
💥 The Plan to Shoot Down the Night WitchThe council made their ultimate decision. They hired Alrix, the kingdom’s most famous crossbow marksman, renowned for his legendary accuracy. His mission: to take down the Night Witch.
🌲 Moris and the PlaneMoris flew over the forest, having received Aurora’s latest intel. He changed his route again, but Alrix was waiting, hidden on a high cliff.
— “Target locked…” Alrix whispered, pulling the heavy crossbow’s trigger.
The bolt tore through the plane’s wing, sending a piece of it spiraling down.
— “We’re going down!” Moris muttered through clenched teeth. He barely managed to land in a clearing and leapt out of the cockpit.
🌫 The Knights SearchMinutes later, heavily armed knights arrived. But in the dense forest, they found only the charred wreckage of the plane.
— “The Night Witch escaped… again,” growled the unit commander.
Thus, Moris survived yet another assault by the Magic Council. But both he and Aurora knew their suspicion toward her was growing dangerously strong.
To be continued…

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