Elden Ring: Tarnished Flame Vyke

As they entered, the blindfolded woman was the first to sense his presence. She turned towards him, her delicate features lighting up with recognition.

Despite her lack of vision, there was no mistaking her joy. Perhaps it was their bond—her role as his maiden—that allowed her to sense him so keenly.

"My lord, you have returned?" Irina's voice was soft, filled with happiness and relief.

Nyra stiffened at the title, her gaze darting between him and Irina. Her lips parted as if to question, but the words died in her throat. 

Instead, her sharp eyes settled on the blindfolded girl, taking in her fragile appearance. The realization struck her then—this girl could not see.

Even so, Irina's smile was radiant, untouched by her lack of sight.

Before he could react, she was upon him, wrapping her arms tightly around his torso. 

Her head rested against his chest as if seeking comfort, and her hold was firm, almost desperate. 

"I was so worried," she murmured softly, her voice trembling with emotion.

Nyra, still standing a few paces behind, clenched her fists. A flicker of something unfamiliar—jealousy—crept into her expression. 

Her sharp eyes narrowed as she watched Irina cling to him, the blindfolded maiden looking fragile yet completely at ease in his arms.

"Who... is she to you?" Nyra finally muttered, her tone low but sharp as a blade.

He gently placed a hand on Irina's shoulder, easing her back slightly. "Nyra," he began, his voice calm, "this is Irina, my maiden."

The word "maiden" made Nyra's jaw tighten. She said nothing, but her piercing gaze was now locked on Irina, who seemed blissfully unaware of the tension.

Meanwhile, the sorceress in the stone mask took an uneasy step back. Sellen had been silent until now, observing the scene.

Sellen's voice broke the stillness, casual and unimpressed. "And who might that be?" she asked.

Nyra's cloak shifted slightly, revealing the faint glint of her weapon—a blade black as night, its surface seeming to swallow the dim chamber light.

"A black knife assassin?" Sellen remarked, raising a brow but otherwise unmoved. She didn't retreat, nor did she reach for her staff. Instead, she crossed her arms and tilted her head, studying Nyra as though appraising a particularly curious artifact. "I suppose you're collecting assassins now?"

Irina, less composed, instinctively moved closer, clutching his arm with wide. "What's going on, my lord?" she whispered, her voice wavering.

Nyra's fists clenched tighter at Sellen's remark, her expression darkening further. "Collecting assassins?" she echoed coldly, her tone cutting through the chamber like the blade at her hip. "Perhaps you'd prefer a sorceress who hides behind a mask, spewing hollow wisdom."

Sellen's head tilted, a faint laugh escaping her lips. "Hollow wisdom? My, how cutting. Tell me, assassin, do you even understand the complexities of what I teach? Or are shadows and daggers all your world can comprehend?"

Nyra took a step forward, her cloak trailing like smoke, the subtle menace in her movements unmistakable. "I comprehend more than you think. Enough to know that your kind hides their fear behind words and incantations." Her sharp gaze flicked to the stone mask. "What are you hiding, sorceress?"

Sellen remained unmoved, her arms still crossed. "Hiding? Hardly. Unlike you, I wear my purpose openly. Can the same be said for you, shadow-dweller?"

Before Nyra could respond, his voice cut through the brewing conflict like a blade. "Enough."

He stepped forward, placing himself between the two women, his presence commanding enough to quiet their hostility. "Enough," he repeated, his tone softer but firm. "I didn't come here to watch you two fight. We're allies, not enemies."

Nyra huffed, turning her back on Sellen, but the tension in her shoulders remained. Sellen, ever composed, raised an eyebrow and glanced at him. "Allies, yes. But what is an alliance without honesty? Do you even know what lies behind her blades?"

He sighed, his gaze shifting to Nyra. "Nyra, lower your guard. You're not under threat here."

For a moment, Nyra's hand hovered near the hilt of her dagger before she let it fall to her side. "If you say so," she murmured, her voice losing its edge.

He turned to Sellen. "And you, Sellen, you're too sharp with your words. Trust is built, not forced."

Sellen's lips curled into the faintest smile. "Perhaps. But I find clarity far more efficient than tiptoeing around delicate feelings."

Despite himself, he smirked. "Efficiency doesn't always win hearts, Sellen."

The sorceress chuckled softly, a sound uncharacteristically warm for her. "Then I shall leave heart-winning to you, my lord." Her tone carried a teasing lilt, though her gaze lingered on him a moment longer than necessary.

"Huff"he sighed what is this women trying to do he thought as he looked at her 

"Sellen," he began, his voice steady but with an edge of impatience, "I came to inform you that I'll be going to attack Stormveil Castle for Dogrick Rune."

Sellen turned slightly, her expression unreadable, but her voice was still calm. "Oh, I see. May you emerge victorious, my disciple." She said it with a quiet, almost detached sincerity before turning back to whatever it was she had been working on, her attention now fully on her task.

He raised an eyebrow, slightly irritated by her lack of reaction but saying nothing. There was a moment of silence before Irina spoke up.

"My lord, will it be dangerous?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.

"No," he replied, his voice firm and confident. "I'll handle it."

He paused, remembering something important, and his gaze softened slightly as he looked at Irina. "By the way, I forgot to mention—I've delivered your letter to your father, Edger. He's well. I also took care of the Misbegottens at Castle Morne. You don't need to worry about that. Focus on your learning."

Irina's face softened in relief at the mention of her father. "Thank you," she said quietly, the weight lifting from her shoulders. "I'll focus, but please... be careful, my lord."

He gave her a reassuring smile before his attention shifted back to Sellen, who was still absorbed in her work. "And you know, like I said before, Nyra and I will be leaving immediately."

Sellen didn't acknowledge him at first, but after a brief pause, she responded with a nonchalant wave of her hand.

"Do what you must," she said, as if the words had little weight. "But make sure you return, disciple. Your work here is not yet complete."