Chapter 28 Last Of The Embers

The three of us have to run to catch up to Vani’s quick strides.

“E-Erm,” I begin in bewilderment. “I’m a bit curious as to what attacked us…”

“It was a weak and pathetic Aesir.”

Fenrir is the next up to bat, “What’s an Aesir?”

She gives him a sidelong glance as if not understanding. “Aesir are Aesir.”

He deadpans, so I explain it to him instead, “Aesir is an ancient term that refers to what we now call the Unseelie Fairfolk.”

Back when I heard Vaniriel use the term Myrkkálfar, I was unsure of what it meant. Naturally, being the curious cat I was, I decided to look it up. It was a dated term referring to the Dark Elven. The book I used had many other such definitions - and of course, I learnt them all.

What was even more curious was that the book dated almost six hundred constellation-cycles ago.

It makes me wonder.... Just how old is Vaniriel?

“Why did it attack us?” Ru pipes up.

“...Who knows. Weak things always wish to challenge the strong, as if their existence will increase in worth just by smothering another. How foolish.” For the first time, I manage to glimpse a bit of resentment in her tone.

Vani…

I set my jaw, determining to ease whatever it is that brews hatred in her. Smiling, I hop onto her back and hug her with all my strength. “Hmn~? So you’re saying you’re really strong, huh~? Which means you can just carry me all the way home!”

“Wow, who knew you were so condescending, Vani!” Ru joins me and laughingly tries to jump onto her shoulders. Surprisingly, she doesn’t even stagger and actually manages to walk normally.

“Very well. There is no other being as great as I.”

Wow, the way she said that held no narcissism or arrogance. Rather, it was said without a hint of malice or disdain. As if it were irrefutable fact that were not decided upon by anything other than the fabric of nature itself.

I-I really wonder if there is no one else able to match her strength…?

Fen awkwardly glances at her, guilt coloring his complexion. “V-Vani, I-”

Vani cuts Fen’s words off without looking back. “Are you not getting on?”

“T-That…” He looks at the ground for a second before a goofy laugh rings out and he hops onto all of us. “Let’s goooo!”

When we finally arrive back to the University gates, the sun has just begun to rise.

Vani chants something under her breath, it feels old and ancient on my tongue. The magick shimmers through the air, breaking the wards. She walks ahead.

Silencing our steps, we wordlessly follow after her. On the way, she touches a passing Harthrow tree. It only flowers during the Summer Solstice, which just so happens to be today.

The tangy orange petals gives off a floral scent. The peeling copper bark on her skin melds way to new flesh. The look she gives suggests she doesn’t wish to talk, so I slaughter the question where it stands.

Arriving at the dormitory, we say our goodbyes and head our own respective ways.

Immediately, I fall onto bed as my mind races from the night’s events.

That Spirit or Unseelie or Aesir or whatever it was... Really might not have had any intention to assault us, other than to challenge Vaniriel just like she said. But…

Then what was the First Prince, Juler Frey, and his First-in-Command knight, Trais Roilèn doing there? The arrival of the Kindred and Aesir, as well as the timing of the explosion is too much to be a coincidence… Why were they searching for ‘incriminating evidence’ and for what reason?

I should speak to Princess Ceres…

Er, actually she might not be the best to wheedle out information from…

Prince Mercurius then perhaps. Or I could try requesting an audience with Sir Trais or Prince Juler.

Unanswered questions and thoughts continue to churn about in my head, preventing sleep to come easily. But at last, the exhaustion racking at my bones allows me to drift asleep.

Only dreams of sickly-sweet, burning flowers, and shimmering, orange leaves plague my dreams that morning.