Chapter XIII

Disinheritance

Elynne IV

“Ohoh! Look at what the cat dragged in!” a man proclaimed. He was near. His voice was near. It came from just up ahead. Elynne opened her eyes and raised her wobbly head. There were bars in front of her. Steel bars. A man was squatting in front, a very familiar man. This was… Elannyr, was it not? This was her brother. Why was he here? And why was she here?

She lifted herself up. Her knees felt frail. Elynne just barely stood there in the middle of the cell. Slowly, her vision became clearer. Warmth came back to her and she raised her hands. There was anger inside her. Anger for being locked up. By her own brother no less. Her arms were raised and aimed at the bars. She would melt them and then beat the life out of her brother.

But the moment fire was supposed to come out of her hands, her wrists nearly broke. She groaned as the flames burnt her insides, forcing her on her knees.

“Now, now, that won’t work, my dear. Inanium doesn’t go well with magic – you know, counter-reactions and whatnot,” he said and looked to his side. “Right, Marateash?” he asked a hooded man who confirmed with a nod.

Elynne looked down at her wrists. There were bright orange cuffs on them and, below the shackles, her skin was burnt red. She felt as if a vein would pop in her forehead. “I will kill you,” she told him, standing back up and walking towards the bars.

“Completely unnecessary. Please, why don’t you simply sit down and think about everything a little. Maybe get some shuteye?” He walked closer. “After all, you must realize the situation you are in. You’ve a duty to fulfil and I-“

She grabbed him by the collar and bashed his forehead against the bars. “I am going to melt your eyes and drink what remains.”

He quickly jolted backwards, holding his bruised temple. She managed one good look at his eyes. Bloodshot and tired, erratic even. His face was shocked, fearful. “R-right, then. As I’ve said, you should rest up. You are obviously tired, and rather nervy. But, never mind all that! I shall be seeing you tomorrow. Ta-ta, sister dearest!” He walked away, leaving the room.

Elynne sat down. “Should’ve seen this coming. I mean, I did, but…” She prostrated herself on the ground, staring at the dark steel ceiling. “God damn it.”

“If it is any consolation – I apologise for interfering with your magic,” the man that remained, Marateash, said, hidden in his great cloak of brown and black silk and a featureless mask of steel. “But I cannot disobey my king, no matter how dull and perverse he is.” His voice was soft and young, sympathetic as well. He spoke quickly, and with an odd accent. But she understood him.

“A horrible attempt at consoling me.”

“This might be better then. I withheld a piece of information from my dear king.” He walked up closer to the cell and kneeled down. “I know of one more person that travelled here with you. I am unsure, however, if they are in Karaan, but I do know that they are not within the castle itself.”

She sighed. “I’ll be leaving this place in two days, at the least. Believe me.”

“Well, that is highly optimistic. Do be careful.” He stood up and unlocked the cell door. “Come with me, now. I will show you to your room and be on my way.”

They walked some ways through the castle before reaching a wooden door. It was slightly open, but nothing could be seen from within except a faint candlelight that reached the rather dark corridor. Marateash opened the door before Elynne and let her walk in. “This is where you’ll be staying, for the time being.”

“I recognize this room,” she mentioned. “But it is quite different than before. This is Avandel’s room. Mine is on the other side, if I remember correctly.”

“Well, uh, I would very much like to escort you there,” he looked back at the hallway, “if it was still your room. I am afraid, however, that it has been redecorated. Great liberties were taken, and it is no longer a bedroom. It is a botanist’s favourite room, a sort of tiny arboretum.”

“My room does have a great angle for sunlight, so it makes sense.” But who would plant plants in her room? “I assume my brother made the decision to change it?”

“I do not know. The room existed since before I came here. I never put much effort in finding out whose room it is, so I cannot help you with that.”

“Alright.” She retreated into her room. “Oh, what about my sisters?”

“As far as I know, Avandel is preparing your dress, and Sarreona is…” he held his chin and pondered. “The pub? I would assume the pub. She did start spending a lot of time around alcohol. And other substances. But as far as I know, she is fine. Concerning her relationship with your brother, I mean. Not healthily fine.”

“Hold on. What dress?”

“Hm. I do suppose you weren’t told the reason why you are here in the first place. But it is not my place to tell.”

“Fine, fine. What about Tyrenne?”

“Tyrenne?” he wondered. “I’m afraid that I never met anyone with that name since I came here. And I’ve been here for a few years, even while your father still ruled.” He turned to face the hallway. “Tell you what; I will attempt to discover any mentions of Tyrenne, be they good or bad. If there are any, I’ll probably bring them to you tomorrow. Now, I should really get going as I’ve a very important meeting to attend to. Good night, sweet dreams and all that,” he said and left.

“Good night,” she told the figure that disappeared into the darkness of the hallway and closed her door. She threw herself into the bed face-first and relaxed the entirety of her body, dropping down like a puppet.

She raised her arms and stared at the cuffs. There must be a way to break them. Or to unlock them. There was a small keyhole on each cuff. Find the key, then. It should be on Elannyr.

The shadows danced across the ceiling as the flame on the candle waved and moved. The wax melted slowly. She loved the fire. She would burn everything down.

“Good morning,” a voice said, its body sitting in front of a desk. The girl who sat there, with her copper hair and teal garb, was straightening a long, white dress. There were plenty of other decorations surrounding the desk and floor. Petals, whole flowers and strips of velvet and silk. “Did you sleep well?” she asked. Elynne was not fully awake yet and she could not quite recognize the person sitting in front of her.

She raised her head and rubbed her eyes before feeling a smile stretching across her face. “Avandel,” she said and sat up.

“Are you well?” Avandel asked and stood up, walking towards her sister. “It’s been a long while since I saw you. I didn’t want to see you, if I’m being frank.” She hugged her, softly. “I’m sorry.”

“W-why are you apologizing?”

“Our prayers didn’t reach you. We hoped you wouldn’t come back here, that our brother would return to his senses. But the Good Sun didn’t listen. He got exactly what he wanted!” she yelled out. “Why aren’t you somewhere safe!?”

Elynne hugged her sister, tightly, and pulled her closer. “Shh… Don’t worry. You will all be safe, soon enough. I promise.”

“There’s no help for us here,” she suddenly said with a serious tone and stood up. “We are long gone. Our mother, she…” Avandel looked through the window. “Tyrenne was smart to run away. You were lucky to be taken away. We were not. You know, I can still feel them crawling and gripping inside me, clawing and scratching and…”

“Ava, what are you talking about?” Elynne began to stand up, worried for her sister.

Her empty stare and pale face, her body standing there without will, suddenly brightened up. “I am tired, is all.”

“…Are you sure?”

Avandel did not look at Elynne. She heard her laughing quietly. But there was no reason for her to laugh. She was probably just imagining her laughing.

The door opened suddenly and both girls jolted their looks towards the man who just entered. “A good morning to you both,” the tall and brawny man said. He stood there with his black surcoat and serious stare, coldly observing the room. “I’ve come to check up on you. Are you feeling well?”

Elynne cleared her throat. “I am. I assume Elannyr sent you here.”

“No one sent me here. I came by my own will.” He entered the room and closed the door. “Do you not recognize me?” he asked and smiled. “Ah, what am I saying! It’s been years, after all.”

The magus carefully scanned his face. It was a familiar face; a very kingly and regal face. If he were shaved, surely he would look just like his brother, Maryeal. “Lord Kyareal? What are you doing here of all people?”

He leaned against the wall. “Quite a long story, actually. I’ve been serving the Crusaders for nearly two decades now. I’ve also served your father on the side, and now your brother, though I wouldn’t say it’s of my own volition.”

“I guess asking you to unseal my cuffs is out of the question.”

He shrugged. “I might consider it, though it is too early now. But for all other matters and if anything happens, I’m here. You need anything at all, just call for me.”

She raised her hands. “Cuffs.”

“…Anything except that, for now. I could try telling Marateash, but I fear he dislikes me quite a bit, so that’s out of the question. I would snatch it from him, if it didn’t mean getting killed by a bunch of rocks and stones the next moment.” He did not joke. “But I promise I will do my very best. However, not now. There are things I must tend to first. Water some plants, attend a few gatherings, give the Crusaders their daily tasks and the like. Goodbye, and stay safe,” he said and left.

“I wouldn’t trust him if I were you,” Avandel said a while after he left. “The man is ambitious, very ambitious. He might smile and tell you that he’ll help you, but it will surely help him a great deal if he does so. I heard he plans to lead the Crusaders and take the Fatherlands for himself, but that’s just a rumour, albeit not a wild one.”

“Not a wild one? Are you really sure?” Elynne shook her head. “Whatever. What’s the dress for, anyways? Why are you straightening it in my room?”

“For your wedding tomorrow.”

“My… eh?” Her eyes opened wide as she realized why she was here. “EH!? So, that’s it! The little bastard wants to marry me. My brother… the little god damn rat. I swear to God my threats weren’t hollow.” She looked outside the window and regained her composure. “I assume you attempted to run away before. How did that go?”

“Not well,” Avandel answered. “I tried. Sarreona tried. Never got far, really. I honestly don’t know how Tyrenne ran away all those years ago. Actually, I think she had outside help. Yes, that might be it. You just need outside help and you’re free to go!”

“Well, there is someone…” Though she would rather not place her hopes in him.

A bird suddenly started rapping on the closed window. It was no ordinary bird. Probably was not even alive, but here it was, knocking. She opened the window and closely looked at the bird. There was a rolled up letter in its beak. No seal.

She took the letter and the bird crumbled to dust, leaving nothing as the wind blew. Elynne unrolled the piece of paper and began reading. She first eyed the signature which said Mārā’Teāš. Then she quickly sifted through the contents of the letter. According to what was stated within, Tyrenne escaped through underground canals. Strange, Karaan had no sewers or underground passages that she knew of. Why would there have been canals below the city?

“Avandel,” Elynne said, still ogling the letter, “do you know anything about the canals below Karaan?”

“Canals? Are there canals below the city?”

“Apparently so,” she nodded. All that was left was to find the entrance and they could walk away.

She shifted her attention to the second part of the letter. She just now realised that the sword was not with her and that Marateash had, in fact, taken it. He stated that it was a dangerous toy, but should she somehow manage to free herself, he would freely give it back to her. Did he know what it was? She wondered if the man knew of the weapon’s true potential.

“Hey, Avandel,” Elynne said, crumping the letter up so no one could see it, “could we possibly go for a walk? I wish to look around the city a bit.”

“Oh, look around the city?” she asked with a smirk. “Sure you aren’t looking for a canal entrance? Because if you aren’t, the king would surely allow us to go sightseeing for a bit…”

“Well, as far as he’s concerned, we are just going to mingle and explore for a bit.”

With fresh new clothes of black and gold, a common Devyrian style, they left the premises of castle Blacktalon at Brinch and walked on the pavements of Karaan. They passed by many streets and passes, observing each one of them closely and meticulously. Every single wall, every single grate, hole and crack.

However, they could not have a great perception, or stray too far into the alleyways and the large bazaar tents and passes. No, they had to walk calmly, slowly and without even a tiny bit of suspicious and unsolicited behaviour. It was stupid of her to think that they would just let her leave with her sister, she thought. And so, a singular man had been sent with them to this excursion of the streets. A magus, who Elynne had met the day prior to this one. “Must you always walk so closely and… attentively, Marateash?” she asked him as he trailed them closely with his hands constantly resting in the pockets of his brown cloak.

“Terribly sorry, King’s orders,” he responded. “But if I do get distracted by something; feel free to run off somewhere. As long as it isn’t outside the city walls. That won’t end up great for you or for me.”

“Argh, fine, fine…” Elynne looked towards Avandel, who stood to her right and at all times stared forward with a blank expression. She did not appear to even be breathing – her movement was minimal, or it should be said alike a statue. She made small steps when she walked and her pose was constantly in a state where she held her strange, curved basket by its handle. Elynne worried for her sister. This was not natural behaviour. Or sane, for that matter. “Is something wrong, Ava?” she asked her.

“Huh, no, all is fine,” with a quick and turbulent shiver she responded, awkwardly smiling back at her sister. “Hey, Ely… We should go and find Sarreona. She’s probably in the Dancing Donkey inn.”

“Well, we could, but…” she gazed at Marateash only once and very quickly before facing Avandel again. “I am not sure if we can…”

“Oh my, a shiny blue bauble being exhibited on a very cheap stand! Oh boy, I am distracted and must appreciate this fine work of baublery for the next half hour to an entire hour, lest I do not soak in all the marvel of this piece!” the magus suddenly exclaimed and halted before a seemingly empty vase on a crate. He shouted this out very loudly and very clearly. So loudly and clearly, in fact, that most of the surrounding merchants and townsfolk looked at Marateash, who held his hand on his mouth and silently pondered. A number of quiet and mocking murmurs sounded off from the crowd, coupled with a bunch of chuckles and a few coughs. The two sisters took this strange opportunity and left for the inn by the dockyard.

“He is a strange man,” Elynne said.

“Strange, but… nice, I suppose. He did help me a number of times when I needed materials for my tailoring. Taught me a ton of new cooking recipes, as well,” she said. “But I never get the chance to cook anything by following the recipes. All of the food is spicy and filled with strong reagents and spices. The meat is also pretty hard to get, but I’m sure I’ll acquire it at some point.”

“Hm, well, when you get the chance to cook it, I will be the first to try it.”

She hung her head low. “If I get the chance…” she uttered.

They stopped in front of a large and well-maintained establishment. The sound of clinking cups, loud laughter and merriment came from within. As Elynne was about to open the door, her wrists started to lightly burn. It did not hurt, but the strange, zappy feeling lingered for a while after in her hands and around her neck. She then opened the door and went in first, Avandel closed it behind her.

This inn was made for sailors and travellers judging by its looks, and the looks of the men within. There were few not dressed in leather and seafaring attire, even fewer carried no weapons with them. And the only woman here was a girl sitting on a table with a mug in her hand. Her hair was fluffy, long and wild, her coat long and black and her eyes copper and wide open. Copper just like her hair.

The woman, Sarreona, jumped from the table during a fit of laughter. “My, my, what an unexpected catch!” she shouted and spread her arms wide open, approaching Elynne and Avandel. “If it isn’t my second dearest sister who left to become a witch! Long time no see.” She embraced Elynne.

“It’s good to see you, too, Sarreona.” She backed off. “You have… changed.”

“Did I?” Her sister looked at her own body and clothes. “Hm, no, no I haven’t. I’ve been wearing this for a week now, haven’t had time to change out of it.”

“You know I meant since I left.”

“Nay, people stay the same for ten years. I’m still damn short. You are too. She is as well.” She sat down on a chair. “But at least we are all taller than Tyrenne.”

“She might’ve grown…”

“Alright, enough with the reminiscing. You didn’t come here for nostalgia and whatnot – you came here to drink with your older sister, eh?”

“No, actually, we…” Avandel tried to say, but Sarreona raised her hand.

“I know what you actually came here for. And I know where we need to go.” She took a big gulp from her cup. “But be very – and I mean very – quiet. A guard hears us plotting and whispering around and we’re not going to end up well. Sure, we could knock him out cold, tie him up and throw him in the sea if he hears us, but then we’re in bigger trouble. And you can’t drown an entire city of guards, now can you?” She nocked back her head. “Or maybe you can… Hm…”

“Sarreona,” Elynne said and stopped her trace of thought. “Will you show us where we need to go?”

“Why, of course!” she jumped up and gave a stare to the innkeep. “But the entrance is in a very unfavourable and unfortunate location, so we’ll need a distraction first.” She gave them a sly smirk, one reserved for a very unsafe idea.

In front of the Sun sept stood two men, both hooded and hidden with batons in their hands. Sarreona simply glided past them and went behind the sept where a dead end stood between the building and a house. In the dead end was a crate, on that crate was a box and, on that box, stood a rather large and crude sack. She jumped on the crate and picked up the sack all in one motion and faced her sisters with the items within. “You will wear these,” she said as she took out very wide and concealing hoods. “Wouldn’t want them to see out pretty faces, hmmm?”

“Before we go in the sept,” Avandel spoke out, “Elynne mentioned that she needs to grab some necessities from the castle, and I reckon they’re quite necessary.”

“Don’t you worry! If all goes according to plan we’ll be able to loop back into the city in a moment’s notice and grab whatever we need and want.” She looked at the hoods. “Of course, if all goes well. We won’t have time otherwise.”

Elynne did not like the fact that she might lose the sword here. That, and her cuffs would stay on. Though finding a locksmith would not be hard, she supposed. “Fine. Where’s this distraction you mentioned?”

“You’ll hear it. It’ll be our cue to head in through one entrance and leave through the other.”

“You can get a thinner hood when you’re free. I heard Valoryans have those velvety cloaks they put around their head,” Sarreona responded

“Why would I wear a hood when I get out of here?”

“The hell do I know why you’d do anything? Get a velvet hood, don’t get a velvet hood; just stop complaining.”

Suddenly came a loud thump, followed by the cracking of wood and consequently the fall of a very large object. Shouts sounded off in the distance, in addition to yelling and screaming. “Well, hope you’re ready, ‘cause that’s what we were waiting for,” Sarreona told them and put on her hood, then quickly heading towards the sept entrance.

The three walked inside through the torn and collapsed door. The hood covering her head made it hard to see, but Elynne could make up a number of figures fighting and beating each other with staves and swords. Splatters of blood. Plenty of bodies knocked to the ground. She did not expect a distraction like this.

“Alright, through here,” Sarreona said, lifting up a hatch in the ground to the east of the sept in a very gloomy and vacant room. Below was a spiral staircase leading towards a very damp and dark tunnel for which Sarreona prepared as she lit a torch and raised it high up. “Don’t remove your hoods yet, we still might run into someone.”

They went forward through the underground tunnel carved out of the dirt. A number of skittering spiders made their home here, but only around the corners of the canal as this place seemed to have been used recently. Up ahead were a number of wooden supports that reinforced the shaft. Each had a marking on it, from numerals to strange symbols which reminded Elynne of familiar runes that she had seen somewhere.

They walked some way still and it felt as if they were going deeper into the earth, only to eventually come across an arching path and a gate which stood between the two ways. “So, left or right?” Avandel asked.

“The middle, Ava,” Elynne said and walked towards the large, grey door which she tried pushing open. It took around three proper pushes before they budged, but in the end they swung slowly, causing a strange discharge in her hands, and revealed another tunnel – but this one was made out of symmetrical and perfect stone, and lit up by white runes along the walls.

She stepped on the paved stone below. An uneasy feeling of looming dread and, at the same time, a warm aura of freedom and safety filled her up. She was perplexed by the strange feeling inside her. It came from the tunnels, did it not? It must have. She stepped forward, into the glowing white hall.

Alone.

Her sisters were still behind her. No, they were above her. She was on the ground, after all. Why did her head hurt so much?

“Sorry, Ely. But he’ll come looking for us if you’re with us. I hope you understand that we needed you for the door, and that you’ll understand why you can’t go further.”

“Goodbye, Elynne.”

They walked off. This was their plan all along. It must have been. Why did she trust them? They are her sisters. Why should she not trust them? No. Blood did not matter. That much was clear now. Blood did not matter. Two more people to kill. Even less people to trust. Why? Why? Why?

Her head hurt. She could not stand up.

It was best to close her eyes and sleep here on the cold ground. Just fall asleep here.

There was a sound of steel boots approaching. Steel on stone. A sigh, as well. “They won’t get far. They don’t deserve to.” The voice was familiar, but she could not connect it with a face. Everything was too blurry, even the sounds. She felt she was being lifted up. “Let’s get you somewhere warm. A proper bed, at the least.” Slowly, she drifted into her dreams.

She reached forward with her hand. Sweat covered her entire body. No wonder, with all the sheets piled on top of her. Elynne dearly hoped all of this was a dream, but the pain was still present in the back of her head. There was a lump. Hurt even more once she pressed it.

“You’re finally awake,” Kyareal said and sat up from his chair. “It’s very late. Well past the Witching hour. Are you in pain?”

“My neck hurts,” she said. “My heart too. Their betrayal wounded me greatly.” There was jest in her voice. She was not offended because of what they had done. She understood. She did not forgive them, though. She never would.

“Avandel and Sarreona escaped the city. I’m not quite sure why you tried to escape with them considering you still have your cuffs on.”

“What can I say? I’m a free spirit.”

“Can’t blame you. Your decision was stupid, but I can’t blame you.” He shook his head. “Hungry? Thirsty?”

“Both.”

“I’ll go heat up some food. Is wine fine? Devyr wine is utter shit, but at least it hits well.”

“Sure, sure.”

“Good.” Kyareal left the room.

Elynne stumbled out of her bed and opened the window. The air quickly flooded in and cooled her, though there was a stench coming in, as well. From the docks, most likely.

She was still in her black dress. There were a few smudged of dirt on it, but it was fine overall. Not quite what she wanted to wear. She would put on her white clothes, if they were here, which they were not. Someone took them. Probably a maid. They were not immaculate clothes and were somewhat dirtied from her travelling.

Elynne sat down by the window. She stared outside, towards the starlit sky, towards the empty streets. There was a certain silence during these hours. A very tranquil quiet that was rare to find. She wondered what it would be like if that silence never ended.

Kyareal came back at some point while she was lost in her thoughts. He placed a bowl of stew and a bottle of wine on the nearby table. “Well, had to explain to the cooks why I was up this late. They apparently don’t like people just walking in the kitchen, but no matter. Eat.”

She sat down by the table and swirled the steaming hot stew with a spoon. “I don’t think you needed to heat it up this much.”

“Lost track of time arguing with the cooks. They called me fat, imagine that.” He placed his hands on his hips and sighed. “Fat on a strict diet and training regime like mine. Unbelievable.”

Elynne slowly sipped on the stew in her spoon. “This isn’t salted.”

“New chef.” Kyareal leaned against the wall near the window. “I should probably tell you what’ll happen today.”

“The wedding. Yes, I know.”

“It won’t.” He stroked his chin. “Well, not completely. It’ll be organized, the crowd will be there to watch, and then you’ll come in and ensure the king regrets his life choices.”

“And how will I do that?”

“Simply tell him how you won’t go through with this. He’ll probably be mad, very mad, might even draw his sword out. You won’t be wearing your cuffs, though, so use your magic. Set fire to the sept.”

“Guessing you have the key to my cuffs, then.”

He tapped his pocket. “I’ll unlock them tomorrow. Or, well, later today. I’m supposed to give you away as a father would, so we’ll be alone before it all starts.” He smiled. “By doing this, you’ll completely and fully embarrass the king and make him illegitimate in the eyes of his people. I, and the rest of the Crusaders, will apprehend him and establish our rule over Devyr. At least, that is the plan.”

“Huh. Didn’t doubt you had your motives for wanting to help me, but I didn’t expect this. And after you achieve your coup?”

“The usual. Purging of loyalists, few though they may be, strengthening the government and our rule, rallying those who do not believe in us. You, in the meanwhile, will leave.” He neared the table. “Permanently. An exile, if you will.”

She stopped eating to stare at him. “All ceremonially, no?”

“Of course.”

“And what happens to Elannyr? I don’t really care, to be honest, but he did seem… not himself. Is he taking some sort of drug?”

“He’ll be under house arrest.” He crossed his arms and spoke no further.

“Fine with me.” She continued eating. “Could I also get two horses?”

“Two?” He scratched his beard. “No problem with that. I’ll give them to you in the aftermath, you’ll also have time to collect your things and anything else from the castle, at which point you’ll leave, and I legally banish you from the realm.”

“Good.”

“You don’t really seem to care that I’m going to take over your homeland.”

“Should I care? Countries rise and fall all the time, why would I give a damn about this one?”

“Just asking.” He stood up straight and started walking towards the door. “I’ll come and get you around nine. Remember to put on your wedding dress, wouldn’t want the guards to grow suspicious.” He left the room.

Elynne stretched her arms and groaned. “To hell with everything.”

Some few hours later, after the Sun had already risen up, Kyareal approached once more. Elynne was already dressed. It was a regal attire, fit for a royal wedding. A raven black bodice, a silken white gown, a black cloak lined with gold, and a circlet of pure crystals. She liked the circlet. Only thing she will keep since it also kept her hair from falling into her eyes. A scent of honey and lilac followed her, and the sweet scent was revolting to her.

The two walked out of the room. On both were still faces. Both had the intent to end an entire kingdom in the coming moments. Guards began to follow them quietly, leading them out of the castle, and then dispersing onto the streets. They proceeded towards the sept where the door had been broken down just yesterday. It stood there once more, as if nothing had ever happened.

The men stationed in front of the sept were Crusaders. Three of them in plate of onyx and gold. In front of them, Elynne and Kyareal stopped. “Lend me your hands now.” He faced her and produced a small key from his pocket, unsealing both cuffs. Power immediately surged through her body. She never felt healthier, she thought.

“As we planned, then. Lead me halfway through the sept and then I just yell at him,” Elynne said, rubbing her wrists.

“And then you set the building ablaze. My men will evacuate the commoners.”

“Not the nobles?”

“Just Elannyr.” He smiled. “Make sure you don’t kill him.”

“…I’ll be killing innocent people with that fire.”

“If you’re worried about your conscience, I’ll order the men to kill the nobility. Either way, you are the villain here, which is, of course, why you’ll be exiled.”

Elynne extended her hand. “Promise me that. I will be exiled and nothing more.”

“Of course. Anything to make you feel at ease.” He shook her hand. Energy transferred between them. He could not break that promise. “What did you…” He shook his head. “Never mind. Put your arm around mine and let’s proceed.”

The high glass ceiling shed the light of morn on the interior. Pillars of soft and fine stone stood proudly and orderly next to a long carpet of black and red which stretched out in the middle and led towards the altar. Above the altar was the painted glass image of a golden-haired man. Within his hands a golden apple.

Fiddles and horns played the song of merriment fit for a wedding day. The audience sat on pews, smiling honestly. The highborn were up front in their rich suits. Merchants and nobles, then, behind them, was everyone else. Way in the back stood the Crusaders.

Up, by the altar and next to the priest, was Elannyr. The black and red suit fit him, the massive cape did not. He was a bit wobbly on his fit, but he was smiling as well. An earnest and perverse smile. She had grown sick of it already.

Elynne let go of Kyareal’s arm and started marching forward by herself. “The wedding’s off, you little bastard. I’m here to melt your eyes off like I said I would,” she proclaimed. The music stopped. Everything went quiet except her loud steps.

“W-what is the meaning of this?” Elannyr recoiled slightly. “You cannot do that!”

“Watch.” Flames erupted from her hand. She threw fire towards the altar, and then towards the carpets next to her.

An inferno quickly erupted. People started to panic and run. The Crusaders helped those they said they would. Everyone wearing anything made from silk or any better fabric was cut down. Blood spilled on the floor.

Elynne gritted her teeth. This was still her doing. No one would have died if she was not here. But she was not done yet. The could be no regrets, this was all a must. Elannyr was grovelling on the floor.

Elynne grabbed him by his hair and pulled him up. “Apologize,” she demanded. He was close now, she could stare at his face in detail. His breath was dank, his veins were very visible, and his eyes were red as all hell. Bags under them, as well. He was not himself.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’msorryi’msorryi’msorryimso-“

She threw him down to the ground. “Who did this to you…?” Elynne asked. All he did was keep apologizing. Kyareal then approached and grabbed him.

“Your horses are tied outside the city gates,” he said. “Collect your things and leave. And thank you. Your choice will help Devyr and his people.” He pulled Elannyr up and walked out.

The young magus stood there for a little while longer. When the fire came near her, she left the sept. The corpses left behind by the Crusaders were covered in that searing veil. The truth of what happened here would never come to light.

“Aye, uh, I’m late, aren’t I?” Dannar asked once she left the sept. He stood just outside, staring at the burning building. “I heard about the wedding. Thought I’d march in and stop it, but… I suppose no one died, right? Saw the knights leading the people out.”

“There are no casualties,” she told him. “Come, the sword is still in the castle, as are my clothes. And there are horses waiting outside for us.”

“Swell.” He began walking with her. “The dress doesn’t fit you, honestly.”

“True.”

Fighting had broken out on the streets. Some guards and knights opposed the Crusaders, as expected. But they were undergeared and undermanned. The fights will end by evening, but it did not concern her. Once she left, she would never be able to return.

The castle itself had only servants inside. Elynne located the nearest maid and demanded to know where her clothes were. On the balcony, apparently. Drying, though already dry, no doubt. They walked up stairs and onto the balcony, she grabbed her clothes and went to change in private. She kept wearing the circlet, but the rest of her clothing was now as usual.

What remained was to find the sword, which meant finding Marateash. They found him lounging in the parlour, reading a booklet. “I suppose the commotion outside is thanks to you,” he said. “Lovely. It seems I am freed from my contract, then. No more serving the royal family, no more staying in one place.” He stood up and took the sheathed sword from underneath his cloak. “Mind yourself with it. Who knows what dastardly intents may befall you once the blade is out. Nasty thing, but oh well.”

“Didn’t even think to help your king, hm?” Elynne asked. “Even though you knew he was drugged out of his mind?”

“Eheh, well… I was too busy with my own studies to clear his mind, you see. Make no mistake, I had no part in his inebriety. I merely chose to ignore it. Less work for me, more time for research. And now even more time, seeing as I’m free.” He neared closer towards Dannar and Elynne. “And if I wasn’t the one who made him addicted to whatever opium he was taking, then you surely know who it is. Magi are vulnerable while asleep, after all. Wouldn’t wish for an assassin to take me unaware for meddling in his affairs.”

Opium? A drug from beyond the desert? How did had he gotten addicted to that? The western nations did not trade that here, not any that she knew at least. Assuming it was Kyareal who had gotten him hooked on the drug, and it must have been him, how had he acquired it?

Elynne shook her head. This was not her affair, not anymore. Had she known earlier, years prior, and was able to, she could have helped him. This was beyond her now. “In any case, thank you for your assistance with everything. Doubt we’ll see each other again, so… happy travels,” Elynne said and turned around.

“I’ve no doubt we shall meet again. Thought it will not be any time soon. Have a pleasant journey, Avenn,” Marateash said. She felt his presence disappear, but did not check if it really did. She and Dannar simply kept walking.

“Onto Alattras, aye lass?” Dannar asked.

“Mhm. We have horses, thankfully. Won’t have to travel for too long. Where were you, by the way?”

“Where? Uh… I fell on top of a bunch of beer barrels when we moved here. And all the money was on you, so I couldn’t repay it and, well, had to work off the debt. Most of it, at least.” He chuckled.

Elynne laughed along. It helped her forget that she helped create so much chaos and death today, and in the future as well. But a part of her did not care. A very large part. She felt as if her journey would end soon, so there was no reason to give a damn about anything anymore. In the pursuit of power and achieving her own Truth, she could not worry about others. And the next step in that pursuit was the mountain of High Alattras.