Chapter 14

People Change but Rarely for the Better

Femira entered Garld’s office. The General sat at his desk and was talking in hushed tones with a soldier in an black bloodshedder’s uniform. The man was short for a Reldoni, which meant he was still a good head taller than Femira. She recognised him as one of Loreli’s instructors, he had a distinct scar above his eyebrow. When Femira entered the room, Garld beckoned her forward.

“Come, you were successful then? You have the pages?” He asked. Femira shot a glance at the bloodshedder. “Endrin is one of my own. He can be trusted, Annali,” Garld said. Evidently not that trusted.

“I don’t have the papers, sir...” she started awkwardly, “I—uh—well, I lost them.”

“What do you mean you lost them?” Garld his brows furrowed and his tone heavy with disapproval.

“Some guy in a cloak,” Femira explained, “jumped me in an alley and took them.” She had little desire to admit that he had managed to follow her from the manse itself and even less to confess that it had been a child that had bested her. Not to Garld, and especially not with this Endrin guy standing over his shoulder.

“You fought him?” Garld asked.

“Didn’t get the chance to,” she said, “he’d trapped me in the street, sir. I’ve no idea how he did it so quickly.”

“Trapped you?”

“One second I was standing, next one I was falling,” she said, “took me a moment to realise he had trapped me in the stone. But it was too late… he’d snatched the papers and was gone before I got myself out.”

“What did he look like?”

“It was dark and he was wearing a hood. Tall enough, not as big as you sir, but bigger than me. I couldn’t get a good look at his face,” and then more reluctantly she added, “... he seemed young. Maybe a few years younger than me but it was hard to tell. Sir, I can’t figure it out. How he managed to do it, no one in the garrison—Not even Misandrei or the other bloodshedders—can work runestones that quickly,” Endrin seemed to bristle a bit at that comment but Garld only nodded in understanding, she continued, “he had me trapped in seconds, that shouldn’t be possible.”

“Did he say anything?” he asked, breezing past her concerns, “was he Reldoni?”

“I couldn’t tell his accent… didn’t sound Reldoni. His face looked far too pale too. He asked who I was and who I worked for but I gave him nothing. He kept talking about how I didn’t have right to the journal... that it was his.”

“Journal?” he repeated, his eyebrows raised, “He called it that? You’re sure?”

“Yeah, I couldn’t understand the writing on the pages... It was definitely handwritten... kept talking like it was his... do you reckon could it have been his journal?”

“That’s impossible..." Garld replied, "the writer is centuries dead,” he said it so flippantly as if she should have already known this, then added “Anything else?”

Femira shook her head, “he was no amateur. I don’t doubt he was planning on breaking into Averstock’s himself… I just beat him to it.”

“But ultimately lost to him,” he chided.

“You don’t seem surprised,” she said, suddenly feeling sceptical as to why he was so unphased by her account of the boy’s abilities, “how he used his earthstone so quickly. You’ve seen it before, haven’t you?” He didn’t respond, instead he sat back in his chair looking at her appraisingly.

“What about all that trusting each other talk. You said nothing would be held back,” she had an accusing edge to her voice. In her past few months at Epilas, she hadn’t ever felt that Garld was hiding anything from her. Even now a part of her felt uncomfortable questioning him.

“The Honorswords?” She mused, “they’re like him aren’t they? They move faster than even a stormstone should allowed them to.”

“I’m not sure,” he answered, “in truth, I have no idea how the Honorswords do what they do. What you experienced tonight however—this accelerated form of runeweilding—is known to me.”

“How can I achieve this?” She asked hungrily.

“You’re not ready,” he said. Don’t run before you can walk, girl, Lichtin’s words, Garld’s voice. She felt anger rise in her, “I am the fastest stonebre—”

—you are addressing your commanding general, soldier,” Endrin cut her off, “you will show due respect.”

“I wasn’t talking to you,” Femira shot at him, “and I’m no soldier!”

“No,” he rebuffed, “you’re not. You’re just a spoiled little highborn lady who wants to play at being a bloodshedder!” His comment gave Femira a chuckle.

“You’re really not the fastest rat in the gutter are you, Endrin?”

“That’s enough,” Garld interjected, cutting Endrin’s response off and leaving the man with a confused look on his face. It looked natural on him, like his face was designed to fit in that expression.

“You are not ready, Annali,” Garld reaffirmed, being clear to use her new name, “believe me when I say that this is for your own good. Recent breakthroughs in how we use our runestones—advanced techniques we once believed to be myth… While they are more powerful, these transformations are mostly unknown to us and this makes them dangerous… I have invested both time and money in your training and education these past few months… I’m not so reckless with my vested resources.”

“How can I prove that I’m ready? I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me. You’ve seen the change yourself” she said. She’d already fought—and beaten, she might add—most of the other recruits in her division. Only Loreli and a few others remained on her list of unsurpassed rivals.

“To change and to improve are two very different things,” he said, “you’ve advanced quickly in your training but you still have a ways to go before you can be initiated into the bloodshedder ranks… I will consider this only once you’ve demonstrated that you are capable of completing the tasks that I’ve given you,” he said curtly. Endrin watched her with a smug satisfied grin.

Reluctantly, Femira nodded, “so that’s it,” she said, “the initiation? This is what gives the bloodshedders their advanced skills?”

“Not strictly,” he answered and she didn’t miss Endrin’s look of discomfort as Garld spoke, “but only the bloodshedders are resilient enough for it… I will speak no more on the subject, you will continue in your tasks.”

“Yes, sir,” she responded even though she gathered it wasn’t a question.

“Your next assignment will be something a bit different than you’re accustomed to,” he said and she piqued up, eager to take on another chance to demonstrate that she could move to the next stage of her training.

“The remaining lords of Altarea have signed a treaty with King Abhran, pledging fealty to the King and rightfully taking their place under Reldoni rule. Lord and Lady Ingel—the new Highlords of Altarea—have been established and as you are the sole living relative to the former King Amenia’s infant son, your presence will be required at the treaty feast. You will attend and show support for Highlord and Highlady Ingels inauguration, in addition to applauding the lords of Altarea in their own loyalty to the crown of Reldon.”

“Yes, sir,” she she replied but she could hear apprehensive quiver in her own words, “…will the Honorswords be there?” Karas and Jahasa were still in the city so far as Femira could gather.

“Invitations to the envoys of Keiran have surely been made,” Garld said simply, and then added with in a more soothing tone, “you are under the protection of Prince Landryn, Lady Annali. The Honorswords have no authority here.”

That didn’t stop one of them butchering Sadrian Graves though did it?

“Sir, the Honorswords, what if they—” she glanced at Endrin, “—question me?” she asked, trying to get across the point she wanted to ask.

What if they figure out I’m not Annali-fucking-Jahar, that I’m the daughter of some nobody castaway who had fled Keiran with everything she could carry.

Even without the Honoroswords, the Altarean nobles themselves would surely notice that she wasn’t the real Annali—a woman who had married into their now dethroned royal family.

In Femira’s experience, the Altarean highborns were a prejudiced lot but even they weren’t so blinded by it to be fooled into believing that any random Keiran girl off the street was Annali Jahar. Femira had ingenuously assumed the guise that Garld had given her had simply been a means to recruit her. She had naively assumed that all bloodshedders had to be highborn... She was beginning to realise that Garld had a lot more schemes for ‘Annali’ to be a part of. Not that Femira minded that much, she had a clean and safe place to sleep every night, a full meal and she was getting stronger and more skilled each day. All of that however was not nearly payment enough to face an Honorsword’s inquisition.

“To my knowledge, Annali, you’ve spent most of your childhood in your family's estates," Garld continued, "... far from the Emperor's Court of the Sun. I can’t imagine that the Honorswords would have any matters of concern with you... Perhaps you should read over your journals—refresh your memory for any Altarean connections you might have made in your year there.” If Endrin found the conversation strange he didn’t allude to it, in fact, he seemed to be quite bored.

“Of course, sir," she replied, "when is the feast?”

“In three weeks, plenty of time for you to prepare," he advised, "there are certain highborn I wish for you to speak with and—more importantly—listen to.” She nodded in understanding, over the past weeks since Garld had started giving her assignments, many had involved simply listening to various highborns’ conversations and relaying the discussions to him. It was easy work, the kind of tasks Lichtin had given her when she had first started working for his crew.

“I will have suitable clothing and a list of names sent to your room. You’re dismissed.”

She saluted and left. Almost immediately after leaving Garld’s offices she felt a sudden wave of loathing for herself.

Yes, sir... Anything you want, sir!

Empty to your chamberpot?

Yes please, sir!

Just when over the last few months had she become a pining pup, jumping at the chance to do her master’s bidding? When had Garld even become her master? Until recently, she had seen him as just another employer.

An employer with an army of bloodshedders, but still!

Over the past weeks, she realised that she was becoming more and more eager to please him and until now it didn’t seem like he was hiding anything from her... But he obviously was hiding things from other bloodsheeders—as far as she knew no one else knew that she wasn’t Annali Jahar—had she been foolish enough to assume that he wasn’t hiding things from her also?

There was definitely some secret he was still keeping from her. Something to do with the Honorswords and the boy she'd encountered. She had a gut feeling that it had something to do with the "Soulstone" she'd found in Altarea.

She stepped out into the central courtyard of the garrison. The gaslamps were still lit but the sky was growing brighter—a muted predawn blue. Despite her lack of sleep Femira felt no fatigue, she was well accustomed to working through the night and into the morning. Scant windows in the garrison had any light in them, most of the other recruits would only be stirring in their beds.

“I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised to find a vreth skulking about at this hour,” Femira turned about to see Loreli behind her.

“I’m surprised to see you up,” Femira scowled, “training drills aren’t for another few hours. Usually only important people have tasks at this hour.” She’d learned that it was a bit of a pain point for Loreli that Garld had already started giving assignments to Femira, it was bad enough that he was showing a personal interest in her training and now Femira was advancing past most of the other recruits in the ranks. It hadn’t improved Loreli’s opinion of her but that didn’t bother Femira none.

“Actually... I’m meeting Endrin,” Loreli said, a smug smile on her stupid pretty face, “I’m to b initiated into the bloodshedders. He’s prepping me today. General Garld it seems has decided that I’m the best of the recruits.”

“That’s bullshit, I’m sure he’s preppin’ you for something alright, bet he’s got—”

“—Recruit Jahar!” an angry voice called, “showing disrespect again!” Endrin was trotting over from the door to the garrison.

“She prefers vreth, Endrin... Chose the name herself,” Loreli chimed in.

“Fitting,” he replied, contempt plain on his face. Confusion suited it better, “don’t be so naive to be taken in by the General’s words, girl. You’re just Prince Landryn’s bargaining chip for the Honorswords... You’ll see, once the treaty’s signed and all the Altareans are happy, we’re going to pack you up and send you back where you belong.”

What the fuck is this guy's problem?! She'd never even met the man before.

“Are you really this intimidated by a girl half your size?” Femira shot at him, her anger getting the better of her. She knew she shouldn’t be challenging the full bloodshedders but her failure earlier in the night had her itching to recoup her self-assurance.

“Intimidated?" He scoffed, "your delusion is pitiful. You were bested by a child tonight,”

“Really, a child?” Loreli laughed, “Vreth, I told you to find opponents closer to your skill level but we Reldoni have laws against duelling against children.” a wide grin splitting that fucking face.

“I’m sure Garld would love to know you’re discussing confidential operations out in the open,” Femira retorted.

“It’s General Garld,” he corrected her, “listen here vreth, you’re here a wet fucking week and you think you’re better than us just because you were married to some dead prince. But the truth is, you’re the enemy... We killed your prince and now you’re our prisoner... You’re just too stupid to realise it.”

“I am better than you,” Femira growled. She cared nothing for the insults against Annali, Femira couldn’t give two sinking shits for her but Endrin was insulting her, not Annali. “I challenge you, Endrin whatever-your-fucking-family-name-is,” she said drawing one of her daggers, “right now.”

“I’m not going to kill you, haven’t you been listening?” his voice rife with condescension, “you’re our prisoner and the general wants you alive.”

“Not a duel then! A bout, you vs me. First touch wins,” she ran her hand over her dagger, her earthstone glowing as she pulled the metal blade’s edge in, blunting it.

“You’re not worth it.”

“Draw your sword! Or I’ll cut you,” she shifted into a fighting stance.

He didn’t pull his sword from his sheath, but his hand went to the hilt. Good enough for me.

She pushed off against her feet, her dagger whipping forward. He didn’t flinch or make any move to defend himself. She had expected to feel the blunted dagger bite into his chest, but as she rammed it against him, there was a puff of metallic dust and the hilt of her dagger smacking uselessly on his chest. She staggered forward, losing balance She was too dazed to move back into her fighting crouch, she remained frozen in awe, looking at the silvery grey dust that glittered on Endrin’s black uniform.

“Go home, girl... back to Keiran or Altarea or wherever you like but stop embarrassing yourself here,” Endrin said coldly, casually stepping back from where she held the hilt against his chest. Femira just stood there agape as Endrin and Loreli walked away. They didn’t laugh or taunt her, they just walked away wordlessly as if she were nothing to them.

It had never occurred to her that Annali was the true reason that Garld had wanted to hire her.

Did she really look that similar to her? Was her past months training her in Epilas all been a con? Garld’s ruse to lure her into thinking she could become more than she was, that she could find real strength? Was her only purpose really just to pretend that Garld and Landryn hadn’t simply locked the real Annali away.

If that’s even what they did with her...

The realisation that the real Annali was most likely dead suddenly seemed obvious to her. How had she been so blind? They killed Annali because she'd resisted them... and because they had me to pretend to be her if any Keiran Honorswords came looking for justice.

She felt nauseous... and tired. Like all the training from the past few months had suddenly caught up to her. What am I doing here? Had she really thought that she could be bloodshedder... that she could be respected and feared. She was Vreth... she belonged in shadows... hiding.