Chapter 149: Whitefall VI

Chapter 149: Whitefall VI

I snapped back into my body, blinking several times.

There was no way of immediately knowing exactly how far back Id gone, making this the most important part. It was still the same dew-crested morning. All the wagons and carriages were whole, meaning the drephin hadnt made their move. I spun towards the overlooking mountain.

The drephin leaderthe one who held his staff over his head, wasnt there. And instead of a throng of wolves, there was a handful. But there was still a gods damned raccoon wandering into the camp.

Maya turned to the side, inclining her arm in practiced introduction. Theres someone who wished to meet you.

The girl gave me a shy smile that immediately set my nerves on edge and bent in a deep curtsy. Melody, of House Vasemoux. Its lovely to meet you, my lord.

House Vasemoux. The noble tailors.

I returned a shallow bow. Right. Vasemoux. Your family did wonderful work for the queens wedding. Before my time, of course, but the work is immortalized in the artwork that lines my mothers hall.

Maya expertly cut in. Lady Melody has been regaling me with tales of her houses mercantile savvy. Imports and exports of their designs and products have been successful in the Panthanian market She trailed off as I scanned the perimeter. The raccoon from before was hoisting its way up to the seat of the mobile armory.

I opened my palm, sending a tiny spark dancing down my leg and across the grass. It was easy to manipulate the sparks at this size. It was when they were most agile.

I guided the spark behind the raccoon, up towards the back of its neck, and flared. Read latest chapters at nov(e)lbin.com Only

The raccoon half-expanded, then dropped dead with a throaty cry, its grotesque expansion immediately halted.

That they didnt explode upon death was a mixed positive. It gave us time to deal with the animals. If they continued dying one by one, however, I was certain whoever was coordinating this among the drephin would take notice, and cut their losses by detonating the lot.

Melody turned around. Whats

Dont look. I hissed.

Melody froze.

Situation? Maya snapped. Her staff was already in her hand, held casually by my side. And while her head remained trained on me, I saw her barely visible pupils darting back and forth beneath the surface of her eyes.

Drephin. Less than a half-hour. Using animals as bombs. I recited mindlessly, running through my head for a solution. They had a relatively small force and only attacked once our number was decimated by the opening salvo.

Sure, drephin, of course. Maya paused. Do you know

Only what you told me.

Shit. Maya said.

Drephin, like the mythical shapeshifting elves? Those drephin? Melody sounded bemused.

The drephins ability to change into animals was something Maya hadnt mentioned. We both turned towards her slowly.

Melody flushed. I read a lot. In my free time. Maybe a bit more than is proper.

Tell us what you know. Maya said.

Everything. I added.

Um, uh, I, uh. Melody was bright red, more so than when Id embarrassed her. In retrospect, I felt poorly for the way Id treated her. Given her station, and the lack of powerful warriors in her house, she wasnt used to being on the spot.

I gave Maya an apologetic look, then stepped into Melodys space and took her hand. My lady. The campno, the kingdomis in danger. Any knowledge you have could be invaluable to us. To me. I held her gaze, channeling reassurance and warmth.

Maya made a barely audible gagging noise.

Melody swallowed, and her blush diminished to her ears and button nose. This is all according to legendIve never seen one. Im not sure anyone living has.

Thats fine. Anything you know could help us. Just start at the beginning.

Melody took a deep breath. In the dark era, before the formation of the world, there were a series of competing lights, no larger than a speck of dust, each with the potential to bring life. The gods were petty, and snuffed out these lights as they grew prematurely, concerned with their compatriots ability to influence the path of light aligned with their essence. This is commonly referred to as the deistic schism

Maybe not that far back. I amended.

Right. Melody bit her lip. But if I dont explain Meinhawks theory of cosmic regression and the rift that transpired between the old gods and new, the entire backstory of the drephin wont make sense.

I gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Well figure it out from context. Youre doing great; keep going.

Theyre commonly believed to be celestial elves, cobbled and transformed by the old godsbecause of all the stuff you want me to skipbut really, it was only one god. Nychta

The human goddess of the night? Maya interjected.

Melody shook her head. The drephin knew her by another name. Denmother. Nychta shielded their light, hid it from the other gods. This was how the celestial elves were born. Unbound by age and time, they were by far the most powerful beings in the world. Capable of understanding and speaking any language, knowledgeable beyond any mind alive today. She was suddenly nervous. Thats um technically heretical

The room was silent, all eyes averting to various walls and floors.

With a frustrated sigh, I spread my hands wide. Alright then. Who would like the opportunity to study the Dantalion flame and serve as my attendant throughout my time in Whitefall, and have your research projects funded by the crown?

Several heads snapped over, and a number of hands raised.

Treasonous bastards! Talmon thundered.

Never underestimate the opportunism of mages.

Good. All I need you to do is quench this flame.

I approached the mages who volunteered, holding a flame in my palm. Discreetly, I forced more magic into the spark than necessary, raising the small flames temperature.

The first magean average looking manwas unable to affect the flame at all.

The seconda stern womanreached a hand out. The flame died to a pinprick, but remained steady until she collapsed backward in a sheen of sweat.

My hope waned. Quenching the third stage of the Dantalion flame with void magic was no easy task. The fire wasnt fueled by mana alone. From Veldanis description, it pulled from everything around it, including the ancient magic that maintained the separation between realms. But Id used the third stage when Id faced off against my father. If the void mages were truly this limited, there was a possibility Talmon was telling the truth.

I approached the next mage, not expecting much. He was still a boy, maybe four, five years older than me. There was a dreamy look in his gray eyes, and in a sea of silken shoes and leather boots, his feet were clad in peasants sandals.

He didnt immediately attempt to quench the flame. Rather, he studied it, reaching a tentative finger. Understanding dawned in his eyes as he focused not on the flame, but the space between my palm on the fire.

The mage held his hand palm out and clenched a fist.

Before I could add more mana to the fire to maintain it, the spark died.

The mage began to rise.

Sit your flea-ridden ass down, Eckor. Talmon warned.

Eckor sat. Pardon my insolence, Master Evoker. But with word circulating certain individuals in the administration would be willing to sell us for copper, I think its best to explore my prospects.

Talmon stoodover the boy, leaning down. Ungrateful. Your selection was a gift. And its the closest youll ever come to nobility. Without it, youre nothing but a common-born cur.

I sleep in a broom closet. Eckor said, his tone more matter-of-fact than spiteful.

With a mattress. Talmon argued. And its only temporary, until the Crimsons Brands garrison is expanded.

Thereve been several expansions. Eckor said quietly.

Consider your future. Talmon insisted.

Will the Crimson Brand fund my agricultural initiative? Ive submitted several well documented queries.

Talmon squeezed the bridge of his nose. Crop and alchemical production is not a proper focus for Crimson Brand resources.

Lazily, Eckors head swung in my direction. Will you fund my agricultural initiative?

It wasnt much of a question. Id have funded research into the aromatic qualities of horseshit if it got me a void mage. At the very least, Eckors proposition sounded beneficial to the kingdom. Done. Along with a minor title to open doors that would be closed to you as a commoner.

Wonderful. Then consider me at your disposal. Eckor smiled, then looked suddenly concerned. I only packed robes. Do I have to give them back, or

Get out! Talmon thundered.

***

Eckor stretched as we emerged from the Crimson Brand tent. Airs so fresh outside the city. So clean.

Enjoy it while you can. I muttered, surveying our surroundings. A number of hunters bearing the Vasemoux sigil had spread out within the camp. Melody and Maya were keeping a safe distance from them, walking the perimeter of the camp. Maya had mastered the art of looking without looking; Melodys head was on a swivel.

Perhaps finally picking up on the mood, Eckor stopped mid-stride, glancing around the camp at the hunters, his gaze landing on a mouse that scurried across our path. I held my breath, only letting it out once the mouse had passed.

We should probably talk about why you needed me, my lord? Eckor asked suddenly. His expression hadnt changed, but the faraway look in his eye had vanished.

Good news and bad news, Eckor. I gave him a grim smile. Good news is, you wont be sleeping in a broom closet anymore.

My thanks. He inclined his head. And the bad?

No use in sugarcoating it.

Your lifes about to get a lot more complicated.