Chapter 172: Whitefall XXVIII

Chapter 172: Whitefall XXVIII

Finalizing the inscriptions took most of the day. While Id had my doubts about Maeve, she seemed more than competent. A little too competent.

Thank you for your time, Lady Maeve. I stood and stretched my arm. It was wrapped in cloth, which she sternly instructed me to leave on for at least a half day. The material was differentfibrous instead of the transparent wrap the enclave inscribers used, but it served the same purpose: giving the pathways time for the ink to set and the mana to circulate free from outside contaminants.

While a large swath of her competency was believably attributed to a lifetime studying the arts, small tells conveyed a different story.

When I sought out my first set of inscriptions in the enclave, low on resources and looking for someone who wouldnt immediately run to report my movements to the council, and most importantly, spread word of the suicide inscription on my chestI found my first inscriber in the shadier side of the enclave. Something of a condensed Topside, the many dens of debauchery were packed into the equivalent of a city block. That first inscriber, while experienced, was used to smaller, more intricate projectsprobably inscribing the sorts of things the council would have frowned onand for my purposes, he was more than adequate.

Only later, when I went for additions to an inscriber Ralakos recommended just before entering the sanctum, did the key differences become clear. The new ink was applied with consummate precision, creating contoured lines more pleasant to the eye, and subtle gradations of shading. New addendums were merged onto the prior foundation, and after some convincing, the inscriber smoothed out and blended the original work flawlessly, somehow doing better work faster.

While Maeve was not quite as skilled as the second inscriber, she most certainly belonged in the second camp, rather than the first. Talent could explain the quality of the work, but not the speed and efficiency that accompanied it.

She had almost certainly done this more regularly than she let on. Probably for quite some time, during a period when a human carrying out an infernal ritual would be ridiculed at best, imprisoned at worst.

And now Lady Maeve was here, openly plying her once-forbidden craft on the Kings son. It was both satisfying and humbling to see how quickly things were changing. In recent years Id come to reconsider much of my mothers advice with a jaded lens, but one piece stood above the rest.

Enlightenment is a beacon to the spirit. Give them guidance. Share your vision. And you will find them capable of remarkable change.

On some level Id always wanted to believe that, but it was far easier now that it was being demonstrated before my eyes. My father hadnt taken the soft-handed approach my mother probably imagined would accompany that advice, but hed guided them in his own way. Paid dearly for it. And now, things were changing.

I walked through the castle proper, still attempting to reconcile the smoking, blood-soaked ruin of my memories with the bustling figurehead itd returned to. The conversation with Annette still troubled me, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I sought my mothers counsel. She understood relationships on an almost scientific level, and if anyone could advise me on a less murderous avenue of handling Sera, it would be her.

A wave of bittersweet nostalgia swept over me as I approached her quarters. The last time Id been here was when I said goodbye.

The Queens Guard was posted at the door, and offered small smiles as I approached. I recognized them as Rowan and Valai. Along with their duties guarding the queen, they were loyal and stalwart, supporting her far beyond their station. The queens sickness and subsequent death affected them both profoundly. The last time I saw Valai, she was shipping off for the plains, a campaign from which she would never return. My final memory of Rowan was his face, reduced to a bloody pulp as my father rained down fists and fury in the courtyard.

I never knew why they fought, or exactly what Rowan said to elicit such a violent reaction. But it wasnt much of a jump to guess that it had something to do with my fathers absence at her deathbed.

Been a long time, Cairn. Rowan hesitated. Or should I be using your title?

Seeing as how you made no secret of how often you used to change my damn diaper, I think we can let the title slide. I grasped his arm and pulled him in for an embrace, then did the same with Valai.

Hello Cairn. She gave Rowan a superior look. Told you he wouldnt have changed that much.

If anything, hes friendlier, Rowan mused.

Changed how? I looked between them.

Rowan cleared his throat, awkwardly. Uh. Some of the gossip circling around your return painted you in an unfamiliar light.

A fiery, violet light. Valai poked at me and grinned.

Elphion. People really never stopped talking. I groaned. We were under attack. And for that matter, I gave them a chance to surrender. Multiple chances.

No need to justify yourself to us, boy. Rowan waved my explanation away, and a bit of steel crept into his expression. We werent always on protective detail. He looked over my shoulder then, eyes tracing up and down Alten. Speaking of which. Hes with you?

I introduced Alten, and while Rowan and Valai were clearly curious about his armor and especially the sword, they kept their silence. But despite the genuine pleasantries and conversation, it quickly grew obvious that they werent inviting me in as they normally would have.

Well, Im here to see my mother, if shes awake and available, I finally stated outright.

They exchanged glances.

Maya smiled gently and took my hand. Youve already given me the best preparation I could ask for. Patching up you and Jorras stubborn hides almost every day in the sanctum was more valuable field experience than you could imagine.

I nodded, though it hadnt escaped me that shed left Bell out of the statement. Sometimes multiple times a day.

Indeed.

A question lingered in my mind. One that would either change nothing, or drive a dagger into my gut. It was better to leave it. I asked, anyway. Is she sending anyone else away, Maya? Or just me?

Maya said nothing. She didnt have to. From the way her lips pressed together, and her tail snaked up to curl around her wrist, I had my answer.

Sorry, she said.

No. I put my hands on my hips and exhaled, long and unsteady. No, you are completely fine. Thanks for taking care of her. Little late, but Im about to go out on the town anyway. Have a beer with that elf, see about finding his wife.

Elf? Maya asked.

Uh, yeah. Rock guy. I mimicked an object bouncing off the side of my head and ricocheting away.

Ah.

Invite you along, but Im guessing youre tied up here? For the first time since returning from my exile, I found that I really didnt want to be alone.

Yes. Maya smiled apologetically. Once the queen no longer requires my services, Lady Melody was insistent on showing me the gardens. Apparently with the mana illumination, theyre quite striking in the evenings.

Damn woman, undercutting me at every turn. I shook a mock fist and continued to walk backwards. This is her retaliation for the dance last night.

And what a dance it was. Mayas smile slowly faded, expression growing serious. Cairn. Are you sure youre okay?

Yep.

Youll take Alten with you to Topside?

I turned and waved behind me as Alten followed, elevating my voice so she could hear. Alten, you coming with me to Topside?

Oh, yes. Alten cracked his knuckles, his expression dark. A day in the palace and Im already spoiling for a fight. No place better.

He says yes. Apparently, hes spoiling for a fight! I said over my shoulder.

That doesnt make me feel better, Maya grumbled after us.

In truth, Maya had missed something. Willfully or otherwise. That something being, that my mother had never turned me away. Her guard had, but never at her orders. Even when things were at their worst, and her skin was gray, and she couldnt so much as lift a cup to her lips.

But it didnt matter. Id blunted my reaction, but I hadnt lied. Id long ago accepted the possibility of being alienated from my familyLillian, Maya, my mother and sistersit mattered little how they felt about me. Or in Lillians case, if she even knew me. So long as they lived to see the better world I was trying to secure.

Uh. You know I was joking earlier? About fighting? Alten said. He seemed uncharacteristically wary.

I got that.

Just the look on your face.

Hm?

Never mind, Alten muttered, and spoke no more of it.