Chapter 191: Whitefall XLV

Chapter 191: Whitefall XLV

Calculating eyes looked me over, as Salvens spear came to rest at his side. What youve accomplished here today is nothing short of astonishing.

I panted, my breath hot. Extensive as theyd grown, I was reaching the end of my reserves. My mana was all but gone, my stamina with it. Really threw a fly in the ointment, calling Zin back at the beginning.

Salven chuckled. Couldnt just let them walk into it without some degree of guilt. His gaze grew thoughtful. Speaking of Zin. Would you like to know how a full-blooded dark elf and a violet infernal came to serve in the Kings army?

Maris warning rang clearly in my mind. What was this? Was he baiting me? Was there some sort of trap I wasnt seeing? If hed just kept his men in position, he likely would have had me. Probably still did, if he was as good as Mari implied.

I cautiously looked around, spotting no sign of an ambush, monitoring him in my peripheral. If he genuinely wanted to talk, I could use the moment to recover. Considering that he was fresher than me, the moment of respite would cost him more. Tell me.

As part of the plains vanguard, of course. Salvens voice was smooth, betraying nothing. Fighting alongside the Silver Swords in the worst, bloodiest conditions possible, but never counted among their number. Never compensated the same way. Just thrown into battle, after battle, after battle, with nothing to show for it. Thats what Commander Cephur pulled us out of.

That surprised me. I didnt even know that was a thing that happened.

Its not common knowledge. Salven gave the spear another spin, and I tensed. He smiled at my reaction. Did you not think it odd, when King Valen suddenly revised his policies?

Yes. It had shocked me more than anyone.

My time in the plains was nigh unbearable. But it made me into what I am today. Believe it or not, for that trade, I bear him no ill will. So long as this change is authentic. He hefted his spear and aimed the tip at me. Apologies for my earlier coyness. My family in the enclave sends me missives. Ive been following your exploits for some time. It was my intention to test you today, but after seeing the results, it occurred to me that you might be one of a handful of people capable of a feat most believe impossible. Not now, of course, but later. And its left me with a question that cannot go unanswered.

Which is?

The spear tip remained pointed at me, as Salvens face grew serious. If this all proves to be nothing more than a facade to rally support for the coming conflict and once the arch-mage is slain, the King returns to his previous policy of banishment and persecution. Will you stand against him?

I thought of Ragnarok. Of Lillian, and the better world I vowed to create for her. I felt a stirring of resistance, of hope that Gil truly had changed for the better. But when I searched for the answer, it was the same as it always had been.

I want to believe my fathers change is genuine. That if it is purely rational, he will bear no spite toward those who aided him in his time of need. However. Should what you describe come to pass? I will do whatever it takes, I said.

Salven lowered his spear. This time, when he smiled, it was genuine. Then I have seen what I needed to see. Thank you for answering my question. He reached down and plucked the blue ribbon from his ringlet. However, I will not deny my troops a bit of sport. His lip quirked. It may be wise to hurry.

I rushed past him.

***

The battle had moved to the back corner of the ruins, as Salvens new arrivals whittled our collective troops down to almost nothing. Theyd taken heavy casualties as well, and the number of soldiers that remained with intact ribbons grew scant. When I found Sera, she was propping herself up with her swords hilt, the tip of the blade pressed into a crack in the ground, down on one knee. Alten fought a trio of soldiers nearby, trying to buy Sera time while she recovered. She was bleeding heavily, hilt pressing into her forehead as her entire body shuddered.

She saw me, and a wave of panic went through her. Im sorry. I tried but they just

I shrugged it off, incinerating the ribbon of a man rushing towards us, blocking his strike, pointing out the ribbon, and sending him back towards more of Salvens men. You did well. Can you still fight?

II dont know. I dont understand how youre still going. Its Sera pressed a hand to her chest. Getting hard to breathe.

Vision graying?

Yeah.

Same here. There were so few soldiers left on the battlefield, it felt agonizing to even consider this. But I had to say it. Retreat if you need to. Ill do my best to finish it.

Guessing were all about to hear itow, Thelysea rubbed the back of her head, scowling after Salven cuffed her.

Mari stuck her chin out at me. I think our new leadership is trying to squirrel his way out of drinks.

***

The night of drinking was a merry one, spent swapping stories with my regiment. Some of the rank and file still seemed confused about what exactly had happened, but the banner lieutenants attitude toward me had shifted, and the soldiers beneath them tentatively followed suit.

The several gold rods worth of drinks didnt hurt either.

I tried to moderate, but there were too many cheers, and drinking songs, and eventually I finally stumbled out, my mind swimming.

Watching the bustle of people coming and going at the late hour, that same unfamiliar sensation of peace washed over me. There was so much beauty in this place, it made me ache thinking of how easily and callously Id disregarded it in that first life.

Above, the celestial orb hung in the midnight canvas, alight with silver flame. It was an ethereal beacon, a luminary disc of molten silver. The gentle glow that radiated was a tender, caressing luminance that added depth to the darkness, creating a cavalcade of shadows marching upon the earth below. Between the gaps in the buildings, it cast bright fingers of light that gleamed with dust, one of which formed an illuminated line on my right.

One of which looked vaguely like a threshold. It felt familiar, somehow. Like a memory. Or a warning. A line that once crossed, could never be uncrossed, its permanence scrawled forever in the annals of time.

Elphion, the ale is getting to me.

Cairn, a voice called from behind me. I drunkenly turned to find Maya had followed me out. There was enough fear in her eyes that it cut through the haze of liquor and sobered me.

Whats wrong? I asked, not understanding what could have frightened her so.

Nothing. Just come back inside? Mayas voice was tight, filled with barely controlled panic.

I looked around, doing a full circle, swooning as I searched for any sign of danger. And then realized where we were. Why this street felt so damn familiar.

Grays Apothecary was only a few buildings down. Just beyond the threshold of moonlight.

Was this why you were so upset a few nights ago? I asked, something heavy settling down over my shoulders. You came looking for her because you knew I couldnt?

And saw what?

Maya nodded too many times, her face transformed by strain into a rictus. Nilend.

I took a step backward, toward the moonlight. What happened?

Maya shook her head, her lip quivering. Come back inside.

My breath came in ragged gasps. What. Happened?

The rasped words were so quiet I had to strain to hear. Infaris was right. I couldnt understand how, or why, or why the hells she would care, until I saw for myself. And I realized how very right she was. Her voice grew bitter, and a lone tear streaked down Mayas cheek. Please Nilend. Just let me spare you this. Let me protect you. Please.

On any other day, for any other reason, I would have listened. But what I saw in the tortured, grieving lines of Mayas face solidified a knot of terror in my chest. Because she wasnt grieving for herself. She was grieving for me.

I turned and fled across the threshold.