Chapter 195: The Seekers of Virtun

Chapter 195: The Seekers of Virtun

I think that you have the wrong idea, Elara said, keeping a wary eye on the men that held - or attempted to, anyway - her in place. They seemed nervous, faced with the knowledge that they were trying to keep a well-equipped Seeker in place. Resolute, too.

Another emotion that was out of place. What had them so determined? The who of it was easier to see; the man who had turned them against her hadnt exactly been subtle. Elara just hadnt paid him much mind.

It hadnt seemed very important, compared to those that she needed to find.

Apparently it was.

Oh, please, the man sneered, stepping around so that his face was visible. As she had thought, it was the same man from before, with only a few changes. Whereas before his face had expressed a more quiet, sullen anger, it now wore his emotions more openly. He was red, near the color of blood, the vibrant hue easy to see on his otherwise sunken and sallow skin.

Whats this about? the recently-healed Guardswomen demanded, clearly confused by the direction of recent events. Elara had a feeling that only the implicit approval of the others stopped her from interfering, with a number of other members of the Guard siding against her.

One of those same guards slipped a free hand down to her side, loosening the sword sheathed at her waist. Elara let it go, knowing that she could easily get another if necessary. Unlike her armor, there was nothing special about the blades.

This is about a murderer in our midst, masquerading as a hero, the man answered, immediately turning his attention to Elara. He pointed, pressing a finger against Elaras metal-clad face. The metal rang lightly. I saw, you know. I heard. We both did. I know what you did.

Again, I think that you have the wrong idea, Elara repeated, speaking louder this time so that everyone would be sure to hear. Despite her efforts, the helmet covering her head muffled the noise, hollowing it out and giving her voice a timbre that was ever so slightly off. Lightly pulling at her own strings, Elara forced herself to remain calm and think. Ive never met you before today, nor have I ever murdered anyone. So no, I dont know what it is that you think I did.

If anything, her words seemed to anger the man further, as if they were a personal affront. He breathed in deep, a vein visibly bulging on his temple, and gestured widely around them. This, he said. I dont know how you caused it, but you did this, you and your friends. And you, he started to stammer, choking off a sudden sob, you were excited about it! he continued. As if our city didnt matter. As if we didnt matter. As if my son -

Again, he started to choke out his words, overcome by another emotion. Grief, instead of rage, though Elara was beginning to realize that one might have spawned the other. The many hands around her tightened into white-knuckled grips.

Look, one of the Guards interjected. Peter, Elara thought it was, the market patroller. He had a nice voice. I know Maran, and I knew his boy. He wouldnt just make something up like this, and the timing of the Collapse was -

Suddenly, Maran reached for the remaining blade at her side in a quick motion. Pulling it free with another aborted sob, he lunged forward - and as the blades tip scratched against Elaras chestplate, she let the armors power activate.

Caught within uncaring strings, and only freed once there was little left to live for any longer.

It was no wonder that he was filled with such hate. No wonder that the Guards had listened to his story, and turned against Elara despite her efforts to free them.

She would have done the same.

Did they suffer? Maran asked, a vindictive light in his eyes. The mans demeanor had changed entirely upon finding out that Elara was a citizen of Verdant Grove, and more importantly not a Seeker of Virtun. He had been very apologetic afterwards.

That sense of apology paled before his vindication at their deaths.

Of the two that I saw personally, one was crushed to death and the other impaled on a spike. So yes, I suppose they suffered, Elara answered, the majority of her attention focused on the path before her. Dozens of survivors were relying on her and the now much friendlier members of the Guard to escort them back to the Guildhall safely, and she took to that role with the gravity that it required.

It was a welcome distraction from the simmering ball of rage that she was forced to continually banish. She had met the members of the Virtun delegation. Spoken to them, in her curiosity. Their words had been the driving factor in her own attempt to infuse herself with mana - one that worked, but suddenly felt tainted by association.

The anger rose again, and Elara pulled at the strings needed to cast it aside. There would be time for that later.

Just as Maran began to speak again, a veritable forest entered Elaras field of view, its constituent plants each grown to immense proportions. Greens and browns and more as far as the eye could see, and every bit of it lined with veins of gold and blue.

Thiswas not here when I left, Elara said, befuddled. Reaching the outskirts, she held out a hand, running fingers down a series of hanging vines, their fibers etched in blue and gold. They responded, wrapping around her lightly as if in an embrace, before letting go again. The Little Guardians work.

At least theres some good news, I suppose. And a likely answer as to why the tremors stopped. With something like this around as protection, the Guildhall should be relatively safe, she thought.

Elara turned towards the crowd of refugees, smirking at the sight of dropped jaws and wide eyes.

Youll have to get used to this sort of thing, she said, beckoning towards them. Lets go. Its not far now.

Her steps ever-so-slightly buoyed by a carpet of blue-gold moss, Elara continued towards the Guildhall.