Empire of Night

Chapter Eighteen

Revelations

“Well, how did it go?” Ayduin asked, ambushing Rhydian before he’d made it more than a step beyond the door.

He gave a start and cursed under his breath. Both Vaelor and Tanuzet were with her, eyeing him expectantly even though the latter had been privy to the entire conversation. He rubbed at his face, feeling like he’d just endured a full day’s flight without reprieve.

“All things considered? It could have been worse,” he said, pressing his back to the heavy door once he’d locked it. “The Council wasn’t behind it.”

Vaelor and Ayduin exchanged glances and she pursed her lips. “Who did you speak with, then?”

“The High Wardeness.”

Her brows shot up and she blinked. “You’re serious? You spoke with Katrielle Nysine?”

“Trust me, I would have preferred the Elders.”

“Skies above. I don’t suppose she told you anything?”She asked, arms crossed.

He shook his head, “I know about as much now as I did before our little meeting.”

“That’s . . . aggravating,” she muttered, “What happens now?”

“We’re being tasked with overseeing Inerys’ advancement. Once we’ve stabilized her Soul enough for long-distance travel, we’re to fly to Cyllicia to meet the Wardeness in person. It seems she’s taken an interest in our guest,” he said, idly brushing a hand along Tanuzet’s chin.

“Advancement? We’re not exactly equipped for something like that. Is she sending supplies?”

“She wants us to take her to the Spirit Wilds.”

Ayduin snorted, “That girl is a stone’s throw away from death. She won’t last the flight, no matter how short.”

At first, he’d been inclined to agree. From what the others had told him, Inerys had done little beyond sleep since he’d last seen her. It wasn’t entirely unexpected, though. Rest was important for one’s recovery, but hers was not a normal ailment. Her body was under enough stress as it was, though an idea struck him. Perhaps giving her an extra dose of Sorisanna’s tea would make the flight easier. He made a mental note to inquire after the possibility later.

“We still have a few medicinal pills on hand I’m willing to spare. I’ll speak with Sorisanna and see what we can do to minimize any further fracturing. She’s in no shape to make the flight to the capitol, especially if we encounter a storm, but we should be able to manage a few hours if we’re careful. The Wardeness is giving us a full month before I have to report in with an update, so we have a few days to figure things out before we should leave.”

“A month? Sorisanna gave her less than a week before the shackle fails.”

“I explained as much,” he assured, “But the Wardeness believes layering several shackles over the core should be enough to contain it over the next few weeks. I only hope it’s long enough to make a difference.”

“I wouldn’t be heartbroken if it wasn’t,” she sighed, “but I can’t imagine the Wardeness would be particularly pleased if her little beastie died.”

If we are journeying to the Spirithold, Ephaxus should join us, Tanuzet said.

Vaelor rumbled his assent. He will not stay in the sages’ ward forever. If he does not join us, he should leave the keep regardless. Dwelling in Keishara’s memory will only heighten his chances of succumbing to the separation.

Tanuzet chuffed as she arched her elegant neck. He will fare far better with our support and we would not bear the worry of draining resources in the Spirithold.

Inwardly, Rhydian cursed himself for not considering such sooner. The Spirit Wilds or Spirithold, as the wyverns referred to it, was a treasure trove few were equipped to take advantage of. Beyond the dense atmospheric aura, the flora and fauna within were ripe with essence of all sorts. In truth, it was likely the best option for both of them.

He rubbed his cheek with a gloved hand, thinking. The Wardeness had wanted all involved brought to her, which would include Ephaxus. However, there was still the matter of his condition to consider.

“I’m not opposed, but I’ll have to discuss his condition with Sorisanna first. I’m not even sure he can fly in his current state. His wings may be functional, but without his tail and lesser set, he won’t be able to stay aloft. I won’t risk another fall,” he said. “If he has to wait and join us later, I’ll have either you or Cydan stay behind until he’s ready. I’d prefer to have two wyverns with him in case something happens along the way, but there’s no point setting anything in stone until we have the sage’s input.”

“I take it we’re all being shipped off to the capitol?” Ayduin asked.

“She wanted all who were bound to my oath in attendance,” he said, shifting uncomfortably at the thought of leaving Mistwatch without a sage.

Before they had said their farewells, the Wardeness had assured him she would see to the outpost’s wellness. Talhavar would be reassigned and distributed accordingly. Mistwatch would be secure. A part of him would mourn the loss of his flight, but it seemed fate had called him to another purpose. One that might one day lead to something greater, if he were lucky or proved himself worthy. How many of his rank and age could claim the honor of operating beneath the direct word of a sovereign?

Ayduin narrowed her eyes. “She didn’t seem like she would be inclined to take our heads when we arrive, did she? I’m afraid my head and shoulders are rather content in their current relationship. I’d hate to see them go through a nasty divorce.”

Behind her, Vaelor snorted.

Were it not for the nature of their discussion, Rhydian might have cracked a smile.

“She didn’t allude to anything, but I suppose there’s always the possibility. However, we’re more valuable to her and the country alive. The oath she’s bound me to assures my silence and with you all bound to mine already, she should have no reason to consider the extreme.”

“I guess that’s something,” she said, glancing off down the corridor. “Well, you best get to it, then. I’ll check in with the patrols in the meantime.”

“Take Cydan and Inet with you when you head out for your rotation,” he said.

She gave him a lazy salute and quickly climbed up into Vaelor’s saddle. He watched them go before setting off down the hall in the opposite direction. Tanuzet’s membranous wings shuffled as she joined him, talons clicking along the stone in an even, if slowed, pace. She remained silent as they walked, sensing his question.

“Tell me honestly,” he said quietly, “Do you think Ephaxus is well enough to fly?”

Her maw briefly parted, nostrils whistling, No. He cannot launch from a low or level position in his current state. If he were to catch wing, he would have to set off from a high enough vantage and even then, his landing worries me most. When he learns of our plan, he will insist upon joining us despite his limitations.

“I suspected as much,” he said, lips thin, “for now, we’ll keep our intentions to ourselves. If you want to check in on him, I’ll work out where to go from here with Sorisanna.”

She halted when they reached the lift chamber. Be mindful of your new pet, Rhydian.

“As of this morning, she’s officially our ward,” he reminded, but added, “I will.”

Not long after they had parted ways, he found Sorisanna in the hall on her way to Inerys’ room. To his relief, it looked as though she’d actually had a decent night's sleep. The dark bruises beneath her eyes had all but vanished and she carried herself with a freshness he envied. She paused when she noticed him and offered a smile.

“I was wondering when you’d return for a visit,” she said, checking over her shoulder before she asked, “how did things go this morning? Cydan told me you were meeting with command.”

He certainly would have preferred it.

“Better than I expected,” he admitted, “That’s actually what I’d like to discuss. Do you have a moment to speak privately?”

The sage pivoted back in the direction of her study, curiosity alight in her eyes. “Of course.”

“It won’t take long,” he assured, falling into step beside her.

“It’s no trouble,” she said, "Unless . . .you’re in a hurry?”

Rhydian blinked. Was he in a rush? Beyond his meeting, nothing else had been pressing. Aside from checking in on Inerys and she wasn’t exactly going anywhere.

“I– No. I don’t want to keep you from your duties longer than I have to,” he said a bit too quickly.

She tilted her head. “Are you all right? You made a fuss about me getting enough rest last night, but I get the feeling you didn’t share the same sentiment for yourself.”

His lips edged into a frown. Was it so obvious?

“It’s been a rough few days,” he said, as if it were explanation enough.

Based off the look she gave him as they stepped into her study, it wasn’t.

Mist drifted beyond the great window at the far end of the room, the wide desk situated before it piled high with books and rolled parchment. At first glance, one might mistake it for a proper mess, though Rhydian had learned there was an order to the chaos. The clutter was simply due to Sorisanna’s inability to put things away. Or, really, her tendency to be distracted by her next priority. In truth, he’d always found it rather endearing.

Once the door clicked shut behind her, he relented.

“I can’t sleep. I’ve tried, but all I do is lay there, wrapped up in my own thoughts.”

Her expression softened. “The past few days haven’t exactly been pleasant, have they?”

He shook his head. “It’s been one crisis after another. At least now, I have some idea of what happens next. Maybe that will help.”

Sorisanna toyed with her braid, appearing as though she wanted to prompt him further. Mercifully, she didn’t. Exhausted as he was, he wouldn’t add to her burdens by saddling her with his own.

“I have a tea that would help,” she offered, “but you may benefit more from a cultivation session. By the sound of it, you haven’t cycled your mental core since this all started.”

He grimaced. “I haven’t exactly had the time.”

She passed him by, lingering along the wide threshold of the adjoining alchemy room. She briefly tapped her chin, her other hand upon her hip as she turned to him.

“Take some time tonight, then. Even if it’s only for a few minutes. I’ll have time to mix the herbs for your tea this afternoon and have it delivered to you before bed.”

“Please, I don’t want to trouble you,” he said, but she silenced him with a single, raised finger.

“You’re hardly troubling me, Rhydian. It’s the duty of a sage to look after the wellbeing of their flight. Vesryn may not want to do his job, but that doesn’t mean I’m keen to follow his example,” she said, snuffing out any further argument he could raise, “Now, what was it you wanted to discuss?”

Remembering himself, he sighed and recounted the highlights of his meeting with the High Wardeness. Since Sorisanna was now as much a part of this as he was, he shared the details of he and Vesryn’s discoveries, their theories, as well as his experiment the night prior in relation to Inerys’ new food preferences. Instead of looking horrified or disturbed by what he told her, the young sage appeared fascinated. She had even gone so far as to grab a leatherbound journal from a hidden compartment in her desk.

Once retrieved, she circled back around to where Rhydian had taken a seat and perched herself on the arm of the opposite chair. She flipped through the first few pages, then hesitated. A small, embarrassed smile edged her lips.

“I know this probably wasn’t the best idea, but I started recording Inerys’ peculiarities. I thought doing so might prove useful later. It sounds like she’s an entirely different species,” she said with an air of excitement, “What if we’re the first ones on the continent to encounter one of her kind?”

He shifted uneasily. “I’m . . . not sure. Forgive me if I don’t share your enthusiasm. Our encounter with the first one wasn’t exactly pleasant.”

She winced. “Right. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound insensitive, I only – well, this is an opportunity. If no one knows for certain what she is, I might be the first sage to document the species’ physiology. I can’t help but find it thrilling.”

Rhydian tried to approach the matter from her perspective and eventually understood. To some degree, at least. Having some sort of record could indeed help them in the future. Her diligence may even impress the Wardeness when they arrived.

“I can see the importance of it,” he said, “you have my blessing to continue. All I ask is that you keep your notes close at hand.”

“I’ll keep my accounts safe,” she promised.

He nodded, but added. “Don’t tell Vesryn of your records either.”

Sorisanna smiled coyly. “I hadn’t planned on it.”

“Good. I worry about him enough as it is,” he said.

“He’s made it clear he wants nothing more to do with the situation. I think it’s for the best.”

Rhydian pinched the bridge of his nose. “He won’t be pleased when he learns he’ll be joining us. But right now, I suppose it’s neither here nor there. I’ll worry about him later.”

He had enough to deal with already.

“How is she?” He asked.

“I’m hesitant to say better, but she appears to be improving. She’s more alert than she was yesterday and from what she tells me, is in marginally less pain. The fracturing hasn’t spread, which means the shackle is holding.”

He sat back, lacing his fingers, “How much time do you think we’d be buying her by layering additional ones?”

She bit the inside of her cheek. “It’s difficult to say for certain. I’ve never set more than one at a time. Given the current rate of erosion, though, I’d say maybe one week per shackle?”

“How many can you set?”

“Again, I’m not sure. This is all rather new to me, but I’ll manage as many as I can. She’s of a low enough Ascension that I should be able to handle adding more on my own, but I’ll need my spheres.”

He nodded, mostly to himself. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“I’d feel better if I had someone else in the room with me,” she admitted. “Especially since I’ve never done anything quite like this before. Your own observations would help me compile my notes too. You might catch something I miss.”

“Would you like Cydan present?”

She shook her head, “You and I should be enough if things get out of hand.”

He wished he shared her confidence. Though, he reminded himself she was a fleshweaver. In the event Inerys attacked, for whatever reason, Sorisanna may actually stand a better chance of subduing her.

“Can it be done today?” He wondered.

“I’ll need some time to prepare myself and see to Ephaxus, but we could plan for this evening? We should speak with Inerys as well.”

“That’s probably wise,” he agreed. “When you have a moment, I’d like to read through your notes as well. May I?”

With a hum, she offered him her notebook.

“I’ve yet to write down my observations of her teeth, but everything else is current,” she said.

He took it, running a hand over the supple leather binding.

“How were they?”

“When I examined them this morning, the new fangs had almost fully descended. I’m not sure if the new growth is tied to her regenerative capabilities, but it’s putting a strain on the rest of her body. It appears to be prioritizing this growth over recovery. From what I’ve seen, all the additional essence I’ve supplemented her with so far has gone to the generation of the fangs. I’m hoping once they’ve settled, the next round of medicinal pills will be distributed to the rest of her body.”

A shiver shot up the length of his spine and he couldn’t help but wonder if her smile would be as terrifying as the dead woman’s had been. He opened his mouth to speak, but paused when he noted the sudden shift in the sage’s expression. Realization quickly turned to worry and he felt his stomach hollow out, mouth dry.

“What is it?”

She cursed under her breath, twisting her braid as she glanced off toward the door. “Oh dear. I’ve made a mistake.”

Rhydian rose. “What do you mean, mistake?”

“I think I know why her body hasn’t improved. Skies, I should have realized it sooner. It’s her physical core. With the extent of her fracturing, she’s bound to have blown out channels or worse, a burst meridian.”

His fingers grew cold, “What happens if the essence leaks into the rest of her body?”

She threw out a hand, summoning her spheres. The trio shot toward her from where they’d lain dormant in the adjoining room and flew into orbit behind her head.

“Luckily, it isn’t all that different from a bruise, but the essence doesn’t clot. I’ll need to identify the ruptures and repair them manually. I should be able to draw out whatever excess essence has pooled out once the damage is mended.”