Heirs of Hyarch

Chapter 136: Late Night Surrender

Edeline sighed, not sure how to explain this any more clearly. "It is a feeling of control. You reach out and pull the energy in at your command. It will answer to you as long as you will it to."

She and her brother had both crept back downstairs while the others slept to begin his spellcraft lessons. With the Rider's Rest deserted apart from them and Zerendel, it was perfect for them to work on this tonight. A single bright spot, given the stash of swords was sure to bring trouble eventually.

"You make it sound so simple," Myronel grumbled, then closed his eyes to focus. "Phosphaira."

Nothing happened. The only light illuminating the room remained the glowing orb floating above Edeline's shoulder. The shadows it cast were long and left wide areas of the common room in darkness. If Myronel succeeded, the twin lights would remove most of those same shadows. Of course, Edeline didn't expect that degree of success just yet, but a sign that the magic was flowing would be a welcome sight. The smallest flash of light would do.

"You will have to try again." A touch of frustration seeped into Edeline's voice, aimed mostly at herself. This really should be Hamond or Nela doing this. They had experience teaching, and a better understanding of the basics than she did. Edeline's learning, at least in the beginning, had come from reading a book. All she could do was echo the book's words, as best as she could remember them.

"What am I even doing wrong?" Myronel grumbled, then attempted it again. "Phosphaira." Again, there was no result.

The book had mentioned something else about desiring it enough, but Edeline wasn't sure she wanted to say that to Myronel. He was putting in a serious effort to accomplish this, and she knew better than to question the devotion to Nela that led to these attempts. If anything was in doubt here, it was her skill and patience, not his determination.

"Maybe we should try a-"

The front door to the inn swung wide open, more light flooding in.

Standing there were a group of men, one of them holding a lantern up. Edeline reached for her sword, only for her hands to close on empty air. It was upstairs, hidden away...and what wasn't hidden was the glowing light of her spell.

Curse it all.

"Told you I saw some folk come in here, boss," the one with the lantern remarked, looking back over his shoulder.

"You were right," another man in the back said, "Now get out of the way so I can see."

The group spread out along the walls next to the doorway, and this boss of theirs walked in. A pair of realizations hit Edeline one after the other. First, all of the group were elves. Second, they had seen this boss before.

"So it's you," Syrkonel said, "Interesting."

"That lady's got magic," another of the group pointed out. "What do we do?"

"Your job. Search the whole place. If they're still here, we need to find them. I'll talk to this pair."

They? That could mean the swords, or the family that owned the inn. Either way, the others would be awoken soon. And knowing the others, they would not respond well to intruders entering their rooms. For everyone's sake, she and Myronel needed to keep these men away from the upper floor.

"Our companions are sleeping upstairs, and we would appreciate it if they stayed that way," she told them, stepping forward.

"Fine. Stay down here for now." Syrkonel gestured, and his men moved out along the walls. A couple went back into the kitchen. If the hidden blades were their goal, a careful and competent search would give that away. The rest began checking the walls, as if the expected something to be stored inside them.

"It seems we were both hiding something," Myronel observed as Syrkonel approached.

"You were too obvious," Syrkonel stated, "Armed elves with whatever that girl with wings is makes it clear you're not normal travelers. If I hadn't been there, you'd be in a gaol cell tonight. Or worse."

Or they just wouldn't have tried to enter the city, Edelime almost said, but stopped herself. It did them no good to get into an argument with this fellow, whatever his goals were. Furthermore, if anyone would have been in favor of that course of action, it would have been her.

"You being able to issue orders to the royal knights isn't the most subtle either," Myronel said.

Edeline had to try to contain her amusement, but Syrkonel remained serious. "They are more loyal to pikers than anyone or anything else. I take advantage of that."

So it was bribes then. There was no way they could have known, and unlikely they could have paid the cost themselves to have the knights avert their watch. Such a thing being possible though...for them to abandon their oaths so readily...Edeline would need time to consider just what had happened to make this even possible.

"I can understand." Myronel went silent for a moment. "I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I trust you to tell you our full story. However, I can tell you our main reason for being here in Melyn."

"Go ahead."

"We came from Lasfont. A terrible tragedy, due to an errant spell, had devastated that town beyond recovery. Our plan was to seek aid for the survivors, hopefully ending with them brought to safety."

"Really bad shit happening everywhere," one of the other elves said under his breath.

Syrkonel gave the man a glare. "You picked a bad place to look for that help."

"Not that anywhere else is better," Myronel said, "The whole kingdom's a mess, and I don't think the royal knights being here is helping. I'm certain we both don't want their attention."

Syrkonel didn't say anything, just studying Myronel. It was impossible for Edeline to read what the older elf was thinking. It was doubtful even Nela would be able to tell.

"We found them!" The voice echoed from the kitchen, proving Edeline had been right. The other men hurried over into the kitchen. They emerged a short while later, with each case of swords being carried between two of the men respectively.

"Excellent." Syrkonel walked over and put a hand on one of the cases. "These cost us far too much."

"What are you planning to do with those?" Myronel asked.

"What we must." Syrkonel didn't elaborate further, instead moving to stand by the outside doors. His men moved out into the street, and then he turned back to them. "If you intend to remain in Melyn, hole up here. Things are about to become fiery."

Again, without waiting for a response, he was gone.

It was probably for the best that the swords were gone from here, so that the knights would not come looking again. Still, Edeline had to wonder if there might have been some advantage in keeping them in their possession. What they might bargain for it, she did not see, but there might be some favor they could have haggled out of Syrkonel. Assuming it did not result in a fight, which it very much could have.

"Well, now we have a better idea of what's going on in Melyn." Myronel said.

"Do we truly?" Edeline could not help but feel that this only raised more questions - both about the city, and about Syrkonel himself. She had grim suspicions, but without proof, she could hardly accuse him of anything.

"Lord Melyn cannot be involved with this rebellion. They would have no need to bribe the guards if he was."

Edeline shook her head, not quite ready to believe that. "That could easily be a lie to hide the lord's involvement."

"If word spread that his men could be bought, it would cut into his authority. We both know that." Myronel frowned, clearly thinking this over. "Although...it is possible Lord Melyn is weak or corrupt. That would explain his men being less than loyal."

"It does not take much to get even loyal men to turn against those they are sworn to." Edeline smiled grimly before echoing Myronel's own words back. "We both know that."

"I'm sorry," Myronel said quickly, "I did not mean to remind you of Hallowscroft."

"If anything, it was Syrkonel who reminded me," Edeline said, "I do not think he is the same as Kalvarel, but something about his position here is...disturbing."

"You fear the hand of the Spellking." Myronel half-turned away, staring at the doors. "It would be an opportunity to cause chaos by manipulating people with spells. We still have no proof though. The truth is, we could spend all night coming up with possibilities, and all that would do is leave us too tired for tomorrow."

Edeline supposed that was a fair point. "Shall we return to your lesson then?"

"No," Myronel said, "We're probably both too distracted by what just happened to think clearly, and it's only getting later. We should head back up and get what sleep we can."

They would have the luxury of sleeping in somewhat late, but it was likely a good idea to not push themselves too far. If they stayed in bed too long, it would force them to delay their plans by a day. It was a day they did not have to waste, if Syrkonel was to be believed.

"Alright." Edeline concentrated, letting her light spell fade at last. Darkness engulfed the pair. "Let me know if you need more assistance on another night."

"If we get another chance, I will." Myronel's outline moved past her, before stopping with one foot on the first step. "Somehow, though, I fear we may be too busy."

He resumed climbing the stairs, and after a moment to space themselves apart, Edeline followed.