Heirs of Hyarch

"That is quite the story," Syrkonel said.

Hamond knew just how impossible it all sounded. They'd spent the past few minutes giving the Elefae leader an account of what came to pass in Lasfont. They'd only kept vague on why the knights sought Edeline there, and the related conversation with Lord Melyn. Syrkonel would probably conclude the former was due to Edeline's spellcraft, which on its own would be reason enough to draw the attention of the king's men.

"However, it does seem Lord Melyn has already decided to turn on you," Syrkonel continued, pointing a finger in Edeline's direction. "The town guards are actively searching for you now."

"Why would they?" Edeline asked with a scowl.

"I would tell you if I knew," Syrkonel replied, "I do have someone on the inside who would normally report to me what Lord Melyn's plans are, but they have locked down his manor. No one is going in, no one is coming out."

Hamond knew that had to be an emergency of some sort to prompt such a drastic measure. Edeline and Myronel, simply from their background, would be aware of the same. What was strangest about this was that whoever was responsible wasn't aligned with Syrkonel. That left one very obvious culprit in his mind, one he personally hoped they wouldn't have to deal with.

"So you are saying we should not expect him to send that aid to Lasfont after all." Edeline slumped down, clenching her fists. "After all that...what a joke."

"You are rare among nobles." Syrkonel said, "Most desire keep their position for their entire lives before anything else. Anyone who threatens that is their enemy."

"I do not consider myself a noble any more," Edeline responded, "And before you say it, I am quite aware they will still see my bloodline before the person I have become."

"It is hard to walk away from that," Syrkonel acknowledged, "If you are being honest, I will respect your effort here."

The unspoken second half of what Syrkonel meant hung heavy in the air.

"So what about Jylania?" Sedat said after a moment. She'd been stuck in a corner of the dining hall, her wings half-spread along the walls. It didn't look at all comfortable.

"I suppose I should tell you, since you all found Larimel's son. One of my men saw a Elefae girl of about that age breaking into an abandoned storehouse on the north side of the city. I cannot say if she was looking for food, shelter, or something else."

"Why would she..." Nela trailed off.

"Again, I do not know. But if it is her, I'd rather her be gone." Syrkonel crossed his arms. "I happen to have some things hidden in there."

More swords or other weapons, Hamond figured. It was a solid strategy, distributing the weapons at various locations around the city. If anyone stumbled onto one, there would be more than enough other places to fall back on instead. Which is exactly what had happened with the Rider's Rest, Hamond reminded himself, so that act of preparation was completely justified.

"You want us to go secure what is there while we're checking," Edeline concluded.

"I have other men to handle that. But whoever is there may find our stash, or draw other people like the guard in to discover it. So even if it isn't this girl of yours there, I would like you to convince her to leave."

Hamond didn't really see a problem with that request on the surface. However, there was another issue that arose from what Syrkonel had told them. "I am going to bet you do not want Edeline going on this errand."

"I would prefer she didn't." It was the answer Hamond had expected.

Edeline's response was just as predictable. "We lost track of her because we split up in pursuit of our task, one that you just told us was futile. Neither is it the first time us dividing our efforts has given us grief. We will not make this mistake again. We go there together, or not at all."

"Then I had better prepare to have the supplies there moved to another location." Irritation flickered across Syrkonel's face. "Try not to get into a fight inside the storehouse."

That seemed more generous than Hamond would've thought. "Perhaps we can come up with a route there that will avoid the busiest streets," he suggested.

"I don't think that is going to help much," Myronel said, before looking back to Syrkonel. "More importantly, though...this is a lot for you to risk when you could send some of your men to take care of it."

"I could do that. But my organization isn't about that. All the time and effort I have given is to seek one thing and one thing only. It is to provide a means for the Elefae to rise once more, and regain what we are as a people."

This was starting to sound far too much like Kalvarel's last words for Hamond to be comfortable. He should have realized that the circumstances would give rise to more than one Elefae who sought to undermine their lord and the king. Although there was no sign of taking up the methods of the Spellking here, the possibility worried him too much to ignore.

"Do you seek to be lord then? Or more?" Hamond wished there was a more polite way to phrase it. He didn't want to challenge Syrkonel, especially when the man seemed so much more animated and emotional. Every word spoken was sincere here, that much was certain.

"No, but there may be no choice." Syrkonel glanced away, avoiding Hamond's eyes. "For years I had hoped our ways would be enough to convince one of the nobility to join our side and ascend with us. What I have seen tells me I will never live to see that. So the title and power must be taken with our own hands."

All of them - Hamond, Edeline, Nela, and Sedat - looked over at Myronel.

"That day may come sooner than you think." Myronel appeared to have a ready response, which was good, because Hamond couldn't think of one. "We did encounter one noblewoman who was sympathetic to the plight of the Elefae. Lady Kelshir was willing to grant coins and goods to aid them."

It was a true statement, and it did deflect the matter aside for now. Still, Hamond had to wonder how tempting this was for Myronel. He had said he wanted to seek out any Elefae that needed his aid, but he also was trying to walk away from his nobility, in the same manner as Edeline. Them both having to face the same question wasn't something Hamond, or probably any of the others, had predicted.

"Perhaps I'll meet her someday, but that does not help us now." That was fair enough. Kelshir was months of travel away, and the fighting over Melyn was in mere days.

"Then we'll help," Nela declared.

It was a frustrating surprise, even when Hamond knew it should not have been. He had been somewhat expecting Myronel to try and talk them into assisting Syrkonel's cause later, when they had a private moment to talk. For Nela to immediately make that offer...he had the brief grim thought that she was still being affected by the blow to her head, but he quickly dismissed that.

"You don't owe me anything," Syrkonel told her, "Though I won't refuse the help."

"It's not just about owing you," Nela answered, "Not all the Elefae can fight, so...we decided to fight for them if it was needed. Me and Ronny...together."

"Ronny?" Even if Syrkonel's face showed no reaction, the question alone carried his disbelief.

"Ronny," Nela repeated. She reached under the table to touch or take Myronel's hand. From where he sat across from them, Hamond couldn't tell which...not that it mattered.

"Right then." Syrkonel shook his head. "I'll find someone to guide you to the storehouse. We'll talk again when you return."

"Wait," Edeline said, stopping Syrkonel before he could reach the door. "If we are to work alongside you, I want to be certain that word of who I am will not be spread among your men."

"I would not speak of it," Syrkonel replied, "But others who you've met will, and my men may learn eventually. Be ready for that."

As Syrkonel left, Hamond wondered if that had been meant as a threat more than a warning. It was quite likely some of his men hated nobility in general. If they knew the truth of Edeline and Myronel, their situation could turn ugly.

Nela stood up and walked over to Edeline. "Look, I know you didn't want this, but...I had to, between what he's doing for us and our promise to help the Elefae. I just...don't want to leave without trying something."

"Of course I do not want this." Edeline looked down at her hands. "But I have to stand by what I said yesterday, or else any other words I have spoken or will speak lose all meaning. So we fight together, regardless of what I risk."

There was no objection Hamond could offer without risking Syrkonel or his men overhearing. At the least, it would give them a chance to seek out more supplies along the way. Getting the pikers might be an issue, but Syrkonel might yet be convinced to spare some. Call him mercenary, but someone had to think about their prospects for the road after they left.

That was not the only thing on his mind though. Somewhere, among all this chaos, the Witch of Wrath was waiting for them. Where she was, Hamond wasn't even going to try to guess, but her goal was very clear. She wanted Edeline Hallowscroft dead, and she would turn her spells on anyone who interfered, noble or rebel alike.

Wait...they had mentioned the Witch of Wrath's involvement, and that she was headed here. Syrkonel hadn't shown much of a reaction then, and hadn't asked about it afterwards. Hamond would've thought the elven man would be at least a little worried about the possibility of his plans being disrupted.

Unless...of course. If they had left, then the Witch of Wrath would simply pursue them, leaving Syrkonel free to proceed. Since they had stayed, he could call on them to oppose the Witch of Wrath, something they were fully capable of doing. They had told him they'd nearly overpowered her before she fled, but that wouldn't stop her from...

No, now was not the time to drive himself to madness with worry. They'd deal with the Witch of Wrath when she showed herself. Finding out if it was Jylania in that storehouse was their immediate concern.