Chapter 54: the heir’s wake
The halls of the Citadel echoed with hushed urgency. Word had spread: the scribe of the Writ had responded if faintly to the glyph’s final words. "She remembers still." They were the first clue in months that the Flame’s true heir might still exist. The question now was where and whether she remembered who she was.
Thalen stood before the gathering in the council hall. He wore his Ascendant mantle over armor scuffed by clouded aura. Around him were Renal, Varos, Ilara, Generals Simeon and Terres, and the remaining four of the Nine aligned with Reuven and the Crown. Their faces were lit not by lamplight, but by the promise and peril of the coming mission.
He cleared his throat. "The glyph’s message was clear. We have a living heir. Someone tied to the original Flame that became the Tyrant Spirit. We must locate her before our enemies do."
A murmur passed through the room. Varos stepped forward. "We’d been considering a launch to the northern breaches. But this changes everything. We cannot waste time chasing relics when the root is alive."
Thalen nodded. "Agreed. But we’re searching for an individual lost to history. We need scouts, but also scholars capable of reading secrets in abandoned places."
Renal said, "One possibility: the ruins of Elysyr, east of here but still inside Crown territory. It was once a vessel of Flame scholars now deserted, but rumored to house sealed archives. We could request access under Crown agreement."
Thalen met Renal’s gaze. "We act under Ascendant banner joint banner. Scouts, scholars, small force. A diplomatic rather than military entrance."
Lady Miraline added softly, "We should also warn nearby alliances. If the heir is discovered first by warlords or Shadehand, the consequences could be catastrophic."
General Simeon nodded. "I’ll prepare envoys to neighboring lords under Crown escort."
Ilara spoke next. "The heir may not remember her past. But aura-synchronization could help trace resonance lines between relics and places. I can lead the aura trail."
Thalen tapped his dagger on the table. "Then it’s settled. We depart at first light. Thalen, Ilara, and a combined team of scholars and trackers to Elysyr. Varos and Renal will hold the line here and stand ready."