112- The Role of a Reaper

Tau watched from the corner of the conservation room, arriving just in time to watch as Phaedra was taken away by Enforcement agents, leaving a distraught Riannoske, and a seething Kyffin behind.

"Why… why didn't he refute the accusations?" Riannoske questioned as he starred at the back of the door.

"Because he couldn't. He accepted an invitation to tea without informing the Tribunal, knowing full well that it fell outside of the boundaries of his travel permit," Kyffin explained as he stepped up beside Riannoske.

"That's… he wouldn't have…"

"How old are you?" Kyffin asked, grabbing Riannoske's shoulders and spinning him around so they were looking at each other.

"Sixteen."

"How long have you been here?"

"Ten years"

"Does your family ever visit or let you come home?"

"No. I'm a ward; relinquishment," he replied glancing up at Kyffin. "I only vaguely remember my grandmother. She was the one who brought me here. She told me that I was lucky, that my magic gave me a chance at a better life. I only remember that she cried when she left."

"Phaedra doesn't have any of that. He was abandoned here and has known no other life than this. He made a choice to have an experience, to feel more human than this place has ever allowed for. Hold onto your memories, Riannoske. Let them remind you of what you gained, so you never see what you've lost," Kyffin pulled Riannoske in and hugged him. "I don't know if or when Phaedra might return or who is in charge here now, but you should return to your assigned station until the Tribunal sorts that out."

Riannoske stepped back from Kyffin and lowered his head as he wiped his eyes. "I'm never going to see him again, am I?"

"It's far too soon to know the answer to that. Hopefully the Tribunal will understand the circumstances, realize his importance, and show leniency for such a minor infraction."

"I will hope for the same. I will come and get you when the lockdown concludes."

"Riannoske," Kyffin called out to him as he had turned to leave. "Head up. Focus on doing your job. If you need to speak to someone… I am here."

"Thank you, Mage Kyffin."

Kyffin nodded his head and watched as Riannoske left the room, the door locking behind him.

"Brother," Tau said, stepping out from the corner holding Uroxuz in his hand, a thick, heavy cloak of impenetrable darkness, as if he was wrapped in a cloth made of the void, entirely concealing him within, "that was uncharacteristically compassionate of you."

"When I contacted you earlier, I never expected you to keep such a close eye on me."

"I asked Uroxuz to keep me informed of the situation. I wanted to ensure you and Phaedra weren't mistreated."

"He brought you here because of what just happened with Phaedra?" Kyffin questioned as he turned around, his face twitching in shock at the sight of him.

"Yes, but my concern is for you."

"I'm in no need of a rescue."

"Are you certain?" Tau questioned, gliding across the room towards the door.

"Please stop floating, it's disturbing," Kyffin replied as he returned to the table and sat down. "I'm quite certain that I'm in a safe enough position here. I've been with mother since I arrived here early this morning."

"She seems to have had a negative effect on you."

"Perhaps, but more importantly, did you kill the Magister?"

"I did."

"Why?"

"He attacked and harmed Quayleigh. There was malice in his course."

Kyffin sighed and adjusted his glasses.

"I should have suspected as much. Between your actions and Phaedra's stupidity, I have no idea how this is going to affect things here. Inniken may never have been that important, but Phaedra is a different matter. While he may have reached the pinnacle of what he could obtain as a ward, he has less authority, outside of these archives, than I do. The Tribunal treats wards as little more than property, especially ones like him, capable, powerful, and respected by his staff, and they may use his recent transgression as an excuse to get rid of him. I wouldn't put it past them to try and pin the magisters death on him. All because he couldn't say no to a cup of tea."

"I heard you tell the boy. Quayleigh will be devastated, but he saw her eye. He knew he had no choice but to accept."

"He told me," Kyffin remarked as he shifted the books around on the table. "Where is she now?"

"With Cole."

"Good, then you have some time. According to Phaedra this room isn't monitored, so it should be safe for you to come and join me at the table."

"It is. Uru has confirmed that there are no hidden devices."

"Good to know. Now tell me, what did the magister do to Quayleigh?"

"Cole said he was trying to bind her magic to his own. He didn't succeed, but what he was doing took a heavy toll on her," he replied, releasing Uroxuz from his hand, the darkness that surrounded him immediately twisting around the scythe, transforming him into his familiar solid state.

"And how does he know this?" Kyffin questioned as Tau sat on the stool across the table from him.

"I took the things the mushed one played with to pretty Cole," Uroxuz answered, wrapping himself around Tau and looming over his shoulder.

"What things? Be more specific."

"There was a sheet like the one you and he made, a bowl and knife, a corpse of an animal, I think it was a rabbit, bundles of plants, candles, and a canvas," Tau told him.

"A canvas?"

"Quayleigh's canvas," Uroxuz clarified. "She set her hand upon it and a blue rose appeared."

Kyffin lifted his hand to his chin drawing silent for several seconds.

"The box it was in has probably been confiscated by now. I would suggest that you try to find a way to put her canvas back where it belongs, but that could be just as problematic, maybe even worse by drawing attention to her. No, whatever happens now, no one can ever find that canvas, but I'm certain Cole already knows that."

"He would never put her at risk. I'm not certain about Phaedra though."

"I am, at least for now. He will remain silent as long as he believes there is hope. I wouldn't normally recommend this course of action, but perhaps letting him know that he isn't beyond your reach may solidify his convictions. Earlier, before you arrived, we had a lengthy conversation in which he said something that could be deemed treasonous. For a ward, that means execution, and yet he said what he said knowing that he was handing me his life. I'll spare you the complicated thought process he went through, but I believe he is currently more loyal to Quayleigh than the Tribunal. Something about having a connection with her matters to him beyond reason. However, Inniken's demise has had an effect on him, even as he is unaware of the connection. Phaedra is not in a good place, and I think it would be wise to remind him that Quayleigh is not someone the MET should make an enemy of. Use him Tauluthet. Make him a believer and use him to separate yourself from Dylan and Quayleigh at the same time."

"I don't understand what you're suggesting."

"You are a reaper," Kyffin remarked, his sinister grin returning. "Play the part."

Picking up a book from the table, Kyffin opened it and revealed a depiction of a creature shrouded in black and carrying a farmer's sickle.

"Mohalbás was depicted as a grim reaper in the Tuhané lore. It's an image Phaedra will be able to comprehend, and he's aware of Quayleigh's connection to Death. You could tell him anything you want, and he wouldn't dare refute you. All you have to do is secure his faith in you and his loyalty will be guaranteed."

"You will be safe here?"

"Yes. I'll return to the work he gave me, and once the lockdown concludes, I'll head home for the night. Please tell Quayleigh that I am still planning to arrive on time, and I'm looking forward to it."

"I will pass along the message. I'll send Uroxuz back to look in on you, once I'm back with her. There's no reason you should be alone while trapped in here."

"I appreciate that," Kyffin said as he closed the book he was holding, "brother."

"If you change your mind about that rescue, don't hesitate to say something."

"I will keep that in mind," Kyffin said as Uroxuz twisted around Tau, returning to his weapon state when Tau grabbed a hold of him. "Don't think it isn't tempting though," Kyffin commented as the heavy black shroud concealed Tau once again, "but I promise, I'm not the one in need of rescuing."

Tau watched as Kyffin lowered his eyes and opened another book, before stepping into Uroxuz's dimension, leaving his dutiful brother behind.

Tau, being familiar with the abnormal physics of the void dimension, navigated through the walls, floors and ceiling, with ease, following the directions Uroxuz gave to him. Three floors down and on the east most side of the building, Tau stood in a dingy hallway, starring through the bars of a holding cell, where Phaedra sat with his back to the wall, a shiny metal collar locked around his throat. Tau didn't like the way Phaedra looked, appearing paler than normal, his expression forlorn, hands quivering, and tears dripping from his eyes. Stepping through the bars, Tau set his hand on top of Phaedra's head, causing him to sit up and look around his cell.

Reaching up, Phaedra touched the top of his head, a sad grin forming on his lips as his hand slipped back down to his lap.

"If that's you, Sebastien," he muttered as he stared at his palms, "I'm sorry that I've let you down. Did you managed to catch a glimpse of her? I wonder if you would even recognize her now."

"I'm afraid he wouldn't," Tau commented as he stepped from the void, the thickness of the shroud over his face, obscuring the sound of his voice into something not entirely human.

Phaedra, startled by his sudden appearance pressed himself back against the wall, pushing himself further into the corner of his cell.

"You needn't fear me," Tau remarked taking a step back, hoping to give Phaedra the space needed not to panic.

"Who… who are you? How did you get in here?" Phaedra questioned struggling to gain control over his breath.

"I am Tauluthet, and I came through the void. Truly, you have nothing to fear from me."

"Then why are you here?"

"I have come on behalf of the woman I cherish above all others; she who is my bride. Her concern for you troubles her deeply and I cannot abide the distress this inflicts."

"Her?" Phaedra's eyes widened as his shoulders fell. "You must leave, this cell is monitored! You've said too much! Go, protect her!"

"I am aware, but do not worry. They will hear nothing and will see nothing beyond you sitting in the corner speaking to yourself," he explained, lowering himself to the floor before him. "You need not fear for my love. They may come for her, but unless she allows it, they will not take her. If they take her, they will not be able to hold her. Nothing is beyond my reach. Death knows no boundaries, and I am in his service."

"Was she the one that sent you?"

"No, it was another. Near equal in my favor, he asked that I reveal myself to you, to prove that your trust in them has not been misplaced. Death forsakes none of his believers, and so rarely offers comfort. You, however, have become a part of her family. She acknowledges you as the father who serves once did, and therefore, so do I."

"Father that serves... Sebastien?"

Tau bowed his head. "Neuv'ghei Kho, Caat'heidamet's Codex's last sacrifice. Death wept at his arrival. He was an anomoly, and will forever serve within the Palace."

"Was he the one who sent you?"

"No. I have come on behalf of the living. A mutual… brother," Tau replied, leaning forward as he rested Uroxuz against his shoulder. Extending a shrouded hand, he motioned to the collar on Phaedra's neck. "Your discomfort is an affront to my bride. Shall I remove it?"

"No," Phaedra replied as he lowered his head, quietly weeping, "you mustn't. It's to stop me from using any form of magic. If you remove it, they will use a more permanent solution. They wouldn't want to lose a piece of their property by having it escape before they can pass a sentence upon it."

Tau laughed, finding Phaedra's description of himself to be amusing, much to Phaedra's dismay.

"You speak as if you are a piece of furniture. Of no more value than a chair or table."

Phaedra let out a faint chuckle between the tears as he slumped further forward.

"To them, you aren't far off."

"They do not matter. You do not belong to them. Hold yourself in higher regard, Phaedra Vershinin. When the time comes, no bars will cage you and no collar will adorn you. Have faith in those that call you family and endure these hardships of lesser men. When you go before those who dare to pass sentence upon you, I will be at your side."

"And how will I know that you're there?"

"By the weight of my hand," he replied, placing his hand once again on top of Phaedra's head.

"Can you give her a message for me?"

"Yes."

"Tell her, this isn't her fault," he said, smiling softly as he wiped his tears away. "That truly was the best cup of tea I've ever had."