The Chains of Deception

"It is time to reveal why I have convened this council."

The murmurs ceased instantly. Mervyln took a deep breath. "My mother did not break my chains."

A murmur of confusion rippled through the room. Ysora spoke up, indignant. "What does that mean? Lady Mervyln, your letter said that Damaris broke her chains and escaped!"

Mervyln raised a hand to call for silence. "Indeed, but that is not what happened."

Ismara, arms crossed and looking suspicious, intervened brusquely. "Could it be, Lady Mervyln, that you have convened this council to serve your own interests? That would be very bold of you."

Selene turned to her in surprise. "Why do you say that, Matron Ismara? What are you insinuating?"

Ismara gave Mervyln a piercing look. "It's obvious, isn't it? If Damaris did not break her chains and escape, then she is still in captivity. Lady Mervyln, you have used this pretext to bring us together here. For what purpose, I wonder."

Mervyln, impassive, fixed Ismara with a cold gaze. "You are mistaken, Matron Ismara. It is indeed true that my mother did not break her bonds, but her cell is currently empty nonetheless."

Ysora frowned, visibly troubled. "How is that possible? If she did not break her chains, how could she have escaped? Be clearer, Lady Mervyln."

Mervyln took a deep breath before responding. "My mother has disappeared."

The matrons froze in surprise.

"Disappeared?" exclaimed Viconia. "But how is that possible?"

Mervyln replied, her face impassive. "Earlier today, I felt my golden chains loosen. In great confusion and fear, I immediately ran to the prison."

She paused, letting the weight of her words sink into the assembly. "I was ready to fight to the end to prevent her escape."

A palpable tension filled the room. Almera, always curious, spoke up. "What happened next?"

"My surprise was great when I found that the prison was intact. There were no signs of a struggle, no indication of an escape. The cell and chains were as good as new, as if…"

Zesstra, her eyes wide, finished the sentence in a trembling voice. "As if Damaris Zahad had simply disappeared."

Mervyln slowly nodded.

A heavy silence fell over the room. Ismara, visibly troubled, exclaimed, "But that's impossible!"

"And why is that, Matron Ismara?" Selene interjected.

"Your question is foolish, Matron Selene," Ysora replied in agreement with Ismara. "Lady Mervyln's golden chains nullify any use of miracles unless there is divine intervention." She then turned her gaze to Mervyln.

Mervyln nodded in agreement. "My chains act as a seal. No miracle can be performed by the target. The only way to be freed is to break the chains. However, the chains are made of solid gold; the target would need a phenomenal aura. Knowing my mother was capable of it, I ensured that my chains would reconstitute themselves at the slightest alteration. It was impossible for my mother to free herself."

"Yet, according to you, Damaris has indeed disappeared without a trace," Neralda said.

Mervyln clenched her fists, a hint of frustration showing.

"What about outside help?" Nerys interjected.

"My chains also prevent external miracles from affecting the target," Mervyln replied.

"All indications are that a miracle was used, Lady Mervyln," Xune said, her tone accusatory.

Viconia then intervened, her voice soft but firm. "Lady Mervyln, are you certain there is no other way to bypass your golden chains?"

Mervyln shook her head. "I took every possible precaution. If someone had tried to bypass them, I would have felt the slightest disturbance."

Viconia opened her mouth to continue, but was interrupted by Neralda. "Matron Valeria has indeed succeeded," she said gravely.

The murmurs resumed with renewed vigor. Ysora frowned, visibly troubled. "Assuming she has betrayed us, that still does not solve the problem of how this could have happened."

Mervyln turned abruptly to Isolde, who had been standing aside, silent until now. "Matron Isolde," she said in a cold voice, with an unfamiliar ferocity, "you accused Matron Valeria earlier of being a traitor. Tell us what you know. Now."

Isolde straightened, her eyes coldly calm as they fixed on Mervyln. "Ladies, allow me to clarify a few points," she said in a composed but authoritative voice. "It is true that I mentioned Matron Valeria as a traitor, and I stand by that statement."

Mervyln clenched her fists, struggling to control her anger. "You must know that is not enough, Matron Isolde. If you are hiding something, I will not hesitate for a second to take my frustration out on you. We do not have the luxury of wasting time with half-truths."

Isolde straightened, trying to justify herself. "Matron Valeria has always been cunning. She might have resources we were unaware of. But I know nothing more than what I have already said."

Mervyln glared at Isolde, her eyes burning with anger. "Do not toy with us, Matron Isolde. It is clear you know more than you are willing to admit."

Isolde remained impassive, her cold eyes fixed on Mervyln. "I have nothing more to add. Matron Valeria is a traitor, yes, but I am not aware of the details of her schemes."

Mervyln felt her patience reaching its limit. With a swift motion, she raised her hand. Instantly, golden chains appeared, binding the matron to her seat. Isolde, taken by surprise, gritted her teeth, struggling against the sudden pain and discomfort.

The entire room held its breath.

"Enough of these games, Matron Isolde!" Mervyln roared, her voice resonating with unyielding authority. "If you do not tell us everything you know, I will reduce you to dust on the spot."

"That is all I knew, Lady Mervyln. Valeria is cunning, and it is possible she found a way to circumvent your precautions. But I have no other information to give you."

The chains tightened further, eliciting a cry of pain from Isolde. The other matrons watched the scene with a mix of fear and fascination. Ysora spoke up, trying to calm the situation. "Lady Mervyln, perhaps Matron Isolde is telling the truth. We must remain rational and find a way to understand what happened."

Mervyln ignored Ysora, her eyes burning with anger. "You have nothing else to say, Isolde? Not the slightest bit of information you are withholding out of greed or misplaced loyalty?"

Isolde, despite the pain, met Mervyln's gaze with determination. "Nothing. I have nothing else to say."

Mervyln clenched her fists, the chains tightening further around Isolde. "I don't believe you. You're hiding something!"