SURPRISE ALLIES

Wyn led them to the Tainia stronghold. The trip felt more like a dream than reality. Marshall barely registered his surroundings, following the snow deity blindly. Even after Wyn stopped in front of the gate, Marshall kept walking until he bumped into him.

The disciple stepped back and murmured an apology before walking the river to freshen up. He crouched down and splashed his face a couple of times, yet a nagging feeling of dizziness still clung to him, twisting his stomach into knots.

Marshall dipped his hands into the icy waves and stared into the water that rushed relentlessly, foaming with the rough winds in hopes the cold would chase away the unease. 

"There may be demons around. We should go inside," Wyn advised.

Marshall gave him a nod, shaking the water off his hands before wiping his face with his sleeve. As they walked through the gate, he scanned the snow deity pensively. 

"We left without saying goodbye to Muyang," Marshall mentioned, feeling bad about it.

Wyn's expression softened with slight regret, but it was gone just as quick as it appeared. "Muyang does not tend to hold grudges."

"I hope so," Marshall murmured, running a hand through his damp hair.

One of the castle's windows swung open in the wind with a clunk, drawing their attention. A faint light flickered inside—someone was in the main hall. The disciple froze, his stomach churning. He felt like he wasn't far from emptying the contents of his stomach.

"Not again," he whispered before hastily tugging the snow deity back to the gate.

"The officials are not here," Wyn slowed him, gently turning Marshall to face the castle. "Your friends are here."

Marshall's brows scrunched in deep confusion. He was about to ask what the snow deity was talking about, but before he could utter a word, the large doors of the castle slid open with a disturbing creak. A blond head poked out, and the moment he locked gazes with amber eyes, there was no need for questions.

"Marsh! It's really you!" a whirl of yellow robes charged at him at the speed of light, knocking him down. Sun Hayden beamed with a smile. "I almost forgot your face!" he exclaimed, shaking the confused disciple in an overzealous gesture.

Behind him, Lai Rylan and Calla Akeya emerged from the castle. Marshall's gaze moved between them, trying to grasp the situation. Sun Hayden moved to sit in the grass next to Marshall, gawking with a strange look of excitement. 

Lai Rylan walked over to peel him away. "Stop staring like that, it's creepy. Marsh won't disappear if you blink."

"He might! I want to remember his face in case he goes missing for another two months!" Sun Hayden retorted, avoiding the hands that tried to chase him away.

The midnight-robed disciple dragged him out of the way, then stretched out a hand towards Marshall, "Welcome back."

As soon as Marshall grasped Lai Rylan's hand, he was plucked from the ground and locked in a sturdy bear hug. The yellow robes swirled around once more, joining in.

Familiar scents and voices buzzed around him, bringing an unexpected relief. He hadn't fully realized how much he had missed his friends until that moment. Yet, he couldn't manage anything more than a muffled "hi."

After watching the reunion for a bit, Calla Akeya walked up to the group hug and mannerly bowed her head. "Shei Marshall, it is good to see that you are unharmed."

Marshall bowed his head to return the greeting, as much as it was possible while being squashed between the two disciples.

Without wasting any time, she cut straight to the chase, "I apologize on behalf of the Chastity Tower," Calla Akeya declared. "A terrible mistake has been made by the powerholders. Correcting the wrongs will take some time, but the truth shall come out sooner or later. Rest assured."

Marshall nodded, listening intently, then glanced at Wyn. This was undoubtedly his doing. While the disciple was stuck in the cavern, the snow deity had gone around and gathered allies.

The disciple gave him a grateful smile and closed his eyes for a moment, basking in the comfort of midnight-blue and sunny-yellow. But soon Calla Akeya gestured for the disciples to disperse the hug, and Marshall was let go, his clothes now crumpled. 

"Let us talk inside," Calla Akeya moved to the castle. "There is plenty to discuss, but too little time."

➳ ➳ ➳

The aged tapestries of the main hall welcomed Marshall back. The spiderwebs in the corners appeared to wave in greeting as the disciples moved through the area. He took a deep breath, trying to find comfort in the abandoned castle. It seemed like it was going to be his home for a while.

"Shei Marshall, I am not sure whether you are aware," Calla Akeya grabbed the bull by the horns, "but the warrant for your execution has been officialized."

The statement hung between them like a dead rat on a string. Marshall cleared his throat, "I'm aware, yes."

Calla Akeya continued, "All of us here believe that you are innocent. We have been gathering evidence on Lord Chioni, however he is meticulous. So far, we have tracked down the bribed witness, and we are keeping a close eye on Rime Herald."

Marshall furrowed his brows, trying to put a face to Rime Herald.

Wyn leaned over, whispering an explanation, "The current demonic official by Lord Chioni's side. You have met him—the man who tried to take Cheimon from Muyang."

The disciple let out a knowing, "ah" and flashed the snow deity a thankful smile as the discussions moved on.

He tried his best to focus, but a slight queasiness lingered and his mind lagged behind, distracted by the sick feeling in his stomach. The memory of hiding from the officials still sent hot flashes up his back.

After a bunch of other details had been tossed around, they took a short break. Yet, instead of relaxing, Marshall's thoughts settled on a gnawing secret. No one except Wyn knew that he could use demonic energy. While it wasn't an issue at the moment, his friends might've ended up feeling betrayed if they found out later. But he really didn't want to bring it up now.

Sun Hayden got in front of Marshall's face, squinting. "Why are you so pale?" He tapped the disciple's cheek, poking his face. "Ew. And sweaty."

"Eh? Hey, stop that!"

While Marshall was fighting off the pokes, Lai Rylan stepped forward, scrutinizing his friend's appearance with tense brows. "You look sick," he noted.