Chapter 15: Forked Tongue

Kaius Northguard

I clutch my side, blood slipping out from between my fingers as I look over the dead Sky Serpents. Every breath feels like taking a hammer to the chest. Langris hangs loosely in my other hand, it's glow fading.

I need to…

I try to walk but my legs fail and I fall, barely raising my hand in time to keep my face from hitting the ground. Forcing out one last ounce of strength, I push myself onto my back, one hand still clutching the open wound from my most recent battle.

Or perhaps my last battle.

On my back, I look up towards the sky. Cloudy with a few rays of sunlight breaking through. It's oddly comforting. A few coughs escape my lungs, shooting pain up my spine and through my chest once again.

I suppose I can't be too upset. I have full confidence that Gregory will be able to get the information to Finn, and Ai…

Well, I'm not sure how Finn will react to Ai but Luthera seems like the type to take in strays. The edges of my vision begin to blur and go dark as Langris fully slips out of my fingers. I don't think I have enough time left. I can feel the life leaving me, starting from my fingertips, seeping down.

My thoughts wander between different people. Father, mother, Finn, Gertrude, Ai, Melina. Melina, she seemed quite charming when I visited her with my father, a shame really, doesn't seem like I will get the chance to know the woman who would have been my future wife and one day… Queen.

The darkness spreads in front of my eyes, the grey sky above fading into black. It seems a little bit late for last wishes…

For a moment I think I hear something, my senses too dulled to determine what it is. I want to look around but find I barely have enough strength to turn my head. In the end I give up on trying to move but the sounds grow louder.

A figure appears above me, though my vision is fading I can tell that it is a face. The figure hovers above me for another few moments, their features blurry and unrecognizable. Then I hear them speak and recognition instantly sparks. The voice is slightly faded, but that confident and charming quality it has is unmistakable.

Queen Clementina.

"Dear oh dear, Prince Kaius. Quite an unfortunate predicament you have found yourself in."

I open my mouth to try and speak but another bout of painful coughs wreak my body. She tuts softly with a hint of amusement.

"My dear, don't try to speak." She tilts my head back; I don't have the strength to even try to resist. "The venom of the sky serpents is potent but worry not, you will be fine. You can thank me another time, as you should. After all, it's not every day the Queen of Thaegon goes out of her way to save the life of her… well, I don't know if I should call you an enemy yet."

Before I can contemplate her words any further a warm liquid slips through my lips and down my throat. A few moments later everything feels numb, the pain vanishes and my entire world is completely plunged into darkness.

It almost feels like I'm floating, no sense of where I am. Just floating in silent darkness. Quite peaceful, if I'm being honest. I stay floating like this for what felt like hours, lost in my own thoughts, replaying the last moments before the darkness overcame me.

In the middle of those thoughts, I feel a tug from just behind my eyes. Then it feels like I am sinking, I don't sink very far though, as I land on something soft and the tugging behind my eyes grows stronger as tiny beams of light begin breaking through the dark.

I raise my hands to rub my eyes. When I next open them I as staring up at a familiar ceiling. The extravagant patterns proving to be all too familiar.

I am back in Thaegon.

I lurch up to a seating position, regretting it almost immediately. A sharp pain bursts out of the back of my head and my middle and I almost fall right back down on my back. A gasp catches my attention and I turn to the side to find the source.

I allow myself to feel a small amount of relief as I see Mallory, her eyes wide and startled.

"Mal…" I cough before I can say anything more, my throat dry and almost throbbing.

Snapping to attention, Madison rushes over to small table to pour a cup of water before handing it to me. Gratefully, I accept it and take a few big gulps, the throbbing in my throat somewhat subsiding.

"Thank you." I almost wince at how raspy my own voice sounds.

"Your welcome… Kai."

I can't help but smile back despite my predicament. It seems she took my words to heart. The smile fades quickly though as spare a moment to look around. It's the same room Queen Clementina had given, nothing looks out of place, except…

I feel something missing. A presence I have grown so accustomed to I had forgotten what it felt like to be without it.

Panic spikes through me as I frantically look around the room, ignoring the pain and heaviness of my limbs. When I don't see it my worry somehow spikes even more. My lungs screaming in protest as I start taking deeper and more ragged breaths. Mallory eyes are worried and confused as she looks over me.

"Mallory, where's Langris?" I ask her, trying to keep my voice relatively composed.

"Langris?" She looks even more confused.

Right…

"My sword. The one I always have with me." I clarify, trying to get my breathing under control.

"Oh, the queen has it." Her eyes widen as the words leave her mouth. "I am supposed to inform her that you have woken up."

In instinct, I reach out and grab her wrist perhaps a little too tightly. She turns towards me, eyes widened in panic and slight fear as her eyes shift from me the hand holding onto her wrist. My mind catches up to the rest of my body and I quickly let her go.

"I'm sorry, Mallory." I sigh. It's not like I have any other options; I have no idea where the Vanguard are and my body feels a few wrong steps away from collapsing. "Do what was asked of you."

She hesitates, worry slipping into her features. "Are you alright?"

The question surprises me. I look up to meet her eyes, the genuine concern in them is actually quite touching. Forcing myself to give her a reassuring smile, I nod.

"I'm fine. Just tired."

Her concerned look lingers for some time before she bows her head lightly and makes her way out of the room. With much more effort than I would have liked, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed before attempting to stand. I am able to make it to my feet but my legs feel more like lead. Eventually I give up and fall back down, sitting on the edge of the bed, awaiting the Queen.

I spend the minutes counting my breaths, keeping them even. It's dull but it keeps my mind occupied, it distracts me from the odd vulnerability of not having Langris with me. I clench and unclench my fingers, still trying to get some feeling back into them. Everything feels so cut off, even my magic which I can feel nestling at my core, I can't summon it let alone mould it.

My breath hitches when I hear several footsteps approaching. Two guards push the doors, their eyes immediately finding me before they draw their weapons. I don't even try to supress my sigh.

Right behind them the Queen walks in, just as flawlessly elegant as she always seems to be, her dress flowing like waterfall of silver. Behind her is Mallory, carrying a lit candle with her much to my confusion. She turns to address the guards.

"Oh, do stand down. He's in no condition to put up a fight if he wanted to." Her gaze then finds Mallory before she motions to a small table at the opposite corner of the room. "Leave it over there, Mallory."

Mallory glances at me before doing as she is told. I look up to meet the Queen's piercing green eyes, filled with curiosity and a hint of amusement.

"How are you feeling, young prince?"

Strangely enough, she sounds like she generally wants to know. I shift uncomfortably before answering.

"I've been better but I'm alive."

A smirk plays on her face as Mallory finishes her task and walks back up to the queen.

"That will be all, dear. You should return to Sherrill; she is no doubt missing your presence." She looks at Mallory as she addresses her.

"Yes, my queen." Mallory bows before exiting, throwing me one last glance.

Queen Clementina merely observes me for a few beats before waving off her guards. "Leave us."

Without a word of protest, the guards both offer a bow and retreat back into the hall, closing the door behind the queen.

"It's actually quite impressive that you are alive." She grabs a chair by the table and sits across from me, meeting my eyes once again. "Sky Serpent venom is nothing to scoff at. You owe it to your magic and that of Langris that you lasted long enough for me to arrive."

The mention of my sword has me narrowing my eyes at her slightly. "Where is Langris?"

"Safe."

I can feel my eyes narrow even more, drawing an amused chuckle from her.

"I'm keeping your sword a safe distance away for the same reason I haven't fully purged the Sky Serpent venom from your blood." Her tone is so casual that I almost miss the severity of her words. "I need to keep you… manageable."

I frown at her, not liking this conversation one bit. "So I'm still…"

"There is not enough venom in your blood to kill you." She waves off casually. "Your body will naturally purge it over the next few days, which gives me plenty of time."

"Time for what?"

She leans back in her chair, her eyes wandering towards the window, looking briefly lost in thought. "To possibly make a few friends. I was hoping you would be one of them."

I have to go over her words in my head a few times to make sure I am not losing my hearing.

"You and I…? Friends?" The very idea sounds absurd.

She looks back at me, a wry smile on her face. "You could stand to make worse friends."

"No, I don't believe I could." I grit through my teeth, fury flaring up and stamping down the pain, at least for now. "You attacked my family, killed my people, plotted to bring down my kingdom."

She tuts, as if admonishing a small child. "Such righteous fury. It won't get you very far. You think you understand the forces at play, you don't. Even I have just recently come to the realization that a storm is approaching and shelter is growing scarce."

She's… speaking in riddles. I let out a deep breath, trying to reign in my mounting anger. "Speak clearly."

"I am afraid that is information I can only share with my friends." She leans forward, her gaze searching as she looks into my eyes. After a beat she pulls back, a disappointed sigh leaving her lips. "But your far too noble to accept the friendship of a scheming wench like me, isn't that right?"

I find myself looking away. Those weren't my exact thoughts but they might as well have been.

"Quite a shame." She shakes her head at me disapprovingly as she stands up. "Please do not try to escape or cause trouble, I gave my word no harm would come to you while you are within these walls. I like to keep my promises, but I am not above breaking them."

"What have you done with the Vanguard?" I find myself asking, her words reminding me of the promise Torren gave us when we arrived.

She waves the question off as if discussing a minor inconvenience. "They are incapacitated but unharmed. Behave yourself and they will remain so."

She adjusts her dress before making her way towards the exit. "I recommend getting some rest, young prince."

A soon as she walks out, four guards walk in, all with their hands already on their swords. Two of them take point by the door and the last two by the window. With a defeated breath, I fall back onto the bed.

All I can do now is wait.

Clementina Verridian

Well, that was disappointing, albeit expected. It doesn't matter, one option still remains. The pieces of the puzzle meld together in my head as I enter my throne room. My steps falter as I see Sherrill standing in in the middle of room, facing the door as if expecting me.

"Mother." She greets stiffly, a dark cloud over her face, her own thoughts clearly troubling her.

"Sherrill." I return the greeting, closing the door behind me to give ourselves some privacy. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

She scoffs lightly. "A daughter can't merely converse with her mother?"

I raise an eyebrow at her. "It's foolish to play such games with the one who taught them to you, child. Speak your concerns clearly, you know I have much to attend to."

She flinches back, hurt marring her features. I close my eyes and let out a deep breath before approaching her.

"My apologies, Sherrill." I rest a hand on her shoulder and begin leading her towards the throne. "Please tell me what is bothering you."

She looks me over for a moment, I keep my expressions schooled, waiting for her to speak.

"The alchemists on their way to Merridor have been given their instructions." She reports.

"Very good." I nod. "Now on to why you truly wanted to speak to me."

This time she almost immediately responds, her voice low despite the fact that we are alone.

"King Alistair is mad." She points out plainly.

I can't help but chuckle at her bold statement given in such a matter-of-fact tone.

"The most powerful often are." I reply smoothly. "But I would not necessarily call him mad. He's… unbalanced. That is if you want to put a label on it"

"Then why buy into his machinations?" Sherrill's voice raises, frustration seeping into her tone.

I appraise her. Still so young. But I do understand her questioning. She cares about our kingdom just as much as I do and I can see it frustrates her that she has so little say in the direction it goes. Perhaps when she is a little older, but for now she only needs to understand one thing.

"Never choose a side before the battle lines are fully drawn." I step closer to her, pinning her down with my eyes. "Perhaps you have never thought about it but we don't have Kamrion or Merridor's military might. We don't have powerful ancient ties like Illis, we don't have Vilos' ability to make itself unseen to its enemies. Yet we have survived and even thrived this long… did you ever think to question how?"

She visibly swallows, looking away as she answers. "No, mother. I haven't."

Gently, I take her chin and gently turn her head until she is looking back at me. "We have made it by choosing our battles wisely. Play both sides until a clear victor arises, then and only then, do we commit. If not for this, we would have been destroyed along with the rest of the South. Do you understand?"

She stares at me; I simply stare back, keeping a gentle grasp on her chin. She eventually nods her head. "I do, mother."

She does not, not truly. She just believes she does.

But that's alright. One day she will.

I release her chin. "That is why we will keep indulging King Alistair's requests. At least for the time being. We are going to have another guest soon and this guest will determine our path going forward."

Sherrill's expression morphs into one of curiosity. "And who is this guest."

Sherrill may be young but she understands the value of keeping her lips sealed.

"Prince Kaius' younger brother. Finnian."

Sherrill's eyebrows almost jump up into her hair.

"What reason would Prince Finnian have to come here?"

"I will give him a reason, my dear." I wave off casually. Giving the Kamrion's second son ample reason to come to Thaegon will be easy enough, the difficult part comes after he is already here. "However, I will need to contact King Tristan, as I understand it the young prince is currently in Illis. Come."

I turn to the right and proceed to make my way to my private study next to the throne room. I take a quick pace, knowing Sherrill will follow.

"Mother… are you sure that is wise?" She asks, hesitation in her voice. "Wouldn't doing so reveal King Tristan as our ally to Prince Finnian."

I chuckle, genuinely amused. As good as Sherrill is at keeping secrets, there are a few I keep only to myself. I open the door to my study and motion for to enter.

"I'm counting on him already being aware."

Sherrill almost steps past me into the study but her whole body freezes. She looks up at me, eyes filled with so many questions.

"How?" Her tone is almost accusatory.

I almost give her a proud pat on the head. Perhaps she will fully understand sooner rather than later, good. I nudge her into my study before closing the door.

"Not an important question to answer now, my dear." I tut as I take my seat at my desk, pulling out a parchment and writing down my message.

With an indigent huff she plops down in the chair in front of me, mumbling under her breath. "Keep your secrets, then."

"They aren't secrets, my dear." I reply without looking up. "They are simply things that are not currently important."

I finish the letter easily, writing just enough to draw Prince Finnian's attention but not so much as to reveal my hand. Finishing it off with a stamp, I neatly fold it and seal it before offering Sherrill a smile.

"He should be here any moment now." I state mostly to myself.

"Who…?" Right on que there is a knock at the door.

"Enter."

Torren opens the door, without missing a beat offering each of us a bow. "My queen, my princess."

"Torren." I wave him in, his crow dutifully perched on his shoulder.

"You summoned me, my queen, how may I be of assistance?"

I hold the neatly folded and sealed latter towards him. "I require the assistance of your pet. I need this missive delivered to King Tristan, from there it will find its way to our next guest."

Torren takes the paper, glancing at his crow before taking the letter. "I'll see to it that we are prepared for his arrival."

"Good, very good." I nod, ready to dismiss him.

"If I may, my queen." He pipes up, voice ever so polite and formal.

I arch an eyebrow at him, motioning for him to continue. "You may speak freely."

"I could easily send Tarrow directly to our upcoming guest." He reasons, obviously hesitant to question my line of thinking. "Why the need to go through King Tristan?"

Ah, a fair question I suppose.

"King Tristan likely is still under the impression that his role in our grand machinations is still a hidden one." I explain, leaning back in my chair. "I send this through him to make him aware that this is not the case… and as a reminder that his position is a precarious one."

"Understood, my queen." He bows before taking his leave.

Torren is a good soldier, always so willing to follow orders. Unfortunately, I need someone who is quite a bit more flexible. His uses from this point going forward will be increasingly limited.

"Care to join me for a stroll in the garden?" I smile down at Sherrill as I ask.

Her expression creases into a confused frown as she glances out of the window. "Has the hour not grown too late?"

"Nonsense." I wave her concern off easily. "The gardens are actually quite peaceful at sundown. Besides, it will give me time to explain to you your roll for tomorrow."

Her eyes widen at my last words before she nods, her subdued enthusiasm quite endearing. "Then let us be one our way."

Splendid, everything has been set in motion. The only thing that can be done now is to prepare.

Lindri Igenna

We all knew it would have been wiser to take Gertrude to her mother as soon as the true nature of her injury was discovered, but we all knew no force in this world or the other could have kept her from attending Guilda's parting ceremony. We rushed Gertrude to the healing ward in the castle as soon as she collapsed.

As fate would have it, Gertrude had just enough strength to last until the very end of the ceremony. We rushed her inside where Queen Samantha went into near hysterics at the sight of her daughter, pale skin and limp. King Reginald demanded a full report on the mission which I gave, years of training keeping my expression and voice completely neutral and clinical.

I make sure to only explain the events that took place, leaving out our purpose for going.

"And who authorized this mission?" He demands but I can hear the slight crack in his voice, the unwavering King Reginald of Kamrion shaken to his core. On any other day, this would be quite a highlight. Today is not any other day though.

"I am the one who gave the authorization, my king." Dahlia steps in front of me, blocking me from the pained wrath of the king. Her head is raised high, meeting the king's eyes, posture straight and sure.

"Under what cause…" The king almost growls, taking a step closer to Dahlia who doesn't even flinch. "Did the veiled have to infiltrate Merridor?"

"I am sorry, my king, but I cannot say." Her voice remains calm and devoid of any real emotions. "Since the first age the affairs of the veiled have always been separate from the crown. As you know if we believe it is in Kamrion's best interest, we are allowed to keep our affairs undisclosed."

The King, now fuming, looks like he may actually become violent. "Dahlia…"

"What does it matter?" Queen Samantha almost shrieks as she all but yanks her husband away from Dahlia and steps between them. "Our daughter is dying, Reginald."

The queen's words do appear to sway the king but his fury is still palpable in the air.

"Do what you want, I'm going to take care of my child." With those final words the queen quickly strides towards Gertrude, ushering her servants to retrieve some supplies.

The king's shoulders sag as his eyes fall on to his daughter. He looks back towards Dahlia and his eyes briefly adopt a red hue.

"If my daughter perishes the veiled will answer for it."

He allows the threat to hang in the air as he brushes past Dahlia to go to his wife and daughter.

"Your words have been heard, my king." Dahlia replies flatly with a bow of her head. 

The Queen has Gertrude immediately moved to the healing quarters. The queen lends her magic along with a dozen healers to try and stabilize the princess. I follow close behind along with Master Dahlia as more healers and servants pour into the room to tend to Gertrude. The queen's hands are shaking as she continuously summons a light leafy green magic over her daughter's form.

It's quite a nice shade of green, not that dark, insidious green magic that did this to Gertrude in the first place. I stand silently as they spend what feels like hours trying to do something, anything from slowing down the deteriorating condition of the princess. Every moment that passes by I can feel my heart constricting painfully.

Not her too, please not her too.

I don't think I have the strength to lose another friend today.

"G-Gertrude." The queen's shaky voice pulls me back to reality.

Her hands are still hovering over her daughter who appears to be breathing a little easier. I can't help but release a strained breath I didn't even know I was holding. One of the healers begins examining Gertrude again, her hands faintly glowing blue.

"You've been able to slow the spread for the time being, my queen, but we cannot remove it." Their voice is soft with traces of doubt.

"Then I will continue to keep the spread at bay until we find a way to remove it." The queen's voice hardens.

"But, my Queen, your magic…" The healer hesitates, looking between the queen and the king in the corner, who is watching the scene, pain in his eyes, helpless to offer any assistance.

"I will not let go as long as I have ounce of power left in me." The queen almost snaps. From here I can see the tears in her eyes, pain mixing with the resolve.

"Lindri." A familiar voice snaps me back to attention.

Dahlia reaches forward as wipes away a solitary tears from my cheek that I didn't even notice had fallen. She takes my arms and gently tugs. Without a fuss I allow her to lead me out of the room, down a few hallways and into a secluded area of the castle. She doesn't say anything immediately, rubbing slow circles onto my back.

I look up to meet her eyes. She hides it well, but her distress for Gertrude still shows. I force myself to take a few deep breaths, calming myself, if Gertrude or Guilda saw me now they would surely tell me to whip myself back into shape.

"I'm… I'm alright." I manage to get the words out without choking on them.

"Oh, my dear. None of us are." She reassures me before sighing, looking a few years older. "Much as I dislike it, we still have the matter of informing Prince Finnian and Princess Luthera of everything that has transpired and everything we have discovered."

She removes the letters from her robes and fiddles with it between her fingers. I don't need her to hear anymore to know what she wants to ask of me.

"You want me to go."

She shakes her head, a frown on her face.

"I don't want to go, Lindri. I need you to go." She stops fiddling with the paper and holds it out to me. "This is an important task and I need someone I trust unquestionably to go. I know this task is important to you as well, that is why I have chosen you."

I reach forwards and accept the paper, my fingers grazing over hers as I do.

"Finnian will want to be told how his sister is after her mission." I point out, knowing how close the two are.

Dahlia sighs once again, the tiredness now truly starting to show on her face. "If he asks…"

"When he asks." I correct, there is no question that he will.

"When he asks." Dahlia nods. "You will follow Gertrude's wishes and tell him nothing of her condition."

I feel a frown try to worm its way onto my face but I keep it down. "Word of his sister's condition will reach him eventually. Wouldn't it be better he hears it from us along with the whole story?"

"It's better he does not know for now." Dahlia insists weakly. "It may compromise his judgment… However, if he were to determine that something is wrong on his own, that is something we cannot predict."

She offers the tiniest of smiles.

"I understand." I reply with a short nod.

Dahlia reaches forwards, her hands resting on my cheeks. She gently pulls me forward, angling my head down, I let her. She plants a soft kiss on my forehead. I let myself relax for the first time since before leaving for Merridor.

"I know our queen will hang onto her daughter until every last drop of her magic is spent." She lets me go, looking up at me with an odd fondness in her eyes. "We will do everything we can to find a way to save her until that time comes. You must focus on your task. Safe travels to you, Sister Lindri."

"Thank you, Master Dahlia." I bow before turning to leave, offering her one last nod before rounding the corner.

There are a multitude of servants scurrying up and down the halls. All dashing in and out of the royal chambers. A large lump forms in my throat as I force myself to keep moving. Just as I am about to make it to the stables a familiar voice brings me to a halt.

"Sister Lindri."

I turn around, offering a polite nod to the man.

"Commander Arthur."

It seems even our stoic commander isn't immune to the sense of despair seeping through the castle. The man in visibly distressed, his greying beard looking greyer than usual.

"May I inquire as to where you are going?" He asks politely.

"I'm being sent on an urgent task." I don't offer any more information before turning back and continuing on my way. His next words cause me to once again stop in my tracks.

"The king is quite furious."

I can't help but let out a humourless scoff. "Oh, I am very much aware."

"There are only a hand full of people I have ever seen provoke that much ire from our king." He muses softly. "Prince Finnian is probably the first to come to mind."

I turn back to face him, his knowing tone grabbing my attention.

"I've known the 3 of them all of their lives, you know." His tone is almost like the one you take when reminiscing with a friend over old fond memories. "Kai, Finn and Gertrude. I never had children you see, I considered the 3 of them almost like my own. I became quite good at figuring out what was going on with them. When they were distressed… when they were hiding something."

Even though my expression doesn't change, I feel my heart skip a beat. Gertrude had told me before we left for Merridor that the crown and the majority of those under it were not aware of what we were doing.

I really should be weary, but there is something about the tone in the commander's voice. It's not angry or accusing, it's not even frustrated, to my surprise there is a hint of fondness and even pride in the way he speaks.

"As Kamrion's commander, I can't officially condone any activities performed behind the back of the crown." He states simply.

I hum softly at his words. "But you are not here as Kamrion's commander, are you?"

"No." He shakes his head softly. "For you, I am here as I friend. A friend who cares deeply about children kept under his care, even if they are not children anymore. They have always had our kingdom's best interests in mind. You are a good friend of Gertrude's, so I know you do too"

"Commander…" I trail off, not really knowing where he is going with this.

"The king has ordered that the guard not allow anyone to leave the castle." He explains. "I told my men to allow you free passage, whatever task you have been given, I pray that the fates be with you."

This time I can't help but show my shock as I feel my eyes widen. He offers me a tired smile before turning to leave.

After a few beats, I find my voice again.

"Thank you, commander."