James Islington - The Shadow Of What Was Lost

Asha laughed. "As eloquent as I remember."

Wirr smiled back, heart lighter than it had been since he’d first heard about the attack at Caladel. "How is this possible? How did you get away, and how are you here?" His grin slipped a little. "And fates, Asha… why are you a Shadow?"

"Slow down, Wirr. Too many questions at once. It’s a long story." She paused. "Though one thing you should also know… I’m Representative for Tol Athian, now."

Wirr stared at her, certain she was joking. When she stared back, entirely serious, he just shook his head.

"I must be dreaming," he muttered, though the smile didn’t leave his face.

Asha suddenly bit her lip. "Wirr. Is Davian with you?"

Wirr’s smile faded, and he looked away. "Ah. I’m so sorry, Ash." His voice cracked. "He’s… we lost him."

Asha watched Wirr for a few seconds, then shook her head. "Did you see him die?" Her tone was calm.

Wirr paused, thrown a little by her response. "No, but… he’s gone, Ash. I want to believe he might have survived, too, but -"

"He’s not dead, Wirr." There was certainty in Asha’s voice. She stared at him for a long moment, then looked away. "I know he’s not dead."

Elocien coughed. "You two have a lot to catch up on," he observed. He gripped Wirr by the shoulder. "I have other matters that need seeing to right now, but you can stay for a while, talk. Once people know you’re back, your movements are going to be watched fairly closely. You may not get an opportunity like this for some time."

Wirr nodded, rising and embracing his father. “It’s good to see you.”

Elocien smiled at his son. “You too.”

"Elocien," Asha called out before he departed. "Can I tell him…."

Elocien gave her a slight nod. "That’s fine." He left.

Once his father was gone, Wirr turned back to Asha, a wide smile on his face. For the first time in a long time, his heart was light.

"Now," he said, still grinning. "Tell me everything."

Caeden shuffled his feet, unable to hide his discomfort.

He glanced again around the spacious, well-lit room, its luxurious furnishings just as intimidating as the other finery he’d seen on his way into the palace. Aelric reclined in a well-cushioned chair in the corner, looking relaxed. Taeris was also seated but in stark contrast to Aelric was visibly tense, leaning forward and staring absently at the thick carpet, his shoulders hunched.

Caeden understood his apprehension. Their entrance to the palace had gone surprisingly smoothly once Aelric had vouched for them at the gate, but that had been the easy part. Now they needed Karaliene herself - Karaliene, who had so obviously mistrusted them in Thrindar - to believe them. To help them, rather than turn them over to Administration. Even given Aelric and Dezia’s relationship with the princess, Caeden still expected armed guards to burst through the door and arrest them at any moment. From the way Taeris looked, Caeden suspected the older man felt the same way.

The rattle of the doorknob turning made him flinch, and he straightened as Taeris and Aelric both rose. The other two men bowed as Karaliene slipped into the room, alone; after a moment of relief Caeden quickly, awkwardly copied them.

There was silence for a few seconds as the princess studied he and Taeris, and Caeden flushed beneath her disapproving gaze. Even so, just as he had at Thrindar, he couldn’t help but stare a little too. It wasn’t just that Karaliene was attractive - though she undoubtedly was, and he was far from blind to the fact. But she had a… presence. A way of commanding the attention of everyone in the room, just by being in it, that Caeden found more than a little mesmerizing.

He dropped his eyes again before his staring became too obvious, and Karaliene fortunately didn’t seem to have noticed. She sat, gesturing for the others to do the same.

"I cannot stay long, but I wish to make one thing clear before we begin," said the princess to them as they took their seats. "I am here because people I trust believe you can help fight the Blind. That does not equate to me trusting you." She tapped her teeth with a manicured fingernail, watching them intently. "Now. My understanding is that Tol Athian’s Council are refusing to help you, and that you would like me to use my influence to see if their minds can be changed. Is this correct?"

Taeris blinked, looking a little taken aback at Karaliene’s straightforwardness. "It is, Your Highness."

Karaliene hesitated, glancing across at Aelric for a moment before continuing. "I am willing to do this," she said, her tone heavy with reluctance. "My name would not be directly involved, but some of the Houses have been trying to gain my favour for a while now. I can think of at least one that has a loose alliance with Athian, and would be willing to pressure the Council to help you, without asking too many questions about who you are."

"Of course, Your Highness," said Taeris quickly. "I can’t tell you how -"

Karaliene held up a hand, forestalling him. "I haven’t finished. There are conditions." She looked Taeris in the eye. "Fortunately, I have had your… past explained to me. That, and the fact that you warned us about the Boundary before anyone had even heard of the Blind, is in your favour. I am satisfied that you are truly here to help."

Taeris' eyes betrayed a glimmer of surprise, but he nodded in mute acknowledgement.

Karaliene’s gaze hardened as it switched to Caeden, who shrunk a little beneath it. "Your companion, on the other hand, remains a mystery. He has been accused of a terrible crime, regardless of where it was committed - and there has been no evidence to suggest that he was not the perpetrator, not even from his own lips. I am taking an enormous risk letting a man like that into my city, regardless of who has vouched for him. As such, I will require something more from him." Her tone was cold, and she still addressed her words to Taeris, as if even speaking to Caeden was distasteful to her.

Caeden stared at the ground, swallowing. It was harsh treatment, but for all he knew it could be justified. "I am willing to do whatever you need of me, Your Highness," he said, keeping his tone meek. If they could not convince the princess to help them, their chances of making any progress with the Tol were slim.

Karaliene nodded, then walked over to her desk, picking something up out of one of the drawers. Caeden paled as he recognised the black torc in her hand.

"You want me to wear a Shackle," he said quietly.

"Yes. And I will be the one to bind you," replied Karaliene, looking him in the eye. "Other people have vouched for you, believe you could be the key to defeating the Blind - and they may well be right. But ultimately, I am the one giving you refuge here. You’re my responsibility while you are in Ilin Illan." She arched an eyebrow at him. "So these are my terms. You will wear the Shackle, and under no circumstances will you leave the palace grounds without my express permission. Agreed?"

Caeden hesitated. He knew there was little choice in the matter, knew that they were beyond fortunate to have the princess' help at all. But the thought of putting a Shackle on again made him cringe.

And… it would mean he had no way to slip out, no way to speak to Havran Das without the princess knowing he had left.

Eventually, though, he took a deep breath and bared his left forearm, holding it out towards Karaliene.

"Agreed."

The princess examined him for a moment longer, and his breath caught as he locked gazes with her. Her expression became a hint more disapproving after a second, and Caeden reddened as he realised he was staring again; he looked away awkwardly only to blush further as he saw Aelric glaring at him from the side. He finally fixed his eyes firmly on the ground, flinching as Karaliene touched the cold metal to his forearm.