22 - A True Tragedy (Patreon)

Phoenix sat cross legged on her bed and stared at the [Chains of Silence] laying in front of her. It was the one Murinah had used on her that Paul had returned after their talk about the woman’s fate and she knew that she needed to figure out a way around the potentially fatal tool. Her Mentor had said that overpowering the device was possible but it took an extreme amount of willpower and the well-traveled Paladin had only met one person in all his years that could do it.

The Wayfarer carefully reached out, almost as though the device might bite her, and picked up the smooth ring of brushed steel that had hung around her throat. The chains that connected the collar to the cuffs were weird ephemeral things that somehow tethered the items together but allowed other objects to pass through them.

She examined the inside of the choker, taking note of the rune carvings, and examined the hinge and clasp for potential weak points. Magically reinforced to prevent physical strength damage or just prying it off, she observed. It had a small keyhole at the clasp that she inspected, finding it to be similar to handcuffs with smaller runes carved inside.

“I could probably craft some sort of skeleton key for this…” she murmured to herself, formulating a few plans, “The hard part would be getting the key in my hand before it silences me from accessing my collection.”

The Supporter mulled over this problem for a while. She could just keep the key in a pouch but that could easily be taken from her. Maybe some kind of inconspicuous hair ornament? Maybe if she practiced and focused enough she could just overpower the silencing effects for a few moments?

Phoenix looked at the device for a long moment before getting up and going to her table that mostly served as a workspace in the other room. She pulled out some tools and items from her inventory and began to work on a key. It was a fairly simple and straightforward process surprisingly. She was able to use some mana-infused clay to mold it into the correct shape and carved some corresponding runes into it before using a ritual to activate the enchanting effect and instantly harden the malleable material. Another moment later and she was able to unlock both the collar and manacles.

She flinched slightly at the sound it made when it became unclasped and she took a few breaths as her anxiety began to rise once more. She went back to sit on her bed, placing Tala in her lap and gently petting the soft feathers for comfort, and stared at the open constraints for a long moment before slowly bringing the cold metal up to her neck, her heart pounding loudly in her chest, as she closed it around her throat.

A shiver ran up her spine but she tried to keep her breathing steady and even as she tried to get used to the weight. Then she put on one of the cuffs. She didn’t flinch at the sound that time, so that was good. If Uriel could handle wearing these constantly, surely she could last a few minutes, right?

The Wayfarer clasped the second cuff around her other wrist. As the silencing power overtook her and Tala vanished in an instant, forcibly drawn back into her as her skin began to glow very softly, she began to hyperventilate. Her mind became foggy as the fears, panic, and memories rushed her, bringing her back to those times where she was helpless and utterly destroyed.

Phoenix wasn’t sure when she had passed out but when she awoke and her powers were still silenced she began to panic all over again. She tried to focus past that however. The anger began to rise, tempering her terror and helping her bury the memories that threatened to drag her down again. She would not let a few pieces of metal enslave her thoughts.

She focused inwards and tried to better understand what was happening to her. The suppressive force made her feel not only weak but vulnerable and she realized it was clamping down on her aura, it felt vaguely familiar and she realized it was much like when Paul would press against it during training.

Phoenix focused on applying the aura control techniques Paul had tried to teach her to fight against that offensive tactic. She tried to press back against the force and the feelings of vulnerability lessened but she still couldn’t do much more. It gave her hope, however, and hope was all she needed.

She practiced for another hour before calling it quits, feeling mentally and emotionally exhausted. The strength of her aura helped her push back but she still wasn’t strong enough to break through to do anything. She unlocked the chains and put both it and the key she had made back into her collection for now before going back out to the table and crafting more keys. Having backups wouldn’t hurt.

As she finished adding one into a barrette and clipped it into her loose curls to make sure it held and stayed hidden, a knock at her door had her instantly on edge again. Tala re-merged with her as she called out hesitantly, “Who’s there?”

“It’s the most noblest of kings to ever rule the orphaned lands, come to speak with the princess of starlight,” Dazien’s voice came from the other side of the door and she gave a soft snort of laughter and relaxed.

Opening the door, she found the gemite dressed nicely in black and grey with gold trim that she thought complimented his amethyst features well, “And what brings the brave monarch to my humble sofa?” she asked, gesturing for him to enter and sit in the modest sized living area by the hearth.

Her party leader grinned and took the seat as he asked, “I can’t simply come see how my latest subject is faring?”

Phoenix chuckled and sat beside him, “I still haven’t made any vow of allegiance you know,” she pointed out.

The Defender waved a hand dismissively, “A mere technicality. You have been claimed as Princess by the other subjects already.”

“That reminds me,” she said, conjuring her guide book at the wording he used, “Can you show me that communication ability?” she asked, then gestured to the book and the man complied with a touch.

Passive Ability: Noble Subjects

Type: Utility (magical, covenant)

Current Caste: Crystal 7

Crystal Effect: You can designate willing allies as a [Subject]. Allies with [Subject] can communicate telepathically.

- Subject (boon, magical, covenant, tracking): You have been claimed as a noble subject. Your general status is known by the Caster. Other abilities that affect a [Subject] can only affect you if triggered by the Caster.

Phoenix narrowed her eyes at the book, “I’m not sure I like the idea of being claimed.”

The would-be king gave an impish grin, “It is that bad when you are willingly accepting it? You could always say no.”

She rolled her eyes at him, “I’m not against communicating more efficiently. I’m just not fond of the wording.”

“I’m sure the Sovereign would love it,” Dazien said with a shrug.

“Is that another god?” the Wayfarer asked for clarification.

“Yes,” the warrior began saying as he stood and asked tangentially, “You wouldn’t happen to have any of that coffee you’re fond of, would you?”

As he moved to the kitchen area, she replied, “Bottom shelf to the right of the stove. You know where the mugs are, just make me some too.”

He gave a nod and continued the previous topic, “The Sovereign issues the divine right to kings and nobles. They determine who rules and who serves, at least according to legends, some say. They’re a very controlling deity that demands absolute obedience from everyone,” he gave her a grin as he amended, “Except the ones they like the most.”

“So you don’t follow this god?” she asked curiously.

“Not if I want to be a king. I bow down to no one, not even a god,” the Defender replied firmly.

“Sounds a bit paradoxical,” the redhead observed as she stood and pulled out her [Wand of the Snow Queen] performing a quick cantrip to light the hearth as the coal-like stones seemed to self combust into a cheerful fire.

Dazien shrugged and set water to boil, “Serving higher powers doesn’t get me what I desire. My service is to the people under me. To protect those who put their loyalty and trust in me. To defend those who don’t have the power to defend themselves.”

“I guess that’s an honorable goal,” Phoenix admitted, “but you don’t need to be a king to do that,'' she pointed out.

“No, but I need to do that if I want to be a good king,” he stated resolutely.

She nodded in agreement as she pulled a blanket from the chair and wrapped it around herself as she sat back down on the couch to await the magic-infused caffeine-equivalent she had first discovered at the cafe her current visitor had first taken her to. She watched the gemite for a moment as he retrieved a pair of mugs and inquired, “So why are you really here, Daze? Just coming to raid my stash of coffee?”

He chuckled which made her smile in turn as he met her gaze and said softly, “It surprises me how perceptive you can be sometimes and how oblivious you are at other times.”

“I feel like that wasn’t a compliment for some reason,” she said with narrowed eyes.

“Just an observation,” he admitted, then took a deep breath and asked seriously, “What is going on with you, Phoenix?”

“What do you mean?” she asked evasively

“You know exactly what I mean,” he replied, crossing his arms as he leaned against the kitchen counter, “You haven’t left your dorm in days, outside of missions and training. Lord Wayland seems to know but he refuses to tell us.”

“I’ve just been busy with my projects,” she said in a half-truth, “You don’t need to worry about me, Dazien.”

“I’m already worried. Why is someone like Arktis Neired approaching you? I know who she works for. I’m starting to put some pieces together but what I can’t understand is what the Ruwena family has to do with you.”

She flinched at the name which caused his eyes to go wide in surprise and her anger flared at the uncontrolled reaction as she quickly stood, her blanket falling to the floor, as she muttered, “I think you should go now.”

“Are you serious?” the gemite asked, unmoving from the kitchen, “Look, I’m not trying to make you upset, Phoenix. I’m just trying to understand.”

The Wayfarer crossed her arms in a self-hug and looked away, not sure what to say.

He moved closer towards her, hands dropping to the space between them as if she were a Siva about to bolt if he moved too fast, “Please, explain this to me. What happened?”

She took a deep breath and admitted softly, “She… Do you remember the day you found me here after having a nightmare when I should have been training?”

He nodded, looking slightly confused at what seemed like a change of subject, but she continued her story, “I lied when I said I had a nightmare. I had just gotten back after Murinah had me tortured.”

Dazien stared at her in shock for a long moment as he seemed to be processing her words, “She… you mean… why would…” his voice kept halting as he tried to figure out which question to ask first.

“I think she thought I was trying to steal you or something…” the Supporter admitted, “She told me to stay away and when I didn’t listen she sent Arktis.”

He took a few more steps towards her, tilting her head to look up at him as he decided on the question that was apparently most important to him, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was scared, Daze,” she whispered, “I didn’t want to admit how weak I am to everyone and have the whole party worried about upsetting me.”

The Defender frowned as he took her pale glowing hand in his dark tan one and said sincerely, “Phoenix, none of us think you’re weak. The fact that you didn’t think you could come to us with this makes me more worried that we’re failing you somehow.”

Phoenix looked up into his searching gaze in surprise, “I didn’t know you got worried,” the Wayfarer admitted, “You always seem so sure of… well, everything.”

He gave a bark of laughter, “Ha, it would be unbecoming of any leader, much less a king, to show uncertainty in the field,” his expression softened, “But you are my friend. If I can’t confide in you and Uriel that I am not completely invulnerable then I have no one. It was actually Lord Wayland who helped me understand that.”

“Paul?” she asked in confusion, not sure if they were thinking of the same Wayland.

“Yeah, he-” the sound of a kettle hissing interrupted the gemite and he quickly backed away, “Oh, right. I’ll just grab that,” he said quickly, heading towards the kitchen and calling over his shoulder, “Sit back down and I’ll be right back.”

The Wayfarer collected the blanket from the ground and sat back on the plush sofa, readjusting one of the small pillows on it to be next to her, and letting the flames in the hearth distract her for the moment. Dazien returned with two hot mugs as he handed one to her and said, “Lots of cream and sugar, like me, right?”

She nodded and took the warm cup greedily but blew on it carefully to cool it a bit.

“Anyways, I think it was right after that run-in you had with Ruwena, which makes a lot more sense now,” the Defender continued as he sat down beside her with his own mug, “Paul and I talked a bit and he pointed out that even if I’m leading it’s only because you’re willing to follow. I’m not perfect, despite the claims I might make, but I’m trying to do my best.”

“I know,” she answered, taking a tentative sip, “We trust you to do what’s best for us.”

He gave her a pained smile and asked quietly, “Do you, though?”

When she raised an eyebrow he pointed out, “You don’t seem to trust me to help with Murinah or Arktis.”

The redhead looked away awkwardly as she muttered, “It’s not that. I just don’t want to bother you all. I already feel bad for dragging Paul into my mess. He said he’ll help take care of it. So all I need to do is stay in my dorm and make sure I have people with me if I go anywhere else.”

“Phoenix, you can’t just keep hiding here,” the gemite said in exasperation, “You can’t give them that power. To trap you in your home.”

She almost cried again as she admitted, “I don’t know what else to do, Daze,” looking up at him with the fear and despair she had been feeling plain on her face, “I can’t-” her voice broke slightly but she pushed herself to explain as she gestured out the window, “I can’t go out in the city. I can’t go to the temples. I can’t be alone out there!”

“You’re never alone,” her friend stated firmly, “But if you can’t follow the path towards a future you desire, then you will forever be a prisoner of your fears. If you let the actions of others control your behavior then you might as well give them the keys to your freedom.”

His expression softened as he shook his head sadly, "I've had to tell another friend that before and he still lets his fears and the specters of his past keep him chained and silenced. I don't want the same thing to happen to you."

She recognized the implications he was laying out but clenched her fists and nodded, “I understand. I’m doing my best, though. I know I can’t do this forever but it’s what I can do for now. Can you trust me and let Paul take the lead with this problem?”

The warrior stared at her for a long moment before nodding and saying respectfully, “Of course, Princess,” he took a long sip of his drink then added off-handedly, “I already asked Lord Wayland to do that on my way over here anyways.”

The Wayfarer stared at him incredulously and he chuckled, “I just wanted you to confirm all my suspicions and fill in the pieces he wouldn't.”

She grabbed the small pillow at her side and threw it at the ridiculous man.

“Hey! Not the coffee!” he yelled out with a laugh, moving the mug out of the path of the projectile, “Wasting that would be a true tragedy.”

Phoenix laughed, placing her mug on the small table nearby to not spill it, and it felt like a weight had been lifted off her chest as her friend joined her in the moment of levity.

“Hey, I have an idea,” Dazien said once they calmed down and he gestured to her guide book that was still faithfully floating nearby, displaying the Warrior King’s communication ability, “Why don’t we keep this active all the time? I usually only do this with Uriel but I know the range can cover the whole city; so if you get into trouble you can always call for me or him. Would that help?”

She stared at him as a lump formed in her throat and she asked, “You would do that for me?”

He gave her a sincere smile, “Of course. Despite what Rayna might say, I do care about all of you. If you’re in trouble, I want to do what I can to help. This is the least I can offer.”

Before she could stop herself, she had her arms wrapped around him in a Saiya-like hug and he cried out again, “Not the coffee!” as he tried not to spill it all over her.

She gave an odd mixture of a laugh and a sob as she said, “Thank you, Daze.”

The Wayfarer felt the weight of his hand on her back as the gemite gave her a reassuring pat and said, “Yes, well, it’s what a good King would do for his Princess,” and she snorted in amusement which turned into both of them laughing again.

PREV          NEXT