Elydes

Chapter 279 - Brother and Sister

Kai fiddled with the rusty latch of the window. The pane creaked open and let the brisk morning refresh the stale air of his bedroom. Dawn hid behind the houses, and threads of airy mist hung on their slate roofs. The scene might have looked ethereal and beautiful if most locals didn’t seem ready to stab him in his sleep.

What a charming little town.

A chilly gust bit his cheeks and made him shiver. The temperature was colder than it ever dipped in the archipelago, and it was only going to get worse as winter approached.

Women wrapped in dark shawls and sluggish boys wandered the streets on early errands, their steps stilted by the wind. The town appeared lethargic, with most of the activity confined to the moors, where fishermen rowed their dinghies on the icy blue surface of the lake.

The Orange-1 density for a mile around the settlement should be relatively safe for adults, though Kai wouldn’t trust any of those boats to face a beast. Even at a lower grade, aquatic creatures could bridge the gap in their home environment.

They must have skill professions for that…

A knock woke him up from his musings.

“I’ll reach you in a minute.” Kai shut the window and rubbed his arms. He slipped into the enchanted clothes for town life, latched his boots tight and stored anything of value inside his ring. He trusted this inn little more than leaving his possessions in the open streets.

In their hurry to reach Kea, they had settled for the closest place, and were already regretting it. All night long, every time someone stood to use the restroom, snored or grunted, the sounds echoed through the thin walls of the Weeping Heron like bells. He just managed to close his eyes because most of the rooms were empty.

The lumpy mattress was better than sleeping on a cot of leaves and rocks, though those didn’t cost him half a silver each night—food not included. For how small the trickle, his pockets would eventually run dry if the coin only flowed one way.

I should start practicing what I’ve preached to Rain.

His steps squeaked on the old wooden boards to get down the narrow staircase to the common room. Flynn and the siren occupied a table below the single window, merrily chatting over breakfast.

“Over here!” Flynn pushed a chair open and waved to a bowl already set for him. “You must try this.”

“Thank you.” Taking a seat, Kai inspected the pale porridge. Under the teens’ expectant gazes, he brought a spoonful to his mouth, almost expecting it to be some joke. “Mhmm… It’s quite good.”

The creamy oatmeal was the best thing he had eaten since leaving Varsea—which by itself wasn’t a hard achievement, but a welcome one, nonetheless.

“You should try these too,” Rain passed him two bowls filled with golden honey and wild berries. “The red ones are my favorites.” He watched for his reaction with gleaming eyes.

Adding a handful of tiny strawberries, Kai made sure to savor and show his full appreciation. “They’re great.” His own problems suddenly looked far more manageable.

The siren nodded satisfied, back to perusing the assortment of colorful berries. “What do you call these?”

“Uh… those should be blackberries,” Flynn threw one in his mouth before scrunching up. “Not quite ripe.”

Kai idly ate his breakfast, happy to quietly listen to the two boys chat about the local food. He had got his fill of talking the day before. Sat at this same table, Rain had quickly understood the goal of his inquiries and been happy to discuss his education.

In the yet unnamed abyssal palace, he had learned over a dozen forms of magic. Aside from spellcasting and fighting, his lessons had focused on identifying runes, elixirs and rituals, their strengths and limitations, rather than practicing them himself. His experience with enchanting had been for his own entertainment.

When you were almost assured to live for centuries, it was only sensible to take a few decades before committing to any path. And he did not need to craft any item for money.

Perhaps more surprisingly, were all the subjects not related to magic and skills. From the languages and history of the races that dwelled on the coast and depth of the Talthen continent, to etiquette, music, bestiology and more he wasn’t allowed to discuss.

Definitely high nobility, or whatever the siren equivalent is. If I were him, I would probably know the name…

The conversation highlighted his ignorance, but also his strengths. Their education stood at opposite ends. While Kai couldn’t hope to compete with his comprehensive knowledge, Rain hadn’t received much in the way of practical experience. Every lesson had been delivered to him, taking for granted they would continue for decades more.

“Are you still with us, Mat?” Flynn tapped his empty bowl. “You must have been starving for decent food. Niel has told me about some good taverns if you want to check them out.”

“Perhaps later.” Kai scratched his ear, trying to recall the last bits of the conversation lingering in his mind. Rain had already set up the ward, so their words would be safe from sneaky snoopers. “You were talking about how it went with Kea’s group.”

“Yeah…” Flynn’s slightly narrowed eyes said the act wasn’t fooling anyone.

“Huh.” The siren looked up from a plate of berries arranged in the shape of a seahorse. “I can leave if you want.” From the pleading shine of his eyes, he’d quite like to stay.

"There is no need.” Kai waved him to the seat. After yesterday's conversation, it would be hypocritical and pointless to keep hiding obvious secrets.

He must have already deduced most of it anyway.

“So, is the team going to be a problem for me?”

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“Who do you take me for? I’m not an amateur.” Flynn twirled the spoon between his fingers. “I’ve sold them your cover story with a few amends for meeting me and Kea. They aren’t totally convinced, but Niel and Caeli won’t cause problems if you stick to it.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it,” Kai said with a sheepish smile. “And what about Mari?”

“Hmm… I can’t tell with her. She didn’t speak much last night. Or look too interested in anything that’s not written on a page. Just avoid her. She’ll be too shy to insist.”

Avoid your problems. I can do that!

“I can do that,” he added a moonberry for the eye of Rain’s seahorse. There was still another person yet to be mentioned. “And Kea?”

His sister had been surprisingly amenable yesterday, though, after a lifetime of impulsive decisions, Kai didn’t know what to expect from her.

“She understands.” Flynn brushed it off as a matter of course.

“She does?” He glanced at the window, almost expecting her to break through to punch his face.

“Yes, I’ve told her an abridged version of your careless vacation. She won’t breathe a whisper of it even in front of a truthteller.”

Everything’s solved then. I’ll never get tired of delegating work.

Kai was about to stand up when Flynn stretched a leg to hold his chair.

“Wait there. We still have to discuss the changes to your story, and how to move forward. Even my genius has its limits. I can’t sell a bucket of saltwater to the same people twice. We can’t afford another slip.”

“Do we have to do it now?”

Flynn gave him a flat look. “Are you going to see Kea’s group today?”

“Uh, I see your point.” He plopped back into his seat. “What did you have in mind?”

The discussion quickly turned into a one-way street where Kai dutifully listened and ate the tail of Mr. Berry Seahorse.

Rain occasionally offered suggestions to liven the story, usually including long-lost siblings, secret cults and improbable romances. Halfway through, he suddenly stood up and covered his ears. “Don’t tell me anything. I’ll discover the mystery by myself.” Leaving the sound wards behind, he ran away to his room.

Kai shook his head. “He’s quite odd.”

“Well, he’s still miles from reaching your level.” Flynn chuckled.

“Thanks. I do try my best.”

An hour later, they had run through every combination of unforeseen questions that might arise, and how to respond. In most cases, it was best to give only ambiguous hints and let people come up with their own lies for him. The less he spoke, the lower the risk of contradicting himself. Though they also prepared a few detailed key points in his backstory since being too vague would also be suspicious.

I’m free!

Kai reread the address of where Kea was staying. Armed with the knowledge to throw off track the three nosy adventurers, he had already thought of a few excuses to talk to her alone.

“Good luck with your sister.” Flynn tiredly grinned, standing up. “Do you want me to accompany you?”

“It should be fine… Didn’t you say she understood?”

“Yes. That doesn’t mean she has forgiven you for being a reckless dummy.”

Great.

“How much have you told her exactly?

Flynn stretched his arm behind his back. “Only the truths you’ve shared with your family. And Ele.”

I’m so screwed.

To be fair, he was glad he wouldn’t have to tell the story himself. This way, Kea should already have time to cool down. “Do you have any advice to convince her to leave Limgrell?” That would rid him of any other problem in one fell swoop.

The teen shrugged. “My wisdom doesn’t reach that far. But if anyone can, that’s you. You’ve always aimed for the moons.” The words would have felt much more encouraging if they weren’t delivered with a crooked grin.

Let’s get this over with.

Leaving the inn, the rising sun in the clear sky had vanished all but a thin veil of mist. Kai rubbed his hands when a sharp wind swept the street. He had often lamented the humid heat on the islands, and now he’d eagerly exchange that for the frigid air.

It’s true you never know what you have until you lose it…

Ice spells weren't going to help, and his Fire affinity was too low to be of help.

I could work on that…

If he zeroed in Mana Observer on a flame and let the world fall into shadow, he could glimpse a few fiery motes. Nothing that could help him battle, though perhaps enough to warm himself. That might be enough of a reason to try.

Kai craned his neck to read the ceramic plaques for Willow Street. He turned a corner when a wary figure almost ran into him, staring at him with fierce eyes. “Kea? I was just looking for you.”

His sister stepped back and arched an eyebrow with a skeptical look. “Were you?”

“Of course,” Kai raised a hand to touch her shoulder before awkwardly lowering it. “We need to talk.”

“Huh, maybe later.” She moved to sidestep him. “I’m busy.”

Among all the responses and contingencies Kai had prepared for, this one wasn’t one of them. He stood stunned till his brain rebooted and he ran after her. “Right now? Can’t it wait?”

Is this some sort of punishment?

“Yes, some of us have responsibilities. We can’t all aimlessly loiter wherever we feel like, disappear for years, and come back expecting nothing to have changed.”

Ouch.

Kai sucked in a breath as if he had been punched, though a punch would have probably hurt less. “I’m really sorry.”

“And I forgive you,” she said with a flat tone. She checked beyond a corner before entering another alley toward the outskirts of town. “Now, let me be. I’ve got no time to spare, Mat.”

“What’s so important?”

Kea sighed, glancing over her shoulder at him as if hoping he would have disappeared into the mist. “I need to find Herry Rickman,” she spat the name like a curse.

“And that’s…?”

“The guy who sold us the information about the tower. Belice told me someone has seen him in the Grindstone Quarter. I need to find him before he disappears”

Kai raked a hand through his hair. “Let me get this straight. We’re blindly running after the guy who has already sent you into a trap. Shouldn’t we alert the guards?” He was the last person who wanted to turn to the Republic, though it seemed like the most sensible option in this case.

“There is no we,” Kea whispered through gritted teeth. “And the only result of going to the guards would be getting myself arrested. The whole garrison would sooner let the town burn than admit that anything is wrong.” Before giving him the chance to reply, she slipped back among the alleys, forcing him to run to keep pace.

Dammit.

He had yet to make his case to leave this shady affair behind and his sister dove deeper into it. From the stubborn set of her jaw, there was no chance that she would listen to him right now.

“Shouldn’t we at least bring your companions? Flynn and Rain can also help.” Kai struggled to keep his voice under control. “Going alone against the guy who almost got you killed seems a little… hasty.”

“There is no time. That treacherous weasel will run if he sees us coming. I’ve got the best stealth skills in my group.” She stopped at the intersection of a dingy street that stunk of mold and pointed a finger to his chest. “Leave. This isn’t about you. I won’t forgive you if you ruin this.”

Blessed spirits.

For a beautiful moment, Kai considered shoving her into a barrel and carrying her back to the archipelago. Unfortunately, the guards checked all the cargo coming in and out. “Fine. I’ll come with you to find this guy. I want to ask him a few questions too.”

“That’s not what I said. You can’t come,” she stammered, fist pressed at her sides. “This is dangerous. And you don’t have the skills for this.”

Kai wrapped a veil of Shadow around himself at the snap of his fingers. “I’m sure I’ll manage. Didn’t you say there was no time?”

Her mouth soundlessly opened before pressing into a thin line, eyes squinting to make him out. “You must do anything I tell you. And stay behind me.”

“As you say, sis.”

Better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

“And be quiet. We’re almost there.” She pulled a hood over her head. In seconds, her figure seemed to merge with the mossy stone wall behind her, her mana signature becoming indistinct like a nebulous cloud. Even more bewildering, he saw no trace of Shadow mana around her.

How does that work?

Perhaps hoping to lose him, Kea slinked into a narrow alley without a word of warning. Her camouflage was good, though not quite good enough to trick Mana Analyst once he knew what to look for. The squelch of her steps on the muddy street also wasn’t entirely covered.

Five minutes of chasing later, his sister stopped in front of a slanted two-story house with a rotten timber frame. The only people present in the street were shadows lurking behind broken windows.

“This is the place.” Kea hissed, and whispers rose to tickle his mind.

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