Chapter 10

Chapter 11: The midnight meeting

The hooded man tiptoed across the wooden path. He took two scraps of duwchus and turned them in a quick movement, with a clear click, the door swung open. I picked up the book in defense.

“It is safe, H’win. Darius spoke of your burden of the book, and of your plan to bring it to jɞn island. Is that proof enough for you?”

I still felt cautious, “I trust you. But what do you want of me? Who even are you?”

The person sighed, “Do not attack me, but I am Valen, the heir to the black heart throne. We must talk about matters that very few people know. The matters of the first and second age, the rise of Vasail. He was once an æthyln, the highest ranking æthyln of Arlen, named Asvile. Driven by an immense greed to have more power than even the true one, he lost his place in the great houses of Arlen. He poured all his power into one gem, containing the essence of the two flowers but also the malice of his heart. This made him immortal as long as the gem was not destroyed, which it still to this day is not. There are 14 other gems too, the four purities which make up all life, fire, water, air and earth were used in four gems for the æthyln. They gifted 3 to each race, four corrupt. One was purer than the others, the gem of the true one. It possessed all the true one’s omnipotent powers.”

“So what must I do to stop Vasail?”

“Of the gem, it is not your time. I am just warning, so you may understand the importance of Vaisail in my kingdom. Waiylt the first of the thorpœn dynasty made a promise with Vaisail in the early second age that upon supporting his armies of goblins and nightmayres, Waiylt would gain an immense wealth of land. After a recent battle, the thorpœn dynasty has been restored and Waiylt IV is intent on avenging his ancestors. I am here to warn you of the Black-heart raids. They plan to gallop across the east of the Wareful Woods and charge down south. They are currently just north of where we are now, crossing the fields of Ainess. I offer to join your company, as I know where they are heading and I know of a path through the Arqe mountains which offers safety from the harrying winds.”

The dawn was cold and gray as I led Valen into the "Silent Room" where the fellowship had gathered. The reaction was instantaneous. Lingonberry’s hand flew to his matches, a spark already dancing between his fingers. Fræst drew her ice-forged dagger, the air around her dropping several degrees.

"A Black-heart?" Queen Draco demanded, her voice like cracking ice. "H’win, explain why the son of my greatest enemy is standing in our circle."

“I do not choose mindless war like my father. I am offering to join your fellowship, as I know the path through the Arqe mountains.”

The Queen sighed, the weight of her crown looking heavier than ever. She looked at the fellowship, then finally turned her gaze to me. "H’win, you are the Envoy. The burden of the Book is yours, and so is the choice of who carries it with you. Do we take the Prince of Black-hearts, or do we cast him out?"

I looked at Valen. He stood tall, not begging for mercy, but offering a chance. I felt the Verdant Gem in my pocket pulse with a warmth that felt like approval.

"He stays," I said firmly. "We need someone who knows the enemy’s mind. If we’re going to cross the Arqê mountains and reach the moonpool, we can’t afford to be blind."

Valen bowed his head slightly. "You won't regret this, Envoy."

"I hope not," Lingonberry muttered, extinguishing his spark. "Because if you betray us, I'll burn that black hood right off your head."