Merry Christmas everyone! :D I'm making more small revisions to the previous chapters that will be up soon. Chapter 17 is underway and I hope to get it out before February. Ch. 16 has technically been done for most of December but I kept tweaking bits I wasn't happy with. I'm still not really satisfied with it but if I leave it much longer I'll end up rewriting it, so here it is!
Previously
Both women carrying Marion's Blessing would vanish from Athlum that night, and thus the events that were to follow would have no one clear sighted enough to prevent them. Dark dreams, tainted thoughts and a letter filled with perverted truth would kindle embers of fear and doubt, ready to be fanned into flames of hatred with just the right provocation. Flames that would burn even a Remnant to the core...
ooooooooooooooooo
Dawn broke over Athlum, pale sunlight filtering through the steely grey covering of clouds heavy with rain. Already there was activity in the castle, men and women carrying on the grim task of searching for survivors from yesterday's tragedy. More people worked to remove the dead uncovered in the rubble of the soldier's dining hall and barracks, trying to ignore the smell of burnt hair and flesh as they worked.
A full fifty bodies had already been unearthed, the searchers having worked in shifts through the night. More were expected to be found as the hours stretched on, only a handful of soldiers from those still alive expected to survive.
Within the castle walls the mood was even more stifling, many of those who slept suffering obscure, frightening nightmares. Marina Sykes' disappearance had also been discovered a scant couple of hours before, along with her daughter and the men meant to be guarding the Sykes matriarch's room.
With Torgal and Blocter directing recovery efforts in the rubble and Pagus overseeing the healing efforts for the survivors, Emmy was the only one free to organise an investigation into the possible kidnapping.
ooooooooooooooooo
"People of Athlum, I bear grave news this day..."
Sitting in his office David held back a groan, trying to concentrate on penning a hurried announcement he'd make later in the day about the attack. The people were clamouring for an explanation, they were scared, confused and demanding answers. Such a volatile situation could only be made worse without prompt action...
This left David staring at the nearly blank parchment on his desk, all his normal eloquence having deserted him. Putting the fountain pen back in its pot he leaned back and stretched, holding in a groan of frustration. A chair could have all the padding in the world but sitting in it for hours at a time would still give him a sore back.
Leaning on his elbows (no one was there to see so he could get off with it) he scrubbed both hands over his face and stared dully at the brass family crest inlaid into his desk. Eyes sliding up to the blank cream square he glared. He was sure that parchment was silently mocking him.
He couldn't focus! Too many things were vying for his attention to fully concentrate on any one issue. He still had to sort out what aid he could afford to send to Royotia, and the latest news from the evacuation camps were disheartening.
Apparently, Marquis Priam's health had taken a drastic turn for the worse and by all accounts he wasn't long for the world. It seems his age and the illness spread by Hermeien, weakened him enough that forceful removal of the Emeth Tag proved too much for him.
His son Paris was there and able to take over when his father passed, but what David knew of the young man didn't inspire confidence. An ill prepared leader in the middle of an ecological disaster was bad enough, but a reluctant, indecisive leader...?
Word (or lack) of the other city Leader's worsening ill health was also troubling. He hadn't received news from Melphina in over a month and Nagapur was all but deserted now, as no one wished to remain by the unbound Gwayn. Undelwalt apparently had nothing to say on the matter while Balterossa was swamped by people coming from Royotia (thankfully Lady Bertrude 's constitution appeared more robust that Marquis Priam's). Duke Qubine, one of the few nobles he could get reliable detailed reports about was apparently confined to his bed, wracked with near constant pain and fever.
That was bad enough on top of the recent attack and loss of Kellendros just a day prior. Yet now both Sykes women were gone, while he didn't know where Rush had absconded to after David told him to keep a low profile until things calmed down.
Well, things had only escalated since then and David could only pray the teen had spent the night in town, rather than vanish like his sister. Provided Rush was found safe then David would have some unpleasant and unwelcome news to deliver.
The young Lord had been remiss in his duties these past few weeks, allowing the current situation to get to him far more than was proper. If his past self could have seen him now... Needless to say he would have been... critical of the way the young Sykes had taken centre stage in David's thoughts and concerns.
Despite being unpalatable, he would have to resurrect some of that attitude. Having given yesterday's events as much thought as he could that night, he had come to a sobering conclusion.
He couldn't wait for Rush to give him permission to reveal the secret about Remnants. It was also irresponsible of him, as a leader to withhold information about Rush from his Generals. Keeping that secret had already led to at least one life lost, a life he had been responsible for.
Informing Pagus of the possible danger should have been his top priority, not Rush's feelings. Carefully worded, minimal blame would have been put on the teen's shoulders. Certain situations could have been more manageable, or even avoided had this information been given to his Generals weeks earlier.
It didn't necessarily feel right to take this approach, but as a leader he needed to listen to his heart less and his head more. He wouldn't, indeed couldn't relegate Rush to the background. He valued the young man's advice and friendship too much to sideline him, but in matters of security he had to be firm.
He only hoped Rush could understand his reasoning; that David would stand by him when the young Remnant needed it...
Resolve reaffirmed David picked up his pen once more and pressed it to paper. Emmy had already been sent out to try and find Rush, to head him off before he could hear of what happened and run off ill prepared to look for Irina.
The ache in David's head flared up again, while his throat itched making him stifle another cough with irritation. Getting a cold at a time like this was the last thing he needed, probably a combination of stress and cold lingering in the air today. Maybe he should get some honey drinks from Pagus for a few days.
ooooooooooooooooo
Closing the door of the house claimed by the Seven behind him, Rush walked in a daze back to the castle. He stared at the worn cobbles beneath his feet, dragging his heels and listening to the dull sound they made. He lifted his gaze and observed as the pitted wood and rough stone of the buildings gradually became cleaner and better kept the closer he got to the upper town and castle.
He didn't listen to the people around him, mind too full of the things he'd learned last night. If Rush had had any hope of sleep he didn't get it, talking with the mercenaries turned Remnants the whole night. The things he'd learned... He held no illusion now about ever having been a Mitra. Just thinking about some of the things they'd told him...
Some of the answers they gave made him want to recoil. This was too big, too much to take in! How could he be what they said if he couldn't even stop Kellendros killing those soldiers?
He wasn't particularly smart or wise, he knew that. Anyone who met him usually realised in short order that he could be remarkably dim sometimes, so how was he meant to be able to do something David would find difficult?
Resisting the urge to bury his hands in his hair and scream Rush stared at the back of his hands, watching the faint reflection of golden threads glinting in the early morning light.
He knew what was happening to 'his' body now and it inspired equal parts curiosity and skin crawling horror as to the end result. Just how different would he get? Would he even be recognisable after it was finished..?
He shook his head violently to dispel the dream-vague images of sinuous metal and alien eyes crawling through his mind. No, better not think about it or he'd give himself nightmares.
Walking on autopilot back towards the castle, he was too preoccupied with his thoughts to notice the figure coming rapidly up behind him. So absorbed was he that the hand that seized his shoulder made him jump, his own coming up to lash out at his 'attacker'.
Thankfully Emmy either didn't notice (unlikely) or ignored the shimmer of light that briefly encased his arms.
"Rush! Thank Marion, you need to come up to the castle right away. Lord David needs to talk to you and it's urgent."
Seeing the growing concern on his face, the General intervened before he could jump to conclusions.
"There hasn't been another attack, but something serious did happen last night. Somehow... Well, I'd better let Lord David tell you. It's to deal with your mother and sister."
Worry, probably not for the person Emmy would expect given recent circumstances, settled on Rush's face.
"What happened?"
ooooooooooooooooo
Despite his questions Emmy wouldn't answer, saying only that David was the best person to tell him. All but running back to the castle with the woman on his heels, a half formed idea of what might have occurred spurred the Remnant's steps.
ooooooooooooooooo
David heard the pounding footsteps seconds before his door burst open, granting him a brief view of his ruffled looking sentry before his view was filled with urgent green eyes.
Green? Oh dear...
"Dave! What happen to Marina? Where's...?"
Holding up a hand and speaking over the top of Rush to stem the tide, David affected his best 'compassionate orders' voice.
"Before you start, please close the door and sit down. Then I'll tell you what happened."
Nearly slamming the door as he closed it, Rush thumped down into a seat and leaned forward expectantly, intent on David's next words.
Putting the still incomplete speech to one side, David steepled his fingers and gave Rush a long, solemn look.
"Last night, sometime in the small hours of the morning Marina Sykes went missing. At around the same time we think Irina also disappeared."
Rush must have seen this coming, because other than the chair arm under his hands giving an ominously loud creak he was silent.
"What happened is not clear cut however. At the same time as your mother and sister vanishing, several of the soldiers tasked with guarding Marina also went missing. That, along with the fact that there were no traces of a struggle muddies the water somewhat. Due to this I cannot say whether Marina's disappearance was a successful escape attempt aided by insiders... or, admittedly less likely, whether it was something more sinister."
Exhaling loudly, Rush sat back and grimaced.
"So... either way Irina's been kidnapped. Again. I'm guessing you want me to sit and twiddle my thumbs while you try to find out where they could be?"
Genuinely surprised (and suspicious) of this relatively calm, composed response David scrutinised Rush's body language. Tense shoulders, head held high, hands clenching the chair arms and the briefest vibration that alluded to a twitching leg... Rush was strung tighter than a catapult tether at full stretch.
"Rush..."
A small part of David wondered if anything else had happened he didn't know about, but after a moment he decided he was imagining things. With all that had happened yesterday it was only expected that Rush would be stressed. Speaking of...
"Rush... I won't be stupid enough to ask if you're alright, no one would be after yesterday's events. Take the next few days to rest up and prepare your equipment. Emmy is going to be heading a search party tomorrow which will look for traces of unusual or suspicious travellers. Today the city is being searched and people interviewed, just on the off chance anyone saw anything. Should there be any leads whatsoever I'll let you know and we'll head out to look into it."
There was a moment's silence then, before Rush stood to leave.
"Wait a moment please, there is something else I must tell you. Something I fear you will not like, but I feel is necessary."
The gravity of David's tone made Rush sink back into his chair with an uneasy expression.
"I know yesterday I told you I would wait for your decision before I made any announcement pertaining to the Remnants... However upon reflection I feel it would be best for the people to know of the Remnant's true nature, as soon as possible. I shall be including that in my speech this afternoon."
A look of shock spread over Rush's face.
"But..."
Squaring his shoulders David continued, tone brooking no arguments.
"While there are some things the people would be better off not knowing, I feel this piece of knowledge is not one of them. On that note I think it is best that Pagus, Torgal, Blocter and Emmy also be told your own secret."
Keeping a composed expression at the look that began spreading across Rush's face was incredibly difficult.
"I know in your eyes this is too soon, but please consider this. If Pagus had known yesterday... then that child might not be lying in the healing ward. The situation with Kellendros could have even been stopped if more had known earlier, and for that I alone bear the blame. I chose to keep this hidden despite knowing the risk and have been weaving lies to do so. I am meant to be the ruler and protector of this city, yet these past weeks I have been very lax in my duty.
You cannot be blamed for any of these events, despite what you may feel. Such a secret is a heavy burden for one unused to them. For you, keeping it hidden is a high priority but for me... For me my highest priority is the safety of this city and its people."
Both of them knew that officially... Rush was not a citizen of Athlum. Despite his presence and assistance on the battlefield he was not an official part of the Athlumian military either. At best he could be described as a contracted mercenary or the child of a visiting dignitary, his parent's status similar to that of a minor noble.
The implication in that statement nearly had Rush bolting out the door, unwilling to hear any more. Nearly. Instead all the fire, all the fight went out of him and he shrank into the chair, head bowed and shoulders slumped.
Silently berating his tone and wishing he'd worded that part more delicately, David stood and rounded his desk. Putting both hands on the forlorn boy's shoulders he tried and failed to meet his (now grey) eyes. Part of David clamoured to apologise, to say he hadn't meant to imply Rush was a danger... even though it was a lie.
"It pains me to do this, especially after what I said to you yesterday but I feel I have little choice. I know you would never hurt an innocent of your own volition, but with these events... I cannot deny the risk, no matter how small. All I can ask is that you try to understand the position I am in, and know that I will still stand by you as a friend in any way I can."
After an agonisingly long moment of silence, Rush carefully removed David's hands and stood, a dispirited expression on his face. Walking to the door he paused, not looking back.
"I get what you're saying, David. I'm sorry for making things so complicated. I'll... be in my room if you need me for anything."
The carefully neutral way he said that and the addition of 'David' instead of 'Dave' had the young Lord wincing. Before he could say anything however, call Rush back and try to explain himself the teen was gone, door closing quietly behind him.
David was left standing in his office with an aching head, heavy heart and guilty conscience.
ooooooooooooooooo
Walking aimlessly down a set of stairs Rush felt like he'd been sucker punched. To hear Dave say something like that was... devastating, especially after what he'd learned from the Seven.
A poisonous thought slipped into Rush's head that, despite his best efforts he could only agree with. How could Dave trust him when couldn't even trust himself?
ooooooooooooooooo
"Oh, if it isn't young Master Sykes! Come in, come in! Take a seat deary, you look exhausted. It's not my place to ask but how are you feeling, shouldn't you be resting after yesterday?"
Breaking out of his semi-fugue state abruptly, Rush found himself staring at the matronly female cook from before. How or even why his aimless wandering had led him here without his realising was a mystery. He meant to excuse himself and get back to his room but...
Echoing the last time he was here the woman all but propelled him to a seat at the large table, depositing a mug of something hot in front of him. Obligingly taking a sip of the sweet drink he looked at his hands, unsure if he wanted to say anything.
"Oh don't mind me, too nosy for my own good sometimes. Now young man, what is it you came to us for, breakfast or just a bit of warmth? Could be the beginning of the cold weather this autumn, the air's very chilly today. Oh, one moment..."
Patting him on the arm she smiled apologetically before abruptly standing and bustling over to an unattended counter. Left to his own devices for a moment Rush played with his mug, uncomfortably aware of the glances and whispers directed his way. Of course that wasn't the only thing he was aware of and it just added to his discomfort.
Before it became too unbearable though the cook was back carrying a mixing bowl, whisk only a blur in her hands.
"Now where was I? Ah yes, would you like to make a request for dinner?"
Seizing the opportunity to leave without being rude he nodded, gulping the rest of his drink hurriedly.
"Yes please. Could I have dinner privately today? There's someone I kinda want to avoid talking to. Oh, uh can it be something heavy, you know nice and filling? Um..."
Rush petered into silence at seeing the knowing look on the cook's face.
"Of course deary, we can have your meal sent to your rooms. Don't you worry, I think I know just what you'll like."
Thanking the cook (what was her name again?) Rush left the kitchens and hurried up to his suite, avoiding as many people as possible.
Admittedly, it hadn't been nearly as trying as his last kitchen excursion but it had been bad enough. Even though he'd focused exclusively on his 'normal' sight he couldn't ignore his other senses. The brushes of emotion like curiosity, annoyance, worry and even attraction had been all but impossible to ignore.
Scent... he wasn't even going to think about that, preferring to pretend it was just the cooking food that smelled so nice.
ooooooooooooooooo
Had the Remnant been less worried about his own problems; had David's words and the implications behind them been less hurtful... Maybe Rush would have noticed how listless the noble's light had been, maybe he'd have picked up on the undercurrent of :tired/harried/conflicted:.
Indeed if he'd truly looked at David that day, he might have seen the unnatural pall that hung over him. Rush might even have questioned where this sudden change of heart had come from, how quickly his decisions had altered...
Sadly though he just... didn't notice, too worried about other things.
ooooooooooooooooo
The innocuous little letter was resting on the table of his small sitting room when Rush strode in and locked the door. He didn't notice it right away, leaning on the wood with eyes closed for a moment before walking into his bedroom and stripping in preparation for a bath.
Coat slung over a chair, shirt, trousers and underwear discarded haphazardly he walked into the bathroom... and froze. He knew it was there, but he'd never been more uncomfortably aware of the full length mirror standing in the corner than now.
Reluctantly, unwillingly he stepped in front of it and stared. The gold that wound around his lower leg was the most obvious, thick and prominent. Ugly. His previously broken ankle was almost fully enveloped by it, adding nearly half an inch in girth.
His other leg, hips and abdomen were mostly still pale skin, but at certain angles his skin gleamed teasingly. It looked like he'd walked through golden cobwebs; gossamer fine threads almost invisible save in the right light.
His chest, where his ribs had been broken bore thicker patches, nearly a hand span of gold woven over both lower ribs. Touching them, he noted they felt like warm, uneven skin rather than cool metal. On his hands and forearms the threads were marginally thicker, spreading right to his fingertips and even colouring his fingernails a strange peachy gold.
Turning to show his back he looked over his shoulder and swallowed roughly. His back bore a thick rope of gold easily an inch wide running right down his spine, branching out in places like a growing vine. Or a parasite.
Tearing his gaze away with a shudder he started running his bath, adding some of the fancy liquid soap that bubbled so well. Filling the bath nearly to the rim he went to get in, then paused.
Had he made sure to lock the door? The last thing he needed was for someone to come in and see this. Padding back through he double checked the door before returning to his bath. Glancing at the table as he passed, his eyes caught something unexpected. A letter addressed in familiar script.
It took a moment to place the handwriting but when he did he couldn't rip the letter open fast enough.
"Rush,
I know you're probably worried right now but please don't be. I chose to go with Mum to try and talk some sense into her, I wasn't taken or any of the horrible things you probably imagined. You weren't here when I dropped this off, (likely a good thing considering) or I'd have asked you to come. I honestly think I stand a chance at changing her mind, but I'd like you to meet us to help show her the truth. I don't know exactly where we'll be when you get this but if I had to guess I'd say Marshallton, you know, the place in Numor mine?
If you can, come and meet us there as soon as possible. ALONE, we don't want half of Athlum involved, it might scare her off. I know we can get Mum to change her mind about you if we just try!
Love,
Irina
P.S I know Numor has some nasty animals but it might be best to leave your swords behind, or at least leave them outside Marshallton. Just for appearances sake, you know 'I come unarmed and in peace' etc."
Refolding the letter Rush felt a little glimmer of renewed hope. Dropping it on the table he stood and went to have his bath suppressing a small smile.
He'd leave tomorrow night after he sorted his gear, he could probably use the transport ring system and his timeshift ability to cut a good few days off the journey. For the rest of today though he'd stay holed up in his room to give the impression he was upset. He still was honestly, what David said had really hit home which was partly why he grabbed this opportunity without noticing key details.
How did Irina know about Marshallton, when he'd never actually told her about it? He'd only been there once with Emma... She'd also never ask him to leave his weapons behind when going to a dangerous place; she loved him too much to deliberately put him in danger, no matter how minimal.
Unfortunately Rush was too upset by David's words to see this letter for what it was, so he took the bait hook, line and sinker.
ooooooooooooooooo
The Remnants scattered about the room were silent, uneasy. There had been no one in the young Warden's suite the night before to deliver such a letter, at least... none they had been aware of. Something last night had put them on edge however. The faintest sense of unnatural cold, of shadows that were too dark... Something wasn't right, but with no clear idea of exactly what they could do little except radiate :/caution/wary/ill-at-ease/:.
None of them knew what the letter said, they couldn't read what wasn't being :/sent/: so none could warn Rush against going... exactly as someone had intended.