The Runic Dome was every bit of a mansion like any other, but it was concealed within layers of runes and metal. Atop one of its balconies, where not even the birds could get close, Tiara stood alone, gazing at the lonely figure in the distance.
“When I got here, I never imagined witnessing these two brothers having such a major disagreement,” said Yuran, who came out from behind her. “I thought they were too close, but no one can survive the turmoil of ruling.”
“Spoken like a true prince, Yuran of Shon,” said Princess Tiara, and the thin man looked uncomfortable. “I apologize for reminding you of the past, but my mother talked a great deal about you.”
“Not the best of stories, I’m afraid.”
“It was a mention in passing when we talked about the bloodlines stealer, also known as The Father. She warned me of the commoner who wanted to be a god. It was a bedtime story to make sure children behaved.”
“Even for his children, he was a fearsome man.”
“How many children does he have?”
“How many clouds does the sky carry? Too many to count. Some of us were picked by the street, and some carried his blood. However, it would be the same. He would use his ability to give us the bloodline of gods.”
“Were you raised as siblings?”
“We were each raised in different houses, and we were so many that no one knew about the others. However, the White Fairy and I were raised in the same house, making her the closest I had to a sibling.”
“Women of my family can never have more than one child, so I always wonder how that feels. Is it the same love you share with a mother?”
“It can be, just not usually. Of course, there is always a desire to protect or help them, but sometimes, you disagree and fight. But that doesn’t change your relationship like it does with other family members because they are your equal.”
“What an amusing relationship to have with someone,” said Tiara with a smile. “So, the two brothers don’t hate each other. That explains the feelings that carried Oren out of this place. The trees showed me his face right now. He was smiling.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” said Yuran with relief, and there was a moment of brief silence. He then gathered his courage to ask her. “If Arthur presented you with that choice, what would you do?”
Tiara knew he was referring to submission, and she took her time to ponder it. She was not reluctant to follow someone, but she had yet to know the current outsider. After all, she just realized that he carries destruction within him.
“If such a day ever comes where Arthur asks that of me, I would refuse unless he agrees to my demands. There are more important things than power or freedom for me.”
“What kind of things?”
“The safety of my home, Yuran. Janea is called Everlasting Garden, but it is dying. We sought Arthur’s help, but he refused. If it takes me submitting to convince him, then so be it.”
***
Oren pushed aside the trees and made his way out of the forest. Since he had a storage ring, a farewell gift from Maryam, he had no use for a handbag. However, his weapons and provisions were inside, making it easier to carry them with him.
“I hope the rest don’t hate me for leaving so suddenly,” muttered Oren as he jumped over a river. He was never good with farewells since they always left him emotional. Thus, he ran away from the Runic Dome without talking to anyone. “It might have helped that all of them thought I was mad.”
“Are you not, master?” asked Lancelot, who floated behind him. The giant knight seemed to have grown used to human speech and habits since he was sitting cross-legged behind Oren.
“Arthur chose the right thing for me since I could have never chosen it,” said Oren. “If he wanted me to follow him despite my convictions, I would lose you, Lancelot.”
“Indeed, master. However, nothing is binding him to his word.”
“Arthur cannot handle any more hesitation, or his world would collapse. The many perspectives, opinions, and desires conflict with his own. Being empathetic is a curse rather than a blessing.”
“Then, what are we going to do, master?” asked Lancelot before he turned toward the Runic Dome. “Something is following us.”
Oren paused and turned toward the rustling leaves and the whistling wind that carried them. He could feel the same now that Lancelot had mentioned it, but he could also tell it was not an enemy. Then, the shadows moved.
“Queen Ruki?” asked Oren with a frown as the shadows gathered from the ground and rose to form a figure. However, it wasn’t the queen of shadows.
“I’m sorry to disappoint, Sir Oren,” said Marvi, who came out of the shadows. “Although I may not be as strong as my queen, I still have many skills that could serve you.”
“Service for me?” muttered Oren with a frown. “I’m not going on a mission but have been dismissed from the guild. So there is no need to follow me. Go back.”
“I heard about what happened and have decided to accompany you on your journey. Although I can summon three shadows at best, we can still be useful to you.”
“Arthur asked this of you?”
“Even if I leave, Lord Arthur wouldn’t notice my absence. Yet, I am here out of my desire and loyalty to him.”
“That contradicts your actions of leaving him, Marvi,” said Oren with a frown. Did the shadow warrior think Oren had turned against Arthur and wanted to rebel?
“It is the opposite, Sir Oren,” said Marvi before he kneeled and revealed his sword. “This blade was given to me by the lord, but when he saw me the other day, he asked me about who created this weapon.”
“He doesn’t remember creating it?” asked Oren with a frown. Marvi nodded before sheathing the blade and rising. “What do you wish to say?”
pA n,dan0vel.c0m “I carry infinite loyalty to my lord, but he seems to have changed,” said Marvi with a frown. “I spent my life studying my targets, making me quite capable of reading people. Unfortunately, our lord is not the same as before, and I believe you witnessed that firsthand.”
Oren was silent because he realized that as well. The matter with Eragon was still bothering him. Arthur was walking down a path that would pull him straight into the darkness. His choices might be his, but they might ruin him.
“And what do you want to do about it?” asked Oren after a while. Marvi paused before taking out a small slip of paper and offering it to Oren. After taking it, he realized it was a runic card that carried some footage.
“Please watch this.”
Oren infused the runic card with mana, and a screen appeared before him. It was footage from Arthur’s fight against the calamity and Suyin’s struggle to protect him. Cassius, Sin of Pride, seemed to hesitate about killing Arthur directly.
“I asked Miss Suyin about this, and she said the enemy wanted to extract the wrath from our lord. Although I have no idea what that might do to him, it means there is a way to remove the black lightning from Arthur Silvera.”
Oren was intrigued. He was still convinced that the black wolf of lightning was a corrupting spirit that overtook Arthur and changed him, but he never considered seeking to remove it.
“My brother wants to use this power to fight, and I have no intentions to hinder his growth,” said Oren as he gave back the slip of paper.
“What if we grow strong enough that our lord doesn’t need the help of such a corrupting power?” asked Marvi. “I believe this changed my lord, who gave me my life back. Let me help you find a method to undo that and grow strong enough to help Ascent.”
Oren paused, and his arm was frozen mid-air. The shadow warrior stared at him, his damp hair floating between his eyes. He seemed sincere about wanting to help Arthur, and Oren stopped thinking he might be insane.
“Even if we wanted to find a method, where would we start?”
“What is the best place to seek answers in this world?” asked Marvi with a smile. “I believe you grew up in such a place. If we go to the Yalveran Union, we can find a seer willing to help us.”
The plan was risky, but it was better than his earlier plan to roam the wilderness until he found his next destination. Oren nodded and retracted his hand before pocketing the runic card.
“I agree to this plan, but we will never do something behind Arthur’s back. We are merely investigating his new power to find a cure for it.”
“Of course, Sir Oren. Then, should we depart toward the Yalveran Union?”
