Verita - The Guardian of Darkness

58 - What we Swore to Protect

During their stay in the mage tower, Elanthin had started to wonder how Aetrian could remember his time here fondly. The privacy was lacking; the flickering of the portals constantly reminded her of the fact that someone could step through in the next second. Not to speak of the tiny windows with which the rooms were imbued; the meager amount of sun rays which managed to pass through them only lit up the dust specks flying inside.

However, the common study was as large as it was bright, nearly making up for the gloominess of the remaining build. Its walls were seemingly constructed out of nothing, letting Elanthin feel as if she was sitting on a wind-protected porch on a sunny morning. To no one's surprise, she'd settled in a corner of the hall once again this morning, while Aetrian remained closed off in Aydeze's quarters. Whatever they were doing up there, she wouldn't be of any help. Despite Aetrian trying to make her feel useful, she'd accepted her lot quickly and decided to stay out of his way.

Perhaps she'd be more helpful next time; but for now, she'd have to bury her nose in at least two dozen of these books, whose thickness called for her respect – and a little bit of distaste.

"Will Her Majesty open her letters?"

Yorwen's voice made her head snap up. Any thoughts of reading books on magic theory vanished as soon as Elanthin laid eyes on the silver tablet stretched out towards her. She'd been sitting on the edge of her seat for further word from her advisors, but with the prolonged wait, it hadn't entered her mind as often anymore.

Hastily grabbing the first roll of parchment, she didn't even take the time to relieve the maid. Yorwen placed the tablet with the second scroll on the tea table besides Elanthin, before she made herself scarce without order. Since they'd arrived she'd seen little of her handmaid; perhaps the mage's piercing gazes were too much for her to handle.

Elanthin could feel a few pairs of eyes rest on her as well, while she was breaking the letter's seal and straightened the parchment in her hands. However, they didn't frighten or disturb her since they weren't really looking at her. They were greedily searching for any traces of the darkness she held.

Greetings,

She read the court opening and knew immediately that she was holding a letter from Vax. The handwriting was sloppy and wide; as if the advisor had written in haste.

The most recent proposal Phygras has brought to you is solely born from fear and his rigid character. I strongly reject it. If my word is of any importance to Your Majesty, you will not waste a second thinking about it.

There was nothing else on parchment, only an illegible greeting below Vax' scribbles.
With a little sigh, she put the letter aside to open the next one, which would undoubtedly be Phygras'. She shouldn't be surprised that they were squabbling again; however, Vax vetoing the older advisor without sound arguments was a first and hopefully a last.

I respectfully greet Your Majesty Elanthin of house Verita, started the next letter.

For the first time, she considered having made a mistake by giving Vax and Phygras the same standing from the start. Should the older one have been giving a mentor position due to his seniority? If she'd solved it differently, maybe Vax would know how to send proper letters and wouldn't dare to send something entirely without content to her.

In your last letter, you have asked us to make an inquiry into the Deep's Touch and the transference of darkness. In the process, we have uncovered ancient records which contained vague instructions on how to recognize and handle an infection by the Deep's darkness. There were no mentions of cures, magical or traditional; instead, the records insisted on an unbreakable bond between host and darkness, which could only be separated by the death of the combined entity.