Truth of the Whisper

Chapter Six.

There was a numbness in my mind that I couldn't quite put a finger on.

I didn't care anymore.

I couldn't.

General Dahas... that name rang a bell.

Quite literally.

But I wasn't sure... I just wasn't... I grabbed a bit of snow and formed a small ball in my hands, not minding the cold that sent a feeling like needles through my skin,

All those lives lost... During the last days, Phylon had showed me more letters, but this time from refugees. From survivors. And every single one was crushing whatever hope there was left in me.

I didn't outright believe whatever they told me.

But I wasn't able to close my eyes from seeing what was laid out in front of me. I had recognized Nyshard's writing as his.

"Adriyele?", Rhydomir's voice ripped me out of my trance, and I smashed the snowball in between my hands. I was standing next to the balustrade in the outer courtyard, waiting for the Council meeting to begin.

"Adriyele?", Rhydomir asked again and stepped closer.

I didn't answer, instead, I made a fresh ball out of the snow, even though my fingers were ice cold. I was wearing a warm cloak, but no gloves.

He stepped right beside me and I felt him studying my face "What happened?"

I still kept my mouth shut. Asking him only meant to hear more lies.

Or the truth. Or whatever.

I didn't want to hear it; I didn't want to hear any of it. Not anymore.

The only thing that I still wanted, was to get out. To get away from here, from all of it. From all of them, whether they told me the truth or only lies, it didn't matter.

Because right now, this whirlwind I was in wasn't doing me any good.

"Adriyele, are you alright? Are you treated well?", Rhydomir asked further, and for a short moment, I looked at him, saw that fake worry in his eyes, the frown when I faced him for a moment. And then, I turned around, and walked towards the corridor that led to the hall where the Council meeting would take place.

Phylon was already awaiting me, held out his hand for me, put it on the small of my back as I walked past him and together, we entered the room where the meeting was about to take place.

I recognised the aura immediately, or – so to say – the almost lack of it.

Brayhd.

I kept my expression blank as I looked at him, his appearance the same as always, his bright brown eyes watching me as if he wanted to look straight into my heart. Or my mind.

Did Phylon know that Brayhd could read thoughts and emotions? I certainly hadn't told him, and I wouldn't.

'You big pile of shit', I thought into Brayhd's direction, but he didn't give away if he'd heard my thought.

'Dickhead'

'Dumbass'

'Prick'

'Shithead'

'Worm piss'

'Big buttery butthead'

His eyes darted away from me, and I almost thought he had heard me, but then I felt his unmistakable aura approaching, and I quickly made a few steps into another corner of the room to be as far from the door was possible.