Who The Fire Favours (ONC2023) gxg

Chapter 12: Rider

Rider didn’t have time for this.

She needed answers. But Ixis wouldn’t talk to her if she thought she was an enemy. She needed to slowly figure it out for herself. Regent or not. It was Rider's job to slowly guide her in the right direction. After all, she had what Ixis did not. A plan.

“Why would I be…?" 

Rider tipped her hat upwards to meet Ixis’ eyes and leaned forwards acting as if she was about to admit to the biggest secret. 

"You know I didn’t kill those people in Scholar’s Keep. I tried to save them. But you already know that. Otherwise, why would you be afraid of making the wrong call again?”

Ixis flinched at the sight of her scars, giving her a reassuring smile like she was well used to people’s reactions. Didn’t mean it didn’t hurt any less.

“She’s your Throneholder and besides. You missed your chance to kill me earlier. You can't disappoint her again. You want to prove yourself no matter what. But she won't let you. That sound familiar?" 

"How…"

Struggling to keep her stance relaxed, Rider kept her hands folded behind her back.

"Why do you think I'm no longer her Regent? Why do you think it's been so long since I've shown my face? Why…do you think I left?”

Ixis didn't get it. Those from Opalis never did. They were too devoted to their beloved Throneholder to see her falsehoods.

"Because you betrayed us. All of us. You taught me everything about becoming Regent and you lied."

Just like any Fire Traited would, Ixis' anger got the better of her. Her arms flared with heat but her fatigue had her fire fizzled out as quickly as it came. The wave of exhaustion arrived exactly when Rider expected it to. No one could combat the sleep inducing sorrowbane.

The Shadow Traited couldn’t help but smile for more reasons than one, the faint sounds of light rain arriving right on time. The rain had been forecast ahead of time while Skyla's gift had been planted long after Rider had done surveillance on it. 

"You’re wrong. I didn't betray you. I didn't do anything. Except fall in love with the wrong person.” 

Rider knew how powerful the Timekeeper was. Given the chance, Ixis could turn her to ash. But right now, the Regent was injured, frail and thanks to the sorrowbane easily susceptible to switching sides.

"I wasn't there when…it happened. But I was there to pick up the pieces. I became Regent to fill the gap you left. Aria loved you, Rider. She really did. But…" 

The Fire Traited yawned, unable to finish her thought. The Fire Traited eyes drooped, Ixis blinked rapidly to keep herself awake. Rider leaned her arms against her knees as if completely unaware of the predicament. 

"But we both know what she wanted more. To be Throneholder. I clearly wasn't included in that perfect life of hers. No Shadow Traited is, it seems after that mass order of hers.”

The Fire Traited shivered from the damp, rickety slats of the Peddler's Inn bringing in more draft and damp from the rain. Rider fidgeted uncomfortably on the windowsill, half tempted to repair some of the twins over exuberant Water Trait. Quite a large change from working as musicians in their last job. 

Grasping at the multiple pockets in her overly flashy outfit Rider dug out a couple of cigarettes. They all had their vices during their apprenticeship days. Rider’s was Quiklit cigarettes. Her back jolted as she tried to keep her voice steady and waited for the nicotine to help distract from the pain.