A Shield of Faith (BOOK 4)

Chapter 25

NEVEN

"Here are the logistics for an Outpost in Irimount along with a couple buildings which would make for appropriate livability without too much work on the exterior." He flattened out the map of Irimount along the table where the senior Wardens came closer to investigate. "If we send some stonemasons to gather information on the foundational integrity and added fixtures needed, everything should be in place." He tossed another scroll in front of Warden-Commander Faehariel. "I also took the opportunity to map out areas of interest around the spire if we want to ward it from further Derelict intrusions." He unhooked yet another, smaller scroll from his belt and handed it straight to Warden-Commander Faehariel, who took it with the weight of Kayal's death and needless sacrifice. "And... that is my report on my current posting, which after I have settled things with the new Outpost I will return to as per your previous orders." He tucked his hands behind his back and breathed twice fold, where Yuven's strangled chokes haunted him from the healing ward with nothing more he could do for his charge.

"Thank you, Captain Lotayrin." Warden-Commander Faehariel tucked the scrolls away and took the new ledger into her hands and rifled through the pages. An airtight breeze coursed through his feathers and sent a shockwave into his ears when he trailed to the map once more. "I only need you in Irimount to give the chosen Storm Wardens a place to start. Afterwards, I can handle everything else until the next King's Summit." Her opal gaze swept around to the other Wardens at the table, causing them all to straighten themselves out. "You are all dismissed, I have one more matter I wish to discuss with Warden Lotayrin."

He watched them leave through the corner of his eye, and stiffened when the double doors closed behind them. "Is this about the Asairai posting?" he broke the silence the footsteps left. "I left Kemal Tyronai in my place to try and figure out what we're missing about the uptick of cult activity, but they're always one step ahead of us, Commander. I have my suspicions, but nothing concrete as of yet until I return and gather what Kemal has found out." He curled his fingers together, and drove his fangs against his tongue when Commander Faehariel's gaze remained on him alone. "Would that we hadn't lost so many Wardens for a couple of Obscura Texts."

Would that I could tear out the corruption myself.

"How is Yuven Traye?"

Another shockwave sent his feathers upright, but he refused to crack and kept himself at attention to his superior. A plume of mist escaped his nose at the stretch of silence, and he forced out between his fangs, "Dying, Warden-Commander, as people have told me over and over of the Expulsion Event. I was going to check on him after this. Warden Ollain appears to have some fruits from her research, so I can do nothing else but provide assistance." Yet another child that might be lost in my care, with me being unable to do anything to change it. How many more times before I learn? A rumble pushed against his throat, and his feathers folded against his ears, bristled agitation. "I believe in Warden Ollain if she says there is a small chance, no matter how flimsy." Feathers pricked, he trained his full attention back on her when her features softened.

"You have always took the burden of responsibility upon yourself since you were a Trainee, Lotayrin." Warden-Commander Faehariel held the scroll detailing all he knew of Asairai's cult. "That is all I wanted to ask, for I probably won't have a lot of time to check on Yuven Traye myself. You're dismissed, Lotayrin. Though it is difficult, I implore you to take your ease when it is possible. We have work ahead of us. The King's Summit will have to be moved out of the Fields of Light until I have personally confirmed the state of the Storm Spires. Thank you for your reports and insight."

Hand up to his heart, he bowed low and left the Commander's Quarters and into the strewn light from the high windows. Clouds swirled around the peaks, and he let out his icy breath past his lips before sucking them in and heading down the corridors to the central lift of Euros Citadel. A blanket of gloom filled the corridors, though some Wardens went about their days, too focused on their own work, their own duties without acknowledgement of what rested beneath closer to the volcano's bowels. His finger slid down the runic opening, where the circuitry sparked to life and sent him downwards at a comfortable, but too slow pace. His heel snapped against the floor when the solid walls of white turned into deep, inky swirls of thick obsidian. It came to a stop, and the rock doors slid open with a rumble as he took a heavy step into the dim corridors, the air itself loaded with magick energy which tickled his feathers, where the Annex met its bottom and kept its own Obscura Texts under strict lock and key, with no one but the Warden-Commanders able to peruse its contents without express permission, and not even Yuven tested the rule.