Constantine (Daughter of War #1)

Chapter 23: Mutual Interrogations (Part 2)

Image -- Rough approximation of Captain Eldric.

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I inhale sharply. He said to remain as honest as possible, but he didn't mention anything about leaving certain points out, did he? In slow, confident speech, I narrate the incident, from how I stumbled upon the hidden passageway, to how the door slid open at my touch, to when Gilbert suddenly collapsed, omitting the part of the images flashing in my head when I'd touch the alatrigne on the lion's side. I also conveniently leave out Diomedes' screaming voice.

"I see." The captain leans back in his seat once my narration is complete. His brows furrow in concern. "So you are saying that Quinnian Allura gave you permission to enter the scrinaius?"

I nod; he grunts in frustration. "Any idea why she would do just that?" he asks. I reply in the negative.

"Highly unusual of her, to allow someone to do something wrong." Sir Eldric doesn't seem to notice that I sink a little in my seat. "That gives me something to think about..."

His eyes snap up suddenly, locking onto me, accusing and perceptive. "I know you've omitted several details from your narration just now, and they may or may not be important. Either way, I will not press you for answers—for now. But I need you to answer this question truthfully: Could you have possibly unleashed any curse or long-forgotten magic upon the castle when the winds suddenly came?"

I chew on the insides of my cheek. Had my half-truth been so easy to read through? After a while, I manage to spew a few words out: "I don't think so— At least, I assume I didn't."

"Let's hope for the best," the captain says grimly. "Whatever was unleashed down there...No matter what it is, it cannot bear goodwill to us all. We can only pray that it is a minor curse."

A sudden thought strikes my mind. "Captain, I do not mean to pry, but if the scrinaius is truly dangerous, then why not eradicate it a long time ago?"

"In case no one has mentioned it to you, no one even knew that there was a scrinaius. True, the Quinnians discovered the passageway. However, they could never get past that door. That is, not until you came along. Apparently the onyx on the door only responds to your touch. As to why, Squire Rutherland, I'd like to know very much." He glares at me, as though trying to extract more information from me by sheer will.

I cough, attempting to dispel some of my nervousness. "Your men, have they found anything?"

The Captain shoots me a look mixed with irritation and slight...awe? "You are very close to overstepping the boundaries between squire and knight."

"But I haven't, have I?"

"True." The glare softens just a bit. "Well then, to satisfy your curiosity, my men saw nothing in the tunnel, because there wasn't one when they went back there."

A gasp escapes from my lips. "Impossible!"

"It is true, Squire Rutherland. They found no trace of the onyx too. Of course, I haven't ventured down there to see for myself, but those men were some of my most reliable..."

"Impossible," I repeat, shaking my head vigorously.

"Squire Rutherland." His tone orders me to keep a hold on myself; I instantly fall back into the mould of a dutiful, respectful squire. "Any more questions?" He treats my silence as a 'no'. Sir Eldric rises from his chair. "Very well. You may return to your—"

"Wait, sir!" Seeing the disapproving look on his face, I clear my throat and cool my nerves. "I mean, there is one more question I'd like to ask."

"Out with it." I heave a sigh of relief; I haven't pushed the boundaries just yet.