eclipse [j.grace 1]

xx. i'm sorry by the way

The camp's usual clamour felt muted in Eira's ears, overshadowed by the swirling storm of her thoughts. The unsettling events of late—strange disturbances and inconsistencies in the camp's records—had culminated in a growing sense of dread. 

Eira's investigation, guided by Octavian's shadowy advice, had uncovered a troubling pattern, casting her mentor, Lyra, in a suspicious light.

Eira spent the evening in the library, surrounded by the scent of old parchment and the dim glow of lanterns. The cool air from the open window did little to cool her rising anxiety. She poured over ledger after ledger, her eyes scanning for irregularities. 

The discrepancies were not just minor errors; they suggested tampering with the camp's defences and unauthorised access to restricted areas. The thought of Lyra being implicated in such activities gnawed at her.

A knock on the door broke the silence. Octavian's lean figure appeared, framed by the doorway. His casual demeanour clashed with the tension in the room.

"Still buried in paperwork?" Octavian's tone was laced with his usual veneer of amusement.

Eira looked up, her expression conflicted. "Yes. The more I dig, the more it seems like someone is deliberately messing with the camp's systems. It feels like we're on the brink of something serious."

Octavian's eyes narrowed, his interest piqued. "And what does your investigation suggest?"

Eira hesitated, her heart heavy. "I'm starting to think that Lyra might be involved. The evidence—though not conclusive—aligns with her movements and activities. It's just... hard to believe."

Octavian's posture shifted slightly, his casual demeanour giving way to a more intense focus. "Loyalty can be a powerful blindfold. If Lyra is involved, you must approach with caution. Trust is a double-edged sword."

Eira's mind raced as she absorbed Octavian's words. She had always held Lyra in high regard, and the notion of betrayal felt like a betrayal of her own trust. "I need to be sure before I jump to conclusions. It's just... difficult to reconcile with the Lyra I've come to know."

"Understandable," Octavian said, his tone softer but still edged with a hint of calculation. "Sometimes confronting the truth means facing uncomfortable realities. If you truly believe there's a problem, it might be time to confront Lyra directly."

Eira's heart sank at the thought. The idea of confronting her mentor was daunting, but Octavian's suggestion lingered in her mind. Her loyalty to Lyra was being tested in ways she had never anticipated.

Later that evening, Eira approached Lyra's quarters with a heavy heart. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch with the weight of her impending confrontation. She took a deep breath and knocked.

"Come in," Lyra's voice called, inviting her inside.

Eira entered, her gaze settling on Lyra, who was seated at her desk, engrossed in paperwork. The room exuded a calm that felt increasingly discordant with Eira's turmoil.

"Eira," Lyra greeted with a warm smile. "What brings you here?"

Eira struggled to maintain her composure. "I've been looking into the recent disturbances around the camp. There are discrepancies in the records—tampering with defences, unauthorised access. It all seems to point towards something more serious and it all points to you.."

Lyra's smile faltered slightly, though she quickly masked her reaction. "Those are grave accusations. What makes you think I would be involved?"

Eira's voice trembled with the weight of her conflicting emotions. "The evidence aligns with your movements and activities. I want to believe in your integrity, but it's becoming harder to ignore the possibility."