Imprisoned in the Orinovan priori labs, Ainreth undergoes torturous treatments daily in an attempt to crack the code to lightweaver creation. Things seem hopeless, until unlikely allies join his side to help him.
Meanwhile back home in Lys-Akkaria...
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Mhalyn walked inside the palace, strangely calm and focused, the sleeping tonic in her pocket.
She had disposed of the instructions on where to find Petre later. Even though she would have loved to hang onto it just to make sure she didn't misremember, she couldn't let that fall into the wrong hands. It would be better to lose contact with Petre than to risk having them be discovered.
Mhalyn wasn't certain if her plan here was going to work. She had told the city guard to spread the word that Daryan would have a speech at the main square, as she'd been instructed, and then she'd waited until Daryan was on his way to give the speech, hoping that while Daryan was gone, she would get the chance to raid his office.
Of course, this plan hinged entirely on no one noticing her slipping in. She did have the key, at least, a backup made years ago in case Daryan lost his. Mhalyn rubbed her hand over the smooth metal of it in her skirt pocket. She couldn't imagine trying to break in forcefully. She wouldn't even know how to do it, let alone quietly and without anyone seeing her.
Mhalyn grimaced as she neared the office, rushing. The sooner she got there, the better. It would take a long time to search every cabinet and drawer, and she didn't need to waste any time.
The palace was quiet, safe for a few guards and servants walking by or talking to each other quietly. She felt as if everyone was watching her, as if everyone knew that she was a traitor. But Mhalyn found it relatively easy to push through her fears. The thought of helping the Court and Fennrin break through their drugged state was driving her on and giving her confidence. She just needed to find out what Daryan had used. Which would unfortunately take a while.
Mhalyn swallowed as she reached the door. It had always been a source of comfort for her, knowing that her father figure was just on the other side, ready to give advice and help her, but now the dark wood loomed ominously, as if an evil presence lurked beyond.
Unfortunately the evil presence in question was said father figure, but at least he wasn't here right now. Looking around quickly, Mhalyn unlocked the door as quietly as she could, carefully peering in. She breathed out when she saw the office was indeed empty.
Mhalyn was about to walk inside when a voice stopped her. "What are you doing?"
Her eyes went wide, her heartbeat spiking, and her inside clenching. Not him. She turned around to be face to face with Fennrin, who was watching her through narrowed eyes.
His gaze was a bit cloudy, and he blinked forcefully every so often, as if trying to wake himself up. Oh, if only he could wake himself up properly. "Oh. Er. I just...needed to get some papers. Daryan sent me for them."
Fennrin frowned, as if trying to understand her words. Mhalyn decided to keep talking, despite her stomach tying itself into knots, and her hands sweating. Maybe he was too drugged to think properly right now, and she could confuse him.
