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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Since Fennrin and the soldiers found themselves in a village even closer to the capital than Tenremi next, Fennrin decided to go to Daryan to talk to him about the shadow wolf in person once they took a break from searching and interrogating people.
After sundown, he quickly traveled all the way up to the palace, very excited to see Daryan despite knowing he was unlikely to get affection from the man. But maybe he would at the very least be pleased by Fennrin's newfound power.
But when Fennrin arrived, he found Daryan pacing around his office, scowling, bad mood practically emanating from him.
Fennrin truly hoped he would not upset him further as he turned into his physical form by the door.
"Sir."
Daryan paused, turning to look at Fennrin, nodding at him. He did stop scowling, but the tension in his shoulders didn't go away. "Fennrin."
"Is something wrong?" Fennrin asked, grimacing. Clearly something was, but he needed to ask. He wanted to know if he could help.
"Yes. A few nights ago, an affluent protestor was killed. And people are making up conspiracy theories about my being involved," Daryan said, sighing heavily. "As if I would ever do something so unsubtle as violently killing my opposition."
Fennrin nodded along. Daryan would use diplomacy instead. He wondered who had been killed, though.
"Who was it? One of the rebels?"
"No, no, not quite. Tyr-Pentar was his name. He opposed me, but not so strongly to be considered a rebel. I believe he was a business owner of some kind?"
Fennrin blinked. He'd not even known that Tyr-Pentar had opposed Daryan. But that made sense. Daryan was one of the reasons he'd lost his best worker. Fennrin scowled, feeling deeply pleased that the man was dead.
"I assume one of his workers may have snapped and killed him," Fennrin grumbled. Daryan tilted his head curiously, so Fennrin continued. "He was the man I worked for before I came here."
Daryan's eyes widen with understanding, nodding. "I see. I do not think you ever mentioned him by name. Certainly nothing of value lost, though unfortunately his death will bring problems. Especially if he has a connection to you. It gives you a reason to want to kill him, and by extension it gives more reason to myself."
Fennrin nodded. It was unfortunate. But he would enjoy the good aspects, no matter the price. He should have killed Tyr-Pentar himself long ago.
"But that does not concern you. I will handle it," Daryan continued.
"Are you certain? Perhaps I could try to scare any protestors from taking action against you," Fennrin suggested, but Daryan immediately shook his head.
"That will only make things look worse. Fear only works so much. But I already have an idea of what to do. It will be okay."
Fennrin nodded. Of course Daryan knew what to do. Fennrin was just here to help, not think. He would just do as he was told. "Of course."
