Discordant Note: Crescendo | TBATE

Chapter 272: Negotiations in Fire

Thank you to my beta reader and editor, GlassThreads!

Arthur Leywin

My footsteps didn't echo as I walked toward the flying castle's teleportation gates. My body felt strangely light as I ran through the conversations not half an hour ago.

But right now, I had more pressing duties. I would meet with Cylrit soon–in secret and in silence. The potential for Virion's healing was too great to pass up.

And Seris knows something more of the Legacy, I thought, grinding my teeth as I walked through the halls. Servants bowed and curtsied as I passed, maintaining my air of casual regality as I strode. Agrona plans to use Tess somehow, but I don't understand how.

Maybe I could wrangle that information from Cylrit as part of our negotiations, but I didn't become king by thinking optimistically.

My march stopped, however, as I felt a familiar presence approaching. One that I'd been on the lookout for what felt like an age.

I didn't acknowledge it, continuing in my slow stride as I gave an air of disinterest. This continued for a time as that presence followed me weakly, struggling to keep up with my steady march.

Before finally, it scoffed in annoyance. "You can stop in your kingly antics of making me wait, Arthur," Elder Rinia croaked, "neither of us has time in this world for such immaturity."

I stopped in the hallway, forcing the mage following me to do so as well. Then I slowly turned, noting the empty passageway as I did so. Devoid entirely of listening ears or watching eyes. That had to be intentional on her part.

"You're dressed spiffily today," Rinia said, looking me up and down. "Makes me wonder what's got you marching as if you're going to battle."

Indeed, I was. Silver gauntlets and greaves protected my extremities, the golden runes etched over them glowing protectively. A light layer of inscribed chainmail protected my torso and upper legs while still allowing me freedom of movement. And atop it all, a fur mantle completed the regal look.

I looked down at her with a cool expression, measuring my words. "A king must always be ready for threats to his person," I responded sternly. My eyes flicked to Rinia's empty shoulder. "Avier is usually with you whenever you corner me in dark, secluded hallways and give me dire information, but I don't see him right now."

The elf groaned slightly as she shifted, appearing as if a stiff breeze could knock her over. Her scraggly gray hair clung to her skin. "He's off doing something for me," she said, her old bones creaking. "He'll be back eventually."

The old elf seer had an uncanny ability to slip through nearly every encirclement around her. When I'd first been elevated to king, she had hovered by my side, whispering words of advice and counsel into my ear. But then she vanished just as quickly, appearing within and without the castle like a phantom. Even Taci—who had been strangely focused on the decrepit elf—hadn't been able to keep track of her.

I hadn't yet resorted to outright detainment of the seer because I knew that such attempts would only fail and further strain relationships. But as the weight of this continent's future settled onto my shoulders, I'd recognized that Elder Rinia functioned as a dangerous variable.

"What grave and important piece of misinformation do you have for me today, Rinia?" I asked, staring down at her with my hands locked behind my back. "I have a meeting to get to."

"Ahh, yes," Rinia said, taking my obvious brusqueness in stride. "The talk with the Retainer. That is important. But I don't have information for you today; just advice."