Forgotten Conqueror Book Two - From RoyalRoad.com by Za1d3

Chapter 46 - Frozen Cogs of Revolution

  The candle on the nightstand flickered enchantingly, as if dancing to the soft melody traveling around the room.
Holding Lance to her breast, Adalina watched as the boy's tired eyes fought to stay open, while humming to him of days long past, of love struck maidens awaiting their beloved, and of a mother's affection. As he fed, she lovingly ran her hand through his fine red hair, stroking it as the boy was slowly pulled into the ever tranquil world of dreams once again.

Just like Anise, the child bore the fire of Troyle's red hair, along with his light brown eyes. He had grown up quite well, but in contrast to Kaidus' silent independence or Anise's cheerful reliance on her older brother, Lance was more of a selfish crybaby.

She smiled at his sleeping face and leaned down to plant a kiss on his forehead. Placing him back on her side of the bed, Adalina picked up the candle and left the room.

Lance's cries had woken her up in the middle of the night, but something else had caught her attention. On his side of the bed, Troyle was nowhere to be seen.

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The two swords laid side by side on the table before him, naked and glistening softly as they were bathed in candlelight.

Whatever was within one of the swords was alive. It had protected him, had mercilessly dealt with their enemies, and would have killed the young noble too—had he not screamed out for it to stop.

He picked up the sword that the black spears and shield had emerged from. The weapon was of plain dark steel, newly forged only a few turns ago in the same design as his others: long and slim with a slight curve, and guardless—perfect for the Formless Blade style.

With a quick forward flick, the sword hummed through the air gracefully. The weapon felt perfect in his hand, no different from when he first got it. "..." Raising it to eye level, "I know you're there. Come on out." He spoke, addressing whatever was lurking within.
What answered was the darkness, mocking his every word with silent echoes.

"What are you?"
Again, there was nothing but silence.

"I know you can understand me. I have seen you do so. Show yourself."
...
"I command you in my son's name. Reveal yourself!" He demanded, yet the sword in his hand remained motionless and unchanged.

"Troyle?" Adalina's voice came from upstairs, and the sound of light footsteps followed. "Just what are you doing? And who were you talking to?" She questioned, coming down the stairs.

"Nothing. I'll be right up." He replied, placing the sword back onto the table.

"What's wrong?" Holding a candle in her hand, Adalina moved across the room to where he sat.

"Is Lance asleep already?"

"He is." Setting her candlestick onto the table, Adalina sat down next to him. "Did something happened during the trip to Gravas?"

"..." His mind scattered as he tried to think of what to say.

"Look at me." She took his face in her hands and turned it to face her. "No secrets remember? And you should know by now that I can tell when something is troubling you."

Troyle chuckled. She was right. Looking at Adalina in the dim light, she was beautiful. Even more so than when he first met her all those years ago by the river.
With resigned breaths, "Two men died under my watch, Ad." He spoke, lowering his eyes to avoid her gaze. "Because of my carelessness. Because of my complacency, I failed to notice that we were being watched." He paused, and she released him. "Seeing their lives fading before me, I was so blinded with anger that I... I could have lost my own life. I could have lost you all..."

"You're still here. You didn't lose us." Adalina warmly reminded.

"No, but the thought of it was frightening. All I could think about at the time was not being able to come back to you. To my daughter. To my sons... It's been so long since I've felt like this, that I had almost forgotten what it is that we do." He slouched forward on the chair and his mouth twisted into a disappointed smile. "Ha... look at me. Oris and Kanaar's family are grieving right now, and all I thought about at the time was myself. I failed them Ad."

"You didn't fail anyone. They gave up their life to protect the lord, just as you would have." She embraced him.

"No. They lost their lives because of me. I was the target this time." He felt Adalina's body tensed.

"W-why? Why would anyone be after you?"

Taking a moment to sort his thoughts, Troyle began disclosing to her about everything that happened. About the surprise attack, the entity that emerged from his sword, the young mage of the Vatenger house, interrogating the captives and what they had learned, and about their return to Ferrent.

"..." In shock, Adalina wordlessly sat beside him, quietly listening.
She didn't know what to say. The incident at the academy had occurred around the beginning of the year, and the other side had been silent all year long without a word or summon. They had already prepared for the worse should there be repercussions regarding the unsavory case, even ready to move or depart the city, should the laws demand it. Yet nothing had occurred. To hear that something like that happened, she was taken aback by the reality of the situation.

"You should have seen him Ad. So full of hate, I could see it in his eyes that he wanted me dead. And I too... at the time of the attack, I wanted nothing more than to plunge my sword into his chest for what he had done. Were it not for the lord being able to recognize him, I don't know what would have happened." Troyle sat back on the chair, disappointment showing on his face. "There will definitely be trouble to come. The lord plans to press this matter and bring it up with the royal court. He is adamant about pursuing justice for Kanaar and Oris' families." He sighed and looked into her eyes again. "And I fear we are right in the middle of all this."