Trust Me - a Sophitz story

Part 24

As promised, another chapter! I'm starting to wrap this fic up, I'm expecting to be finished by fall or winter at the very latest. But knowing me, that's unrealistic. There's still a lot of story left. Love y'all!

Chapter 24:

After that, everyone began to work even harder on their projects. Biana was the busiest of all. She and Oralie had found Kenric's journal - a record of all his assignments and of his secrets. He had willed his belongings to the fair Councilor, and Biana had finally convinced her to open the trunks. And so, with he blessing of her new mentor, Biana began sorting though a lifetime worth of stuff. An Elvin lifetime.

And after nearly three days she found a recent box, his current assignments. She found the record he had made only a few days before his death. One night, about 9 days after Sophie had broken, they all gathered in Everglen. Sophie and Sandor were at Havenfield with Elwin and Physic, but the rest of the Collective, Bronte, Oralie, Alden and Della, Edaline and Grady, Dex, Linh, Tam, Biana, Fitz, and even Grizel found themselves huddled together in the light and airy crystalline living room of the castle, watching the sun set, and sharing their findings. Finally, Biana stood up to address the full assembly. As she stood,t he several side conversations split off, and everyone watched the girl in front of them.

In just nine days she had changed so much. Her always confidant posture was even more so, but her eyes sported heavy bags. She was still shockingly beautiful, but she obviously hadn't touched makeup in days. Her clothes were impeccably chosen and flattering, but they were simple, a tunic and leggings. Her hair was pulled back in a braid, not one of her usual elaborate styles. When Alden had broken, she had hidden from the world. Now, she was showing herself, with all her flaws. And even though she had bags under her eyes, she looked confidant. Even though she wasn't wearing something elaborate, she had her usual grace. She looks no less beautiful, but now she looked powerful, stronger and more brittle. And everyone could see it.

With a nod from Oralie, she addressed the people in front of her, the people she cared for more than anyone else. "It's been a really bad week. For all of us. And it's so awful, Sophie is my best friend. But I honestly think we can move forward. I want to fix her, and I think maybe we can figure out a way, but it'll take time, and this breakthrough can be worked on immediately. Guys, we found Kenric's code. We can open the cache."

With that, the room exploded into noise. "WHY wasn't I told?!" Bronte was practically screeching.

"When was this?" Alden was a little bit calmer. Grady, Della, and Fitz were also shouting their surprise. The only ones who were't beyond reason were Tam, Linh and Dex.

"Calm down, everyone." Oralie's voice was quiet, but strong, more resolute than anyone assembled had ever heard. "We only found it today."

Here Biana took over. "It's surprisingly simple, but also incredibly complicated. We need three things. We need the cache, obviously. We need his circlet, as the kind of 'proof' that we have his blessing. Finally, we need the proper command phrase. Except, in Kenric's case, the cache doesn't require a certain phrase, but a person. Oralie."

The beautiful Councilor rose to stand next to her protege. "He was, of course, a telepath of great strength. His cache apparently holds the same power." Her voice grew quieter, as if it pained her physically to speak in the past tense. "If we can trust the journal, which I believe we can, I am the correct key. If I stand in his castle, with is circlet, and hold the cache, the idea is that we can then access the memories stored within the cache. I am prepared to take this risk. According the the journal, the information will not be released. Hopefully, it will remain in the cache, and if a stone is pressed, the corresponding memory will be released into the person holding the cache."

Bronte, surprisingly, was the one to interject. "If we can get Alina out of the castle, perhaps if we use her fondness for Alden to our advantage, all that stands in our way is getting his circlet. I will not risk direct involvement in this, but I will help behind the scenes as much as I can. If we are caught in this venture, it would be wise for one supporter to remain on the Council."

Suddenly, the enormity of the task sharpened to all of them. If they failed, not only was Sophie doomed, but Oralie would lose her circlet, and most likely, they would be banished, if not imprisoned. No one voiced these words, but you didn't need to be a telepath to know everyone was thinking it.

"I will help in any way I can. Tell me what to do." Edaline's voice, wobbly from crying, but full of steel, filled the suddenly silent room.

"Tell me what to do," Fitz echoed.

"She's my daughter. I will do anything to get her back," came Grady's voice, low and dangerous.

"I will do anything," Alden added, followed closely by Terigan and Della.

"Anything," Dex, Linh, and Tam added.

And as they all added their confirmation, added their support, they stood, facing the two women standing at the front of the room. "Yes, Biana. We will do anything. And I think this is your mission to lead. Tell us what to do."

Despite the somberness of Oralie's quiet words, and the deafening grief of their situation, Biana couldn't hold back a small, tight smile. "I think I've got a plan."