Silhouette

Chapter 15: Embers of War

The hermit and her apprentice have been accepted in the palace and been engaged as the royal healers. With current goal set on their mind, Gwyn carefully bestowed her serum on selected and trusted subjects.
They both gained favors from their patients and even if they couldn’t fully heal complicated injuries they somehow proven that their abilities work best on internal sufferings rather than external wounds.

Their authority had soon increased. They were not immediately designated to heal the King rather they were tested for their skills and their ability to save him.

The hermit and her apprentice were called to examine a group of prisoner for their health status, neither of them knew where they were taken and the palace guide had seriously reiterated the confidentiality of the subjects.

They followed him deeper within the palace, passed an empty hall which seems to be abandoned for ages that even Gwyn can’t remember its existence. The guide opened a small gate that only one person could fit and called his companion inside.

“Here is where unexecuted traitors were locked up” the guide said. Newis’ eyes shone with excitement for what he heard.

“The current Queen cannot pass her judgment with them until the King regained his consciousness. Even with that case we still need to check their health status once in a while” the guide stated.

Two guards stood beside the door and the sound of its opening turned the head of those waiting inside.

The people belongs to the group that had been abandoned by their race and were imprison by their masters.

The hermit entered and moved on the eyes staring at her. They were four branded traitors hidden in the deepest part of the palace, waiting to be discarded. 

Their guide instructed them to check on the prisoners’ status. It was obvious that they were not in good state.

Gwyn has met Ethan’s eyes who immediately diverted his to the other healer beside her. He met his brother’s gaze and understood the reassurance he implied.

While the healer and the guide were busy tending their duty Ethan snuck and grab a letter from his drawer that was long been kept. The apprentice helped his master, while checking Ethan’s pulse he stealthy slip the letter to his hands which was swiftly tucked on his robe.

The hermit and her apprentice retired to their room after their duty that day.

When the lights were out and the palace was already asleep the two silently lighted a candle and carefully opened the letter Newis has hidden. It was cautiously examined but the contents revealed that it wasn’t a letter.

It was simply a Register of information sold. The Register was too authentic to be suspected and the contents were too justified to be faked. The information indicated was too critical and only sold to one person who was the late queen of Tanbrea, Viola.

Those information played a great part on the war that suddenly emerged. Another paper was attached bearing the signature of Gerard.

It was noted that the Register was found on Machi’s belongings. With the facts confirmed by Ethan, Gerard has deciphered that there was somebody manipulating the situation in favor of them.

It was discovered that someone continuously prevented the alliance to happen.

Gwyn hated every bit of information written on that Register that led her to burn the pages the instant she finished absorbing its content.

Aware of the prisoners’ whereabouts they decided to advanced their plans and help them escape in order to unravel the truth behind the allegations.