Nightspun (#ONC_2020)

Chapter 16 - Sunrise

Amira clung to her bottle of Gemdrop, lazily resting in the darkest room of the Warren.

The pang of guilt in her chest was submerged in a haze of alcohol as her attempt to reunite the three major powers had been successful. But it was all at the cost of her uncle's pride and standing as the longest member of the High Casters. Rayner Sunrisen was no longer the High Nightcaster of Neridia.

He had unceremoniously been fired moments after the Combat Mages left, intentionally used as a scapegoat to pin all of Niasi's and Sybil's transgressions onto him instead of anyone actually spending time and finding out the truth behind it all. 

But both the High Suncaster, Stormcaster and the people of Neridia had demanded answers and Amira knew the realm would not last without someone to take the blame. So they concocted the plan to shame Rayner, clear Sybil's name and unite the rift between the three major Casters of Sun, Night and Storm. The Combat Mages were only there to help spread the word.

"So, Miss Runeknight? How are you finding your new title?"

It took Amira several seconds to realise a conversation was being attempted and her face scrunched up like she had smelled fifty day old manure. The booze helped dull the pain of lying to her but Sybil's smile helped settle the bad thoughts just enough to bear it. She had been told as soon as the plan was complete but by then the damage had already been done.

"Honestly, I think I prefer One Armed Amira."

Sybil chuckled, stretching her legs on the four seater couch within the gloom of the Hovel. It was a hidden alcove just for Nightspell elves to tuck themselves away while the gloom protected them from the harsh rays of the sun. Amira sat in a wicker swing chair covered in cushions while tending to her guilt, both elves still stuffed from all the food and constant talk of politics.

"What, better than me putting your own uncle in his place? I doubt it. I've been wanting to stand up to him for moons!" Sybil whooped, throwing her head back in delight before taking another swig of the Gemdrop.

Amira gave her a small smile, not exactly sharing in the delight of completely humiliating one of her closest family members. He had been given a heads up beforehand but the look on his face when everything started to crumble around him was exactly the one she had when the Combat Mages discharged her from service. Completely defeated.

"I know he isn't the best person to get along with but he truly did all that so you could at least try to be the royal Sunstress the way you wanted. The Combat Mages had enough of a noble backing to stop you. Rayner just played the part of the coward, like he always does."

Amira tried to reassure not only Sybil but herself as well, only receiving an irritated sigh from the Sunspell elf in return. But Amira knew the signs of guilt on Sybil's face, the pinched expression paired with the fake lackadaisical attitude. She felt just as guilty for what happened and that wasn't good for a newly sworn Sunstress. She had promised to herself and Rayner to keep Sybil on the right track to help face what was ahead. Even without him to guide her.

"I know, Mira. But...you could've told me what was going on. As much as I dislike your uncle...using him to dump all the trouble I caused isn't exactly fair. Not to mention the fact I already owe him for everything else, broken nose included."

Amira spluttered at the memory, almost choking on her drink at the reminder of Sybil's 'brazen assault' on two elven nobles. It was actually a direct hit on Rayner and the snivelling Garrett. Well deserved but still blatant assault.

"Syb, you can't even lie to me when you misplace a beesnap order! Trust me. You feigning obliviousness was the only way both you and Rayner could be free from whatever Niasi was planning with those Mages. You saw how incompetent they were. They weren't really part of the Corps. They were spies."