The War of the Roil: The Knight and the Warlock

Chapter 25: The Worth of a Man

Edmund staggered back into Fort Killigrew, his white robes stained with dirt and sand.

The soldiers moving about all stopped to stare at him. He didn't pay them any mind, walking back to the Keep, where Elius was waiting for him. At least there was Elius. He was honest. More than she was.

"Edmund." he said, "Camilla was arrested this morning for treason."

Edmund glanced at him, "What?"

"She was reported talking to an informant." the old man said, "I'm sorry. I know you two were...close. But you shouldn't let that get in the way of your destiny."

"I did some thinking last night..." Edmund muttered, "As the Knight, I can't afford to be selfish. That's what my relationship with Camilla was."

He thought that, but he didn't think he could act on it.

"It's good you see it that way." Elius patted him on the shoulder, "Go get some rest."

Edmund nodded.

He entered the keep and went up to the third floor. He passed Camilla's room. The door was open, five or six Enforcers rifling through her things. What would they do if they found the Kynareth?

"Isley!" Pasco's voice came from behind.

Edmund turned to meet the blonde haired minstrel, "What is it?"

"What in the Abyss happened?" Pasco asked, gesturing to Camilla's room.

"Camilla is an Emryd spy." Edmund said stoically, "I caught her speaking to a contact last night."

"What?" Pasco exclaimed, "Camilla? A spy? I don't..." Pasco sighed in disbelief.

Edmund shrugged.

Pasco. He was a fool. But a loyal one. Edmund suddenly found himself incredibly thankful for the bard. But he'd never express that. It would be the perfect opportunity to tear their friendship away from him.

"Are you alright?" Pasco asked.

Edmund tilted his head, "I freaked out a little last night. But...yes. I'm fine."

Pasco nodded slowly, "Well...alright, then. If you need anything, let me know."

Edmund nodded before walking off towards his quarters. He closed the door behind him and sighed. Some creature's claw was squeezing his heart near to bursting. He stripped off his dirty robes, grabbed a bead of Megyno crystal and ran a bath for himself. He sank into the warm water, falling into the abyss of deep thought once again.

He swallowed the bead, the energy making his flers so much more powerful. He cast a Faithfler and reached out to all the plants and fungi in the keep, specifically in the dungeon.

Somehow, he was able to see through them when he closed his eyes. He could view the entirety of the dungeon. Camilla was locked in a cell opposite to Dregu.

"Fancy seeing you here again." Dregu said. He was speaking Morgaul, but the plants understood his meaning. Though, not by words. Nevertheless Edmund did too.

"Fuck off." Camilla muttered in Morgaul.

"Did the Physician betray you?" Dregu asked.

Camilla didn't respond. She hugged her knees against her chest.

"I never understood why you insisted on remaining loyal to him. We both knew he would betray you at some point." Dregu mused.

"I had no choice." Camilla said.

Dregu scoffed.

"You know what he's doing, right?" Camilla spat, "The longer I could postpone his operations here, the longer we had to overthrow him."