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Rodian had seen her only a few times in his life. Nearly as tall as him, she
was as slender and upright as a young aspen tree. She shared the wheat-gold
hair of the royal bloodline, as well as their aquamarine eyes, narrow
features, and a blade-thin nose stretching down to a pale pink and thin-lipped
mouth. Her pastel teal gown was simple and long-sleeved, but no one would ever
mistake her for a minor noble. Where Reine always exuded an aura of quiet
inner strength edging upon wildness, Ã thelthryth filled any room with somber,
intense reserve and detached awareness of everything.
Rodian dropped to one knee, bowing his head, and waited to be acknowledged.
⬠SCaptain,⬠" the princess said quietly, and he raised his head just enough to
see the subtle tilt of her head.
⬠SCome and sit,⬠" the duchess added. ⬠SWe require a service from you.⬠"
Rodian rose as the duchess settled on a couch, pointing to another across from
her. Then she stretched a hand up to the princess.
⬠SCome, sister.⬠"
The royals and highest nobles always referred to the wives or husbands of
brothers and sisters in this manner. It upheld the impression of unity before
the people, a politically sound presence for the rulers of a nation. But as
à thelthryth approached, she lightly grasped and squeezed Reine⬠"!s hand once,
then took position standing behind the duchess like one of her family⬠"!s
Weardas, the Sentinels.
There was more than solidarity here. Rodian could see that the à reskynna
shared genuine affection with Reine. He settled on the couch across from them.
The tall elf closed the doors and took a place a few steps off from the two
ladies of the royal house.
⬠SWe received a distressing report,⬠" the duchess began. ⬠SA young guild
journeyor was involved in last night⬠"!s tragedy.⬠"
Rodian blinked. What report, and from whom?
⬠SNot involved,⬠" he corrected. ⬠SShe⬠"!d heard a folio was not returned and
went to check on its safety, not knowing of my arrangements with Domin
High-Tower and the master of the shop. Her presence was unfortunate but
happenstance.⬠"
Princess à thelthryth frowned. It startled him to see any expression
whatsoever break her serene exterior.
⬠SYou are certain?⬠" she asked without emotion. ⬠SShe bears no guilt in
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these events?⬠"
Rodian grew wary.
The royal family defended their precious sages to a frustrating degree. Yet
now the princess seemed almost to insinuate culpability upon a young journeyor
of the guild.
Indeed, Wynn was somehow connected to one of the murdering thieves. But she
wasn⬠"!t directly involved in the thefts, not that Rodian could see. He⬠"!d
released her to Sykion and High-Tower in the hope that he might still learn
more through her.
But if the royals had already heard of Wynn⬠"!s involvement, had they also
heard of her claim upon the texts? Were they looking to discredit her, one of
their sages, and keep the texts in hiding?
⬠SShe bears no guilt that I⬠"!m aware of,⬠" he answered carefully.
Reine sighed softly, but à thelthryth⬠"!s slight frown returned.
⬠SWe have heard this journeyor is making a personal claim,⬠" the duchess
continued, ⬠Supon the texts she brought to the guild . . . even to taking it
before the people⬠"!s court. This would halt the guild⬠"!s work on
translation.⬠"
Rodian kept his expression placid. Only two of the guild knew of Wynn⬠"!s
claim⬠High-Tower and Sykion. And only the latter had direct contact with the
royal family⬠⬠SLady⬠" Tärtgyth Sykion, the duchess had called her.
Rodian⬠"!s frustration began to mount.
⬠SWe have spoken with the high advocate,⬠" Princess à thelthryth added. ⬠SIt
appears that Journeyor Hygeorht may have a legitimate claim. But if she takes
full possession of these texts, there is no telling what might become of them
. . . who might gain access to the contents. We are told the material is of a
sensitive nature.⬠"
It took all of Rodian⬠"!s effort to remain calm. What was the royal family
fighting to protect⬠or at least keep hidden⬠to a degree that they would
let their sages be murdered in the dark?
⬠SThe project must continue,⬠" the duchess said, leaning forward, ⬠Sand
thereby the texts must remain in guild hands. We wish you to go to Premin
Sykion, as an unofficial arbiter, and seek a compromise.⬠"
⬠SA compromise?⬠" he repeated.
à thelthryth took up where Reine left off. ⬠SWe wish you to ask Premin Sykion
to grant Journeyor Hygeorht access to all completed work⬠pages that have
already been translated⬠but under controlled circumstances that will keep
the texts protected from the public. If the journeyor will agree not to pursue
full possession, she may see all translations since her return from the
Farlands.⬠"
⬠SSiweard . . .⬠" the duchess began anxiously, dropping any pretense of
formality, ⬠Sdo you think this will appease the young sage?⬠"
The princess glanced down at the duchess⬠"!s familiar use of his given name.
Then she, too, turned expectant eyes on Rodian.
⬠SPerhaps,⬠" he answered shortly.
Wynn had expressed interest in seeing which folios were being targeted. She
knew there was something specific being sought in those pages. The
culprit⬠one who could apparently walk through solid walls⬠hadn⬠"!t tried
to gain the original works, or at least not as far as anyone knew. But
higher-ranking sages had shown nothing but contempt for Rodian⬠"!s demands.
⬠SWhy me?⬠" he asked. ⬠SSurely Sykion would be more amenable if she heard
this from you, Duchess?⬠"
Reine shook her head slowly. ⬠SIt would not look well if the royal family
intervened in this case. It might draw undue attention to the guild⬠"!s
sensitive work. It might even be seen as royal interference with the law, and
push Journeyor Hygeorht to rash action. You have always shown good judgment
and discretion . . . both in upholding the peace and in serving your
people⬠"!s best interest.⬠"
Rodian studied her. Did she expect him to use the power of his office if
Sykion refused?
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⬠SDo you have any leads on who escaped last night?⬠" à thelthryth asked
abruptly.
The change of focus caught him off guard, and he hesitated. The black-robed
figure appeared taller than Ghassan il⬠"!Sänke, but the Suman sage had
something of a reputation as a true mage within his own guild.
⬠SOne,⬠" he answered. ⬠SBut I won⬠"!t name a suspect without more concrete
evidence.⬠"
The princess⬠"!s frown vanished. As her features settled to their ever-placid
state, Rodian caught an instant of relief in her aquamarine eyes.
⬠SWe desire you to stop these murders,⬠" she said, ⬠Sbut keep the guild⬠"!s
project protected at the same time. If you can do this, we would be grateful .
. . most grateful, Captain.⬠"
Rodian thought his heart stilled as he held his breath.
Her words were as close to an open admission as he might ever hear. The royal
family wanted him to keep Wynn⬠"!s ancient texts buried in secret. This veiled
request left him caught between duty, faith, and ambition.
He knew lives depended upon him as the highest officer of the Shyldfälches,
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