Riniock tossed and turned through the night, trapped in a restless sleep. Shadows of the past plagued his dreams – old wounds, buried memories, things better left forgotten.
Then came the last vision.
It struck like a blade to his soul, jolting him awake with a sharp gasp.
His breath came in ragged bursts, sweat clinging to his skin as though he had just outrun death itself. A dull, throbbing pain coursed down his spine, and his ears rang with a lingering numbness – the remnants of the emerser's soul-wrenching screech.
Blinking, he took in his surroundings. White linen, the scent of herbs, the quiet murmur of distant voices – an infirmary.
'You're awake.'
The voice was soft, familiar – one he hadn't realised he had longed to hear until now.
He turned his head.
'Linry,' he said with a weak voice.
Relief flooded him, though his vision still swayed. 'Linry…you can't imagine how glad I am to hear your voice.'
'And me, yours,' she admitted. 'I feared our earstone exchange would be the last time.'
He exhaled, leaning back against the bed frame. His body still ached, but it wasn't just the wounds weighing on him.
'It was…' he swallowed hard. 'That thing was terrifying.'
'Niann told me it was an emerser,' Linry said. 'A creature from the Stellar Sea, beyond the boundaries of our world.'
Riniock arched a brow. 'You spoke to Niann?'
She nodded. 'Surprising as it may be, he and I have put our differences aside.'
'You don't say.'
Linry studied him, noting the flicker of conflicting emotions on his face. 'What's on your mind?'
'A lot, honestly…but first, I want to know what happened after we got back.'
'Nothing,' she replied.
'Nothing?' Riniock echoed, frowning.
'Neither Master Fladd nor any of the disciples who went with him that day have returned. It's been five days.'
'Five days?' He jolted upright, wincing. 'I was out for that long?'
She gave a small nod. 'You were.'
'And Siegmun? If you spoke to Niann, that means he's already awake.'
Linry's gaze drifted to a nearby bed, its sheets tangled and empty. 'He woke up a few hours ago. Already left.'
There were countless questions swirling in Riniock's mind, but before he could voice a single one, the door swung open.
He immediately recognised two of the figures entering the room.
'Niann,' he said, relief evident in his tone. His gaze then shifted to the other familiar face. 'Sir Talien…'
The high maegi strode in, hands clasped behind his back, flanked by another man. The newcomer moved with practiced ease, clearly accustomed to the room and its tools. Riniock could only assume he was the local equivalent of a medicar.
The man approached and silently checked Riniock's vitals, performing a few routine tests to assess his condition.
'He's healing well,' the healer informed Talien before stepping aside.
Talien tilted his head. 'Comfortable?'
'I am, sir. Thank you,' Riniock replied. 'What brings you by?'
Something about the way Talien looked at him unsettled Riniock. It was a calculated gaze, as if he were scrutinising him beyond what was being said. For some reason, Riniock hesitated to press further.
'You'll be pleased to hear that, as of now, there's no sign of Fladd. Search parties were sent after him, but it's as if he simply vanished.'
Riniock exhaled, his shoulders easing slightly. 'That's…a relief.'
'Perhaps,' Talien said. 'But I'd advise you to keep a low profile. There are those who knew of your involvement with Master Fladd, and while it's highly unlikely anyone will think you had a hand in his disappearance, questions are being raised.'
Riniock scoffed. 'You can't be serious.'
'They are. So, consider this fair warning.'
Riniock ran a hand through his hair and let out a breath. Then, a thought struck him. 'What about the emerser? I figured I'd wake up to complete devastation.'
Talien's expression darkened slightly. 'The emerser is gone.'
Riniock blinked. 'Gone? How is that possible?'
Talien's lips pressed into a thin line. 'Your guess is as good as mine.'
'How does something that massive just vanish without a trace?'
Talien's expression remained unreadable. 'I don't know. The world is full of mysteries. Anything is possible.'
Riniock mulled over those words. The world truly was strange – its unpredictability undeniable. The very existence of maegis was proof enough of that.
The matter of the emerser was all but settled but there was nothing any of them could do about it. Instead, there was one thing he wished to clarify before the high maegi took his leave.
Seizing the moment, he asked, 'What's happening with the expedition?'
'Postponed until further notice,' Talien answered bluntly.
'Postponed?'
'It's necessary,' Talien replied. 'With these disappearances, the academy higherups need time to sort things out.'
'So, no one besides us knows about the emerser?'
'No one alive that I'm aware of.'
Riniock exhaled sharply. 'I see.'
'Don't dwell on it too much,' Talien advised. 'If I were you, I'd use this time to strengthen yourself – consolidate your magick, refine your spells. You'll need them.'
Talien paused at the door, turning to address Riniock one last time.
'You're fortunate I was with Siegmun when this young lady came looking for him,' he said. 'Neither you nor my nephew would be alive today if I hadn't intervened.'
Riniock nodded, understanding the gravity of Talien's words.
'I understand…'
Talien's gaze hardened. 'I don't think you do. Your actions keep bringing trouble – not just for you, but for those around you as well.'
With that, he turned the knob, lingering in the doorway for a moment before stepping out.
'Are you alright?' Niann asked, his expression sorrowful, as though weighed down by a quiet grief.
'It could have been worse,' Riniock replied, trying to downplay the situation. 'We can thank Linry. She saved both our lives.'
'True. I've already expressed my gratitude to her,' Niann said. 'When you're discharged, come find me. I've been researching with spell-mixing, and I've discovered something that might interest you.'
'I'll seek you out when I'm able to leave,' Riniock promised.
Niann nodded and excused himself, leaving Riniock to slowly sit on the edge of the bed. After five days of inactivity, his muscles felt stiff, and he longed to stretch them.
As he did, he noticed Linry, her expression full of quiet turmoil. There was something heavy on her mind.
'What's wrong?' he asked gently, placing his hand on her arm, feeling the coolness of her skin beneath his touch.
'I'm not sure,' she murmured. 'With Master Fladd gone, my father's debt is erased. I'm free from him and all his filth. Right?'
Riniock immediately understood her conflict. Without proof of the academy master's fate, she couldn't quite bring herself to act, caught between hope and doubt.
'Let's focus on the positive,' he suggested, offering her a reassuring smile.
Linry gazed into her reflection in a nearby metal bowl, lost in thought. Then, as if a realisation struck her, she straightened up, her posture more resolute.
'How would you feel about visiting my old village with me?' she asked, her spirits curiously renewed.
'Are you sure? You'd take me with you?'
She nodded, her smile bright and defiant. 'I don't care what anyone else thinks anymore. I'm done hiding and living in fear.'
Riniock's heart lightened at her determination. 'I'd be honoured to accompany you.'
'That's nice of you,' Linry blushed, hiding her face.
'I owe you my life, Linry. I'd go to Murat with you if you bid me.'
A brief silence occurred when he wore his clothes – which were neatly folded on a nearby cushion – and Linry continued to observe her reflection in the metal bowl.
'I would want to introduce you to my father if we get the chance.'
Riniock swivelled in place, his robe hanging from his teeth. 'Your father?'
'Yes,' she nodded.
'Sounds like a pleasant plan,' Riniock jumped off the bed, throwing hands in all directions. 'When do we depart?'