Empire of Night

Chapter Fifty-Five

Ramifications

Ayduin raked a hand through her unbound hair, looking for all the world as though she might kill him herself. She, like everyone else, had dressed down for the morning. However, the absence of her brigandine made her all the more frightening, somehow. The fingers of her free hand flexed as she paced before the low burning fire of their camp, no doubt weighing the merit of backhanding him herself.

"Let me get this straight, you swore an oath to a dying man and you think Inerys' little brain-bug is the reason you haven't been released from it?"

"In short," he said, unable to bring himself to look at the woman curled up beside Ephaxus' head across the fire. Not because he thought any less of her, but because he'd frightened her in a way he'd never intended. When his mind made that horrifying connection after her confession, the echo of his realization had been instantaneous. He'd been terrified, not angry, but the damage had been done regardless.

"Entity aside, why did you make an oath like that in the first place?"

Rhydian clenched his jaw, "I didn't see it as a choice, Ayduin."

"Did you at least have the decency to line it out? Were there exact terms? Or did you bind yourself to a concept rather than an actual contract?"

While he wanted to say he'd been smart about it, the truth was that whether well intentioned or no, he'd been reckless, "More the former, I think," he said quietly.

She threw her hands up, "Well, isn't that wonderful? You, of all people, should have known better. Specificity is the first thing they teach us, Rhydian. It's what makes the oaths work in the first place."

"You think I don't know that? It's easy enough to remember protocol when it's more concept than reality, but when you're faced with the worst a situation has to offer, things change. That woman tore those dyads apart with her bare hands. Nothing prepares you for something like that," he said, voice wavering as he tried to shove away the memory, "After what they'd gone through, letting Thylas die without some sense of justice or closure felt cruel."

"Color me the callous bitch, but the man was dying. He couldn't have held you to anything."

"From a rational angle, sure, but I wasn't thinking of long term ramifications. All I saw was a fallen brother in arms. And a superior, no less. Mistake or no, I didn't question it because I had a duty to uphold. His mission would have become mine regardless."

Ayduin stopped pacing, "You didn't think you'd survive, did you?"

Beyond their tents, Tanuzet stirred.

There was no point in denying it.

"She was a threat. To you, to Mistwatch, to everyone. I was prepared to lay down my life if it meant protecting you. No one else was supposed to get hurt."

And yet they had. Keishara, Ephaxus, even Inerys. Despite his best efforts, they'd all become collateral.

Her brow furrowed as she studied him, "You're honorable to a fault, Rhydian."

"I hate to admit it," Cydan said from beside him, "But she has a point."

Rhydian honestly didn't have an answer for them.

Maybe he was.

"We're supposed to be a team," Ayduin said, "So let us be a team and stop taking responsibility for everyone else. Like I told Inerys, we need to know the full picture going forward or this all falls apart."

He sighed through his nose, "I know, I– I'll try."

Rubbing her brow, she glanced between he and Inerys.

"You two are going to be the death of me," she muttered, "Are there any more secrets we should know about, or have we finally cleared the air?"

Cydan cautiously raised a hand and she arched an eyebrow in his direction.

"I'm the one who swiped the last sweet roll at dinner last week," he said.

Ayduin pinched the bridge of her nose, "Oh, for sky's sake. One day, I'm going to smother you all in your sleep. Fine. If that's everything, I suppose the real question is what, exactly, did you swear to?"

His final conversation with Thylas wasn't hard to recall, for it was burned into his memory as surely as any brand.

"I promised him I'd kill the woman who attacked them, whatever the cost," he said.

"That was it?"

He nodded.

She sighed, "This is exactly why parameters matter."

"I know I'm ignorant to all this," Inerys said, "But why do the oaths have to be so restricted?"

"Because by and large, souloaths are dangerous. We only make them under certain circumstances. They have to be precise, otherwise there's too much room for interpretation. One or all parties involved can abuse them if not properly lined out. Or, depending on the case, they can become warped by one's own mind, thus changing the nature of the original agreement solely based on the perspective of the individual."

Her brow knit,"How so?"

"Our current situation may be the perfect example, if I'm honest," Ayduin said, "In theory, Rhydian should have been released from the oath the moment the woman died. However, that clearly wasn't the case. Either she's somehow kicking around in your head, or his mind has subconsciously associated you with the threat and incorporated you into that same oath. Whatever the case, it puts you in danger. Which if what you've told me is true, is the last thing we need. If we're not careful, the two of you could end up tearing one another apart on impulse."

"It won't come to that," Rhydian said, despite the pressure his oath exuded over his cores.

"You think you have a handle on it?"

"I've lived with it this long, haven't I? It's uncomfortable, but I can deal with it."

The concerned expression on Inerys' face was enough to make his chest ache for an entirely different reason.

"If she really is the passenger in my head, wouldn't she have taken over by now? Why help me when she can just as easily take over my body for herself?"

"It's possible she isn't strong enough," Rhydian said, though found himself doubting the words as quickly as he'd said them.

He'd seen how powerful the woman had been first hand. If she could exude control over the minds of two wyverns of significant ascension simultaneously, seizing the mind of a young woman barely out of her foundation stage should have been child's play. She could be playing dead, but as Inerys said, why help her at all?

"I may have a theory," Sorisanna said, "though it involves more than the entity. I'm confident it plays a role, but I believe there's a bit more to this all than we originally realized."

The rest of the camp fell silent and the sage shifted a bit under the sudden scrutiny.

"What is it?" Inerys asked quietly.

"Most everything is speculation I'm afraid, but I believe it's worth noting," she warned, "Mystery woman aside, the change you've undergone is the reason we're all here and in our present predicament, right?"

Hesitantly, she nodded.

"To our knowledge, three people have been bitten in total, yet of those three only one has demonstrated any sort of physiological modification. I have to admit, it's an abysmal sample size, but I don't think it's an infection at all. It's an intentional revision. Each of the changes I've tracked serve a clear purpose which, so far as I can tell, has been to bring you closer in line with the biology of the woman who attacked you. Almost like a form of reproduction."

Inerys looked like she was going to be sick, "Are you telling me that thing tried to become my mother?"

Sorisanna winced, "In a sense."

Rhydian's brow furrowed, "You think she meant to do this?"

"I know it sounds mad, but Inerys received more than just a bite. She received power. Think about it, you told me her cores had barely reached their first ascension when you found her and yet within days, she advanced to the point her body was tearing itself apart under the sudden strain. Essence doesn't just transfer between souls like that, there has to be intent."

He looked to Inerys, "I don't understand. Was she somehow searching for her?"

The sage shook her head, "I don't think their encounter was anything beyond happenstance."

"Then why change her?"

"Opportunity? You wounded her prior to her finding Inerys, right?"

He nodded.

"I imagine she was desperate. If she knew she was going to die, maybe attacking her was some last ditch effort of some sort?"

"To heal?" Cydan asked.

She shook her head, "Inerys' vital essence saturation at the time would have been next to nothing. If she was trying to feed in order to fuel her healing factor, chances are she would have had better luck chewing on the plant life. And even then, it wouldn't explain the intentional exchange of power. Or the fact she purposely avoided puncturing any of the major arteries in her neck and shoulder."

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Inerys brushed a hand along her burn scar, "I can't imagine what she hoped to gain."

"I wish I had more insight to offer you on that front, but I don't. Other than the possibility she was simply motivated by some base biological desire to continue her bloodline."

Rhydian's brow furrowed as he thought. They still knew nothing about where the woman had actually come from or why she was in the area at all. When she'd fled into the Veil, he assumed it was to make her more difficult to track and handle on account of the suppression effect, but what if it had been her destination all along? There was still the matter of her madness too.

"Where does the entity come into play?" He asked.

"I have two theories," she said, "The first being that it may not be an entity at all, but a collection of memories manifesting in an unorthodox way in order to guide Inerys through her transformation."

"But it talks to me," she said.

"Real as it may seem, it may just be how your mind has chosen to interpret the foreign thoughts."

"And the second theory?" Rhydian asked.

"It may be a stretch, but it might be related to a largely unknown phenomena I remember reading about in a rather obscure text."

"How obscure are we talking?"

Sorisanna rubbed her upper arm, "It may or may not have come from an archaeological text dating back to a period before the Breaking."

Ayduin's face went slack, "You're serious?"

"Quite, actually. Before I was inducted into the Talhavar I had a mentor I apprenticed under. He was unorthodox, I'll admit, but the man was a genius. He had a passion for uncovering lost knowledge," she said, "We were studying what we believed were medical journals when we came across something that translated to soul splintering. Apparently, under the right circumstances, a fragment of someone's soul can become attached to someone else's. I can't say it's the same thing Inerys is experiencing now, but I think it's worth consideration."

"Is there a way to rule out the possibility of a fragment?" Rhydian asked, fearing what implications the possibility might involve.

"I could try to perform a more thorough search through her soul," she said, looking to Inerys, "but you may be able to meditate on it as well. Sometimes, the best insights come from within."

"At this point, I'm willing to try anything," Inerys said, "Ayduin's right, we need to know what we're dealing with. I need to know I won't be a threat when we reach the city."

"Agreed," Rhydian said, though frowned at the rapidly approaching dawn, "But you should find cover before the sun rises."

She shuddered as she followed his gaze.

"The medical tent would be best," Sorisanna said and he nodded.

Tentatively, he reached out and asked, Will you be all right?

I think so, Inerys said, sparing him a glance as he rose, Where are you off to?

I'm going to take a walk and hopefully find a new place to bathe, he admitted.

Be careful, would you? I'm not sure I can handle any more surprises today.

You and I both, he said, then hesitated, I'm sorry about earlier. I was caught off guard, that's all. Tanuzet and I never meant to scare you.

Her lips quirked, Don't worry, I won't hold it against you for long.

Were the others not around, he may have given her a mock bow in thanks, I appreciate the mercy. On a more serious note, are you ready to leave this place?

She sighed, I think so. We've kept the Wardeness waiting long enough.

She'll have answers for us. I'm sure of it, he said, I'll speak with the others before I leave and have arrangements made for our departure. After that, I suppose it's best I report in. I'm sure she's anxious for an update.

Are we leaving tonight, then?

More than likely. Everyone needs sleep first and you need answers. Chances are we'll have most everything packed before you wake.

I'm not sure how likely I am to sleep after all this, but I'll try..

Know that I'll still be here for you, regardless of what you and Sorisanna turn up, he murmured.

I know, she said with a small smile.

~*~

The tent rustled as Ephaxus settled outside.

"I look forward to the day we no longer have these little sessions," Inerys admitted as she laid back along the cot.

"Oh? Am I falling out of favor?" Sorisanna asked.

"Hardly. I'm just tired of all the uncertainties."

"Mm, I don't blame you. You've been quite the curious case. With luck, we'll be able to determine the nature of your little friend," she said, "It should give you some peace of mind."

"Here's to hoping," she said.

Much as she wanted to believe her passenger was a figment of her imagination or merely a collection of memories, she had the feeling there was more to it. Especially if what was done to her really had been deliberate. Why pass this curse onto her? Were it not for Rhydian's intervention, she would have died and what would have been the point? As soon as she was able, she'd be meditating on those memories.

Her passenger, passive though it was at present, thrummed its approval at the idea. However, she could sense it was less than enthusiastic about this impending search. It wasn't frightened, exactly, but held a certain apprehension as if the intrusion in itself was some sort of taboo.

She shuddered.

"Try to relax," Sorisanna said, "This inspection may take a while."

"Take all the time you need," she said, mentally leaning on Ephaxus' quiet support.

It wasn't instantaneous, but as she drew a particularly deep breath, her taut muscles gradually began to relax. Sorisanna's hands rose to hover above her middle, fingers splayed and already beginning to glow the same shade of gold blooming through her eyes. She scoured everything, her soul, her flesh, even her bones. And not just once.

Layer by layer, she searched the whole of her body until eventually, a deep heat began to seed along Inerys' spine. Her skin prickled, her breath caught and when she opened her eyes, she found the sage's lips had grown thin. Her brow was bent in concentration, rysk shifting focus and localising along her back. She felt her passenger stir under the attention, though mercifully, it didn't lash out.

"You've found a splinter, haven't you?" Inerys asked.

"I believe I may have," she said quietly, "It's small, but the presence I sense within it isn't yours."

"I . . . I see," she said, voice failing her.

After all this time, she'd been living with a piece of that woman inside of her. She wasn't sure whether to feel outraged, disgusted or relieved for finally discovering the truth. Perhaps she was more confused than anything? Why was she still with her? Why did she insist on protecting her? And why had she helped her save Rhydian?

Though her passenger didn't speak, Inerys sensed what she thought might be hope, of all things.

None of this made any sense.

"Where is it?" She asked.

"It's embedded in your primal meridian. Though, fused might be a more apt description."

Fused.

"There's no way to get rid of it?"

"My mentor and I never came across removal techniques."

Inerys fought to suppress an edge of panic, "What happens if she takes control again and I lose myself? The sliver has to be the reason Rhydian's bound to an oath, right? If we can destroy that splinter, it solves both our problems."

"And may very well cause irreparable damage in the process," Sorisanna said, "Your soul's been shredded once already. I don't have the skill to remove something like this on my own."

"There has to be something we can do," she said, making to sit up.

Sorisanna placed a steadying hand on her shoulder, "Inerys, breathe. You're safe and more importantly, you're in control. You have been this whole time, remember?"

"But what about in Rhydian's annex–"

"That lasted less than a heartbeat and you know it. This is your body and your mind. No one else's. Your passenger is just that, a passenger. You can learn to silence her. She may even fade, given time."

"How am I supposed to silence her when she's in my head?"

"It's your mind. If she's trying to influence you, lock her out. Push her away," she said.

"It can't be that simple."

Sorisanna sat back, "Can't it? You said it yourself, you've been able to keep her in check this long. How does learning the truth about your passenger's identity change that?"

Inerys paused. She supposed it didn't. Incident in Rhydian's annex aside, she'd always been able to handle her. Or manage her influence, at the very least. The instance with Vesryn was concerning, but her passenger hadn't fully taken over. It or, she rather, had developed more agency than Inerys might have liked, but Sorisanna was right. This was her body and she didn't have to relinquish control to anyone.

"It doesn't," she finally admitted, "But exercising my control over her is probably a good idea."

"This may seem controversial," Sorisanna began, "But establishing a means of communication may actually help, in your case. Provided it's possible. I'm not sure the splinter is fully conscious, but there's clearly some form of awareness. If the two of you can speak directly, maybe you can come to an understanding?"

"You want me to talk to her?"

"What's the harm in it? She can't hurt you and while I'm sure the Wardeness and her guest will have answers for you, who better to ask than the woman who started all this in the first place?"

Inerys mentally cursed the chill the thought incited, "I'm not sure she deserves to be treated like a person after all she's done."

"I'm not saying she does, but she could be a resource."

While she wanted to argue against it on principle, she had to admit the sage brought up a decent point. Between the woman's blood memories and this seeming echo of consciousness, she may be able to learn why all of this had happened in the first place. It was an opportunity, even if she didn't like it.

Reluctantly, she asked, "Where do you think I should start?"

"I'm no expert, but you could try reaching out to her the way you do Ephaxus."

She glanced about the tent, debating. Was she mad for even humoring the idea? Opening herself up for her passenger felt too close to acceptance, for her taste.

"If I try it, can you handle me if things don't go as planned?" She asked.

The sage gave her a coy smile, "There's a reason Rhydian's frightened of me."

Ordinarily, Inerys may have been unsettled by those words, but in this instance, they were almost welcome.

"All right," she sighed and closed her eyes.

She turned her focus inward and ever so hesitantly, reached out. Where her bond with Ephaxus or Rhydian was warm, this one bore no sensation. Her passenger was no more than a dim collection of essence, a shadow without tether. Yet she could sense the vestiges of the woman watching her in that unnerving way she'd come to associate it with. She sensed her hesitation, though, as if she suspected this was some sort of trap.

I won't hurt you, she promised, I just want to talk.

Cautious as she was, Inerys sensed her intrigue. Her passenger reached out with a wispy tendril, watching and waiting to meet her half way in this uncertain alliance. Spirits, but Inerys hoped she wouldn't regret this. Steeling her nerve, she finally reached out in turn.

A cool sensation brushed along her mind and skin as if she'd walked into the midst of a fog bank. Instead of seizing control, the presence mingled and caressed. She could feel the fragment of the woman studying her, measuring her worth, though she had yet to speak.

Instead, the sensation began to subside. Inerys feared she'd done something wrong. She opened her eyes, confused, until she noticed a collection of shadows begin to take shape at the far end of the tent.

The wispy, antlered form was unmistakable, as were the eyes that searched her over in utter delight.

"My, aren't you a sight," she purred, "Hello, darling."