Page 30 of A War of Embers

An awkward lull happens between the three of us. Moments slip by until Meredith redirects the conversation by asking, “Can immortals kill immortals? Are you on the same playing field as them or can only Lords and Ladies kill you?”

Tilting my head, I watch them carefully, thinking through my response before I say anything. “Mortals physically cannot overpower immortals. Mortal weapons do not pierce our flesh easily, so anything being used as a weapon has little effect on mortally wounding us. Immortals can sustain damage but not kill. I cannot pull the soul out of another because I do not possess the ability to tangibly hold someone’s soul. However, I can inflict damage to another immortal, slow them down or wound them gravely with my own hands. They would survive since I can’t kill them, but it would take them longer to heal. Even if I used a mortal weapon, it would only slow them down unless I’m using a knife or something to put my strength behind the attack, then it would cause more damage.”

I can recall Lady Gwenyth’s laughter after I tried to get another immortal to kill me and my body sustained more damage than anything I had ever had prior, but I still healed. And even during my recovery, I would blackout to fulfill a punishment she wanted. There's no finding an easy death for an immortal.

“So you can sustain real damage from another immortal but only die by a Lord or Lady? Do you still feel pain?” Deena questions.

Do I? It doesn’t always feel like I do. “Sometimes.” At least the longer I’m here in Aïdes it seems like a plausible idea considering my emotions are running rampant.

What happens if I’m here longer and my emotional range returns? Will I change my mind about my goal of getting Lord Rowan to remove the souls I house? It seems ridiculous to keep me alive when there’s no use for me here. It’s not as if I possess information he wants or could offer anything to his society considering the immortals here seem to thrive only in the Wraithlands. My entire existence is in limbo and I hate it.

Firmly gathering myself together, I internally remind myself that my goal won’t change simply because I’m beginning to feel again. Feelings don’t equate to erasing the life I lived for far too long. Nor does it negate the reason behind my choice.

Emotions just make my choice more complicated.

Still, my plan is set and already in motion. Find information regarding the Haze and path to the Wraithlands, follow Lady Cirilla to their lodging or camping spot, attempt to dispose of her, and let Lord Rowan mete out the universal punishment for harming a Lord or Lady: death.

Trying to relocate Lord Rowan’s study is not as easy as I thought it would be. Trying to recall all the twists and turns Zeke made that morning is proving fruitless in my desire to reach him. The maps there would provide a greater opportunity for me to learn more about the Wraithlands, perhaps where the creatures are to avoid, such as other immortals. It might also list the site they plan to dwell at during the Haze.

All of which would be useful information if I could fucking find it.

Another turn through an archway and I hit a deadend. Literally. There’s an arch as if to signal a doorway or hallway, but there’s nothing but plaster in my field of vision.

Pressing my hand against it, I try to see if there’s any give to alert me to a hidden doorway, but there’s nothing but the coolness of the wall seeping into my palm.

Of course it wouldn’t be this easy to find Lord Rowan’s study. Not to mention all the people constantly moving about over here, it’s been atrocious trying to find a decent place to duck down and hide until they pass.

Stepping away, I backtrack down the hallway I just came down before noticing another arch that splits off deeper into the estate. I could be underground for all I know with how many turns I've taken. It's definitely more than Zeke did at this point so there’s really no telling just how long the estate actually is. From the outside it doesn’t seem as though it should have this many turns or rooms, yet the inside is a host of magic far greater than anything I’ve seen to conceal the true expanse of the estate.

Wandering around, I start to gently push open random doors hoping to find something that resembles familiarity to wind my way back to the guest room Alyvia left me in this morning. A few people pass me in the halls without a second look. Hopefully that means I’m closer to where I should be allowed in the building, but who knows. Boredom is starting to set in after traipsing around all morning looking for this bastard’s hidden room.

I come to another hallway with a door. Opening it up, I pause to stare at the door set before me. Glancing down at the door handle briefly, I lift my gaze back across the empty expanse of a room to where a lone door is waiting.

It can’t be this easy.

Not on my way back after giving up for the day.

Softly closing the first door behind me, I make my way over towards the opposite side of the room. There’s nothing on the walls, no furniture lining the space to make it feel welcoming. It’s just a thin room with another door.

Very carefully I press my ear up against the door to hear if anyone is behind it but there’s nothing but silence. Twisting the knob gently, I push open the door to find Lord Rowan’s study in the perfect amount of disarray similar to last time I was in here.

Astonishing.

Slowly, I slip inside, glancing around to see if anything is moving since Lord Rowan has a penchant for invisibility it seems. There’s nothing. The air is still, parchments laying haphazardly open in various states around the room, with particles of dust floating in the air above my head as I move deeper.

I long to trace my hands over the maps of foreign places, but decide against it. He would know I'm in here if anything is out of place. Easier to avoid disturbing his space at all if I can help it. Glancing down at the map beneath my hand, I look for anything that might be familiar to scope out where this could be, but the shapes of the map mean nothing to me. This land is long forgotten or a place I’ve never seen. Maybe a map of a place here in Aïdes? The Wraithlands?

I doubt I’m lucky enough to find exactly what I’m after on the first try.

Moving along, I scan the documents written in a language I don’t recognize. Gold swirls, black ink, and purple emblems scattered all over the next document lack meaning as well. What is it that Lord Rowan is studying here? What is he looking for?

Glancing down at one of the tables, I spot a loose piece of parchment with the outline of the Blood Sea. Getting a closer look, I nudge one of the papers with my pinky until it shows the shores of the Blood City. Carefully, I tug the paper out of the stack and note it’s a rough outline of Aïdes. Crude lines, charcoal smears in some places, it’s better than taking one of the more ornate pieces to study. Once I manage to nudge it free, I carefully fold it and shove the parchment into my back pocket. Turning to glance around the room and find something else of value, something on the far end of the room catches my eye.

Twisting away from the table I’m at, I cautiously walk towards the table that caught my attention. Upon closer inspection, my stomach drops lower as I stare at a map of Tellus. At least it seems like it’s supposed to be Tellus based on the continent shape and a few landmarks I know well.

Confusion draws my brows together as I try to read over the map. There’s Serpentine Lake which guards the outskirts of the Kyanite District, but it’s situated away from Kyanite in the middle of the wilderness zone that stretches the length of road no one inhabits. Not to mention, the mountains shown don’t depict the Amethyst Bend separating the two large mountains while also leading towards the Tower to the High Gods where all the spiritualists live and serve.

Glancing down at the bottom of the map, I notice it’s torn right down the middle of the Blood Sea so Aïdes can’t be seen. The edge of the torn map ruffles in the air, like it’s taunting me for being torn off. Huffing out a breath, I look back towards the top of the map to all the inconsistencies.

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