Page 58 of A War of Embers

“That’s…not a bad idea.”

Well now. Color me surprised by this turn of events. I toss the book on my lap onto the table and lean back in my chair. “The last thing I expected was for you to agree to that.”

“I don’t necessarily agree with it, because it’s wrong, but…” she trails off.

When I simply stare at her waiting for an answer, she sighs heavily.

“If anyone can get away with it and not be punished, it’s you. Lord Rowan says you have to show him you want to die, right? In what ways have you tried showing him?”

“I went to the Wraithlands to kill Lady Cirilla,” I nonchalantly announce.

Alyvia startles, dropping the book in her hand to the floor. “You what?” Her skin pales as she ogles me like I’m a lunatic she found on the street. “Are you crazy? You can’t kill a Lady!”

“Obviously nothing occurred. And I’m aware I can’t kill one. I didn’t want to use an innocent to prove my seriousness to Rowan, so I decided to kill someone I can’t actually kill. This way no one actually gets hurt, but Lady Cirilla would demand my death and since Rowan wanted me to prove it and I did, our bargain would be complete. Except I was sidetracked on my way to Lady Cirilla’s camp.”

“By the thing you don’t want to talk about.” Alyvia twirls her wrist, gesturing towards my face. “Whatever ended up with you wearing Lord Rowan’s mark.”

“Precisely. So, jewels?” I prompt to redirect us back to the task at hand. “Would that be how we bribe the witches too or does it only work on dragons?”

“Anything shiny can bribe anyone with eyes. Showing up with Lord Rowan’s jewels would be a surefire way to get your point across that you mean business. They both would accept it as currency.”

Seems rather easy to grab a handful of jewels to satisfy our curiosity on if these creatures can kill me. “Rowan keeps them in his private study?” I don’t recall seeing them there, but I wasn’t particularly looking for anything of the sort.

She winces. “Hearing you call him that is so odd, but yes. As far as the rumors go, at least. No one is allowed in his private study. I don’t even know how you found it the last time since it’s magically protected and only appears to those who don’t mean Lord Rowan any harm. Clearly the magic of the estate knows something about you we don’t. I trust the estate, I trust Lord Rowan, and therefore I trust you.”

“Even after his big speech on how I’m dangerous?”

“Didn’t you just finish telling me the only reason you were choosing to go after Lady Cirilla is so no one dies, including her? Your goal doesn’t involve harming anyone else, so yes, I trust you.”

Awkwardly, I press my lips together in an attempt at a smile. I appreciate her directness on the matter and of her loyalty she’s displaying towards me. Not many people would choose to help me in the direction I'm going. Even though I do not desire friends, Alyvia is possibly the closest thing I’ve ever had to one. Which is why I end up confiding, “In Tellus, anyone who chose to get close to me was killed. This is new ground for me, so I appreciate your help.”

“Of course.”

Switching back to the previous topic, I ask her, “How many jewels do you think it’ll take to get the dragon to agree to raze me with fire?”

“Probably three. Jewels are coveted by most beings here. They’re few and far between because the Wraithlands are so dangerous to explore, but it’s the only source we have access to for gems. The Blood Sea supposedly has caves full of jewels but the Blood Witch would never allow for anyone to mine them. And the creatures who live within the Blood Sea simply keep them for themselves.”

“And the dragon family you were looking at, they would help without question?”

“I can’t say for certain on any of the families helping. The criminals are more likely to help, but again, they may be too afraid of your mark to aid you.” Alyvia shrugs. “The jewels may help sway them, but it might not, depending on how depraved the person we’re seeking out is.” Bending down, she lifts the book she previously dropped. “We can still try. The worst they say is no. Then we move on down the list until we’ve exhausted all of our options.”

“Then what?”

Turning her back to me, I watch as her shoulders slump. “Honestly, I don’t know. We might get a lead from someone to help. As of right now this is my only idea.”

A few moments of silence tick by as I absorb her words. She’s helping me, willing to find alternative routes if this one doesn’t pan out, and is avidly researching. “It’s a good idea, Alyvia. I wasn't aware of these options. Sereia only spoke of her son being able to aid me in my quest. I should know better than to trust the Blood Witch with her word, so I applaud your ability to come up with alternative solutions. This is perhaps why Rowan chose you as his head of household.”

“I think that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

Feeling slightly vulnerable after complimenting her, I go back to the stack of books in front of me. Continuing to flip through several pages, I nix another family name as a potential candidate to help us. Time continues to creep on as I browse through book after book before finally coming across something with a hint of promise.

A witch family known as the Draks’ possesses the unique abilities to steal others powers and souls. Their family has a well documented military section from the Province Wars as aiding Rowan’s army by creating immortals from fallen soldiers. When the war ended it seems they were hurting for money as their ability to create immortals was no longer of use, they ended up stealing other witches and creatures magic, blackmailing them into paying a ransom to have it back. Lord Rowan outlawed their particular kind of dealings shortly after finding out about it. The family is said to live out on the edge of the Bone City, just inside the Wraithlands border.

“How far is the Bone City from here?” I ask.

“Depends if you’re riding, flying, or walking. Why?”

“Riding,” I answer immediately.

---