Chapter 21 – Unknotted Strands
"SJ," Zigferd called as she re-entered the room. She walked over to where Zigferd stood with Petunia.
"What do you need?" SJ asked.
"The Chancellor mentioned that his personal guard was speaking to you."
"Yes," SJ spluttered, not expecting Zigferd to be aware. "Did you know about it already?"
"No. I was informed just now. Brother Liam is a formidable fighter. I have witnessed his abilities at previous celebration events."
"Events?" SJ frowned.
"Yes. Every few years, Asterfal holds a large celebration, and as part of it, there are always jousts and combat arenas, never mind all manner of spectacles that are put on," Petunia replied.
"It's the first I have heard of such events."
"The next one is after the next harvest. It is a massive celebration, and also a cause of significant headaches for the city and the tower guard. During the festival period, much of the city closes down, with only the bars and inns open. You can imagine that it gets rather boisterous."
"How long does it last?"
"Usually, three or four days. After that time, it gets a little much even for the hardiest partiers. The population also swells, as many from the surrounding villages and towns across the region will attend."
"Brother Liam has competed in it for decades," Zigferd said.
"Really, has he always been associated with the Chancellor?"
"No, Brother Liam heads the Chancellor's personal security detail and has been in the position for the past four Chancellors of Asterfal."
"Oh, I didn't realise it was a standing post. I would have thought he came with the Chancellor, not before." Understanding the loyalty considerations of beings and how oaths worked, he had to be under a city oath and nothing directly related to the Chancellor.
"Yes. The Chancellor's personal security detail has always been separate from the individual. It allows for consistency and impartiality. They are also responsible for ensuring that the chancellors maintain their oaths to the city."
"So they hold power over the chancellor?"
"Not direct power, no. They have reporting responsibilities to the capital; they are basically employees of Lustria."
"That appears a little overly controlling, doesn't it?"
"Politics," Petunia shrugged. "Brother Liam and the Chancellor are good friends. They had known each other before he became the Chancellor."
"I know so little about the Chancellor and his personal circumstances."
"It's openly available," Zigferd said. "He started in the streets of Asterfal, originally from a Kobold clan that lives in the western region of the south, before moving there as a youngster. He then fought his way up through the political spectrum of Asterfal to where he is today. You could describe it as a rags-to-riches story; he knows the hardships of the streets and the city beyond many of the nobility who sit in the tower. This adds to his appeal among many of the city's common folk. Although as his time in the city has extended, many think he has grown distant from his roots."
"I always thought there were questions surrounding how he got the role?"
"Ha, only by those jealous of his success," Petunia scoffed. "He has always maintained his integrity and stuck to his word, unlike many before him."
"It has always surprised me ever since I found out that he was a Warlock. That day in the chamber when the elf lord stormed them, and he faced him..." SJ trailed off as she saw Zigferd's face go from one of civil serenity to anger. It had been the day after Zigferd had married Isavil when the elven lord had arrived to attempt to claim her hand in marriage. "Sorry, I didn't mean to remind you."
Zigferd's face relaxed. "No, it's fine. It still annoys me that he believed he could turn up and attempt to claim Isavil as his."
SJ felt a vibration. She removed her communication stone. The pattern of the gems on its surface indicated who was calling her. "Excuse me a moment," she said, moving outside to find a quiet area to answer.
"Hi, Fas," SJ said, answering.
"SJ. I thought I'd give you a quick update."
"About what?"
"The task that was assigned to you."
SJ's heart skipped a beat. She hoped her chance of discovering if the earrings the chief wore were part of the fae heirlooms hadn't been lost to her. "What is it?"
"Your competition was discovered no more than two hours ago. Apparently, they had an unfortunate accident and fell from the roof of one of the buildings here in District 9."
"What? Did it involve the chief, and how do you know they were the being who had been assigned the quest?" SJ said, surprised at the comment.
"Don't sound so surprised. You should know by now that I know most things that go on in the city, especially related to the guild. I couldn't say for sure if the chief or her followers were involved in the death, although I would be surprised if they weren't."
"I suppose it's a relief then that I have no other competition." The thought of the chief being involved was a concern. SJ wondered whether she was aware of the quest being raised against her, and, if so, what else she might know.
"For now, that doesn't mean it won't be assigned to others as well."
"Damn," SJ had believed that she was the only other who would be assigned it. The thought of another getting their hands on the heirloom couldn't be allowed to happen. The quest couldn't have come at a more awkward time, with her stuck in Killic with the visit.
"That's all I wished to update you with," Fas said. "I'll let you get back to your duties."
"Thanks, Fas, appreciated." Speaking to Fas had immediately brought back the image of the secretive black book he had considered showing her. She needed to find out what it contained, but couldn't yet work out how to approach it.
"You could always go back to Asterfal early," Dave said.
I can't just run back to Asterfal. It's not as though I can suddenly leave my post when the chancellor is here, SJ thought.
"Of course you could if you wished to."
No, I have responsibilities, and tomorrow the chancellor meets Alethiea. That reminds me, I need to go and speak to her about tomorrow. I don't want her doing anything stranger than usual.
"Good luck," Dave laughed.
SJ replaced the stone in her inventory and walked back inside. The chancellor was talking to Zigferd and Shelley as they were preparing to go to the mine. SJ wasn't going, so she made her excuses and left, heading over to the church.
The churchyard glowed with an almost unnatural beauty, the grasses a crisp, vibrant green, and the flowers that adorned the various flower pots along its pathway shone with brilliance. Ever since Aletheia's arrival and her continuing work repairing mana, the whole area around Killic had been substantially improved. SJ spotted Lythonian towards the rear of the yard.
"Lythonian," SJ called as she neared. "Is Aletheia around?"
"She has returned to the waterfall pool," he replied.
"Okay, thanks," SJ said as she shrank and took off heading over. The flight to the pool was only a short distance, and it didn't take her long to arrive. As she did, she spotted Aletheia crouched by the water's edge. As SJ neared, she could see the intricate pattern of what appeared to be lightning threads moving over the water's surface. She came in to land before growing. As she did, she felt the immediate presence of Aletheia. It wasn't unpleasant; it was just strange.
"Aletheia?" SJ said, cautiously approaching, not wishing to startle her.
"I saw you coming, don't worry," Aletheia said, her eyes closed with her palms resting gently on the water's surface.
"How are you? I haven't spoken to you in a few days," SJ said loud enough to be heard over the cascading water that came down the mountainside to form the pool at the cave entrance's base, before the water could flow towards and fill Killic's lake.
"Very well, although there is still so much to do. This world is so corrupt."
SJ and Dave were still none the wiser to Aletheia's true purpose apart from healing the world. She had shown a level of power and understanding that even concerned the system to the point that Dave believed they were actually scared of her.
The pool created by the waterfall had always appeared to SJ to be crystal clear and clean, where it ran from the mountain. Its source was rumoured to be from the ice caps in the eastern mountains, although SJ had never been there.
Over the months since Aletheia's arrival and acceptance in Killic, she had drawn the attention of many eyes outside the town. It wasn't as though the town could hide her existence when she had affected so much change to the surrounding area. SJ had always believed Killic to be a beautiful area around the plateau, with its wild forests that covered much of the plateau and the lake, but since Aletheia had begun aligning the corrupted mana, it now glowed. The luminescence of the plants and trees at night was a sight to behold, and although SJ was accustomed to it, any visitors to Killic who had seen it would leave with an everlasting memory.
"Are you ready for the chancellor's meeting tomorrow?"
Aletheia sighed as she lifted her hands from the water's surface, the last tendrils still cascading across it, and stood from her crouched position, turning to look at SJ. Her vibrant green eyes met SJ's, and SJ always felt as though they read her every thought when they did.
"I understand that it is a formality in this new world, but it takes time away from my purpose."
"We spoke about this previously. Your actions have brought so much change to Killic that others have always been interested in you and what you do."
"A minor correction, my dear SJ. You have brought the change. I would not be here if it weren't for you."
SJ still didn't understand the meaning of her link to Aletheia. It had never been confirmed beyond her initial statements about bringing change. After her discovery and birth in the underground cavern of the desert region, and her support during the battle of Killic, nothing beyond that had ever been explained.
"You know I still don't understand why you were able to appear when you did," SJ shook her head as she took a seat on the soft green grass that surrounded the pool. A rainbow flickered in the waterfall's cascade, and SJ stared at it as she thought about her purpose.
Aletheia moved to her side and sat by her, following her gaze towards the rainbow. There was silence for several moments before SJ felt Aletheia's hand placed gently on her arm. It was soft and warm, like being bathed in the sun.
SJ looked at her hand in surprise. Aletheia had never touched her before.
A gentle glow emitted from her palm, and SJ's skin tingled from the touch.
"Holy dragon dung," Dave said.
SJ felt a wash of warmth flood her body. It wasn't painful; instead, it was a strange sensation, not like the healing she had received previously, more like an examination.
"What are you doing?" SJ asked, concerned.
Aletheia didn't reply as she closed her eyes, her breathing slow and steady.
SJ's body relaxed; every element of tension that it had held seemed to evaporate. Kibble had mentioned her tension previously, and now she felt as though her muscles and body had just turned to putty, as though she had just had the world's most amazing massage. She let out a low moan as the warmth spread through every fibre of her being; the pleasure that she felt and the serenity that filled her mind were immense.
Her eyes closed as her whole body relaxed, her head feeling heavy all of a sudden. Then, as fast as it had happened, Aletheia removed her hand and stared back at the waterfall.
SJ slowly reopened her eyes. "What was that?" she asked with slight uncertainty.
"I removed your corruption," Aletheia said, showing no emotion.
"I was corrupted?" SJ asked, surprised.
"Your strands were misaligned. Nothing damaging, just the first time I have seen you with such an issue. Has something happened recently?"
"Nothing unusual compared to normal," SJ replied.
"You have been a little tense," Dave said. "Since the bombing."
"Actually, there was a bombing in Asterfal that I witnessed. I had been a little tense."
"That explains it; your body was showing signs of trauma. You had mana knots; I just untied them."
SJ's whole body felt amazing. This wasn't a rejuvinatus style effect but something much more profound. "You have never done that before."
"There has never been a need; you recover quickly, even after the battle; and since when have I seen you at various times, your strands have never appeared as badly knotted as they were today."
"I do have much on my mind."
"Yes, the heirlooms," Aletheia nodded knowingly.
SJ gawped.
"How on an ogre's rear does she even know about the heirlooms?" Dave was not only confused but sounded panicky. He always appeared terrified when they were near Aletheia.
"Did you just read my mind?"
Aletheia didn't respond directly. "You must secure them at all costs."
"What do you know of them?" SJ gasped.
"Not much, I only know they will help you achieve your goals. I see that your links are also improving."
"Links?" SJ frowned.
"Your deeper understanding of the system," Aletheia said, her voice remaining calm and neutral. "That will help you with the challenges ahead."
SJ felt a wash of panic. "What do you know of the challenges I will face? Can you see my future?"
Aletheia laughed. The sound was entrancing and musical. When she considered that Aletheia was a True Gila in a humanoid form, it always amazed her.
"I'm not a seer. I know only that our paths were meant to align and that, in time, you will come to understand more as your companion performs his duties. He seeks the freedom that my kind achieved millennia ago. Our Master's dreams of knowledge and understanding."
SJ was in shock. With her thoughts running away with her, this was the first time in months that Aletheia had even mentioned the greater purpose, let alone Dave's link to her.
"Remember that you are a truth seeker, and always keep that purity in your heart."
SJ didn't respond, actually couldn't respond; she had no words to reply with. Aletheia had just upended her world again with a few sentences. The deeper meaning of her status as an anomaly on the fringe of the system's bounds, not unlike Aletheia herself, who sat completely outside its controls.
What does this all mean? SJ thought
"I have no idea," Dave said. "She still scares the living databytes out of me." SJ could imagine Dave shuddering.
I wish we knew more. You have always said I was an anomaly, Nexis the same, yet nothing has ever shown me what purpose I may serve.
"I'm more concerned she knows about the heirlooms. What else does she know that she doesn't speak about?"
Your guess is as good as mine on that one.
They sat in silence for what seemed like an age, SJ staring back out over the water, her thoughts all-consuming.
Aletheia eventually shifted, standing again, returning to the water's edge. She casually placed her hand on the stem of a reed and held it gently before her hand emitted a pale blue light. The action drew SJ out of her internal turmoil and questioning, reminding her of the town's water supply.
"Aletheia, how is the purification going?"
"Well. These reeds are powerful in mana. They should act as a natural filtration system for the water. Why?"
"If the pool is naturally purified, we could use it to supply the township without the need for mages to purify the water."
"I see. Yes, that would be fine. It will take some time before they are able to perform the task effectively."
"How long?"
"Perhaps several weeks as they adapt."
Several weeks were nothing if they did not achieve the end goal of providing clean water. The town's infrastructure would take longer to finish anyway, with the sewer system and piping that needed to be installed everywhere.
SJ stood again. Her whole body still felt relaxed.
"I will meet you at the church tomorrow, and then we will go to meet the chancellor."
"Okay," Aletheia replied again, not turning.
SJ shook her head at her mysterious friend. "I'll see you approximately mid-morning," she said as she transformed and took off again. Her body felt lighter as she flew, and her wing movements felt even more natural than usual. Whatever Aletheia had done to her had left her feeling physically great, though mentally completely confused.
