EDGER CHORYTH

I sat in my private study, staring at the bright full moon that lit the starless sky. I didn’t have any reason to be there that late. I wasn’t studying, nor was I reviewing reports, yet, I wanted to be there. The room had quite grown on me. It was no surprise since it was where I spent most of my time. It had a completely different outlook at night which seemed to obscure the fact that it was a room filled with books.

The furniture in it wasn’t glamorous, consisting mainly of shelves attached to the walls which housed the books. Besides the shelves were the chair I sat on and the table in front of it which faced the drawn curtain a few paces in front, exposing a large arched window that made the moonlit sky visible. There were two armchairs on both sides of the window, arranged at an acute angle to each other with a small circular table in front of them. There was a standing lamp behind the armchair on my right which gave off no light because I had turned it off, and the smaller lamp on my table shone dimly.

I heard three knocks on my door which sounded odd as the pacing of each knock increased exponentially. It was easy to tell who was behind the door because there was only one person who would dare to knock in that manner.

“You seem to be having fun behind the door,” I remarked.

Eliora walked in smiling,

“It’s not a crime, is it?” she asked as she sat on the armchair on my left.

I smiled,

“You are smiling,” she said to me.

“It’s not a crime, is it?” I asked.

The smile she wore broadened as she replied,

“No, it isn’t”.

“To what do I owe this late-night visit?”

“Late-night visit? Well, you can say that since I was the one who came looking for you late at night. I wasn't sleepy so I decided to tour the castle, and somehow, I found myself here.”

“I see,” I said, nodding.

Eliora and I barely saw each other since she returned with Svan and most conversations we had were merely formal ones. It looked like a good time for a proper conversation.

“Why don't you tell me what you want,” I said as I relaxed further in my seat. I was sure she wasn't expecting the question. I knew I was a bit too direct, aggressive perhaps, but I had to.

Eliora quickly understood the question,

“What makes you think I have ulterior motives? I’ve told you everything that is, so I don't know why you keep on thinking otherwise,” she queried.

“You wouldn't blame me for having doubts, would you? After all, you are a very difficult person to understand,” I said to her.

“You had all these doubts, yet you accepted my marriage proposal with no questions raised.”

“It’s different,” I said.

“How so?”

I paused for a moment. I understood what Eliora was doing. She didn't want to answer the question I asked her, and we could keep on going back and forth without arriving at a conclusion.

“I know this game you want to play too well, I’ve played a lot of it my entire life.”

“Come on, don't be a bore,” she protested.

I leaned forward,

“You asked why I didn’t raise questions when you made the marriage proposal. Why should I raise questions? I stand to gain so much from it, and maybe even so much more than what you stand to gain. The difference is that you know my true intentions, you even said it yourself, I desire power, and if there is anyone who can help me gain the kind of power I desire, it's you. But I find it difficult to believe you just want to use it as a means to get close to your children. I believe that there are a lot of things I don't know about. After all, the last time we saw each other was fifteen years ago.”

“Look Edger, I don't know how else to convince you that I just want to be a part of my children’s lives, I have missed a lot of it already. It was sad enough that you lost your wife and newborn son, and I am sorry I took advantage of the situation it created so you could raise my children. Everything I did or am doing is for them. Then, I was trying to protect them from me. I was a danger to their lives, I knew that their safety would be compromised if they were with me. And now, everything is changing. I have to be close to them to keep them safe. You've already done a lot for me, so how else can I express my gratitude? I am not wealthy, nor am I from a renowned House. Isn't it fair I became your wife? Isn't it what you've always wanted?”

I heaved,

“If you were in my shoes, you would be skeptical too. After all, you rejected my marriage proposal a long time ago.”

I remembered the first time I saw Eliora. I remembered my father walking in with a little girl behind him. Father’s exact words were,

“She is strong.”

I was curious to see the person who my father had called strong, only to find a scared-looking girl in dirty clothes who was probably a few years younger than I was. I gradually came to understand why Father called her strong as we grew up. I didn't remember any time I bested her in combat. I worked hard every day just to get strong enough to be able to beat her, but that day never came.

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The day she walked inside the castle with my father was the day my life changed, and I can't say if it changed for the better or worse. I got a lot stronger just because I was chasing after her, but it seemed as though the further I chased, the further she went. Everyone around me interpreted my motives wrongly. They all thought I was working so hard in order to get the validation to be named heir. That was the genesis of the rift between Siggurd and I. To be fair, I wasn't interested in the politics of House Choryth, but at that point, I was already significantly stronger than my brother.

As much as I hated the fact that I couldn't bring myself to be on par with her, I was increasingly drawn to her. Growing up with her made me a different person, and set me on a different path. When I needed her by my side, she left, claiming that living as a noble was suffocating. She wasn't wrong, and I didn't have any right to hold her against her will. When she left, I changed. House Choryth was all I had left so I put all my efforts into it which gave birth to this me.

Maybe if I had known then that she wasn’t just a normal caster, I might not have tried so hard. The curiosity that got me intrigued towards her wouldn't have existed, and maybe my life would have taken a different path, but it was already too late for that.

Eliora stood up from her seat,

“I came here to have a fun conversation with you but you are beginning to annoy me,” she said, attempting to leave the room.

“Care for a drink?” I asked.

She stopped walking and turned in my direction,

“Good thing you still have manners,” she said with a suppressed frown.

I didn't have to leave the room to fetch a bottle of wine. I always kept one in there, which I drink from time to time since it helps deal with the stress. I poured the content of the bottle into two tumbler glasses, handing one of them to her. Eliora curled up in the armchair she sat on as she sipped the wine I gave her.

“Was it difficult? I mean, raising the children alone,” she asked.

“No, I don't think so. Well, I didn't do much. They practically grew up themselves. All I did was provide for their needs.”

“I can tell. You did a very bad job with them. I wonder how none of them grew up hating you,” she teased.

“But they grew up to be strong,” I said in defense.

“Evren…..” I called but stopped myself from saying what I intended.

I wanted to tell Eliora to take good care of Evren too, but I didn’t feel confident enough to say the words, or rather too embarrassed.

“I know,” Eliora replied.

I was relieved, and I didn’t need to worry anymore.

“She is a fine young woman, and she takes after you. She just needs to feel loved, she needs a father that loves her, not the one that expects a lot from her.”

Evren knew I loved her as any father would love his child, but she also knew she had responsibilities. Maybe I was a bit too hard on her, but I was convinced I acted in good faith.

Eliora and I sat wordlessly for a brief moment until I broke the silence.

“Aren't you scared?” I asked her.

“Scared of?”

“Everything going on,” I replied.

“Honestly, I don't know how I feel. I can't say I’m scared, and I can't also say I’m relaxed. I’m just somewhere in between.”

“Though I don't show it, I’m scared. Not for myself but for our children. I’m scared something bad might happen to them.”

Eliora was smiling,

“I would love to see this side of you more often. Besides, the kids can hold their own. You received a full report on the events that occurred at the Vaughn residence didn't you?” Eliora asked.

I nodded.

“Sometimes, I sit back and wonder what would have happened if you and Svan didn’t arrive here the day and time you did. I would have most probably been dead, Evren and Yukina too.”

Upon mentioning Svan’s name, my thoughts diverted toward him. I’ve always had that feeling he was different, so I wasn't surprised upon learning he had abilities after all. What was rather surprising was how strong he had gotten over a very short period. If it wasn't a confirmed fact, I would've never believed that he was able to kill two demons alone. Eliora had told me that he had unusual abilities that she didn't even understand. Though I feel the urge to call him and ask him about it, I believe it’s best to leave him be.

“It's not the first time I saved your life, is it?” Eliora asked, snapping my attention back to her.

I smiled,

“No, it isn't, I replied.

I continued from where I left off before I got distracted by Svan.

“After the events of that day, my mind was made up. Even if we decided to sit back and do nothing, chances are, we would still get attacked again and again until we are all dead.”

I paused momentarily,

“I’ve done a lot of thinking lately. I strongly believe this enemy, or demons as you call them, is from within, hiding in plain sight.”

“Are you suggesting a cult of some sort?” Eliora asked.

“Yes.”

Though you made a valid point, I don't think it's entirely the situation. Think about it, why would the imperium withdraw their soldiers just because of some cult? They know something we don't, and I believe this whole situation is much bigger than we think,” Eliora remarked.

“Yet they are operating under our noses.” I insisted.

Eliora stared at me with a thoughtful expression on her face which gradually changed into that of realization.

“The guilds,” she gasped.

“What guilds?” I asked.

“How could we be this short-sighted? As you said, they are operating under our noses, but how are they able to do that for a sustained period? It's safe to say these demons do not belong to any renowned House since the Houses have been their primary target. Attacks like this require a great deal of coordination to be orchestrated, and this coordination and network could be made possible by any guild with the resources.”

“But why would any guild do such a thing? Besides, guilds aren’t even on par with renowned Houses strength-wise,” I countered.

“A camouflage Edger. They are hiding under the guise of a guild.”

Eliora had a point but it didn't change the fact that we didn't know who the demons were, where they came from, and what they wanted, but we had to do something regardless.

“Can you carry out some investigation based on this theory of yours?” I asked.

“I was going to do it even if you didn't ask,” she replied.

I watched Eliora as she drank the remainder of the wine in a single gulp. She turned, staring at the moonlit sky which reflected on one part of her face.

“She doesn't age, does she?” I asked, smiling.