Chapter 9 - Confidant (ERIS)

Wandering the Swamps North of Anchon

Eris

“I keep coming back to it – that cesspit of hell conjured by a madman – his infuriating, ridiculous questions. They’re still burned into my perfect mind,” I growled. “Playing on an endless loop. Us? Me and Horus? A cute couple? That’s… that’s just crazy. Isn’t it?”

Practically rhetorical. Obviously, it was.

“No, I sense Kastor’s hand in this – my brother trying to toy with me; to test my discipline; my resolve. That answer is much more plausible.”

I hesitated, twist, twist, twisting at my ring – replaying those same scenes over and over again even as my boots splashed through the muck and mist coiled round in dense, impenetrable clouds. As though a different answer would pop out at me.

Or perhaps I simply wanted a different answer?

No, of course not! That was ridiculous.

This was definitely a conspiracy… of some sort.

That was the only thing that made sense.

“Yet, what is Horus’ role in this then?” I continued, my brow pinched in thought.

A frustrated sigh escaped my lips. “It’s the paperwork that gets me. The death of a whole unit certainly comes with more than a few forms, of course. And Horus has never shown any interest or ability with paperwork before. But by the time I woke up the next morning? He’d completed it all. All of it!”

I shook my head, fingers anxiously twisting at my ring as I flipped through those memories once again. “Naturally, that made me suspicious. Was this part of the conspiracy – whatever plot my brother is hatching? Rushing me into some situation where I’m alone with Horus, chasing the Hollow through the Marshes?

“So, I had to double check the paperwork. That’s completely reasonable.

“I mean, sure, I know what you’re probably thinking,” I continued smoothly. “Did that really require multiple days? Obviously, the Hollow and his companion are already on the run and the clock is ticking. But this Nyx has shown himself to be a threat, so better not to chase one enemy with another lurking in the rear. If Horus is plotting… something, that could be dangerous. Even for me. Possibly. That makes sense, right?

“Yet the forms were filled out with painstaking care – that wasn’t just some ruse. Even Horus’ penmanship was masterful. Smooth flowing lines written by strong, yet somehow-impossibly-soft hands—"

I cut off with another shake of my head – harder this time, as though that would rid me of these uncomfortable memories and equally uncomfortable questions. My temples were pounding and my neck also ached for some reason. Tension and lack of sleep most likely.

It was strange. Those problems had vanished inside the gate.

“Of course, there were, ahem… a few oddities,” I continued. “Some missing materials. Metals, wood, and construction supplies yet nothing obvious to show for it. Rumors among the Guides about some kind of bath? Maybe Nyx was behind that too? Or perhaps more materials were used to rebuild and fortify the camp than expected? Either way, there was nothing obviously suspicious.”

My eyes smoldered in the mist. “At least, not until I saw that—that monstrosity.

“I had just begun to trust Horus again – to dispel these thoughts as simple paranoia. Perhaps trauma from enduring Nyx’s maze of madness. But then I saw that exquisitely crafted carriage. Even the flowers – he’d chosen my favorites. I’ll admit, as a young elf maiden, I may have occasionally entertained fantasies of such a—”

My mailed fist struck my chest-plate with a clang.

There it was again. That slippery slope.

And I seemed to just keep sliding…

I needed to maintain control; to focus.

“My suspicions came rushing back in an instant,” I growled again. “This isn’t normal… it couldn’t be! This was a plot. How else could Horus have known those details about me? Pure coincidence? I think not! Kastor must have fed him that information. But still… what is his goal?”

My fingers kneaded at my neck. It was just so tight…

“Perhaps my brother intends to get me out of the way entirely – some political game? Create a scandal that would disenfranchise me with the Order – possibly even my own family?” I scoffed. “As though something as petty as a sexual harassment—”

I froze, my boots splashing to a halt.

Ahh, I was saying a lot of words…

If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

Words that only led to more questions.

Like who exactly was harassing who here?

“No, I’m getting sidetracked again,” I covered quickly, continuing my march through the swamp. “My brother’s goal isn’t the problem. The real issue is that carriage. Something still feels off there, doesn’t it?"

My searing eyes suddenly pivoted to Danae’s face where she trudged through the marsh beside me. The vulpin just stared back, mouth moving but no sound escaping, one eye twitching. It seemed she had a permanent tick now. Likely the trauma of watching her unit perish – most drowning in a river of pitch, shit, and fire. It happened.

She should seek the care of the mind spirits when we returned to Asphodel.

But, for now, there were more important matters; more important questions.

“Have you noticed anything strange between Horus and Rowan? At first, I thought they might be enemies – old rivals. But now… now I’m not so sure.”

“I… um…,” Danae squeaked.

“I know, it’s hard to believe,” I continued with a sigh, rubbing at my temple. “A tavros and a sprite conspiring with a noble vessel and the leader of the Order of Apollo to manufacture political dirt on his sister? It almost sounds crazy. Insane. But perhaps that’s exactly why Kastor came up with this plan – striking where I least expect.”

My boots sucked into the mud, the slurp of wet soil accompanied by my spirit’s ever-present laughter. Apex had been having the time of his life lately.

That was part of the reason we were making this hike so slowly.

I refused to answer his questions… and he refused to lend me his power.

The other reason was that Emporos wasn’t able to sell us any information on the location of our quarry. More proof that we weren’t just chasing some backwater villagers…

The one thing – the only thing – I knew was that this was all Nyx’s fault. When I finally got my hands on the Hollow, I was going to dissect him. Slowly. Pull out the answers to my questions one by one. And since I was a healer… I could take my time.

Yet perhaps trudging through his muck was an opportunity in disguise.

Uh, not to spend time with Horus – of course, not!

This was my chance to gather more information.

My burning eyes slid to Danae again and the girl swallowed hard. When had she moved so far away from me? Odd. Yet a problem easily remedied.

I snatched her arm, pulling her close again. “You’re a fantastic listener, did you know that? I feel at ease with you – like I can trust you. And you have shown remarkable resilience in surviving that labyrinth of shit and death. That strength should be rewarded.”

“Really, uh, that’s not necessary—” Danae began.

“Ahh, but it is,” I replied, sliding a box from beneath my coat and popping the lid to reveal its glimmering contents. “These are skill gems that the Order requisitioned for this expedition, rewards intended to be given to those recruits that show promise – the strength to be a Frontrunner. And now… they’re yours,” I said, placing the box in Danae’s hands.

“Um, uh, thank you, but I would really just like to go back to Asph—"

“Asphodel isn’t the only city with its own Guidepost, but you’re right that you won’t be able to use the gems until we find one,” I interjected smoothly. “However, there is a town north of us that should meet your needs. We need only make the journey.”

The vulpin just stared back, her tails tucked. And was she trembling?

It must be a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Yes, that was it. Such a reward was rare and she must be weighing how best to use the gems – to maximize her own strength.

I would help her. Danae needed to survive. She would be useful. Vital really.

Assuming, of course, that she could be trusted.

Who knew how deep this conspiracy went.

My arm slipped across her shaking shoulders, my hand soothing and warm as I stroked her fur. It wasn’t nearly as soft as Horus’. “Ahh, and it’s also important for me to stress that anything I tell you should remain confidential – since this plot may involve Order leadership. Any breach of that confidentiality would subject you to court martial.”

“Which, uh, means what exactly?” Danae replied in a whisper.

“Instant death, obviously,” I replied with a dismissive wave. “Via incineration. You’ll barely feel it. Very clean. Leaves zero evidence. Just some ashes.”

“Oh, ahh… obviously,” the vulpin echoed with a fragile smile.

“And if you should hear anything from Horus – anything that would shine light on his intentions or planning – of course, I expect you to share that information. I have a feeling such assistance would help facilitate your own… transcendence through the Order,” I offered, side-eying her. This wasn’t my preferred path, of course. I was accustomed to acting more directly. But subterfuge and bribery still had their place.

It was important to fight fire with fire, after all.

And besides, if we were making this journey on foot… well, I could use this time to force Horus to admit to his intentions – to gather evidence of my brother’s plotting.

With my memory crystal, that was all the proof I would need.

Ahh, Danae was still staring, my arm holding her close.

“Do we understand each other?” I asked.

“I’m… that is, uh, of course,” Danae stumbled, nodding quickly.

Perfect. Because I could already sense Horus approaching.

He was hard to miss. His impressive form barreling through the mists, the ground shaking slightly under foot. And soon he appeared, the mist spiraling out around him in moist ribbons, that vapor refusing to cling to his perfect, immaculate fur. It rippled and flapped with each stride, dry and warm and practically sparkling in the morning sunlight, rainbows arcing between those droplets.

Ba-bump.

Ahem. That had also been happening often lately – too often. Perhaps I should see a healer when we returned or have Danae treat me. My working theory was that prolonged use of Apex’s power had taxed my vessel. Also, possibly stress and lack of sleep.

“My Lady,” Horus growled, kneeling and taking my hand.

Entirely unnecessary, but I still found my fingers reveling in the feel of his fur.

Only to notice Danae watching me from behind his back. She slowly shook her head.

Ahh, yes. Good. She was already playing her part well.

“Report?” I demanded, my hand whipping back.

He looked up at me, his eyes glowing a soft white. “I found him,” he growled.

Another feeling welled inside me, a fire that had my eyes blazing bright – Horus sucking in a sharp breath. Anxiety, excitement, and a burning desire to discover the unknown; to interrogate the Hollow; to force him to answer my many, many questions. Like what was he? What strange spirit was nestled in his Core? How had he defeated a silver gate – even thrived within that relentless hellscape?

And, most importantly, what part did he have to play in Kastor’s games?

Because, clearly, he was linked somehow.

“My Lady?” Horus asked when I didn’t respond, those silver eyes shining in the mist as they met my own, the heat from his body pushing away the cloying fog.

“Ahh… good. Then lead the way.”

He nodded and my burning eyes followed his back as he turned away. He gave away nothing – no hint of the plot that lurked below the surface. Yet I was on to him now. I’d get him to admit it eventually. It was only a matter of time.

I mean, he had to be working for my brother, right?

What else could it possibly be?