With the Grapnel guard safely out of the Tangent Bank, Neave
and Eryn quickly made their way out and pressed on towards the Academy. Neither
of them spoke on the journey over, Eryn trying to sort out a plan amongst the
ever mounting odds. The early evening
shoppers were luckily far and few between, most favouring social circles. There
was however a crowd that had gathered in front of Eryn. As he attempted to go
around he found that there was little room on the edge, so politely asked if he
could pass by. That was when he recognised a familiar voice and sighed heavily.
He turned towards the orator, a man similarly dressed to himself. Surrounding
his small stand and box crate were
posters and small trinkets for the
Hawk-Eyes. In each poster, it depicted Eryn defeating a fantastical foe, or performing
outstanding feats. The crowd was enamoured with this man's tales and unfortunately
Eryn had just drawn attention to himself. The crowd at the back grew excited
which rippled to the front. They cheered and parted as Eryn was forced to the
front. Arden put his hand down from his box and pulled him up and presented
him. Eryn at that moment felt like
cattle or was about to be sacrificed to the mass.
Neave's update on her location brought Eryn back to reality.
He couldn't possibly stay and as he tried to leave the crowd reacted negatively
while every step back towards Arden was celebrated. It was make or break. He
would have to do something drastic to finally get himself away from here, which
could endanger lives, but it had to be done. He returned back to Arden only to
look for a specific spot on the walkway that he could exploit but was
distracted when Arden introduced his fiancée who had walked into the crowd. She
was dressed in the finery of the current fashion; simplistic precious metals
engraved with minute detail, a pale flared gown with a pastel corset, paired
with a hoodless robe. The only thing Eryn noticed was the robe itself. It had
obviously had its hood removed and from the slight discolouration of the fabric,
repaired many times. It was the embroidery he recognised, the flowers, the
birds. Rose.
She seemed a lot
happier than when he was taken from her all those years ago. She had let down
her hair, which Eryn remembered she always wished the fashion would allow. She
had a glow to her and as she was brought up onto the box with Eryn she seemed
enthralled by her betrothed. The moments, the insignificant reason why he was
taken from her, reeled in his mind. Renik Mallor was Rose's Steward, from the
age of around five. As she was his ward, Renik was very protective of Rose and was
intimidating to any potential suitors, especially the ones he objected to.
While Eryn was in the midst of a blossoming courtship, he tried to defend
Rose's integrity to a stranger, and in doing so offending the stranger, Renik.
Although nothing more than words were exchanged, Renik's position turned it
into a violent assault, with a suitable and unquestionable imprisonment. Arden
then introduced Rose's sister, someone Eryn had never even heard of before. Arden joked to
the crowd that this young girl will unfortunately never experience the luxuries
of being of house Mallor but perhaps she could marry Eryn. The crowd lapped it
up, laughing with every off hand remark.
He looked over to Eryn and mouthed something to the effect
of that he had understood what he had tried to do the last time they had spoke.
Eryn had tried to downplay his heroism but to Arden he deserved recognition.
Eryn was slowly losing all concentration, no matter how much he stared at Rose
she hardly looked towards him, and when she did, she just looked through. She
had a piercing gaze he was unprepared for. Eryn had only taken in Rose having a
sister, completely ignoring Arden's lineage and looked over towards her. Her
attire was less ornate and her cape was adorned with a hood. She pulled it down
revealing the shadows of refined beauty under a heavy fringe. She tussled it
away from her face and stared directly at Eryn. Neave now stood before him, but
with an unfamiliar glare. He tried to communicate with her with their link,
perhaps she was there to rescue him but he was having trouble even sensing her.
Her eyes glazed over for a split second. This was not the Neave he knew. Arden
now had his arms around both Eryn and Rose and his grip was surprisingly firm
for an apparent teacher and orator.
This Neave slowly edged towards Eryn, with the glimmer of a
blade edge under her mantle. He had to think fast, the cocktail of emotions he
was experiencing only served to cause him panic, his rational judgement had no
time to formulate. He reached around him, trying to grab onto anything he
could. His fingers touched the edge of a poster and he channelled heat to the
tips, setting the painting ablaze. Panic
and alarm sprang up from the crowd, although none seemed too worried, perhaps
seeing it as just part of the event. Arden nearly sprang out of his boots and leapt
towards his merchandise with Eryn only now realising that his image and his
fame was being sold as well as recounted. With himself now free, Eryn jumped
down to the crowds excitement and ran as fast as he could with Neave running
after, pushing the crowds away in front of her. One or two was dangerously
shoved to the edge of the platform . His mind now reeled with possibilities,
most of them perhaps fatal. His mind called out to Shroud in the hopes of
trying to warn him of the betrayal. His eventual reply; that she was safely
with them outside the Academy.
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