“It’s about time, Keeper,” I said as I left.
His maniacal, dry laughter echoed down the tunnel long after I closed the door to his room.
Chapter 26
The Girl
The girl’s body tremored slightly as she sank into another vision. Ever since her union with Solace some fifteen years ago, they were frequent—both the visions and the tremors. Her mind was decaying, her body slowly shutting down, unable to hold the collective memory and future of Elyria.
Just a little bit longer. We need to hold on just a little bit longer.
At the beginning, after she first joined herself to Solace as the sole Keeper of Memories, she was able to lead a semi-normal life, carrying about her day as any other person would. But that time was short-lived. Solace gave her just enough to gather like-minded individuals—those who wanted to see the Warlord and the Northern Territories burn for what they had done and continued to do—and create their haven deep within the South.
Now, though. Now, she was contained to her bed for the majority of the day. Visions fueled by memories and the free will of Elyrian citizens constantly plagued her, paths to the future continually changing. She had to accept these visions and find a way to manipulate the hands of Fate to change the future.
It was exhausting, both mentally and physically. The small moments she was awake, not plunged into a vision or a dreamscape, she spent ingesting what little food she could keep down and meeting with heragents. They were the ones who took her words and created action and mayhem.
The girl’s eyes sunk closed as she finally succumbed to the vision. A girl with bright blonde hair, a man with emerald eyes, a house in the woods. The girl smiled despite the pain the images caused. Without a Truthsayer, she couldn’t fully discern what path to take in order to make her desired outcome a reality, but she knew enough about these people, these places. All they needed was a little shove in the right direction.
She emerged from the vision, the images tucked away in a room in Solace only she could access, with a gasp. Solace felt different as she exited. Like it was bigger, more encompassing, more sentient.
Just as she woke, one of her agents entered her room. He was tall and considerably handsome. Smart and well-spoken, he was a rebellion’s dream and the perfect vehicle to spark a flame in places where anger and unrest already existed. The girl had sent him into the North recently and was pleased with his progress with the reigning lords.
“Cael,” the girl rasped. “Hand me that water.”
The man knelt next to her and brought the cup to her shaky lips. She took a few generous sips, water spilling from her mouth, before relaxing back against her pillows once more.
“Do you have another mission for me, Matriarch?” Always so focused on business, Cael was.
“A cottage on the edge of the woods. But not the cottage specifically, the town around it perhaps. She is a key.” The girl often spoke in riddles, now, her mind too addled and constantly whizzing from one vision or path to the next. Cael had been with her since he was an unruly teenager. They’d grown up together, in many ways, and he was the best at deciphering her ramblings.
He gave one sharp nod before standing and striding for the small door. The girl felt her body shaking again, as Solace called her once more.
“Cael.” Her words halted his progress at the entry. “Speak with Folami.” The girl couldn’t say any more, her tongue already becoming heavy in her mouth as the vision threatened to overtake her consciousness. But Cael would know what to speak with Folami about, he always did.
“As you wish, Matriarch,” he said before closing her door, plunging hersmall hut into darkness once again. It was a comfort for her now, the darkness. She’d been living in it for fifteen years, after all.
As soon as Cael closed the door, the girl collapsed to the floor, Solace pulling her through the white hallway and into the room that held the life lights of the remaining Keepers. There were so few now that the room was nearly pitch black, illuminated by less than a handful of lights.
Many were of Keepers who refused to join her cause; choosing instead to live out their days in hiding from both the Warlord and the rebellion. The girl’s soul sneered at the thought. She was waiting for one in particular to die, a thorn in her side and a constant obstacle for her rebellion. Once he was eliminated, she’d be able to finally outsmart the Truthsayer and create a passage for Solace to enter Elyria once more.
The girl touched the flickering light and was transported to a dark room, lit by a sole candle on a worn and rickety table. The travel was much less disorienting now and she barely felt the aftereffects at this point.
The girl’s eyes adjusted to the dim light, and she searched for the dying Keeper.
“Hello, Matriarch,” a raspy voice called from the corner of the room. The girl spun slowly, rooted to the spot as usual, and found the source of the voice.
Her face lit in a smile of triumph, her eyes gleaming with malice and victory.
Finally.
“My time here is short, as I’m sure you know by now. My life light flickers and will soon die, but I must urge you caution,” the Keeper pleaded, his gnarled hands shaking as he gripped his cane.
“The goddess you serve is not who you believe her to be. Power and Meru have tainted and twisted her. Do not let yourself be led astray, daughter. Do not let her lead you to a place from which you cannot return.” His breath was coming in pants now, his end nearing.
The girl sneered. “You don’t know of what you speak, traitor.Iand I alone am connected to Solace. I alone know her thoughts and intentions. You are simply a traitor to your goddess and your people, choosing to stay in the service ofhim,” she spat the word viciously and the Keeper coughed at her tirade.
“There is so much you don’t know, or are unwilling to see, daughter. Youand the Truthsayer are pawns in a bigger game, child. See it before it’s too late.”
