The Archer & the Flame (Whispers of the Night Ravens #1)

Chapter 26

A familiar silhouette stood at the gatehouse, resolute as they guarded the entrance alone. Wielding her longsword, Sal’s brown eyes swept over us, a guardian of fury protecting the Old Keep. None of her usual softness peeked through her armour. It was the Head of the Watch that greeted us, the first point of defence for the castle, and she wouldn’t be swayed by pleasantries.

“Stay back!” she shouted, but we didn’t falter as we climbed the stone steps. “You know I can’t let you in.”

I persisted. Failure wasn’t an option. “I’ve returned from my mission. We found something. It’s urgent.”

“Willow...” she growled, but wavered, if only for a moment. It gave me the glimpse of hope I needed.

“I swear I haven’t betrayed the Night Ravens. I’ll explain everything. Please give me a chance,” I pleaded.

Sal’s sword dropped almost imperceptibly, but I would take every inch as a victory. Her gaze shifted to Silas, sizing him up. “And him? You can’t just walk in here with a stranger.”

Silas beamed at her like he didn’t have a weapon pointed at him.

I gave it to her straight, as Sal had always respected. “This is Silas. He’s the Lord of Eirel.”

He took that as his cue to bow. “Charmed to make your acquaintance.”

Confusion flashed across her face. “I must have misheard. I thought I heard you say he’s the Lord of Eirel.”

I stared up at her. “He is. It’s a long story.”

“Gods have mercy,” Sal said, keeping her sword levelled at us. “And what, pray tell, was the reason you decided to reveal our existence to a ruler of Idrix?”

“We need him, just like he needs us,” I said.

Her eyes narrowed. “He’ll destroy everything we’ve worked for.”

I knew that wasn’t true. “The wards allowed him inside. That has to count for something.” If they sensed a threat, they wouldn’t yield easily. Silas making it this far bolstered our case significantly.

Sal raked her fingers through her short, blonde hair, conflicted.

“If I may,” Silas said, clearing his throat. “Would this vouch for my intentions?”

He retrieved a familiar aurabloom from his pocket, wilted but alive. The sight of it made warmth spread through my body.

“You still have that?” I asked in disbelief.

“Of course I do. It’s a precious memento from the time you started to trust me.” It had been the first step on our path to friendship.

As he held it, the petals changed into a parade of joyous colour. A few muted ones signalled his fears for Eirel, but they were outweighed by the vibrancy of the rest. Life seemed to flood back into the aurabloom as Silas grasped it in his fingertips.

“See. I’m an open book,” he said.

Sal finally lowered her sword, resting it on the ground in front of us. She studied the flower in his hand, her gaze lingering on a vivid pink petal in interest. “He’s fond of you.”

“The feeling’s mutual,” I said. Silas nudged me affectionately.

I took a step towards Sal, my confidence growing. “All we’re asking is for you to hear us out. We discovered something deep in Threstia. Reuben will want to know.”

Sal grimaced. “He won’t like this.”

“I know.”

She looked between the two of us and the aurabloom and sighed. “We’ll need to isolate you until you’ve been questioned. I must treat this seriously.”

“Thank you,” I said, relief coating my voice.

“You owe me. Don’t forget it.” She beckoned for us to follow her. “I’m partial to mead, but open to surprises.”

The rusty portcullis squealed in protest as it lifted, and we took our first steps inside. Silas absorbed every detail with unrestrained amazement, from the plants that grew from the stone, to what remained of the curtain wall.

As we passed the sentry who had opened the gate, Sal spoke to him. “Take over the front sentry position. I’ll send someone to relieve you shortly.”

The man nodded, squeezing past us towards the gatehouse.

Rather than taking us into the main castle, Sal led us down a dark staircase into the old dungeons, ignoring the inquisitive glances the other sentries threw our way. “I must say, I’m curious why the Lord of Eirel has granted us the honour of his presence.”

“It’s quite the tale,” Silas said.

“I wonder if you’ll feel the same after you’ve repeated it for the tenth time.”

The dungeons were a miserable place, even more damp than the rest of the ruined castle. It smelt revolting, like something had crawled into the walls and died, the scent stubbornly clinging to the stone. The only fresh air came from a grate on the ceiling, too high for anyone to reach.

Silas didn’t balk as he followed closely behind Sal’s intimidating form. A row of five cells was built into the north wall. I hadn’t seen them since the day I’d stepped foot into the castle, my first memory. Sat in the cell, alone with my thoughts and unsure of what I’d got myself into, doubts had crept in about my decision to take up Reuben’s offer.

“A precaution,” Sal said to Silas. “You’ll be confined here until we’re satisfied you will keep our secrets.”

“And me?” I asked, dreading the answer.

“You too, until you’ve explained yourself sufficiently for Reuben to clear you.”

I sighed. Convincing Sal had only been the beginning.

She unlocked the door of the nearest cell, the metal creaking on its hinges. “This one’s for you, Lord of Eirel. Not as fancy as you’re used to, I imagine.”

Silas took in the small cot that furnished the dark space, a candle providing the only source of light. “I’ve stayed in nicer conditions with much crueller captors. I vastly prefer it this way.” He perched on the bed, giving me a good-natured wave.

Sal addressed me. “You’re in the next block. I’ll let you say your goodbyes.”

I supposed it had been unrealistic to hope we’d be kept in neighbouring cells.

“Thank you, Sal.”

Sal turned her back to us, giving us a moment. I wrapped Silas in a hug, kissing him fiercely, providing him whatever comfort I could. His eyes shone with uncertainty.

“You can do this,” I assured him. “You’ll do great.”

“What happens now?” he asked.

“Initiation. They’ll interrogate you, asking every question you could possibly think of to determine if you’re trustworthy. Don’t hold anything back. It’s better to be upfront and honest. If you pass, they’ll move onto the bargain. That’s your opportunity to bring up your terms.”

Vetting recruits was the domain of the sentries, part of their duties of keeping the Night Ravens safe. It eased my mind to know that Sal would be involved in the process, but I desperately wished I could be there with him.

“Will they hurt me?” His voice went weak.

“No.” I held him tightly against me. “I would never bring you here if that was a possibility. They just want to protect this place.”

“Time to move along.” Sal clapped a hand on my shoulder. “If you’ve been honest with me, you’ll see each other again in a few hours.”

I pressed a gentle kiss to Silas’ forehead. “I’ll see you soon, I promise. Show them what you’re made of.”

Once Silas was securely locked in his cell, Sal led me through a wooden door to the next room, closing it behind us.

“You’re in a lot of trouble, you know,” she said, once Silas couldn’t overhear us. “Norwyn was furious when he returned. He was in with Reuben for hours, apparently. There’s never been an instance of a scout attacking another.”

“I had to do what was necessary to save Silas. I’m ready to face the punishment for my actions.”

“That’s very noble of you, but I hope you understand the severity of this. Reuben is expected to make a decision on your fate once he’s heard your side of the story. They could kick you out for this.”

I swallowed thickly. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“You should be careful. Reuben’s been in a foul mood since he received your letter. You’ll find him more obstinate than usual, so don’t test his patience,” she said.

Sal shut me inside a similar cell to the one Silas was imprisoned in before excusing herself to return to her duties. I made myself as comfortable as I could, dozing off before the sound of a key in the lock disturbed me.

Reuben had joined me, lingering by the door, his face as unreadable as ever.

My palms became clammy, my mind going blank. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt so nervous. It wasn’t just my own interests I needed to look out for, but Silas’ too.

“Have you betrayed us?” Reuben asked plainly, his steely eyes searching mine.

“No. I’m loyal to the Night Ravens.” I took a deep breath. “I returned to brief you on the evidence I’ve found and will submit to whatever punishment you deem necessary.”

He didn’t let up on his scrutiny, crossing his arms where he stood. “Then explain yourself. Why did you disobey my orders?”

“It was the only way.”

I told him everything, beginning with what I’d discovered in the bookshop, Dorea’s mysterious illness, and how it had stemmed from her work with the researchers. Reuben listened in silence, his brow furrowed. I explained my chance encounter with Silas, how I’d pushed him away, and how despite that, he’d proven himself a useful ally, and a trusted partner. That he’d protected me against the threat of the Hightower nobles, Reuben himself witnessing the condition they’d left me in once before. How he’d helped me infiltrate the research camp and saved us from the aftermath, revealing himself to be the runaway Lord of Eirel. When I made it clear that my behaviour towards Norwyn had only been to ensure Silas’ safety, Reuben still didn’t say a word, so I continued.

“The researchers had a vast operation in Threstia, taking soil samples and cataloguing them. That’s what Dorea had been doing when she was injured. They said they were searching for traces of ancient magic and portals. At the heart of the camp was a map of locations they’d tried already. Threstia was their focus due to the forest that was once there.”

I removed the scrolls of parchment from my pack. “I stole these from their camp. It’s results from previous sites.”

Reuben took them, reviewing the contents with a frown.

“Do you think they’re onto something?”

He ignored the question. I felt tiny, cowered by his looming presence as I waited for him to say something, anything, to temper my worries.

All he did was open the door, leaving me alone again.

Panic overwhelmed me, its weight settling over my chest, making it difficult to breathe. Had I doomed us both? What if I’d brought Silas here, condemning him to life in a cell while his subjects suffered his absence?

It was the seeking stone that pulled me from its clutches, the amulet growing warm and projecting Silas’ heartbeat over mine. He was here with me, even with the thick walls separating us.

We could do this.

Sal returned shortly afterwards, swinging the loop of dungeon keys around her finger.

“What’s going on?” I asked, sick of being kept in the dark.

“Following your debrief, Reuben concluded that you didn’t betray the Night Ravens.” I felt dizzy with relief. “But your attack on Norwyn needs to be punished. You’ll be removed from scout duty and contained to the castle for a month, working overtime to support the other divisions. I suggest you keep your head down and out of trouble. The scholars are expecting you. Eldon said something about crafting a cure?”

My shoulders sagged as the tension left them. It was a far more lenient punishment than I’d expected. I would’ve volunteered to help Eldon, the Head Scholar, work on a way to save Dorea.

“Why isn’t he telling me this?”

“You’d have to ask him that.”

“And Silas?”

“He handled his initiation well. Didn’t choke once. Since he’s clean, we can proceed with the bargain. He’s requested that you’re present for it. I’ll take you there now.” She helped me out of my cell. “Reuben will want a word with him once he’s settled in.”

“Why?” I tensed at the thought of Silas exposed to Reuben’s questioning.

“Why would the scout leader want to talk to the most powerful fae that’s visited the Old Keep in its history? One with intimate knowledge of the nobility and their inner workings?”

“I suppose that makes sense.” It didn’t mean I liked it.

“He won’t be the only one with questions. You’ll have an uphill battle to win everyone’s trust. I suggest you comply with whatever Reuben wants if this is your plan.”

Silas was sprawled on the bed as we approached his cell, looking as exhausted as I felt. He sipped water from a goblet, some spilling on his chest in his haste to sit up when he noticed us.

“Are you ready?” Sal asked him through the bars.

“I have two conditions before I agree to your bargain.” His words were edged with a quiet confidence. How had the council made him doubt his abilities when negotiation came this naturally to him?

“State your terms,” Sal said.

“I seek aid for Eirel. It’s currently under the malignant influence of its High Council. If you protect Idrix, as I’ve been led to believe, then you will find my subjects very much in need of your services.”

Sal snorted. “Look around. We hardly have resources to spare.”

“I don’t need resources. I need her,” Silas’ gaze found mine, “and others with her skills. My preference is to avoid bloodshed and to take a more considered approach to regain control. I understand that’s a strength of this group.”

“Be as it may, that’s still a significant request.”

“I appreciate that. Therefore, in return, once my affairs are settled and I’m satisfied Eirel is in safe hands, I will swear my full allegiance and serve you faithfully.”

“Silas!” I exclaimed. “You can’t.”

Eirel was everything to him.

“My duty is to the fae of Eirel. If this is the best thing for them, then it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.”

“You would abdicate your position and join us permanently?” Sal clarified.

“Yes, but only once Eirel is safe and ruled by a worthy leader. I would supervise the transition of power, then make a discreet exit.”

“You would be giving up everything. Are you sure it’s what you want?” I asked him.

Silas exhaled a slow breath. “If this will free Eirel from the council’s clutches, then what I want doesn’t matter.”

“Dare I ask what your other condition is?” Sal interjected.

Silas pointed to me. “Her.” The world came to a standstill around me. “Whatever you ask of me, it will be with Willow by my side. I understand assignments may part us temporarily, but my second requirement is that we are stationed together.”

Of everything he could request, that was what he wanted?

He grinned. “You didn’t think I’d let you go that easily, did you? I told you. We’ll face the world together.”

Sal considered us thoughtfully. “This is beyond the scope of what we’d usually accept. I will need to discuss it with the other leaders for approval.”

“Take your time,” Silas said. “I’m not going anywhere in a hurry.”