Chapter Text
Vex held back a wince as the wheel of the cart hit another pothole, the jarring movement causing her back to impact against the rough wooden frame painfully. Not that it made much of a difference to the stiff, tense muscles. After too many nights spent sleeping on frozen ground and waking each morning to find yet more snow blanketing her camp, every part of Vex’ahlia’s body ached with a bone deep chill. It was only the knowledge of the hot bath and soft bed that awaited once she reached Pike’s house that was keeping her upright.
Trinket had long since succumbed to the rocking motion, the giant form of the bear slumbering on the floor. A tempting warm pillow compared to the hard bench on which she sat.
Gods she was tired. Vex bit back a yawn and tried to ignore the lingering stale traces of pine and smoke that clung to her clothes. Usually she’d already be missing the forest; the feeling of space, the sounds, the smells…
Trinket’s ear twitched in his sleep and Vex forced herself to concentrate on the sounds of the city around her. For once, the thought of walls and noise and people was soothing. Vex fought back a shiver as she glanced out through the canvas flap at the street behind them.
Despite the late hour, the streets of Emon still felt alive if obviously subdued. Magelights hung from iron poles along the cobblestone road, their cold white glow a contrast to the warm blooms that occasionally spilled from behind closed and shuttered windows. In a short few hours the whole of the city would awake in a riot of noise and activity, the warehouses already a steady stream of motion as they loaded their carts with the new day’s deliveries. But here in the streets surrounding the cloud-top district, there was only the occasional guard on patrol to break the quiet.
The cart swayed as they turned a corner and Vex finally felt a shift in the tension that had gripped her for far too many days. It wouldn’t be long until she was tucked safe in the warmth that always seemed to cling to Pike’s home.
One of these days, Vex was going to have to find her own home to return to in the city.
Vex shivered and forced away the chill that ran through her. She was just glad that for tonight at least, there’d be a friendly face to greet her.
The cart gave a final lurch as it pulled up outside the stone steps that led up to the lantern-lit door standing between her and the promise of a good night’s sleep at last. Vex rolled back her shoulders with a groan as she reached down to flick Trinket’s still fluttering ear.
“Enough dreams of salmon, buddy. We’re here.”
Trinket gave a displeased snuffle before he blinked awake with a slow yawn, his eyes taking a moment to find Vex in the shadowy interior. Vex smiled as she scratched under his chin and he grumbled his pleasure.
“Come on. Let’s go say hello to Pike.”
Vex stretched one last time before she turned and jumped out the back of the cart, her gaze immediately caught by the muted black carriage currently waiting across the street. Although members of the Tal’dorei council usually travelled under the official crest when on business, Vex’ahlia had become very familiar with the other carriage the council’s official Master of Secrets employed in his work.
“Looks like Asum’s eager for disappointment tonight, Trinket.” She murmured, the bear’s large head nuzzling her shoulder as he clambered to his feet behind her. “Might as well put someone out their misery.”
*
“You could have waited 'til morning I’m afraid, Seeker.” Vex called as she strode through the open door, pausing a moment to quickly kiss the small form of Pike on the cheek as Trinket staggered in at her heels. “I haven’t much to tell you.”
Vex frowned as she tugged at her gloves, the leather still stiff from the cold, as she crossed the hallway to the entrance of the sitting room Pike had indicated with a nod of her head.
“The whole place was quiet as a …”
The words faltered in her mouth as she froze in the doorway. Next to the bald, tattooed form of Asum at the fireplace, a willowy redhead was rising awkwardly to her feet from the settee.
“Keyleth!”
“Vex. Hi.”
Vex’ahlia shook her head and forced a smile to her lips.
“What a surprise! Lovely surprise, I mean.” Vex paused as the heavy form of a bear pressed up behind her, causing her to almost stumble forwards before she turned back to see his anxious expression. “Trinket, go. Time for bed. I’ll just be a moment, buddy. “
With a sniff and a low rumble in the back of his throat, Trinket turned and made for the kitchen. Vex took a deep breath before she spun and stepped into the room, her eyes scanning for any other occupants.
“So…” Vex drawled as she finally worked one of her hands free of its prison. “My brother with you?”
Keyleth’s eyes darted across to Asum before she glanced back at Vex, fingers twisting in the soft folds of her skirt as she shook her head in answer.
“He doesn’t know I’m here.”
Asum turned away from the warmth of the fire as he inclined his head in greeting.
“She came at my request, Vex’ahlia.”
“It was a … mutual request.” Keyleth hastily added.
Vex felt one of her eyebrows raise.
“Really?” With a final tug she pulled off her remaining glove and paused before she set them down on the dark wooden sideboard beside her. “All right.”
Vex glanced between the two figures as she leaned her hip against the smooth wood then shrugged.
“Well, I can’t say you haven’t got my attention. Planning on satisfying my curiosity?”
Asum took a step towards her.
“Less than an hour ago, my network became aware of increased activity amongst some of our more guarded targets. We barely had enough time to raise security before an attempt was made on the life of Sovereign Uriel.” He paused as he considered his next words. “A very… specialised form of attempt.”
Vex quirked her head as a wry smile twisted her lips. “Don’t hold out on me, Asum. You know that warm up has my interest.”
“It was specialised enough that usually we’d already have our suspect, and in a way we do.”
Vex frowned, her mind taking a moment to connect the dots.
“You’re talking about…”
“Seeker Emring is talking about Lord de Rolo.” Keyleth supplied before the silence turned awkward.
“The Mad Lord de Rolo?” Vex paused a moment to process her shock then let out a humourless laugh. “Well now I understand why my brother’s not here.”
Asum inclined his head in acknowledgement before continuing. “At the time of his capture, we thought we had managed to confiscate anything that remained after the massacre, however something must have slipped through my net. Any knowledge he has about who could have done this is of crucial importance to eliminating this threat to Tal’dorei.”
“Which is where I come in.” Keyleth stepped forward. “I’ve got you permission to get into Stillben Asylum and see him. The Warden has instructions to grant your requests, within reason.”
“Are you sure he’s even going to speak to me?” Vex didn’t even try to hide her doubt as she glanced at the two council members. “I mean, aside from all the stories, I know just how much Vax can piss people off. Why do you think he’s going to help us?”
Asum cleared his throat. “Technically the Lord de Rolo is held on grounds of his own safety. With no conviction for any crime we can alter the terms of his detainment at any time. If he’s willing, we can release him into your custody.”
“If he’s not, he’s as crazy as the stories say.” Vex muttered. She chewed on her lip as she considered her limited options before giving up with a shrug. “All right. You’ll see how I do when I give you my report in the morning.”
Asum smiled as he gave a brief nod. “Good. Now I need to check in with some of my other agents.”
He turned and gave a brief bow to Keyleth before pausing by Vex as he made to exit.
“'Til tomorrow.”
“‘Til tomorrow, Seeker.”
Vex stared at the door as it closed behind him, all thoughts of repose chased from her head. She’d seen many things during her work for the Seeker, although usually at a distance. Now it seemed she was about to get up close and personal with the most infamous figure in Emon.
“Lord de Rolo,” Vex murmured as she turned the idea over in her mind. “Are you as mad as they say, I wonder?”
Keyleth’s hesitant voice cut through her musings. “That’s not all the stories say.”
Vex let out a groan and closed her eyes as the small thrill of excitement she had felt was snuffed out. “I’m aware of my brother, Keyleth. Vax has never been shy about voicing his opinions.” Vex paused before she cracked open one eye and regarded the redhead. “Can’t imagine he’d like the idea of this.”
“I know.” Keyleth sighed before straightening her shoulders and standing to her full height as the waver in her voice disappeared. “I’m here in my role with the Ashari. He may not like it, but he’ll understand that.”
Vex pulled a face. “You hope.”
Keyleth gave a decisive shake of her head. “He will. He took an oath when he became Champion, same as the rest of us. We all serve the Kingdom first.”
“Tal’dorei prevail.” Vex recited automatically.
“Tal’dorei prevail through us.” Keyleth replied before turning to collect her bronze velvet travel cloak from the settee. The Ashari paused as she gathered the material in her hands and took in a deep breath. Vex’s hand froze from where it was reaching out to her own gloves as she watched Keyleth turn, the conflict in her expression unmistakable as she faced Vex.
“One last thing.”
Keyleth blew out a breath as she reached into the bundle in her hands and withdrew an engraved platinum band. “They’re not going to let him out if you don’t have this.”
Vex felt her eyes widen as she stared at the ring Keyleth held out towards her. “Is that…?”
“Yes.”
Vex trailed off as Keyleth walked forward and placed it in her hand, the metal cool against her skin despite the heat of the room.
It’s a ring. Vex told herself as she slowly turned it over. It’s just a ring. At least in my hands.
“The only reason he’s not on our list is because of where Vax left him.” Keyleth said softly as Vex managed to tear her gaze away from the object in her hand to meet her eyes. “The council’s still not unanimous about his fate. He’s not going to want to but…”
Vex swallowed as Keyleth pulled out the other item that had been the downfall of Lord de Rolo, the light of the fire flaring on the metal of the collar in Keyleth’s hand.
“But you still need to hold the key to his cage.” Vex concluded hoarsely.
Keyleth gave a sad, apologetic shrug. “Now you understand why it had to be you.”
*
Stillben Asylum for the Insane had been once been a shining beacon of hope for the afflicted, located on the fringes of the Temple district before the dark twisting alleyways of the slums took over the city’s landscape. As the years passed however, the light of the gods and the faithful had shifted away from this corner of Emon, leaving behind a feeling of rot and despair that crept out amongst the boarded up windows and crumbling brickwork lining the approach to the former sanctuary. The dark, ominous form of Stillben, its steep peaks and towers visible even behind the high stone walls and iron spikes that surrounded it, seemed wrapped in a permanent shadow. There had been a brief time where society sought it thrills wandering in carefully curated tours through the hallways, taking in the unfortunate souls that resided there as though observing animals at a zoo. Vex herself had once attended such a gathering many years back, her recall of the event one of unease and disquiet as debutantes and nobility had tittered and gasped at the misery around her.
Vex pushed the memories of pain and loss from her mind as her carriage came to stop beside the wide stone steps that swept up to the imposing entrance. As Vex stepped out into the night air, she could see the pale form of Stillben’s current keeper waiting for her at the top, stood rigidly in front of the slightly faded but elaborately carved wooden doors that led inside. Despite the fall from fashion of his institute, the Warden was dressed in a refined manner, the restrained wealth of his clothing made apparent from the numerous rings on his fingers. The buttons of his waistcoat seemed to pull slightly more than in Vex’s memory though, and his hair had thinned further until the dark wisps seemed oiled to his head.
“Mistress Vessar, I presume.” The Warden stated as he inclined his head and Vex felt a brief rush of relief that he didn’t try to shake her hand. “I am Warden Tylieri. The Council have informed me of your visit. Come.”
Without waiting for an answer, Tylieri turned and pushed open the doors, stepping into the large atrium beyond. The once gleaming marble that had lined the floor was now dull and cracked as the Warden led the way across the cavernous space. Vex glanced at the dark wooden stairway that curled its way up the hall interior to the other floors, the magelights she remembered having been exchanged at some point for the cheaper oil lanterns staggered along its length.
With a jolt she realised that Tylieri had continued past the stone archway they had been led down the last time she was here, and instead was unlocking an iron studded door, barely pausing as he stepped into the gloom.
Vex frowned as she glanced back towards the well-lit entrance hall.
“I thought the wards were down that way.”
“And they are.” Tylieri replied as he turned ahead of her and she quickened her pace to catch up, feeling oddly exposed from the tall narrow windows that pierced the stone of the corridor. “For the regular inmates at least.”
He paused to glance back at her, the light from the lantern flickering across his face as Vex held back a shiver at his expression.
“But you’re not here for a regular inmate.”
Vex forced a smile to her lips as she closed the distance between them. “Privilege has its perks, I guess.”
Tylieri made a noise of disdain as he resumed walking. “Hardly.”
“A murderer is still a murderer regardless of rank.” He continued as they stepped between the shadows cast by moonlight on the floor. “I don’t show favouritism, can’t afford to. Insanity is a monster beyond our current means to fight. Everyone is here for a reason and there’s little my doctors can do to change that.”
A distant echoing cry cut through the quiet, causing Vex’ahlia to start at the plaintive wail. Tylieri however showed no sign of acknowledgement, his pace unchanged as he followed the turn of the passage.
“I’m more concerned with us all getting safely through the day, and until legal proceedings regarding the de Rolo and the Whitestone estate are over, he’s a ward of the state.”
Vex’ahlia glanced at Tylieri sharply. “So the conditions of his sentence are being met by the city’s purse.”
“Exactly.” Tylieri nodded as another iron door appeared at the end of the corridor in front of them. “We have to choose where to invest their coin.”
“And?” Vex enquired lightly as the Warden paused to withdraw his keys.
“We’re all of the same opinion.” Tylieri replied as he thrust the key in lock. “Confinement over comfort.”
The lock gave a heavy clunk before the door swung open to reveal a descending stone stairway, a sole flickering torch the only light in the darkness. Vex swallowed as she hastily stepped through behind the Warden as he continued.
“We’ve had to move him several times.”
The sound of their footsteps seemed to be swallowed by the heavy stone around them, the air becoming thick with a damp chill that crept down the back of Vex’ahlia’s spine. Her quick intake of breath was reflexive.
“He was stirring up the inmates in other cells.” Tylieri defended sharply, misinterpreting the reason for Vex’s gasp. “Driving them even more crazy than usual.”
Another torch marked the end of the stairs, the glow from Tylieri’s lantern exposing the soot encrusted outline of where its partner had once rested. A guard appeared, crossbow in hand to open the iron gate in front of them, Tylieri barely giving a nod of acknowledgement before setting off into the gloom again.
“So we placed him in a wing by himself, and then he drove the regular guards crazy.” Tylieri gave a muffled snort, shaking his head as he strode past empty bar lined cells. “Doctors didn’t want anything to do with him.”
A note of contempt entered his voice as they turned a corner, passing another crossbow armed guard beneath the sole fluttering torch. “They’d go in and come out shaking. All of them.”
Vex frowned and glanced back at the disappearing figure, sat motionless in the light.
Tylieri turned again sharply, leaving the abandoned dungeon behind to enter a narrow passage, the heavy iron door at the end the only other exit.
“Kept seeing things that weren’t there.” Tylieri sneered as Vex found herself creeping closer, anxious to remain in the lantern’s glow as the door loomed closer. “Jumping at shadows.”
He paused as he reached again for his keys, huffing out a short laugh as he unlocked the door and pushed it open.
Roughly hewn stone columns broke up the iron cells revealed in the room, all seemingly devoid of life. Or at least as far as Vex could tell, the sole illumination coming from a pool of moonlight that fell from the small barred window at the far end to the floor in front of the cell bars beneath. Vex felt her eyebrows raise as she took in the empty sconces and calcified tracts caught in the glow of the lantern light.
“So he ended up in here.” Tylieri concluded softly, a strange half smile twisting across his mouth. “No light to cast a shadow save that which the gods grant him.” He moved to one side and gestured roughly with his chin.
“He’s at the end. I recommend you don’t get too close.”
Her eyes struggling to adjust to the darkness, Vex walked forward slowly, focusing on that small, soft puddle of light. At first, she thought she could hear a dull rhythmic pounding, reverberating in the dark before she realised it was the beat of her own heart. Forcing her shoulders straighter, she continued, her steps never faltering as she made her way closer.
There was a rush of metal against stone, a slivering whispering sound, signalling the sudden flurry of movement on the other side of the iron bars.
Then she saw him.
He was taller than she expected, the proud aristocratic bearing undiminished despite his surroundings. He stood to his full height, arms pulled taut behind him, a mess of pure white hair falling across his face. The tattered stained shirt that hung loosely from his shoulders did little to disguise the leanness of his frame, but it was the ferocity in his stare that caused the breath to catch in Vex’s throat as she froze on the edge of the moonlight before him.
He frowned as his eyes narrowed, taking in every detail.
“You’re not him.”
Vex felt the corner of her mouth twitch at the softly spoken words as she quirked her head. “Looks like introductions may not be necessary. Still…” She took a step forward into the light and sketched a brief bow. “Vex’ahlia Vessar.”
There was a quiet hum of acknowledgement before his eyes swept back upwards to her face. “His sister?”
Vex smiled instinctively at the familiar question. “Twin.”
He gave a brief nod as the intensity burned out of his stare, turning back to the shadows.
Vex cleared her throat as she called after him. “I was hoping you might be willing to speak with me.”
For a moment, her only answer was the soft chink of chains until he spoke, his voice absent of any trace of emotion.
“I have nothing more to say. You can ask your brother for answers. I assure you he was very thorough in his questioning.”
Vex narrowed her eyes. “Fine.”
She tipped her head to one side as she stared assessingly into the darkness. This was hardly the first time in her life she’d had to deal with the consequences of the more abrasive side of Vax’s personality, however, her time in Syngorn had taught her the best means of neutralising any form of reproach.
Vex shrugged before fixing her gaze on the dim shape in the corner. “I was sent here to ask for your help by members of the Tal’dorei Council. There was an assassination attempt and currently you’re the best shot we have at stopping another.”
He made a brief sound of surprise before a low chuckle crept out. “Well that’s direct. Nothing like cutting to the chase.”
Vex arched an eyebrow as a slight smile played at her lips. “I can dance around the subject in niceties if you prefer.”
“No, no. It’s fine. Still infinitely preferable to other forms of dialogue. The last time left enough of an impression.”
Vex narrowed her eyes in response to his cynical reply, the ingrained defence of her twin fuelling her words. “The last time also left a lot of bodies on the ground.”
“Your brother would have preferred me among them.”
Vex swallowed at the almost wistful tone in his voice before she smiled her most winning smile. “Luckily for you, I’m nothing like my brother.” She noted, lightly.
He hummed his disagreement. “That remains to be seen.”
“Well,” Vex demurred. “I am depending on you, proving him wrong.” She paused and let out a sigh. “He’s even more insufferable when he’s right.”
There was a melancholic half-laugh in response.
“Siblings always are.”
Vex cocked her head as she regarded the silhouette sat in the shadows. “So you remember that much.” She said softly.
“There’s a lot I remember.” He murmured, the words so quiet Vex strained to hear them in the silence. He paused then let out a penitent sigh. “The catch is separating out the dream from the demon.”
Vex found herself stepping closer as his voice lowered further.
“Some things tend to leave a mark.” He whispered.
She swallowed before breaking the heavy silence left by his words. “Will you help me?”
“What is it you expect me to do exactly? I’m afraid my options are rather limited given my current predicament.”
Encouraged by the faint curiosity Vex took a final step forwards, her movement only halted by the thick iron bars that divided them.
“They don’t have to be. Not if you agree to help me.” She said softly. Her eyes strained at the shadows, searching for any sign of response. “My Lord?”
She could make out a vague shifting in his position, the quiet whisper of his chains echoing his movement.
“You’ll have to forgive me for not leaping at your proposal,” he said slowly. “But I’ve learned the hard way that offers such as yours always have conditions attached.”
Vex shook her head in agitation. “You don’t want out of this place?”
“Oh, desperately.” He replied. “But it’s not at the top of my list.”
Vex felt her eyebrows knit together as she searched for an alternative approach. “Then what is? Tell me.”
Nothing but silence answered her.
“I’ve been there, you know.” She shivered at the memory of snow and stone and pine before clearing her throat and continuing. “Whitestone. Or what’s left at least.”
Vex paused before adding softly. “They’re going to take it from you.”
“They’ll try.” He snarled before a bitter laugh cracked out. “They won’t succeed.”
“You can’t know that.”
“I am a de Rolo.” He said with ice in his voice. “The last de Rolo. Whitestone is in my blood.”
“What do you want?” Vex exclaimed as her hand grasped the bar in front of her in frustration.
She didn’t need to see his face to realise her mistake, the ring almost glowing in the moonlight on her finger.
“And there it is.” He said softly as her hand involuntarily clenched tighter. “As I said, there’s always a catch.”
Vex glanced down at the small band of platinum before letting out a sigh. Reaching into the rough woven pouch that hung from her belt, she pulled out the accompanying collar. It hung heavy in the silence, the slight weight growing each moment as Vex felt her chances of success slip through her fingers.
Vex’s head snapped up as a soft sigh broke the stillness.
“I’m afraid you’ll have to come to me if you want me to put that on. My chains don’t reach that far.”
“Done.” Vex released the bar as she spun round to face Tylieri, still silhouetted in the glow of the entrance. “Warden! Please open the Lord’s cell.”
Her eyes narrowed as Tylieri walked towards her, his pallid complexion highlighting the discomfort on his face as he began to open his mouth.
Vex frowned as she cut him off. “I do believe you were told to oblige my requests.” His mouth closed with a satisfying snap and she smiled as she nodded towards the cell. “The door, if you please.”
Tylieri muttered darkly to himself as he stepped forward, pulling out his keys. As he unlocked the door, his fingers briefly sketched out a prayer to the gods before pushing the heavy metal open.
“On your head be it.”
Vex ignored Tylieri’s ominous words as she swept past him. From the glow of his lantern, she could see the Lord de Rolo rising to meet her.
Her hand tightened around the collar as she glanced down at it, unable to meet the cool blue eyes that tracked her every movement. “You know how this works.”
De Rolo let out a soft, humourless laugh. “My memory on the matter is quite clear, thank you.”
Vex exhaled slowly before raising her head to meet his gaze.
“Freedom always comes at a price.” She said softly, aware of both the apologetic tone of her voice and the presence of Tylieri lingering in the doorway. “This is yours.”
“I’m not sure freedom is the term I’d use.” De Rolo said quietly as his eyes slid down to the collar in her hands.
“It’s the best I have to offer.” She whispered as she stepped forward and extended her hand towards him. This close she could see the faint tremor that ran through his body, the way his fingers curled into fists at his side. “Better a leash than a cage.”
Her words seemed to cut through the indecision that had rooted the Lord de Rolo where he stood. His eyes snapped back up to hers and Vex felt her breath catch at the weight of the knowledge in them.
He reached out, his hand steady as it closed around the collar.
“Not always.” He murmured before fastening it in place.