EMON
After we left Uncle Lenourth's place and the Golden Wall, we were to return to the Imperial Castle, but Leolyn opted to stay a while longer with Lenourth. By the time we finished our discussion, the snow, which was once too deep, was now only ankle-deep. I'm sure Talia is loving this weather.
Speaking of Talia, she would have finished her embroidery a while ago. I should be able to get some quiet time alone with her before Leolyn returns with his troubles. I went to the stables and asked the stable boy to prepare a black mare for me. It was strong and clearly of a luxurious breed.
And so, I rode on with haste. I might be deluded into thinking I have enemies, but there is proof that I am right. After all, this snowy wind is trying to hold me back. It drags at my newly changed clothes as though I were a thief. But this is just paranoia, isn't it?
I reached the castle as quickly as possible and handed the black mare over to the stable boy. There were three castles within the Imperial Castle. One was for the heir, should he start producing children. One was for the Emperor's concubines and mistresses. The other was the main castle, where the Emperor stayed. Based on their grandeur alone, one could tell which belonged to which. But as it is now, only the main palace is used.
Waiting anxiously behind the stables was Juhsap Nesteys, my sworn protector. After he noticed my footsteps, he gave me a somewhat angry look.
"High Prince, thank goodness. Princess Talia threatened to have me flogged if I didn't produce you within the hour," he said before approaching and dragging me by the hand.
Clearly, he feared my Talia more than me.
Perhaps calling him by his family name would make our relationship more formal.
"Nesteys, unhand me this instant."
Well, that failed too. My authoritative voice didn't stop him from dragging me all the way to my room on the third floor.
As we reached my quarters, the door was already ajar. All he needed to do was fling me inside, but at least he gave me the courtesy of letting me walk in myself. Maybe he simply didn't want to be anywhere near Talia for now.
I was now alone as I faced Talia, who seemed quite angry. I couldn't remember doing anything wrong, I thought.
That was until I saw the leg of one of the men I had tied up.
This was indeed a dire situation, but naught could be done about it. The only thing remaining was to comply with her request. Even without saying a single word, that look, that frown, this situation alone was enough for me to know what I ought to do.
And that was telling the truth to this woman who had scared off a Knight of the Dragon's Bone.
I told Talia everything that happened: the grave robbing, the heart stealing, my visit to the Cemetery Guild, and my visit to the Golden Wall. I made sure to include that it was Leolyn who kidnapped and tied up the two men before her. I also told her about my theft of the Dual Mirrors of Margerie and how we transformed into the two men.
All in all, I didn't regret the conversation. Unlike what I had expected, it ended up feeling like a good conversation with a friend.
She shook her head and then said, "I understand, Emon. But you're too reckless. What if someone else had stumbled upon your mess?" she asked reproachfully. "Next time, you will tell me about your plans, no?" she asked as she fixed me with a deep gaze.
"Of course, Talia," I replied.
Like always, there is only one response for Talia. A response favourable to her.
If Talia's goal was to infiltrate and gain control by manipulating the heir to the Gyrspine, then she would be succeeding. I can't just say no. Whether it is my own weakness or because of what I feel for her, I do not know.
What I do know is that she has me in the palm of her hand, and I find it comfortable there.
Nevertheless, I must wrest control from her grasp. If, for some reason, I do become Emperor, I will make decisions she despises.
Or maybe I could leave ruling to her.
She already seems to love giving orders.
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GRAVE ROBBER
I was ten when my divine trait manifested. Surprisingly, I had a strong lifeforce to go with it. It would be hard for one to believe that I was born in Newttis, to parents whose own parents were all born in Newttis.
The power to transfer a divine trait if certain conditions are met.
Of course, it is my job to ensure all those conditions are met.
After all, this blessing from Alabath has provided me with a luxurious life of sorts. I suppose, in the end, my trait is merely a manifestation of Alabath's ability to grant divine traits or something close to it.
Tonight's body was the strongest I have ever harvested.
Oswald Blaran, King of Velecor.
However, his divine trait is unknown to most. His death at the hands of Daemon—almost easily, some would say—reduces his price.
I took a look at the heart of this king. It was like every other heart, perhaps larger than most. Yet I knew deep down that it was the strongest, and I wanted to keep it hidden away as one of my greatest treasures.
I encased the heart in a transparent glass container that apparently preserves things. Then I wore my grey cloak and proceeded to my next hunt.
This one lacked spectacle, though.
The hour of the owl was quiet, cold, and dark. Only the sounds of dogs and snow beating against rooftops could be heard. I rode all the way from Newttis and stopped at the gates of Damattis. I proceeded toward the land of gold and honey—the cemetery Denryn built.
As I got closer to the cemetery, I noticed it was not as quiet as it usually was. I stealthily jumped over the chest-high metal gates surrounding the cemetery. Then I took slow steps toward a tree to avoid suspicion.
Normally, I would have been caught already, but apparently this grey cloak masks one's presence. The only thing to be wary of was the sound I produced while moving or striking objects.
I observed the movements of the guard stationed near the treasure I intended to claim. He would move toward one end of the cemetery section with his back facing me. It was an opportunity I did not wish to miss.
I dropped to all fours and crawled like a baby toward the grave I intended to harvest from. Luckily, this place had the highest concentration of dead divine trait users.
Even though it was impossible to use the hearts of people long dead, the elderly die too. And thankfully, I had received information about this particular one.
Lieutenant-Colonel Hejer Bay.
He had recently died of old age. Flame resistance, they said he possessed. Clovis haters would be licking their lips to get this one.
Even then, I still did not have the same satisfying feeling I experienced when I ran off with that dead king.
Tonight's mission was only to confirm the position of the man's grave. Even with all the skills I acquired as a thief in Newttis, there was no way I could dig up his body, take his heart, and escape with a Firehawk in the area.
I've lived this long because I avoid risky tasks. I am not about to change that now
The only reason I am still alive is this grey cloak I exchanged for a heart.
Tomorrow, I'll be ready.
Since I had already gotten what I wanted, I decided to withdraw to a safe house I purchased a while ago. Leaving was harder than entering, though. The Firehawk seemed to sense something suspicious, but he could not pinpoint it.
Damn those Firehawks, always making a man's heart beat faster for no reason.
A man's heart need only beat faster when he finds a woman he loves.
--‐‐---
The evening cold was a reminder of my task tonight.
Yes, tonight, one more heart would be added to my collection. One more transaction, and I'll have enough money to sail all the way to Negrichor in search of riches.
I was ready this time.
This night would be my last grave robbery for a while.
The apartment building I currently called a safe home was not extravagant, but it had been home for a while. I'll miss it. I'll miss the creaking doors, the leaking roof, and the windows that refused to close.
And as I cast one final glance at the place, I was filled with a fondness akin to what I felt when I left my mother's home.
One of the things I swapped for a heart was a sack capable of containing objects no heavier than a stallion. Luckily, it was more than enough to carry a shovel and digging tools.
Like the previous night, I snuck into the cemetery in the dead of night. I stood behind a tree and observed the movements of the guard. He was stationed outside the short metal fence rather than inside this section of the cemetery.
Another imbued tool I possessed was the Flute of Jhen. The flute caused the target to feel dizzy. After I blew into it, the night wind graciously carried its tune to the guard's ears, and after some time he slouched and nearly fell over.
The bench beside him prevented him from collapsing into the cold snow.
I began digging.
I dug as fast as I could. In less than an hour, the effects of the flute would wear off. After digging and digging, my shovel finally struck wood.
With my hands, I cleared away the sand resting atop the coffin, and with joy in my heart, I opened it.
The dead Firehawk's hair remained full even though it was entirely grey. Even in old age, his body looked fit beneath the military uniform bearing the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.
I removed my more precious tools from the sack and began making an incision around his chest. Mine was obviously nowhere near as clean as a doctor's work.
Mine wasn't clean at all.
As I was about to make the decisive cut, I heard a thud just outside the fence.
The soldier I had used the flute on had struck his head against the concrete bench. The helmet he wore bounced off the chair, and the sound it made attracted hurried footsteps toward him.
The silence of the graveyard was the greatest enemy tonight.
Two Firehawks appeared from another section, both well armed with swords. One went to check on the sleeping soldier while the other approached me.
Immediately, I abandoned the body and ran.
I jumped the fence, which only reached chest level. However, the spikes on the fence snagged my cloak, forcing me to leave it behind.
One Firehawk fiercely pursued me, but the distance between us was too great to close easily, even for a soldier.
After a few minutes, I reached the market district. There, I was able to maneuver between buildings. The market was always lively, even during the night. Music, drama, and other entertainments were common activities in the various shops.
It was like a merged marketplace and entertainment district.
Even though my lifeforce signature was like a sun at night when there were only a few people around, here, among the crowds, I became merely a tree within a forest.
I used this distraction to reach my safe house, a place I thought I would never see again.
I quickly gathered the things I needed and placed them into the sack. From there, I hurried off toward Newttis.
There would definitely be capable trackers who would use that cloak to hunt me down. I could no longer remain here.
I retrieved a box of matches from the drawer beside my bed. First, I used a knife to carve large strips from my mattress. I lit each piece and spread them throughout the house.
I had no time to clean the place properly. Those men are said to be thorough. Even now, I doubt no traces would remain after the building burned down.
The cloak alone was already enough for them.
I had to reduce whatever further advantages they might gain.
As the house burned, I took one last look at it before fleeing into the darkness of the night.
In Newttis, I would definitely have more room to maneuver.
And if not, I'll either join the Unfettered Four or travel to Negrichor—or perhaps even lands beyond.