Chapter 10 — By Any Means Necessary

Xyn sat on the floor, meditating. He had the forbidden scroll out and was throwing himself entirely into unraveling its secrets. After having literally fallen on his face in front of Ayla, he was certain that learning the forbidden technique was the only way to impress her at this point.

That wasn’t to say he had been slacking-off previously, just that there was something about desperation that focused the mind, maybe. Or, perhaps having experienced an embarrassment that he strongly desired erased from existence gave him a personal insight into what the originator of the technique was feeling when he created it. Whatever the rationalization, Xyn was fairly certain he was getting closer to grasping a key concept that would allow him to attempt constructing the aura-weave needed to practice the technique.

In his opinion, he was still a novice at Aura-weaves—an advanced concept that Grandma Kaylie had only recently begun to teach him. They required an extreme level of control to form the delicate constructs of aura—a level he had barely reached after months of brain-melting training exercises. His Fog of Lost Souls and Breath of Sleep techniques actually generated their effects in large part via their aura-weaves. Granted, the complexity and delicacy of the aura-weaves needed to produce the Breeze of Ephemeral Dreams was leagues apart from his self-created techniques.

Holding a finger up, Xyn again pulled out delicate strands of Wind aura and shaped them into the requisite layers, coming up just short at the end. With a sigh he let the construct dissipate. His mental clarity and concentration were shy of what was needed by only a very small amount. That he was so close was both frustrating and encouraging.

Allowing his mind to rest, he let his companions’ speculation about which member of House Arden might have been the one spotted at the inn drift into his ears without thinking about it too much. Not having much context for the discussion, Xyn let his mind wander.

So much had happened arriving in this human town, and the inadequacies in his knowledge of human culture were becoming more and more clear. He had looked down on Yillian because of their initial meeting, but the way the half-elf so easily interacted with the local humans left Xyn feeling inept. Was it the half-elf’s skill and experience as a member of the Society—as a spy?

If so, Xyn was eager to learn such skills. Even with a transaction as simple as paying for a room, there were aspects of the interaction that were confusing, but Yillian showed confidence. For example, when Yillian placed two extra silver marks on the counter and told the innkeeper that no one needed to know we’re here, he was obviously intending that the innkeeper would keep their presence secret, but how did he know that the man would so readily accept the bribe or honor it? And why the man’s amused reply that ‘the Scoundrel’s Plate doesn’t judge a lady’s tastes’ and that ‘milady should feel free to ask if she needed anything’ made Ayla become irritable was a mystery. But even that, Yillian was able to skillfully smooth over.

“Xyn, are you even listening?”

“No?”

Yillian rolled his eyes at the reply, and Ayla was making a disapproving face.

Ah! Crap!

He just lowered her approval again! Xyn wanted to kick himself for not paying better attention, but after trying so hard, his focus was at its limit. Couldn’t they cut him some slack?

“What are you trying to figure out anyway?” Yillian asked, setting aside his clear exasperation. “You’ve been studying that scroll pretty much every time we stop to rest, and that spell you’ve been trying to construct for a while now seems ridiculously complex.”

“It’s a technique called Breeze of Ephemeral Dreams and allows the user to make someone forget about specific things. I thought it might be important for our investigation.”

Ayla raised an eyebrow about as high as it could go. “Setting aside the ethics of such an illegal technique, is that scroll a Master’s Inheritance?”

Was this a chance to impress her? “Um, I guess? I borrowed it from one of my clan’s elders.”

Looking down at him, Ayla’s eyes hooded. “Somehow, why am I getting the feeling you borrowed it without permission and ran away from your clan hoping to return in triumph after going on some grand adventure and saving the world from a great evil just like a character in a martial arts fiction?”

Ugh. Why is that so close to the truth?!

Yillian was nodding along in agreement. “That would explain how a clan’s young master would be traveling alone."

“I’m properly on a-” Xyn started to rebut then stopped himself from blurting out about his secret mission. “No… you’re right, but I’m definitely not a young master.” Even if brother Quen might be choosing one of the princesses for his mate.

“How are you not a young master if your brother can choose a Princess ‘for his mate’?” Yillian queried, his eyebrows matching Ayla’s from just moments ago.

Ack! Did he just mutter that aloud?!

“I thought the only Beastlands’ tribe that claimed royal status was the Kyrren? Why would a cat-kin be able to ‘choose’ a Kyrren princess?” Ayla puzzled out, glancing at Yillian for confirmation.

“Say, Ayla, don’t you think Xyn’s ears are rounder than the average cat-kin… and his black fur with white tiger markings…”

“No, no, Yillian. There’s no way Xyn’s part Kyrren. Aren’t the white striped Kyrren like walking storms?”

“What if he’s the bastard child of one of their Storm Generals? And his brother is from the main wife, that would explain a lot…”

“Oy! The only reason I look like this is because of Grandma Kaylie!” Xyn finally growled out and immediately regretted his stupidity.

“Grandma?!” Yillian blurted out. “Master Kaylie is your grandmother?!”

“Who’s this Master Kaylie?” Ayla asked, her eyebrows raised again.

“The Eternal Flower, Kaylie of the Thousand Faces, Master of the Way of Dancing Petals. She was a famous master of illusion that never aged and was the downfall of many corrupt royals, nobles, and greedy merchants across many countries. She was a great explorer and hero to the masses. The legends say that when she fought, her graceful movements would cause flower petals to appear in the air and the light of her sword would dazzle her opponents…”

Both sets of eyes turned to look Xyn’s way.

Xyn swallowed nervously. Why had he just blurted out so many secrets?! And was his grandmother really someone that incredible and famous?

“What I don’t get is why, as a human and someone of great renown, she would settle in the Beastlands and have a grandson who is half(?)-Kyrren?”

“Yeah, of all the Beast-kin races to choose…,” Ayla agreed.

Oy! Xyn bit back revealing that his grandmother was Kyrren from the start, but his Kyrren pride wouldn’t let their disdain for his tribe stand. “Obviously because Kyrren are the strongest among the tribes.”

“’Suppose that's plausible…,” Ayla allowed but shook her head. “Flowers and Kyrren… I’m just not seeing it. I can’t imagine them accepting her even if she was strong.”

Xyn didn’t have a comeback to that, as he had wrestled with the same dichotomy since the beginning of his discipleship.

“If she defeated a Kyrren elder, then it could be possible…” Yillian half-heartedly suggested, not really sure he believed it himself.

{Hopefully, you are all doing well, young initiates. Good choice on the embroidered kerchief. You’ll be happy to know that between that and a brief description of Xyn and Yillian, Lady Ayla’s guards readily accepted the kidnapping story. The only complication being that they promptly reported the kidnapping to Count Arden and the town is in a bit of a tizzy now. Hah hah.}

At the sound of Master Valence’s voice, Xyn swiveled his head around to find the source, noting the others doing the same.

{Ha, ha, ha. I bet each of you are making the most amusing expressions about now. Well, I did promise to tell you what the medallions do. Hmm… let’s see. How about I say they let you communicate with the wearers of the other medallions by focusing on the medallion that you want to transmit your thoughts too. Well, they do a bit more than that, but I’ll leave the rest for you to figure out since you are all smart kids with excellent potential. I wonder who will be first.}

Ah! The medallions!

Xyn held his medallion up and pushed a bit of aura into it. The strange enchantment returned to him a sense of three locations, two nearby and one at a distance. The sensation was as if touching the locations with a limb he didn’t know he had.

Determined to be the first and prove himself, particularly after so many failures of late, Xyn focused on the location distant from the others and tried to send his thoughts together with an additional infusion of aura.

{This is Xyn. Can you hear me, Master Valence?}

{Excellent work, Xyn! I can see why Master Arienos is sponsoring you. Were you three able to find a safe place to lay low for a while?}

{Ah, yes. Thanks to Yillian.}

{Glad to hear. Your turns, Yillian, Lady Ayla.}

Ayla and Yillian were looking at each other confused then back to Xyn. “Did you hear Xyn speak, Yillian?”

Yillian shook his head, “Not at all.”

Ayla held her medallion up and closed her eyes.

{Congratulations, Lady Ayla, you are second. To answer your question: If you focus on more than one medallion location, you can send your thoughts to multiple medallion holders at the same time, like I am doing.}

{Can everyone hear me?}

{Yep. Great work, Yillian.}

Yillian looked a little smug, noticing Ayla’s eyeroll and Xyn’s smirk at the elf trying to one-up them.

{Now that each of you has figured out how to use your medallion. It’s time to get to work. Arienos told me a little about your investigation and asked me to provide you with support. He also wanted me to inform you that he’s expanding the focus of your investigation to finding out the true nature of the entity involved in the ritual at Lorel’s Watch, as well as the cultists’ goals and contingency plans, and to act with urgency using any means necessary—that the matter is becoming quite dangerous for regional stability.

For Arienos to be worried to this extent, I’m willing to make allowances for more direct information gathering methods and incidental casualties, as necessary. Do you have a plan yet?}

{Master Valence, Ayla and I have been trying to narrow down who among the members of House Arden might be cultists. I’m of the opinion that we need to gather more intelligence before infiltrating the castle and was thinking we should spend a few days observing, but…}

{Normally, I would applaud your prudence, but judging by Arienos’ last report, it’s probably best if you can manage infiltrating the castle tonight while the guards are busy combing the town for Lady Ayla. If it’s any help, Lianne learned that Nicolas Arden was away from the castle last week and missed an important dinner, much to his mother’s annoyance.}

Lianne? ...the owner of the House of Flowers? Why would Master Valence know that?

Yillian answered for them before Xyn could ask anything though.

{Ah, thanks, Master Valence. We’ll investigate him first then.}

{Try not to die. If you get captured, I may be able to do something about it. And Lady Ayla?}

{Yes?}

{After your little adventure with Arienos’ two initiates, come see me. I have an offer that should be mutually beneficial and may help you deal with whatever problems you are having at home.}

{I’ll think about it.}

{Ha ha ha. You do that. Good luck, initiates. Contact me when you have more information to report.}

“Guess we’re going to need disguises for Ayla and me,” Yillian spoke up after a long moment of silence. “Xyn, you’ll be fine with the black clothes and cloak we bought you earlier. With your foreign accent it will be better for you to not be seen or heard.”

Xyn nodded.

Ayla looked down at her fancy dress and sighed. “I guess you’re right.”

“Yep. Alright. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Yillian wrapped himself in his cloak and closed the door behind him as he left.

Xyn glanced over at Ayla. Was this a chance?

“What?” Ayla frowned and narrowed her eyes.

Maybe he should wait. She didn’t seem particularly receptive to his interest at the moment.

No. He waited with Aeri, and it cost him. “I’ll learn this technique and prove that I’m not weak—that I’m a worthy mate.”

Ayla snorted disdainfully then seemed to reconsider, leveling him with an evaluating gaze before answering, “If you do your part and help me find my cousin, I’ll think about it.”

Encouraged by her response, Xyn renewed his effort to learn the advanced technique, clearing his mind of worries, frustrations, and doubts, focusing only on the aura-weave.