Chapter 93 – Unsettling Revelations (6)

His eyes shot wide open as his consciousness was thrown back into his body. With a gasp, he breathed in sharply, his heart racing and his head still hurting from what his mind couldn’t comprehend.

A hand helped him sit up. “Midhir?” Cait’s worried voice sounded. “What-“

“What happened?” Lord Aulorn’s sharp voice cut her off. He was standing a few steps away, his sharp gaze fixed on Midhir. His hand rested on the hilt of the sword he had struck the ground with. “Explain,” he demanded.

Midhir wiped his left eye, bloodying his hand. How could he best explain it? Even Cait didn’t seem to understand what had just happened, despite her knowing pretty much everything that he went through.

“There’s a monument.” He breathed out after a few moments of indecisiveness. “The one where we rescued Lonan, and my hand was wounded.” The image he saw was seared into his mind – he couldn’t forget it even if he wanted to. “I think the Old One is trying to tell me that there’s something happening there. Something that must be stopped.”

Lord Aulorn’s face twisted. “The Old One is trying to tell you?” He hissed through gritted teeth. “Are you suggesting the Old Gods have awoken?”

“One of them is awake.” Midhir got up on one knee, then grabbed onto the altar to fully get up. “Whatever those cultists – those terrorists – did , whatever that ritual was that we interrupted when we saved Lonan, it succeeded. It was my blood instead of that of their leader’s.” He clenched his fist. “I saw two things – a monument with silhouettes gathered around it – the same one we rescued Lonan from, and a battlefield, covered in ash and broken weapons, with a tear in the veil in the centre.” His gaze jumped from Lord Aulorn to Cait. “I can’t prove any of this, Lord Enforcer, but know that I have no intention of letting the cultists tear the veil apart.”

Lord Aulorn seemed hesitant for a moment. His gaze lingered on Midhir, as if he was trying to weigh his words, to ascertain the truth. “Surely you understand how serious your accusations are – and why it’s not as easy for me to believe these – especially when they’re coming from someone with your family name.”

Midhir barely quelled the rising wrath as his hand moved towards his earring. Just as he was about to call forth the item he needed, Cait caught his arm, pulling it away.

“Believe every word he says, Lord Enforcer.” Her voice was cold as ice, and her gaze filled with the fire of anger.

“Why?” Lord Aulorn narrowed his eyes. “On what basis?”

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“Your Empress commands it.” Cait raised her chin. “Confirm with her if you wish.”

Taken aback by her words, Lord Aulorn’s lips formed a thin line. His questioning gaze turned to Midhir. “With the awakening of the Old Gods, I need more than a command – the Induen family had a dark past already, before they plunged part of An’Larion into the mist. I question, still – why should I trust you?”

It wasn’t enough. It shouldn’t have been enough – Lord Aulorn’s primary mission was to protect Eldoria from all otherworldly threats. Of course he needed more than a distant monarch’s command to give his trust to someone with a tainted family name.

He shook Cait’s hand off and caught the ring forming mid-air. “This should be reason enough, Enforcer,” he spoke coldly as he threw the ring towards him.

Lord Aulorn caught it mid-air, then turned it around to look at the sigil on it. His eyes widened for a split second as his lips parted. Blood drained from his face as he quickly fell on one knee. “My apologies, your majesty!”

A shiver ran down his spine – he despised this, this unearned respect and unfounded fear. “Please get up.” He couldn’t hide his irritation. “And please don’t call me that – here, I’m Midhir Induen, a student of Solus Academy. Nothing more.”

Lord Aulorn hesitantly stood up. “But your-“ he stopped himself, the remained silent as he awkwardly searched for a way to address him.

“Just call him Midhir like I do.” Cait snatched the signet ring from him and gave it back to Midhir. “You didn’t need to do this – remember what she told you, you idiot!”

“The Lord Enforcer can’t have doubts about this.” Midhir put the ring back into the holding gem. “Lord Aulorn,” he said, turning his gaze to him. “My identity is to remain a secret – your daughter included. Mother wanted me to experience life as I would have, had the incident never happened. I wish to see the world as it is – not as it is shown to someone who bears the name I do. Lord Orlein and Cait are the only ones who know – and Alistair suspects it, I believe.”

Lord Aulorn nodded. “Understood.” He narrowed his eyes. “I must urge you to return to the capital though – if the Old Gods are showing you things, it could mean you are in danger. The ritual could have had adverse effects. Your safety is of utmost importance.”

Midhir was quick to shake his head. “There will be ample time for that, but I can’t leave now. Our focus is Bareon’s safety at the moment.” He paused. “Make no mistake, Lord Aulorn – I am an Induen by blood. I will never truly have the authority and power this ring would have given to a true heir. My safety matters little when an entire city’s existence is on the line.” He breathed out. “Shall we return?”

By the time they climbed back up to the surface, the sun had already reached its zenith. Midhir excused himself to go to his room, while Cait, Lord Aulorn and the Castor twins began preparations for the night.

As he stood under running hot water, thoughts rushed in his mind. He had revealed his identity to Lord Aulorn. It was a risk – the man was way too rigid in how he acted around him, and a secret was hardly a secret when half the nobility knew it.

But what choice did he have? There couldn’t be any doubts in the Lord Enforcer’s mind about his words. There was too much at stake, and no time to waste on doubt amongst their ranks. If somehow the others found out, so be it. The safety of Bareon was paramount.

Still, despite knowing he had made the right choice, he couldn’t help but feel a tinge of regret. His sister’s words repeated in his mind over and over again.