Chương 194: Rose

Halfway through the next week, I met with Lord Ceonwin in the stables one morning. I was spending my morning grooming Burr, but this was the only time he could meet me. I brushed her coat and combed her mane, while talking to her and telling her about the week and our training. Burr huffed and whinnied all throughout the conversation, as if trying to reply to me, but I couldn't say for certain. Lord Ceonwin arrived shortly after I started grooming Burr. He said, "I don't have much time, Sir Levi.

With you trainees in AWC/S, unavailable for missions, we're scrambling to keep the front lines steady. Is it important?"

"Do the Labyrinth tunnels being open have anything to do with Lord Hinlaw?" I asked.

"What makes you ask that?"

"They opened conveniently before he launched his attack. Only he would benefit." I paused.

"How do the tunnels open and close?"

"Stone gates hidden within the walls," he replied.

"Controlled by the same magic as the rest of the Labyrinth. It draws on the ambient maegen fields of the world, using them for power, to manage the doors."

"Is it just a natural process? Or is it luck? Hinlaw didn't seem to be relying on luck." Lord Ceonwin shook his head.

"No, he did not. The Labyrinth, in theory, would close its gates when stressed. Once one city fell, it was meant to isolate itself."

"How would they all open at once, then?"

"Someone would have overridden some kind of control…" Lord Ceonwin muttered.

"Someone with control of the System."

"What do you mean?" My breath caught. I reached an especially thick knot in Burr's mane and wiggled the comb side to side, teasing it out.

"The Warlord uses the Labyrinth to power the System, as best as we can tell," Lord Ceonwin said.

"And it interacts with your resonance nodes—chunks of Labyrinth rock, mind you—just the same." I stopped brushing to consider what he was saying. Burr fluttered her lips and stamped her hoof.

"Yes, yes, I know…" I whispered to her, then continued brushing her mane. As I worked, Lord Ceonwin said, "It's possible that the System, as powerful of a creation as it is, has some backlash on the Labyrinth. Instead of just using the Labyrinth as a focus for its power, it also has an effect on the Labyrinth's functions. The System is concentrated inside all of the Labyrinth's marble, hence why you earn Skills better inside it." I rolled my lips between my teeth.

"What about regular Path-walkers?"

"We don't earn Skills the same way as you do. The challenges of the Labyrinth are effective for helping us hone our Arts, but not because of the System." I nodded along, trying to parse out what I was learning.

"Regardless, there are projection points," Lord Ceonwin continued.

"The System needs to spread all across Gate, and the main hub buried beneath Eraen-Kalora isn't strong enough to cover the entire country."

"Where are the other projection points?" Lord Ceonwin scowled.

"The nearest is in Steelshore. Hinlaw's capital, and the largest city in the south."

"And you could manipulate the Labyrinth from there?"

"Someone, a master of the System, could send a signal through the projection point. It would travel through the Labyrinth in the nearby domains. You could perhaps send a signal to open up all the gates between the cities, telling them that the threat is over and they can lower their defenses." I tilted my head.

"Is Hinlaw a master of the System?"

"I haven't any idea."

"The Warlord is, though, right?"

"Certainly."

"So someone working for him might have some influence over the System, too, even if he's a Path-walker and not bound by it." Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

"That's also possible," Lord Ceonwin said.

"I will look into it. I will ask around and see if I can uncover anything."

"Thanks." Lord Ceonwin turned away.

"Now, morning bell is almost upon us, and you have yet to finish off Burr's mane. She was listening, though."

"How close is she to becoming…powerful?"

"If you keep working with her, she should reach Iron soon. You should already notice that she is faster, if you ride her."

"You hear that, Burr? You're getting stronger faster than the others, too." She neighed. I turned back to Lord Ceonwin.

"One last thing before you go, though."

"Yes?"

"You said that the System only spreads over Gate. If I leave Gate, will I be weaker?"

"No," he said.

"The Labyrinths won't work as well for harvesting Skills, though, if you leave, and your reading slate won't work. You will retain all your progress, though." I exhaled in relief, then glanced down at my hands. This was permanent. There was no going back to being a regular mortal.

"Thanks, my lord," I said.

"And good luck on your search. Something tells me we can blame Hinlaw for this handily." ~ ~ ~ Croak arrived the next day at evening, right as we were settling down to sleep. He was a little later, but perhaps that meant Alis took more time to form her response.

"Don't stay up too late," Anchor said.

"And don't keep the candle going for too long. The rest of us want to catch some rest, too."

"Of course," I replied. I took the letter from Croak, unfolded it, then read it. Sir Levi, Firstly, you have my word: I do not need anything in return from you, and I assure you, I am perfectly comfortable in my chamber (albeit, incredibly bored). However, should you insist, I hear the wild roses are blooming in the south. I regret that I wasn't able to stay long enough to see them bloom, but if you would give one to Croak, he would carry it back for me.

As for the matter of you becoming an Ealdorman: you are correct on the first two accounts. Succession and trial-jousts are the primary manner of Ealdorman succession. Your third suggestion is somewhat correct. The Moot of the Wisemen, or the Witenagemot, is critical in choosing Ealdormen when there is no line of succession. While the Warlord might appoint some, there are too many for him to choose directly, and he is often busy with other matters.

The Witenagemot is a powerful council of his advisors and former Subtle Men who select the best candidate, because they can devote the time and resources to ensuring the Ealdorman truly conforms to the Warlord's will. In order for you to take over Hinlaw's Domain, you would need the Witenagemot to appoint you. They would need to believe that you are capable of ruling and leading the Domain, and believe that you do, in fact, have the Warlord's agenda at heart. You may have to play a game of blending in and betrayal.

Yes, I am aware of how difficult that would be, at the moment. You have not exactly endeared yourself to the Warlord's cause or convinced him of your loyalty, and if a Subtle Man chose to truly examine you, they would likely find you unsuitable. However, you have me by your side. I am friends with someone who goes by the name 'Arnulf,' a former (and rather disenchanted) Subtle Man who takes part in the Witenagemot.

I could have him spread the word about you and work back-room deals in the council to get you appointed under the Warlord's nose. I would help, of course, and I would secretly use my name and my father's name to back you. There are still some in the capital loyal to their true king. However, there are three conditions you must meet before you can become Ealdorman. Firstly, Hinlaw must die, and secondly, his line of succession must break. Lastly, Arnulf will ask to meet with you.

It is critical that he likes you, otherwise, he will never work for you. Best of luck. Warm regards, Alisid (Alis) Warm regards. I grinned. She asked for a flower, and there was no insistence of friendliness, this time. Was she sending signals? First, I wrote up a response. It was getting easier already, and though it drew most of my Focus to craft a letter perfectly on the first try, that also meant that it was forcing my Focus to improve.

I wrote: Dear Alis, There are wild roses growing outside the castle walls at this time of year. I will pick one for you and have Croak carry it back. Consider it a token, my lady, of my appreciation for you. I would very much appreciate it if you took that route of succession. Tell Arnulf that I will meet with him as soon as I can. However, he will have to travel south to me. I can't just stop training. I'm sure, though, you'll be able to put it better than that and spin it in a better way.

When it comes to Hinlaw, is there any way to defeat him without ending his line entirely? There may be innocents among them, and I don't want to hurt anyone who hasn't wronged me yet. Warm regards as well, Levi As soon as I finished the letter, I rushed outside, sprinted out the castle wall, and plucked one of the pink roses growing at the wall's base. I carried it back inside, rolled it up inside the letter, then handed it to Croak—alongside a handful of treats.

"Thanks, bud," I told him, patting the back of his head.

"Now carry this back to your master, please. I'll be seeing you around." Croak took off into the night.