Chapter 29: Darker Days begin
The festival of unity ended early and in tragedy. The festival grounds were in an uproar and chaos as the lanterns ripped through the area to find Ingwe’s assassin. Alatriel wept holding her father’s lifeless body and Lolindir knelt down beside her in an attempt to console his grieving fiancé. The mer royals were taken aback by the happening.
“It seems that things are a mess here in the surface world.” Aranhil commented as he witnessed the distress and panic thick in the atmosphere.
The people of importance such as the mer royals, the councilmen, the unicorn keeper, elindil and the byzou were escorted to safety. Merilwen noticed that Brandeau had suddenly disappeared amongst the chaotic crowd. “The pirate is missing! He’s vanished!” She said.
Elemire turned and looked beside her where Brandeau was once standing only to find the spot vacant of his presence. “He was here but a moment ago.” She said.
Aearion cringed, “I should have had him arrested when I had the chance! I’m sure he had something to do with this odious deed!” He protested.
The lanterns inspected the blade used to assassinate Ingwe and soon discovered it was a magic blade, one that only those of the wizard’s tower used. The attention immediately centered on to Elendil of the wizards’ tower. He looked about seeing the distrust on the faces of the Fae of spire rock. This was becoming a dangerous situation for him. The people were angry, and looking for someone to take the fall. Accusations began to be thrown his way and one of the elves accused Elindil of committing the murder himself. The mage frowned and narrowed his gaze upon his accuser. “I beg your pardon! You would be wise to hold your tongue before casting such hateful lies.” Elindil replied in a stern yet composed manner. “I was among people and the center of attention the whole time. I could not possibly nor would I have ever committed such treason!”
The councilman Maeglin felegund countered, “But the weapon and evidence suggests that one possessing a magic sword slew the high councilman. If not you then it is most likely one under your command. Lantern Guards Seize him and any from the wizards’ tower present at once!!” He commanded. The lanturns immediately drew and pointed their weapons at the bishop and his followers.
Elendil was sadly disappointed. He knew that the wizards had been set up, but by whom was unknown. He knew he had to get himself and his people to safety. With a quiet chant the symbol of the true wind rune glowed bright and a mighty gust of wind and gale kept the lantern guard at bay. Like the wind the Bishop and his people vanished into thin air.
Lolindir watched the whole scene unfold and remained silent. He knew something deeper was afoot but he had no evidence to support his inkling. As everyone was ordered to clear the area and return home or to their quarters Lolindir said quietly to Meiglin, “Just because a magic blade was used does not mean that it was a mage who killed Ingwe. A little too obvious don’t you think?” He said in a cold manner. Maeglin snarled quietly. He rolled his eyes and began to respond yet Lolindir had already walked off. Lolindir hugged Alatriel close to his muscular frame. “Come my dear. You must rest. I’m here for you.” Lolindir said tenderly to his fiancé. It was rare to hear such a mellow tone from him.
Voronwe approached Lolindir and Alatriel, “You are not the head councilman Lolindir. You must call an emergency council meeting tonight. We have much to discuss and to sort out.” Voronwe said in a fatherly tone. He was very much devastated by Ingwe’s death but he had hope in the new council head. Voronwe felt he could trust Lolindir to do what was right in most situations. However he did worry about the severity of Lolindir’s methods sometimes. Lolindir nodded affirmatively in response to Voronwe’s suggestion.
Mablung gave a dark smirk, “Congratulation High Councilman Lolindir. How fortunate for you in this time of tragedy.”
Lolindir simply replied, “How tasteless.” Before leaving the room with alatriel.
Luthor Huss
Luthor sat tucked away hidden in a back alley. He was still trying to take in all that had happened. He had almost forgotten that he needed to get out of the Fae territory fore the Lanturnes were doing a thorough sweep of the entire city area. He had to get out of there else he could be arrested and then discovered at the true assassin. “Damn, how do I get out of here so without getting caught? I already used up the little gift that Unicorn Keeper gave me. I owe him big…” Huss said to himself.
Just then a group of lanterns charged past the alleyway down the street in search of anyone as a suspect. Luthor ducked back against a wall and covered in shadow. Luckily he wasn’t seen but it wouldn’t be too long before the lanterns combed through the alleyways as well. Luthor then noticed the cobblestone a few paces away rumble slightly. Then a solid block of the stones moves up and over to reveal an opening in the ground. Huss grabbed his cat splitter ready for action but he noticed a young man appeared from the opening.
Huss gave a curious look and asked “Who the heck are you and where did you come from?”
The young man smiled brightly and waved at Luthor. “Ah! There you are Mr Huss! I’ve been looking all over for you! I’m Theodore Pohl. But you can call me Tepo if you like.” He bowed formally to Huss. “I’m a mortalis scout. Kile “Kneecaps” Turner sent me to find you and smuggle you back to safety. We’ll use the underground caverns to go back. We gotta hurry now or we’ll get caught.” Tepo said in a chipper tone. With that, he quickly hopped back down into the tunnel.
Huss was slightly puzzled. “Wow… Kile is amazing for being able to track me down to help get my sorry ass out of hot water. But I can’t believe this kid found me. Well no time to ponder about it.” Huss thought to himself. He followed Tepo down and sealed the entrance behind him.