A Throne Built On Lies

The Lover’s Blade.

Eryndor Vale wasted no time when he left the archive room.

He walked the pathetic walks of the heavenly palace in a measured way with a rigorously restrained countenance. He had already made up his mind what to say, before he came to the halls of the lower garden.

Seris Alune was there. She was standing against one of the marble pillars, and was wearing her usual training armor. There was a sword at her elbow, but she was loosely seated--until she beheld Eryndor.

Seris straightened immediately. “Lord Eryndor.”

Eryndor stopped a few steps away. His voice was calm. “Seris. I must talk to you alone. About Caelion.”

Seris frowned slightly. “About Caelion?”

Eryndor made no instant reply. That silence, by itself, made Seris jumpy.

He finally spoke. “Yes. Yes. It is about him.”

Seris stepped closer. “Is he back? Is something wrong?”

The face of Eryndor was softened to a degree of looking worried. “He is well, but unstable.”

Seris’s eyes narrowed. “What do you say, not stable?”

Eryndor glanced aside, as though hesitating to say something. “The curse which he went to break was older than we thought

Seris stayed silent. “It did not perish, but it evolved,” said Eryndor.

Seris caught on to her arm guard a little. “That’s not possible.”

Eryndor stared back at her. “It has now inside him.”

This was a blow to her.

Seris frowned. “Inside him?”

Eryndor nodded. “It has made him a vessel. It is influencing his mind, his actions, even his perception of reality.”

Once Seris shook her head. “No. Caelion is a Spellbreaker. He would not allow himself to have something like this happen.”

Eryndor stepped closer. “He didn’t have a choice.”

Seris hesitated.

Eryndor spoke in a low tone. “And it is getting worse. When it goes all the way it will not only corrupt him. It will take him as a pathway.”

Seris gazed indecisively. “ to where?”

Eryndor made no reply.

Seris went quiet. Eryndor was observing her closely, but he said, “The council know not how great this has become.”

Seris spoke slowly. “What do you mean?”

Eryndor hesitated not. “He has to be stopped.”

Seris stiffened. “Stopped how?”

The voice of eryndor was steady. “Permanently.”

Seris withdrew at once. “No.”

Eryndor didn’t react to her refusal. “Listen, Seris, it is no punishment, but containment.”

Seris shook her head. “There has to be another way.”

The tone of Eryndor was a little different--wither, more intimate. “You are concerned about him.”

Seris turned his head away. “Yes.”

Eryndor nodded. “Then you know why it is necessary. When he completely loses his head he will be hurt. And so will all that surrounds him.”

Seris’s breathing slowed. Now she was conflicted.

Eryndor came still nearer. “You are the only one whom he has full confidence in. The only one who can approach him without resistance.”

Seris immediately tensed. “What do you want me to do?”

Eryndor looked straight into her eyes. “Stop it before it goes any further.”

Silence. Seris did not talk during a few seconds.

Then she spoke in a low voice, “You…you are asking me to kill him.”

Eryndor made no denial. “I am requesting you to save him.”

Seris glared at her hands. “Can this wait… I need to talk to him.”

Eryndor spoke in a toned voice. “Wait, and the curse will decide that, and it will not be kind.”

Seris stood still. Eryndor added one more pressure.“ I am his father. I am telling you what must be done.

That was the line that changed it all. Seris looked up slowly. Her face was trembling, though her faith in Eryndor remained.If. if you are sure, I said, said she.

“If… if you’re certain,” she said quietly.

Eryndor nodded once. “I am.”

Seris shut her eyes a moment.

She had a different expression when she opened them again. Not calm—but decided.

“I will do,” said Seris.

Eryndor nodded a little, approvingly. “For his sake.”

Seris didn’t respond. She turned away.

Later That Evening

Caelion Vireth boldly entered the gates of the palace.

He was at the closed border earlier than expected to be. His body was still unstable, which was the result of the curse break, but he persevered. Something important he had to report.

Something he must tell them.

The whispers which he had heard. The splits in his body. The memories which were not his. He did not know how--but he thought the council would. and he thought they would assist him. He stopped as he entered the main residence hall.

Caelion stepped inside.

“Hello?” he called out.

No answer. He frowned slightly. “Father?”

Still nothing.

Then footsteps.

Multiple.

Out of the upper stairs. Caelion looked up.

And stopped. Eryndor Vale, his face unreadable, was at the peak. On his side were a few of the gods of the lower council, with their armor on.

And before their faces.

Seris Alune. His lover.

She had her sword in her hand.

Caelion blinked once. “What is going on?”

No one answered immediately.

Caelion gazed between them. “This is some sort of inspection?”

Silence.

His face lightened a little. “Were there any happenings in my absence?”

Still no answer. Seris took a step forward. She had a tight hold on the sword.

The eyes of Caelion turned to her.“Seris. why are you armed?” “Seris… why are you armed?”

Seris hesitated. Caelion smiled a little, somewhat perplexed. “Supposing this is concerning the curse break, I can tell you all. It’s—”

Seris cut him off.

“This must be done,” she said.

The smile of Caelion dimmed. “Done? Done what?”

Seris trembled a little, and went on. “We must put a stop to it before it is too late.”

Caelion frowned. “Stop what?”

No one answered. He stared at Eryndor. “Father?”

Eryndor said nothing. It was that silence that struck more than anything.

Caelion turned and looked at Seris. “What are you talking about? Just tell me.”

The hands of Seris clenched round the sword.

“I can’t,” she said.

Caelion made a little step forward. “I am not your foe, Seris.”

Seris flinched slightly

Caelion noticed it. “Hey. look at me. What ever it is that happens, we can straighten it out. Just tell me what is happening. “Hey… look at me. Whatever you think is happening, we can fix it. Just tell me what’s going on.”

The breathing of Seris came in short gasps.

Eryndor finally spoke. “Seris.”

One word was sufficient. Seris moved. Fast. Caelion didn’t react in time. He didn’t raise a hand. Didn’t summon defense. Didn’t step back.

He just stood there. His chest was pierced with the blade. The room froze. Caelion opened his eyes a little--not in anger. In confusion. Seris stood paralysed as well, and knew she had done it. Her voice broke. “I’m sorry.”

Caelion gazed at the blade. Then back at her. His voice was low. Unsteady.

“Why? Why do you call it mercy..,” he said to her, “but it feel as though it were betrayal?”