ROOTS OF RUIN

  Chapter 4

  Back in the hallway, Aria’s eyes fluttered open and she sunk back against the wall. The little mouse bobbed up and down, snatched up the last bit of crumb and hopped and scampered back down the corridor.

  Aria had just gained her feet, and the mouse had just disappeared into its nook in the wall, when Archmage Merris swept into the hallway.

  “Princess,” she said. Her lips neither smiled, nor frowned, they maintained that famous neutral line that gave away nothing. Her pale eyes studied Aria over the ends of her beak-like nose. “I see that you have been practicing Whisper of the Smallkin.”

  “Archmage Merris,” said Aria, offering a slight curtsy, “I didn’t hear you approach.”

  “Not surprising,” said Merris, “considering your focus on what the council had to say behind closed doors.”

  Aria’s mouth dropped open.

  “But, I-“

  “Oh, close your mouth, child,” said Merris. “You look like a fish sucking for air. What? You think I wouldn’t have detected the use of magic inside a council chamber I warded myself?”

  Aria had not considered that, but she was not about to tell Merris.

  “So,” said Merris, interlacing her fingers in front of her, “you intend to disobey your father and risk your life on a fool’s errand, do you? Into the wild and for what? Elandril, I suppose. Love is a strong factor, indeed.”

  Aria crossed her arms tightly.

  “Elandril? Love? What….I…..” she sputtered.

  Merris merely nodded. “Oh, stop it. I’ve known you since your mother birthed you. I can see the determination and stubbornness in your eyes, gods and gardens, I’ve seen the same on your mother more times than I can count, and yes, love. You love the boy, whether you care to admit it or not. You practically float across the ground when you see him. But you have good taste. He’s a handsome lad, and smart. Talented too. I’ve read some of his poetry.”

  Aria snapped her mouth shut so hard her teeth rattled. The nerve of this woman, Archmage or not.

  “Good,” said Merris, “you’re angry. You’ll need a fire in your belly if you’re to survive the Wild.”

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  “You don’t intend to stop me?” Aria asked, relaxing slightly.

  “Stop you?” Merris shook her head. “I’d have to root your feet to the ground to do that. No, Aria, I don’t intend to stop you. Nor will I tell your parents. It will be our secret.”

  Aria narrowed her eyes. What was Merris up to?

  “But why?”

  “Because, we need answers,” said Merris. “King Thalon has decreed that no moves will be made until we have more answers. So, in a way, you are serving that command. Since you are dead set on going anyway, I have decided to support you and to help make sure you return, alive.”

  “Oh,” said Aria. That was the best she had. She had expected a berating, or to be hauled before her mother. Anything but this.

  Merris reached into a small pouch she wore on her hip and drew forth a small, multifaceted crystal embedded in an elegant silver brooch, shaped like a thorned spiral.

  “The Eye of Veyndral,” she said, holding it up. Light from the corridor windows danced across it, reflecting from the many angles. It was stunning. “This was not meant for you. But it listens, sometimes, to those it finds…curious. If the wilds mean to swallow you, Aria, at least see them coming.”

  She held the Eye of Veyndral out. Aria reached out and gently took it.

  “What does it do?” she asked, eyes fixed on the crystal.

  Merris toyed with another rune sewn into her robes.

  “It has a few properties,” she said. “You can activate it once a day to scout for you. You will see through its eyes, much like you did with that mouse. It will also act as a beacon, should you find yourself in grave danger, calling your allies to your aide. And finally, when activated near corrupted Verdant growth, it will reveal hidden glyphs, runes, or signs tied to the old ways; ancient druidic wards and forgotten pathways. It was once used by Radiant Path scouts before the wild overran everything. And now it will be used by you.”

  Aria closed her hand around the Eye.

  “I don’t know what to say,” she said.

  “Say you will keep your wits about you, that you will return with answers, and, most importantly, you will return alive and unharmed,” said Merris.

  Aria nodded.

  “I will,” she said. “All of those things.”

  “Good,” said Merris. “I would feel terrible if you go off and get yourself killed and I had knowingly aided in your untimely demise.”

  “You? Feel?” Aria said, without thinking. She clapped her hand to her mouth.

  “Contrary to popular belief, I do have emotions,” said Merris. “I just choose not to wear them on my sleeve. Now, there is one more thing.”

  Aria slipped the crystal pendant into her own pouch.

  “I’m listening.”

  “You cannot go alone,” said Merris. “It would be quite unwise. Seek out a man named Kaelen. Kaelen Draeven. He’s a ranger, formerly of the Emberforged Legion. Despite apperances and initial impressions, he’s trustworthy, reliable, and quite capable. He’s likely to be found in The Boar and Briar most evenings … and afternoons … and occasional mornings.”

  “You want me to enlist the aid of a drunkard?” Aria asked.

  “Do not judge a berry by its color, child,” said Merris. “The most vibrant of them are often poisonous and those you might dismiss the most satiating. Is Kaelen troubled? Yes. Haunted? Yes? A drunkard? No. He will help you find your way through the wild. Just tell him you come on my behalf.”

  Aria smiled. “I’m sorry,” she said.

  Merris offered a rare smile in return.

  “Do not be sorry, princess,” she said. “Be successful.”

  Archmage Merris turned, and strode back towards the main hall.

  “And don’t dilly dally, child,” she called, over her shoulder. “This very evening should do.”

  Aria slumped back against the wall stones and grinned.

  “Tonight it is,” she said.