Vigilant — The Weight of a Torch — Part Three

Deep in the archives, far below the streets of Yed’ol, Kaia poured over an antique journal. Its pages were yellowed with age, the ink beginning to fade. She sat at a desk, old leather-bound volumes piled high on both her flanks. The only illumination, a large five-wicked candle, burning steadily. She quickly flipped through pages, spending no more than a few seconds on each one, her silver eyes darting across the words written therein.

“There.” Gregory’s raspy voice spoke inside Kaia’s mind. “That’s what we’re looking for.”

Kaia stopped, and ran her fingers over a diagram, covered in arcane symbols and scrawled formulae. In the center of the page was a crude drawing of a torch, the symbols for each of the eight formulae of dust all present.

“Finally. I was starting to think the Conclave actually had sealed away all record of torch research.” Kaia replied, mentally.

“Fortunate for us, they didn’t think to look for personal journals.”

“And Yed’ol is less thorough than Senrienne or Ordalle.”

She glimpsed around the room, ensuring she was alone, then tucked the book into her pack, sliding it into a hidden compartment at the bottom lest she be searched leaving the archives. She spent some more time thumbing through other volumes, noting the occasional light of the archivists moving through the darkened chambers. They kept a respectful distance, but it was clear that they were keeping an eye on her. She’d only been granted special access on account of her status as a Vigilant—one who had once borne a torch.

That, and the aid of an influential merchant.

Once Kaia was sure her theft would go unnoticed long enough for her to escape, she gathered her supplies, and began the lengthy walk back to the entrance. The archives were massive, with large reading sections situated between rows of mazelike shelves. Centuries of knowledge all dutifully preserved and copied in utter darkness.

“Remind you of somewhere, Kaia?” Gregory asked.

“I suppose it’s like the place we met. Though your tomb had decidedly fewer books in it, and a lot more Others.”

“Sir Kedrin wasn’t much of a reader, it’d have been strange to entomb him with books.”

Kaia smirked and retraced the path the head archivist had shown her the day before. As she approached the sentry guarding the exit, she let out an exaggerated yawn and stretched her arms above her head. Her raven hair was disheveled, her skin pallid. The look of one who’d spent all night entrenched in her research. The young guard, dressed in dull gray robes atop some sort of bulky armor motioned for Kaia to place her pack on a small table next to them. Their angular features gave Kaia the impression of some kind of carrion bird, reinforced by their total lack of hair.

Kaia nodded, rubbed her eyes and did as they bid. “You know, a checkout system might be more manageable than searching every visitor that comes down here.”

The guard rummaged through her belongings, jostling the few items she’d intentionally left within easy reach. “We don’t get many visitors, Vigilant. This is simply to ensure nothing goes missing, as I’m sure your sponsor informed you. I see you didn’t eat very many of your snacks.”

“Well you don’t have a washroom down here, and I was so enraptured by my research that I didn’t want to waste a moment going all the way back to the surface. I was only granted limited time, as you know.”

They grunted in response and handed back Kaia’s open pack, turning around to push open the ancient wooden door behind them. “Everything seems to be in order. I hope you found what you were looking for.”

“Thank you! By the way, since you mentioned it, I am famished and all the places I’ve been recommended are far too fancy for me. Can you recommend a tavern or ale house off the beaten path? Somewhere my celebrity would go unnoticed?”

The guard raised an eyebrow and shrugged. “You can try the Saltwind district. It’s where the laborers go after shift. Or so I’m told.”

Kaia grinned and stepped through the door and onto the wooden lift behind it, which ascended slowly with a distinctly mechanical creak.

* * *

Ivie pulled her hood over her head, concealing her striking blonde hair underneath it. She shoved open the barely-intact door to a ramshackle tavern and scanned the room before making eye contact with a silver-eyed woman nestled into a booth in the back corner of the room, watching the door. The woman nodded and Ivie strode confidently to the bar.

“Two flagons of Ordalle Dark.” She said to the portly man standing behind the counter, boredom spread plain across his sallow face.

“Sorry, we don’t serve children,” he said, looking down at her.

Ivie clenched her teeth and pulled back her hood just enough so he could see her face. “I am not a child.” She then slammed a silver coin onto the bar, and glared daggers at him.

“Ah, my apologies, miss. You’re just so short... and well, you do resemble my daughter. She’s fourteen this spring. I have been saving up for a nice pair of shoes for her, you see, so…” He forced a cough and glanced down to the silver coin.

Ivie groaned, but put a second coin on the counter and made a small gesture with her hands.

“Coming right up, your ladyship.”

A short while later, Ivie sat down at the table in the back and placed one mug in front of Kaia and kept the other for herself.

“You realize I won’t drink that, right?” Kaia said, head tilted slightly.

“I know. I’m going to drink it after I finish this first one, but you’re going to hold onto it for me until then so you don’t look strange for sitting in a tavern not eating or drinking anything. You should try it though, Ordalle Dark is one of my favorites.”

Kaia shrugged. “Everything that passes my lips tastes like soot, so I don’t think I’ll appreciate it as you do.”

“The benefits outweigh the costs, Kaia.” Gregory said. “Ivie, what have you learned?”

Ivie scrunched her nose, as if she’d just smelled something offensive. “I’m never going to get used to that, am I?”

“I apologize, but something about your physiology—or perhaps your training to become a Synchrony—has enabled me to talk to you directly, and it’s far more efficient than having Kaia relay the message. She has a tendency to omit details.”

Kaia scoffed.

Ivie sighed. “Anyway, I went through the old family documents. While we’re only the third-largest trading company in Yed’ol, we do have the most extensive network of goods. About a year after Nael’s death, we received several unusual orders through intermediaries. Rare ores, alchemical reagents, that sort of thing. But there was another thing that stuck out. An unnamed good procured outside Stability. I wouldn’t have thought anything of it, were it not for the line item for ‘hazard pay.’”

“Hmm. Another Curse like Gregory?” Kaia asked.

“It’s unlikely another was unearthed, Kaia. There are only a few dozen of us, and I would have sensed them by now if they were near.” Gregory said.

“Not only that, but the caravan also included a semidral-lined box.”

“Semidral?” Kaia cocked her head.

“A rare alloy of several resonant metals, knowledge of its existence is tightly guarded as is the technique for forging it. When made into a sealed chamber, it blocks Stability. In sufficient quantities it can even destabilize areas around Wayholds.”

“That sounds dangerous—useful, but dangerous.” Gregory said.

“If it’s a closely-guarded secret, how do you know about it?” Kaia asked.

“Because,” Ivie took in a heavy breath, “my family is the only one in Yed’ol trained and authorized in its safe transport. My father told me about it shortly before he passed.”

Kaia nodded and pulled her pack from beneath the table.

“Anyway,” Ivie emptied her flagon, then swapped it for Kaia’s, “there’s only one thing I can think of that you’d want to transport in a semidral-lined box.”

“An Other.”

“Yes.” Ivie took another swig then wiped her mouth. “Though what kind, I don’t know.”

“Perhaps this will shed some light on the matter.” Kaia withdrew the journal she’d lifted from the archives and slid it across the table. “There are some interesting diagrams in there, but the text that follows is indecipherable to Gregory.”

“It’s a cipher.” Gregory added. “Were it simply in a different language I’d be able to translate it.”

Ivie flipped through the book until she came to the diagram of the torch. She traced her fingers around it and looked up to Kaia, eyes wide. “These look like… research notes.”

Kaia nodded. “In the back of an unmarked personal journal. That’s probably what saved it from revision or containment.”

Ivie closed the book and it disappeared within the folds of her cloak. “I know a cryptographer that we can trust, for enough coin. I’ll get back to you in a few days.”

She took one final pull of her drink and headed for the door. Kaia watched her as she left. A man who had followed Ivie in, rose and trailed after her. Kaia quickly gathered her pack and made for the back door, tossing a coin to the barkeep as she left.

* * *

Moments later, Ivie walked through the empty alley behind the bar. Her stalker trailed quietly behind her. He kept his distance, blending with the dark of night. Ivie continued along, oblivious to his presence.

As she rounded a corner, the man quickened his pace. Kaia emerged from the shadows, materializing from pure darkness andgrabbed him by the shoulder, pinning him to the wall.

“Let’s make this quick.” Kaia hissed. “Why are you following the girl?”

The man’s eyes widened, darting back and forth as he struggled against Kaia’s grip. “Where—where did you come from?”

She dug her fingers into his flesh until there was a loud pop. The man yelped in pain.

“I’d prefer if you answered my question first. Shall I repeat it?”

“I… she,” the man inhaled sharply, “Keeper Reveni told me to watch her. Report back to ’er.”

“Hmm, and what does the keeper want with a former candidate?”

“Don’t know. Didn’t ask. It’s dangerous to ask.”

“Dangerous? More dangerous than the situation you have found yourself in?”

The man shuddered and whimpered. “Yes, ma’am. They keep it a secret, but I’ve heard. Oh, I’ve heard. People go missing. They take them deep underground. Never seen or heard from again.”

“I see. Troubling. What have you told the Keeper?”

“Nothing! I’ve not been back to report yet. Let me go, and I’ll tell her I ain’t seen nothing, I swear it. Oh, by the grounds below I swear it.”

Kaia leaned close to the man and stared deep into his terrified eyes. “It’s alright. I believe you. What’s your name?”

“It’s Willem.”

“I’ve noted his name, Kaia. Why do you insist on doing this every time?” Gregory asked.

“We will remember every name, so that we never forget the cost, Gregory.” Kaia said aloud. “Thank you, Willem. I am truly sorry, but I am very hungry, and you have seen far too much.”

The shadows enveloped Willem, muffling screams welling up within. Seconds later, he fell silent.

* * *

The barkeep found the body the next morning. His skin was pulled taut against the bone. Dried and desiccated, as if the corpse had been cured like smoked meat. His eyes were missing, and a deep black stain ran from each of his orifices, as if his brain had turned to ink and flowed out of whatever exit they could. The barkeep had reported it to the constabulary, and not long after a short man with short gray hair and a neatly trimmed goatee, dressed in red-and-white livery arrived to investigate the scene.

This was just one in a series of bizarre murders that had plagued the city for months now. Constable Remis had been assigned to each one.

They had some commonalities: usually the victim was a criminal. In one instance, a burglar was killed mere feet from the site of his crime, his stolen goods sitting on the ground next to him. But this one broke the pattern—this man was just an impoverished courier. Perhaps he’d surprised the killer, or he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

A much taller man appeared from behind Remis, dressed in the same livery. “Constable. Need any help?”

“Ah, Lucian. Yes, if you would, prepare the body for transport. Do take care of the left shoulder, it would appear that the clavicle has been shattered.”

“Understood, sir.”

It was always Remis and Lucian that dutifully recorded every aspect of the scene, and transported the corpse back to headquarters. As usual, Remis filed his report. Logged the evidence. Took note of yet another uncanny murder on his streets.

But every one of these crimes has fallen through the cracks; the reports lost, evidence missing. This case would be no different, for when Remis went to check on the body the following day, it was gone. Removed from the vault. No record of anyone coming or going. Or so the vault warden claimed.

Someone didn’t want word getting out, and well, it was dangerous to ask too many questions. He didn’t blame the warden for that.

But danger had never stopped Remis before. And so, another murder went unsolved.

For now.

* * *

A week later, Kaia found herself standing in front of a large manor, a gilded crest hanging above the massive doors featuring a wagon being pulled by an impossibly large ramlet. Below the scene were the words “Ere We Toil, Lest Ye Fall.”

Kaia ascended the small staircase to the landing, the doors opening as she drew near.

A woman in a finely tailored suit stood in the center of the threshold and called: “Announcing Vigilant Kaia, our most honored guest. You are expected.”

Ivie poked her head around the corner from a side corridor and locked eyes with Kaia. “Too much? Velstrie very much loves tradition, and I love when she gets to honor it.”

Velstrie remained silent, eyes facing forward, doing her best to not look at Kaia directly. Unfortunately, her attempt at a stoic expression couldn’t mask the disappointment at Ivie’s disregard for decorum. “Please come in, my mistress will retrieve you from the sitting room.”

“You’d better go sit down, I’ll come get you in a few minutes.” Ivie winked, and disappeared back into the hallway.

Kaia did as she was instructed, and followed Velstrie into a side chamber where a small tray of tea and misshapen confections were awaiting her. Velstrie motioned for her to sit and then left the room, closing the door behind her. Kaia waited a few moments, until she could no longer hear Velstrie’s footfalls. She pocketed a few of the snacks and poured some of her tea into a nearby plant.

A quarter-hour passed before Ivie and Velstrie arrived. Ivie looked down at the now disheveled snack tray and gave Kaia a sly grin and said: “Well, honored guest, if you’d please follow me.”

Ivie led Kaia down a series of hallways, all decorated with various paintings and portraits. Scenes depicted each of the five cities, abutting lifelike renditions of people from all over Vedrae.

They came to a stately office complete with large mahogany desk. Floor-to-ceiling bookcases lining the walls, overflowing with books arranged haphazardly. Above the mantle hung an absolutely massive portrait of Ivie in an elaborate black gown, staring off into the distance, her hands outstretched in front of her as if offering something to an unseen party. Flanking that portrait were two smaller ones; an older woman with the selfsame blond hair as Ivie, and a gaunt man with short black hair holding a lit torch, crafted to resemble two intertwined snakes coiling around a handle.

Ivie took a seat behind the desk and offered an empty chair on the opposite side to Kaia. Velstrie curtsied and turned to leave , closing the broad double doors behind her.

“So, were you able to decipher it?” Kaia asked, settling into her seat.

“Yes and no. My cryptographer contact was able to break the code, but several sections of the journal listed items he’d never heard of. I cross-referenced the list he gave me with family records. No luck. But, we were able to confirm that the section you found were notes on the construction of a Torch. One of the key ingredients is an Other... something called an Eftelwert.”

“Finally, I thought this would take another decade, at least.” Gregory said.

“Well, lucky for you I’m remarkably resourceful.” Ivie beamed. “I’m smiling real big, Gregory.”

“I can see what Kaia sees, Ivie. You don’t need to narrate what you’re doing.”

“Well, anyway, we did learn something else. It takes years to construct a torch, and given they probably didn’t start until they picked up the Eftelwert, they are likely finishing construction right about now.”

“I knew torches were difficult to make, the Keeper made sure to impress that on all candidates, but I didn’t realize it would potentially put a city out of commission for years,” Kaia said, her eyes drifting to the painting of the man with the torch.

“Yes, which makes it even more baffling that they would risk selecting Nael over someone better equipped, parental objections aside.” Ivie said, her voice forlorn.

“What do you mean?”

Ivie sighed, rising to face the painting behind her. “Nael was like a brother to me. We shared a room for nearly four years and he always—always—encouraged me throughout our training. He picked me up when I fell, made me laugh when I was sad. I should have done something, anything. I should have forced them pick me instead...” she clenched her fists, sucking in a sharp breath. “Nael had a heart condition, something he was born with. At its worst, he’d collapse and have to be carried back to our room. The Keeper had witnessed it many times.”

“Shouldn’t that have disqualified him as a candidate? Can’t have a Synchrony collapsing mid-journey.”

“Normally, yes. But that year there were only four other sufficient candidates . The lowest number in decades. And the rest of us were connected to influential families. I was the only child of our trading syndicate’s leader, set to inherit his position. Another, the scion of a long line of councilors. And so on, you see?”

“Why does that matter?”

“Were you aware that no Synchrony, besides yourself, has lived longer than five years after their journey? Most die within two years of some illness or another. Some simply fall asleep one night and never wake up.”

“All candidates are told the torch takes a significant toll on the body,” Kaia responded, “but no, I didn’t realize it was that serious until I met Gregory.”

“I spotted the life-draining effect of the torch immediately.” Gregory chimed in, pleased with himself.

“Well, it’s a bit of an open secret among the well connected that bearing the Torch is a death sentence, so influential families call in whatever favors they can to ensure their children are selected to train—a high honor—but are not selected as Synchrony.”

“So they picked the only candidate who had no one to object for him?” Kaia said.

“Yes. They sent him on the journey, knowing full well he might not make the entire circuit. They knew his condition could kill him before he was finished. They risked the safety of all Vedrae to protect a handful of spoiled children...” her eyes glittered in the flickering light of the hearth. “Spoiled children... like me.”

Ivie cleared her throat, dabbed her eyes with a kerchief. “The Wayholder who reported Nael’s death claimed he had an episode while fleeing a Shift. He wasn’t able to get away in time, but he’d saved her using Kinetic Dust. Someone healthier would likely have made it out.”

She clenched her fists for a moment and finally continued, her voice firm. “It should have been me.”

“Or you might have been swallowed by the ground instead.” Gregory noted. “But you are here now, helping us. Because you wish to avenge your friend? See those that wronged him punished?”

“So that no one else has to go through that again.”

“An honorable answer, Ivie. A true answer. Refreshing.”

Kaia rolled her eyes but saw Ivie’s expression bore no irony. Her hazel eyes were focused and determined, her hands pressed firmly on the desk.

Kaia smiled.

“I’m glad you’re with us, Ivie. Now we should discuss why Keeper Reveni is having you followed.”

* * *

Days later, Kaia stood before the great marble doors of the Yed’ol Grand Hall. She looked over the scores of names carved into the door. She recognized none of them.

“I never thought about it before, but it’s odd how quickly we forget those who come before, isn’t it?” Kaia thought, so only Gregory could hear. “I can name several of the Senrienne synchrony from the past, but I learned very little of those from other cities. I see the names, immortalized here, but I know nothing of their lives before they walked the road, and nothing of their lives after.”

“Worried you’ll be forgotten?”

Kaia huffed and scanned to the end of the list. “There’s a name missing.”

“Nael.” Gregory replied.

“No reward for failure, I see. Bastards.”

The doors lurched suddenly and then creaked to a slow halt. An adolescent boy dressed in a simple gold-trimmed robe stood in the doorway. His hair had been cut short with a stylized spiral shaved into one side of his head, the rest of his face devoid of hair.

He bowed. “Vigilant Kaia, Keeper Reveni will see you now. We are honored by your presence.”

The boy turned and led Kaia through the massive hall towards the figure standing at the very end between three chairs. The hall was lined with wide marble columns, each etched with a depiction of a different waystop.

As Kaia approached, the figure placed her hand, palm out, in front of her eyes and then pulled it down past her mouth. She was easily a head taller than Kaia, her face chiseled with sharp cheek bones and a narrow jaw. Her tawny skin contrasted against her white robe with crimson trim, embroidered with rubies that sparkled in scant sunlight seeping through narrow openings in the ceiling.

“Keeper Reveni, it is my honor to meet you.” Kaia said, looking up to her.

“The honor is all mine, Vigilant Kaia. It is rare that we receive a Vigilant, let alone one from another city. This is a special treat.” She smiled broadly and bowed slightly. “Shall we sit? Would you like a refreshment?”

“Yes, let’s sit—and no thank you, I’m not thirsty.” Kaia sat on one of the three chairs and awkwardly turned to face Reveni as she took her own place, her posture dripping with practiced manners, hands folded across her lap. The boy hovered awkwardly for a few more moments before Reveni dismissed him with a graceful hand wave.

When they were alone in the massive hall, the Keeper asked: “So, what brings you here, Vigilant?”

“I’m progressing towards an... academic exercise, Keeper. I encountered something strange past Stability when I was making my circuit as Synchrony, and I’ve been working to unravel its secrets ever since.” Kaia smiled. “So I’ve come to Ye’dol to consult your archives, searching for evidence of other correlates that may have appeared in the historical record.”

“Oh? Access to the archives? I’m envious, I’ve only ever been down there once.”

“Oh yes, gaining permission to enter was no small task. Apparently, all that goes in or out are the Archivists or the Council themselves.”

Reveni chuckled. “That’s right. This may be rude of me to ask, but how exactly did you get approval?”

“I think you know, Keeper. My friend, Ivie Mercat, called in a few favors with the Archivists. Turns out she was close to one of them. Whose name, I note, is missing from its place of honor on the door.” Kaia’s smiled deepened, her lips taut.

Keeper Reveni shifted in her seat, and glanced around the room, her eyes darting back to one of the columns directly behind Kaia. “Oh, how lovely that you have a friend with that kind of influence. As for Synchrony Nael, it was my predecessor’s decision to leave his name off of the door, something I objected to. Unfortunately, he was a stubborn man and felt that Nael had failed Stability.”

“Kaia, I think someone is listening. Something feels off.” Gregory said in her mind.

“Well I happen to agree, Reveni. Allowing his name to disappear is an insult to his sacrifice. I wonder, will they remember your name once you’re gone? You’ve not deployed a Synchrony during your tenure. I was shocked to learn that the ‘tradition’ of excluding a city from the rotation for 8 years after the loss of a Synchrony isn’t actually a tradition.”

Reveni’s eyes widened.

“Imagine my surprise when I realized the delays were caused by the lack of a new Torch. The one you sent with Nael was the only one you had, and when he fell, the Torch was lost. So you scrambled to make a new one.”

“How did you figure it out?”

“Mostly conjecture; Thank you for the confirmation, Keeper.”

Reveni clenched her teeth.

Kaia continued, “Oh, don’t worry, I’ll be dead in a few months, and you won’t have to worry about what I’ve learned. I’ll waste away to nothing, just like my sister Jadi. Did you know she choked on her own lungs? Blood poured from her mouth as she uttered her final words. It was horrific.”

“Why are you here, Vigilant? Why request an audience and spill secrets to me? What do you hope to accomplish?”

“It’s as I said, Keeper, I’m seeking truths and every rock I turn over uncovers only more secrets. I won’t stop until I’ve determined why the cities treat Synchrony like honored sacrifices, names to be written on a wall—but not people worth remembering.”Kaia raised her voice so that whomever hid behind the pillar heard. “I would very much like allies in that endeavor, and I had hoped you would be one.”

Reveni sat silent for a few moments before quietly asking “…and the alternative?”

“You are an obstacle, at best. An enemy, at worst. In neither case will you stand in my way.”

Reveni swallowed and nodded. “I see, thank you for your candor. I will consider your words.”

“Kaia, I heard footfalls. I believe our eavesdropper has left.” Gregory noted.

Kaia smiled again and rose. “Good. And please don’t send anyone else after Ivie, I cannot be responsible for their safety.”

She turned and marched back down the hall, leaving Reveni stunned. As Kaia passed through the marbled doors, she ran her fingers along the carved names and smiled once more and descended the steps, disappearing back into the city.

* * *

Kaia sat in a small, barren room furnished only with a small bed, footlocker, and a table with two chairs by way of accommodation. There was a single window looking out into the narrow street, another building just across the way taking up the entire view. Spread out in front of her on the bed was a series of papers and the journal she’d liberated from the archives.

“I wish you’d accepted Ivie’s offer to stay at the manor, this room is depressing.” Gregory said, his voice a soft whisper.

“No, I’ve shaken the stingfly nest. I’m sure whoever was listening in the other day will retaliate, somehow. It’s best if Ivie is nowhere near that.”

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

“Enter!” Kaia called out.

The door inched ajar and a tavern server peeked in his head, a boy, no older than fifteen. He smiled and Kaia waved him in. Nudging the door the rest of the way open with one foot, he balanced on the other carrying a tray adorned with a carafe, cups, and a plate of biscuits.

“Sorry to disturb you ma’am, but we thought you might enjoy some complimentary refreshment. House specialty.” He ambled over to the table and gingerly set the tray atop it.

He turned and beamed at Kaia, who sat cross-legged on the bed, bare-footed, her raven hair pinned up in a messy bun, and paper disaster sprawled in front of her..

“Ma’am? Dad says you’re the most distinguished guest we’ve ever had. Is… is that true?”

Kaia grinned. “Well I can’t speak to your other guests, but I am a Vigilant.” She paused, noting the boy’s confusion. “Former Synchrony. My journey was nearly five years ago. You may have seen the parade when I came through last time.”

“Oh! No. Sorry Ma’am. Only festival I saw was when I was real little.”

Kaia frowned.

“Okay, I gotta get back to work. Let us know if you need anything!” The boy scurried out of the room, closing the door behind him.

“Hmm, odd. The Innkeeper shouldn’t have recognized you.” Gregory mused.

“You’re right, either the Keeper or her special guest must have tipped him off. So that,” she motioned towards the snacks on the table, “must be our trap.”

Kaia got up and walked over to the table and sat next to the treats. The carafe was filled with tea. The biscuits were cream-colored balls of dense flower, small flakes of purple speckled throughout.

She faced her chair so she was clearly visible from the window and poured herself a cup of the tea, small wafts of steam greeted her as the dark caramel liquid poured out. She inhaled deeply, though she could smell nothing, and made a look of satisfaction before taking a long sip. It tasted like ash and charcoal, but she forced herself to appear as if she relished it, then did the same with a biscuit.

Kaia took her time finishing the tea, ate another biscuit, and then slumped over, knocking the rest of the carafe over and spilling tea all over the table and floor.

Fifteen minutes later Kaia heard heavy footfalls and the door opened..

A rough hand grabbed Kaia’s wrist, raised it a few inches, then dropped it. “She’s out cold.” A gravely voice said.

Two people hoisted Kaia by the feet and under her armpits and began to carry her out of her room, then out of the building.

“Well, at least they don’t know that you can’t be poisoned.” Gregory said.

“Let’s hope they’re unaware of our other powers, then.”

They loaded her into a carriage and she was carried mere minutes away. Then, they carried her to a lift that descended deep underground, much like the one she’d used to visit the Archives a week before. Then, after more trudging through winding corridors, she was roughly placed in a chair. A pair of manacles was shackled on her wrists.

A man in front of Kaia spoke in a deep baritone. “Did she resist?”

The gravely one said: “No, we found her like that. Been out cold the entire trip. Spilled her snacks all over the floor. You didn’t mention we’d have to carry her like a log.”

“My apologies, gentlemen. I’ll see that you’re compensated.”

“Seems you were wrong about the poison.” Gregory said to Kaia.

The new man stepped forward, and hovered a cloth doused with aromatic oil in front of her nose.

Kaia jolted upright and looked around the room. It was dark, illuminated only by a few five-wicked candles set on a table behind the man before her. He was tall; his dark skin and black clothing making him look like a deep shadow in the dim light.

“Vigilant Kaia. I’m deeply sorry for the confusion, but I needed to ensure we could speak freely with each other. Unfortunately my associates found you unconscious, and carried you here.” The man’s expression was kind, concerned. He held his arms out beside him before dropping them back to his sides. “Would you like some water?”

She tugged at her arms, making a show of being restrained. “Your hospitality seems to be a bit lacking, so I think I’ll pass on that. Are restraints truly necessary?”

“We’ve received some disturbing reports about what you might be capable of; it’s merely a precaution until I’ve had the chance to convince you we’re on the same side. For my own safety.”

“So, you were the eavesdropper.” Kaia looked him up and down. “Who exactly are you?”

“My name is Geneses. I am one of the Five.”

“The Five what?”

“Simply the Five. One for each of the Cities. We are the pillars that hold up order. The core of Stability. At least, that’s what my colleagues would have us believe. In truth, we simply hold the secret of creating torches, and the process by which the Synchrony enforce Stability.”

“So, why have I never heard of you?” Kaia narrowed her eyes.

“We keep to the shadows, ensuring that order is maintained.”

“What about the city councils, or the royal family of Ordalle?”

“They manage the mundane needs of the cities. We maintain the order and ensure Stability holds around them and the road. It takes more work than you might expect. Synchrony are only one of the tools we use to keep everyone safe and secure..”

“Why keep this secret?”

“Tell me Kaia, what do you think maintaining Stability entails? I’m sure you’ve teased out some of it. How the torches interact with the Wayholds. Or how the journey takes an incredible toll on the Synchrony’s body. That only a few are compatible with the torch in the first place; most who even touch decay and perish within a few days.”

“You’re right, I had worked most of that out. I have also uncovered a key component for making torches. Others.”

Geneses smiled. “You are well-informed. Excellent. But you’ve merely scratched the surface. Do you think the people are prepared to learn the true cost of their safety? Are you? Are you ready to know all that we sacrifice?”

“You’re only telling me this because I’ll soon perish, too. Just as all the other Sychrony have.”

“Come now, Kaia, do you think I would go to the trouble of abducting you if I were ignorant of your... unique qualities? You’ve shown no signs of degradation, and we’ve been monitoring you for some time. You’re special. Whatever you found outside of Stability is protecting you, isn’t it?”

Kaia’s face remained impassive.

“It also, apparently, enables you to commit the most peculiar of murders, leaving behind corpses that look suspiciously like torch exposure.” Geneses paused, judging Kaia’s reaction. “Worry not—poor Willem died in a tragic accident on his way home from work—no one will connect it back to you.”

This time, Kaia was unable to hide her surprise. Her eyes darted around the darkness, and she twisted her wrists, ready to break free at any moment.

“Oh. So you’ll let me go, and we’ll call that even, I presume?” Kaia said flatly, tensing her legs.

“As I said, I want to work with you, not against you. The other four are content to sit in their cities, maintaining their positions and the status quo. I would rather extend stability—not just cowering behind our walls, barely holding Stability together. Burning through a Synchrony every year. There’s a better way, and you are the key, Kaia. The longest lived Vigilant in history.”

Geneses picked up one of the candles from the desk behind him, looked past Kaia and called out into the darkness. “Bring it.”

Moments later, Reveni stepped from the darkness carrying a polished ebony box. She moved to stand next to Geneses and held the box forward, slowly opening the lid. Inside was a torch, forged of dull-green metal, and carved to look as if three snakes had been entwined around it, their faces pointing inwards towards the bowl.

Kaia’s eyes widened, watching the dim light of the candle’s five wicks dance shadows across the torch’s surface. She relaxed muscles and leaned forward to look at it more closely. “You’ve finished the replacement.”

“This I offer to you, Kaia, if you agree to help me. If I’m right about you, you’re the only one who is capable of reuniting Verdrae.”

“I like him. He’s ambitious.” Gregory said.

Geneses wrinkled his nose, and then grinned widely. “Thank you for the compliment, spirit.”

“Oh.”

“Also, to clarify, I didn’t have anyone tamper with your refreshments. That would be pointless, given that you don’t actually eat.” He offered a wry smile.

Kaia scowled.

Geneses motioned with his hand, depressing a small silver disk he had concealed within his palm, and the manacles holding Kaia abruptly released. They fell to the ground, clanging against the stone floor. As she rose, Reveni startled and started to back up, before Geneses put a hand on her back.

“Be calm, Keeper, we are all now allies in this grand endeavor, aren’t we, Kaia?”

Kaia approached Reveni, keeping eye contact with her as she reached into the box and retrieved the torch. She felt a familiar tug as the torch connected with her essence, and began to slowly siphon it.

She raised it above her and focused her will on it.The torch ignited, illuminating the large chamber, the endless shelves of the Archives now visible off in the distance.

“Yes, I suppose that we are. Now, tell me everything.”

About the Author:

Alex Ward is a Writer and Tabletop RPG Designer based in Portland, Oregon. When he's not writing weird horror fiction and surreal games you can find him discussing the finer points of tech and tabletop, usually with copious amounts of coffee in hand.