Heirs of Hyarch

Chapter 137: Student Exchange Plan

The two of them were definitely hiding something.

If Nela were to believe it, Ronny and Edeline had separately been awoken by the noise of the people entering the inn to locate those swords. Ronny going alone was possible, but Edeline was the deepest sleeper of all of them. Anything that woke her should've had them all up and running to see who it was.

Then the pair had supposedly quietly gone downstairs together, without waking any of them, and managed to keep the men from searching the full inn? You might as well offer Nela the kingdom's crown, because that would be more likely. There was only one actual answer. Ronny and Edeline had already been awake when it happened.

She tried to recall what Ronny had said over the last few days. Mostly things about their business in Melyn, some remarks about the arguing between Jylania and Sedat...it better had not be that. No, it couldn't be. Ronny would've said so openly. Besides that...that one farmer...that conversation where he asked about...

...the Second Ascension.

Of all the shit for him to try to pull. Nela almost shouted at him right then, but held herself back. She knew just why Ronny wanted to do it. The frustrating part was that she would've helped him if he asked, but clearly it was supposed to be a surprise for her. Fine, she could let him have this. She could stand to pretend to be surprised, at least immediately after. As long as it didn't get in the way of anything else...although, with how last night went, it had accidentally helped.

"Is something wrong?" Ronny spoke up.

"Just thinking about things." It was true enough. "Do you think the elf elders know anything about Syrkonel?."

"Hard to say. They could have lost nearly all their influence," Hamond said, "It could come down to how the knights and the lord's men have treated the Elefae here."

"Whatever side the elders are on is not our worry right now," Edeline shot a sharp look at Ronny, "We can talk about this later. We need to go find a tailor."

The two had cleaned themselves up as best they could, but their travel-stained outfits could only be helped so much. Nela had to wonder though if looking a little ragged might give more weight to their story. They were going to be asking for help, not sitting down to a fancy dinner. Not that Edeline would say no to that dinner, but that wasn't about to happen.

"Maybe speaking to those elders first isn't the worst idea," Hamond said, "Either that or try to find someone who knows their way around Melyn better than I do."

"It is hardly your fault you did not need new clothes when you were here before," Edeline stated.

"Sure we don't want to go plunder the bedrooms here for some?" Nela quietly added. Sure, it was stealing from people who were likely dead, but Zerendel wouldn't object, and no one else was around who could. They still hadn't told him yet, a talk she was sure none of them wanted to give. Yet there was no sense in letting the wounds of that day fester, and not just on the boy's foot.

"Believe me, I have already looked," Edeline answered, "The tunics and dresses are too small for me. They might fit you, if loosely, but then you'd get recognized as...we never asked for their names, did we?"

"I can find that out later today," Nela said, reminding herself to do that first before revealing their opinion on the fate of the innkeeper and his family to Zerendel.

Not that Nela would have much else to see to today. Zerendel wouldn't need that much attention with the spells cast, and Jylania could handle most of the boy's needs. Now that she thought about it...it would be the first such day she'd had in a long time. A day where she didn't have anything important to do, or anywhere to go.

What was she going to even do?

"If there's nothing else, then we're leaving," Ronny said, "We'll try to come back around midday if we can. May the grace and glory of the Fae go with you."

Nela waited a while after the two were out the door, then turned to Hamond. "That sure was something."

"Sorry, what?" Hamond hadn't been paying attention.

Nela almost dropped the matter then and there, but no, she couldn't just let it go that easily. "Those two..." she grumbled, "Tell me I'm not the only one who thinks they're planning something."

"You think they made a secret agreement with Syrkonel?" Hamond asked.

Nela realized, far too late, just where Hamond's thoughts were. "No, I...I just meant that...never mind."

"Good, because I have no idea why they would." Hamond shook his head. "Or where you even got that idea."

"You're the one who said it! I was thinking of something else completely!" Hamond was really distracted here, leaving Nela to hope it wasn't due to him being overtaken by fear again.

"Oh. I was just wondering about the swords, so I assumed it had something to do with that." Hamond sighed. "I'd like to have figured out an answer to what to do about Syrkonel before they return. Anyway, what were you talking about?"

"First tell me something," Nela said, deciding this was a good place to start. "Did Ronny ask you lately about magic or spells?"

"Nothing directly, although he did ask how I was going about teaching...I see." Hamond chuckled. "He wants to learn spellcraft."

"It's not funny. I don't want him thinking he needs that shit to prove himself worthy or be useful...or...you know. Most people don't."

"Most people aren't dealing with what we face," Hamond said, "And if he wants to make the attempt, let him. We both know his sister tried it too, and that's part of what led to us being here."

Even if that was true, Nela wasn't about to admit Hamond was right. "Most people also don't have an enchanted statue give them spells," she stated, grabbing a nearby chair and pulling it out so she could sit. "It takes hard work, and often that's not enough."

"Then what's the harm in letting Myronel try? It's not like it costs him anything but time." Hamond paused, thinking. "Although, if they're trying to do it while we're asleep, I see how that's a problem. We need to tell them to just be open about it then."

"But then..." Nela stopped herself as she realized what she'd been about to say. Shit, was there a part of her that actually wanted Ronny to go for it? She was hardly could be called a perfect example of what it meant to be Elefae, so she couldn't expect anyone else to be either. Not Ronny, and not Jylania.

"I have a suggestion," Hamond said, "Since he wants to keep it secret from you, why not surprise him in turn? I could teach you some additional spells. That way, you'd have options other than your crossbow and sleep spell for fights."

Nela immediately shook her head. "They wouldn't do me any good otherwise. I'm a healer, not a warrior. Don't try to bring up me being in the Hyarchian army either."

"Wasn't about to," Hamond answered, "Just pointing out there's only four of us, not like two hex or something. In a larger group, you could have everyone focused on doing a single thing well. That's not going to work here, or anywhere we go."

"Aren't you forgetting someone? Or two someones?" While Jylania wasn't fully trained yet, it wouldn't be long before she could start handling simple injuries and illnesses on her own. Sedat had further to go, but from her level of talent, it wouldn't be too long before the winged girl could match Hamond's abilities.

"Someday, perhaps, we can count on them. But that's still a ways off. Longer, if Jylania can't get stop going after Sedat."

"What do you want me to do? I already told her off twice...or three times. Either way, it doesn't seem to have worked."

"Perhaps it's time to try something else," Hamond said. "I propose we switch apprentices for a day or two. I will instruct Jylania, and you can teach Sedat."

"You think there's something I can teach her you can't?" It sounded ridiculous, because really all that Nela could pass along was healing spells. Sedat's lack of hands meant she wasn't in a position to use those.

"Both no and yes." Hamond walked over and took a seat opposite Nela. "She's been very insistent that we spend most of our time on the wind spells to help her fly. I think with me not there, you can better pass along other spells that are more basic. More useful ones too."

All while Hamond could help Jylania start to practice spells Nela didn't know. Now that was clear, it actually seemed a fair idea. Depending on how it went with Hamond, he might even get a hint to what Jylania's problem really was.

"We can try it," Nela said.

"Good. All that's left is to tell the two." Hamond stood up and turned to the stairs. "Or maybe only one, I guess."

Jylania stood at the base of the stairs. "Zerendel wants something to drink."

"You could've gotten it yourself," Nela pointed out. That particular spell was one of the ones she'd taught Jylania. Clean fresh water was useful for making herb poultices, after all.

"Anyway, did you hear our idea?" Hamond said. Right, there was no telling how long Jylania had been there listening.

"Something about me learning spells from him," Jylania replied. That response all but told Nela that the girl had been there for some time. "I can do it, but then who's watching that boy?"

It certainly sounded like Jylania wasn't interested, but the boy didn't need that much attention. "Zerendel will be fine for a while, you know. And I can handle any small things that come up if need be."

"Fine then." Jylania's enthusiasm for healing didn't extend to this, that was clear. Still, it was agreement enough, and Jylania ought to come around. At least, Nela hoped Jylania would. Aether's blood, Nela hadn't been nearly this difficult back when she was an apprentice.

Had she?