The Burning Flowers

Chapter XIII

Due to how busy Lady Nium and Lady Clara had been given the Festival of the Shadow Solstice was a mere two days away, there hadn’t been a proper chance to fill them in on all of the details regarding the mission to Stellareid. Since this assignment had been decided upon a few weeks prior, Viiro Noctis had already sent a letter to Noctalus explaining the increase in guests they brought with them, as well as why their stay would be subtracted to a mere four days, but given the danger of any written message being compromised by Kosah-Rei loyalists, he intentionally refrained from giving any specific information. As far as Ilirianna knew, all he told his wife was that a second Academy team, as well as Abi’s pupil and Ilirianna herself, would be joining them, and that they would be going to Stellareid for urgent business the day after the festival. Upon their arrival, she would have known nothing of Uma Miyon’s capture or their plan to lure out Rotana Vesh. It was only on the night after their arrival that a chance to properly tell them what was happening was provided.

In Viiro’s private living quarters on the top floor of the eastern tower, Ilirianna gathered with the two Noctalus Masters, their wives, and Lord Nogara Noctis to finally reveal all that was happening behind the scenes. Since the quarters were on the dark side of the palace, it was a very dim room, with the only color being given off by the flickering flame in the hearth casting a welcome warmth over the chilly night. Viiro and Acostav were both sitting in the individual armchairs across from the couch where Nium, Clara, and Nogara listened intently and curiously. Ilirianna remained standing of her own volition, gently pacing as she occasionally offered any extra details the Masters forgot about until the story finally concluded.

“Well this is certainly sudden,” Nogara murmured after a few seconds, absently scratching his thin black beard. “And King Markreas is certain this isn’t some sort of trap intended to lure us out? I mean, after all these years, Uma Miyon abruptly falls into our lap? I can’t say I’m not suspicious.”

Nium nodded her agreement, her brow furrowed with concern. “Yes, this is worrisome, especially if Vesh truly is in Stellareid. He and Miyon wouldn’t have traveled to that city separately. If they were there at the same time, then they clearly had some sort of goal. When Miyon broke into the Operan Company, how many cultists were with him?”

“Hard to say,” Viiro grunted. “Lord Cartigan reported that they managed to kill three Teeth, as well as four lower-ranked cultists. We believe some to have gotten away, but it sounds like Cartigan wasn’t sure how many.”

“What was it he sought from that company?” Clara added. “Was his goal ever identified?”

Acostav shook his head. “It was not, unfortunately. Like we said, as of our last communication with Lord Cartigan, Miyon had refused to tell us anything at all. Princess, what was it the Operan Company specialized in?”

Ilirianna paused, taking a second to try and recall what her father had said about Operan. “I don’t believe they specialized in anything, actually. They’re a fairly wide-ranging group, with branches that focus on all sorts of areas of research. The lab he was found trying to break into was, from what I recall, a biolab that had ongoing projects based around farming magic, enhancement drugs, animal behavior, and so on. It’s too broad to know for certain unless Miyon finally tells us.”

“Then could it have to do with that changeling?” Nogara inquired. “Sartella, was it? Isn’t she the only one we know of that uses any sort of biomagic?”

Ilirianna nodded. “Yes, she is. The problem is that Stellareid isn’t allowed to do any research regarding the biological magic Sartella uses. If they wanted something related to her affinity, they would have gone to Krato where it's more legal.”

“And what of the other cultist leaders?” Clara asked. “You said there were sightings of Vesh, but have there been reports of Sartella and Kristoff? Or even that Firrik woman that was impersonating Lady Yoral?”

The Master of Darkness sighed, leaning back in his massive chair and turning his white eyes towards the fireplace. “We aren’t sure. The primary reason they’ve eluded us all this time is because Miyon and Vesh are the only ones we’ve ever gotten a visual of. Kristoff was never seen without his helmet on, and both Sartella and Firrik only ever made appearances while under changeling magic. They could be spotted in broad daylight and nobody would think anything of it. On top of that, there have been rumors of a sixth leader we don’t even have a name for.”

Ilirianna grimaced, recalling an assignment the royal team went on late in the students’ second year. A citizen loyal to Ijiria had gone to the guards, claiming that a leader of the Kosah-Rei was present in the town. Believing it to be Vesh, the royal team had been sent to investigate, but whoever it was must have realized he was compromised, for by the time they arrived, he had already vanished. When they interrogated people that supposedly had contact with him, the few details they gave did not match any of the male cultists they were aware of. Some suspected it could have been a cultist under Sartella’s magic, but that particular town was very thorough in scanning travelers for biomagic. Since there was never any evidence that the guard had been compromised, they could only conclude that whoever had been in that town was possibly a sixth leader.

“So if there is another leader,” Ilirianna began, “then not only do we not know what he looks like, but we don’t have a clue what he can do. The entire leadership of the Kosah-Rei could very well be in Stellareid…”

“I don’t like this,” Nium whispered, leaning forward and folding her hands in her lap. “Because if they are in the City of Starlight, we have to wonder why. Is it possible that another incident like Hiriech is on the horizon? And if so, what are you guys about to walk into?”

Viiro snorted, brushing aside her worry with a curt wave of his hand. “Nothing we can’t handle. In all honesty, I hope the leadership is there, for if they are, we not only have a chance to crush Vesh, but the entirety of that damned cult.”

The Master’s wife narrowed her eyes, making her irritation quite clear, but she refrained from making a retort, instead glancing up at Ilirianna and asking, “And what of Rickori Keskivaara? Princess, does King Markreas truly think he could form an alliance with the Kosah-Rei?”

Ilirianna’s lips drew tight at the mention of the People’s Mind, for that matter had been taking up a lot of her thoughts in the recent weeks. The danger of Keskivaara joining Vesh was, after all, a perfectly avoidable outcome, but one that both her father and Eganno Cartigan were refusing to take countermeasures against. Even when she told her father exactly what they could do to prevent such an alliance, he merely scoffed and shut her down without slightly humoring her.

“Listen to me, Liri,” Markreas had said to her in private after that initial Masters meeting weeks ago. “I am very pleased that I have raised a daughter who thinks with as much compassion and empathy as you do, but you must understand the way of this world. There is a reason that the House of Iiji, the Houses of Noctis and Luz, and all the other families with status and prestige are magically powerful. This is because one must be strong to lead. One must show the people why they are one to be followed, and that any attempt to deny that leadership will be met with unbeatable resistance. It must be made clear that revolution will never succeed. If we concede to Rickori Keskivaara, we are sending the message that with enough whining and resisting the government will give in. What do you think will happen to the people’s respect for us if we fold now?”

Ilirianna’s fists clenched down at her side, still utterly baffled that a man as intelligent as her father could think something so ridiculously stupid as that. Father, if you believe the people respect us right now, then you are the one blind to the ways of the world. The Kosah-Rei would not be gaining such footholds in the countryside if the people respected us. No, it is my belief that sitting down and negotiating with Keskivaara will increase their respect for us. It will show them that we care about their struggles. Ruling with an iron fist may work for a time, but sooner or later, the people will strike back to take what is rightfully theirs.

The problem was that she couldn’t say as much to those gathered before her, for Viiro and Acostav were some of the worst when it came to the commoners. Cartigan intended to arrest and execute Keskivaara, something the Masters of Darkness and Light had expressed strong support for.

Yet, if Keskivaara is killed, then his people will be without a leader. You’d be providing Vesh the opportunity to slip in and take the army he desires…

Once they got to Stellareid, Ilirianna intended to vehemently oppose Cartigan, for the fate of the Empire may very well rest on her ability to talk sense into the Lord of Stellareid. For now, however, it would be best to avoid creating conflict between her and the Noctalus, so she answered as naturally and simply as she could.

“Yes, Lady Nium,” Ilirianna stated. “My father does think that the possibility is higher than zero. At the very least, Keskivaara may very well be the reason Vesh is in Stellareid to begin with.”

“He seeks to increase his forces,” Nogara grumbled bitterly. “Though I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. Even if we haven’t been able to track the leaders down, the lower-ranked cultists have been getting taken out quite frequently these days.” Viiro’s younger brother then glanced up at the Princess and smirked. “I’ve heard you and the team are partially to thank for that. You were the ones who finally eliminated Saechak, yes?”

“We were,” Ilirianna confirmed. “And yes, I do think that’s why he’s suddenly reaching out to someone known for disliking his methods. It comes down to whether Keskivaara weighs his morals as being less important than his ideals.”

Acostav rolled his eyes with annoyance. “Well, if he’s the damn peace lover that Rhitta and Edwar claimed he is, then I don’t see it as something to worry about.”

The Master of Light dismissed Keskivaara without much further thought, and to Ilirianna’s disappointment, the other four Noctalus followed suit. None of them were taking this threat seriously, for even setting aside Keskivaara’s followers, there was also the matter of what King Markreas had said back in that initial meeting.

“Cartigan’s men have spoken with him, and the Lord tells me that the mana signature from that man is abnormally dangerous for somebody of his background. Rickori Keskivaara may want peace, but should he change his mind, he could be a threat all on his own.”

Ilirianna internally shook her head. Keskivaara could be a threat all on his own, huh? For Lords, Ladies, and Masters…you’re all a bunch of goddamn fools…

With the briefing pretty much finished, the princess decided she didn’t want to be in the presence of those idiots any longer than she already had been, so she excused herself and departed to make her way back to her quarters. The following day was the eve of the solstice, the day after would be the festival itself, and then they’d be back on the road and making for Stellareid. With so much coming up, she wanted to sleep, so even though it was a mere nine in the evening, she fully intended to turn in for the night. Yet, to her moderate surprise, upon rounding the corner that brought the door to her quarters into view, she found both Abi and Ryokumo waiting outside.

Oh boy… Wonder what they want…

Normally, she wouldn’t have batted an eye at her two good friends showing up for a visit, but the unsettled glances directed her way upon noticing her approach indicated that something bad had happened.

Well, if it were anything relating to the assignment, I’m sure they would have come straight to Viiro’s quarters. They knew I was there, after all, so if they’re waiting for me, then this is something personal. Related to The Angel, perhaps?

“Good evening, Abi, Kumo,” she greeted with an expectant look. “What’s wrong? You two look—?”

A shiver suddenly went down her spine, for as she got close enough to properly see their faces, she realized that Ryokumo’s features were pale, his jaw tightened as if he was fighting back the urge to be sick. There wasn’t even a tiny glimpse of his confident and over-the-top self. That alone terrified Ilirianna given that Ryokumo Caeli had only ever once been visibly shaken up in all the time she knew him—that being the moment after he killed Mallicent. Abigail didn’t seem in as terrible of a state as he was, but the nature mage refused to look her in the eyes, her head turned towards the ground as she anxiously fidgeted with her fingers. What Ilirianna initially assumed must not be that big of a deal now left her feeling scared, so she cut herself off and instead muttered,

“Let’s go inside, shall we?”

Abi and Ryokumo nodded before following her into her private quarters. Neither made any move to sit down, as if far too wound up to remain in one place, so Ilirianna didn’t bother either, leaning up against the now closed front door as she reached out with her senses to ensure nobody was outside in the hall.

“Alright, what happened?” she demanded, licking her now dry lips. “Don’t pull any punches with me, you got that? Whatever’s wrong, just tell me.”

Ryokumo let out a shaky sigh, running his hands through his hair as if preparing to do as the princess requested. Yet, he seemed to think better of that, motioning instead for Abigail to do so before turning around and beginning to nervously pace.

“P-Princess,” Abi began softly. “I just… I, uh…? How do I even say this? I guess I first want to apologize for—”

“Stop that,” she interrupted sharply. “Do not apologize to me. And for that matter, what’s with the formality all of a sudden? Call me Liri like you usually do and speak to me not as your leader, but as your friend. You need help, don’t you? Whatever it is, I’ll give it. So please…don’t be afraid.”

Ilirianna tried to smile as warmly as she could to give Abigail some comfort, but the nature mage still refused to look at her, speaking in a voice so weak that Ilirianna’s fear only grew worse.

“L-Liri, it’s just…not that simple… I just…” Her voice trembled, her hands grasping her skirt tightly. “You once told me…that you would not take any responsibility for what happened with the realm dagger. You said Kumo and I were intelligent adults, so we could make our own decisions and deal with the consequences ourselves. You said you wouldn’t help if something went wrong, so I am not here to ask for your help. I’m simply doing my duty to you as my leader and friend by telling you the truth. I—”

“Do you still have the dagger?” Ilirianna asked. “Or has anybody found out about it?”

Abi frowned at the sudden questions, gently shaking her head. “Y-yes, it’s safely kept inside The Angel, like we’ve told you. And no, nobody knows about it. It’s not that, it’s… Liri, I’ve been using it to go and see Scott for the last two and half years…ever since about a month after we came home!” She breathed out her confession as if desperate to speak it as quickly as possible, her head lowering in a guilty bow. “Kumo helped cover for me, as did Faye and Jessi. Nigreos and Album never found out.”

Ilirianna glanced over at Ryokumo, who appeared as if his mind was running a million miles a minute, hardly listening to what Abi was saying. “Well, obviously I never realized Rio and Yuahl were in on it, but if you thought I didn’t know about your trips to Omaruo then you’re not giving me enough credit. After all, your choice to take up the name Reiner was oddly sudden.”

“Did Kumo—?”

“Nobody ever told me,” she quickly added. “I just guessed based on the way you behaved, as well as a comment Album made once regarding your disappearances. Doesn’t take a genius to deduce it, but…” Ilirianna grimaced. “That’s not the problem, is it? Why are you confessing this now if nobody’s found out yet?”

“Because…” As Abi uttered that single word, Ryokumo finally stopped pacing, sparing a scared look towards the two women just before Abigail sputtered out words that caused Ilirianna’s heart to stop. “I’m pregnant with Scott’s child, Liri. I…messed up badly…”

Ilirianna truly hadn’t known what to expect, for everything she could think of had to do with Ijirian laws. A part of her wondered if maybe Rennigan had caught them in the act and was blackmailing them, or perhaps even Nigreos got wind of what was going on. Never would she have expected Abi to say what she did, so her mind shut down for a few seconds in a failed attempt to process it.

“W-what?” she stuttered, her eyes wide with shock. “How? Did you not use the birth control charm?”

There were tears in Abi’s eyes, her sobs beginning to break through as she shook her head. “No… We usually would, but the day we got home from Piriit…I rushed to Omaruo to see him. I just wanted comfort after Mikea’s death, and I was so out of it. Normally, I cast the charm before leaving to minimize any magic that might appear on the Basim, so Scott wouldn’t have known it wasn’t active. I forgot… For some reason, I must have thought I did, but I didn’t… I didn’t cast it, Liri…”

Ilirianna’s shoulders slumped, her mind finally restarting as she desperately tried to figure out what to do about this. If the night after they returned from Piriit was when she had sex, then she still had a bit of time before anybody realized she was pregnant. The fetus didn’t develop a mana signature until the eighth week after conception, and even then, it wouldn’t be too noticeable for a while after that. If she wore looser clothes and was careful, they would have some time to come up with a plan. The problem was that the mission to Stellareid could very well take up most of that time, leaving them with very little room to maneuver.

“Who else knows?” she asked, trying to understand the situation to the fullest.

“Outside of this room, Faye and The Angel,” Abi answered. “Faye was the one who first realized it. She said that it could explain why I’ve been feeling so off, as well as why my mana endurance was bad during the exam. The Angel knows because, well…I wanted to see if it could detect it already. It could. It was strong enough to sense it even now…so unless it lied, which I don’t think it did, then…there’s no questioning it.”

Okay, The Angel and Fayela Rio… Abi trusts Rio as much as her team so I trust that she’ll keep this secret, but The Angel could be a problem. I still don’t like that thing, so if it sees a benefit in exposing us…

“Abi,” Ilirianna began, making her voice as soothing as possible. “I know what I said back then. I know I told you I wouldn’t help, but…well, I’m your friend, so there’s not a chance I’m leaving you to do this alone. I just need you to tell me what you want me to do.”

Abi just shook her head. “Thank you, but what can you do, Liri?”

“I can learn the abortion charm,” she stated. “I’ve heard it’s an easier spell, so if I go find a book in the library, I can—”

“No!” Abigail almost seemed to speak without thinking, for even she seemed stunned by the passion in her voice. “N-no… I don’t want…to abort it… I know that’s dumb…but I just…wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I did that. And besides, it’s Scott’s child, too. Even if I wanted to, I can’t do it without talking to him first.”

“But Abi, how do you plan to raise a child?” Ilirianna asked. “You’re a third year at the Academy and a member of the royal team! You’re hardly home! I mean, even if you sent it to Omaruo to live with Scott, I know you’re not the type of person who could leave their baby without its mother. On top of that…eventually, it’ll become unhidable that you’re pregnant, both visibly and magically. What would you tell Nigreos and Album? What would you tell Master Grunly, or others in Erika that would wonder about it? It’s not like you can tell anybody who the father is!”

The princess regretted the anger and frustration that entered her voice, knowing that such a tone was not what Abi needed at that moment. She was a brilliant young woman, so there wasn’t a doubt she had already considered those things.

“Could we not just find somebody to pretend to be the father?” Ryokumo uttered, sounding completely and totally defeated. “I’d be willing. We can just tell people we got a bit too drunk one night and…”

“Kumo, not only would I not want to do that to your reputation, but you know it wouldn’t work,” Abi replied. “When the child obviously doesn’t have Sukonese blood, people would get suspicious. In fact, I don’t think I know any guy that would both be willing and would look genetically similar enough.”

Ilirianna internally cursed, having been thinking along the same lines as Ryokumo. But she’s right. Nigreos would never do it even if he looked closer to Scott and the only other guys close in proximity to Abi are Rennigan Glaus and Hirokol Pafran. Glaus isn’t an option for obvious reasons, and while Pafran might help if I paid him off, Abi wouldn’t allow him to help for the same reason she said to Kumo. We could always make somebody up, but if the Citadel ever demanded to use magic to genetically test the child, they’d find magicless blood and both Abi and the kid would be screwed.

“Abi, there has to be something!” Ryokumo insisted desperately. “There just has to be!”

Still fighting back tears, Abi muttered, “I don’t think there is. There are only two options and both aren’t ideal. Either I bite my tongue and have Liri abort it, or I go to Omaruo permanently and never come back—raise the child in Wilham with Scott. After all, I wouldn’t want to rob him of fatherhood either.”

“You can’t do that!” Ryokumo protested. “What about everything you’ve been building here! You’re a part of the royal team! You’re going to be the next Master of Nature, and you’ve got so many friends who would be distraught at losing you! I’m certain it doesn’t have to come to this! I know it—!”

Abi cut him off, throwing her arms around her friend, pulling him close as she pressed her face to his shoulder and began to cry. Ilirianna knew Ryokumo was aware that the two choices Abi listed were the only choices they had. Still, the princess knew exactly how he felt, for her mind was still racing in an attempt to find a more ideal answer. If Abigail left Ijiria, it truly would have to be permanent. The government would have to believe she either died or went missing, and the use of the realm dagger would have to be kept secret. Any attempts to communicate with her would only risk the lives of Scott, the child, and Abi herself, so Ilirianna and Ryokumo would have to avoid any unnecessary visits. The chances of them never seeing each other again were high, so it was no wonder Ryokumo was so horrified.

Abigail’s always been like a sister to him. He loves her, so of course he wouldn’t want to lose her. I feel the same. My relationship with Abi is special to me…but if this is what she wants, then I will do everything in my power to see it happen.

“I thought it was strange,” Ilirianna murmured, “that you would request Iris Mackia to come with us. I wasn’t really sure what your reasoning was, but…you’re training her to take your place as Grunly’s successor.”

Still clutching the stunned Ryokumo, Abi nodded. “Yeah… I am…”

“I thought so…” Ilirianna lowered her eyes, wishing this could have happened at a better time, but also knowing that in a twisted way, the mission to Stellareid may very well be ideal. “We shouldn’t make any sudden decisions, so let’s give it some more thought, but if you decide to leave with the child…” The princess paused, turning back to find both Ryokumo and the tear-streaked Abi looking back. “Well, an attack from Vesh would be a good opportunity to stage your death.”

Their eyes went wide, telling Ilirianna they hadn’t thought about what the world would have to be told regarding the disappearance of Abigail Reiner. In addition, as the three gazed at one another, there was a second question that hung unspoken in the air.

What do we tell Nigreos and Album?