EA Chapter 34 - A New Rivalry

Luna was rather surprised. Back in her old world, there was no such thing as a form of magic tied exclusively to a bloodline. Nor were their ‘Ways’ that limited the forms of magic a person could use. The power and wisdom of a wizard was tied to the honed strength of their mind and body, and how much knowledge they could actually absorb.

Viisa Hauron had spent the better part of a century scouring the world for every tome of arcane lore he could get his claws on. At the time of his death, it was doubtful any other wizards even knew half as much as him. Of course, it didn’t hurt that he also spent much of that century killing potential threats and rivals.

Still, if the magic was in the blood, she could find a way to make it hers. Not that she needed it, as such... Luna merely disliked the idea of having a power denied to her.

These thoughts swirled in her mind as she left Kane to his training, and it wasn’t long as she passed Calvert on the way back to the tower.

The old man gave her a faint smile. “Ah. I take it you finished your above-board chat with Kane?” he asked.

“Of course,” she replied, nodding firmly to the older man. “If I may, sir, could I ask you a question? It has nothing to do with what I definitely wasn’t discussing with Kane, before you panic. It’s more of a question on Elthremian history.”

That made Calvert lift a thin, pale brow. “An area I’m decently versed in. By all means, ask away.” There was a touch of wariness in his voice, just in case Luna was going to pull a fast one and ask something she shouldn’t.

“It’s about the Bulwark, the origins of that wall and the threats bordering Elthreme. I’ve tried, without luck, to date the origin of the wall. But apparently many of our records don’t go beyond a few centuries ago.”

“Ah, yes.” Calvert managed a faint smile. “A tragedy. This all happened well before your birth. And mind, if you can believe it.” He chuckled, and Luna forced a laugh of her own. “But there was a time where, even with the Bulwark risen, Elthreme faced grave incursions from the ashborn and the Mire.”

“They got past the wall? How did they manage that? Did the Bulwark not exist at the time?” Luna asked.

Calvert considered this, leaning partially against a nearby railing. “Well,” he said in a low voice. “Nobody’s really sure, is the thing. It was a rather chaotic period. Modern scholars believe there were stronger varieties of monster in those days able to teleport their kinsmen around,” he said, though he didn’t sound too certain.

“So... there’s nothing? All the information and history from before a certain point is just... gone?” Luna cocked her head, a look of stunned disbelief blossoming on her face.

“Essentially,” Calvert replied. He managed a weak smile, clearly unhappy to have nought but unsatisfying answers. “History is a funny thing. It’s transient, when not written down. And if those written records are destroyed outright, history suddenly becomes formless and malleable.” He gazed off into the distance, slowly drumming his fingers on the railing. “That’s a tragedy, truly. The best we have are stories and myths.”

Both of which were likely shaped by the royal family, Luna thought. She kept that little thought to herself, however. She doubted such things would be viewed fondly by Citadel staff.

She frowned, settling her hands on her hips. “Nowhere at all to read more about the history from before that point? This... calamity must have been very thorough in what it destroyed.” It all seemed rather convenient, Luna thought. And, from her experience, history was rarely convenient.

Another mystery to unravel, she told herself. She could put it on the backburner for now, it wasn’t vitally important. And anyway, where would she even start to learn about such a mystery?

“Thank you, sir. You’ve given me much to think about.” They parted ways, and Luna pressed on for the tower.

Luna let her expression darken once she was alone. The whole situation stank to the higher heavens. Even if it wasn’t currently vital to know the origin of the Bulwark, and the forces that menaced Elthreme, the sheer lack of knowledge frustrated her.

Surely the true history of Elthreme had to be out there somewhere. Surely.

She rounded a corner, only to come to an abrupt halt when she spied Aryn Oathsworn only a few paces from where she stood. His wounds were fully mended, and he looked rather more elegant in his uniform with his cloak draped over one shoulder.

He glared at her, his mouth a long, thin line. “Well now. Looks like I ran into the little savage,” he said.

Luna narrowed her eyes, but kept her anger in check. It would be... unseemly to get violent with the prince without the context of a tournament to cover her. “It’s good to see I didn’t hurt you too badly, Prince,” she said, offering him a fake smile.

“Not for lack of trying.” He grinned at her, sly and malicious. Slowly, he moved toward her. Luna stood her ground, her stance firm. “Relax. I’m not here for payback, Hick. Actually, I wanted to let you know that you impressed me. I didn’t think anyone would be able to beat me in the tournament. Least of all, you.”

“Oh?” Odd as it sounded, Luna believed him. As much of a prick as Aryn had been, sarcasm seemed beneath him. Certainly, she saw no dishonesty in his eyes.

“Indeed. You’re more impressive than I gave you credit for. Of course, you wouldn’t be able to best me in an actual duel to the death, But you deserve some measure of credit nevertheless.”

Luna fixed him with a flat, unimpressed stare. “Surely,” she replied. This punk didn’t want to even dream what she could do to him if it weren’t for tournament rules holding her at bay.

He’d learn, in time. His whole damn family would.

“But... don’t think we’re finished,” Aryn said. “I have every intention of evening the score with you. I don’t like losing, you see.”

“What a shame,” Luna said flatly. “Since that’s what happened.”

Aryn offered her a strained smile, anger flashing in his eyes. He brushed past her, hands planted on his hips. “For the time being, consider yourself... my rival. At least until I get around to evening the score, that is.”

He strode off, confident and poised.

Luna scoffed. The idiot thought this was a game. Well, she told herself, he’d learn how wrong he was.