Chapter 35: 34. The Departure

“The guard says he fell asleep,” the Boyar said. “When he awoke, Melitas was gone. The shackles had been torn off his legs and arms. We found only shards.”

“It must have been the Shadow Man,” Aletheia said. “Who else could have done this?”

“’Who else’ indeed,” Mother said. She stared at Aletheia. “Only ‘tis strange that the Shadow Man could do such a thing in a room that was lit.”

“The light was out when we found it this morning,” the Boyar said. “Maybe your spell—could it have lapsed?”

“Could it have?” Aletheia said.

“No,” Mother replied. “It was sustained by my focus while I slept.”

“Don’t make Melitas’ mistake, Eris,” Aletheia said. “We’re all human. Everybody lapses sometimes.”

“Trito isn’t human!” Corvo said. He poked his head up over the edge of the table and pointed at the elf.

Trito smiled. “And I do not make mistakes. But in this matter, I think Aletheia is correct.”

“The Shadow Man did not do this,” Mother was almost growling, “and you all know it. It was Aletheia herself who let Melitas go. You are an imbecile if you believe otherwise. She put the guard to sleep, opened the cell, and dispelled my light so as to frame the Shadow Man, and she hoped you would all be stupid enough to believe her and not listen to me.”

“Why would I let Melitas go?” Aletheia said. “And where would I put him?”

“If I were you, I would have Polymorphed him into a mouse or lizard and put him in my pocket. And then I would have fed him to a snake, yet I doubt you were so creative.”

Aletheia reached into her pockets and upturned them, showing nothing but lint within. She shrugged.

“You say you did not do this,” the Boyar said. “Is that the truth?”

“Of course it is. What does it matter anyway? He’s gone, isn’t he?”

Mother let out a long sigh. “And not even the Aether knows where he goes next.”

“Maybe the Shadow Man ate him,” Corvo said. He wanted to contribute somehow, and this was his only idea. “Maybe he became a new Shadow Man!”

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“That’s possible,” Aletheia said. “We just can’t know.”

Mother glared at her. But she shook her head, and she put an arm around Corvo. “You are right. We cannot know. Unless the one responsible were to admit it, perhaps. Yet you should take it from me that unfortunate secrets do have a tendency to escape from one’s mind in dark moments.”

“And what if it did?” Aletheia said. “I mean—not that there is a secret. But if there was, and you found out. What would you do?”

Mother scowled. “I—I would—be very irritated.” Yet she deflated as she seemed to take Aletheia’s point.

Aletheia smiled in return. “You said it yourself, Eris. Before Corvo was born. We’re stuck together. That goes both ways.”

“So did you let Melitas go, or not?” the Boyar said, looking agitated.

“Of course not,” Aletheia said. She leaned back in her seat. Yet not even Corvo was convinced by her tone.

Trito leaned forward. He never interrupted, yet waited for a silence to strike. He said, “You have defeated a Kynigos, a vampire, orcs, demons, and two Seekers—if the stories are true. Now that you know him to be your enemy, I do not think Melitas poses a comparable threat.”

“Just one more person trying to kill us,” Aletheia said. “He can get in line. Now we know not to bring anyone new onboard.” She looked to Trito. “You won’t try to kill me in my sleep, right?”

“I wouldn’t try,” he said. He smiled. “You have nothing to fear from me. We share the same enemy.”

“The Shadow Man,” said Mother. “Indeed. We have waited long enough in Veshod. Your hospitality was most welcome, Ilya Nemirovich, but I long for dark nights again. It would imperil you to stay any longer. Indeed we imperil you already.”

The Boyar shook his head. “Peril doesn’t frighten me.”

“Then you are as foolish as Melitas.” Mother turned her attention from him and to the others. “We will seek the Elves of Seneria. I do not see another choice. Trito assures me he will be able to lead us safely through the Shadowed Lands and to the place his order calls its home. I know of nowhere better to find a cure for my son.”

“Seneria is home to dangers untold,” Trito said. “I would not bring mortals there if I did not think it desperate. Magic is the currency there, and you will find no gold talents waiting for you upon the completion of your goal. Even my people are dangerous and untrustworthy. The Elves should be regarded with the utmost suspicion.”

Dorian had been silent, but adjusted in his seat. “Eris owes me a cure for my curse,” he said. “So unless she’s brewing that up soon, I don’t think I have much of a choice but to follow along.”

Trito nodded.

“You know me,” Aletheia said. “I’m coming.” She looked to the Boyar. “But I’ll be back. I promise.”

The Boyar smiled at her. For a moment Corvo was worried they might press their lips together again, which would surely have made him throw up, but no such thing happened. Instead he simply said, “I would come to fight alongside you, if I were in a state for it.”

“You are lucky that you are not,” Trito said. “You have been absent from your people’s lives long enough, I think. Give them the leader they deserve.”

He nodded. At last Trito looked to Mother.

But Corvo raised his hand. “I’m going!”

Everyone laughed, and Mother took hold of his wrist, lowering his arm to his side. “Then that settles it, for I will not leave my son.”

“Then let us say no more,” Trito said, and he stood. “We head for Seneria.”