-Rhovan's Recount-
In the distance I was coming to the ruins on horseback. Bringing backup forces with me upon realising that Thyra was almost certainly in danger.
But I arrived too late.
The first thing I remember after the smoke cleared was the silence.
Deafening silence
The Arensha ruins were near unrecognisable.
A sea of broken stone and vines turned into a graveyard of char and blood.
The fog still clung to the floor, creeping over the corpses.
Thyra's entire battalion was gone. Wiped out in one attack.
We found her in the centre of it all. Kneeling in the pile of bodies.
She was covered in blood, her spear snapped in two beside her.
Her pulse was weak, but she was still alive.
By some miracle she survived. I ordered the men to carry her back. Nobody spoke the entire trip back to Vaelraen.
The gates opened at dawn. The guards looked down on us as if they were seeing ghosts.
By the time we reached the main infirmary the council already knew of what happened.
Word travels fast when the powerful need people to blame.
They didn't even give her time to heal. Dragging her into the only courthouse first thing the next morning.
She knelt in the centre. Covered in bandages, missing an arm. The council stood far above her on podiums. All 6 of them were brand new members assigned by the king who had been initiated a mere few weeks ago.
It was obvious how the trial was going to go.
Councilor: "The entire 3rd Battalion was annihilated under your direct orders Thyra."
Councilor: "You chose specifically to go at that time from that direction."
Councilor: "You led good men to die."
I tried to speak up. I wanted to. But nothing I could say would change anything.
That's when I realised what was really going on. By the look on Thyra's face at the time she did as well.
Thyra: "Wait… You set me up! You set up the 3rd Battalion's downfall."
The councilors looked shocked.
Thyra: "There's no way for The Rigger to have predicted our attack. To be that prepared. That's why you demanded that several of your brand new officials be in the meetings between me and Commander Rhovan."
The councilors immediately ordered guards to detain Thyra
Thyra: "The people going in and out of the Arensha ruins were YOUR MEN!"
The new king's voice boomed through the courtroom.
King of Vaelraen: "THYRA! YOU ARE SENTENCED TO PERMANENT EXILE!"
Thyra's head snapped around to look at the king.
The corruption Vaelraen was facing spawned in the very heart of the city. The very peak of its hierarchy.
Thyra didn't argue. Simply letting the guards take her to her house to collect her stuff and kicking her from the city.
The Rigger had done his job. Not just killing the entire 3rd Battalion but also in giving the council a reason to kick out the only person they weren't confident they could control.
I resigned shortly after and fled the city as well. Much to the pleasure of the council.
Only two nights later an official announcement was made that Vaelraen was undergoing a name change, banner change. Everything was different.
The city's colours, the black and crimson of the old flag. Torn down. Replaced by flags of bright red, gold and white.
The Ember Sect had taken over the city.
They preached salvation. Spoke of purging corruption and bringing upon divine order into the city. The people ate it up. Cheered for them.
The one proud city of Vaelraen now went by the name Aurelion.
I met up with Thyra in a small town on the outskirts of Aurelion's territory. She was being treated by a kind old lady by the name Mirra.
Aric: "Wait… We met Mirra! In a small village when we were coming to Esmourne. She let us stay the night and gave us some money."
Thyra: "Sounds like her."
Thyra chuckles lightly.
The Ember Sect grew steadily. As did the power and influence of Aurelion.
With that The Rigger vanished. From all records and the minds of the people.
-Normal-
Rhovan: "The Rigger is the reason for Thyra losing her arm. Both of us are losing our ranks."
Aric: "He's sick and twisted. Using other people to fight for him. Never getting in harm's way himself."
I nod
There's a spark in Thyra's eyes upon recounting the story. Clearly she's eager for revenge.
I don't blame her.
Aric crosses his arms and thinks for a moment.
Aric: "So this Ember Sect. they're still running Aurelion?"
Rhovan nods
Rhovan: "If The Rigger has resurfaced then he's likely working for them again."
Kareth: "And since he's in Esmourne. That probably means that this is the next target for their expansion right?"
Thyra nods
Thyra: "And this time I won't let him or the Ember Sect take anything else. I'll finish what I couldn't last time."
Aric: "So when will he strike next?"
Rhovan: "We have no way of knowing. Though it's a good idea to gather information."
I nod
Kareth: "How do we even gather information on a person we know nearly nothing about?"
Thyra: "That's the problem."
Rhovan: "Look. Kareth still needs to recover from his injuries. At a guess it'll take a few days. While he does that I'll look for stuff and Thyra can keep training Aric."
Clearly a move by Rhovan to let Aric and Thyra spend more time together.
I nod.
Aric waves goodbye as he walks out of the room. Thyra and Rhovan both say bye as they leave shortly after.
Just focus on recovering. It'll be hard knowing The Rigger might show up again early.