As the month drew to a close, my news was brought back in front of the same four that allowed me to have the mission to begin with. I could tell it wasn't what they had wanted and I even didn't bring up my suspicions of Quinn being the leader of the ban. Suspicion wasn't enough to imprison the man and I wasn't going to lead a witch hunt against the already down trodden Lower City citizens.
"This Keltcher theory is no more than a ruse meant to keep us from wanting to track down these thugs," grumbled Octavian. "It has to be. There is no sect within our Guardians that would stray so far from the code."
I shook my head. "Swordsmaster Octavian, I spoke to multiple Darklings in the Lower City- not just my friends and the mere whisper of the Keltcher makes them pale and tense. I don't believe even the mercenaries could make so many people be bribed to act so scared. I was shown their mark that they place in dwellings where they killed. They are real and very good at operating in the shadows."
The king ran his stubby fingers through his beard listening tentatively to the conversation.
"I've never seen these "Rogue armors" you speak of them wearing nor the red cloaks. All Guardians wear the silver or black iron armor with blue cloaks."
"Of course they'd have another set of armor. They wouldn't want to be found out," I grumbled.
The questions had been flying for hours. Why would no one believe my work?
"Two sets of armor? Not many of us are high borne and we can't just conduct a hunt in rooms with no real evidence-"
"I'm not asking you to conduct a search through every room!" I said shrilly cutting off the King's Champion. "I'm asking for you to give the Darklings an audience- to at least hear what they are facing. None have a seat in the council and they are supposed to have the same rights as the mortals and Nephilium."
The room fell silent as I rubbed my forehead between my fingers biting my lip. I had lost my nerve with going around in circles for hours. I had facts and evidence of this inner threat and no one would listen. It seemed Quinn was wrong about me having the King's ear. No one would ever believe a novice especially a girl.
"The girl's right," said the king finally. "I will set a council meeting with my advisors. As for the Keltcher story... I will have to think on that. I would like to say you did good work for the small time you were given, Lady Eveline, and we all thank you for your knowledge."
They all nodded.
"If you find out anything further please let us know," said Octavian.
Was that permission to continue visiting the Lower City after curfew?
"I will."
With that I stood up and headed back towards my room in frustration. There had to be a way to get proof here in the castle of this secret sect. How were they so well hidden within our own walls?
"Eve," I heard someone call from behind me. "Eve!"
I stopped at the entrance to the rose garden before the well and saw Alistor walking over. His hair was down and it whipped around his face with the small wind there was tonight. His grace was almost catlike as if he were walking on clouds.
"Aye?" I asked tiredly.
"Are you hungry?" he asked handing me a bowl of stew and a large hunk of Barley bread.
I took it from him our hands touching briefly making me feel slightly flushed. "Thank you."
"How did the meeting go?" he asked curiously.
"It was... difficult," I said stumbling for the right word. "The king is going to try to get a Darkling council started, but no one seemed to believe me on the Keltcher. They are right under their noses and refuse to listen to me!"
Anger inflamed me again just thinking about the questioning the last few hours.
"Some refuse to see what is in front of them, but it seems you made some progress. It was a pleasure working with you the last month, Eve."
With that he bid me goodnight and walked the short distance back to his own dorms. I watch him leave as he came with a weird feeling growing as he left- affection. It scared me. I wanted my shield- my Guardian status so bad I could taste it and a man could take that all from me. To marry, I would be asked to renounce my title of Guardian. I needed to keep a clear head about Alistor or any man for now. I wouldn't become another girl sulking at home letting her husband have all the glory. It was also dangerous for another reason- Alistor and I made a good team and I hoped he would agree to be my partner once we graduated. We couldn't be together if we wanted to be paired together.