Riniock stepped out of the library, thoroughly satisfied with his progress on mastering the new spell. Extending his arm with fingers outstretched, he recited the incantation. A glowing magick circle appeared before his palm, signalling the spell's success.
'Surprisingly simple,' he murmured, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.
A small light flickered into existence, gradually forming into a small coffer – smaller than the arch-maegi's version. The lock clicked, and the lid snapped open with a soft metallic sound. Riniock carefully placed the instruction scroll inside and whispered the arch-maegi's full name.
The coffer dissolved into the same light from which it emerged, drifting forward a few qius before seamlessly blending into the surrounding scenery and vanishing entirely.
Content, Riniock left the area, his steps unhurried as his thoughts drifted to Linry. Since their return from the bazaar, they hadn't had the chance to meet again.
'Should I use the coffer to reach out?' he mused. 'I wonder if I can cast it multiple times.'
Testing the idea, he summoned the coffer once more. To his delight, it materialised before him, empty and ready. He quickly scribbled a note, placed it inside, and whispered Linry's full name.
Feeling a sense of accomplishment, he made his way to the spot where he had asked her to meet him.
By the riverbank that bordered the town and ran alongside Gorlea, the two met. The gentle rustling of the stream filled the air as water splashed against rocks, a soothing backdrop as Linry approached Riniock, who sat perched on one of the larger stones.
'I was sceptical,' Linry admitted, settling beside him. 'I had to read the letter several times. That coffer spell is a neat trick.'
'Thanks,' Riniock replied, his tone casual. 'Something new I picked up recently.'
Silence fell between them as they both turned their attention to the teal-blue waters flowing steadily past.
Occasionally, Linry stole glances at him, her expression betraying an expectant impatience, waiting for him to break the quiet. When it became too much, she finally spoke.
'Riniock,' she began softly, her voice faltering. 'Did you call me out here just to admire the scenery…or is there something you want to say?'
'A bit of both,' he replied curtly, his words cool and measured.
Linry frowned slightly, sensing his guarded demeanour. 'Alright…so what's on your mind?'
He exhaled slowly, weighing his next words carefully. 'That day, when you found me in the ruins of Jorian's home, you said something.'
'We said a lot of things,' she interjected quickly, a shy smile befalling her. 'It was our first real conversation, after all –'
'You told me "You're no ordinary maegi. I even warned my peers and master against you, but now I see things differently." Those were your exact words,' he interrupted, his eyes averted.
Linry's brows lifted, her surprise evident. He had quoted her perfectly, not a word out of place.
'At the time, it didn't seem relevant,' Riniock continued, his tone now tinged with suspicion and restrained anger. 'Why did you warn them about me? Were you planning to act against me – or rather us?'
Linry remained silent, her lips pressing together, mouth tight as if sealed. Although Riniock was not looking in her direction, she attempted to speak, her words swallowed by an unnatural force.
'You asked me to trust you,' he pressed on, his voice steady but firm. 'That day in the library, you told me to put my faith in you. And I have, Linry. So tell me – does your academy have plans to harm the college members joining the expedition?'
Linry struggled visibly, the answer she wished to give trapped deep within her. A pained groan escaped her lips, drawing Riniock's attention as he turned to witness her inner turmoil.
'What is this…' he hissed, confusion etched into his face.
Linry raised a trembling hand to her lips, signalling that she could not speak. A single tear, glistening in the fading light, slid down her cheek and landed on the stone they shared.
Riniock's sharp mind immediately sensed that something was amiss – this was far from normal.
'Are you unable to answer?' he whispered, his eyes scanning the area, wary of unseen threats.
She shook her head, a faint sob escaping her, though her voice remained lost. Grasping his hands in hers, Linry looked at him with desperate eyes, her emotions laid bare.
Frustration flickered across Riniock's face as he tried to piece together the puzzle. 'Did they bewitch you?' he asked softly, his tone edged with tension. 'Did they cast a spell to stop you from revealing the truth – revealing what I asked?'
Her solemn nod was all the confirmation he needed, the sadness in her eyes piercing through him.
The arch-maegi's warnings were not without merit, Riniock realised, a weight settling in his chest. His thoughts raced, uncertainty clouding his judgment.
His premonition was right. But I cannot confirm its genuineness – not without risking Linry's life.
Linry's hands tightened around his again. 'I'm sorry,' she whispered, her voice, shaky, finally returning. 'I'm so sorry…'
For the first time, Riniock pulled her into an embrace. Despite his usual aloof demeanour, his body moved instinctively, drawing her closer. 'It's alright,' he murmured. 'I'll find a way to fix this.'
'You can't, Riniock,' she warned, her arms tightening around him as if afraid to let go.
'I won't let them get away with it,' he said, his voice firm. 'Not for plotting against me, and certainly not for bewitching you.'
'Riniock…'
'It's fine, Linry,' he assured her. 'Just keep up the façade. Pretend I never found out. Can you do that?'
She pulled back slightly, wiping away a stray tear and taking a deep breath. Slowly, she nodded, her usual composure settling over her once more.
'I'll help you,' Linry blurted out suddenly, her voice resolute.
'Even if it means standing against your peers and fellow classmates?'
'Yes.'
'For someone you've known for only a few weeks?'
Linry held his gaze, her voice soft yet unwavering. 'Ever since I met you, the rest of the world faded away.'
'Since that day,' Riniock admitted, a faint blush colouring his cheeks, 'my world has felt just a little brighter.'
The sun hovered low over the horizon, casting a warm, amber glow across the riverbank. As they sat together on the rocky edge, arms still wrapped around one another, they watched the distant sky deepen into shades of red and gold.
For this moment, the weight of the world slipped away, their troubles forgotten. In the quiet serenity of each other's presence, they found a rare and fleeting contentment.