Chapter 53: A Fractured Return
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long, golden shadows over the desolate terrain. Kealina and Eryndor trudged forward, their bodies battered and spirits heavy. The journey back to the Vanguard's territory was slow and grueling, every step a reminder of the toll their recent battle had taken.
Eryndor leaned heavily on a makeshift crutch, his left arm bound tightly to his chest with torn strips of fabric. His ribs ached with every breath, but the pain was nothing compared to the weight in his heart. "Are we even sure they'll let us in after... all this?" he muttered, breaking the uneasy silence.
Kealina, her cloak draped over her to shield her injured face, didn't turn to look at him. Her remaining eye was fixed on the horizon, her voice cold. "They don't have a choice. They need us."
Eryndor grimaced but didn't argue. His gaze shifted to her, his usual sharpness dulled by exhaustion. "We'll need answers. About everything."
Kealina didn't reply immediately. Her thoughts were a storm, memories of Illarion's words mingling with the vivid image of his lifeless body. She tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword, her knuckles white. "Answers will come. First, we survive."
The two pressed on, their path winding through jagged cliffs and dry, cracked earth. The once-familiar terrain of the Vanguard's outskirts felt foreign now, as if the land itself recoiled from their presence.
As they approached the towering gates of the Vanguard stronghold, the air grew tense. The guards stationed at the entrance exchanged wary glances, their hands hovering over their weapons.
"State your business," one of them called, his voice firm but cautious.
Kealina stepped forward, pulling back her hood to reveal her injured face. The guard's expression shifted from suspicion to shock, and he quickly motioned for the gates to be opened.
"Captain Kealina," he stammered, bowing slightly. "We didn't expect—"
"Save it," she cut him off, her tone sharp. "We need an audience with the Council. Now."
The guard hesitated but nodded, signaling to another to escort them.
Eryndor leaned closer to Kealina as they were led through the stronghold's winding corridors. "You think they'll tell us the truth?"
"They'll have to," she replied, her voice low. "Illarion wasn't working alone. And if the Council knew... they'll answer for it."
The Vanguard's halls felt colder than she remembered, the once-bustling stronghold now eerily quiet. Whispers followed their passage, curious eyes peeking from shadowed alcoves.
As they neared the Council chamber, Kealina paused, her hand brushing against the heavy door. She turned to Eryndor, her gaze unwavering. "Stay sharp. We don't know who we can trust."
Eryndor nodded, his grip tightening on his crutch.
With a deep breath, Kealina pushed the doors open. The Council chamber loomed before them, its high ceilings and ornate carvings meant to inspire awe. But to her, it only felt oppressive.
The Council members sat in a semi-circle, their expressions ranging from surprise to suspicion. At the center sat High Commander Arlith, his piercing gaze fixed on them.
"Captain Kealina," he said, his voice even. "Report."
Kealina stepped forward, her voice steady despite the storm within her. "Illarion is dead. But his betrayal runs deeper than any of us could have imagined."
A ripple of shock ran through the chamber. Arlith's expression hardened. "Explain."
She glanced at Eryndor, then back at the Council. "Illarion was working for the Corruptor. And if what he said is true, we've been pawns in a game far larger than we realized."
The room fell silent, the weight of her words settling over them like a shroud.
Kealina's gaze swept over the Council, her jaw set. "We need answers. And if you're hiding anything, now's the time to come clean."
Arlith's eyes narrowed, but he didn't respond immediately. The tension in the room was palpable, each second stretching into eternity.
Finally, he leaned forward, his voice cold. "You've brought us troubling news, Captain. But if Illarion was indeed a traitor, then we must act swiftly. The Vanguard's integrity is at stake."
Kealina's eye narrowed. "And what about the truth? What aren't you telling us?"
Arlith's gaze didn't waver. "Careful, Captain. Accusations without proof can be dangerous."
Kealina's grip on her sword tightened, but she held her ground. The game was far from over, and she wasn't about to back down now.