candle in the window
More and more comes the clues as more deeply and more deeply you become ensnared by the mystery. Can you solve it before it's too late? Just who is Kai-Stern? Why did he try so hard to push Lykouleon away when this love seems to be what he wants as well? Just what happened to Kai-Stern in Luwa and what will happen if the truth comes to light? Can Kai-Stern trust himself around Lykouleon, if he can't remember what he does? So many questions. Is it possible to get too many answers?
Chapter 29
"That is all." Tetheus excused Devlin as Ruwalk entered the room.
"Thank you, sir." the brunet bowed his head, lower than usual. "Let me say, sir, it's been an honor serving you. Please accept my resignation..."
"I refuse."
"But sir?" the young man was confused but determinded.
"You are a fighter under my command, are you not?"
"Y-Yes, sir! he stood at attention.
"When you signed on here you entrusted you fate to me is that correct?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Am I now to understand, that you are refusing to obey my orders? That you will no longer consider yourself in the service of his majesty Lord Lykouleon?"
"N-no sir. I will always..."
"Then report to your post this evening, dragon fighter."
"S-Sir!" Devlin got a signal from Tetheus to be dismissed and with the utmost respect he did so. "Excuse me, sir." he paused and bowed slightly, before passing the secretary of state.
"I think that's what they call tough love."
"He's too hard on himself. Sorry you had to see that."
"Not at all," the brown and red haird dragon smiled, shutting the door behind him. "it's an inspiration to see you at work. How is it that I may be of service?" Ruwalk sat as Tetheus straightned some papers and closed a file folder.
"I'm collecting statements about the incident last night." Tetheus scanned over the statement he just took from Devlin. "I'd like your version." He prepared a paper and an ink quill.
"Let's see." the brown and red haired dragon collected his thoughts. "Alfeegi and I were alone in the vault since eight o'clock. I suppose it was around eleven or midnight when I left."
"Why did you leave?" the scratching of the pen paused as he asked the question.
"To get something to eat, for both of us." Ruwalk hesitated. Should I tell him that we had a kind of an argument, sort of...
"Please continue."
"Yes. Uh, Devlin was outside guarding the vault doors when I came into the hall. I thought it was strange because I hadn't seen him up so late before."
"Did he look fatigued in any way?"
"No." Ruwalk felt surprised by the quill that scratched again, but a lot more than his simple answer. "He looked refreshed if anything."
"I see." the security officer continued his note taking. The scritch scratch of that quill across the paper was getting a little uncomfortable.
"Is that important?" The secretary of state asked, wondering if all these notes over one observation was so necessary.
"Perhaps." Tetheus lifted the quill from the paper. The yellow dragon officer was acctually relieved to have that feather still. "Please go on."
"Well, I went to the kitchen and when I came back Devlin wasn't there. I called out, wondering if something was wrong." The note taking stopped again even though the secretary of state was still explaining. What did that mean? "I'd never known him to leave his post without some one to one to take over, not even to use the restroom."
"And then what happened?" Those black eyes actually looked up from the paper. What is he writting?
"After a moment, Devlin came running into the hallway franticly. I asked him what was wrong. He said that Alfeegi had shouted 'found it,' or something" Ruwalk explained as the scritch scratching of the quill prosisted. "and that's when he told me there had been an accident. He ran past me, knocking the tray out of my hands, but I didn't care. I found Alfeegi covered in a pile of books and...I tried to uncover him as much as I could..." Ruwalk swallowed hard. It was more difficult than he had expected to talk about it. It was such a shock. "that's when he..."
"Take your time." Tetheus noticed his discomfort, set down the quill and offered a glass of water.
"Thank you, I'm fine." the brown eyed dragon refused.
"He, Alfeegi," The brown eyed dragon closed his eyes remembering, and trying to ignore that relentless writing. "coughed up blood, so I called for help. Some people showed up in their night clothes and one or two dragon fighters held them back until the doctor could arrive." He opened those brown eyes again and sat back a little further in his chair. "And...that's what happened."
"I see." Those deep black eyes looked over the notes he just took of Ruwalk's account.
"Tetheus, I'm wondering...do you think this might not have been an accident?"
"I'm not sure yet. First I need to clearly establish what happened that night, then we can start formulating conjectures." Black eyes looked into brown. Even Ruwalk found himself intimidated by those eyes sometimes. "Ruwalk, can you repeat what you just told me, about what happened last night."
"Sure." the yellow dragon officer leaned on Tetheus's desk. "Let's see. Alfeegi and I were alone, looking for that map. I left to get something to eat. Devlin had just started his shift."
"That was around eleven o'clock then?" The raven haired officer asked flipping from one page to another now.
"Yes. I believe so. It was around the time they change guards." Ruwalk put a knuckle to his chin. Not really a stickler for time, he didn't pay too much attention when he didn't have to. "It was only maybe fifteen or twenty minutes till I came back. Devlin came running out of the vault in a panic. And that's when he told me there had been an accident. I ran in and saw Alfeegi lying there. He was covered in papers and books up to here." Ruwalk motioned with his hand, about mid-torso. "Devlin said he was going to get help so I waited with Alfeegi. I called for help..."
"You didn't see anyone enter or leave the room."
"After I called for help?" Ruwalk thought about it. "Just some people in their night clothes and some dragon fighters."
"Can you tell me the name of each person that showed up?"
"I wasn't thinking about it at the time, especially when Dr. Arvis made his way through the crowd. I lost track of everyone else. I was worried about Alfeegi."
"I understand, but can you tell me the names of those you do remember?"
"Um, let's see." The yellow dragon officer put a knuckle to his chin, trying to remember. "The dragon fighters that showed up were, Clarence, Atton, and Erilite."
"Those in the immediate vicinity," Tetheus nodded, scribbling something, "Please continue."
"The rest were, Ms. Alister, Mr. Dorinus, and two or three others I think."
"I've already spoken with the dragon fighters involved. They confirmed the names you just gave me and a few you didn't. Ms. Shizell, Mrs. Oller and Mr. Xena. Although, when the doctor arrived it's seemes as though everyone was focused on the cheif secretary."
"Is that strange?"
"No." his voice said no, but his eyes gave the indication that he was looking deeper. He seemed to be staring into a deep pool of thought far beyond that paper he had been writing on. Those black eyes focused like a hawk on his prey, watching, waiting for a clue to present itself. "That's all that happened?" Tetheus looked back to Ruwalk.
"Yes." The yellow dragon officer answered automatically. But that wasn't entirely true. He remembered talking with Kai-Stern just down the hall from the vault. But should I say anything? He just went for an evening snack after all, he was going back to his room when...
Suddenly two and two met up with four. There was an adjacent hallway that would have led to Kai-Stern's room, but Ruwalk passed it after speaking with the blue dragon officer. But that didn't mean anything if he wasn't at the scene right?...right? Those brown eyes seemed to be wide open windows to the black dragon officer.
"What?"
"Uh..." the secretary of state smiled nervously. "It's probably nothing."
"Never the less, it could be important." Tetheus insisted.
"Well, on my way to the kitchen I saw Kai-Stern." Those black eyes looked surprised for a split second. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything. He can't be a suspect, but...if he...what if he did? "We were going in opposite directions. And there's something else too." He let his brown bangs cover his expression. "When I saw him..." he felt like he was about to betray his friend but if he didn't do it there would be evidence to support that...wouldn't there? "I told him about the map that Alfeegi and I had been looking for. He seemed surprised to hear that we had a lead."
"That..." Tetheus flipped through some documents and laid out some papers side by side.
"What is it?"
"The timing...is right." A bead of sweat touched his brow a definate sign of trouble.
"What do you mean?"
"Devlin's statement," he pointed at one of his many files. "Around 11:10 Devlin saw one of Raseleane's handmaidens, Minna Myerth, walking in the halls. He called out to her and when she didn't answer, he followed. When he looked down the corridor, she was gone. It was only a moment, but he was drawn away from his post. It would have been the perfect opportunity for someone to slip in there. And child's play to hide among those stacks until a crowd developed, enough to escape or be counted among them, possibly."
"Hold on, a minute! What your saying..."
"Devlin heard Alfeegi say, 'I found it.' He must have been referring the map."
"I know what you're thinking, but that map couldn't have been there. We searched for days, we were about to give up and...and you had them search didn't you?"
"Yes. There was nothing." the black dragon officer admitted.
"There you see? It's not there. Maybe he mistook it."
"Or maybe it was taken. In order for some truth to stay hidden."
"No. I don't beleive it. Kai-Stern wouldn't..."
"We've already factored in the posibility that an enemy could be...influencing Kai-Stern. I get daily reports that he is not himself."
"That's because he's here! You know he's the traveler type, he doesn't like being couped up, even for his own good. And with all the fears over the possiblility that he could be 'influenced' by a youkai, people aren't themselves either."
"Are you saying they can't be trusted?"
"I'm saying it could be exaggerated. You know it's a possibility that he could have just gotten turned around in those dark corridors and passed by the right hall way. He's lived out there more than in these walls. He...he just..." Ruwalk remembered being excited about Kai-Stern's blooming love or at least the possibility of love for Lykouleon. "I don't think he could ever betray us. Even against his will." Those brown eyes believed in the trust that Lykouleon held for the secretary of forgein affairs.
"I'd like to believe that's true. But I have to fully consider the evidence as it is presented to me." Tetheus slipped two statements to Ruwalk and stood from his desk.
"What is this?" The yellow dragon officer picked up the first paper. "-Minna Myerth. Eleven fourty-five.- This date was just last night. -Had a breif descussion with Kai-Stern on his way to the third floor.-"
"Read the next."
"-Dragon Fighter Thomas Rimly.- But wait he was stationed outside the castle What does he have to..."
"I don't have as many fighters posted around the castle so I asked that each one report immediately if Kai-Stern is exibiting any unusual behavior."
"-Dragon Fighter Thomas Rimly. Kai-Stern was seen on the northwest parapet at twelve fifteen Am.- I don't understand."
"Rimly had his partner guard their post. Fearing that Kai-Stern might try to take his own life, he rushed up to the parapet gate. When he arrived the secretary of forgein affairs was dressed in his night clothes. His arms were outstretched, but not to jump as Rimly had suspected. Small bits of paper were being carried away by the gales that swarm the castle at that height."
"Paper could be the map but...did you get any of it?"
"No. The dragon fighter didn't understand it at the time and since then we've searched the grounds, but with the frequency of storm winds lately." He shook his raven hair. "They could have been carried for miles. That was probably the purpose. So no one could see."
"But we can't know for certain."
"When Kai-Stern was asked what he was doing. He replied, 'Just disposing of troublesome trash.' It's not proof but it's obvious what he was doing. Destroying something as completely as he could."
"What an irresponsible thing to say. But, like him." Ruwalk nodded, understanding the weight of the situation. "If it was that important why wouldn't he just brun it?"
"I can't answer that."
"What now?"
"I have an appointment to speak with him tomorrow. I'd like to give him a chance to come clean. If indeed he was the culprit. If anything else happens in connection with him that is even remotely suspicious...I might have to confine him, until we can learn more."
"When Alfeegi wakes up..." Ruwalk started, but Tetheus interrupted.
"We can't know what he can provide us until then, but, don't get your hopes up." A moment of silent discomfort weighed on the room.
"Did..." The brown and red haired dragon asked just to keep talking. "Did Kai-Stern go to his room after that?"
"No." The black dragon officer opened his window. The clouds were darker now and a few drops of rain had started to fall. "He insisted on staying up there, so Rimly did the only thing he could think of."
"What?" The yellow dragon officer was interested.
"He got Kai-Stern a blanket and returned to his post." Tetheus closed the window again.
"He's so stubborn." The brunet shook his head. "That idiot." Ruwalk felt like a thousand weights were pressing down on him. What's going to happen? Alfeegi, please wake up soon. Until then, Kai-Stern, stay out of trouble.
More and more comes the clues as more deeply and more deeply you become ensnared by the mystery. Can you solve it before it's too late? Just who is Kai-Stern? Why did he try so hard to push Lykouleon away when this love seems to be what he wants as well? Just what happened to Kai-Stern in Luwa and what will happen if the truth comes to light? Can Kai-Stern trust himself around Lykouleon, if he can't remember what he does? So many questions. Is it possible to get too many answers?
Chapter 29
"That is all." Tetheus excused Devlin as Ruwalk entered the room.
"Thank you, sir." the brunet bowed his head, lower than usual. "Let me say, sir, it's been an honor serving you. Please accept my resignation..."
"I refuse."
"But sir?" the young man was confused but determinded.
"You are a fighter under my command, are you not?"
"Y-Yes, sir! he stood at attention.
"When you signed on here you entrusted you fate to me is that correct?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Am I now to understand, that you are refusing to obey my orders? That you will no longer consider yourself in the service of his majesty Lord Lykouleon?"
"N-no sir. I will always..."
"Then report to your post this evening, dragon fighter."
"S-Sir!" Devlin got a signal from Tetheus to be dismissed and with the utmost respect he did so. "Excuse me, sir." he paused and bowed slightly, before passing the secretary of state.
"I think that's what they call tough love."
"He's too hard on himself. Sorry you had to see that."
"Not at all," the brown and red haird dragon smiled, shutting the door behind him. "it's an inspiration to see you at work. How is it that I may be of service?" Ruwalk sat as Tetheus straightned some papers and closed a file folder.
"I'm collecting statements about the incident last night." Tetheus scanned over the statement he just took from Devlin. "I'd like your version." He prepared a paper and an ink quill.
"Let's see." the brown and red haired dragon collected his thoughts. "Alfeegi and I were alone in the vault since eight o'clock. I suppose it was around eleven or midnight when I left."
"Why did you leave?" the scratching of the pen paused as he asked the question.
"To get something to eat, for both of us." Ruwalk hesitated. Should I tell him that we had a kind of an argument, sort of...
"Please continue."
"Yes. Uh, Devlin was outside guarding the vault doors when I came into the hall. I thought it was strange because I hadn't seen him up so late before."
"Did he look fatigued in any way?"
"No." Ruwalk felt surprised by the quill that scratched again, but a lot more than his simple answer. "He looked refreshed if anything."
"I see." the security officer continued his note taking. The scritch scratch of that quill across the paper was getting a little uncomfortable.
"Is that important?" The secretary of state asked, wondering if all these notes over one observation was so necessary.
"Perhaps." Tetheus lifted the quill from the paper. The yellow dragon officer was acctually relieved to have that feather still. "Please go on."
"Well, I went to the kitchen and when I came back Devlin wasn't there. I called out, wondering if something was wrong." The note taking stopped again even though the secretary of state was still explaining. What did that mean? "I'd never known him to leave his post without some one to one to take over, not even to use the restroom."
"And then what happened?" Those black eyes actually looked up from the paper. What is he writting?
"After a moment, Devlin came running into the hallway franticly. I asked him what was wrong. He said that Alfeegi had shouted 'found it,' or something" Ruwalk explained as the scritch scratching of the quill prosisted. "and that's when he told me there had been an accident. He ran past me, knocking the tray out of my hands, but I didn't care. I found Alfeegi covered in a pile of books and...I tried to uncover him as much as I could..." Ruwalk swallowed hard. It was more difficult than he had expected to talk about it. It was such a shock. "that's when he..."
"Take your time." Tetheus noticed his discomfort, set down the quill and offered a glass of water.
"Thank you, I'm fine." the brown eyed dragon refused.
"He, Alfeegi," The brown eyed dragon closed his eyes remembering, and trying to ignore that relentless writing. "coughed up blood, so I called for help. Some people showed up in their night clothes and one or two dragon fighters held them back until the doctor could arrive." He opened those brown eyes again and sat back a little further in his chair. "And...that's what happened."
"I see." Those deep black eyes looked over the notes he just took of Ruwalk's account.
"Tetheus, I'm wondering...do you think this might not have been an accident?"
"I'm not sure yet. First I need to clearly establish what happened that night, then we can start formulating conjectures." Black eyes looked into brown. Even Ruwalk found himself intimidated by those eyes sometimes. "Ruwalk, can you repeat what you just told me, about what happened last night."
"Sure." the yellow dragon officer leaned on Tetheus's desk. "Let's see. Alfeegi and I were alone, looking for that map. I left to get something to eat. Devlin had just started his shift."
"That was around eleven o'clock then?" The raven haired officer asked flipping from one page to another now.
"Yes. I believe so. It was around the time they change guards." Ruwalk put a knuckle to his chin. Not really a stickler for time, he didn't pay too much attention when he didn't have to. "It was only maybe fifteen or twenty minutes till I came back. Devlin came running out of the vault in a panic. And that's when he told me there had been an accident. I ran in and saw Alfeegi lying there. He was covered in papers and books up to here." Ruwalk motioned with his hand, about mid-torso. "Devlin said he was going to get help so I waited with Alfeegi. I called for help..."
"You didn't see anyone enter or leave the room."
"After I called for help?" Ruwalk thought about it. "Just some people in their night clothes and some dragon fighters."
"Can you tell me the name of each person that showed up?"
"I wasn't thinking about it at the time, especially when Dr. Arvis made his way through the crowd. I lost track of everyone else. I was worried about Alfeegi."
"I understand, but can you tell me the names of those you do remember?"
"Um, let's see." The yellow dragon officer put a knuckle to his chin, trying to remember. "The dragon fighters that showed up were, Clarence, Atton, and Erilite."
"Those in the immediate vicinity," Tetheus nodded, scribbling something, "Please continue."
"The rest were, Ms. Alister, Mr. Dorinus, and two or three others I think."
"I've already spoken with the dragon fighters involved. They confirmed the names you just gave me and a few you didn't. Ms. Shizell, Mrs. Oller and Mr. Xena. Although, when the doctor arrived it's seemes as though everyone was focused on the cheif secretary."
"Is that strange?"
"No." his voice said no, but his eyes gave the indication that he was looking deeper. He seemed to be staring into a deep pool of thought far beyond that paper he had been writing on. Those black eyes focused like a hawk on his prey, watching, waiting for a clue to present itself. "That's all that happened?" Tetheus looked back to Ruwalk.
"Yes." The yellow dragon officer answered automatically. But that wasn't entirely true. He remembered talking with Kai-Stern just down the hall from the vault. But should I say anything? He just went for an evening snack after all, he was going back to his room when...
Suddenly two and two met up with four. There was an adjacent hallway that would have led to Kai-Stern's room, but Ruwalk passed it after speaking with the blue dragon officer. But that didn't mean anything if he wasn't at the scene right?...right? Those brown eyes seemed to be wide open windows to the black dragon officer.
"What?"
"Uh..." the secretary of state smiled nervously. "It's probably nothing."
"Never the less, it could be important." Tetheus insisted.
"Well, on my way to the kitchen I saw Kai-Stern." Those black eyes looked surprised for a split second. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything. He can't be a suspect, but...if he...what if he did? "We were going in opposite directions. And there's something else too." He let his brown bangs cover his expression. "When I saw him..." he felt like he was about to betray his friend but if he didn't do it there would be evidence to support that...wouldn't there? "I told him about the map that Alfeegi and I had been looking for. He seemed surprised to hear that we had a lead."
"That..." Tetheus flipped through some documents and laid out some papers side by side.
"What is it?"
"The timing...is right." A bead of sweat touched his brow a definate sign of trouble.
"What do you mean?"
"Devlin's statement," he pointed at one of his many files. "Around 11:10 Devlin saw one of Raseleane's handmaidens, Minna Myerth, walking in the halls. He called out to her and when she didn't answer, he followed. When he looked down the corridor, she was gone. It was only a moment, but he was drawn away from his post. It would have been the perfect opportunity for someone to slip in there. And child's play to hide among those stacks until a crowd developed, enough to escape or be counted among them, possibly."
"Hold on, a minute! What your saying..."
"Devlin heard Alfeegi say, 'I found it.' He must have been referring the map."
"I know what you're thinking, but that map couldn't have been there. We searched for days, we were about to give up and...and you had them search didn't you?"
"Yes. There was nothing." the black dragon officer admitted.
"There you see? It's not there. Maybe he mistook it."
"Or maybe it was taken. In order for some truth to stay hidden."
"No. I don't beleive it. Kai-Stern wouldn't..."
"We've already factored in the posibility that an enemy could be...influencing Kai-Stern. I get daily reports that he is not himself."
"That's because he's here! You know he's the traveler type, he doesn't like being couped up, even for his own good. And with all the fears over the possiblility that he could be 'influenced' by a youkai, people aren't themselves either."
"Are you saying they can't be trusted?"
"I'm saying it could be exaggerated. You know it's a possibility that he could have just gotten turned around in those dark corridors and passed by the right hall way. He's lived out there more than in these walls. He...he just..." Ruwalk remembered being excited about Kai-Stern's blooming love or at least the possibility of love for Lykouleon. "I don't think he could ever betray us. Even against his will." Those brown eyes believed in the trust that Lykouleon held for the secretary of forgein affairs.
"I'd like to believe that's true. But I have to fully consider the evidence as it is presented to me." Tetheus slipped two statements to Ruwalk and stood from his desk.
"What is this?" The yellow dragon officer picked up the first paper. "-Minna Myerth. Eleven fourty-five.- This date was just last night. -Had a breif descussion with Kai-Stern on his way to the third floor.-"
"Read the next."
"-Dragon Fighter Thomas Rimly.- But wait he was stationed outside the castle What does he have to..."
"I don't have as many fighters posted around the castle so I asked that each one report immediately if Kai-Stern is exibiting any unusual behavior."
"-Dragon Fighter Thomas Rimly. Kai-Stern was seen on the northwest parapet at twelve fifteen Am.- I don't understand."
"Rimly had his partner guard their post. Fearing that Kai-Stern might try to take his own life, he rushed up to the parapet gate. When he arrived the secretary of forgein affairs was dressed in his night clothes. His arms were outstretched, but not to jump as Rimly had suspected. Small bits of paper were being carried away by the gales that swarm the castle at that height."
"Paper could be the map but...did you get any of it?"
"No. The dragon fighter didn't understand it at the time and since then we've searched the grounds, but with the frequency of storm winds lately." He shook his raven hair. "They could have been carried for miles. That was probably the purpose. So no one could see."
"But we can't know for certain."
"When Kai-Stern was asked what he was doing. He replied, 'Just disposing of troublesome trash.' It's not proof but it's obvious what he was doing. Destroying something as completely as he could."
"What an irresponsible thing to say. But, like him." Ruwalk nodded, understanding the weight of the situation. "If it was that important why wouldn't he just brun it?"
"I can't answer that."
"What now?"
"I have an appointment to speak with him tomorrow. I'd like to give him a chance to come clean. If indeed he was the culprit. If anything else happens in connection with him that is even remotely suspicious...I might have to confine him, until we can learn more."
"When Alfeegi wakes up..." Ruwalk started, but Tetheus interrupted.
"We can't know what he can provide us until then, but, don't get your hopes up." A moment of silent discomfort weighed on the room.
"Did..." The brown and red haired dragon asked just to keep talking. "Did Kai-Stern go to his room after that?"
"No." The black dragon officer opened his window. The clouds were darker now and a few drops of rain had started to fall. "He insisted on staying up there, so Rimly did the only thing he could think of."
"What?" The yellow dragon officer was interested.
"He got Kai-Stern a blanket and returned to his post." Tetheus closed the window again.
"He's so stubborn." The brunet shook his head. "That idiot." Ruwalk felt like a thousand weights were pressing down on him. What's going to happen? Alfeegi, please wake up soon. Until then, Kai-Stern, stay out of trouble.
