I noticed that the path to the library was now closed and that the throne on mana was gone as well. The shards of the previous thrones still lay about the hall, as if representing days of past glory. I saw a severed hand in a small pool of dried blood near the top of the steps that would have led to the thrones had they still been standing.
I slowly went over to it and picked up the cold, lifeless hand, staring at it for a few moments. My eyes glowed, and I ignited the hand with a directed Pyrus spell, turning it to little more than a pile of fine ash. I dusted my hands and went to the servants' area, where I was sure to find Pyle, and consequently, Meliss.
I came to the wooden door of the room and poked my head through the crack. Meliss was telling him how she had used her previous experience when fleeing the castle to strike down the glick that had come for her and Leona. Pyle was enjoying himself at the tale; he always loved a good story, and he congratulated her on her accomplishment.
"I am curious to see what you might accomplish with a sword in your hand. You might not be as adept as those of us who have done it our entire lives, but you will still learn a vast number of skills," Pyle began as her eyes grew wide.
"Do you mean that? Do you think I could learn sword skills? What about mana? Can I learn that, too?" she asked eagerly. "Whoa, whoa. One question at a time. Why do you want to learn so badly?" Pyle gestured, trying to calm her down, making Meliss ponder for a moment, as I listened intently from the doorway.
"Even though I've been a servant all my life, since this incident began, I've had to defend myself twice from both man and monster," she began, looking away as she spoke. "If it weren't for the knife you gave me, I wouldn't be standing here right now. I've learned, very quickly, that I never want to feel that kind of fear or helplessness again," she said, reverting her gaze back to Pyle's glowing eyes.
"You do know that courage is not the absence of fear, right?" Pyle asked. "What do you mean?" Meliss asked, visibly confused. "Being courageous, brave, or whatever you want to call it, doesn't mean that you don't fear whatever it is in front of you. It simply means that you accept the possibility of things going to shit, but you know that you're going to give it your best, regardless of the outcome," he explained.
Meliss took a moment to digest the words and nodded her agreement after toying with the jeweled stubs in her ear lobes. "In that case, I would like to learn to become both courageous and skilled with a sword," she said determinedly.
I knew she would say that, I thought.
"I'm glad to hear that," he began with a light chuckle and a bright smile. "Even though you might still be a little too old for me to train from the very beginning. That's not to say it's impossible; only that you'll likely not be as adept as others your age. If you're capable enough, I might be able to begin and still have you graduate with some of the others from Fangsdalr, should you wish to become one of us, that is," he said, prompting her to look down at the ground pensively.
"I've recently put eighteen winters behind me. Is that too old to be trained?" she asked, genuine concern ruling her tone. "It is a little on the older side," Pyle began. "She could always train with us at Codrean," I interjected, making her face light up when she heard my voice more clearly than earlier that day.
"Ah, you actually managed to make it down here. I was worried I'd have to send Meliss to carry your ass down the stairs," he jested. "I'm broken, not dead, Master Pyle. The Master sent me here to get my jaw fixed," I muttered. Meliss grabbed me a chair and pulled it up beside her for me. "Thank you," I said quietly with a nod.
"So, you think the Master would let her train with you there at Codrean?" Pyle asked as he poured mana into my jaw. "I think he wouldn't mind, but I'd have to ask and confirm that," I replied, feeling the fracture closing and the swelling dissipating as more mana flowed into my wound. "There, all done," Pyle said, proud of his work. "Gods above and below, that is so much better," I said, moving my jaw around.
"In any case, we might be able to train you as one of our own if you're up for the challenge and the Master agrees to it," I said. Meliss' eyes held both excitement and seriousness that I had never before seen. "If he lets me, I'll do whatever it takes," she stated confidently.
Ah, shit. Leona's going to kill me, isn't she? I mentally chuckled nervously.
"Well, we'll also need to discuss Fangsdalr, since the traitor likely gave away its position," Pyle said solemnly. "I'm sure the Master will be more than willing to accommodate. We've lost many of our own as well, so it wouldn't be too large of a stretch to supplement our forces with yours," I said suggestively. "You might be right, but time will tell," he concluded.
A short silence fell amongst us, each one digesting the information presented here. "Oh, fuck! I just realized I haven't seen or heard from anyone else since I woke up. Where are Ed and Batch?" I asked urgently. "Edryd should be just outside the main hall," Pyle began. "The turd survived? Heh, I knew he would," I said with a grin, but Pyle and Meliss glanced at each other with knowing looks.
"Wait, what about Batch? Wh-what happened?" I asked, fearing the answer after noticing the pair's exchange. "You should probably go find Edryd. Meliss, take him with you and go find him," Pyle said solemnly.