Ryan was ready to end this mission.
On the one hand, he really disliked Ayeden, but he did want to help the slippery Elf.
When the group formed around the Circle, Grizzly's eyes darted between Ryan and Ayeden.
"Ryan. How do you want to do this?"
He wanted to reject Ayeden, but answered with a sigh.
"Ayeden can add some of his magic to mine as I open the path."
Grizzly crushed his cigarette between his fingers.
"Understood. Are you ready?"
Ryan nodded as he took his place on the stones.
Ayeden stood behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
The men stood in silence as Ryan activated the Sunset Path.
Just as the path formed, Ayeden removed his hand.
He spoke a word in an unknown language, and at that moment, Grizzly and Eragon were flung out of the circle.
Ayeden tried to grab Ryan's neck, but the young man was too quick.
He managed to grab the Elf's wrist and throw him over his shoulder.
As Ayeden crashed, the path forced Ryan's magic from him, and he felt his consciousness fade.
A moment before the darkness enveloped him, he saw an intricate wooden door with long golden handles.
In what felt like a moment, Ryan slowly opened his eyes.
He was still at the entrance, but the doors were flung open.
There were Elves in green robes with their straight swords pointed at him.
With them was one Elf he recognised, Aeriath.
Her emotionless expression told Ryan that he was in a lot of trouble.
When he tried to get to his feet, the armed Elves took a step forward.
Ryan raised his hands.
"I mean no harm."
Aeriath took a step forward and knelt next to him.
"You brought the betrayer here. I warned you not to come."
Ryan frowned.
"You said he didn't perform his role. He showed me how he wanted to be a Knight. Who am I supposed to trust?"
She held out her hand and helped Ryan to his feet.
"It seems we were both deceived. I had returned to your dreamscape to explain what the Clanfathers had decided, as well as the truth of the Betrayer. It seems he made me believe it was you, while he showed you his past."
Ryan's stomach turned at her words.
"Wait, slow down. How did he do that?"
She gestured to the doors.
"There is no time. We must hurry and bring the news to the Clanmaster."
Ryan thought back to his conversation with Ayeden.
Without a word, he nodded and followed Aeriath.
Behind the door was a world he had never seen.
It was underground, like with the Dwarves, but there were massive globes in the sky that illuminated the grasslands he stepped into.
In the distance, he saw massive plains with a few trees, some small houses and a wooden castle in the distance.
Aeriath led him to a circular stone with a single blue gem in the middle.
She led Ryan onto the slab, and she spoke to the other Elves.
With a bow, they made their way back to the door.
With a slight jolt, the slab elevated and began flying to the castle in the distance.
Ryan, in his tired state, sat on the edge with his legs dangling over the countryside.
"I am sorry for bringing him here. His first failed attempt should have been a clue."
Aeriath was quiet for a moment before she sat down next to him.
"He deceived us all. There is no need for apologies."
Ryan nodded, and he remembered what she said before.
"Earlier, you said you wanted to tell me the truth about him. What is it?"
She turned her head to the castle that was still far away, then she fixed her attention on him.
"To understand the Betrayer, you must first understand us and the Role."
Ryan nodded.
"I remember you saying that he didn't play his role, and that is why he was punished."
She continued.
"That is true. The Role is what we use to protect our sanity as immortals."
As she explained, there was an almost imperceptible scowl on her face.
"An Elf would go insane from all the years that form part of our lives. That was when the Role was devised. They would live a lifetime as a mortal to stave off that madness."
Ryan shot to his feet.
"You use us as a vacation? Do you have any idea what many half-Elves like me go through?"
His fists were clenched so tightly that his hands started cramping.
She kept quiet as she stood up, and there were no words shared as they made their way to the castle.
As the slab landed, Ryan managed to force a question from his throat.
"Why did you bring me here?"
Aeriath answered without hesitation.
"My father's and my duty is the protection of the Clanmaster. If you can assist us in protecting him, it will accelerate our decision on aid."
Ryan hated her roundabout way of speaking, but decided not to pry.
"I understand."
For a moment, she froze, but a smile formed on her lips as she led him to the side of the wooden castle.
When she opened the door, he saw more green-robed Elves with swords.
What also caught his attention were smaller light orbs high on the walls that illuminated the long halls.
There were portraits painted directly on the walls.
In these paintings were scenes of battles, and the Elves wore the clothing of the different races and factions.
This made Ryan sigh.
Ayeden was punished for abandoning Grizzly and Olivia, not because of betrayal, but because his role was that of a Knight.
He was still deep in thought when Aeriath stopped in front of a large door flanked by two guards.
She spoke in Elvish with them, and without a word, they opened the door and moved out of the way.
The office was massive with bookshelves that covered every wall.
In the middle of the room was a desk with an Elf that looked no older than Aeriath.
When he stood up, Aeriath knelt.
Ryan decided to stand as the Elf approached him.
"Interesting. Aeriath spoke of you and your proposed alliance."
He walked around them a few times.
"What value can you bring to our partnership?"
Ryan's eyes went wide.
"Value? I brought you the information on the changelings, as well as the timeline."
The Elf scoffed as he made his way to his desk.
"You also brought the Betrayer to our court."
With a scowl, Ryan walked to the desk.
"How else were we supposed to find you?"
The Elf sat down behind his desk.
"In a negotiation, it is imperative that you state your value and how you can leverage that value."
Ryan frowned for a moment, and as the realisation hit him, anger replaced confusion.
Instead of lashing out, he spoke as calmly as he could.
"If I help you find Ayeden and deal with him, can we have a discussion about the alliance?"
The Elf smiled as he stood up and bowed.
"My name is Redylan Springrain, Clanfather of the Springrain Clan. My daughter told me about you, and I can see what she meant."
Ryan glanced back at the still kneeling Aeriath.
"What did she say?"
"You are a killer who rose above."