"Have I ever led you astray with any Words or Revelations I've provided to the Wheel?" Jashad subtly nodded to Leona before he spoke. "Of course not, Child. You have always provided me with wondrous Words and Revelations to give to the Voices," the Mouth chuckled.
"Heed me, Voices," he began, spreading his arms widely as he glanced around the room. "The Wheel turns again. Guide the Words and Revelations here to enlighten those who have fallen into darkness and despair," his voice boomed across the tent.
"We have heard the Words from the Mouth and will speak them in accordance with his will," the Voices said in unison, disappearing almost instantly from view, leaving little trace of their presence behind. "What the…?" Gwili asked no one in particular as he looked around him.
"Impressive, aren't they?" the Mouth asked with clear satisfaction written on his face. "Within a few days, all of Harut will know of her transgressions. I'm sure the results will be… enticing, to say the least," he grinned wolfishly. "What do you need us to do now, Mouth?" Jashad asked.
"Nothing except ready yourselves for the battle that is sure to come, since the people of this country have longed for this day since the beginning of Bashaa's reign," he rubbed his thick hands together, making the bracelets clink together rhythmically.
He's been around that long? He must not be a full-blooded human, Bernar mentally noted.
"You may stay here. In three days' time, return to the world above to see the fruits of your Revelations," he clapped his hands together, summoning servants from the darkened areas of the tent.
"Thank you, Mouth. We graciously accept your offer, but I would like to have a word with you in private," Jashad bowed, prompting the others to do the same. "Of course, child," the Mouth said with a dismissive wave of the others.
"Do you think he can be trusted?" Leona whispered to Bernar as they were being guided to a private corner of the massive underground tent. "I guess we'll find out in three days, but we should make a plan for when the time comes," he shrugged, keeping an eye out for anything suspicious.
After gathering the others in their section of the tent, Bernar laid out the plan with Gwili and Thorsen's help over the next two days. Jashad offered valuable input regarding the layout of the city, and helped answer any other questions they had. With Jashad's help, Gwili also managed to get a message out to Wyrran regarding their plan, catching Jashad by surprise.
"I had no idea you could employ such tactics," he chuckled. "Your compromises seem risky, but viable if your group really is that skilled," he scratched the back of his head. "We've trained together for well over a century; I would trust them with my life just as they would trust me with theirs," Gwili stared at the detailed map the Voices provided.
"I can respect that. I would love to be able to live a long life like you elves do," Jashad said distantly. "It's not as fun as you'd think it would be. Watching any human friends you have grow old and die before you've even reached your maturation point can be difficult," Gwili sighed. "Is that why the elves are so secluded?" Jashad glanced at him curiously.
"Perhaps. I've lived long enough to see humans do some incredible things with their short lives, while some elves can take decades just to make a decision. Then again, maybe you are right," Gwili shrugged. "I've made it a point to live the best life that I can with what I've been given. If that means making more human friends than elven, so be it," he smiled, obviously hiding the pain behind his words.
"Well, if we pull this off, you'll always have a friend here in Harut," Jashad patted his shoulder. "Diolch, Jashad. You'll always have a friend in Coltend, as well," Gwili nodded. "Now, about this gap beneath the stairs to the palace…" he began, pointing to the map.
Meanwhile, Bernar was meditating in his room, trying to piece together all the information they had on the Hashishin, mentally replaying the recent battle in his head. He was out of his armor, wearing only the tunic that the Mouth's servants had provided for them.
They have such a wide variety of weapons that it becomes difficult to counter them if I'm caught in a group. I'll have to resort to keeping them in solo combat, otherwise, I might get caught off-guard, he pictured the curved blades, chain blades, and other such weapons that each of them used.
The only one that I need to watch out for is that leader, he recalled the sneering bastard that held a knife to Leona's throat. He's the one I'll have to face alone. If anyone else tries to fight him, they'll probably die before they can even swing their sword, he furrowed his brow.
"What's on your mind?" Leona asked, making him jolt a little. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you during your meditation," she clasped the dividing curtain behind her. "Eh, it's alright. I was just trying to figure out which targets I should prioritize tomorrow," he admitted.
Leona sat on her ankles beside him, straightening out her robes as she settled. "I thought you would have heard me getting closer," she chuckled lightly. "I might have, but I guess I was a little too focused on who we'll have to fight," he sighed, the image of a knife to her neck resurging in his mind.
Leona noticed the slight shift in his expression and put her hand on his. "You're worried about the one that captured me, aren't you?" her brow furrowed slightly, recalling the feeling from back then. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't, but if I can get him alone, I know I can beat him," he nodded.
He's always worrying about my safety, even if he's got a major battle of his own ahead of him, she thought as a warm grin showed.
"Of course I am," Bernar muttered accidentally. "Did you just…?" Leona's eyes widened in realization while he held a blank stare. "Did I just what?" he asked with as much innocence as he could muster. "Bernar, my love. I need you to answer me honestly," she began, turning to face him with a nervous look on her face. "Can you read my thoughts?" she accentuated each word with a pinch of his hand.
"M-Maaaaybe?" he replied nervously. "By the Graces, Bernar!" she smacked his shoulder, forcing him to flinch. "When the fuck…" her voice raised but cut off quickly, realizing where they were. "When the fuck were you going to tell me that you could hear what I was thinking?" she restarted hushedly through gritted teeth.
Bernar chuckled as beads of sweat dripped down the sides of his face. "I, uh… I wasn't? I mean, at least not yet, anyway. I knew that for whatever plan you had in mind to work that I had to trust you without knowing everything going on in your head," he raised his hands placatingly.
Leona fumed as a rage-filled aura surrounded her. "How long? How long have you been able to do that?" she clenched her fists. "Since I first saw you on the Rhydian Pass, but you've been keeping a secret from me, too," he pointed a finger at her.
Her rage immediately halted, quickly replaced by a look of innocence. "I don't know what you're talking about," she turned her head away and tried to whistle. When nothing but a compressed breath of air departed her lips, Bernar chuckled and shook his head.
"It was Gwili's doing, wasn't it?" he asked between laughs. "Wh-What was?" she asked nervously. "My love, I can tell he trained you to use Ethereal Mana," he cocked his head. Leona blanched as the blood drained from her face. "Wh-Whaaaaat? Can he do that? He…" she trailed off, noticing Bernar's raised eyebrow and expectant glare.
"Oh, alright," she sighed, knowing she wouldn't get anywhere by hiding it any longer. "It was shortly after he arrived. He told me that the best way to help keep me safe from the incoming threat was to teach me how to defend myself," she began as Bernar leaned forward to listen intently.
"After Meliss left, I figured I should do something to help keep your mind at ease, too. Gwili offered to make the tincture for me, since he'd already gained the knowledge from his family, and I accepted," she shrugged. "I just wanted to make sure you weren't going to worry about me while you weren't by my side," she lowered her head in dejection.
She must have gone through hell to get to where she's at now, he noticed her expression.
It's alright, my love. I understand, and thank you for always being so considerate, he sent to her mind as he used his index finger to turn and lift her face towards him. Her eyes opened widely in surprise when she heard his voice inside her mind, not her ears. Y-You can send me your thoughts, too? Leona asked, trying her best not to freak out.
It's faster and easier than speaking out loud. Comes in handy in a fight or when you want to have a brief private conversation, he chuckled. The only reason we can have a conversation like this is because Gwili trained you to use mana. You have to know how to use your consciousness properly to transmit your thoughts like this, he sent with a wry smile.
Leona's eyes filled with joyful tears as she quickly wrapped her arms around him. "I thought I was going to have to hide that forever," she said softly, her voice muffled by the material around his shoulder. "You don't have to, anymore," he began, stroking the back of her head.
"When we get out of here, I'll even teach you some tricks that would even catch Thoma by surprise," he grinned wryly, prompting her to push away from him with an excited look immediately. Really? You'd teach me about mana? Leona sent, hoping she'd done it correctly.
Absolutely, he nodded. For now, however, we need to get some rest. We've got a big day tomorrow, he kissed her forehead before reaching for a pillow. I can't wait, she sent excitedly, quickly grabbing a pillow of her own before snuggling up next to him.
The following morning, they gathered outside the tent where the Mouth was waiting for them with a handful of guards and servants. He had an excited look on his wide face that the ornate beard struggled to hide.
"Today, our Child and his companions will contribute to the spinning of the Wheel," he announced, a handful of Voices scribbling behind him as he spoke. "To his companions, I wish you well, and know that should you ever seek to offer a Revelation, you will be welcome here," he gestured around him.
"But to our Child, the one born here whom we've raised since his mother passed in my arms, return to the world above and let the Wheel guide you," he clasped his thick hands around Jashad's shoulders. "Uphold your promise to us, and continue to do as the Words command. Bring about a new age, and may the Wheel spin in your favor," he lowered his voice, putting his forehead to Jashad's.
"Thank you, Mouth. I will not forget the kindness you've shown me all these years. I will follow the Words and let them guide me to victory," he bowed deeply. The Mouth grinned wolfishly, jingling the golden ornaments on his body as he stepped back. "Now, go forth. We have done our part, it is time for you to do yours," he gestured toward an exit to the right.