Chain Melody Epilogue

“After her Eminence’s light faded it was utter chaos for a while. We weren’t able to truly sift through what happened until the Chain Dragon that appeared before Varen had taken its leave.”

Taking a sip of tea Elliot looked out from his seat at the sea beyond the window of his fine suite and beneath the boughs of the Builder’s Tree. As he watched the serene waters he was addressed by one of many voices from a massive radio console that had been set up within the suite.

- Then none of your party were witness to the movement of the Sycamore girl? -

“I’m afraid not Knight Councilman. I was myself powerless to act as according to Master Wherks something must have been present for the Builders to remain silent for so long. If not for her Eminence’s blessing I surely would have fallen into the chasm of Aperture alongside the Sacred Sword. Even then it was all I could do to escape the remnants of the Sword Shrine as it collapsed.”

- You have little reason to sound so ashamed Knight Prince Silverlance. That her Eminence answered your prayers and blessed you with her light that you might banish one of the Demon Lords has vastly improved the standing of Lumirest in the eyes of the world at large. -

“At what cost though I wonder…”

Taking another sip of his tea Elliot closed his eyes in quiet contemplation.

“So many people died during this journey of mine and there can be little doubt that that will be cause for people to doubt our good intentions. Already Kyte Ardea of Bright Rift holds me in contempt for the death of the child Hero Finch Misthead, though it was I who brought the eventual slayer of the Bandit King to the Stormroots…”

- Speaking of Elcourt, I understand he did not accompany you to Raptoria. -

“That is correct Knight Councilman.”

Placing his glass down on the table that accompanied his chair Elliot rose to his feet and strolled to the double glass doors that joined the room to the balcony beyond the window. Taking the handles in hand he carefully turned them and gently pushed the doors open letting a salty breeze waft into the room. Taking a deep breath of the ocean air Elliot continued.

“Back in Highroot, as I said before, his life was saved by Chain and he believes himself duty bound to repay the favor.”

- A shame you did not keep in contact with him then Knight Prince Silverlance. -

“Forgive me my indiscretion Knight Councilman, but Varen was always an additional party that only joined my expedition at my insistence.”

Curious about the words of the man on the other side of the radio phone Elliot turned to look at the console.

“His words would have carried little weight here in Raptoria and with his Relic revealed he is naught more than an outlaw despite his victory over the Bandit King. I see little value for you in my ability to keep in touch with the man. In fact, I would think with his current outlaw status that having no ties to him in the present would help our stance.”

- Do you feel the same way about the Sycamore girl? -

“I would sooner leave Chain to her own devices. While surely I find myself desiring to be able to call her “friend”, she is guilty of regicide. Hearing Hawk Highperch of the Soarmont Adventurer Company declare that over the radio was shocking. That she even attempted to end his life has unquestionably put her on the list of bounties of the Soarmont Adventurer Company regardless of what was revealed to us by Princess Corvina when we caught up to her.”

- With Raptoria having all but taken over the Stormroots the only information relevant to us from the heir of Stormflock VI is what she knew of the Sycamore girl’s whereabouts. -

“I don’t understand Knight Councilman. Even if I did, her words at best were the ravings of a madmaid and her execution to publically declare Raptoria’s conquest of Highroot has taken her beyond our reach. She is as much a dead end as any in determining Chain’s whereabouts.”

- All the more reason it is a shame you have no means to communicate with Elcourt. We are not in any position to deploy agents beyond yourself in the Northern Kingdoms and even your time there will soon be spent with Lady Mail and Master Wherks safely within Raptoria’s borders. –

“If you desire Chain found I would be glad to make my own pursuit of her as well. In light of the knowledge of her identity I would presume she would seek to hide away in the Western and Delta Kingdoms where none save select members of Soarmont’s Adventurer Company are permitted access. Considering the stories I’ve heard of chain dragons being sighted flying west there can be little doubt that Bellson shall soon follow and Soarmont would be hard pressed to stop him and his Red Army. Under such cover Chain would have an easy enough time hiding herself away from any who would seek her.”

- Do you truly believe that she would return to the lands so devastated by her father’s blood brother? –

“I do. In my short time spent with Chain and her partner I not only learned that she seeks out her father–!”

Elliot’s eyes widened with realization and he clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

“Is that it then?”

- Is something the matter Knight Prince Silverlance? -

“Tell me Knight Councilman, why do you desire to know the whereabouts of Chain?”

­- That is– -

“Is it because she potentially can repair the Sacred Swords like her father or because you can use her and her crimes as a proxy to Lewis Sycamore so that you might further improve Lumirest’s reputation?”

Elliot’s voice took on a cold tone as he interrupted the Knight Councilman and fully turned to face the radio console. The Knight Councilman however was not as emotionally immature as Elliot and did not betray his thoughts as he spoke.

- You are not wrong in presuming we desire the Sycamore girl Knight Prince Silverlance. As I recall it, you described her as a fair maid with long brown locks and eyes that turned green with the manifestation of the power she wielded. -

Elliot’s cold demeanor melted away to confusion as the Knight Councilman drew Elliot’s attention to Chain’s appearance. Prompted by the Knight Councilman’s words Elliot confirmed his description of Chain.

“That is correct Knight Councilman. Her partner described it as a side effect of using her Relic if I recall, one that belied great danger.”

- And her Relic you reported was spoken of by the Bandit King as in fact being a chain dragon, if not that the Sycamore girl herself had become as one? -

“Yes…”

Elliot spoke the word but a sense of apprehension came to his voice and the Knight Councilman picked up on it.

- That is correct Knight Prince Silverlance. While I cannot speak of the importance that the daughter of Hazel Sycamore holds for the future of Lumirest, if she has indeed retreated to the Western and Delta Kingdoms to use the Red Army’ s likely pursuit of the chain dragons that have been spotted then she will surely draw the attention of Bellson regardless. That is something we cannot allow. To that end, if you believe you can stand before Bellson and his Red Army than by all means will we be grateful for your service. If you can swear to bring the Sycamore girl to Lumirest then we will be glad to back you in your requests of the Soarmont Adventurer Company to access the Western and Delta Kingdoms. -

Elliot again closed his eyes but could not stop himself from tightening his fists as he retreated into his thoughts.

(Chain, I don’t understand. Why is a maid as young as yourself a means to an end for so many. Surely your own crimes will bring with them due punishment, but why should you be made to carry the crimes of your uncle and held to the responsibilities of your father. That I know not what my own country desires for you is also troubling.)

- Knight Prince Silverlance, your answer. -

Elliot again opened his eyes and looked upon the radio console. The conflict in his eyes as he remembered his interactions with Chain, most notably her words of recognition of the monster that she was and her efforts to assuage those harmed by those in the lifestyle she lead almost was tinged with tears. Elliot decided in that moment that Chain was a good person who was a victim of her circumstance and spoke with such conviction to the Knight Councilman.

“If you would request it Knight Councilman then you should already know my answer. Chain would be our guest and I would not even let the legendary Bellson bring harm to her. Though, I would ask to know that Chain would not come to harm by the hands of Lumirest so that I could seek her out in good conscious and perform without doubt weighing my actions.”

- You are bold to question the actions of your country Knight Prince Silverlance, but know we cannot provide you the answer that you seek. Until we meet with the Sycamore girl we cannot know what we must know, only suspect it. If our suspicions are true however, then and only then can we promise you that not only would she be unharmed by the hands of Lumirest, but that our hands would hold for her a shield and bloody a blade. -

“I don’t understand Knight Councilman. The more we speak of Chain the more confused I become. She was naught but an adventurer with a reputation amongst bandits that I felt horrible for getting involved with my business. But the way you speak of her…”

- It is nothing you need answered here Knight Prince Silverlance. Know only that we will not deny you the right to seek the truth for yourself in the Western and Delta Kingdoms. Your confirmation of our suspicions will surely only motivate you further to bring us the Sycamore girl, and so we would rather encourage you to seek out the truth. Now Knight Prince Silverlance, we leave you to your current duties and will speak with you anon when you have left Raptoria and it is time to speak with Soarmont’s Adventurer Company so that you might seek out the Sycamore girl in the Western and Delta Kingdoms. Stay well Knight Prince, and be forever in her Eminence’s Light. -

The radio console fell silent and Elliot was left alone with his thoughts and the sounds of crashing waves beyond the window of his suite. Watching the silent machinery for a long moment longer, Elliot finally turned his attention away from it and stepped out onto the balcony of his suite. Taking a moment to close the glass doors he assured himself privacy from the radio console and soon leaned thoughtfully on the ornate, white balcony railing. Speaking aloud Elliot allowed himself to imagine that his words might find their way to Chain; wherever it was that she had disappeared to.

“It seems that I will soon be pulled along on another adventure that spins out to your tune Chain.”

A wry smile pulled at Elliot’s lips and as he caught himself he allowed himself to smile more earnestly.

“I would be lying if I said I did not relish the opportunity though. The joy shared by you and your partner, and even Mail as you simply walked under the open sky is near infectious. That I can seek you out again as part of my sworn duty and in service to Lumirest seems almost a kindness I am undeserving of. I cannot say the same for you Chain. Though I seek you out for my own reasons, most notably a lack of proper parting, there is no doubt that others will do the same. Most notably are Bellson and his Red Army. He may not know of you now, but if you continue forward in your spontaneous way he surely will. And I fear a Hero of his reputation will be a threat to you even far greater than that posed by the Bandit King. The Bandit King may have felled armies, but Bellson is known for hunting and slaying dragons. That he can even find such elusive beasts, no less slay them speaks of his power and ability. And now with three such beasts of the Clan of Chains having been spotted heading towards the Western and Delta Kingdoms…”

Elliot trailed off for a moment and his smile faded away as he grew more serious.

“I can only imagine why they have shown themselves now though. No less three at once. Undoubtedly two of them are the ones who appeared in Highroot and before Varen after he slew the Bandit King, but the third is a mystery to me. At least I hope so… I don’t know what it is in the Western and Delta Kingdoms that is drawing them out, but I hope you are not also subject to its lure.”

Straightening out Elliot lifted his gaze and turned his head to his left and the western skies under the boughs of the Builders’ Tree.

“No matter what it is that awaits you though Chain, know that I will soon join and take you under my protection or custody. Until then, stay safe, though I doubt you will so hopefully Varen will find you in the interim.”

Thinking of Varen and Chain, Elliot’s smile returned to his lips and he allowed himself to imagine what his next adventure pulled along by Chain’s melody would be.

See you next adventure…

Copyright © 2018 Joshua D Tarwater