Anyone with a mind magic was always labeled as dangerous and high risk assestsby the council. Their ability to read minds, control people’s emotions and erase people’s mory was what the council was afraid of.
Anyone confird to be a mind welder was was imdiately lock up in the Enclave, a hidden, high-security facility located at the Royal Palace in the capital.
They were locked at the facility with with a tal limiter collar, similar to the one Nyria had just had removed, around their neck.
They were controlled by the council and were only released under strict supervision when the Council wants to use their skills.
Infact, they were more like a tool for the council dirty works.
Nyria was the only exception.
Her father who was the Viceroy of the North had fought against the Council. There was nowhere in hell he was going lose his only child to the Enclave and watch and see her locked up and use like a puppet.
His position as the Viceroy also help and at the end, the collar was the only thing used on Nyria.
The carriage passed through the gates of the castle, it was a dium-sized castle built with gray stone. The building was more like a fortress.
Once inside the castle, Nyria was greeted t in the main hall by her mother, Lady Vane.
After a quick, tight hug, Viceroy Vane took Nyria’s arm.
"The detainee is in the lower dungeons," he said. "We need to resolved now. This can wait. Every hour we wait is an hour the Aetherclaws gain ground."
Nyria nodded as she then left with her mother.
The dungeon was carved out from a rock. The inside was not really dark but it was lit up with flas of iron-caged torches that was placed high in the rough-hewn walls.
They stopped before a big black iron door. Two armored guards was standing there, their spears was crossed, blocking the entrance.
Viceroy Vane put a reassuring hand on Nyria’s shoulder. "You’ve got this, daughter. Take your ti. I’ll be right here, if anything goes wrong, the guards will breach the cell instantly. Understand?"
Nyria let out a nod. The soft girl look was quickly replaced by the cool bad ass look.
She pushed past the guards.
The cell was a cage of black iron bars. Inside, the Aetherclaw warrior was shackled with big silvered chains that clamped his wrists and ankles to the wall, preventing him from moving.
His dark hair was touching his face. Seeing Nyria, he let out a snare.
Nyria took few steps towards him, and she let down the ntal walls she had earlier put up and imdiately, different kind of emotions hit her.
She took a deep breath to steady herself before she reached out with her mind, pressing against the guy’s consciousness.
But what she saw was the man drinking with his friends. He was blocking her out.
It was the oldest trick. If you don’t want the a mind wielder ti dig deep into you mind, you have to flood your mind and start thinking of the monts you want to them to see.
The Aetherclaw warrior’s mouth twisted into a slow, mocking smile.
"Can’t get past a few thoughts, little Magic-User?" he spat. "I thought you people were supposed to be powerful."
Nyria let out a chuckle in return.
"I guess we’re doing this the hard way, then."
She started walking toward the bars, her eyes never leaving his.
"Nyria, stop!" her father’s voice ca from the doorway. "You don’t have to get close! If he is not letting you inside his mind, we will bring one of the Enclave practitioners from the capital. It is not worth the risk!"
Nyria ignored her father, her eyes never leaving the the warrior. She stopped once she very close to the man.
She raised her hand and pressed her palm firmly against his head, right where the dark hair t his brow.
The man shifted back quickly against the chains, but the big silver held him fast.
"Vestra ns Est a." (Your Mind is Mine.) Nyria murmured.
The mont her hand made contact, her eyes snapped open, turning completely white.
She was not standing in the dungeon anymore but inside his mory.
She began speaking what she was seeing and hearing..
"They have been working on the Wards for year trying to a weak point... Our border Ward fell because they had help... An Elder... Elder Solian... he sold the information for coins."
The Aetherclaw warrior scread. "No! Stop it! Get out of my head!" he thrashed, the chains shifting against the stone.
Nyria pressed on, not minding his pain.
"Their next target is Ashwood Village... on the plains, they have three hundred warriors centralized outside the village, waiting for the command... After that... they plan to enter the Academy grounds... in search of a boy nad Rey...."
Nyria quickly paused as her hand flew back as if burned. She shifted three steps backward, and she was gasping. Her eyes returned to normal.
The warrior crumpled back instantly.
Viceroy Vane rushed forward to the bars.
"Nyria! What is it? You didn’t finish! What boy? What are they looking for him for?"
Nyria’s heart started beating. She swallowed hard, staring at the floor.
She knew what her father would do if she tell him. Hand him over to the Council, and they would definitely turned him to their puppet.
She looked up at her father, trying to act normal. "They... they are going to the Academy to recruit more boys into their army."
Nyria lied hoping her father would buy it.
Viceroy Vane frowned for a while, then his expression relaxed. "Recruitnt. Of course. It makes sense." He patted her cheek gently. "You did well. Let’s go. You’re done here."
Nyria gave the Aetherclaw warrior one last look, then followed her father out of the dungeon.
In the parlor upstairs, her was waiting for them.
Seeing them, she rushed to Nyria.
"Co, my dear. I’ve made your favorite."
Nyria was led to the dining hall. The table was set with exquisite simplicity, and right in front of her was a steaming bowl of Braised River-Mackerel with Moon-Spiced Rice, which was her favorite dish from childhood.
On the table was a silver bowl piled with fresh fruits.
She picked at the food as her mind kept shifting to what she heard and saw about Reynold Starweaver.
She had lied to her father not because she did not trust him, but because he was the Viceroy, and a sworn mber of the Council. His first duty would be to the Crown, and that would an ranting Reynold to the couch to be looked away and turned to their puppet.
She pushed her plate away, pretending to be full.
"Mom, Dad," she said, standing up. "I need to return to the Academy before it gets more darker."
Lady Vane looked surprised. "But darling, why? Stay the night. The Headmaster knows you are with us. There is no need for the rush."
"Soryy, I can’t," Nyria said. "Tonight is our eting of The Bonded. As their leader, I must be there. And besides I did not tell them I will not be coming..."
It was the perfect lie, her role as leader was enough.
Her father nodded slowly. "Duty calls. I understand. A true leader." He kissed her brow. "I will have the carriage made ready, and two guards to escort you. No need to walk the road tonight."
Nyria nodded.
The castle was in Argentum City, which ans the drive back to the Academy will take roughly twenty minutes.
She said goodbye to her parents and left.
Reaching the Academy, Nyria cane down from the carriage quickly.
She did not go to her private suite. Instead, she followed the courtyard, stopping outside the shared dormitories.
She stopped at Reynold’s window. She stood there for a long mont, staring up at the window, her hand instinctively touching the spot where the limiter collar was.
The collar was back on her neck.
She turned and left the window and headed straight to the Professors office.
She needed to tell soone what she saw inside the Aetherclaw warrior’s mind. She wanted to head straight to the headmaster’s office but she quickly kicked against it. That man can not be trusted too.
Yes! Professor Valerius. Her mind shifted to the professor. He could be trusted, after all he fought against the council with her father just to make she was not locked up in the enclave facility.
Not waiting for a second, Nyria rushed to Valerius’s office.
Luckily, the door to Professor Valerius’s office was slightly ajar. Which ans he ws not done for the day.
She burst through, slamming the door against the wall behind her.
Professor Valerius was studying a scroll in front of him.
Nyria did not wait for him to speak or raise his head.
"Professor Valerius, I think Reynold Starweaver is a Two! I know it’s only a myth, I know it has never happened before, but the Aetherclaws are looking for him because he is... A Two..."
The Professor raised his head, and he set the parchnt down before turning to Nyria.
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