B2 Chapter 33: Lady Velra

Vale’s mind swam with questions after the Highlady’s explanation. She watched idly as Caledon left to find his sister, and Shiver, her family. She felt a hollow ache blossom within her at the sight of their departure, returning to find their loved ones.

She shook her head, and focused on the slew of questions the Highlady had prompted.

The first, concerned their descension through Trepidation. Vale’s mind turned to the words that had carved itself in her vision after felling the griefwalker.

What more is there to assist us with? The voice… Idriel says that I’m ready to descend. Is there truly more to Trepidation?

As she extended her senses towards her Fearcore, she felt that it had settled since her descension from Anhedonia, the invocations she had gained having settled within.

Then, a hand fell on her shoulder.

“Hello there, dearie. Would you mind some company?”

Vale’s breath caught at the sudden presence. She paled, and felt tingles run across the surface of her cheeks, at the sudden shock of a presence being made known to her. One she had not detected. Her head snapped towards its source, and she saw a familiar elf.

One of Solastra’s Knights of the Dreadwood.

Specifically, the woman that had stood to the extreme left of the Highlady. She stared at the elderly woman with plump cheeks and messy grey curls tamed into submission by a simple black hairband. The woman shot her a warm, unassuming smile. She wore simple, plain brown robes which accompanied eyes of dark green.

I didn’t detect her approach at all.

When Vale had glimpsed saw her, she had thought her to be an advisor rather than a knight. Perhaps even family to the Highlady, because of the degree to which she stood out amongst her company.

The plump, elderly lady laughed lightly at her expression.

“Oh dearie, there’s no need to look so shocked! I do have a bad habit of sneaking up on people – even our dear Highlady. My, my you’re just as fun to tease as your father was.”

Her eyes widened as dark green eyes traced her reaction with slight mirth and mischief.

For a moment, she sat in a stunned silence, as the leaves and roses in the Highlady’s court rustled. Finally, she took it upon herself to end the silence.

“You knew my father?”

“Of course, dearie! Little Vetrian Revenant was quite the handful back when he was a student at the Academy of Anhedonia.”

The prickle of needles once again washed over her. This Knight was nothing like Semille Flora, the arrogant lordling who had chased them through the Archcity of Fear. None of the Knights that had accompanied Flora next to her throne, were.

She was playing with her, as a predator did prey that it was fully confident in dominating.

“My, my.”

Vale’s revenants had approached her, the Fearshaper of blades laying a casual hand on his golden Phobia, the greataxe that rose high into the air above them. Triol’s deathstalker prowled before him, more silent than it had been in life, for it had no need for breath.

“Forgive me for my rudeness, entertainment is so hard to come by in this stuffy forest.”

The lady gave her a elegant curtsey, this one bearing greater sincerity.

“I’m certain you have questions, after the Highlady’s explanation.”

The edges of her dark green eyes crinkled into well-worn crows feet.

“Ask away.”

Vale let out a soft sigh, and waved her revenants off. If her assessment of the woman was correct, Vale hardly posed a threat to her. But even when you were prey, meekly submitting to your predators only invited greater humiliation.

“You have me at a disadvantage… my lady. Please join me. Might I know your name?”

The woman sat with a contented sigh. Vale’s eyes traced over the knight. Her manner of dress provided her with no hints as to the nature of her Fear, but Vale was certain she was formidable to be counted amongst Solastra’s inner circle.

“Call me Velra, dearie. Or Velly, there’s hardly a need to be so formal!”

“Lady Velra… you knew my father? He was a student at the Academy in the Archcity of Fear?”

The woman nodded patiently, content for Vale to continue with her questions.

Where to begin?

“Perhaps you could start with the Archcity of Fear itself. I initially thought it was a long-abandoned Archcity, lost to time... but when I created my Fearcore during embracement, I realised that the souls in Anhedonia were victims of the Rampage.”

Vale watched as Velra smiled. She hummed merrily.

“Using the death of an Archcity as your foundation? My aren’t you full of surprises”

Vale blushed at the woman’s words, but fixed her with her gaze.

 “I was thoroughly impressed when Solastra told us that a band of elves had entered Anhedonia, even if it was by chance. It’s been sealed off from the outside world as part of the accord between the noble houses – to bury Fearshaping.”

Velra smiled, her dark green eyes carrying in them a hint of mischief.

“The barrier around it was the work of Fearshapers of the Archcity of Dreams. It can only be disrupted by Fearshapers, after which it becomes temporarily permeable. While there was the risk that a latent Fearshaper under the influence of Tranquillity would stumble onto it, as the archaeologist did, it was treated as an acceptable risk given how well it was concealed. My guess is that Shiver found the entrance to it?”

Pevir... No way. He’s a Fearshaper? Unless he entered following someone that was, he must be.

For a moment, Vale stated wordlessly at the knight.

Vale nodded her lips drawn tight. The knight had also caught on to the fact that Shiver had been the one to slip through the cliff face, which had allowed an unawakened Vale to follow.

She’s sharp. If I’m not careful, she could leave with just as much information as she provides.

“A countermeasure to keep the Archcity away from the eyes of prying elves. Given that we’ve erased it from the records, we didn’t expect anyone to come looking, the archaeologist was certainly a surprise. Until of course, the time was right for its return – that is why the city still stands.”

Velra continued, her gaze lingering on Vale as she shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny.

“Berevan Brimstone was to be its custodian from that mining settlement of his. Until it is time for the Archcity’s return, of course.”

Vale gasped as the pieces fell into place.

“That was what Olthamus’ journal said! It mentioned Brimstone as a mining settlement, but I found it confusing, seeing as its an Archcity of Flame.”

Vale blushed as she realised that in her enthusiasm, she had unwittingly volunteered the details. Thankfully, it was of nothing of import. Velra laughed in response.

“Brimstone was constructed after the Archcity, decades ago. Its purpose was to support the city’s flow of goods and industry, due to the wealth of resources the Brimstone family discovered there. After the rampage, Berevan Brimstone used it as a means to drive innovation, seeing that hordes of Elucidor’s most capable craftsmen had congregated there. Drawn by the lure of plentiful darksteel and darksilver. Perhaps in a few decades, it will become an Archcity in truth under Brimstone’s watchful eye.”

Vale stared on in awe, before something clicked.

Another mystery that had presented itself, when she had first chanced upon Brimstone.

“Those Phobias then… what the archaeologist’s guild and Marta discovered, scattered around the Verscallian Peaks. They were… remnants from the Rampage?”

For the very first time, the woman’s face fell. She nodded.

“Yes. Anhedonia contained a wealth of Fearshaping knowledge. Unsurprisingly, the Archcity of Fear also boasted a significant contingent of Fearshapers… as well as ordinary elves. Many of them fled to Brimstone after the attack.”

Vale’s eyes widened in realisation.

“Falling right into the clutches of Tranquillity.”

Velra nodded.

“Precisely. There was no other way of erasing their memory of it. The lower circles were expanded to accommodate the influx of people. The rest, were taken to the Archcity of Dreams.”

“Then Shiver… the day she was abandoned in that cave… Her mother was a Fearshaper. She must have fought during the Rampage.”

A wave of guilt washed over her, but before she could wallow any further, a flash of pain jolted through her.

Her eyes widened, and they locked onto the kindly, old woman seated next to her.

What was that?

Vale eyed Lady Velra warily, as she calmly met her gaze. She pushed her thoughts away from Shvier, and towards her father’s presence in Anhedonia.

“Do you know why my father took an interest in the Archcity? He sent my brother, Triol there to investigate. Why? If he used to be a student at the Academy… what more did he want to uncover?”

Vale hesitated before she asked her question. However, Lord Semille’s presence in the Archcity likely meant that Flora was aware of Triol and the Deathbringer’s presence there.

“Excellent questions! You would have been the pride of the Academy had you attended, dearie.”

Vale winced, and she was sure that the lady was teasing her. Her curiosity was steadily building, and she found that she was too intent on parsing the truth to care. Lady Velra leaned backwards, gazing upwards at the gently shifting leaves of the Dawntree above them.

“We suspect that your father found a way to awaken Idriel, the system. Was there anything in your explorations of the Academy that you found…curious?”

Vale swallowed.

That’s how you want to play it. It seems like she isn’t intent on giving away information with nothing in return.

She cast her mind back. The only thing that came to mind were the Floors of Dread, cloaked in darkness, their purpose still unclear. As well as Shiver’s small expedition into the Floors of Trepidation and Delirium. The ominous black pedestal she had found, adorned with a cryptic warning.

“Shiver found a black mansion in the Floors of Delirium. She somehow managed to walk straight through its ward and found a pedestal with a key in it.”

For the first time since speaking with her, Velra’s widened in genuine shock, before her expression hardened.

“Of course… it would make sense that Shiver found it. So it was right under our noses the whole time, Dalaria played us all for fools.”

Velra’s eyes narrowed, and as she directed her gaze towards Vale, the girl winced, as if pricked by something. Vale’s gaze shifted to her forearm, where she noticed the tiniest cut had opened. She started, as Velra covered it with her hand.

When she removed it, it had disappeared.

“Forgive me. So this pedestal you found, it was in the black mansion next to the sparring grounds?”

“Yes.”

“Then the only question that remains is how Vetrian managed to discern its purpose. It seems, Vale, that at least one of your father’s purposes in Anhedonia was to restore Idriel.”

Vale’s eyebrow twitched.

“But you can’t tell us why restoring Idriel is important. Even though we’re helping you?”

She nodded.

“The knowledge alone is dangerous. I’m sure you’re sick of hearing that by now. But your father’s goals are tied with the very core of Elucidor’s origin and the origin of Fearshaping itself. That is all I’m at liberty to say.”

Her eyes glinted as she smiled. Vale’s mind whirled as she tried to read between her words.

Fearshaping has an origin. That in itself, is a clue. I’m certain she intended for me to pick up on it.

Vale’s eyebrows creased slightly.

So many questions remain. Besides… what about Shiver’s passage through impermeable wards “makes sense”?

“As Highlady Solastra said, the risk of the knowledge leaking could spell our end. It is comforting however, to have discerned your father’s purpose in Anhedonia. At least… one of them. We have no way of confirming the extent of his curiosity with the Archcity.”

Vale felt a chill overcome her.

“We were ignorant, and overlooked his presence there. After the Rampage, we swept through the city, purging it of all records of Fearshaping that remained, preserving the most crucial ones. Berevan and Solastra were aware of the Deathbringer’s interest in it, but they prodded no further. That was our undoing. The Singer’s awakening is premature.”

Vale’s eyes narrowed. Internally, she debated disclosing the information to the knight, but ultimately decided that Velra was one of the few elves who was likely to be able to make sense of the cryptic warning Shiver had found carved onto the pedestal.

“There was something of interest, that Shiver found.”

Then she recounted to Velra the words on the pedestal that Icey had relayed to them.

Our saviour’s final compromise was forged to protect us from ourselves.

Our pride and greed were unparalleled, and their only mistake was born from love. 

It will not be sufficient. There are those that seek to pervert their will.

In our saviour’s kindness, our destruction is writ.

My Inheritance will be twofold. A final, vain attempt to honour their intention. 

From a petty elf who fell to greed and pride herself.  

Serenity will be brought within reach of the humble. An Archcity for all.

The Singer will be silenced, only to be awakened when we stand on the brink.

Until Insanity stirs, silence will be our salvation.

Only then, should her voice be returned.

The elderly woman’s expression clouded, and her shoulders fell with a sigh. For a moment, they fell silent, and no words were exchanged, as they listened to the breeze that filled the courtyard. Black roses lined in gold swaying gently in the wind.

Vale was certain, now. That the words on the pedestal were integral to her father’s purpose.

Who was the saviour? What was their compromise? Most of all… what exactly did the stirring of Insanity entail?

She sighed in frustration, but there were still other answers she could glean.

“Can you tell me about the first purpose of the Academy? ‘Serenity will be brought within reach of the humble.’”

Velra just gently shook her head.

“You’re a smart one, I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

Vale glared at the knight as she laughed

She’s avoiding the question outright. That must mean that the Archcity of Fear’s purpose is another clue linked to Fearshaping’s origin. The truth that Solastra is so desperate to conceal.

Velra relaxed, and shot her a teasing smile.

“Besides, you’re not interested in stories about your father when he was younger?”

It seemed as if wasn’t getting anything further out of the Knight of the Dreadwood. If her Fearshaping was close to comparable with how deftly she had danced with Vale, tempting her with knowledge but keeping it securely out of her reach, it would make her terrifying.

Still, it seemed as if she was content with moving on with the conversation. Vale saw a glint of respect in the Knight’s eyes. Finally, she let out a long sigh and relaxed.

“Perhaps to the extent it would help me drive a dagger into his chest.”

Velra let out a hearty snort and Vale couldn’t help but grin.

“I like you girl. Let me tell you about your father.”

Vale kept her expression still, even as her heart began to race.

“Solastra, Vetrian, Berevan and Saravagan were friends, during their time in the Academy. Your father, and our honourable Highlady in particular, were nasty little demons.”

Velra’s eyes were wistful, as she recounted their history.

“The Deathbringer was a jealous child. Envious of the talent of others, especially Solastra’s. Even a nurse like me could tell.”

“You were a nurse?”

Vale clamped her hands over her mouth as Velra laughed at her outburst. One of Solastra’s illustrious Knights of the Dreadwood had been a nurse in the Academy?

“I still am, dearie. Would you like to guess my Fear? Given your curiosity, I’m sure you’ve turned your mind to it.”

Vale gave her a flat stare to Lady Velra’s amusement.

“A Fear of blood perhaps? Or perhaps of injury or disease?”

Velra nodded.

“Excellent deductions, all. My colleagues certainly possessed Fears numbering amongst those you mentioned.”

Vale watched, as the woman drew a simple, black needle into existence, with a blood red thread.

Her Phobia.

Vale frowned.

Of all the Phobias she had glimpsed, this numbered among the most simplistic of them all.

Perhaps she’s still a Fearshaper in Trepidation or Delirium… But that wouldn’t accord with the status awarded to her.

She would be dumb to underestimate her. Then an eerie chill washed over her as she was reminded of another Fearshaper’s Phobia, deceptively simplistic in its appearance.

A plain shortsword seemingly cast from darksilver.

One that reflected the depths of death.

The same sword she had encountered during acknowledgement, when she had revisited the inception of her Fear.

Vetrian Revenant’s own Phobia.

Trepidation or Delirium? Don’t be stupid, Vale.

She stands in Serenity.

Velra bore a slight smile as she posed an answer to her question.

“I have a Fear of wounds. Quite an annoying Fear to fixate on. But one of great utility to an academy of Fearshaping.”

“What of your guide? Oh! Forgive me, let me introduce you to mine.”

Quietus Vingrave shimmered into existence on her shoulder, directing an elegant bow towards Lady Velra.

“Ah finally! Courtesy from my charge. It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Velra. I am Lord Quietus Vingrave.”

For a moment, Vale glimpsed a flicker in Velra’s expression. A momentary break in her composure as her eyes passed over Quietus, before her face fell. She shook her head lightly with a small smile, the expression disappearing as quickly as it appeared.  

“The pleasure is mine, Lord Quietus.”

Quietus exchanged a brief glance with Vale.

It wasn’t my imagination.

‘Forgive my intrusion, I will leave you to your discussion.’

With a bow, the undead rat disappeared.

“I-I’m sorry.”

Her guide must have perished in the Rampage. Icey told us that if a guide perished, they just reformed within their Fearshaper. Perhaps that may be the case in Anhedonia, but not in the other stages. That’s certainly worrying.

Velra watched her, with dark green eyes.

“You have nothing to apologise for. As a healer, there were numerous times I tended to your father. He was quite the tardy fighter, leaving the work to his undead.”

She smiled.

“Of course, that changed as time went on, and he realised it opened himself up to direct assault. That being said… none of them stayed in the academy throughout the entire course of their descent, as many did.”  

“Oh?”

“Vetrian, Solastra, Berevan and Saravagan were from great noble houses. Revenant, Flora, Brimstone and Dreamer. The Academy supplemented their training, but they developed their Fearshaping away from the Archcity of Fear as well.”

Velra’s eyes shone.

“In the time they were however, they became the closest of friends.”

“What… was he like?”

Vale felt her cheeks colour at the question. Here she was, his daughter, asking a stranger what she knew of him. For he had shown so little of himself to his children, bar his obsession with death.

“Ambitious, most of all. But grounded. Disinterested in the wars of control and the politics, if there was a single compliment I would afford him.”

Vale watched as Lady Velra stood, a thousand unanswered questions dying on her tongue. She rose as well, and bowed to her.

“Thank you for your company.”

Lady Velra smiled softly.

“Seeing the three of you descend as you do fills me with nostalgia, you know? Bringing back memories of better… no, more exciting times.”

Her dark green eyes sparkled in the midday sun.

“And anticipation for exciting times to come of course. Should you choose to continue with your descent tomorrow, I look forward to seeing the Fearpath you adopt, Vale Revenant.”

Lady Velra returned her bow. Vale had the impression that she had earned a modicum of the knight’s respect during the course of the conversation. As had Velra, earned her own.

“Shape a beautiful Fear.”

---

Shiver bit her lip as she processed the conversation that Vale had relayed to her.

“So… your father prematurely returned the Singer. Whatever that means. The purpose of the Archcity of Fear seems to be tied to this grand mystery Solastra avoids speaking about. Fearshaping has an origin. And I’m most likely one of many orphans created by the Rampage.”

Shiver fell backwards onto the bed in a heap.

“My head hurts.”

“About the Rampage… I-”

“Not another word from you. If you say ‘sorry’ to me, I’ll stick an [ice shard] where the sun don’t shine.”

Vale’s face twisted in horror, the crazy orphan’s words cutting through the guilt that threatened to coalesce.

“Do you have to be so crude?”

Then, Shiver rose with enthusiasm, ignoring her words, her mind turning to Lady Velra.

“A Fearshaper of wounds though… you don’t suppose that cut that appeared… It could have been the aura of her Fear. I wonder…”

“Shiver…”

“Bleh you’re no fun.”

As they exchanged a glance, they couldn’t help but silently agree that the prospect of fighting a Fearshaper of Wounds that strode in Serenity was a horrifying one. It was strange how their mutual acknowledgement of the fact could lead to such vastly different desires. One of them was thrilled at the prospect of clashing with her, while the other made a personal promise to herself never to cross the knight.

“What was the second thing you wanted to mention?”

Vale’s eyes fell, and Shiver watched as her friend cast a tentative, fearful glance towards the doorway.

She frowned. What did Vale have to Fear in the heart of the Archcity of Life, while they were under Highlady Solastra’s protection?

“Shiver… It’s Triol.”

Vale shuddered.

“He tried to kill me.”