An Evasive Conversation With Aidryn Tarlach

Setting: Iathium’s Dungeon

I’ve lost track of time since Eremon sent me to the dungeon. It may have been days or weeks - I don’t know. As miserable as it is here, there has been a bright spot: a group of covert city-dwellers, including sentries, have come to my aid. Rather than wasting away on gruel and dirty water, they’ve been feeding me and regaling me with tales of their land. In other words, I’m gathering plenty of materials for future tales.

Oh— I hear the lock disengaging! Someone’s here.

Male Voice: Hello?

Haley: Who’s there? I can’t see you.

Voice: Aidryn Tarlach.

H: Ahh, yes. Glad to see your face, even if you did help me get locked up down here.

A: Things did get a bit out of hand, didn’t they?

H: I suppose I can forgive you for accusing me of treason if you’ll share a bit of your story with me.

A: Who needs to know my story? The people who know me are the people who should. I’m not invisible, per se, but I don’t particularly stand out.

H: Well, I don’t know about that. You did hold the Defender of Histories title before Lira.

A: Ahhh, past tense, thanks to you. Only I may have influenced your story a little. A lot.

H: What do you mean?

A: I know why they’re holding you here. You declared yourself master of our stories, and I know it to be true, in a sense. But certain other forces in this city would rather keep that hush.

H: Wait, you believe me?

A: I said you declared yourself master. Not that you are. Your role is more… how should I put this? Documentarian.

H: Yes, it’s starting to feel that way. You guys misbehave, and I document and analyze the shenanigans.

A: Sounds right! Oh, by the way, I brought you some hot tea and a pastry from the kitchens. Kenji insisted.

H: Who’s Kenji?

A: Only Iathium’s best cook. *hands over the pastry* I like to spoil Lira with tea and a biscuit from time to time, and I always tell her she needs to know him. He would dote on her to no end. Unfortunately, she’s so consumed by her work in the archive… among other things… that she never gets down to the kitchens. I always find myself going for her.

H: It sounds like you dote on her.

A: To what degree I can. I’m forced to remain more neutral than I would like. Extenuating circumstances; you understand.

H: Not quite; tell me more.

A: *sly grin* Why don’t you tell me, if you’re the master of the stories?

H: Evasive. Sounds right.

A: What do you mean by that?

H: Well I’m fully aware of your feelings for Lira. You’re not as covert as you’d like to think; not about that, at least.

A: I could wear it on my sleeve and she would never notice. We’re friends, academic rivals, colleagues. That’s all she’ll ever see in me. Besides, Eremon has her attention now. There’s no way I— I should probably take my leave. I’ve been far too candid with someone I hardly know.

H: Wait— don’t go. I need to know more about these hidden histories. You know, the reason they locked me up down here in the first place.

A: They’re hidden for a reason, and if you created this world, then surely you must know more than you let on.

H: You’re absolutely correct. The point of these conversations is to get you speaking candidly about yourself—

A: Which is not going to happen.

H: Oh, come on.

A: Listen. You have your pastry. You have your tea, which is getting cold. That’s all I can offer you until Eremon decides your fate. Or even worse, his mother. Luckily, offenders of your ilk often don’t make it as far as Macha. Eremon usually lets you go free. Eventually.

H: Eventually? What does that mean, months? Years?

A: *shrug* That all depends.

H: On what?

A: On whether you’re willing to let Eremon be in charge of the story.

H: HA! That’s never going to happen.

A: At the very least, consider letting him think he’s in charge. Give him a bit of attention here and there.

H: I mean, he gets plenty of attention.

A: Don’t let him hear you say that.

H: n o t e d

A: As much as I would like to continue our banter, I’m needed elsewhere.

H: Will you be stopping by the archive?

A: *sus* …Why do you ask?

H: Because there’s a certain historian who would probably appreciate a pastry right about now. You should take one to her.

A: I can neither confirm nor deny that I already have.

H: Perfection. I’ll see you soon— and while you’re at it, can you at least try to get Eremon to let me out of here?? Soon, because I have things to do and shenanigans to write.

A: I’ll do what I can, but I make no promises.

—

Shenanigans abound in Eremon’s interview!