Six of Ruin (Heirs of Irenwell #1)
Chapter 20: Nature of Humankind

The staring contest began. Ace kept the serene smile on his lips, waiting for me to finally take a sip of the strange liquor. Nickeltinker already finished his cup and poured himself some more.

“How can you just straight out drink it?” I hissed at the floran. “It’s the liquor of truth!”

“So?” The green-skinned boy hiccupped. “I’ve nothing to hide. Well, except from the bank. And the Fyriyan Wise Men. And King Bernard, because I stole one of his crowns on the way out.”

Ace snickered, “If you try to steal anything from me, I will bury your remains in a concrete box.”

Nickeltinker’s eyes widened and he took out a small, gilded figure out of his pocket and put in the table, “Message received.”

“Good.” The mage smiled. “Now, I’m going to make things easier for you and take a sip myself. I’m giving you an opportunity to replace out whatever you want, if you can ask the right questions, of course.”

I eyed the mage, suspicious of his words, “How can I know the liquor works the same on you? You’re a mage.”

“Because it’s Fae-made.” Ace said. “It’s a whole different sort of magic. Besides, you don’t really have a choice, do you? If you don’t drink, we’re not negotiating. And if we’re not negotiating, I’m not joining you on your journey. And if I’m not joining you, you’re going to die.”

The lump formed in my throat and my mouth dried.

We needed him.

But before I doomed myself with complete honesty, I searched my mind for Rixen. My emotions were out of control, he should be able to enter my thoughts.

However, there was no sign of him.

I realised then that I always sort of felt him lingering in the background. The curse ran deep, intertwining our minds. Now, he was gone. There was nothing.

Irrational fear flowed through my veins. What if something happened to him?

“Drink, Princess.” The mage grabbed the cup and took a sip. “Before I change my mind.”

Reluctantly, I took the cup, “How about I swear you to secrecy first?”

The mage’s wild green eyes flickered, “You haven’t once in your life heard the word ‘no,’ have you?”

“The trick is to never ask for permission.” I saluted. “I want your word. Nick’s, too.”

The green-skinned boy looked at me, “I stole your crown, too. I’m sorry. I have a problem.”

“What?” My hands immediately flew to my head, the silver crown still resting on top. “Which one?”

Nickeltinker sighed, “The sapphire one. It was just so pretty and valuable. And you have four more!”

I narrowed my eyes, “You’re going to give that back to me.”

“I will, I promise.” Nick smiled sweetly. “And you have my word I won’t tell anyone anything.”

“Your word is worth shit, thief.” Ace murmured.

“Hey, I didn’t say I would never steal anything from her ever again!” The floran crossed his hands on his chest. “But I can keep a secret.”

I looked at Ace, “I want your word, too.”

The mage smirked at me, “Isn’t it funny how accurate my assessment of your character was? You’d truly refuse my help if it stood in the way of your agenda.”

His words caused a deep, unexpected pang. A selfish, self-centred whore who decided to travel across the world under the pretence of saving it, but was only ever interested in saving her own ass.

I did not want him to be right.

He could not be right.

I brought the cup closer to my lips and took a sip. The liquor was sweet and soft like elderberry juice with just a touch of alcohol, yet it was the most intoxicating thing I’ve ever tasted.

My fear melted away instantly, replaced by soothing content.

The mage saluted, “You have my word, Princess. Let’s negotiate.”

I had no strategy, no plan, and no fucking idea what to ask. I drank more, losing my inhibitions in the strange drink.

“Have you ever wanted to get rid of magic?”

“Why would I do such a thing?” Ace asked. “I’m a mage. It’s who I am. Could you ever stop being human? No.”

“But...” I gulped more liquor. “Magic is evil. It corrupts.”

The mage let out a laugh, “Magic doesn’t corrupt. Power corrupts. It just so happens that more magic means more power.”

“Are you corrupted?” I squinted.

“I’ve been corrupted many times.” Ace said. “Are you corrupted?”

“I think I am.” Nickeltinker answered instead. “Hey, have I ever told you how I once fucked a giant? She wasn’t satisfied, said I was too small. That messed up my self-esteem.”

Ace leaned on his elbows, ignoring Nick, “Where is the Truthteller?”

I swallowed the bubble of truth about to jump off my lips, “In Orathia.”

Pain awoke in my stomach, small at first, but gradually becoming stronger. I gripped the edge of the table, stifling a grunt.

“I think it’s in Orathia!” The words escaped on their own, taking away the pain with them.

My eyes widened and I gazed at the liquor of truth.

“Why do you think it’s in Orathia?” The green in Ace’s eyes moved.

“Because it used to be in Irenwell.” I squeezed through my teeth. “Until Irinth of Irenwell fled to Orathia where he was last seen. He could have taken the Truthteller with him.”

“Fair enough” Ace leaned against the backrest. “Tell me, why are you going to Orathia? Why didn’t Rodrig go?”

I searched for truth, “Rodrig had to stay and rule. The Kingdom would fall apart without him.”

“Poor Rodrig.” Ace clicked his tongue.

“Why didn’t you answer our letter?” I asked before Ace managed to squeeze more truth out of me.

“I never answer letters.” Ace said. “Which you could have concluded by the number of unopened letters hanging off my front door.”

“But why?”

“Because whenever I receive a letter, it’s someone requesting something from me.” Ace kept his eyes on me. “Why does everyone keep requesting, why can’t someone give me something?”

I arched my eyebrow, “In that case, what can I do for you that would convince you to join us?”

The mage said nothing and it took me a moment to realise I finally asked the right question. If he truly couldn’t lie under the influence of the liquor, he would have to tell me.

With a smug smile on my face, I leaned closer, “Can I convince you to join us?”

The mage cleared his throat, “No.”

His expression twisted ever so slightly, his jaw clenched and his throat bobbed.

“No?” I smiled. “Let’s try this again. Can I convince you to join us?”

The mage exhaled, “Yes.”

A flutter of excitement evoke in my stomach, “How?”

Ace grinned, “Change the nature of humankind.”

Nickletinker laughed out loud, “That’s going to be tricky.”

“What do you mean?” I asked. “Why won’t you help us?”

“I helped once.” Ace leaned against the backrest. “Five hundred years ago, when I was young and naive, despite my better judgement. Turns out men never change and therefore, you do not deserve my help.”

“Who are you to tell what we deserve?” I felt anger pushing through my thinned lips.

“Someone who’s been around for a long, long time.” Ace said equally sternly. “And I’ve had hope in your kind and lost it violently. You never change, you never learn. All humans ever do is repeat their own mistakes. Maybe it’s time somebody finally wiped you out.”

“Couldn’t agree more.” Nickeltinker saluted and I shot him a mean look. “What? You’re all selfish pieces of shit.”

“Like any of you are any different.” I murmured. “There’s not a single person on this journey that is actually here to save the world.”

“I wouldn’t brag about that if I were you.” Ace said.

“I mean it.” I cleared my throat. “Find me a selfless sentient being in this world and I will give you the crown of Irenwell.”

The mage eyed me with curiosity, “Are you suggesting I should join because I’m selfish?”

“I’ll play any card I have.” My heart suddenly thudded. “Because there are some things that are not up for debate, some things that have to be done. Going to Orathia, against our better judgement, and unlocking that stupid tome is something that has to be done.”

“I’m here for the money.” Nick mumbled. “But I’ll do the job.”

Ace looked at him, “You could have just taken the money and run.”

“And how am I to make more money if I cease to exist?” Nickeltinker shrugged. “Also, you wouldn’t believe the things you can replace on your way to Orathia.”

“An honest thief.” Ace said. “A rare breed.”

“It’s the liquor.” Nick said.

“Alright, Princess of Irenwell.” Ace sighed. “Before I give you my answer, here’s a thought experiment for you.”

I straightened my back on impulse, battling anxiety with proper posture, “Ask away.”

“Nickeltinker, excuse us for a moment.” Ace said.

The green-skinned boy looked at me, as if asking for permission and I found the gesture sweet.

“It’s fine.” I said through my teeth, hoping I didn’t look freaked out.

Nickeltinker nodded, stood up and walked away from the table. As I looked around, the intoxication from the liquor and the intense smell of jasmine finally kicked in. I was desperate for some water.

The mage poured himself another glass very slowly, a thin smile emerging on his lips, “Tell me, Irina of Irenwell, would you ever go on this journey if it hadn’t been for your desire to get rid of your magic?”

Beams of sweat covered my forehead, which I ascribed to the overwhelming, sticky warmth in the room. Knowing I was so transparent made me feel exposed and vulnerable.

“What are you talking about?” I asked, trying to appear casual, but the stutter in my own voice gave me away.

“Please,” Ace laughed shortly, “Your first question was whether I ever wanted to get rid of my magic. You’re quite predictable, Princess.”

“Fine.” I squeezed through my teeth. “I want to get to the Vanishing Well.”

“But would you go, if it hadn’t been for your magic?” Mage Ace repeated his question.

I was too terrified to answer, but the liquor in my blood urged it out of me, “No. I would never go.”

“Yet you speak of duty.” Ace muttered. “I’ll admit my assessment of your character was somewhat off. There’s unpredictable depth to you. Underneath the selfishness and entitlement, there’s a twisted bundle of manipulation and lies.”

I felt as if he undressed me, uncovered me with his words and there was nothing I could say to hide myself anymore. I grabbed the edge of the wooden table, trying to stop my hands from shaking.

“What would be the next step in trying to convince me?” Ace asked.

I shrugged, “I’d tell you that you helped once and that there must be some compassion left in you. If that failed to work, I’d say you’re the only mage powerful enough to stop the cultists rising in power.”

“And all of that would merely be a manipulation.” Ace said. “A carefully crafted manipulation. You diablerie are all the same.”

“What did you call me?”

“Diablerie.” Ace repeated. “A witch. Back in the old world, we kept far away from you.”

A deep, eerie recognition churned through my veins, like a distant, collective memory of the time I hadn’t even lived in. The world called forth something inside me, something old and forgotten.

“I do not know what you’re talking about.” I kept my expression flat.

“Did you know babies can swim when they’re born?” The mage poured himself another glass of truth liquor.

“What?”

“Babies can swim when they’re born. It’s an instinct, it’s ingrained in their nature. They lose it quickly and it takes them years to learn how to swim again.”

“What does that have to do with my magic?” The moment I asked the question, my eyes widened.

It couldn’t mean-

“I haven’t been using magic.” I said, trying to convince myself these words were true.

“Oh, that’s cute.” Ace chuckled. “You’ve been using your magic ever since you were born. It’s an instinct, it’s like breathing.”

Panic surged through my body once more this evening.

“I would have figured it out.” I pushed.

“Your magic is different than mine.” Ace said. “I command the physical world. My magic can be seen, your magic has to be felt. Tell me, Irina, when was the last time you did not get exactly what you wanted?”

“I always get what I want.” I crossed my hands on my chest.

“Right.” Ace clicked his tongue. “Now, if you want me to join you on this journey, I want you to tell me the truth. No pretences, no manipulation, no magic. Why should I join you?”

Despite all the question that ran wild in my mind, I knew his was the only one I should focus on. Something about his knowing smile made me realise I wouldn’t get a chance like this again.

So I searched for truth, bare, naked truth.

And it was horrifying.

“I do not care.” The words rolled off my tongue with unexpected ease. “I do not care if you join us. You know why? Because I’ll weather this storm. And so will Danilo and King Bernard and all other royalty that you despise so much you wouldn’t let them into your home.”

Ace’s wild green eyes flickered under the dim lightning.

“Go ahead. Refuse.” I continued. “But let’s make one thing clear. I will never face the consequences of my own actions. The wealthy never do. You’re not dooming us by standing on the side lines, Ace. You’re dooming those that had nothing to do with it and they’re the ones who ultimately pay the price with their own lives.”

His smile turned into a slight frown, edged with hatred.

“Your reasons for turning us down are just as empty and compassionless as is this entire world. By turning us down, you’re becoming just like us.”

The mage stood up abruptly, “Get out.”

“What?”

“Get. Out.”