Aeriath led Ryan through identical hallways without a word.
Ryan wondered if this was what it was like for the others when he first arrived.
He thought back to his first conversation with Eragon.
Even though he didn't have any games to play, he knew the blue Draconian would get through to her.
As he thought of a way to start a conversation, she stopped and opened a door.
He followed her in and saw that it was empty and very dusty.
She closed the door and looked deep into his eyes.
"Why did you not reveal your Farstep lineage to Clanfather Farstep?"
Ryan clenched his teeth hard as he fought back an insult.
"Because of you. Your exact words were that they don't accept anything short of perfection."
Her face was blank for a moment before she spoke.
"That is true, and I didn't realise that the Clanfather would take a liking to you."
Ryan sighed as he leaned against the empty wall.
"Is there anything else you would like to know?"
He saw her swallow before she spoke.
"What is it like in the mortal world?"
With a half-smile, Ryan spoke.
"Before that, you are Ayeden's wife. Why didn't you ask about him?"
She flinched as she looked down.
"I prefer not to say."
Ryan straightened himself and made his way to the door.
"In that case, I would prefer not to say either."
She blocked his path.
"If I tell you, will you tell me tales of your world?"
Ryan held out his hand, and she took it immediately.
After she let go, she let out a long sigh.
"Ayeden was supposed to be a Knight in his last Role, but he came back early. To his father and the other Clanfathers, that was the madness taking hold."
Ryan frowned.
"What other symptoms were there?"
She remained quiet for a moment.
"That was all the justification they needed to imprison my husband. The same man who fooled me into believing I spoke to you so that you could bring him here."
As she spoke, a tear rolled down her face.
"If any of the Clanfathers would see this display of uncontrolled emotion, they would punish me the same way."
With wide eyes, Ryan walked to her and hugged her.
The act of consoling her broke the floodgates behind her eyes.
She cried violently for a few minutes.
After her weeping died down, she removed herself from Ryan's embrace.
When she managed to compose herself, she managed a smile.
"Thank you. I feel better now."
When Ryan opened the door, he looked back at her.
"You were right. I don't belong here, and as soon as we have time, I will answer any questions."
She nodded and led him through the endless hallways.
They finally stopped in front of a single red door, and Aeriath knocked softly.
She looked over her shoulder at Ryan.
"This is the Clanmaster's bedroom."
The door opened to reveal a female Elf in a robe.
Aeriath and the Elf whispered a few lines, and the door closed.
"We are the guards for tonight."
Ryan's jaw fell open.
"I haven't had any sleep, and the Path drained me."
She placed a hand on his shoulder, and her eyes started glowing.
He could feel the tiredness recede, and he could feel his stores of magic refill.
She was done after a few seconds.
"What was that?"
With a smile, she answered.
"That is why the Springrain clan are the protectors of the Clanmasters. We can revitalise our comrades so they can keep fighting."
Ryan rolled his eye, the Elf naming conventions were very blunt.
"Seeing as we are stuck here for the night, what would you like to know?"
Ryan spent the night telling her about the crew, the trial and how he fought for Eragon.
He slowed down when he got to the part where Grizzly told him the story about Olivia.
She had a sad look on her face.
"He was a good husband. He took pride in his ability to be consumed by the Role. This time, he retreated and was punished."
Ryan thought for a moment and remembered something Ayeden had said.
"I remember that Ayeden said that a powerful undead put him in that prison. What happened there?"
She shrugged.
"I don't remember much, but it came to us when Ayeden returned. According to my father, it knew our ways and said in the future it would return and ask for a favour."
Ryan remembered how Aleksandar sent him to find Ayeden.
Was this some elaborate test?
Did he have a contingency plan if Ryan failed?
He shook the thoughts out of his head.
The Vampire had some questions to answer when he returned to the Blood Rose.
It was at this moment that Ryan heard a sound down the hall on Aeriath's side.
He stepped around her and had his dagger in his hand.
Just as he was ready to throw, he saw it was Redylan.
Ryan put his dagger away.
"Why are you here?"
Redylan stopped in front of them.
"I came to check on you. I see that you are proficient in your position."
He turned his attention to Aeriath.
"Daughter. May Ryan and I have a moment?"
Ryan frowned.
Redylan was formal but not this slippery.
He decided to test him.
"Before that, how do you plan on having all the Elves be part of our alliance?"
Redylan smiled before he spoke.
"I have served my Clanmaster faithfully for many years."
As he bowed, Ryan kneed him in the face.
When Redylan shot back, his face rippled, and in between those ripples, Ayeden's features were evident.
Ryan quickly pulled out his dagger and threw it, and it dug into Ayeden's leg to the hilt.
As the dagger was recalled, Ryan slammed Ayeden in the face with the pommel.
The injured Elf fell against the wall and slid to the ground.
He looked to Aeriath.
"That was easier than I thought. Let's tie him up."
As Aeriath tied his hands, Ryan saw her eyes glow as she injected magic into him.
When Ayeden was firmly secured, Aeriath knocked on the red door again.
This time, they were let into the room.
It was a massive room with hundreds of portraits of the Clanmaster in the many Roles he inhabited.
Ryan was the first to speak.
"I caught Ayeden. What do you want me to do with him?"
The Clanmaster got out of bed.
He wore soft-looking blue silk.
"It does not matter. He is not my kin. You may leave."
To Ryan's surprise, Ayeden started bawling.
"Father, I do not have the madness, please-"
"Silence, wretch! You are filth, and the only reason you live is because of our laws! Half-Blood, remove him from my sight."
Ryan and Aeriath exchanged a glance before Ryan spoke.
"I will take him back to his prison. I know the undead that built it."
The Clanmaster's face shot to Ryan.
"How do you know that creature?"
"He is my Guildmaster and told me where to find Ayeden."
The ancient Elf scowled.
"Be sure to remove yourself alongside this failure."