Chapter 161: It’s textbook demon manipulation, baby

“You think it’s illusion magic?” Vespertine spoke up, clearing his throat as Cass turned to him, a little confused.

“Yes. Of course. Do you not? It’s classic illusion magic. If they aren’t dead, like you know to be the case, why wouldn’t you move to the next logical conclusion? This is a dungeon made by the demon king. Of course they are going to use underhanded tricks. Illusion magic is practically a demons’ specialty.” Cass said and that made most of those involved with the temple nod slowly.

“You…Lord Blackburn is correct. I don’t know why…we didn’t even consider it…” The priest muttered. He looked to be the man who was in charge of this operation. He was a bit more on the aged side of middle aged, with wrinkles at the corner of his eyes, lips, and a rather prominent one in between his brows.

He looked like a priest you could trust. That seemed kind, nice. Cass grew immediately suspicious.

“There is the chance that you have already been mildly affected by the illusion magic while being here, and that could be one of the things that it wants. For you to not consider it at all as a cause. If it is illusion magic, Lord Vespertine and I should be able to dispel it.” Cass said and looked towards Vespertine for confirmation. He nodded, a grin on his lips.

“Cassian is correct.” Cass jerked. He’d gone out of his way to call him Lord Vespertine out of respect for him in front of people he assumed were important to him, and he had gone ahead and called him by his first name? The jerk. “Shall I focus on that, since I am more inclined towards dispelling and you focus on defense?” Cass nodded. He felt better about working on ways to keep them all safe with flashy magic then the subtle magic that Vespertine was planning to do.

Not that he couldn’t do it. He just…Cass, not Lord Blackburn, hadn’t done it before. He knew he was capable, Draken had helped him build up his confidence in that field, he just…he should just know where he should push himself and where he should let others take over. This was one of those times.

“That’s great. We were worried about hurting the others, but if it’s Eddie, we should be fine.” Lady Ava said and Cass wondered if that subtle jab at him was intentional. He almost snorted at her implication that if he had done it, it might not be fine. Lady Fiona gave Lady Ava a look, and she winced.

“Well, that was our biggest issue. With no monsters nearby, we should get some rest. We’ll leave early in the morning. The temple has been nice enough to set up some tents for us, so shall we all rest?” Lady Fiona offered, looking at Cass especially. “You need to eat and take your medication, Cassian.” She warned, and Cass chuckled. The priests seemed interested in this, even if they were trying to hide it.

Cass understood why. It wasn’t as if Lord Blackburn ever let a weakness show, and to Cass, being injured wasn’t a weakness, so it didn’t count. It was just a part of life, and it wasn’t like he got injured through any normal means. Plus, most of the medication he was taking was more as a nutritional supplement, not so much because he was injured.

Well, maybe you could consider his internal organs as injured, but Cass hadn’t spat up blood for a while, so he didn’t count it.

“I understand, Lady Fiona. I have hired others to help me, but it appears that my fairy friend is having a hard time. I’ll need to tend to her first.” Lady Fiona frowned at that, glancing behind him to see Ser Hune looking like she had just thrown up. That made her frown even more.

“Is she alright?” She asked, before glancing around and realising that no one else around them at the camp was a fairy. Not a single soul. None from the temple, none from their own servants. She then turned her gaze to Cass, her eyes widening. “Are you alright? You aren’t throwing up, but I-” Cass’ chuckle had her halting in her ramblings.

“I feel ill, but I’m okay. I think, because Ser Hune is a full fairy, she’s having a harder time.” Cass said, affection in his tone. “I think it’s related to how the forest in the area is twisted. Sick. I’ve begun to realise that it has a great impact on us.” Cass told her, and the rest of the group seemed surprised. Cass smiled. “What? Why did you think I put the mansion where it was, hmm? Part of it was for my health, you know.” Cass teased with a smile.

It was like he’d dropped a bomb. The group shifted awkwardly, surprised. Shocked. Cass himself was surprised when Lord Ridgewood was the first to speak up. He had thought it would have been Lady Fiona or Lady Ava.

“I had no idea.” Lord Ridgewood said, clearly shocked like the others. “You never let it show.” He said and Cass’ gaze softened. Of course Lord Blackburn never let it show. Cass was certain the man tried to let nothing show except his anger and rage. The only emotions he had learned to express while around his shitty, shitty family.

Cass hoped that these revelations to the group of people who he had wanted affection from soothed a part of Lord Blackburn that had wanted to be seen. He hoped that they provided him with some relief. The man had had a hard enough life already. He just wanted to give him some things back.

Like feelings. Maybe some gloating as well.

“Why would I? It never had a great impact on the rest of you, and for the most part, none of you have really brought it up.” Lord Ridgewood’s jaw tightened.

“Do you think the time when I yelled at you for skipping out on Lady Fiona’s hero ceremony was nothing, Cass?” Ah. It was a memory that unlocked as soon as he said it, but he didn’t need to see it from Lord Blackburn’s perspective to know what happened.

It had been, ever so briefly, mentioned in the book.

Lord Ridgewood had lost it, snapped, when Lord Blackburn had to pull back, unable to attend Lady Fiona’s hero anointment ceremony. It was a big deal, as a member of the soon to be created hero party, he was supposed to be there. It would have been strange if he wasn’t.

But like normal, like clockwork, he had to take the week off.

Lord Ridgewood had lost it, screaming, yelling, very unlike Lord Ridgewood behaviour. He had gone on a long rant about honour, and duty and yata yata yata. Lord Blackburn had let it all go in one ear, and out the other.

He couldn’t let it affect him. If he did, there was a chance he could have gotten upset and then he could have ruined his plans. So, Lord Blackburn had taken his anger, taken everything, and remained silent.

Cass smiled at Lord Ridgewood. It wasn’t meant to be demeaning, or even insulting, but Lord Ridgewood shifted, a little startled by the expression on his face.

“Lord Ridgewood, we all have our own secrets, and at the time, would you have listened? You were so blinded by your own duty, your own worries, that would anything I had said gotten through to you?” He looked like he had seen a ghost. It was strange to see the usually unchanging man so shaken, but Cass just chuckled. “It’s okay. I can tell I’m better now. Moving from the estate has certainly helped my body. There are no trees at the Blackburn estate.” Cass said with a smile. “My grandfather cut them all down after my Mother died.” It was like he had dropped a bomb, but to Cass, it meant nothing.

Cass turned, smiling. “I’ll find my way to you once I’ve taken care of my hired help. Let me know if there is anything I can help with when I get back.” Cass called over his shoulder as he made his way towards the happy couple.

Sir Sanders was flustered, fluttering about Ser Hune who looked quite ill. Cass, not quite sure what to do, was surprised when Draken’s voice spoke up quietly beside him.

“She just needs a bit of forest magic. Do you want me to do it?” Cass tried to his surprise, but it didn’t work. Draken chuckled. “What? Did you think I was going to leave you alone? Hell no. You’ve been falling all over the place, and as much as you have your guards, I am a better cushion.” Unfortunately, Cass couldn’t argue that.

“I thought you would have at least gone and got a tent, then maybe come back.” Cass muttered quietly and Draken kicked a rock, and they both watched as it headed into the forest, past where Ser Hune and Sir Sanders were.

“I don’t need a tent, Cassian. Unless you are offering yours?” He suggested and Cass didn’t stop the sound that left his mouth. He rolled his eyes.

“You are not allowed in my tent.” Cass told him firmly, and Draken laughed.

“A true pity. I’m a great cuddler. And warm. I practically work as a furnace. You wouldn’t feel the undead chill from the grounds around you.” He was actually putting up a good deal, but Cass shook it off. He was a tough guy. He could handle a chill.

“Hmm. A hard bargain, but still a no. Ser Hune! Sir Sanders! How are you holding up?” Cass called, finally within speaking range and Ser Hune looked up. Her normal complexion looked waxy. Her eyes looked dull, and she was violently shaking. “Oh dear. That is not good.” Cass muttered, getting close. He placed a hand on her shoulder and she let out a shuddering sigh.

“I didn’t realise the forest would be like this.” She croaked, her throat sounding awful. Sir Sanders clearly had the same thought. He wouldn’t have agreed to this if it would have put his wife in this condition. Cass wouldn’t have asked for their help if he had known.

“I’m sorry, Ser Hune. I had no idea it would be this bad. I didn’t even consider it.” He felt terrible. Both emotionally and physically. Ser Hune coughed.

“How are you holding up, my Lord? Are you feeling ill?” Cass nodded, his grip tightening on her shoulder.

“Yes, I am, but I also think because my body is somewhat used to this level of neglect, I am managing much better than you, a full blood.” It would have sounded like a slur, hell, maybe it did coming from his mouth, but he didn’t mean it that way. Ser Hune seemed to understand that, nodding slowly.

“Ah. I am sorry to hear that, my Lord. Most fairies who move away from the forests always tend to find a little pocket, but this forest…” She trailed off, shuddering. “It’s so sick. The dungeon has warped it, twisted it. Are you able to feel that?” Cass took a second, trying to feel anything beyond the sickness in his gut, the urge to throw up, and shook his head.

“No. I don’t.” Cass told her and she sighed.

“Tragic. The next time I go visit the Elder, you should come with me. Maybe she can help with that issue.” She muttered, looking even more ill. Cass shifted, glancing at Draken. Draken got the hint and came closer, blocking out some of the light coming from the hanging, magical lamps. That drew everyone’s attention towards him.

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