Chapter 129 The Weapon Master's Gift
Two days later, Lila was practicing basic sword forms when Gerrit appeared at the training yard's edge. He carried a long wooden case, his expression pleasant and open.
"Lady Lila. Can I have a moment?"
Lila lowered her practice sword, wiping sweat from her forehead. Keal, supervising nearby, turned to watch.
"Of course, Master Gerrit."
Gerrit approached, setting the case on a nearby bench. "I've heard about your progress. Quite impressive for someone so new to training. Delta Keal speaks highly of your dedication."
"I do what I can."
"Modest as well. Excellent qualities." Gerrit opened the case. Inside lay a sword unlike any Lila had seen. The blade was shorter than standard, designed for someone smaller. The metal gleamed silver-blue in the morning light, and the grip was wrapped in soft leather.
"I crafted this specifically with you in mind. A lighter blade, better balanced for your frame. The standard training swords are too heavy, which is why you struggle with endurance." Gerrit lifted the sword, offering it handle-first. "Try it. I think you'll find it suits you better."
Lila reached for the sword. Her fingers had just closed around the grip when something felt wrong. A tingling sensation spread from her palm up her arm. Not painful exactly, but... off. Like her hand had gone slightly numb.
She pulled back instinctively.
"Is something wrong?" Gerrit's smile didn't waver but his eyes sharpened.
"I don't know. It just felt strange."
"New grip texture, probably. You'll adjust." Gerrit pressed the sword into her hand again. "Go on, give it a few swings. Feel the balance."
Lila forced herself to hold it despite the uncomfortable sensation. She moved through a basic form. The sword was indeed perfectly balanced. Light but not flimsy. The blade sang through the air with precision.
But her head began to swim. The world tilted slightly. She blinked hard, trying to focus.
"Excellent form," Gerrit said. His voice sounded distant, echoing. "Keep it. Practice with it daily. You'll see improvement quickly."
Lila lowered the sword. "Thank you, Master Gerrit. This is very generous."
"Not at all. I take pride in my craft. Seeing it used well is payment enough." Gerrit closed the now-empty case. "I look forward to hearing of your progress."
He left with a friendly wave. Lila stared at the sword in her hand. The disorientation was fading but left behind a vague sense of unease.
"Let me see that." Keal appeared at her elbow, his expression intent.
Lila handed him the sword gratefully. Keal examined it with scholarly attention, turning it in the light, studying the blade, the grip, even sniffing the leather wrapping.
His expression darkened.
"Don't use this sword again. In fact, don't touch it at all." He held it carefully by the crossguard, keeping his fingers away from the grip. "Come with me. Now."
The urgency in his voice made Lila's stomach drop. She followed him to his laboratory, where he set the sword on his workbench and immediately began pulling out testing equipment.
"What's wrong with it?"
"The grip has been treated with something. I can smell the chemical residue." Keal used tweezers to scrape a sample from the leather wrapping, transferring it to a glass slide. He examined it under his magnifying glass. "Moon Goddess. This is the same compound found in the creature samples. A variant of it, anyway."
"What does it do?"
"Causes disorientation. Confusion. In small doses like this, it's subtle. You'd just feel slightly off-balance, maybe have trouble focusing." Keal's jaw clenched. "But with repeated exposure over days or weeks? It would cause significant cognitive impairment. Memory problems. Difficulty forming new memories. Maybe even triggering existing memory blocks."
The implications hit Lila like a physical blow. "Gerrit was trying to stop me from remembering."
"Or slow it down significantly." Keal carefully wrapped the sword in cloth, containing it. "Which means he knows you're recovering memories. Which means he's connected to whatever happened four years ago."
"We need to tell Adrian."
"We will. Immediately." Keal moved toward the door, then paused. "Lila, be careful around Gerrit from now on. If he's willing to poison you subtly through a training sword, he's capable of much worse. Don't accept anything from him. Don't go anywhere with him alone. Understand?"
Lila nodded, her mouth dry. She'd been right to feel uneasy. Her instincts had tried to warn her.
They found Adrian in his study, reviewing reports with Marcus. Both men looked up as Keal entered without knocking, Lila following close behind.
"Delta Keal. This is highly—"
"Your Majesty, we have a problem." Keal set the wrapped sword on Adrian's desk. "Gerrit gifted Lady Lila a training sword this morning. The grip has been treated with the same chemical compound found in the creatures. A variant designed for subtle, long-term cognitive impairment."
Adrian's expression turned to stone. He unwrapped the sword carefully, examining it. His eyes lifted to Lila, scanning her for injury.
"Did you use it?"
"Only for a few minutes. I felt strange and stopped." Lila's voice was steady despite her fear. "Keal identified it immediately."
"Marcus." Adrian's voice was cold fury. "Bring Gerrit to the throne room. Now. And have guards seal all exits from the palace. No one leaves."
Marcus bowed and left at a run.
Adrian stood slowly, his hands gripping the edge of his desk. "This is attempted poisoning of someone under my direct protection. That's a capital offense."
"Your Majesty," Keal said carefully. "We should question him thoroughly. He may have information about the Queen's death, about the memory alterations. We need him alive to talk."
"Oh, he'll talk." Adrian's eyes flashed gold. "I'll make certain of it."
He walked past them, his presence radiating dangerous intent. Lila and Keal followed, neither wanting to miss what came next.
In the training yard outside, warriors had stopped their drills. Everyone sensed the shift in atmosphere. The King's fury was palpable, filling the air like an approaching storm.
Gerrit's reckoning had come.
And Lila intended to be there to hear every word of his confession.