"Did you know?"
The accusation is out of her mouth before she has time to think it over.
"Did you know that someone would open The Dragon's Gate again? Did your master tell you?!"
There's no way he would have known. Mail had been backlogged for everyone. It's not as though he was especially privy to information they all had waited weeks to hear. But even so, the circumstances are so eerily familiar that it's almost impossible to not assume the morph had his hand in it, even partially.
This isn't like the ball, where Lyn could afford to look the other way out of consideration for the atmosphere. Before, she could overlook his presence, a mere defanged dog without a master, but if they were to return back to Elibe, that would be an entirely different story.
She unsheathes her sword and points it at the morph. The others on the boat would understand if they knew what he had done.
"Answer quickly or I will not grant you mercy."
It was not a matter of if, but of when Lady Lyndis would approach him. He knows how this looks. Knows how the facts even align with his means of operating. The rumors of dragons in Elibe a waiting trap, and a lone, outnumbered, servant of Lord Nergal's the bait.
At a glance Ephidel looks all but guilty, with no counter that could not be upended. But if looked at closer, there were facts that still did not add up.
If Lord Nergal had released the dragons, why had destruction not already ensued? If Ephidel was still within Lord Nergal's good graces--still a piece of his plans--why was he only now returning? If Ephidel was to kill the lords, he has had plenty opportunity but still not acted.
This ship was days out to sea. The sun had risen and fallen several times. It would be far too late if a messenger returned to Fodlan or went on to Elibe.
An interrogation from the princess of Caelin was inevitable. But all the same, the drawing of her sword was a bit unexpected.
Just as quickly, a spell coalesced in Ephidel's palm. Unreason was unstable in his grasp. Sparking and pulsing like a powerful void. Strong enough to crack the joints in his digits to unnatural positions.
"Settle yourself, Lady Lyndis." Comes his even response. "I understand your fury, but then you must understand my retaliation."
Most of Ephidel's manipulation tactics have been put aside. They do not serve him as much as they once did, but that is not to say he has abandoned them entirely. Lady Lyndis cares not for Ephidel, perhaps not even herself now. But there is one thing she would relent for.
"There are far too many innocent bystanders on this ship, wouldn't you agree?" He says with a grave look. "I know not more than you, but if you still doubt my words, I would wait for dry land to be beneath us."
