Assistant to the Villain, #3
Accomplice to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Chapter 18
Overview
Trystan leads Sage to the dungeon and brutally interrogates Calvin Warsen, confirming there is an insider aiding the saboteur. Sage asserts herself with Otto’s magic dagger, and together they deduce the kitchen window was tampered with. Leaving Calvin to prolonged torture, they pivot to finding Rennedawn’s storybook.
Summary
Trystan escorts Sage down to the torch-lit dungeons, masking anxiety with banter as guvre screams echo below. Determined to lead the interrogation himself, he warns Sage off analyzing him but allows her to observe.
They confront Calvin Warsen, chained and gagged. Trystan immediately escalates, breaking Calvin’s ankle and nose to force information about the manor’s insider. Calvin hurls insults at Sage, prompting further violence. Sage then intervenes, calmly revealing Otto Warsen’s magic dagger is bound to her and drawing blood to pressure Calvin.
Calvin refuses to name his contact, claiming death awaits him either way. Trystan reframes the threat: silence means life under daily torture. As Trystan’s magic becomes visibly manifest, Sage suddenly recalls seeing Calvin tampering with the kitchen window, linking the insider activity to that location.
To secure leverage, Trystan applies a knee-splitter and leaves Calvin to suffer, unmoved by the prisoner’s promise to take the truth to his grave and hint about an accomplice’s satisfaction. Sage remains composed, thanks Trystan for including her despite his reluctance, and he acknowledges her right to be present as his apprentice.
With the kitchen window now a focal clue, Trystan redirects their next step: they set out to find Rennedawn’s storybook, hoping it will clarify the sabotage and the stained-glass mystery.
Who Appears
- Trystan (The Villain)Leads the interrogation of Calvin, employs brutal methods, reveals visible magic, and decides to pursue Rennedawn’s storybook.
- Sage (Evie)Observes then commands the interrogation, wields Otto’s enchanted dagger, recalls Calvin at the kitchen window, remains composed.
- Calvin WarsenOtto’s son; imprisoned intruder. Defiant under torture, confirms an insider exists, hints at accomplice, refuses to name them.