Kingdom of Loradel, The Owlen Forest, Present day.
Crickets chirped aloud; their harmony challenged only by the clops of the horse's hooves on the hardened dirt. The full moon above was a bright violet, signaling this night to be the first day of the new month. The month of Spire, otherwise known as the 'Month of Violet Moon.' As were the seasons of Elsire, dictated by the different shades of the moon every forty days.
Rebecca found it amazing how their ancestors had discovered the pattern of the moon cycles:
Crimson, Sapphire, Gold, Ebony, Quartz, Emerald, Rose, and Spire. A way to capture time if you will. One month from now would be a new year, signaled by the blood-red moon that would dominate the night sky. Rumor is that nothing but misfortune and death follows the month of Crimson. Perhaps not a rumor after all, as this time next month a war between Loradel and Zuland may already ignite.
Rebecca shook away the ill thoughts as she silently wished for Anaria's celestial aura to come to her aid once again.
Kyone had recovered enough from his wounds and had insisted on taking lead.
Rebecca sat behind him on the large mount. With one hand she held onto Kyone's waist, and with the other she held an open book: 'The Forbidden Auras'. She pushed a small crystal up to the pages. It produced a hazy luminescence equivalent to that of a candlelight. It was a sad excuse of a necklace with a thin leather strip bound around it. Though its light properties had served her well in the dark before as well as comforting her with it being the last gift given to her by her eldest brother.
"Keep doing that and you'll damage your eyes," said Kyone. His deep growl of a voice hushed the orchestra of crickets.
"I'll be fine," she whispered. Much of the trip was accompanied by silence as Kyone felt like a stranger to her. She now understood the guilt that gnawed at Xeto. Being looked down on by your peers for taking a life. Yes, the situation had called for justice, but in doing so they might have sparked a war that would take the lives of thousands. She looked back into the low wagon. I know he'll understand…
An unconscious Alzac lay at the center of the old cart, cradled by numerous layers of fur. His chest rose and fell with labored breaths.
"That's the twelfth time you look back at him," said Kyone, his focus of the forest ahead, the light amethyst moonlight was all that stopped the trees from being engulfed by the night. "He'll be fine. That young elven girl saw to that."
Rebecca put her head down. "What of Xeto?"
"I know you will disagree when I say he acted out of his jurisdiction. But you must understand that there are injustices everywhere. We are sworn knights of Loradel and we cannot—"
"Hogwash," whispered Rebecca.
Kyone sighed.
"We vowed to protect people. If that means protecting them from the living as much as the dead then so be it."
"Xeto is a good soldier and swordsman. As are you. But killing another kingdom's man will be met with punishment. A fate that I don't wish for you, so I urge you to keep your words to yourself. If not for me then for your commander. I know he would never forgive himself if you took a fall for his mistake."
Rebecca swallowed hard. "…After I tell Taloz everything he'll understand."
"Then may the All-Mother hold your hand, little one…We're here…"
~0~
"Claret-silk wearing lethargic sons-of-whores!" Taloz picked a victim of his fury as he tossed a wine bottle to the ground.
Rebecca flinched with the shatter of the glass. Red wine tainted the inside of the tent, reminiscent of a bloodstain.
Taloz threw himself on his rocking chair and mumbled to himself. "Think they can do this to us…no…not us." He wet his hand with sweat as he rubbed his brow. "Where is your commander, Lieutenant Orvein?"
"Sir," said Kyone as he stepped in front of her. "Commander Alcazar—"
"As you were, Iska." Taloz shot Kyone a glare. "I asked Rebecca, and she will speak." He turned his glare to her as he slowly rocked in his chair. "Don't you dare tell me that he's dead."
Rebecca stood up straight, hiding her sweat-damped hands behind her back. "Sir. Commander Xeto chased after the demon-knight alone and instructed me to help with Alzac's return as well to report to you."
Taloz nodded to himself as the redness of his face dimmed. "Good. If anyone could undergo such a task it's that boy. Hopefully he sends them all to the black sands."
"Sir?" said Rebecca and Kyone in unison.
"What?" answered Taloz with a shrug.
"What shall be done about Xeto's rashness?" asked Kyone.
"Just because a demon wears a Zuland insignia doesn't mean it makes it any less a demon. Xeto is doing his duty."
Rebecca's lips curved into a slight smile.
"What of the live men he killed?" echoed Kyone.
A tinder in Rebecca's chest ignited with annoyance as Kyone continued. It felt almost as if he wished for Xeto to be punished.
Taloz smacked his lips. "I will send a hawk to the king. The message will state that one of our demon-hunt knights successfully protected a village from a demon attack orchestrated by Zuland."
"Actually," Rebecca put up a finger. "They were…undead…sir."
"People don't climb out of their graves, Lieutenant," said Taloz. "Regardless, the king will find the truth behind all of this and Zuland will answer for it."
Kyone cleared his throat. "Sir. If I may. They have already retaliated once. Who's to say they won't do so again?"
"The tens of thousands of Loradel men at our disposal. That's who. Play with fire and you get burned, Commander. I think its time that Zuland feel the heat that is Loradel's might."
Kyone's silence was a telltale sign of his disapproval. "Yes, sir."
"Thank you for bringing my son back to me, Rebecca. You've earned some respite. Go get some rest, both of you." Taloz waved them off as he continued to rock in his chair.
Rebecca felt a comfort with knowing her commander was no longer on the scale of judgment. Though Taloz' words etched in her mind. The thought of a war made the air thick. She prayed to the goddess for Xeto's safety as well as an end to the ongoing hostilities. For now, prayers were all she had.