I sat opposite Jack as neither of us spoke for a long time. The air in the room had a somewhat uncomfortable feel to it that the blazing fire couldn't melt. I had sent Xeth, Ulf, and Ruben away so that I could freely speak with Jack without unneeded ears present. I thought he would be more prone to discuss what all had happened. I was also curious as to why he had gone along with some ploy created by one of the rival families. Each family had a grievance with the Lloyd family at one time or another.
That however was not the case with the Xin family who had several disputes with Willem all through the months I had been with his family. My accusation earlier was primarily based upon that knowledge and what I had personally overheard during private meetings. To be honest, I would be surprised to find out that the Xin family wasn't involved with his death. They had money and influence that swam throughout Athax Frein. Such things made them an opponent not to take lightly.
I finally broke the silence as I sat up and poured four mugs with ale, "Jack, you have my sincerest sympathy. Your father was one of the greatest men I had ever known," I handed the mug to Jack as a peace offering between brothers who had lost something precious to them, "you have both my sympathy and apology for not being there in your time of need."
Without so much as a hesitant gaze, Jack accepted the mug and took a long swig as I handed Dugan and Åse their respective mug, "Thank you, brother. Coming from you puts me a little at peace. I am glad that after so long you still considered us as family."
Jack smiled, allowing a faint remnant of the boy I used to patrol the Slums with to appear. "I'm afraid it's too late," he took a breath before continuing, "The Lloyd family is as they said before. The three of us are the only ones too stubborn to forget who we are and the principles father had taught us. Anyway, I had heard that the King's nephew had finally returned after so many years, yet the King still lives as does his Niece. Why is that I wonder?"
[(Why did I not take their lives after so long? They had been my goal to reach even long after my stay with the Lloyds. My hatred for them was still strong as ever, but why did I not act upon it?)]
I stared blankly into the fire as I tried to think of my answer. Sighing, I thought of Siegfried, Nyxis, Zeke and Twilight Sand along with their futures. I couldn't help but also consider the personification of my last shred of humanity, and the form it took. I chuckled, "To be honest, I don't exactly know for sure myself. That being said, my uncle is more valuable to me alive than dead, especially for my desires to be met."
The two of us laughed together like we used to whenever we had our fun. It was great to see that a part of him never left. Sadly, the remnant of the past quickly faded away as it appeared. His face turned grim as he stared into the fire, "At least, you have a future in mind."
Appearing defeated, Jack chugged his ale in one go as if he had drifted the sands of the Arlena for days without sweet sustenance. "Rebecca took the kids and made for her mother's house in Nightwell. Claimed it was best for Phillip and Diana instead of being on the streets without so much as a burlap sack over their heads.
I watched Jack move to stand near one of the larger bookcases. "The manor is the only thing I have left," he muttered as he pulled free a book on the anatomy of monsters, "that is until they see fit to take that away as well. I guess the truth of the matter is that the Lloyd family died along with father. Maybe it was for the best."
I was never really good at condolences as I was at taking lives, but I hoped he would understand I was still there for him and the family. I hated to ask the question however it was time to dig a little deeper into the issue that presented itself. "Jack, I want your honest answer," I said in a somewhat stern tone making sure I had his attention, "do you truly believe that Willem was killed by Ironclad's king? Åse? Dugan?"
"To be honest, I have know idea," Jack muttered as he stood and made his way over to the fireplace. As he gazed into the crackling blaze, "We received a letter with your uncle's seal upon it requesting a private meeting to discuss a few things. I was suspicious at the time, but that faded when I overheard a meeting or two between them when your uncle had found out that father had taken you under his wing and cared for you like a son."
Jack chuckled as he took a breath, "Your uncle, though I hate to say it, is a genuine king that cares for his people. That very reason was why my mind instantly went to him because of the man he is. A kind king that is willing to do anything to ensure the safety of his subjects. We found father's body in the meeting place mentioned in the letter. Without hesitation, I was so sure that he had something to do with it. Now however, I am not sure anymore, especially after your accusation."
I rose to my feet and made my way to stand beside him as Åse and Dugan looked on. "My accusation was simply a theory based on past disputes between our families," I placed a hand on his shoulder, "and my personal experience dealing with the Xin's Hidden."
"Aye," Jack gave a hearty laugh, "you spent a week or two hiding in the sewers like a rat hoping they would give up searching for you. I remember Rebecca using a high-tear water magic just to wash your sorry ass clothes and all."
Smiling, I took a swig of ale holding it in place as the sweet burn slowly drizzled down my throat. "I could look into the matter if you wish," I muttered, "though on the condition that you stay your blade until I come find you. The decision is yours alone to make, brother."
Jack turned to face me as his eyes wandered to Åse and Dugan who in turn nodded their acceptance. I watched as his chest rose as he took a moment's breath before giving me his answer, "If you can manage to uncover the truth or at least the motive then you have my word."
I turned to Åse who removed her porcelain mask and gently laid it on the wooden table in front of her. Her face was covered in scars and burns from a life full of bloodshed that resembled a poor attempt at freeing freshly tanned hide from patches. Her left aqua blue eye sat forever watching the world as it yearned for the forgotten sweet darkness of its eyelid. Her lips were slashed at each corner making it seem that she was always smiling even though her heart was full of despair. She was an example of the punishments that awaited those who disobeyed their masters.
I watched as she took a small sip from her mug. Her eyes fell silently into my gaze as she muttered in a soft tone that many would have trouble hearing, "You have my approval, Einor."
I changed focus to Dugan as he sat motionless with his armored hands dwarfing the steel tankard. He seemed to be considering his position as one of the last officials to the family he cherished. After some time, I watched as he lifted the tankard to the gap between his chest and helm and guzzled the ale down in one go. Faint lines of liquid ran evenly along the scaled cuirass before disappearing from sight. Through the faint slits of his helm, his eyes never left me as he took one massive hand and pounded his chest giving his answer.
Not many knew that the beast of a man that acted as the Lloyds enforcer was actually a mute that only communicated through knocks, gestures, and head shaking. I remember how unsettled I was when I first met him as his eyes pierced through me. I also remember learning the hard way about his unique communication during a brawl between the two of us and ten O'Neals. It was later that I was told his story. He was once a prisoner of rouge knights working with unsavory bandits hoping to score a large amount of gold quickly. Unfortunately, his father cared more about the gold than his own son's safety. As punishment for his father's disobedience, they cut his tongue out and cauterized it with a hot blade.
"You're more than welcome to join the Undercroft," I offered a solution, "think about it a little."
After ensuring that Jack would wait until I looked into Willem's death, I again found myself in the darkened room of SwallowTail. My eyes never left the symbol of Khokbus as I engraved the very image into my mind. Black flames erupted to life becoming more wild at the taste of dried parchment. For so long I had carried the symbol of the cult responsible for the death of my parents that I felt an odd chill along my spine at the picture's destruction. It was like I had unknowingly angered the Horned One by such an action.
[(Their deaths shall be prolonged and painful. Their corpses shall rot in a pool of their own blood as they gasp for air. They will know true fear just like the others before them.)]
As the last of the parchment burned, I turned my attention to a more pressing matter. I noticed the maps and parchments laid out on the center table when I returned. I had glimpsed them earlier but didn't pay much mind to them before now. I made my way to stand over the large map of the known kingdoms of Aquera. Athax Frein sat in the far west where the three human nations fought over resources and the Rothewich Mountain Valleys towered around Astuca acting as a natural barrier.
I muttered to myself as I traced the red X's that seemed to grow closer to Westbrook "The mystery that's been on everyone's minds. Who or what is able to destroy entire villages and towns without so much as a trace?"
Placing a finger on the farthest X, I traced the invisible line that connected each incident all the way to Westbrook. I chuckled, "Almost as if something is drawing us toward it."
Turning, I made my way over to the window and opened it. My nose was hit with the multitude of aromas of the city. Again, I was instantly reminded of my home in Siegfried. A place that I wished to return to as soon as I could. Sighing, I stared up at the night sky filled with an aurora of stars that sparkled like a dragon's horde forever lost to man. Extending my hand out to the moon with my palm pointed upward, I focused as a small shadowy orb hovered over it. I watched as the small ball grew legs that ended in talons. Two medium wings sprouted from a thin body along with a beaked head. I smiled as the bird made entirely from shadow flapped its wings and soured through the night.
[(My shadow in that area should have some information when we arrive. If bandits are to blame, then there will be a trove of rewards to reap.)]
I sat with my hands covering my face and legs draped over the bedside as the cold wooden floor felt comforting against my bare feet. I was awoken by a dream that seemed so real that I thought the darkened room was part of it. I dreamt that I was making my way down a stone corridor lit by torches on either side. Cells were spaced between each torch filled with the sounds of beasts rummaging around their small alcoves as hands of unseen figures tried to reach me in futile attempts to escape their demise. I felt their nails bury into my flesh as I walked past. Though I was curious to look upon the owners, it felt as if I was entranced by what laid beyond the corridor.
I continued forward as my heart fluttered with every step I took closer to the unyielding light at the end. I was greeted by a ominous sight that sent chills down my spine. A swirling vortex of darkness hung in the air as if a blackened sun. Calls of unseen figures bore into my ears as the screamed out in unbearable pain. A flight of steps that looked to be made of polished bone dyed obsidian with smooth stone steps. Black lightning boomed to life in the crimson sky of fog revealing untold titans dwelling in secret looking for prey. For once in the longest of times, I felt truly afraid.
My body moved on its own as if drawn to the summit of steps even though my mind screamed for my retreat. The fear grew as I ascended and saw that each step was carved with images of untold horror danced on every surface. In one scene, I saw a man laughing maniacally while bound to a pole and pierced with a plethora of spears by unknown creatures. In another was a woman being drawn and quartered as her smiling head watched in delight. As I went up the steps, each scene became far worse until I reached the top where a throne made entirely of the bones of both beasts and humans.
The armrests were gleaming human skulls that forever looked over the chaos around them. Small fires burned in the four abyssal eye sockets that illuminated all the shadows hidden inside. Their attached spines connected to the back that looked to be made of a large humanoid ribcage freshly carved so that the curved bones didn't block the sight of the figure sitting. The legs were made from what looked like the arms and hands as they supported the weight of the seat that reminded me of an undead dragon's spine. The throne was fit for the creature sitting on it.
The figure was a man that looked around the same age as I was, but I knew that was just a lie hiding what laid underneath. Braided white hair sat gently over the creature's left shoulder as it sat with an intrigued expression. Two golden slits swam in a sea of blood formed its eyes that moved all over my body analyzing me. The creature's skin was covered in smooth scales that a dragon or a serpent that was pale in complexion. Clawed nails silently tapped the throne as the creature smiled showing the hidden fangs dyed with fresh blood.
The creature was clad in a pair of tarnished black leather trousers tucked into a pair of black steel sabatons that stopped just above its knees. Depictions of coiling serpents were etched along the sabatons. Gilded heads formed over the knees with mouths in a horrid smile showing pointed fangs ready to break flesh. A black billowy cloak hung around the creature's shoulders that allowed its bare chest to be seen. On the creature's shoulder was a winged serpent that resembled the four eyed snake clasp of Tartarus. It gave a shrill hiss in my direction before slithering behind the throne.
My attention was drawn to the foreboding scene that laid at the creature's feet. Scattered around the throne were remains of victims in several stages of decay with outreaching hands as if waiting for a loved one's embrace. Though some I didn't know or were severely decayed to recognize, the others that still resembled how they looked alive. They were the shadows of the people I had killed with my magic. Fragments of their souls that chose to live on in the darkness of Penumbra. My chest burned with anger as their last goodbyes rang in my ears.
With intent to kill the fowl monster before me, I drew a misericorde from my jacket and threw it with a successive flick of my wrist. My eyes widened in fear as my blade stopped just inches away from its target, the creature's throat. My fear grew even more with each rapid beat of my heart as the creature snapped its fingers. I watched in utter terror as the blade twisted in the air to face me and with another snap of fingers began to fly toward its new target. I tried to lunge to the side hoping to get closer and drive a blade into the being's chest. However, I fell to my knees as blood poured from my throat.
My vision began to fade as I tried to crawl forward only to find the toes of the creature in front of me. I found the man looming over me as the serpent from before towered behind him like one of the titans hidden in the surrounding fog. I began to claw my way up its armored legs as blood poured even more with every motion I made. Blood spewed from my mouth with the sudden loss of balance as my strength faded in my arms. I could do nothing as the creature pulled the misericorde free allowing blood to gush free.
I looked on through fading vision as the creature or entity knelt down beside me making sure its eyes were the last thing I saw. A grin spread along its face as it spoke in a grim tone, "You are not worthy to wield my soul."
I felt my body being wrapped by unseen serpents as their fangs bore deep into my skin. Their smooth scales brushed against my palms like torrents of water. I knew I was dying yet I still fought on with ever fading gasp of air. I clawed and pulled at the serpents as their venom began to take effect. My heart began to fade with each attempt to free myself. Bump...bump...bump until nothing except for the destructive images of everything I held dear was left.
The first image I witnessed was the destruction of Siegfried with a burning blaze at its center as screams filled the air. Fang's head was displayed over the gate like some greeting as the bodies of Twilight Sand hung from the destroyed walls. Images of Momma Joan and the Williamsons riddled with arrows like some madman's practice target. Luthor and Marie died shielding Aron from the brunt of the arrows only to die with their son. Momma Joan was tied to a post unable to attempt a counterattack or retreat. The last image broke my cold heart more as I watched Nyxis burned at the stake as the flags of Vaniel and Ironclad fluttered in the smoke filled wind.
I turned and watched Nyxis sleep as I released a sigh of relief. Her bare chest rose then fell with every breath as if dancing to the rhythm of music. I smiled and spoke to unconscious ears, "Te Amo."
I saw a small grin spread across her face before turning to the window where Orion's fox body slept. He laid on his back as his little legs scampered through unseen fields hunting for delicious prey. We always hunted the surrounding wilderness during our travels living off what we could catch or harvest. With a sigh, I stared into the moon as the images once again flashed before my eyes. The face of the entity that had killed me in my dreams burned into my mind and the final gift he had given me. The gift of seeing my own death.
"You are not worthy to wield my soul," I repeated the words to myself. I chuckled to myself as the moon was blocked by clouds sending the street into darkness,"Stalo, what kind of blade did you truly give me?"
[(Oh, what fun will it be to tame it.)]