Chapter 3
Rael was close now he could feel the magic thickening as he neared the mage city Serenity. He never liked the area, it was too peaceful and without corruption, cities always needed corruption, Rael decided as he went to Serenity last. The teachings on magic originated on the land where crops were grown, buildings built and the potential foothold to the greatest empire in the world. That all changed when the previous King of the land led an army into the docile city and war was ensured. The army were not ready for the horrors that they encountered, they were not ready for the magic that they possessed. The King was slain by his own men and the people with Serenity since then traded only with the flying city of Asharak another city of magic. Yet recently something was amiss, why was he in there? Thanatos… Rael shivered with anticipation of the name.
Rael’s patience was wearing thin. The journey across these highlands took him far longer than expected and his supplies were running low. A speck was seen in the distance, he saw it and narrowed his eyes. It was moving closer towards him, if the speck spotted him that was still unknown. His black long coat ill disguised him against the green and brown marsh and the figure moved close enough to identify a human shape. The attire was a reddish white, a bold colour, which did not suggest hostile behaviour, Rael decided to move towards it.
Hours passed until finally the details could be made, it was female, the tunic white but with a red waist skirt going up to the knees. The boots however got Rael’s attention, they were grey with white pads, the heel and tip looked reinforced and the engraving on the pad was familiar to him. She in turn seemed to be analysing him, their eyes met in a clash of green and black. Rael searched her face, blank and dangerous, the stare of her piercing eyes not blinking and the closed mouth, which stayed emotionless. Her long chestnut hair was clipped back; she looked attractive, meaning she must have some proficiency with battle to stay … untouched.
Rael stared at the boots once more and decided to take his chances, he wanted no witnesses of him. The two people crossed each other, a metre in distance between them. Rael turned unclipping his cloak and drawing his sword. To his surprise she was already running forward closing the distance fast. Rael swept his sword horizontally aiming low. She leapt over and gaining momentum struck him hard around the face in a crushing roundhouse. He staggered, minimising damage but still tasting blood in his mouth, the cheek numb.
The girl did not back up, running and flinging her right boot in consecutive attacks towards his face, but this time Rael was prepared. He ducked under a lightning kick and halted the down strike with his hand before it descended and smashed his elbow into her stomach. She gasped as the air left her body, his outstretched hand pushing her off balance. Her eyes widened, her flailing left hand useless, the right hand striking towards his throat though he casually moved his neck out of her death reach. He caught her hand and stopped her from falling but twisted it behind her back, her hair scattering beneath her.
His sword resting on her throat as it raised and fell with every breath she made… her sword point also on his throat. Her left hand was not useless after all, she was a left-handed swordswoman.
“I will not die that easily you Regiment scum,” the woman spat.
“Regiment…?” Rael asked calmly releasing her and backing away.
“The only people here are assassins, thus you must be of the Regiment.”
“Though I commend your bravery and rashness, you are without doubt a fool.”
“So you are one of them! Prepare to feel your entrails around your legs,” she said getting into her stance once more.
“For a woman you have a foul tongue,” Rael remarked.
“I’ll cut yours out!” she said leaping in slashing towards his head. He leaned back letting the blade sweep by his eyes and caught a kick to his side and held the boot firmly. She twisted her body forcing him to release her though as she rose off the floor she felt a sword blade on her throat.
“You think I’ll beg for forgiveness?”
“No it is immaterial.”
“Stop!”
Rael froze and looked side to side looking for the source of the speaker. He had to make sure no one knew of his existence in this area, Thanatos would become alerted in a matter of seconds. Such was his power over the human mind. It was a tall man with broad shoulders with hair clipped back and a small beard. Both were still youthfully black but his face had wrinkles, which showed his age. Around his boots were the same engravings that were on the girl’s boots. He looked out of breath as if he had ran towards them and Rael cursed himself for not noticing him sooner. The old man grinned at the sight of Rael whereas he decided to keep his face very passive.
“It has been too long Rael,” the man said with warmth which Rael did not return.
“So we meet again Gareth,” he said without emotion and Gareth returned it with a comical smile. The friction between them made the air heavy, their battle commencing on another dimension. With anxiety amounting to insanity the pressure of the atmosphere seemed to fade as the girl interrupted,
“Gareth, do you know him?” Her voice was unrefined, the sound slightly brittle and harsh.
Gareth smiled widely, “Indeed I do know him Elina, he is my pupil.”
“I’m not your pupil anymore,” Rael growled with malice, his dark eyes blazing, Elina recoiled from the anger. Gareth’s smile disappeared.
“You are welcome to my home, stay.” He commanded. Rael declined.
As he was walking away he realised that they were walking beside him, following him. A nuisance.
Elina stared at Rael for a whole minute, he noted this and ignored her… she continued staring.
“What is it that you desire?” Rael asked impatiently. Elina looked surprised and slumped back shaking her hands from side to side.
“I desire nothing from you!”
Silence.
“I dislike silence,” she stated.
“You’ll get used to it,” Rael said encouragingly though his patience was wearing thin. Elina smiled and moved closer towards him, too close for Rael to be comfortable and he could tell with great annoyance that Gareth was chuckling in front of them.
“Are you following me?” Rael asked.
“Our cabin is this way,” Gareth answered vaguely. “Where are you going? To bring you to this remote and desolate place.”
“I have to go to Serenity, I think I found a link with Thanatos there.”
“The Demon Lord is always in his throne,” Gareth pointed out.
“Surrounded by thousands of Demons,” Rael added.
"Why would he be here?"
"I have my sources."
“Rael, stay the night," he insisted again. "Seth is also present.”
Elina’s eyes narrowed, but relaxed seconds later. He was beginning to become suspicious of her, she was far too naive to be so powerful in combat. Furthermore, why was Seth present? He hated company. He smiled slowly remembering how pathetic he was in the past, a little boy seeking the guidance of Seth.
“I see, then I shall take up your offer,” he said with some hesitation making Gareth grin widely like an idiot.
*
“This is… not quite what I was expecting,” Rael regarded with surprise. The cabin was large; wooden which could have been neatly polished as it glowed orange.
“It’ll suffice!” said Gareth defensively. Rael shook his head, grinning and entered, the windows had been strategically placed to allow maximum light flowing into the room. The air was well ventilated and he was rather impressed. By the window were the purple and white flowers with looping vines spreading and overlapping one another into a small maze.
“Madelines,” Rael said. “Extraordinary plants, able to live for years on end, feeding on both the rays of the moon and the sun.”
“You know a lot about them,” Elina remarked.
“I guess,” he said evasively. They were someone's favourite flowers as well... but who's he could not remember. “Where is Seth?”
“He is returning tomorrow,” Gareth replied.
Elina was looking critically around the room, Gareth was looking a bit nervous but she gave an approving nod, which made him sigh in possibly relief. Rael removed his boots and rested by the fireplace, staring into the flames, he was in no mood to talk. Elina came and sat next to him gently leaning on him. He stiffened considerably,
“Elina, what you’re doing now is something you normally do to someone close to you.”
She looked puzzled and replied, “But that’s how I always sit when I’m with my mentor.” Rael made a mental note to destroy that perverted old man.
“Do you not like it?” she asked, eyes staring into his. Rael grinded his teeth together, unsure on how to answer. She could easily lose her temper and that would be unpleasant.
Gareth announced that food was ready and Elina shouted back in confirmation. Rael heaved a sigh of relief. The food was strange meat, which Rael did not question, with soft bread, which tasted fresh and was filling.
“Rael,” Gareth started with a mouth full of bread earning a disapproving look from Elina. “What will you do when you find Thanatos?”
Rael harshly speared his fork into a piece of meat, issuing silence.
“He is the Demon Lord, you are hard pressed to do anything to that man,” Gareth continued seconds later. Rael did not reply. He finished his meal and left the table immediately and sat by the fireplace. Drawing a blanket around him he stared into the crackling flames occasionally closing his eyes at a harsh flicker of light.
Elina approached and sat next to him, as she tried to lean on him he swayed the other direction avoiding her.
“Who is Thanatos?” she asked voice low.
“The Demon Lord,” Rael stated unhelpfully, feeling uncomfortable with the chosen topic.
“How do you know Gareth?” she questioned changing the question entirely but it still made him feel uncomfortable.
“He was…” he thought for a moment staring into the crackling fire thinking of how much he should reveal about himself. “Someone who saved my life I suppose.”
“He really is amazing,” Elina said fondly.
Rael made a sour face.
“Did I say something wrong?”
“Do you not sense my distaste towards him?”
“Of course, I’m not a fool. But I want to tell you what I think of him. Is there anything wrong with that?”
“Nothing, I want to sleep, good night to you.”
“Rael.”
“Yes?”
“Sleep well,” she said lightly touching his forehead, another habit probably of the old man.
*
“Gareth…can I talk with you?” Elina asked nervously. By the fireplace Rael was consumed in a deep slumber and Gareth was sharpening his sword in his armchair.
“You want to go with him?” Gareth said with amusement directing his gaze at Rael. Elina hesitated and laughed while shaking her head from side to side.
“No I want to stay beside you.”
“Elina, I want you to learn of the outside world. This old man has seen too much to want to live any more.”
“Don’t lie, take me to see the world yourself.”
“Lie?”
“To not want to live anymore is a lie, surely you have a reason to wait behind? I knew you would always stay but I still want you to leave this place with me.”
“I must stay, I chose this place to be my grave long before. You however need to leave.”
“I decide where I want to go, I’ll stay too. I’ll fight and kill anyone who gets close to you. Those curs will never get close to laying a finger on you.”
“Don’t be a fool. Your mannerism are nothing like that of a lady, neither are your actions.”
“I’m a free mountain girl, I plan to do as I please. Seth has not been tutoring me for nothing. I’m fairly strong now.”
“You will be a hindrance; there are trackers among them with rare skill.” Elina flinched but then straightened her back, she was a proud person and would never let the effect of those words show on her face.
“I’ll kill them,” she assured.
“You can never be too careful,” Gareth said wearily but then he smiled wryly. “I knew it was a mistake to raise you by myself, this is to be my punishment, then fine come let us fight till we die.”
“You are a very responsible mentor!” Elina said embracing the old man fondly.
Fools, thought Rael as he listened.
*
Next morning arrived quickly and Rael rose and cleaned up the ashes of the fireplace. He had not slept well. Seeing Gareth had brought up memories of when he was wandering for days escaping from the previous hell he was trapped in. Winter had set in and he was buried in snow, then it was Gareth who held out his hand to save him, to make him into his servant to do his bidding.
He sensed something behind him and turned rolling on the sole of his boot.
“You finally show yourself,” Rael said turning to meet with Seth. "Strange I did not hear you enter."
“This is merely an aerial projection, it is surprising to see you though Rael.”
“I wanted to pay my respects before leaving, that is all.”
“I recommend you leave tonight.”
“Why?”
“I have to kill Gareth now, he’s done something that’s unforgiveable. I thought a warning would be sufficient to him, now relay it to him. Tell him he has until tonight to run away.”
“Wait…”
“Time is short,” Seth said rudely interrupting him and the image disappeared.
“It’s as you heard,” Rael said to the eavesdropping Gareth. "What did you do?"
"Things that I should not have done," he admitted grinning widely making Rael stare coldly at him. “Sorry,” Gareth said now serious. “I have a favour to ask of you, it will repay your debts.”
Rael nodded slowly indicated he was interested, the sooner he paid his debts the better.
“Take Elina with you and train her with the blade.” Rael stared into Gareth’s eyes levelly knowing the pain the man was experiencing. A heavy burden that Rael was carrying with his debts and Gareth used them for this one girl?
“She might not make it back. But I'd like to put that to one side however and ask you, do you plan to die here?"
"Rael you know full well that my wife is buried here. As long as you look after Elina than I shall have nothing left keeping me attached to this world." Rael remembered that a year after serving Gareth he had fell in love with a travelling mercenary and led to his release from him.
"I did not know about her death... how did she die?"
"She fell and a rock broke her skull. It was such a peaceful place, but we had 10 years... Those were some rare good days."
*
With her ear pressed against the door Elina listened more closely. Rael seemed to stay silent and Elina even hushed her breathing to hide her presence. The silence seemed to extend and Elina realised they were conversing, but so quietly that she could not hear anymore. Her weight shifted from a loose floorboard, it creaked. She stayed still, completely still, not breathing, not wanting to reveal her presence, however she lost balance and quickly fell through the door, landing on her feet however as her reflexes caused her to twist.
“I told you she had talent,” Gareth said smugly. Rael put his head in the palm of his head and sighed.
“Indeed she does, but I will reject the request.”
“Why?” Gareth asked.
“She does not want to go, it’s just that simple,” he replied. Gareth’s face twisted to that of anger but Elina reached out and grabbed his arm stopping him from arguing with Rael.
“Stop, I want to stay with you. Stop trying to get rid of me. If you do I’ll cut my throat here and now,” she threatened drawing her sword along her jugular.
“Sweet heaven,” breathed Gareth in shock.
“I like her, she’s got fire in her eyes,” Rael said looking towards her with appreciation.
“She’s also a bit touched in the head,” Gareth said angrily grabbing Elina’s shoulders harshly. She cried out in protest but to her surprise Gareth patted her head.
“You realise you have to fight Seth as well,” Gareth pointed out.
“I will win,” she said her eyes turning to steel.
Rael waited patiently, her face was set and there was an eerie passiveness that was unsettling to him yet it made him smile, though the reason eluded him. Gareth turned towards him, face serious,
“By the time you realise what you are truly searching for, you might have to fight with all your power to reach it.”
“What I truly search for is not known to you.”
“That is true,” Gareth admitted.
“Those words, I heard them before,” he said.
“Claire Kaster once said those words I believe, not that you’d have heard it from her.”
“Claire Kaster!” Rael exclaimed in surprise. “The one who sealed away the God Rurock.”
Elina’s eyes widened and it only took a few seconds for her to work out the connections between Rurock, Seth and Claire.
“An old story, still legends never die.”
“Legends often are distorted, it is up to man to believe what they want to believe. I will be taking my leave now Gareth,” Rael said slowly. Gareth smiled and rubbed his hair, being taller then Rael his hand engulfed his face. Rael smiled as this was the last time, he would show such emotion… the last time.
*
It had been little more than half a day since he was travelling from Gareth’s small cabin where he came across a small enclosure in a rock face. Night had fallen and Rael walking towards the opening with haste, was grateful for the cover of the wind. The interior was fairly dark and he took two pieces of tinder and clashed them together only realising then that there was no wood to set a light. Rael groaned and drew from his pack a few strands of yew wood. Normally used for making bows, they fetch a fairly high price in markets as they were extremely rare. It pained him to burn his money but his left hand was numb with cold and in a marsh, wood to make a fire was hard to come by. The branch lit and the cave sprang to life in an orange and yellow flare. He stared at the wall to his left noting how one patch of the ground stood oddly out of the rest of the greyish surroundings. Rael placed his hand on top of the surface and noticed it was ash, wood ash. Not more than a day old possibly.
His blood chilled.
He paced over to the opening of the cave once more and carefully inspected the ground. In the fire light he could make out foot prints, recent ones, ten people… maybe more.
There were a large group of people here, with their own supplies prepared for the weather abnormalities. Assassins he concluded. It was as he expected that they would come to seek Gareth’s blood.
Images flashed into his mind, Elina with her fierce tongue and pride. Gareth taking him in when he was near death, when he was seven how he was tutored in the way of the blade... There was no reason to interfere with his death, there were many of them and one of him.
Yet he had a debt to repay.
He would be alright, he was a strong warrior.
He is old and the assassins are young and they also have the advantage of surprise.
Rael swore and put out the fire and ran out the cave into the freezing night back towards the hills praying he would not be late.
“I must be insane,” he screamed.
*
"What was her name?" Elina asked stroking the tombstone that only now she realised was hidden under the undergrowth of bushes. On it there was no name but rather a short quote, 'Because life was too short with you.'
"Madeline," he answered shortly.
"Did she... ever meet me?"
"We raised you like our own, she died when you were four, it was not a surprise that you cannot remember."
"I see," she said abruptly.
"We are your family, while we are not your mother and father... we try to be," he finished lamely then laughed. She also laughed a wide grin encroaching her face.
"Thank you mother," she said kissing the stone then walked to the front of the cabin.
“Gareth there is someone approaching,” Elina said.
"I see how it is," he said comically. "When I die you'll start calling me father."
"It is too strange calling you father," she admitted grinning.
"Ready your sword Elina," he said strictly.
"The assassins..."
“Let them come.”
“Yes, my master,” she said emotionlessly. “I will kill every one of them.”
“Refrain from killing them, taking a life is wrong.”
“Don’t preach to me now!” she argued.
“My, we have a woman with quite a temper here don’t we Gareth?” said a voice. A figure came into view, he wore clothes of delicate silk, white and purple. His boots were fringed and the top folded over exposing dark coloured wool. His face was covered by a round circular white hat. Gareth flinched and Elina looked towards him questionably and was surprised to see his eyes wide with fear.
“Do I not even get a lunch when I’m with you?” the newcomer said lifting his hat to reveal light blonde flowing hair shortly cut. His eyes blue and lively, his smile infectious and Elina already felt herself loathing this man.
“Who is this pompous clown?” Elina asked Gareth.
“This man is Krei, an assassin sent to kill me.”
“Very subtle,” he commended clapping his hands together. “However, I’m not like those spineless cowards who shoot you with a crossbow.”
“Don’t do anything rash,” Gareth whispered to Elina. It puzzled her why he was so afraid of the newcomer, he looked so frail she reckoned she could have snapped his neck if she so wanted to.
“Now lunch I think,” he said.
“Where are the other assassins?” Gareth asked.
“We had a bit of a quarrel. You see they wanted to shoot at you from the shadows but then I did not agree with them so I killed all of them. Don’t worry it was not to protect you, bigger share of the money for me no?”
“I guess,” Gareth answered cautiously. Elina narrowed her eyes, his last comment was a lie. She could not fathom how she knew that but she sensed it just was.
“Still a mighty fine woman there,” he said eyeing Elina’s figure with undisclosed lust.
A hand reached out grabbing onto the back of Krei’s head. Elina had to lean to one side to catch a glimpse of the newcomer. She could not see his face but she knew who it was from the black robes and her blood chilled with fear.
“I told you not to come.”
“S-Seth,” Krei stuttered. Seth released him and indicated for him to draw his sword. Krei staggered but then turned and an arc of metallic steel sailed towards Seth. He swung to one side hammered his fist into Krei’s face, his lips moved and his hands were engulfed in flames which spread onto the fallen duellist. He roared in pain trying to beat them out but Seth intensified the heat until all that was left of the corpse was a smoking pile of ash and two swords glittering malice.
Gareth stared at the corpse and he charged forwards broad sword sailing towards Seth’s face. The robed man leaned back and Gareth pitched forwards and his knees gave way beneath him. Elina blinked, unable to comprehend what had just occurred. Her mentor screamed in pain as his arms detached by the elbows and blood spewed forth. She noted the clattering of his blade as it touched the floor sounding like clockworks breaking. Seth had only drawn his sword, but with such speed and power the blade even cut bone. She did not know how to react and just stood there stock still as her master, mentor, the most important person to her was kneeling in a pool of his blood his neck exposed.
“You should have offered me lunch,” Seth said.
“You never-“ The blade swung down tearing into the tendons of his neck, death was instantaneous. The corpse fell to the floor spraying blood onto the soft mud and only then could Elina move. She moved with trembling legs towards his fallen body and the held rolled towards her touching her feet, the eyes empty looking up towards her, his mouth open in shock.
“Oh I forgot about you Elina,” Seth said scratching his head absently.
Elina screamed at the top of her lungs, drawing her blade she charged in to meet the swordsman. He laughed and backhanded her around the face, his hand a bolt of lightening.
“You’re just too slow.”
Words could not express her anger at that point, she simply screamed an inhuman cry and charged towards him again sword slashing. The swordsman drew his own blade and blocked sending a blistering counter. Elina sharply ducked and spinning on the sole of her heel rammed her booted foot into his chin feeling the hard impact as he was almost lifted off his feet. Before she could get another strike in he roared in pain and discarding his sword merely beat her. His fists were fast and each impact was like a heavy weight. Blood sprayed from her mouth and she could feel her left eye being gauged out of her eye socket making her scream in pain and horror. Her body became limp and she wondered amidst the pain when she would die, wondered how she would feel.
He stopped as he felt a rain droplet touch his cheek. Without a word he retrieved his sword and slowly walked towards the corpse of Gareth. Lifting her master’s sword and fastening it to his belt he left without a glance to her.
The clearing was empty a few seconds later and the rain poured forth and she just lay there broken and lifeless. She could not cry or move, her body hurt all over and she could see her left eye roll from away from her body making her feel despair. Voices sounded to her ears.
“Damn that Krei taking all the glory,” a voice said.
“I know, how are we supposed to get paid?” another replied.
“I suppose we got to live.” From the sounds of things there were only two maybe three of them. Elina’s eye lost focus but she forced it open, too afraid to sleep.
“Hey there’s a woman here,” one cried out.
“Oh you’re right, she’s a beauty as well,” a voice replied. Elina cringed.
“What do we say we just take her?”
“Now I do like that plan,” a voice congratulated. “Look at those legs, she looks docile, what luck!”
Elina smiled a bit at the comment, docile was not something she was and she knew this full well. She let her body become limp, she was ready to submit to whatever torture they put her through. Then she would kill them, next would be Seth.
That was right, vengeance was now everything.
“Look at her eye though.”
“Well her body will suffice!”
“Right then, I’ll go ahead and take you.” She felt rough hands grab onto her shoulders.
“I would let her go if I were you,” said a familiar voice to Elina. The man seemed to go rigid in shock and she wished she could strain her eye a bit more to see the face of the familiar voice.
“Who are you?”
“No questions,” the voice replied. Blood sprayed on her face and she felt the hands release her. Then her mind caved into darkness.
*
Elina woke in her bed. The cabin was well lit by the light of the sun and the room was clean and empty, she sat up and rubbed her head. It felt as if she had a nightmare, perhaps something important happened?
“How are you feeling?” Rael asked her. She turned in surprise having not noticed the man sitting in a seat next to her.
“Tired, a bit sleepy. Why are you here?”
“You’ll remember soon enough,” he assured her.
Before the realisation came the flooding of pain and sadness.
“Are the assassins dead?” she asked.
“Of course, I tracked all nineteen.”
“There were twenty. Krei his name was, his body is the pile of ashes. Seth is insane.”
“I’m sorry, if only I arrived a bit sooner.”
“Don’t say that, you saved me. Do with me what you wish, my life is in your hands,” Elina said.
“Don’t you want revenge?”
“Yes.” The answer came out instantly, it was not an anger of passion but rather that of cold malice. It was the type of vengeance that fuels those who die into life once more.
“Then come with me, you’ll find him if you travel with me.”
“You are seeking someone named Thanatos,” Elina argued.
“I knew Seth’s strength. I never knew he could best Gareth.”
“It was not even a match, his sword was as swift as lightening. It was as if Gareth was a salmon swimming towards his death.”
“That was a very bad analogy,” he congratulated receiving a short grin from Elina. “Seth is a good target to overcome and he also seeks Thanatos, if you come with me you will find him.”
“I have nowhere else to go, please don’t leave me behind.”
“I’ll do what I can, now let us eat and rest. We can leave tomorrow.”
Elina’s hand trailed up to her left eye and it halted. She gently, hand trembling touched the opening and realised that her eye was gone.
“I’m sorry, I could not save your beauty either. I have made a bandage to cover the wound, before it gets infected.”
“I lost the only weapon I could use,” she said her voice weak.
“Then I’ll teach you the way of the sword. I should have taken you from when Gareth asked me to do so, maybe all the disaster could have been avoided.”
“It was not a disaster, it was a revelation.”
