Sytravious: The Lost Warlock Of Moruz (The Oathbreaker Book 1) (27 page)

              Without hesitation, Nyxseous flung a deadly fireball at the girl’s face, but the girl dodged the attack and jabbed her arm back at Nyxseous.  Enchanted snakes darted out of Saycerach’s sleeve like harpoons, sinking their fangs into Nyxseous’ shoulder and tearing into her flesh before being retracted back.  The girl’s wicked laugh echoed as she skipped away, congratulating herself.

              Nyxseous ignored the brat for now, and turned her attention back to Saliz, who was approaching her from behind with his henchman in tow.  The burning pain in her shoulder was a distraction, but she managed to concentrate her energy on her defenses in preparation for their next attack.

              “Is that fear I smell?  Glorious, especially coming from you.  Your death will be my rise from the ashes of Moruz, and the VanDrake line will be erased forever,” Saliz threatened.

              He pointed his scepter at her and a dozen assassins flanked him, each brandishing their own weapon.  Even though she put on a brave face, feelings of solitude and fear were overcoming her.  This was not how she pictured her downfall.  Thoughts of how to escape this predicament were racing through her mind, when a blade came zooming out of the darkness from above Saliz and his henchman.  Her jaw dropped upon recognition of the halberd.  She jumped up and caught Griever
out of the air, and set the black flame to it.  Saliz cursed and spun around to find Nysight and Hellios running at them with blades drawn, ready for a fight.

              The
evening breeze danced through the tree branches in the temple gardens, sending leaves into the air.  Sytravious and Raiven watched as the foliage floated onto the soft bed of grass around them.  The hour was late, and not a soul stirred in the temple, besides the guardian sentries posted around the perimeter of the grounds.  The priestess was resting in his arms, sending a surge of warmth through his heart and body.  They had not been alone since Vienken caught them together in this very garden weeks ago.

              Without speaking a word when they first laid eyes on one another in the moonlit garden, they firmly hugged.  He sat down with her beside the fishpond.  She placed her head on his chest and he wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her head and breathing in the sweet smell of her hair.  The lack of conversation did not bother them because it was as if they had known each other for years and did not need words to convey their love.

              “I cannot believe you are here for good this time.  Vesalys has answered my prayers,” Raiven whispered.

              Sytravious smiled, savoring the privacy with her.  He knew they did not have much time before the change of guard, when he would have to join Bryce for his first day of training.  The idea of living here, and not having to sneak into the garden as an intruder was a strange reality for him to accept.

              “I think Jezra is the one we should be thanking, as it was her idea for me to join you here in the first place.”

“That, and your courageous choice to fight in the tournament.”  She beamed at him.

              “Yes, right.  Not everyone shares your sentiments on that decision though,” he replied, sounding dismal.

              He could not help but feel miserable when thoughts of his parents invaded his mind.  Sytravious stood up and paced around the garden.  He was still bothered by their choice to keep him so ill-informed all these years and had struggled with the notion that the love they had shown him was real.

              “I am sorry about your family.  I know they are not pleased you came here.  I do wish you would let me visit them so I may express my appreciation.”

              Sytravious sniggered at the idea, picturing how his mother would look with a priestess of Vesalys walking into her home.  The spectacle would be well worth it for a good laugh, but he knew such a meeting was madness.  His mother would never approve of his relationship with Raiven.

              “It is much too soon for that.  Besides, our relationship is not common knowledge yet, paying a personal visit to my family would raise a few questions.”

              “I thought you said Jezra was open to our courtship, why must we still hide?” 

              Unable to contain his excitement, Sytravious had shared a portion of the good news with her, but he withheld the details of the agreement.  “Jezra will allow us to court in due time, but first, certain things must happen.  The main one happens to be the undoing of your cousin.”

              Raiven seemed apprehensive.  “Why must we involve him in any of this?  He will not like it one bit.  It is bad enough she will have to deny his petition for my hand as it is.  Do you not remember that conversation I told you I overheard?  It sounded like she had asked him for something, but he did not agree, then stormed off at the mere suggestion that Jezra would deny the request.”

Now that Raiven had reminded him of the conversation, he pondered what could have happened, though it did not matter now.  He had already given his word to be the High Priestess’ champion, a choice he would have to see through. 

              “I anticipate him storming out of many future meetings.  He will not give up easily, but you should not fear him.  I sure do not,” he said with confidence. 

              “Is there some sort of plan to go along with your bravado?  What makes you so sure you can outwit Kenshiro?  You are ready to go to war with him, but he is not someone to take on without due consideration.”

“Outwitting him is not our concern.  The High Priestess seems to have that part all figured out.  Let me just say, her plans for Valcrest make my bravery seem like cowardice in comparison.” 

Sytravious understood the lack of faith she had in the situation, because in her eyes, he was just an apprentice smith who got lucky in a tournament.  He wanted Raiven to rest her hopes on Jezra’s wisdom and experience, rather than peak her curiosity about his possible origins, but he wished he could divulge the truth about his identity to her.  It would be a burden off his shoulders and he wanted to be honest in their relationship.  Unfortunately, there was no scenario he could fathom in which Raiven could overlook his family bloodline, since the VanDrakes had been the most malicious warlocks and witches in all of Moruz for centuries.

              “So when Jezra said you can court me in due time, how did she propose the Royal Court would agree to such an outlandish suggestion?  I need you to tell me the details of what you two spoke about.”

              “It seems this has been a serious plan she has been considering for quite some time.  The way she plans to get your cousin out of the way is by militarizing the temple with a knighted unit of guardians in the near future.  She wants me to lead them.”

              Raiven gawked at him with shock.  He could not be sure what part of the news bothered her most - the fact that her mentor was as much a politician as the cousin she despised, or the idea that the temple would be reduced to another body in the armies of Valcrest.  As far back as he could remember, Sytravious always had his doubts about the sincerity of the temple, but the priestess was different.  He knew she was passionate about defending the sanctity of Vesalys and her followers. 

              “So, you agreed to assist Jezra with her scheme?”

              “Yes to appease her, but you know the only reason I am here at all is for you and only you.  If I need to march in front of a formation of knighted guardians to achieve that, then so be it.  In addition, she is assuming the king will not be around much longer, and will name Kenshiro his successor.  Jezra believes with you by my side, the king will be forced to rethink his successor.  It is an implausible plan, but it is one that will keep you by my side, so I say it is a good one.”

              She hugged him tight.  “Sytravious, is there not another approach we can take?  One where we could still be together, without being a part of the silly games played between the Crown and temple?  Kenshiro may be younger than Jezra, but he is just as clever and bold.  If she thought of this scheme, then surely so has he.  Why should we have to get involved at all?  I do not believe anything good can come from it in the end.” 

Raiven caressed his cheek while she continued to speak.  “If things go as Jezra plans, then yes, it will be great to be married, but then we will still be subjected to her demands.  I have respected Her Holiness for a long time, but if this is her plan, then she has lost her way.  Why should we wait for everyone else to get what he or she wants, when our goal is to be together?  Let us just leave this place!  You were okay with the idea before.  We can do it.  We can run away, just you and me.”

              Sytravious was amazed by her sudden change of heart.  After all, it was only a few weeks ago that she shot him down when he had suggested they elope.  He never believed Raiven would want to leave Havencrest.  Now that he knew she was willing to flee with him, the inclination to pretend to be a loyal guardian disappeared.  He could have a different future, one with him and Raiven living whatever life they chose.

              He stared into her honey-colored eyes.  She was smiling at him with an adorable hopeful expression, as if begging him to agree.  He pulled her face to his and let his passion pour out into a kiss.  Her lips were soft, and the warmth of her tongue sent chills down his spine, awakening a thirst within him.  It was a need only Raiven could satisfy.  Sytravious picked her up with ease and her legs wrap around him.  After a few impassioned moments, he pulled back from the kiss and set her down.  His heart was pounding in his chest with anticipation.

              “Alright then, we can do it.  Let us leave this place, but I need to know your heart is in it and you will not regret it later.  Once we leave, there is no coming back, ever,” he warned.

              “I understand the consequences, but I no longer care.  I love you, and I fear Jezra’s plans will only entrap you in the same prison I have been living in all these years.  I love my goddess, but I can love her from afar just the same as if I were behind these walls.”

He grinned and kissed her once more before releasing her and checking the perimeter of the garden.  They were very much alone, and the closest patrol was still far away.  They would have to separate for a short while, gather the things needed for such a journey, and then meet back up.

              “Raiven, I need you to return to your quarters and avoid doing anything that might alert your wards.  You need to pack lightly.  I still have enough earnings to handle our needs for a while, so we do not need much.  In an hour, meet me behind the stables.  Then we shall begin our future together.  I love you.”

              She was beaming, and her radiant smile was the last thing he saw before she flitted away.  He lingered in the garden as he watched her go, fantasizing about their first night camping together.  They would need a good head start before sunrise, but they also had to slip away unnoticed, a factor that made him have second thougts about his idea to steal a horse from the stable.  It would be noisy.  Sytravious thought of his own horse, which was back at home.  It was fast and strong, perfect for the trip.  Perhaps he could get to it first, and then return for Raiven.

              He scaled a nearby tree to get a view of the mid-district, and then scanned the city, seeing most of the lights were burned out as the city slept.  He could grab his horse, and disappear before his parents noticed.  Sytravious vowed he would return one day to find them, and explain what he had done, but tonight was about him and Raiven.

              Just as he started climbing down the branches, a series of small explosions lit up the evening sky.  He discerned the area as mid-district, and his heart sank when he saw black flames devouring homes and shops.  He gaped in horror as smoke rose from his old home.  Shouts from the city guard ensued at the sight of the occurrence.  Sytravious fought his conscience on what to do next.  He could go back for the priestess, ignore whatever mess his mother was causing this time, and begin his new life with Raiven.  Alternatively, he could rush to his parents’ aid, and rescue them from whatever danger they had come across.  He frowned at the fires burning in the distance, and then looked back at the temple tower where he expected Raiven to be, and cursed his misfortune.

              The speed and stealth in his movements was no match for the city soldiers.  As he raced towards the commotion, his VanDrake blood flowed hot in his veins.  Sytravious knew he was well ahead of any first responders that were sent to the scene.