Sytravious: The Lost Warlock Of Moruz (The Oathbreaker Book 1) (31 page)

Something had pulled the guards’ attention away from their fight.  He let out a heavy sigh, and banged on the large oak doors in vain.  Hellios decided if they were going to die trapped in this damned city, they would at least take the general down with them.  As he turned to charge at Kenshiro, the sounds of fighting behind the gates stopped.  He could hear the chains begin to move.  Sweat dripped down his brow.  His heart banged in his chest.  Hellios held up the flaming sword in anticipation of the impending foes. 

The gates began to rise.  Bodies of a dozen guards were sprawled out on the other side of the doors and he could make out the silhouette of a lone man in the darkness.  The figure pulled on the chains before hooking them in place, securing the gate.  The man walked into the moonlight and Hellios breathed out, relieved to see him.

“Are you two coming or not?”  Sytravious asked and extended his hand out to Hellios.

Sytravious raced out the east gate of Havencrest with Raiven’s arms secured around his waist.  He rode past the castle on a stolen horse from the royal stables.  Bryce had rode ahead, so that he could clear a path for them.  The guardian had made up an urgent order from Jezra, which permitted them to leave and patrol the outer walls to the north gate.  Raiven remained hidden beneath her cloak as Sytravious sped through.  Despite what Bryce had told the guards, they were heading towards the south in an attempt to get to the shipyard in time for the morning ferry to Springdale. 

They slowed down as they reached the southern edge of the wall.  The group rode along the perimeter as close as they could and planned to veer into the tree lines when they got too close to the gates.  Every so often, Sytravious felt Raiven hug him around his chest from behind, and he would place a hand over her interlocked fingers, savoring the warmth of her presence.  Bryce now rode by their side, looking as nervous as Sytravious had ever seen him.  He felt bad for his friend, knowing the bold choice to follow them would ruin any chance for him to return to Havencrest as a guardian. 

              “What about your brother, Bryce?  Elric will be hurt to know you left him behind without even an explanation or farewell,” Sytravious said.

“Elric is his own man.  He is also loyal to the kingdom first.  He would not have understood what we are doing now,” Bryce replied, “Besides, I have not seen him in the past few weeks.  I think Kenshiro sent him to run an errand for the warden, something
he
took off to do without an explanation or farewell.”

Sytravious accepted his answer with a nod and did not want to press the matter further.  They had a long journey to Springdale with plenty of time to talk later.  For now, he turned his attention to the south gate, which they were approaching fast. 

Bryce led the way as they traveled to the tree line and ventured west to the docks.  “That is odd.  The south gate is in protocol one,” the guardian said. 

Sytravious and Raiven looked at each other before mutually shrugging in confusion.  When he looked at the south gate from this distance, he did not see anything obvious that indicated what Bryce was seeing.  He looked harder, and then noticed the inner and outer gate closing.

“What is protocol one?” he asked.

“It is when the elite guard mandates both gates be sealed, to trap enemies within, and prevent reinforcements from entering.  Did I miss something?  Who would they be trapping inside?”

Sytravious considered his question for a moment, before coming to the conclusion that assassins got in.  He thought Kenshiro must have been having a field day chasing the bastards down.  Sealing the gates for that purpose made sense, assuming Sytravious was right in his suppositions, seeing as the only other explanation could be…

“Raiven, stay with Bryce!” he shouted before jumping off his horse, helping her down, and rushing her over to the guardian.

“I do not suppose there is going to be an explanation for this, huh?”  Bryce muttered as he helped the priestess get up on his horse.

Sytravious was already jumping back onto his stallion and gripping the reins.  “If I come back with two companions, the explanation will present itself,” he replied, before bolting off.

He pushed his horse as fast as it would go.  He needed to get to the south gate.  Just ahead, Sytravious could see a squad of soldiers armed with spears, and he smirked as he approached the enormous oak doors.  The guards were startled by his sudden and unexpected presence.  They screamed for him to halt, but he was not playing by the rules anymore.  He leapt off his horse just as the doors slammed shut behind him. 

“If I did not know any better, I would think you did not want me to come in,” Sytravious said.

The soldiers reacted by pointing their spears at him.  Before he began his attack, he decided he would not kill the men, as they were only following orders.  The scuffle was quick.  He disarmed the first soldier with one swipe of his hand, and knocked out the rest within minutes.  Once he had cleared them out of his way, he set eyes on the pulley chain that was locked in place.  He shot a quick burst of his flame to melt it away, and then pulled the gate open seconds later.

Hellios stood a few feet away from him, ready to attack with Daegon’s Rage.  He thanked the gods that he had followed his instincts to investigate.  Sytravious extended his hand and walked up to him.

“Are you two coming or not?”

“Damn right, we are.  It is good to see a familiar face after all the carnage the past hour.  Help Nysight.  I will hold the gate.  Hurry, more soldiers will be arriving soon.”

“Alright, give me the sword.”  Sytravious held out his hand and waited for Hellios to give him Daegon’s Rage.  The legionnaire passed it off to him with reluctance.  His ancestor’s sword felt strong in his hand.  He added his own flame to what he assumed was his mother’s magic.  The dragonite steel glowed with a unique radiance.  The energy coming from the ancient weapon he was exactly like that of Griever.  He savored the feeling of ancient magic pumping through his body.

He dashed to Nysight’s aid, blade in hand and swung his sword at Kenshiro, causing his stepfather to back up.

“Get to the gate now!” he shouted at Nysight.

“No, trust me.  It is a two-man job.  He is annoyingly talented,” Nysight replied. 

Sytravious did not argue, but instead accepted his stepfather’s assistance.  He stalked toward Kenshiro with his blade flaming by his side. 

The general kept one scimitar held out across his body in defense, and the other high above his shoulder ready to strike.  “I should have expected this from
you
.  I suspected you were a phony all along, but now that I know you are a filthy warlock only makes killing you that much better,” he uttered to Sytravious.

Their escape was top priority, and the memory of Raiven waiting nearby motivated him even more.  He refused to waste time getting into an argument with the arrogant general, and decided to get down to the fight.  Sytravious smashed his flaming blade into Kenshiro’s glowing scimitars.  The general was caught off guard and slid back a few feet before digging his heels into the ground.  Sytravious used the opportunity to retreat to the gate with Nysight.

They made a run for it, but the furious general pursued them.  It was a mistake Sytravious would make him regret.  He spun around and struck Kenshiro for a second time.  This time Nysight’s dual swords joined in the assault.  Blocking three swords was impossible, even for the general.  They shoved Kenshiro back and hurried inside.  Sytravious cut the chain, which sent the heavy oak doors crashing into the ground behind them.  However, the general was able to roll under that gate and continue chasing them.

“Damn it, can’t you just leave us alone already?”  Hellios shouted.  Then he picked up a spear from a fallen soldier and joined them in surrounding Kenshiro. 

They all pointed their weapons at the general and though Kenshiro was heavy breathing, he showed no signs of surrendering.

“Look, we are leaving, okay?  You will not see the likes of us ever again.  So stop this lunacy, and put your weapons down,” Nysight ordered.

“You might get away for now, but I will not rest until I have chased you down to the very shores of Moruz where you came from!”

Sytravious sighed and wacked Kenshiro’s hand with his sword.  The pain from the flame forced the general to cringe and drop a scimitar.  Hellios pressed his spear into Kenshiro’s neck until he finally dropped the other weapon moments later.  Nysight fetched the broken chain, and secured Kenshiro before leaving.  Hellios pulled the spear away and followed Nysight, leaving Sytravious alone with the general.

“That is right, run away.  You had no future here, not the one you were foolish enough to have dreamed of anyway,” Kenshiro said while smirking up at him.

Sytravious fought the temptation to strike him down where he kneeled, knowing it would disappoint Raiven.  Instead, he held his temper.

“Is that so?”  Sytravious asked and smiled. 

“Did you think I did not uncover your plans with the temple and Raiven?  You will never get close to her ever again, and she will once more be safe in my care, as her husband!”  Kenshiro spat the words out with bitterness.

Sytravious laughed.  Behind him, Nysight shouted for him to hurry, and the imminent sounds of the soldiers attempting to break through the gate grew louder, but he wanted to get one last word in before he left.

“I would not bet two hundred gold pieces and a horse on that statement if I were you,” he stated before turning away and running off into the night.

“Nooooooo!”  Kenshiro’s scream echoed through the city.

Chapter 26

The Lost Warlock Of Moruz

T
he western breeze of the sea brought the cold rain that stung Sytravious’ face as he rode south with his companions.  Hellios had stolen two horses for Nysight and himself from a nearby farm, and the group had been riding nonstop ever since.  The towns that bordered Springdale grew closer and closer with each passing hour.  Sytravious longed for a break, and after what seemed like over half a day’s ride, Nysight signaled the group to halt.

The rain poured harder.  Everyone was exhausted, and dismounted their horses.  This was by far the longest trip by horseback Sytravious had ever journeyed.  His legs felt as if they were on fire, and the rest of the group did not seem to be faring much better.  He took some time to stretch and grabbed one of the water skins they had brought.  He offered Raiven a drink first, and then everyone took turns sipping some water, except Nysight.

His stepfather had walked away from the group to survey the distant lands behind them, making sure they still had a good lead on any pursuing armies.  Once he seemed satisfied, he faced Sytravious.  Nysight’s face was etched with unease and dread.

“Where is she, son?  Where is your mother?”  His voice was strained.

Sytravious glanced at Raiven and she placed her hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze.  It was what he needed to give him the courage to revisit such a pained memory, but knowing that it would be too hard to say the words, he walked back to his horse and fetched a wrapped up item.  Inside the bundle was Griever, the weapon Nysight had given to Nyxseous before they were split up in the battle. 

Everyone stared with curiosity at the strange bunch of cloth, everyone but Nysight, who recognized the weapon beneath the wrappings.  Sytravious hoped that by giving the weapon to his stepfather, it would reveal what he did not have the strength to voice aloud.  Nysight closed his eyes and hung his head.  Sytravious fell to his knees before his stepfather, and presented the polearm to him.  Nysight gripped the weapon in both hands.

“How did it happen?”

“I believe Saliz poisoned her during their duel.  I arrived while she was still fighting, but it was too late.”

“Is he still…?”

“Alive?  No, I took care of him.”

Nysight nodded, and a tear fell down his cheek before he choked out his next question.  “Was she…was she afraid when it happened?”

Sytravious glanced away, trying to think of anything but his mother’s last moments.  He struggled to find a way to ease his stepfather’s anguish, even though his own heart still burned in anger and torment.

“Do not worry, please.  She went peacefully, with your name on her lips.”  His eyes were brimming with tears now.

Nysight let out a pained groan, and closed his eyes again.  His arms trembled as he gripped the halberd tighter.  Sytravious stared around at the company surrounding them.  Raiven watched in dismay, Bryce’s eyes were wide with horror, and Hellios turned away. 

“Despite everything she had done, she did not deserve to die that way.  That coward sent his assassins, instead of facing his fears himself!”  Hellios shouted with disgust.

Ignoring the legionnaire’s outburst, Nysight asked Sytravious, “Did she say anything to you about
him
before she went?”

Fury boiled in the pit of his stomach when his stepfather inquired, and he nodded.  “She told me everything…every last bit.”

“Son, I am sorry that you had to find out this way.  I know you have discovered so much these past few days, and it is not fair to you, but you need to rise above it.  Now, take this back.”  Nysight returned Griever to him.  “It is a family heirloom and yours to wield now.”  Then he turned and stalked off into the woods nearby.

Sytravious held the weapon, and remembered all the years he had spent training with an ordinary halberd just so Nyxseous would permit him to practice with Griever every now and then.  Each time he returned it to her, he longed for the day to come when he could have Griever for himself.  However, now that the day had come, he only wished to give it back to his mother.  He went back to his horse, and fastened Griever to his saddlebag. 

“What is that?”  Raiven inquired from behind him.

Sytravious had not heard her approaching, and spun around shielding the bags attached to his horse.  “Huh?  It is just my family weapon.”

“Not the weapon, that leather satchel right there.  I do not remember seeing you carry that.”

“Oh, um…it is just something that belonged to my mother and she wanted me to have it, but I do not want to talk about that now.”  He grabbed Raiven’s hand, and pulled her against his chest while he stared into the woods where Nysight had disappeared.

She closed her eyes, gripped his cloak in her hands, and asked, “Where will we go now?”

Sytravious had not thought the plan through that far.  He usually approached everything with a strategy and fail-safe options.  However, because everything had happened so suddenly, his actions were a result of pure emotion.  As they stood in the middle of the woods, far from home, he realized he had no idea about what to do.  He did not want to leave Raiven concerned and worried, so he offered a short-term solution.

“We keep moving south until we are outside of Springdale, then we make camp for the night,” he told her.

Hellios grunted at Sytravious’ response and said, “Sounds splendid, lad, but have you forgotten who we have in our company?  We are not only a band of fugitives now.  We are kidnappers with their prized jewel.”

“I was not kidnapped!  I left on my own free will,” Raiven exclaimed.

Bryce walked up to the group, taking a defensive stance next to the priestess.  Hellios gave him an once-over, and chuckled.  “Calm down, colossus.  I am just stating the obvious, no need to get all guardian on me.  You know as well as I do that we cannot keep running like this for long.  We need a long-term plan.  It is not going to be safe for any of you in Springdale, or any city in Valcrest for that matter.  You should come with Nysight and I, back to the---”

Sytravious cut him off, “We are not going to your home, Hellios!  After everything that has happened, that is the last place I want to be.  Besides, it is no place for Raiven.  We will forge our own way.”

“Where is his home?”  Raiven whispered as she studied the legionnaire.

Hellios opened his mouth to reply, but when Sytravious glared at him and shook his head,   and the legionnaire murmured, “I am going to check on Nysight,” and he turned to set out for the tree line.

Sytravious gripped Raiven’s shoulders and debated as to how to explain the situation to her, without compromising his real identity yet.  Even though he had grown much closer to the priestess, he knew he would have to explain his origins to her eventually.  It was something he was hesitant to do because he still feared her reactions.  After going through so much to get her by his side, he could not stand to imagine her repulsion when he revealed the shocking truth of who he is.

“Raiven, Hellios is a ranger from abroad, from a place far beyond Moruz and the islands of the sea.  My stepfather knew him as a boy, but the man before us today is still very much a stranger and I do not trust him enough to accompany him to his homeland just yet.”

She seemed to accept his explanation, but Bryce appeared to be dwelling on the conversation.  The guardian was deep in thought as he stroked his bushy beard.

“But he made a good point, Sytravious.  I mean, we have got to live
somewhere,
right?”

“If there is a land we can travel to and live in peace, I swear I will find it,” Sytravious replied.  “The last thing we need to do is start panicking now, when there are far greater things to take into account, like finding shelter from this storm.”

At that moment, Hellios emerged from the woods.  He signaled them to gather up their belongings, and follow him into the woods.  “Nysight found a small cave.  It is nothing fancy like what you are used to, Priestess, but it is warm and more importantly, dry.”

They gathered their things and followed the legionnaire away from the falling rain.

Raiven leaned back against Sytravious’ firm chest, as the sounds of the heavy downpour and crackling campfire filled the small cave.  The group sat huddled around the fire, welcoming the warmth.  Hellios had shared his rations of dried meat with them.  She nibbled on the meat seasoned with spices she had never tasted, and stared into the dancing flames in the center of their encampment.

Her body was exhausted from the trip out of Havencrest, but her mind was far more fatigued.  The severity of her actions was settling on her conscience.  Every time she started to feel the slightest bit of regret, she would remind herself of Jezra’s deceit and the corruption in the government.  Even so, her heart was still beating hard as she struggled to cope with the bold choice she had made to run off with Sytravious.  Raiven was only a teenager, but she knew she could not allow them to deal her out to the highest bidder. 

She glanced up at Sytravious.  He was staring at his stepfather, who had not spoken since finding out about the death of his wife.  Raiven realized no one had said a word since settling into the cave.  The mood was somber, and everyone was lost in thought.

Bryce was the first to break the silence and directed his question to Hellios, “You would not happen to have any ale in that bag of yours would you, friend?”  The guardian waved his hand around, trying to get Hellios’ attention.  The legionnaire looked up to see Bryce gesturing as if he was holding a mug and sipping it.  Hellios shook his head.

Bryce grumbled, “I am a guardian
and
a drinker.  It is what I do.  What am I supposed to do without ale?”

Raiven found herself smiling for the first time all day because she was amused by her guardian’s fondness for drinking.  However, not everyone shared her sentiments, as Sytravious demonstrated with a groan.

“Very well, if I cannot have a real drink, then the least we can do is partake in some merriment.  I think I remember a few bar tunes from the Trapper House.”

“Bryce, please do not---” Sytravious attempted to stop him, but it was too late.

“If I had one ale, I would ask for another yet

              In addition, drink maybe just one more.

              Three ales seem plenty, yes,

                As for me sir, I will gladly have four!”

Sytravious raised his voice over Bryce’s singing, “Nobody is in the mood for a song right now!  Just give it a rest, would you?”

She felt bad for her guardian, who was glaring at Sytravious.  “I think we could all use a little entertainment.  It is better than wallowing in silence, right?”  Raiven said.

Sytravious gawked at her with surprise, but he did not argue.  “Very well, sing if you must, Bryce.”

Much to Raiven’s disappointment, the guardian was no longer in the mood to be cheerful.  He ignored Sytravious and pulled out a whetstone to sharpen his dagger.  She huffed out of frustration, and then noticed Hellios reaching into his bag.  He pulled out a small lute, and began tuning its strings.  She leaned in, full of curiosity.  Raiven had not expected the rugged legionnaire to have any musical talent.  Even Sytravious and Bryce seemed interested in the instrument.

Hellios peered up at her.  “I do not know about that song of ale, but if you would like to listen to a real tune, I know one about a tale from my people.  Would you like to hear it?”

Raiven was quick to nod her head before the others could chime in.  She welcomed the chance to distract her mind from all the stress around her.

“Now, this tune is not one of merriment.  It tells a tale of woe from a time long before our fathers’ fathers roamed these lands,” Hellios muttered as he tested the tension on the lute strings again.  When he looked satisfied with the sound, he began plucking the strings with a smooth and slow cadence. 

A dark and brooding melody echoed throughout the cave.  The music pulled her in with its evocative tune, but she became even more intrigued when Hellios began singing.  His voice was so deep and haunting, yet so beautiful that even Nysight glanced up.  The group listened, as Hellios’ vocals had everyone’s undivided attention.