Sytravious: The Lost Warlock Of Moruz (The Oathbreaker Book 1) (7 page)

“Yes sir!”  He saluted him and proceeded to climb over the railing before making his way down the back of the building.  Sytravious looked up at his friend to see him shaking his head in disapproval.  He waved and proceeded down the alleyway, back home.

During the trip to The Trapper House, he felt a rush of excitement.  His mind flooded with ideas of what he could do with the items he had retrieved from the villa.  He was upset that he did not get to finish searching through the home, but he was sure what he had was worth something.  Even if it was only worth a few silver pieces, it was more than what he had now.

When he arrived home, he found out the stolen stuff was worth much more than he had initially thought.  After the vehement lecture Nyxseous gave him about trespassing and burglary, she had gone through all the herbs and potions he had retrieved.  Surprised by a few of the items, her anger subsided and she could see the potential in what he had done. 

“Sytravious, I am fairly sure we have all the ingredients to make a very desirable potion, one that will rekindle your strength in minutes.  It can benefit you and Nysight after your training sessions.”  She looked up at him from her vanity, where she had all the items laid out.  “Well, we are missing one herb, but it is easily attainable.  We can find the Rosewood herb in the temple’s fields by the springs.”   

At the mention of the springs, his heart skipped. 

His mother continued rambling, “I mean we will need Nysight to come for extra protection, we do not want to get caught---” 

“We can go now!”

Nyxseous looked back at Sytravious, puzzled. 

“I mean…I will go with you whenever you are ready, as an extra precaution.”

She seemed skeptical about his sudden outburst and narrowed her eyes.  “Well, it would make no sense to go now.  If you were just listening, I said we have to go early in the morning.  That will be when the temple’s guard is most at ease.” 

“Right, I forgot.” 

He was distracted by thoughts of the priestess.  Never mind that he had slept through his training with Nysight this morning, what mattered was that he had forgotten to go to the springs.  He cursed his nightmare for putting him off his schedule today, but not all was lost.

“Perhaps we could go after my lesson with Nysight tomorrow morning?”

“Yes, I suppose we could.  I will let your father know I will be going with you tomorrow.” 

“That is alright.  I will go tell him now.  I am going over to the forge.” 

The rest of his day was spent in The Dew Drop Inn, doing minor jobs for their customers.  Time dragged by, and Sytravious daydreamed about Raiven while he waited for the day to end.  He had no doubt, instead of vicious claws, tonight his dreams would be filled with fair skin and honey-colored eyes.

Chapter 5

We Meet Again

W
alking through the Foxfire Woods seemed to take much longer than he remembered, probably because he was so anxious to reach the spring.  Throughout the fighting lesson, he had just completed, he could only think of Raiven.  His mother and stepfather both had commented on his inattentiveness during the sparring session.  He had ignored their remarks, finished practice, and rushed off while Nyxseous and Nysight made their way to the nearby temple fields.

“I am going to get some water and keep an eye on the perimeter for you,” were his last words before walking away. 

He hurried as he hiked through the humid forest, hoping it would take his mother a while before she harvested what she needed.  Even though it was fall, Havencrest was known for its indeterminate weather.  When he finally approached the entrance of the spring where he had met Raiven a couple days before, he kneeled down and filled his flask so that what he told his parents would not be a complete lie. 

After surveying the familiar area, he did not see the young girl, but Sytravious decided he had better check thoroughly.  He took off his boots and shirt and laid them on the bank.  The water had seemed cool when he touched it moments before, but as he submerged his body in the spring, it grew warmer.

He swam further into the water, taking in the spectacular view.  Flower-covered vines hung from the tree branches and dipped down into the water, as the sun was beginning to break through the canopy of trees.  His chest tightened at the sight of her.  She was sitting on the raised embankment, wringing out her wet hair.  The priestess’ dress was pulled up to her knees and her feet were immersed just below the water’s surface.  He saw her looking over her shoulder, as if waiting for a visitor.  Rays of light reflecting against the water sparkled against her face.  She looked radiant, even more beautiful than he had remembered. 

He was careful not to make a sound as he snuck up to Raiven.  He wanted to surprise her, seeing as her attention was elsewhere.  She jerked her foot out the water with a frightened yelp when he poked it.  She held her hand over her heart, and puffed out a breath of relief.  He beamed up at her, and she lit up.

“You startled me!”  She fixed her dress, covering her exposed legs, then rose to her feet.

“You do not have to do all that for me, Priestess.” 

She chuckled.  “Well I have already finished swimming and was about to leave.  I was beginning to wonder if you had come to your senses since our last meeting.” 

With a facetious intent, he said, “I am ever so sorry, my dear lady.  I was rather busy yesterday morning.  Please, ma’am.  Please, do not dash off just yet.”  He stepped up closer to the edge of the water, near where she stood, and stretched out his hand to her while bowing his head.  “My most sincere apologies.” 

“Well, my dear sir, I suppose I can accept your apology,” she teased.   

Then he sensed her smooth hand in his, which gave him goosebumps.  Even though he had felt confident coming into this encounter, he still felt a little strange being so close to her again.  Sytravious tugged her hand softly, and Raiven kneeled down.  He looked up into her bright eyes, and kissed the top of her hand. 

“Why, thank you for your forgiveness, Priestess.”

Her cheeks flushed a faint pink and she giggled as he rubbed his thumb over the spot he had just kissed.

“For you, I am sure I can make up a good excuse to stay a little longer.  Even though when I last saw you, everyone in the castle and temple got riled up, including my cousin.”

“Let us not worry about such things right now.  I just want to enjoy whatever time you can spare for me.”   

He gave her hand a squeeze, before yanking her off the edge of the bank and into the spring with him.  There was a shriek, followed by a small splash as she landed in the waist-deep water.  Her eyes widened in shock and disbelief.  He looked at her perfect face, which was now spattered with droplets and he had to chortle with amusement.  The sight of the waterlogged priestess was not a sight he would soon forget.

“Do not look at me like that, Raiven,” he spoke through laughter.

She glared at him with a furrowed brow and squinted eyes.  “So this is funny to you?” 

“Hilarious!”

“Yes, well, let us see how hilarious it is when you never see me again.”  She huffed and turned her back to him.

“Now, wait a second!  That is not fair!”  He swam around to the front of her to see her expression.  There was no way she could be serious, but her face insinuated otherwise.  Her lips were pursed and arms were crossed.

Fearing what she said was a true threat; he began to plead for mercy.  “Raiven, please, I am sorry.  It was only a joke.  I thought you would find it funny…”  His voice tapered off when he noticed the corners of her lips curl up into a smirk.

She began to giggle and used both her hands to splash him in the face.  He closed his eyes and let her get revenge, just to be able to hear her pleasant laughter.  Once his face and hair were dripping with water, he grabbed her by the wrists to stop the attack.

“Okay, I will admit it.  You got me.”  

“Was that not good?  I really had you going!
”
 She looked down at his grip on her wrists and timidly stared up at him. 

He let go and broke eye contact, looking down to the water.  “Sorry, you are a priestess.  I should not have touched you in such a way.” 

“Sytravious, it is okay.” 

“Wait, you did not let me finish
.
 
I should not have touched you in such a way without first asking the
omnipotent
Vesalys.”  He snickered, trying to maintain his seriousness.

Raiven’s expression transformed from soft and understanding, to unamused.  “Ha, ha, Sytravious.  You are so funny.”

“Alright, that is my last joke for today, promise.”  The priestess remained quiet and he noticed she was studying the area next to him
.
 
“Raiven?”  He took a quick look at the spot she was staring at, but saw nothing.  In eyeing her again, he realized she was raising her hands out of the water and they were glowing.  He watched her, fascinated, until he felt the water next to him begin to bubble.  He was alarmed when he realized what she was doing.  “You would not dare!” 

A massive sphere of water had risen out of the spring, and was hovering over his head. Her hands were noticeably controlling the liquid globe, when she shifted her focus back to Sytravious
.
 
“Oh, is that so?” she retorted, accepting the challenge.  “Alright, this is
my
last joke for today, promise,” she mimicked him, then let go of the sphere.

He held out his hand, signaling her to stop.  “Wait!” was all he could get out, before the globe crashed down on him.  The enormous splash sent ripples throughout the spring’s surface. 

He shook his drenched hair like a wild dog, then pushed his hair out of his face and blinked the water from his eyes.  If this was the price he had to pay to see her joyous, he was more than willing to endure her hijinks.

Her smirk was smug and full of satisfaction.  In response, he pressed his lips into a hard line, and said, “Tsk, tsk.  The use of magic is cheating, and I never took you for a cheater.” 

“Cheating?”  She burst into laughter.  “Says who?” 

“Says me.”

 He was pleased that his diversion was working.  His plan was to avoid a lot of conversation, since he had little he was comfortable sharing about himself.  Sytravious was enjoying every moment he spent with the priestess as he continued having carefree fun with her.  They shared a few more minutes of horseplay before deciding to get out and dry off.  He followed her as she lay down on a soft bed of grass.

“So, what is it like being locked up in that big temple all the time?  Do you like being the heir to the high priestess?”
 
When he did not hear a response, he glanced at her, only to find her eyes lingering on his chest.  He cleared his throat.

“What?”  She met his stare, and gave him a nervous smile.  “Yes, I like being a priestess.  It can be exciting, even though I am confined to the temple.  Then again, I consider it my home because I have lived there as far back as I can remember, so I guess it is not so bad.” 

He watched her as she leaned back and closed her eyes, letting the sunlight glisten against her face.  The priestess continued to speak about her life in the temple.  However, instead of paying attention to her words, he was listening to the melodic cadence of her voice.  He felt enraptured by her charm, beauty, and eccentricity.  She was unlike anyone he had ever known before, and that made her irresistible.  He allowed himself to become intoxicated by the spell she had on him.  It was taking over his heart and mind, but he welcomed the pleasant invasion into his dark world.  

Her voice came back into focus and he heard, “What about you?  Do you enjoy your apprenticeship?” 

“It is all right.  I am sure it is not as thrilling as being a temple Priestess, but it gives me something to do.” 

“That is good I suppose.  Vesalys blesses us all with gifts and talents, and I am sure you are going to be a great blacksmith.”  

               He did not want to push her away again, with his lack of belief in the goddess.  Therefore, he resisted the urge to debate the topic of Vesalys, and nodded.  “Of course.”

Sytravious smiled and moved nearer to her.  In an attempt to impel her personal boundaries, he placed one hand on her waist.  “Raiven, I have never met a girl like you.  You are special.  I do not care if you are a priestess and I am a blacksmith, I want you.”  He brought his face closer to hers and his body ached with desire.

“I do not know what to say, Sytravious.” 

“You do not have to say anything.”  He moved his hand to her head and began to stroke her damp hair.  To his surprise she did not object, but instead closed her eyes and leaned in.  He could smell the sweet fragrance of her skin.  He shut his eyes and just as he went to kiss her, a loud bang resonated through the air.  The birds in the trees scattered into the sky.  

Raiven gasped and sprang to her feet.  “What was that?”   

“I am not sure.  It sounded like an explosion.” 

“Whatever it was, I am sure the city guard will be dispersed to this area in no time.  I have to get back to the temple.”  In a panic, she grabbed the belongings she had brought with her, and stopped to look back at him.  “We should not have come here, we cannot…”  

Then she spun around and raced into the woods, towards Havencrest.  Bemused by what had occurred, he stood there in silence.  As much as he wanted to chase after the priestess, he knew that explosion had come from the direction of the temple fields.  His instinct told him it had to do with his parents.  If they were in danger, they would be looking for his assistance and he was not there.