Dar-Klite: Two-Hearts - 4. Chapter 4

Sooyer burst into the barracks the madness of the dispersing crowd shouting behind him, merely echoes in his shaken mind. Blood dripped from his face, as he shuffled his way towards a washing basin. The crystal-clear water, being pierced and infiltrated by the crimson blooms. The image in his mind would haunt him, the searing, stinking flesh, only overcome by the stench of his own body.

“Sire?” Sooyer mindlessly pushed the guard aside, coming to his senses he rushed to his side helping him to his feet.

“I’m sorry lad, just a little shaken.” He nodded understandably, crowds dispersed, for the most part, a couple of volunteers have gotten to work on the bodies-”

“Very well, thank you,” he held up his hand, “I’ll be moving to my quarters upstairs, let me know when it’s done.” The soldier nodded and wasted no time.

The shuttered captain made his way upstairs, upon opening the door, moving straight to removing his dirtied armor, sitting down next to a small woodstove oven he began to clean and polish his armor. It wouldn’t be long until a timid knock rang on his door.

“Yes?” Sooyer asked, working on his breastplate.

“It’s Kell captain.”

“Oh, come inside.” Kell swooped in closing the door behind him.

“Are you alright?”

“Quite fine, better then I would of been if you hadn’t of intervened.”

“I didn’t want to-”

“I know,” He put the breastplate aside and stood up, stay awhile, have some wine, we both could use it I’m sure.”

“Are you sure-”

“You saved my life today,” Sooyer had already begun pouring sweet red into two goblets, “Don’t be bashful.” he handed a full goblet to Kell, Kell sitting opposite to the captain after being gestured to.

“Have we heard anything from Cedar Rock?” Sooyer asked, taking a sip.

“Nothing reliable, but even more strange, one of their caravans we’re hit about a week prior. A bunch of summs expected to perform for the lord Clairwhite.”

“What? Why hadn’t they reported sooner?”

“Lord Clairwhite wasn’t concerned they said. ‘Bunch of lazy summs a day behind’ they said.”

“Figures,” Sooyer took another, generous, drink his wine, “No doubt the Magisterium has people on their way, I don’t know what we’re going to tell them.”

“The truth Captain, we’re up to our necks after what happened out there today, people are scared,” Kell shuffled a bit uncomfortably, “Charles is-”

“Charles? Where is he?”

“He was knocked out during the madness, pretty bruised up...he doesn’t know about Ms. Honeyhall yet.”

“By Helianos…”

“Do you want me to?-”

“No. I’ll handle it tomorrow…” he took a large gulp of his wine, grabbing the bottle to refill his cup, “Would you just look at the mess we’re in this time Kell, no count, no paramount, I may not even get the chance to talk to Charles before the Magisterium puts me in binds.”

“Captain you were here in Milem when it happened to handle the Honeyhalls.”

“I know I should have been with Count Leeris, maybe we wouldn’t be in this predicament.”

“No disrespect to your skill but, if you had been there sir I don’t think it could have changed much,” Kell took a drink holding the goblet up for Sooyer to pour more in, “It was an ambush, I’m quite glad you weren’t present honestly.”

“Well I suppose breathing is nice, nevertheless, the Paramount of Capricorn gone means so much more, it’s only a matter of time before the Sparrows start marching through.”

Kell chuckled heartedly, his wine arcing in his glass.

“The day the Sylloquiem army starts marching up North to Capricorn would certainly be the day.” Silence fell between the two for some time, Sooyer gazing into the flames of his stove, Kell merely laying his head back against the chair, brooding.

“Funny is,” Sooyer began, topping off his glass and offering the same to Kell who obliged, “When I was a boy something eerily similar to this whole...Peter thing happened. I must confess, however, It was far more tragic.”

“How long ago, and what was this?” Kell curiously asked, settling into his chair with a generous dose of wine.

“I think about twenty, twenty-three years? I was about ten and my father was still captain of the guard, but there was this girl who was the daughter of a seamstress, like sixteen or so, her name was Tahlia, about like Peters age. She had this gift…” he took a drink of his wine.

“Gift?”

“Gift.” Sooyer finished his goblet and put it aside, “She had this strange way with animals you see, like for example, Stonecypher ranch just east of here, at the time they had a severe problem with this pack of wolves who kept butchering their chickens. The season had been poor, and they couldn’t afford a beastmeister to hunt them so they reached out for help here in town. Tahlia was one of the first to approach to volunteer. Though they declined she insisted, and the very next evening they say that the pack of wolves were found next to her sleeping in the grass, calm. Not one chicken hurt.”

“No way, she had bait or something!” Kell protested, Sooyer merely shaking his head.

“That’s what everyone would say, until just two months later a boy went missing and she detailed exactly where he was claiming she saw him through the eyes of a montawk that was flying.”

“Creepy.”

“It would only be the beginning, she often played with animals and this one boy…” he snapped his fingers in thought, “Malakai! If I remember correctly.”

“How does this girl remind you of Peter?”

“Well you didn’t let me finish, you see, the Magisterium hears about this girl, and a whole legion of Calvery rode in, sparrows!”

“Sparrows?”

“White capes and ornate armor, had to be twenty or thirty of them, they came riding into the town and their commander immediately arrested her upon sight.”

“What why?” Kell finished his glass.

“The laws we still have. The Laws of Light, I hardly understand them but they called what she did ‘druidry’ and held a trial the very next day, Paramount Lazus, snow-skulled as ever, sentenced her to the usual crime for such practices-”

“Death?” Kell shrugged.

“Yes,” the captain simply nodded as he picked up the wine and reloaded the pairs goblets, “Same one Peter would have faced, had he not of chosen the Way of Old. The flames.”

“A cruel and evil punishment.” Kell spat.

“Perhaps. I suppose it depends on the wood.”

“Was that the whole story?”

“Well no, but….I stood next to my father and watched it happen, heard the screams turn to gurgles, smelt burnt hair and searing flesh as the fire died down and they were bringing her down from the post.”

“Done?” Kell gulped, turning his face in disgust.

“My point is….The snow hollow in the woods, they threw those who were burnt in there.”

“We still do.”

“Well at the time it was just her, we hadn’t cleansed someone in years, least not in my life….her body was gone the very next day...no bones...no nothing. Even previous bones from centuries past, gone.”

“How can that be possible?” Kell asked, perplexed, Sooyer, shrugging and shaking his head.

“Well I suppose there was one thing.”

“Go on?”

“Well inside the hollow, my father said; ‘the entire floor of the inside was melted, along with the pathway up to the entryway.” Once again, quiet fell between the two, as the oven next to them continued to burn, crackle, and pop.

“Malakai? What of him?”

“Honestly?” He finished his last cup, “He came as he went, nobody has any idea.”

Jacks eyes gently opened up, the familiar stench of salt, and rolling waves of the ocean all too familiar to him. He stared at the roof of the ship, looking around at the other hammocks dangling about. Was he simply just now waking up? Everything prior but a dream? He checked his clothing, cleaner even than the day he had even set sail! He leaned up, nearly smacking his face on the floor as he flipped out of the hammock. Scurring up and moving slowly towards a partisan separating the deck.

“Sounds like the boys awake eh?” peeking through the partisan he saw two of the crewmembers, lounging next to cannons sharing a flask.

“Aye, don’t think the introductions will be pleasant.”

“What about that one lad they dragged with him?”

Jack burst from the partisan, the crewmembers lighting up at the boy.

“Ah, morning to you.”

“Where’s Leo?”

“Is that the boys name Kelven?”

“Something like that Bram, this kid don’t need to know that though eh?” Kelven winked.

“Aye,” the pair returned to each other ignoring Jack “So about that other runt, what was his name?” Jack shook his head, moving towards the stairs towards the upper deck, the snickers of the pair not unnoticed. The ship was clearly different, having double the cannons, and overall different, more elegant wood and frame. The ship was currently sailing out of port.

“Ah, look who’s awake!” Jack turned towards the quarterback a gloved waving hand visible above the stairs, he stormed up the stairs ready to yell before seeing Leo, Azuel, and Malcolm all sitting at a worn wooden table with various metal cups and a large tea kettle, just behind what appeared to be the captain of the ship.

“Hey Jack,” Leo smiled, “Saved you a seat!” he patted at a chair next to him, and Jack cautiously moved over to the table and sat.

“So,” Malcolm began, “Jack I believe we got off on the wrong foot-”

“Why am I here?”

“Well if you’d let me-”

“Malcolm,” Leo cut him off, turning to Jack, “He’s offering us an easy job, he isn’t here to harm us apparently. I had my doubts as well.”

“So who are you then?” Jack addressed the two strangers.

“My name is Malcolm Stormholt, I am a Magistrate for the Magisterium, this is my right hand Azuel Shes-Never-Told-Me, my personal bodyguard and now lucky for you yours as well.” Azuel simply nodded from across the table.

“I...I’m not sure what to say honestly,” Jack kept looking around at the world around him, as the ship began to sail out of Tallisk, “How did you find me Leo?”

“Funny story,” Malcolm chimed in.

A tired and annoyed Malcolm had spent the past half of an hour steadily using his wand to dance a glowing needle through the various slacks of burlap he had now had, piles of salt gathered around him, and an unconscious, filthy Jack laid on the ground next to him. He was thankful that it had been late enough to limit the foot traffic, despite his sanctuary in a secluded alleyway, with only the moonlight and his energy lighting the area. The click-clack of footsteps echoing down the halls of the city, halted Malcolm from his spellcasting, as a shadow stretched across the wall running forward he ducked behind some random crates. Peeking through the rubble he saw a solid silhouette sprint towards him.

“Jack? Hey is it you?” The figure stopped over the body, “Shit it is! Hey come on wake up!” Malcolm burst from the crates.

“I’m afraid He’s coming with me sir, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

“Who the hells are you?” the figure scoffed, as Malcolm’s wand came alit illuminating both Leo and his face.

“I’m with the Magisterium, I need him for questioning, I have no intention of-”

“Yeah I know who you are, Jack told me some people were after him. I feel like you have better things to deal with no?” Leo’s fists kept clenched as the two locked eyes.asf

“Name your price.”

“Price?” Leo shrugged, “No, you can’t have him that’s it.”

“Well look I don’t have time to play games with you so if you don’t step aside in the next five seconds, this wand is going to switch your brain with your stomach kid.”

“Five.”

“What?”

“Four.” Leo began to step closer.

“Okay stop.”

“Three.” A dark grin began to form across Leos face before Malcolm pushed him away.

“Enough!” Malcolm put his hand up, Leo stopping still ready to pounce, “You can come with me alright? I don’t want to hurt him, I need him.”

“Why would the Magistrate possibly need him he’s just some kid trying to start a new life, we both are.”

“Well besides the fact, that he,” he pointed to Jack, “at the very least is a wanted man, but I have nothing to do with that...I’m in all technicality committing treason honestly.” Leo’s face began to relax. “You can come if need be, but I need him, I’m willing to pay both of you obviously, I was trying to tell him everything before he ran from me, nearly killed us both.”

“Yeah, how much?”

“Enough to start that new life.” Leo gave pause, clearly pondering the proposal.

“I don’t know if I can speak for him but...I’m willing to trust you as far as I can reach...what were you even doing back here?” Leo gestured at the mounds of salt around him.

“Well, I needed to empty these burlap sacks so I could make a bigger sack and just say that he’s a sack of potatoes or something?”

“Truly?”

“Well, I don’t know I’m running on somewhat of a clock I got to [pick up a few things on the way to the ship.”

“Ship?”

“You’ll see. With you here now and on my payroll, however, I think I have a much better plan.”

“Good evening gentlemen!” a pair of guards posted at the entrance of dock fourteen lifted their tired heads to a drunken boy, stumbling towards them, a bottle in one hand.

“Get lost, no booze for you here!” one of them yelled, prompting the drunk Leo to simply raise his arms giving a hearty smile.

“Looks like there’s booze here to me my brothers!” he cheered holding his own bottle in the air triumphantly.

“Alright get out of here, man sober up-” the soldier was halted by the shattering of glass and burning pain of the alcohol against his facial cuts, his partner on the ground gripping his helmet, the other guard sprinted after Leo, who slipped into the denser crowds within the district. An elusive Malcolm stepped out of the shadows and moved quickly past the still babbling, and bleeding soldier. Moving down the dock he made his way to the administration, happy to see that it was locked and closed up for the night, a simple wave of his wand got him in, a thankful sigh upon seeing the horde of thugs that had jumped him crammed into the one large community cell, the bars locked in stone, and the door thick and steel.

“Oh how nice to see some familiar faces in this city!” he exclaimed happily, closing the door behind him he wasted no time searching the room.

“You tricked us!,” the same ringleader from before stood up, featuring a large purple left eye, swelled to the point where he practically had only one, “You said no guards!”

“Probably no guards,” Malcolm opened one of the chests, finding useless paperwork and scrap, “besides not sure why you would have taken my word anyway.”

“You’re not going to like when we get out silk-rug.”

“When?” he began looking through the drawers of the various desks around the room, “You aren’t getting out, least not with freedom. Stealing from the Magisterium is a serious crime you should know that. Ah perfect!” he finally reclaimed his pocket watch and the red jeweled amulet with seemed to fluctuate in pulsing. “Well boys, I hope we do meet again none the less good night.” he walked out, catching one final glimpse of the evil eye that stared him down leaving, as he closed the door. Returning to the entrance he found the wounded guard gone, a mere splatter of blood in his place, taking the advantage he went down one of the alleyways, nearby and picked up a large sack of potatoes as his pocket began to vibrate.

“Interesting.” Jack managed, Malcolm stood from the table, Azuel following, perhaps you two should catch up a little, it’ll be a long voyage to Sidmilia so get cozy. Come Azuel, you had something to discuss?” She nodded and the two made their way down the steps towards the bow of the deck. Leaving only the captain and the two boys on the quarter deck.

“Aren’t you glad he didn’t introduce the man who owns the boat?” The captain asked, his eyes still forward, “I’m Captain Greggor by the way, I understand we haven’t been formally acquainted. Just stay out of the crews’ way and don’t bother me and we will get along just fine, Aye?” The pair simply nodded, exchanging a look between the two.

“Aye?” Greggor reiterated more sternly.

“Yes captain!”

“Aye captain!”

“Good, now get off my deck, go do something.” Jack and Peter got up moving down to the main deck, the captain sighing and shaking his head as the two left. What have I gotten myself involved with?

The sun shined ever so bright down on Peter who sat, legs and arms stretched out in the summer grass, basking in the beautiful heat. The smell of lavender danced through the wind into Peters’ nostrils he felt truly in Paradise. There it was. His eyes flickering open the blue sky seemed to dull to a monochrome, all around him colors began to seemingly drain.

“Why are you here?” Peter turned, the same man he had encountered in the woods after the breakout, stood at the edge of the forest, leaning against the tree, the grass wilting and steaming slightly at his feet.

“What?”

“Why are you here?” the voice rang in his brain, sending waves of needles along the back of his neck and down his spine sending him to the ground clenching throughout his body.

“I...I seek paradise...The paradise you spoke of!”

“Paradise?” another jolt in Peters body at his hip, “The road to paradise is as our relationship to the stars above. Remote. Far.” Peter felt as if his stomach was spilling out of a tear in his abdomen.

“You lied?-”

I did not lie!” Peters right arm twisted and deformed the snapping and crackling of bone too much as he let out a blood-curdling scream.

Peter shot awake, taking in the cold night air around him, scanning for any threats. His horse stood next to a tree close to the path, Peter had taken a quick nap behind a tree, but merely feeling weaker and more tired every time he awoke. His stomach gave a growl of need, Peter merely biting his lip, the stomach-churning now painful. Grabbing a clump of snow from a taller mound he began to suck on the snow.

“I didn’t lie.” Peter drew his sword pointing it at the origin of the voice. It was the same mysterious stranger, he stood petting Peters horse who grunted in satisfaction.

“Who are you?” Peter stood, “Who are you really?”

“Let’s call myself a...discouraged leader.”

“That doesn’t answer much.”

“Neither does your progress,” the stranger patted the horse before moving around and closer to Peter, “Sleeping when merely halfway through the Sin-Eater Woods, I sense weakness.”

“What you sense doesn’t matter, I’m not weak.”

“Then come to Paradise!” The stranger began toying with one of the many sin-eaters dangling from the trees. “If you aren’t weak you will confront the trial today then. I suggest you get moving.”

“Or what?” The man shrugged, turning his attention back on Peter.

“Well, let’s just say I can tell you aren’t top of your nutrition. So weak, malnourished even maybe. But I suppose you do have a fallback.” He patted the horse once again, giving a wink.

“It won’t come to that.”

“Your trial. I would simply suggest haste. Take it as….a hint.”

“A hint? Hearing a creak behind him he turned away to find nothing, and upon turning back to find the stranger gone once again. With a deep sigh, Peter lugged himself over the horse, mounting up. It won’t come to that.