章 3: Archon
The city and I'm sure the country was in disarray with the child king's hasty decision to bring the filthy Dark bloods to equal terms with the rest of us. It was an outrage. When the wall was taken down that separated us, and the execution of almost all the Keltcher was over, the few of us remaining that had escaped such a fate fled to outlaying villages of Reytor to begin rebuilding. The only one that had been caught and spared such a fate was Neil Darro. I had heard that because of his Nephilium blood and closeness to the newest king and his champion, he still lived, but much more than that, had escaped my ears so far.
The only good outcome from the king's new laws, was that it had caused unrest in some of the outlaying villages that still clung to the old beliefs which made it easy for our influence to rise like a Pheonix. With the backing of my uncle, Timberfell became the new headquarters for the Keltcher. We no longer garnished rogue like armor, but instead blackened steel armor and black cloaks. I would bring this lost land back to the true path if it was the last thing I ever did.
The dark bloods all lived on the outer west side of the village. As my first mission with the few recruits I had drawn together, we marched into their run down side. A few held torches at the ready.
"Dark bloods," I boomed. "I will give you one chance to leave with your lives and one chance only. If you don't we will use force."
A few doors opened and halflings and werewolves peered out tentatively in a sleepy daze.
"On whose authority?" Questioned one. "We are accepted citizens with the same rights now under the same rule as everyone under the new king."
My jaw clenched. How dare he question me.
"The lord of Timberfell," I growled. "Last chance. Don't test me."
A worried murmur passed between the few awake.
"And go where?"
"Not my problem, but you are not welcome here."
I could feel their fear rising.
"This is our home," growled the man who had spoke first.
"Not anymore."
The sleep must have left him and been replaced with rage because he left his door morphing into a werewolf as he charged at me. I smirked. Imbecile. I drew my weapon and blocked his first attack.
Werewolves were stronger out of their human form, but lost their ability to think critically so his attacks were sloppy and easy to deal with if you could handle the inhuman speed. One of his swipes clawed into my armor making an unearthly shriek in my ears jarring me for a moment enough for him to take a swipe at my face on the left side tearing deep into my cheek and across part of my nose. In my pain, I managed to plunged my sword into his chest through his heart. Stupid beast. His eyes widened as he fell backwards dead before he hit the ground. I used my boot to pull my sword free of his lifeless form already changing into an ugly half morphed form between a man and wolf as all their kind did when they died.
"Anyone else wish to die tonight?" I challenged. "My patience is low now."
I heard scrambling as they began leaving or waking up their neighbors.
"Burn it," I ordered.
My few men didnt hesitate and began setting fire to the shambles houses and the dark bloods fled. It was a triumphant night for us.
Once we had made sure all had fled, I cut off the wolf's head to take back to my uncle as proof. He was quite pleased with me. He had once thought me a failure since I had lacked enough angelic blood to be a Nephelium.
"Good work tonight, Archon," he said.
He then called for a servant to tend to the gash across my face. Archon. He had made me the leader.
"Thank you."
He sat a helmet on the table. It was made of the same black plate as my armor adorned with black wings on either side, golden trim around the face visor and a dark purple plume on top. I looked at him quizzically.
"I think it is time for a name change for the Keltcher. I will call you the Phoenix Guard and you will be outfitted with these helmets as well as these," he said sitting a dark purple tunic on the table adorned with a black Pheonix rampant.
I had to admit Phoenix Guard had a ring to it and I couldn't deny my uncle who was financially backing the rebuild as he was one of the wealthiest lords in Rylom with the timber mill.
"I think this is a move in the right direction, uncle," I said.
"Don't disappoint me. Archon is a huge responsibility."
With that he left before I could say more.
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