Chương 61: The Godless Returns
"Master!" Ella screamed at the top of her lungs with excitable innocents. "I can see the lake in the distance! Look, look!"
Glancing off for just a moment at the lake of reflection, Zireaels gaze fell back towards the virtual book projected by the crest of anima on his wrist. Flipping the page, he merely hummed in response.
"What's with you two?" Sionn begrudgingly demanded, eying the duo lost in their own world. "Aurelia has been staring at her staff all day, and Master is reading some magical book.
"Shouldn't you also be busy studying the Dragon Bearer index?" Asked Zireael, without lifting his gaze from his book, "Or is it too complex for your little brain to comprehend?"
Averting his gaze out from Zireael, Sionn's voice seemed to squeak as he responded, "I-I-I don't have a shield," He uttered, sending Ella into laughter.
"Please, I saw the look of confusion written over your face last night. It's not even in our language!" shouted Ella to the young boys' dismay.
"You're not any better, you know!" shouted, Sionn with a glint of vengeance, "You were sleeping the moment we made camp!"
Closing his book, at the growing distraction, within his party, the young lord felt the flutter of the breeze against his face. Receiving a faint whiff of ash within the air, he peered towards the east just short of the lake.
'Such a large gathering of soldiers.' thought Zireael, with a colloquial expression that did not express concern, much less trepidation as it did within those just near the lake.
"Ella," Intturpted Zireael all of a sudden, "What did you learn from this trip?"
Halting her steps, Lord Blackwater held his feet in place as to hear her reply. Ella had seemed a little troubled at first. Recalling how it all started, the knights who kidnapped Aurelia and her, meeting Sionn, and the rather brutal betrayal she experienced. A flash of realization seemed to claw its way into her heart.
"Trust no one," said Ella coldly. "Trust only those here and now!"
"Correct. And what of you, Aurelia? What did you learn from this trip?" Asked Lord Zireael without provocation.
Lifting her gaze from off the Eldrich staff within her hand in response to Zireael, a heavy silence permeated the air. "That we are on our own. The only people we can rely on are those right here and now!"
"so, in the end, it comes down to trust." Said Sionn faintly, "That's a little sad."
"Said the boy, who holds a deep-seated hatred for humans, despite being one," uttered Zireael, crossing his arms, "But that is indeed what that means. You three must understand this now. Trust is one of the highest luxuries to exist. Treat what you have here and now well."
Taken back by Zireaels, rather heartfelt words, Aurelia's heart began to tremble with forewarning. 'He knew something.' she suspiciously thought, lifting her cool mellow gaze towards the sparkling lake.
"I did warn you of what will happen. I hope you still recall what I said all those moons ago. Although, I am curious what you will do, or if the fates themselves will force your hand." Whispered Zireael softly, pressing ahead without warning.
"What did he mean?" inquired Sionn, towards Aurelia, somewhat confused by Zireals words that burned like fire within her mind.
Apprehensive of what lay ahead, Aurelia touched her chest, "I-I don't know. Aurelia doesn't remember," she answered faintly, following behind the shadow of Lord Blackwater.
"Hey!" Shouted Sionn, "What did—"
"Drop it," Said Ella sharply, "We will find out ahead. Just be on guard."
"I'm just worried, is all. Aurelia seems off," Explained, Sionn, staring at the lonely back of the small golden eye girl.
Slapping his shoulder, Ella nodded, "me too, but all we can do is support her now."
Following behind Aurelia, Sionn could only agree in a whisper, "yeah, I just don't like it."
"Same."
Listening to their conversation from further ahead, a faint smile trickled onto Zireael's thin lips. He could feel their concern but did not attempt to alleviate their fears. Considering it a rite of passage, the distance between Zireael and the Lake of Reflection began to shrink.
It was not long before the echoes of laughter, and cheerful murmurs began to ring within the air the closer they drew. Noticing the heavily guarded sentries of knights, Zireael did not make any attempt to declare who he was, and the knights themselves did not ask. They knew. Everyone knew.
"It's the Godless! " Whispered, a tall blonde noblewoman, draped in an elegant emerald silk tunic with a ghastly expression.
"Should he not be arrested simply for dismissing our Lord?" Added, a ruggedly handsome warrior clad in heavy armor that clanked as he crossed his arms. "It's despicable; what is his title? To simply be able to walk so freely?"
"Can you not see the Count's Granddaughter with them? Has his grace fallen so low as to allow his kin to meddle with that of a Godless?" Said an average-looking man, covered in fine jewels that sparkled with a profound radiance.
"So you have returned," Shouted Baron Aylmer, with icy malice, "To think you would have the courage to return! Have you found the Light in your path of darkness?"
A/N: First appeared in Chapter 34
Gathering the attention of many, with his booming voice Baron Aylmer, stood firmly in the path of Lord Blackwater, who did not seem the least bit interested in conversing.
"Speak, Godless! Or has your tongue gone missing so soon in lieu of the anger you have garnered?"
Studying the growing mob of noblemen and women, Zireael sterling eyes and sharp like brow contorted. "Are you blocking my way—"
"Baron Calen Aylmer," said the Baron sharply, with his head lifted high. "You will do well to remember it."
"Of course, but it just makes me wonder," Zireael, softly phrased, turning towards an onlooking knight, standing at attention, with his arms just behind his back. "You there, what is the law in regards to a baron speaking to a duke, like myself, so rudely?"
Stagging at the sudden shift in attention, Sir Logan lowered his head to hide his beastal eyes, which shone a golden hue, "Punishable by death, your grace. He will be taken before a tribunal of your peers and be sentenced to have their limbs strapped to four horses and dismembered before the public."
Clapping his hands, the crisp rings of fear resounded as Zireael lifted his lips high, grinning with devilish intent, "Such a harsh punishment," he sarcastically voiced, holding the ashen baron within his sterling eyes.
"That is only the worst-case scenario, your grace." logan hastily explained, not daring to lift his head. "But since it is Baron Aylmer's first offense, the king would probably tax his land and family heavily."
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