Greetings All
I have been ill all week, and this was the first time I have been able to sit in front of my computer to do some writing. I hope you all enjoy it.
Please do read @zakludick's update before continuing.
Robert lay on his back, clutching the sword to his chest, staring at the ceiling overhead. The noises within the cottage where he now lay had gone silent over an hour ago, but still, he couldn’t bring himself to fall asleep. This all felt like a dream, and he didn’t want to wake from it.
The sword was muttering under its breath, as if dream talking, but never addressing him. Robert already had an inkling of who this sword had once been, and as a Blaze Knight Commander, he should have taken it straight to the castle. However, he knew once the sword left his vicinity, that would be the end of him. He would turn into that terrible monster and start killing innocents again. He couldn’t risk it. No, it was simpler than that. He didn’t want to live that way again. It had been weeks, months, of torture and there was nothing he could do. If this cursed weapon could help him, then why shouldn’t he use it?
He held the weapon closer to his chest. Regardless of whether he gave the weapon up or not, he needed to return to the castle. The peasants had told him that the queen had spared no expense in trying to find him and everyone believed him dead. Even so, Queen Mary still poured what resources she could into finding him. He felt honoured. While the Blaze Knights weren’t under her rule, the fact that she was still searching for him warmed his heart.
Returning to the castle was more than just letting his presence be known, he also knew that the queen had spent some time dealing with the curses of those around her land. Perhaps she, or those within her employment, would be able to help him. The king’s older brother, Adiran, he could help. Not just Robert, but also the one within the blade.
I don’t need help.
Robert ignored the voice in his head and wondered once more if the cursed weapon could read his mind or only pick up on thoughts that pertained to it. He rolled over and looked out of the window, trying to remember the last time that he had slept in a bed inside a house. It had been some time.
Robert contemplated sleep when he noticed two figures walking down the dusty trail that ran in front of the home. They were large men, larger than most for sure, but they made next to no sound as they travelled. Only their low voices reached Robert’s ears. He had found it odd but knew that the beast within him had left him with some marks. He wasn’t sure how yet, but many of his senses were far more than what they had once been.
He got to his feet, still clutching the weapon to his chest, and made his way to the window to look at the two men walking closer to the house. Deep within him, he felt the creature stir and he felt panic. He gripped the sword tighter and tried to duck away but the larger of the two men looked up at him.
By what little moonlight was available Robert could immediately pick out features he had seen before. The man didn’t have his massive axe with him this time, but he was still recognizable. While instincts within Robert from his training told him exactly what the creature below was, he couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief when the man’s face split into a grin.
Robert released the sword long enough to hastily dress in the clothing the peasants had gifted him before picking it up once more to race downstairs. Several knocks had sounded while he dressed and when he had gone downstairs, the peasant of the house had already welcomed in the two travellers. Millmor had thrown his cloak back, while his companion remained shrouded in cloth.
“Robert? We thought you were dead!”
Millmor pulled Robert into a rib-breaking hug and didn’t release the man until he gasped for breath.
“I thought I was too. So much has happened, and I am still trying to piece the last several months together.” He started.
“Mary will be thrilled that you have been found. I am glad that we spotted you. What happened?”
Before Robert could say anything, the peasant offered to take the cloak of Millmor’s travelling companion and the man had waved him off, only to reveal a massive gnarled and clawed hand. The peasant shirked away, and the hand immediately disappeared. Millmor turned partway to the peasant and said, “Not all of us can be born in the image of what we’d like to be.”
The peasant immediately apologised for his rudeness and cited that it was late. He was embarrassed and just wanted to go to sleep, that much was clear.
“My good sir. These are companions from the castle. I know you offered to take me to the castle tomorrow, but I know that you are needed here to help with the lambing season. I think it would be best to allow me to continue my travels with these two gentlemen.”
“Lord Robert, after all your kindness, escorting you would be the least of my…”
“My good man, I’ll ensure the queen hears of your acts of valour.” Said Millmor.
The peasant relaxed a little, bowed, and said, “I will throw together a little something for the road.”
Not thirty minutes later, the three men left the cottage to make their way toward the castle under the cover of darkness.
Now back to Zak.
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Mortis Custos
Sanguifex
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