The Sworn Defender

by The Ranger

There was not much room for conflict, though, as Syvonans rarely entered Azra, and even then, were scarcely approached when conducting their business. They seemed to appreciate their privacy just as much as the Azrians did, if not more.

  "That's the elf city, right?" Eren questioned.

  "Yes," Rahm nodded. "There's not much we know about them, even Bogar and myself, but their city was built on generous actions. There were not always men in that settlement, I'll have you know. It is our hope that they might consider letting a few more in."

  "I hope so," Khora smiled. "Starting life anew will be daunting, but it will provide an opportunity to see new horizons."

  Richard thought he might add his own well-meaning message to the conversation, but Eren quietly jabbed his side. He flinched slightly and turned in time to see his friend lean closer to his face.

  "So many people gathered in one place… and not a single Seeker to be found?" he loudly whispered. "Doesn't seem right."

  Edmund's expression contorted into slight annoyance as he shook his head.

  "He's right," Aven agreed. "Why aren't there any here? They would be drawn to all these people…"

  "Is that what you've been calling the monsters?" Rahm returned.

  "It's what they are. A witch explained their nature to us," Khora explained, only to quickly add: "A trustworthy one, though."

  "I see," the old man accepted. "Well, to be quite honest— we're not sure why we haven't been attacked yet. All we know, as of now, is that a great deal of them have gathered on the hills north of the city. Preparing for an attack, no doubt. They converged there from all directions; not many came from the East, however, strange as it might seem."

  "It's been some time since we saw any in that direction," Eren volunteered. "We thought it might've been luck, but I suppose it was really your misfortune instead of ours."

  "Eren," Khora hissed, glaring at him.

  "Well, it's true," he defended. "We might not have been able to make it through so easily if there were more coming after us rather than the city."

  "Do not scold him," Rahm allowed. "He is correct. We knew we might face another attack, should the devil sorcerer ever see his escape, and the news you brought with you carried our greatest fears."

  He seemed to shudder for a moment and gripped the cat in his arms more tightly. However, she did not seem to mind, as she simply pushed her face deeper into the crook of the old man's arm.

  Richard glanced back towards Bogar when he noticed the Chief stagger towards a sentry posted near the edge of the clearing. He seemed exhausted in his movements and in his demeanor.

  "I'm going to talk to Bogar," Richard announced. "I shouldn't take too long."

  He moved past Rahm and the others and carefully sidestepped the refugees gathered across the ground. He did his best to avoid their eyes, as he felt partially responsible for their fates.

  "What's the deal with this Bogar man?"

  Richard turned his head slightly to catch Eren unashamedly following him through the camp, his footsteps silent and precise.

  "I've already told you everything I know," he answered. "I want to see what else he can tell me about Lucan. And I want to know what those who stayed behind are doing."

  "Probably defending the city?" his friend poked. "It's not a very difficult concept to grasp, Rich."

  "Be quiet," he scolded. "I just want to see what else I might be able to find out from him."

  Eren shrugged innocently but kept up with him as they traipsed through the gathered masses until finally arriving at their destination.

  Bogar quickly looked him over, scanning him carefully.

  "Richard, correct?" he muttered.

  "Yes, and this is Eren," he introduced, not expecting Eren to wave his hand awkwardly in response.

  "Is there something the two of you need from me?" the Chief prodded.

  "Could you explain what's happening in the Ashlands in… greater detail?" Eren requested, raising his eyebrows slightly.

  "There's not much to explain," Bogar grumbled. "The sorcerer gathered his legion just beyond the city, and he'll likely mount an attack soon. I'm not sure what you're hoping to hear."

  Richard felt he was withholding something from him and attempted to search his expression for a hint of the truth.

  Eren was less subtle.

  "There's something you're not saying, isn't there?" he accused. "You know something the rest of these people don't."

  "And if I do?" Bogar chuckled. "You think I'd keep something from my own people, but tell you?"

  The Chief laughed for a moment, turning his head away from Eren, and Richard saw his attention fall to the Marinians seated across from them. There was a man among them who seemed different than those around him.

  He seemed thin and frail in posture, but the details of his face told Richard it wasn't for lack of food. He had long, coarse hair that draped itself over his shoulders neatly and brown eyes that were staring off into the distance absent-mindedly. His clothes were neat and well-taken care of; he was, besides Rahm, the only other person there who didn't seem unhappy.

  More importantly, though, Richard could sense a strangeness to him. It was a feeling he felt was just shy of familiar.

  "There's something strange about him," he muttered, focusing on the young man before him. "I sense… arcane energy?"

  Bogar turned to meet his eyes before whipping around to follow Richard's gaze. Quiet anger crept onto the Chief's face, and he grabbed his arm tightly. It was a sight that may have been imposing if he could stand on his own.

  "How did you know?" he growled.

  Richard set his hand on Bogar's arm and squeezed it tightly.

  "That's none of your business," he told him, maintaining eye contact with the Chief.

  The older man's anger diminished but did not vanish as he pulled back his hand. He laughed slightly before turning to the stranger sitting a few feet away.

  "Julian," he called. "Come here."

  The man closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again and rising to his feet. He strode over to Bogar and stood silently at his side. He nodded towards Eren and Richard and extended his hand.

  "It's good to make your acquaintance," he declared.

  Eren met him with his own hand, awkwardly, but Richard made no attempt to reciprocate the gesture.

  "What's the news?" the Chief asked.

  Julian looked at the pair of Azrians nervously before looking back to Bogar.

  "Are you sure?" he asked.

  The Chief simply nodded in response.

  "Well," Julian began, clearing his throat. "Minatir and Danis have gathered their strength near the city's northern edge. The numbers they've managed to maintain through all this is astounding. Danis' scouts report that the sorcerer remains on the hills. Besides small skirmishes as the creatures make their way to him— neither the mage nor his forces have made a move against the city."

  Richard and Eren shared a look of bewilderment as Julian finished speaking.

  "How did you-" Eren tried.

  "Julian is a warlock," Bogar revealed. "Knowing your king's hatred of magic and our own… discomfort with the topic, I'd assume he's the only one of his kind in the region."

  Richard took a step back and made another attempt at examining the man before them. With much effort, he managed to pinpoint the source of the strange aura: a medallion pinned to Julian's belt. It seemed ugly and formed of crude iron still ripe with jagged edges. There was a sapphire in its center that might have shone brilliantly at some point but now looked dull and plain. It was only after he focused on the gem that Richard realized a pattern was etched into the item. A design meant to resemble an eye.

  "The medallion," he whispered.

  "Indeed," Julian confirmed. "The Eye of Ashara, She Who Won Ten-Thousand Battles; it's an artifact passed down to me by my mother, and before her, my grandfather. It allows me to witness the surroundings of any I mark with its power."

  Bogar set his hand on the warl
ock's shoulder and gave it a quick pat.

  "He was a spy for the Royvarians, but they didn't take too kindly to disobedience," Bogar explained. "Fortunately for me, he managed to flee the empire and came to be in my service. Kiri and Baku weren't the only hidden allies I had prepared for such an occasion."

  "Who are the Royvar-" Eren started.

  "Have you heard from either of them?" Richard cut. "I-"

  "If I get interrupted one more time, I will not be happy," Eren barked, crossing his arms over his chest.

  He looked at them with frustration plain on his face before returning to his ordinarily calm disposition.

  "No, I haven't," the Chief said, answering Richard's question. "I had assumed Kiri might run back to that father of his, but I suppose not. I wouldn't be surprised if they were halfway to Syvon by now or any other far-off land. I don't expect to see either of them again."

  "You knew of their plan?" Richard murmured. "And you didn't stop them?"

  Chief Bogar allowed a slight smile.

  "They wanted to include me in that plan," he admitted. "Those two were among my most trusted, and they did their job. I want nothing more than for them to find safety elsewhere. It's what I want for everyone here."

  Julian shuffled uncomfortably as Bogar said his last sentence. Richard looked around, at all the people the Chief had collected for his seaward escape, and came to the same conclusion his friend had.

  "Then why is everyone still here?" Eren prodded. "Why haven't you left yet? You've got the supplies you were looking for, but it doesn't seem like any of these people are preparing to go anywhere."

  Julian's mouth formed an awkward smile as he tilted his head to the side, almost as if he had been asking himself the same question.

  Bogar looked towards the ground and mumbled something under his breath.

  "What?" Eren inquired.

  "In case Minatir and Danis win," Richard muttered. "You think they stand a chance against Lucan…"

  Bogar had hints of shame in his eyes, but he hid them well enough as he straightened his posture.

  "Their strength outnumbers his," he told them meekly. "If they manage to claim victory, whatever is left of them shouldn't be too difficult to deal with."

  "And you're willing to risk all these people's lives for that chance?" Eren glared. "Your counterparts are not up against some random, unequipped army. They're facing an experienced wizard— one who's already proven his power."

  "They won't fail!" Bogar snapped. "They won't… they can't."

  He combed his fingers through his hair and looked more tired now than he had before they spoke. He slowly shook his head.

  "This is the best chance we have to kill that madman," the Chief sighed. "If I didn't care about the well-being of these people, I'd be there alongside Minatir and Danis. If they fail… I don't know what can be done."

  Richard thought of voicing his agreement with Eren, but he doubted it would matter. Darkness began to gnaw at his heart. He turned to face the East, and a chill ran down his back; his suspicions became clearer. It seemed Bogar's men would have a chance to battle the Soul Seekers after all.

  "You really think we can stop Lucan here-" Eren began to ask.

  "Chief," Richard groaned, his attention on the approaching threat. "Some of those monsters are making their way to us. Stragglers, I'd assume."

  "That can't be…" Bogar started to murmur, but he fell quiet when he saw Richard's face.

  He took a deep breath and extended his hand to Julian.

  "Mark me, and gather up the most able-bodied among us," he ordered. "Together, you'll take our people south before circling to the east. If the imprint disappears, then you'll know what became of us. If not, wait for your commands."

  "Of course," the warlock nodded, tapping Bogar's wrist with his finger as sweat gathered on the Chief's forehead.

  Richard didn't know the difference between warlocks, witches, and wizards, but he could tell Julian didn't possess the same strength he had witnessed in Lyla and Eilon. Whether it was a lack of power or courage, he couldn't tell, and at that moment, it didn't matter.

  He turned back towards his companions, only to see Khora already staring at him from across the camp with a suspicious expression on her face. All he needed to do was nod, and she, along with the others, made their way to him and Eren.

  Julian ran past her, waving for his allies to gather around him. He spoke quickly and quietly, but his words became clear by looking at the expressions on the rest. Apprehension and hate clear on every one of them.

  "What is it?" Khora asked, moving to Richard and Eren's side.

  "Seekers," Eren told her.

  "What are your plans, Bogar?" she prodded.

  Before the Chief could answer, a cry broke out behind them. Richard glanced over to see the Chief's men preparing for departure and urging their people to quickly gather whatever they could. The cry had come from a child… no, an infant nestled in its mother's arms while she struggled to keep up with those around her.

  "Most of my men will escort those unable to fight south, away from the creatures," Bogar announced. "I, along with as many as I can spare, will stay behind to slow the enemy's advance. With any luck, they'll manage to get away untouched."

  Richard gritted his teeth, but he couldn't stop himself from opening his mouth.

  "No," he rejected. "Take your people and go— this isn't your fight. We can stop them here."

  Bogar almost seemed offended by the idea of abandoning the battlefield.

  "I will not run and leave children to die in my place," he snarled.

  "You've lost enough people already," Richard countered. "And we won't-"

  He froze and clenched his fists. There was no more time to argue.

  "They're here!" he yelled, entwining his fingers in the unseen thread. "Get moving!"

  Almost a dozen Seekers emerged from beneath the shadows of the trees but were quickly met with a surge of Richard's vines. They had erupted from the snowy ground and entangled the monsters— viciously pulling them apart. However, he couldn't stop to rest as he sensed at least two dozen more just beyond his sight.

  Bogar looked at him in amazement, but the sentiment quickly vanished.

  "I-I can't simply-" he began.

  "Go," Khora pushed. "Protect them."

  The Chief nodded reluctantly and spared Richard a glance.

  "I leave this in your hands then," he accepted. "If you survive this and ever need something from me— you can find us in Syvon. Hopefully."

  With that, Bogar made his way to the rest of his forces, who watched the attack with a range of amazement and horror.

  "W-wait!" Rahm called out. "We can't abandon them!"

  "Go!" Edmund yelled, pulling his small axe. "We'll be-"

  His voice was cut short as Khora pulled him back by his collar, just in time to keep a Seeker's blade from piercing his neck.

  "We will be fine if you watch your surroundings, Ed," she emphasized.

  "I'm sorry," he whispered, watching as she clashed with the Seeker that nearly sliced through him.

  Rowan grabbed Rahm and ushered him away along with the rest of their people. Richard knew it wasn't the farewell he might have hoped for, but as long as they escaped, nothing else mattered. He had to keep up his defense if he hoped to corral the Seekers into the clearing.

  As if the monsters had guessed his scheme, a black arrow zipped by his head and disrupted his concentration. He hadn't imagined they might be able to create bows.

  His moment of hesitation allowed three to escape the enclosed area, but Khora and Aven leapt after them, making short work of the dark creatures.

  "I need to… stay focused," Richard gasped, his hands beginning to numb.

  He glanced to his left and watched Eren and Edmund working closely to cut down their enemies. Eren would move defensively, protecting the young boy and sweeping the Seekers' legs when the chance presented itself. Once they were on the ground, Edmund would strike their skulls wit
h his axe. Even Ranger seemed to understand their strategy as he latched onto the monsters' ankles— pinning them in place until Eren could knock them over. Just like with the children before, they did not seem to have any interest in the dog.

  Pin, sweep, strike. It almost looked like they had boiled their attack down to a perfect rhythm. One that might've even impressed Richard and Eren's former battlemaster; however, just as it had happened before, all the Seekers needed was a moment of distraction, a single instance of carelessness.

  Eren had been too focused on his enemies and had lost sight of Ranger. He jumped backward, away from a Seeker's brutal swing, and tripped over the dog. He groaned as he fell onto his stomach and twisted to turn onto his back. Edmund rushed to his side, stretching out his hand to help Eren rise to his feet, but the latter's eyes widened as he did so.

  "Move!" he yelled.

  Eren sat up and yanked Edmund to his rear as a Seeker approached. He fussed for his blade, but Richard knew he wouldn't reach it in time.

  "Stop!" he screamed, hoping Tala's power gave him some influence over the monsters.

  There was no delay as the Seeker gripped its lightless blade tightly and held the tip over Eren's stomach. Richard felt as if his reflexes had sped up when his feet left the ground. Vines cracked against him, propelling his body through the air and allowing him to close the distance between himself and his friends quickly. Yet, he knew he could never pull his blade in time to stop the monster. He was determined not to lose another friend.

  "Don't you touch him!" he screamed, slamming his hand onto the Seeker's skull.

  He dug his fingers into the monster's empty sockets and hoped to use the force of his landing, as well as his grip, to push him back. However, the instant the seed on Richard's palm grazed the Seeker's forehead, he felt a strange sensation rip through his body.

  The empty holes on the creature's face began to glow brightly— dousing Richard with a blinding yellow light. He felt his body ache as his vision was shrouded in darkness. He concentrated, forcing each of his senses to pierce the wall of shadow. Until they did.

  Frozen daggers stabbed into his back as he glared ahead. His eyes on the sorcerer they had been hunting.

  Lucan was beset on all sides by his dark army. There were more than Richard could count, but his focus was not on them. The entirety of his attention was on the man who stood no more than three feet away from him— his greatest foe.