As the fire danced before Arius’s eyes, he was reminded of similar nights he spent with his brother, Emil. The twisted flames guided him through his memories as he stared emptily and open to the stories they wished to share. The death of his father and mother, Emil’s struggle for his life, his own awakening, and their fight for survival. So much had happened in only a year and it grew increasingly difficult to remember how things were before life had turned against him. Since the moment Raphael arrived at his house, he knew things would be different, but never in his wildest dreams or darkest nightmares did he ever envision this life to be his own; a life of hunting, killing, hiding. Surviving. It was a life he knew his brother shared too, at least for the time they spent together. By his hands, Arius widowed wives and destroyed families, all for the sake of revenge. Emil partook of the destruction too, staining his soul as well. Raphael’s battalion was struck down one by one, hunted by a band of brothers who were blessed with a curse. When the time came, Raphael himself was dealt with, but only after Arius commanded him to take the life of his two daughters through the use of his ability. In Raphael’s last moments, Arius realized that his death was not enough. For true vengeance, he would have to dip himself even deeper into the pool of blood that continued to poison his heart. King Arlo, the ruler of Coren, and his kingdom waited for him on the other side, once his soul connected with the darkest depths. He knew that if he were to become king of this land, he could change everything and damn those who stood behind the ones who made the world the way it was. Nothing would be the same and he would stop at nothing to achieve his mission.
“You’re not much of a talker, are you?” Iver asked as he studied Arius from across the flame. The fire contorted from the mid-night breeze, pulling Arius’s attention away from it and to the man who questioned him on the other side.
“The mission is to keep you safe...stories by the campfire would only distract us,” Arius responded tersely.
“Hugo’s keeping a good watch. He’s good at what he does.”
“So I’ve heard,” Arius said as his eyes caught Hugo’s back in the distance. “Then there’s nothing to be afraid of, correct?” he said as his head realigned with his body.
“Precisely.”
“I noticed in our trip today you seemed uneasy. Was there any reason for that? Hugo explained to me earlier that this route was safe for travel.” Iver shifted uncomfortably. “If something has deviated from the original plan, Roen and I deserve to know.”
“You, my boy are very perceptive...and you say this is your first job?” The merchant’s eyes twinkled as if in a moment of bliss. “Dangers exist everywhere.” Iver’s face sobered. "It would be unwise not to take them into account.”
“Hmm...could those dangers be relevant to your merchandise?” Roen twisted his head and glared at Arius, shocked at his bold inquires. “Pardon my line of questioning, but you never told us exactly what we were helping you deliver. I can’t imagine you feel this way under normal ventures.”
“It’s rude to ask such a personal question, as much as it is unsafe.” Iver’s voice turned cold. “Your job is simply to bring me to my desired location safely, and nothing more. I’ll excuse you of your ignorance, but do take note in the future.” A lull of silence ensued but Arius found it within himself to speak once more.
“Why hire one man to protect your belongings if such a risk exists?” Arius pressed. Roen swiveled his head between Arius and the merchant, who now seemed noticeably flustered.
“Arius...a word please?” Hugo called out from beside the base of a tree. Arius rose from the campfire, excusing himself from the conversation. “What’s your problem?” Hugo asked barely over a whisper. Arius had followed Hugo further in the woods, leaving Iver and Roen alone in the camp, but his voice still expressed a hint of caution. “What you’re doing is bad for business.” Arius was surprised that Hugo wasn’t angry with his actions, but instead genuinely intrigued.
“I think he’s acting strange. He’s hiding something. Did you see him on the way here? He was clearly looking for something, almost expecting. He’s been acting really suspicious.” Hugo said nothing as Arius continued. “I think it has to do with what we’re transporting. Did he tell you anything about it?”
“No,” Hugo responded, his laissez-faire attitude seemingly melted away, revealing a more serious demeanor. “But I picked up on what you were saying also. Usually, merchants give details to the items of transfer almost as an inventory in case things go missing, but it’s entirely up to them what they choose to share. Sometimes it slips out over the planning process before you get to the finer details...I have my assumptions,” Hugo said as he turned back to face flickering light that pulsed between the foliage that enclosed their camp.
“As do I.”
“Earlier this year a shipment of rare materials was on course to be delivered to Everrmore but was compromised days before their destination was reached. When things like that happen, the local merchants are informed once the incident is reported. The problem is there’s usually a gap between the incident and the spread of information. The dirty work happens within that period. That’s why folks like us are enlisted. To prevent theft. That’s also why other people are hired.”
“You mean bandits?”
“It’s frowned upon, but it’s a reality. Some bandits are common thieves, yes. Others are hired by merchants to ruffle the competition. It’s one of those things that go unsaid but everyone knows. Not everyone is a crook, but sometimes you can’t help but wonder who is responsible for what happens in this line of work. The delivery of goods that went missing was only reported after the death of the merchant was recorded. His cart was empty along with the men who he enlisted to guard it. The items were never recovered to my knowledge, but the local guard oversaw the incident and they can’t be trusted.”
“So this line of work is more dangerous than you let on.”
“It depends. The better your reputation, the more prone you are to be requested, so that’s a factor. Depending on your client, a certain risk is implied. Say, for instance, one of the top shop-keeps from Everrmore was involved in a business exchange. Cheaper items are usually sent by shop-hands but the more noteworthy items often cause the owner to personally invest themselves in the exchange. Word gets out sometimes and things happen.”
“So how does this involve Iver?”
“It doesn’t, so far. I just wanted to bring you up to speed. You’re not as naïve as you look, kid. It’s good to know that something isn’t rubbing you right either with all of this. The route and man-power he requested almost makes it seem like he wants this to be done in secret. He could have gotten three or four decent men for my price...fishy as hell,” Hugo added, his usual vernacular seeming to resurface.
“So what should we do?”
“Nothin’,” Hugo said with a shrug and folded his arms. “But we should keep an eye out just to be safe. The mission goes as planned. You can’t raise hell over a slight suspicion, it’s bad business. But you can keep a watchful eye, that’s for sure.”
“And I will,” Arius said.
“Hey.” Hugo’s hand thumped on Arius’s shoulder. “You keep this between us, okay? I don’t want Roen pissing his pants over some possibility. You stay sharp, I stay sharp. I’ll keep watch over camp for the night...you just keep your ears open.”
“You’ll be okay?”
“Of course I will,” Hugo said with a smirk. “It takes a lot to ruffle my feathers, kid. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen it all. Now scram, will ya?” Arius chuckled to himself as he walked back to camp but his reverie was short-lived when he saw Roen and Iver sharing the fire’s warmth. His face returned to its neutral disposition as he reclaimed his spot beside Roen.
“My apologies, sir. My line of questioning was uncalled for,” Arius said before bowing his head. A tight smile lined Iver’s face as he nodded respectfully. From the corner of his eye, Arius caught a glimpse of Roen’s bewilderment. If Iver really was just an ordina
ry merchant, the apology was well overdue, but of course, Arius’s intuition screamed otherwise. Something wasn’t right. He could tell by the twinkle in the merchant’s eyes—it was the face of a man relieved from being hard-pressed.
Before they parted ways, Arius and Emil would see carts, merchants, and travelers time and time again along the trade routes that shadowed their dwellings within the forest. It was Emil who vouched not to steal from them, claiming that it would make them no better than the thieves who showed no remorse. Though he contemplated stealing, Arius agreed with his brother. Being considered the scum of the land wouldn’t sit right with his spirit. There was always a certain underlying pride that followed Arius’s actions. He did, however, take the time to study the variety that wandered through the forest, familiarizing himself with the locals from afar, careful not to bring too much attention to either him or his brother. Obviously, there was still much to be known. Hugo’s explanation of the state of Coren’s trade economy made sense now, but in the past Arius saw it as a much simpler system, unaware of the hidden dangers that lurked even amongst allied accomplices.
As Arius remained silent, Roen and Iver struck up a conversation on the culinary arts in which Iver supposedly dabbled. Arius only offered his ears to the conversation, and even then his attention was shortsighted, as most of his attention lay elsewhere. The sound of nature roused him but he kept his body still. The crickets, the rustling leaves, the howling wind; they all strung together an intricate picture that was far more elaborate than whatever story Roen and Iver had to share. Arius trusted Hugo, but in his eyes, Hugo was only human, and humans could only do so much. No matter how skilled he was, what would that matter in an ambush?
Roen’s laugh broke Arius’s train of thought. It was a deep bellow; Roen’s hands overlapped his sides as he leaned backwards into the base of a tree. As Arius watched him, he again saw his brother’s face.
“HEY, WAKE UP, KID.” The dull end of a boot dug into Arius’s side twice as he stirred from his slumber. Arius groggily tilted his head up at the canopy and saw the faint strips of light beam through the foliage that hovered over them, and then there was Hugo. “How late did you stay up last night? You were out like a rock.” He grinned. Arius surveyed his surroundings and realized that he was the last to rise. Roen and Iver were prepping for the next leg of the trip and Hugo seemed ready to go. “Don’t sweat it. It’s a miracle that you were well enough to even come out here. You’re body still needs rest, that’s all, and you’ll get it soon enough.” Hugo stifled another laugh. “I was beginning to think you were some freak of nature, but I guess you got your limits too,” Hugo said as he hoisted Arius to his feet.
“I guess so,” Arius responded as he mentally assessed the state of his body.
“Today is the toughest part. Consider yesterday the warm-up. We got a full day’s trip until we reach Mayarc. Yesterday was a little more than a half-day. Fun part is we get to travel all the way back.”
“Hopefully by carriage, right?” Roen sighed as he walked towards the group. “My legs are killing me.”
“Shake it off, Roen. We’re already a bit behind schedule. Iver, how’s it going on your end? You good to go?”
“Yes,” he responded before climbing into his seat. “Roen and I took care of the horse before you came over.”
“All right, then. Perfect. Arius, do you want to get something to eat before we hit the road? I got some bread that can hold you over until our next stopping point.”
“No, I’m okay. I’m still satisfied from last night’s meal.”
“Have it your way.” Hugo shrugged. “I’m sure you can eat and walk at the same time, so just let me know whenever you want anything, ya hear?” Arius nodded and Hugo smirked. “Well, onward hoe,” Hugo mused casually as he flicked his thumb into the air. Iver stirred his horse and the caravan groaned as it pushed along the beaten trail. It started at a sluggish pace at first, creaking methodically as the wheels turned over stone and leaves. The horse was lethargic, stubbornly adjusting itself to the morning’s demands, but it soon was brought up to speed. Hugo, Roen, and Arius assumed the same positions they had the day before. The two boys on one side of the carriage while Hugo remained on the other.
They ventured further into the forest, the morning fog dissipating between the trees as the travelers traversed its humbled ground.
Roen began to come alive, groaning of his aching feet, while Arius occasionally flashed him glares that reeked of both amusement and apathy.
On Hugo’s side, things weren’t nearly as entertaining. He mostly remained silent, focusing his attention on the task at hand; delivering Iver and his goods to safety. The conversation he had with Arius last night was short-lived, but it was enough to keep his mind stirring. Long after Arius had left, he had thought of all the connections and possible ties to the robbing on the way to Everrmore and how, if it did, have anything to do with Iver and his exotic request. Whenever Iver tried to talk to Hugo, he would answer but his responses would be concise. Iver was surprised, but was too proud to be offended; he had paid him to be a bodyguard and not a consort, after all. Together, the four of them continued to make their way through the pass. Their speeds depending on the varying width of the worn forest trail.
All seemed to be well until Hugo suddenly stopped.
A scowl marked his face as he shot his hand out away from his body, blocking Iver’s horse. Just then, a flaming arrow swiveled through the foliage and landed in front of them on the dirt road. Iver’s horse reared up as the fire reflected in his pupils, the spontaneous flame terrifying the horse. “Arius, Roen, we got bandits,” Hugo growled. “Iver, control your horse!”
Iver struggled to maintain control as he pulled on the reigns of his companion. Another arrow flailed in front of him, adding to the small flame. The horse’s panic intensified, his hooves thrashing as a group of bandits appeared from the bushes, armed with swords and maces.
Hugo analyzed the bunch as they collectively snickered. They were a group of worn and rugged men, but from their equipment he could tell that they were no ordinary thieves. They were most likely hired, and highly skilled. “Damn it,” Hugo snarled. The patter of moving feet echoed in Hugo’s ear as a second wave of men approached them from behind, encircling Arius and Roen.
“I think you have something we’ve been looking for,” the lead bandit called, the raised scar that ran down the side of his face twitching with every word.
“Iver, get inside the carriage,” Hugo said, his focus never leaving the men in front of him. Iver slipped through the auxiliary entrance located behind the driver’s seat and shut the door. When Hugo heard the iron clasp buckle from the inside, only then did he feel a slight sense of peace. “And what might that be?”
“Doesn’t matter. Just stand aside and we’ll let you live.”
“The boys, too?”
The lead bandit nodded.
“What about the merchant?”
“I can’t guarantee his safety, but your questions aren’t helping his case.”
“You’re a bunch of hit-men,” Hugo scoffed as he drew his axe. “I doubt anything I do will change what you plan to do. You’ll probably try to kill us after it’s all said and done.”
“Perhaps. And here I thought you were just hired muscle.”
“I have my moments of genius.”
“Drop your weapon, warrior. You’re outnumbered.”
“We both know that’s something I can’t do.”
While Hugo continued to buy time, Arius scanned the slew of bandits that had surrounded them and gripped the hilt of his sword. Roen was beside him. His green cloak shook as he steadied his blade in front of his body.
“Calm down, Roen. Today won’t be the day we die,” Arius said, his words cold like stone. Roen’s hands steadied as Arius shifted his gaze to his ally. “I’ll protect you.” Roen nodded but his mouth remained silent. Drops of perspiration began to form around his brow as he tried his best to remain strong. They’ll kill u
s if I don’t do something.
“Get out of the way, kid,” one of the bandits called. “This doesn’t involve you.” Arius glared at the man, resilient to his demands. The bandit stepped forward as a grin grew along his face. He had underestimated Arius—a mistake that the others would soon learn was very costly. “I’m not going to say it aga—” The thief’s words stopped as he choked on gargled blood. With his superior speed, Arius had dashed in and slit the bandit’s throat. The deranged yells of his comrades were unified as they rushed Arius, determined to punish him for his act of aggression.
“Stay behind me, Roen!” Arius said as the blade of a bandit clashed against his sword. With little effort, Arius forced back the blade and swung his sword across the chest of his assailant. From behind him, a sword swiped at his back and Arius was unable to parry the blow. Blood amassed from his shoulder as he continued his movement, ignoring the pain and pressing on with his assault. With a quick turn, Arius plunged his blade to his attacker’s chest, causing a mortal wound. Two down, Arius thought as he retracted his blade and allowed his victim’s body to fall lifelessly to the ground.
The remaining thieves hesitated even though Arius’s shoulder leaked crimson and his breaths were shallow. Unlike his brother, Arius’s gifts didn’t rely on his physical prowess. His body lacked the ability to convert its life energy into a tangible form or use it to push his limits. His strength was all he had. As an Abnormal, Arius was stronger than the typical person his age and superior to the average man. While this was so, blood loss and injuries were still something to be considered.
“A-Arius, are you okay?” Roen asked as he watched him stare down the four other men in front of him, the collage of the blood of his enemies mixed with his own running down the length of his blade.
The Last Light Series Omnibus One: - The Dreamer and the Deceiver - All Things Eternal - Ode to the King: A Superhero Epic Fantasy Collection (The Last Light Collection Book 1) Page 29
