Ellipsis - Creators of Six #1

by Jacob White

  “I’ll start off by telling you Dirk and Ralph aren’t just mere mercenaries that I hired. They are two of the Captains of our country’s reserved military.” I looked at them, and they both looked at me with cocky smiles. I snorted and looked back to Anna.

  “Um ok, not sure how you got them to agree to watch us but please continue.” I wasn’t prepared at all for what came next.

  “You are probably wondering who these two men are that are sitting with us today. They are two heads of magic for the mage’s that train here within the castle grounds. One is named Master Nimm and the man on your left is named Master Hor. He is my father.” Now I was utterly confused.

  “I’m in Herosi castle and what. Say that again?”

  “Master Hor is my father.” Her head held high.

  “How the six gods is that possible? You were abandoned when you came with me, half-frozen and starving. So, you’re telling me that man there, is the one who left you to nothing, but you still stand there with pride as you announce this to me?” My anger slowly rose.

  “Weaver, I wasn’t abandoned. I was sent to watch over you and your mother.”

  “Horse shit, why would you possibly do that?”

  “It was because we knew your family had the creator’s stone.” I stared in silence for an unknown amount of time. Everyone was waiting for me to speak again.

  “So, you’re telling me this man here sent his own daughter out on the chance that I would bring you in? A girl in her tenth year of life or so. His daughter. I can’t believe it.” I turned my head to her father as he spoke.

  “Not a chance. We were already watching and knew how you would react to a girl starving on the street. So, we made a choice to use that and get her under the same house as you.” Hor had said without taking his eyes off his daughter. “You have to know it was not an easy choice to make, but there were too many negative situations that could happen if she wasn’t there. She was already knowledgeable in her magic and knew she would do what needed to be done.” I could only find a whisper as my voice came out.

  “And what in Gibi’s name is that, hmm? To lie to me, to my mother who took you in as her own. To make me love you and think of you as the only family, I had left?” I was beyond rage at this point. My knuckles grew white from gripping the table so hard.

  “Please tell me what needed to be done.” I realized I was now standing along with Dirk and Ralph. “Oh, sit back down. You think I don’t know I can’t fight you.” Accepting this they both sat again, but I could feel them still on high guard.

  “Weaver, please listen to me!” Anna cried out. “You know I love you. I would never do anything to hurt you. I was there just to protect you in case any of Liam’s dark creatures or spies came for you or your mother. I realized I had to leave when it transferred to you, to re-access the situation.” I just stood there so angry I thought I would crack my teeth. “Please, believe me. There is so much more to tell you, please. Weaver, please—” I cut her off.

  “One, I have no idea what dark creatures you’re referring to. Second, people coming to spy on a pleasure house owner. Just stop the lies Anna. You do not get to ask me favors. Your love for me, connection to me, and as such I can no longer see you as my family. All I know now is that it has all been a lie for you and your father’s own purpose. There was never anything more than that.” My voice rose more than I intended.

  “There is nothing false about how I care for you, Weaver! Don’t you dare say that to me!” She was screaming now, but it didn’t matter, I felt nothing at this point, just an empty cavern where she once lived inside me.

  “You have crushed me. I’m sure there is more to tell and more explanations and more lies to hear but I can’t take any more. I can’t stand to see you right now, and maybe won’t ever. I’m going to leave here, and I don’t want to see you again.”

  “Weaver, please. I’m begging you.”

  “No, no more. You have destroyed me woman. You were all I had left in this world I considered family. What crushes me is that I still love you even after all this, but I am disgusted at what I see. You should have trusted me; I would have believed you and let you do what you needed to do. Instead, you let me defy my mother, so I could pretend to protect you.” She was collapsed onto the floor, now unable to stop the tears. I was in no better position to stop mine either, but I needed to get this out as I might not have the anger or courage later.

  “As I said, I am leaving here. I don’t want to see any of you near me. I will contact you again when I am ready and have the strength to do my part for this cursed stone. It seems to love nothing more than to bring me pain.” I turned to the door and started to walk out and Les got up to follow. I looked over my shoulder.

  “Did you know?”

  “She told me while you were unconscious during those weeks.”

  “Don’t follow me.” I started walking again only to find Ralph standing at the door blocking me. “Ralph, I am begging you to let me go.”

  “I’m sorry, my friend. I can’t do that.” He put a hand on my shoulder meant to be reassuring, but it only fueled my anger more.

  “Move now.”

  “We can’t let you leave.”

  “Move!” At my breaking point, the room exploded with a sudden energy and Ralph and Dirk were thrown across the other side of the chamber and stuck to the wall.

  “You will let me leave. If you don’t, I will bring down this castle with everyone in it including me. I will let the world burn.” Hor stood.

  “You would dare act this, to fulfill your own selfishness?”

  “You of all people think you have a say?” I answered by throwing him to the back wall next to Dirk and Ralph.

  “I will not repeat myself again.” I looked around the room once more and saw Anna sitting on the ground in tears. I felt a small jab of guilt, but I was also happy to cause her a small ounce of my pain. Les was only stood next to her chair. I could sense the understanding she had that I needed space. I walked to the door and blew it completely apart. Everyone who had been in the hall must have seen what happened. They were plastered to the wall in fear of me. Wide eyes just followed me as I continued to walk until I could find a way out of the palace. I needed to go home, the only home I had left hopefully it all wasn’t burnt to the ground.

  I eventually found my way to a small outside gate outside and pushed through. I’ve never remembered being more exhausted than I was now. I started my long, daunting trek back to the Yezmon.

  On my way back, I had to take several alleyways to avoid being seen by one of Edmund’s many clients. I became more paranoid the further I walked. Sweat dripped into my eyes from the lack of energy I held. I couldn’t be entirely sure, but I did the best I could. Finally, I got to the Yezmon and entered through the back. I didn’t know where the girls were staying, and I didn’t want to bother seeing any familiar faces. I snuck to my small dark room. Keeping back to my room, looking out to make sure I didn’t see anyone.

  “I do usually prefer to see my partner's full glory, but I guess I could do it in the dark.” Dirk said. and I just rested my head hard on the door.

  “You can open it to let the light in. Everyone is staying at the castle for now until this place can get cleaned up.”

  I opened the door and turned to face him.

  “What in Gibi’s sack are you doing here?”

  “I have been waiting a good bit after your magic show, but I came here to deliver a message that you must hear.”

  “Then say it and go… please.”

  “I came to tell you that there was a closer gate to where the Yezmon is, on the other side from where you left.” The arrogant bastard then took a bite of his apple with a grin on his face. All I could do was sigh and sit on the bunk opposite of him and laid back with my feet dangling off.

  “First, I hope you choke. Second, how bad of a mess did I create?”

  “You will be pleased to hear that you have an unnatural talent for things going bad around you, so you
can assume pretty shitty.”

  “Are you here to drag me back?”

  “Here’s the truth, Weav, can I call you Weav?”

  “No…”

  “Well, Weav, the thing is, I was able to hold off everyone by 3 days before I said I would bring you back. Now I know it’s not the longest, but it was all I could manage.”

  “Well there’s that I guess. I’ll see you in 3 then.”

  “Well… there’s one more agreement that was made. I must stay with you, but if I return the king will be notified of you leaving. And well, even you can understand you’re a wee bit critical right now. The guards who came for you wouldn’t be as near as handsome as me. You know, if you care about that type of thing.”

  “Well as long as you don’t talk.” I said to the room.

  “The real question is, are you okay with this arrangement? To be honest, I don’t feel like walking back, so I’m pretty sure I’m going to stay here anyways.”

  “Fine, just shut it.” He did, only to start something even more annoying by chewing obnoxiously loud on the remainder of his apple.

  “Is there something else?”

  “I’m glad you asked. I could do with another apple. Oh, and I want to teach you how to use a short sword. I know three days isn’t much, but it might keep you alive long enough to be rescued by me if something should happen.”

  “That’s not a bad thought actually.” I said with just as much surprise. “Don’t let it go to your head.” He feigned shock and even I couldn’t hold back a smile looking at Dirk. I then stood and started to walk out. “Aren’t you coming?”

  “I’m not finished eating yet.” I grunted and sat back down.

  “Ok I’m ready.” He stood as soon as I sat back down.

  “I hope I cut you.”

  “If you do, it will be accidental, I assure you.” Once again, I stood and followed him out only to stop at the blackened scene before me.

  “How could I let this happen?” I mumbled to myself. I became somewhat angry again but kept it to myself.

  Our first session wasn’t too bad, but I knew he was keeping it straight forward and easy. I still soaked up everything like a sponge. By the end of the day I was drenched in sweat but feeling much better than when I arrived. After bathing and making a simple supper out back, we were both sitting in our beds. It was so quiet that I could hear Dirk’s breathing, and starting to feel uncomfortable, I decided to tell him what was on my mind.

  “Dirk.” He just looked up from cleaning his collection of knives. “I need your help with something, but I want it to stay between us if that’s okay.”

  “I’m flattered, but I’m into well-formed ladies and—”

  “I’m serious.” I cut him off. He waited for me to continue. “What happened here that night, with Edmund. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about what he did to Les, to me, to this shit hole. In two days, I’m going to kill him, and I was hoping you could help me get to him.” I continued to stare into his eyes.

  “Have you killed before?” He asked, setting his knives down.

  “No, but I don’t want a lecture. I need to do this.”

  “I’m in no place to lecture you, I promise. I just want you to understand something before you go through it. Killing a man outside of a battle can haunt you till the end of your days. It changes you and almost makes killing come easier and easier each time. Is this really the path you want to go down, Weaver?” It scared me how quickly my answer came.

  “It has to be this way. All I am asking is to get me to him and I kill him, then we leave back to the castle.”

  “Okay then, you have your man. I can’t argue against with the man dying. If we do this though you need to sleep and rest. I will make sure you are trained as much as one can in two days.” I laid down and closed my eyes.

  “Thank you Dirk.”

  “Don’t thank me yet.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Boil

  The next day and a half were terrible. I had thought I was doing well but as soon as I got a real sword into my hand, I felt like a young-ling playing in the dirt. Much of what I learned was how to keep my body in a balanced state and adjusting my position in tight spaces. Along with a few simple strikes and explanations that I would be better off trying to re-direct blades opposed to trying to halt them straight on. Dirk said he was against working my upper body too much as it might cause more harm than good when the time came.

  On day three, the site of the last legal prostitution establishment in the grand city of Herosi stood before us. Even Dirk had the mind to look over and give me a look distaste.

  “This place should be set on fire for the good of all mankind, and my own eyes.” He whispered as we stayed in the shadows in an alley across from the ‘Oslo’. The only difference this time is that there were no guards watching the front.

  “I’m not good at the whole sneaking in and killing profession. So, should we head to the back, or walk right in?

  “It all depends if you’re making a statement or not.” He answered.

  “I like to be heard, it might even do some good considering the whores inside might have other options if Edmund isn’t around taking up air.”

  “Well you know me, Weaver, always a showman. However, we will need to get to the second floor where Edmund is to prevent him from escaping. Then we come back out and fight our way out, and throw his carcass on the ground.” Dirk suggested.

  It seemed as fate was on our side when the rain started to fall from the sky. It gave us even more reason to have cloaks on for better concealment. We waited for another hour or so but didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary as we watched. It was time to go in and take Edmund’s presence from this world. Dirk must have felt my tension rise, as he turned and nodded. It was time.

  We both shrugged our hoods down even further and hunched our shoulders as we crossed the road. We came to the door, and Dirk pushed it open and took the first step through. Upon entering the ‘Oslo’, nothing seemed out of place. It was chaotic with laughter and women sitting on men, some half-dressed showing their breasts as an enticement to lure men further. I followed Dirk to the stairs and walked up, and then it started. The man behind the bar yelled over the noise to get our attention and I looked back.

  “What are yous twos doing? Upstairs is fors paying customers only!”

  “We have already paid in advance.” I turned and continued, only to see Dirk already at the end of the hallway, ushering me forward. I’m not sure if the man had said anything else because I started to run once I reached the top of the stairs. Dirks' eyes rolled as he took off his cloak. I then realized at the amount of noise I had started to make from running on the wooden walkway. I was already committed to my plan of action. I began to mentally push the door out of place like before, but nothing came. I ended up throwing my shoulder into the door, and it cracked open causing me to fall. In doing so, I felt the splinters embed themselves into my thigh and calf. I found Edmund on his bed with two girls as they poured wine down his throat. They immediately jumped up and ran out around me screaming.

  “What in the six hells are ya doing?” As I slowly rose, I walked closer as he began to shuffle off his oversized bed.

  “What, no ‘boy’ this time?” His eyes widened to their limits.

  “How? I saw you burn.” He said in a statement, even though he wanted an answer.

  “Just consider me the reaper of souls, and I’m here to get one more before I return home.” Edmund ran towards me with his belly shaking from the movement. I only had to stick my foot out then turned slightly out as his face thudded onto the hard-wooden floor. Dirk was now inside the room and pushing a dresser in front of the door.

  “Any time now!” Dirk yelled over to me. No, not yet. I grabbed Edmund’s hair just as he had done to Les and slammed his head against the ground. He still had the strength to scream but I wanted his men to see this. I dragged him over to the front of the door. And stood him up. The men trying to get in
halted once they saw the knife at his throat.

  “Keep coming. The boy doesn’t have it in him.” Edmund said to the men gathered.

  “Are you so sure?” then I drove the knife into his right shoulder and kept it there until his scream came down in volume and pulled it out again just to hear him scream again. I moved the knife right back at his throat, leaving a thin line of blood. I looked to his scarred tissue where his ear once was. It gave me a small amount of satisfaction at my past work.

  “The death I give you will never be enough, but it will suffice for now.” Once again, the feeling came back to me. I could feel the water in his body and in the men all around me. The feeling was overwhelming. It was like my head was under water and gasping for air. It took me by surprise and had to close my eyes. Once I shut them, a voice entered my head.

  “Weaver, you don’t have to do this. Remember what I said about choices, what Dirk told you. Your path doesn’t have to be a road of death.” Aware that I was the only one who could hear Gibi, I still spoke out loud.

  “You know what he did! How could you tell me there is another way!” I screamed as I received a sideways glance from Dirk.

  “Weaver, there is always another way. But either way I will be here when the choice is made.” Then the voice was gone, and I realized I had been crying.

  “See he doesn’t have it in him. Get in here!” Edmund yelled to his men. They started to push against the dresser, but it was too late since I had already made a connection to Edmund’s water inside of him. The command came to me as natural as breathing.

  “Boil.” I lowered my knife and looked to his men. They slowly stopped pushing and they stood there watching, and I couldn’t blame them. Edmund started to boil from the Inside out. His scream was piercing as he fell to his knees. Blood bubbled out of his mouth. Then his eyes and ears. His hands moved to his face and throat, but he only accomplished spreading the blood around. He scratched at his neck. After a few seconds, he was now bleeding from every opening he had. There was a pool of blood mixed with other colors around his knees. His screams faded until he grew silent other than the faint drips of sizzling blood hitting the hard-wooden floor. He slumped to the wall in the small entryway. Everyone parted as I approached. I felt invincible and exhausted at the same time. The bottom floor was no longer a place of excitement but full of fear. Fear of me. Suddenly, I no longer felt as though I could take on the world. The invincibility turned to shame of what I wanted to do to the man. I continued the facade as I walked out into the rain without hiding my face again. I had to feel the water on my skin as I felt it call to me. It felt soothing on my skin, but it had also hidden the tears that were now coming down my face. Dirk followed me out not saying anything as he stood beside me.