“You have to understand---” Nysight began to say before Sytravious bellowed, “No! You have to understand!” He stood up and flipped the table over, causing everyone to jump back. “I am done with all of you. Do what you will with what is left of your lives. Run away to the south or stay in hiding, I do not care, just leave me out of it.”
Hellios now spoke to Nyxseous and Nysight, “The boy cannot be lost to us now, and too much is at risk. We can calm him later, but any chance both of you and the legion have of surviving much longer lies with him coming along with me. By force if need be. We can fight each other, or we can work as a team and subdue him. We will worry about forgiveness after the fact.”
The legionnaire blocked the door with his sword as he pleaded with his parents. Nysight shook his head, but Nyxseous seemed to have an epiphany. She attempted to whisper to Nysight, “As much as I hate to admit it, Hellios is correct. Our days of hiding in Havencrest are as good as over, and our son is the only one who can…” Nyxseous’ voice drifted off.
Despite Nysight’s look of disapproval, she nodded at Hellios and got up. The black flame surrounded her as she prepared to battle her son once again. The room pulsed as her magic created an aura. Hellios let his sword touch the edge of the energy and ignited his blade.
Black fire exploded around Sytravious, and the whites of his eyes began to glow. “Take me on. See what good your strength will have against my full power.”
The tension in the room was heavy as everyone hesitated to make the first move. Nysight held his hands up in peace, trying to keep everyone calm. Just as it seemed Nyxseous might be bold enough to try to attack, a loud bang on the front door startled everyone. They disengaged their magic, and Hellios moved away from the door as he sheathed his sword. Nobody dared move or make a sound.
A second knock thudded on the door even harder than the first. Sytravious glanced around at the trio. “I am going to open it and see who it is. If anyone is foolish enough to try to stop me, then we are all as good as caught in these lies. Nobody move.”
Sytravious made his way to the door as a third knock was pounded on the wood. He turned the handle and peered out at what had interrupted their argument and his gaze met a familiar face. It was Bryce with four other guardians flanking him, and behind his friend, he could see a row of more guardians, including Xertias. In the background, sitting in the royal chariot, was High Priestess Jezra and Raiven.
“I hope I am not interrupting anything important Sytravious, but I heard you were looking for me,” Jezra said.
Chapter 22
Jezra's Proposition
The ride back to the temple was a quiet one. Jezra had arrived to take Sytravious with her, assuming he would indeed join her guardian ranks. Her timing had prevented the fight with his mother and Hellios, something he was reluctant to do anyway. The pair of them backed off immediately upon the guardian’s arrival, while Nysight stayed quiet in the kitchen as Sytravious packed his things. His stepfather looked shocked and hurt when he announced he would go back to the temple with them.
He was still reeling from the revelations of their past. After all that, how could they still demand he follow them to the Fifth Legion and away from Raiven? Sytravious had to get away from them and focus on his own desires. Deep down, he knew he would miss his parents, especially Nysight, but he had to distance himself from their dark origins if he hoped to have a future with the priestess.
Jezra made it clear that she would need to interview Sytravious once they arrived at the temple, before deciding if he was truly a fit for the position. He rode on horseback and was flanked by guardians while he followed the priestess’ chariot. Bryce and Xertias led the convoy of horses through the mid-district market. Sytravious had to admit while his main motivation of joining the guardians was to be closer to Raiven, he could get used to the looks of awe they were receiving from the townsfolk as they rode by.
The crowds broke apart to either side of the street as they approached, and many people bowed out of respect. Some tossed flowers, while others shouted praises to the priestesses, and almost everyone saluted the guardians as they rode past. The level of prestige and respect Sytravious felt riding with them was something he never imagined for himself. The further he rode away from his home and got closer to the temple, the less he thought about his parents and the life of deception he has lived.
They arrived at the main entrance of the temple after Jezra used a spell to open the gates with a quick wave of her hand. The magic impressed Sytravious as the gates swung open. The power of Vesalys always intrigued him. He once thought it to be good for nothing else but healing, but Raiven and Jezra were showing him how wrong he had been. His horse followed the rest of the group on the temple grounds, and into the garden where he had met Raiven several times before. He feigned intrigue and amazement at the sight of the impressive display, mostly because Jezra was looking at him and expecting that reaction. The high priestess had dismounted her chariot, with Raiven in tow.
“Welcome to the temple, Sytravious. I know it can be awe-inspiring at first glance, but in time, you will grow accustomed to the wonders inside. Please allow our servants to show you to your quarters,” Jezra said, “I appreciate you taking me up on the offer to join us, as we are very pleased to have one with your skills in our midst. Our lady-servants will draw you a hot bath and get you changed into proper garments before you join me in the Fellowship Hall.”
Two beautiful young women approached and grabbed each of his arms to escort him. Raiven snapped her head back to glare at Sytravious. She gave him the deadliest look he had ever seen, which said a lot, given he grew up with Nyxseous. Her cheeks reddened as she stared at him, waiting for him to reply to the offer. He was amused that she could get so worked up over the idea of other girls fussing over him, and he grinned at her before giving her a quick wink.
“Actually, Your Holiness, I think I can manage to see myself through the preparations.”
Raiven turned away, but not before he caught the slight smile on her face. Sytravious made a point to cease looking her way, lest Jezra or the guardians suspect their relationship. Instead, he remained focused on the high priestess, bowing his head in gratitude.
“Very well, as you wish. Once you are ready, we shall meet for supper, so we may properly discuss your admittance to the temple. If you have any questions, just ask one of the servants or guardians. Before I go, I will offer a word of caution. Stay out of the upper levels. They are for the priests and priestesses only. Should we ever require a guardian’s presence there, you will be summoned.”
Sytravious nodded, and watched Raiven follow Jezra away. He sighed and glanced around at everybody else. The guardians were scowling at him, and the two servants smiled at him as they batted their eyelashes.
“Anyone care to show me to my quarters?”
The guardians made no move to assist him, and pretended he had not even spoken at all, something Sytravious half-expected. They had not been inviting the previous times he had attempted to visit the temple, and now he stood among them as an equal. It would not be an easy reality to accept, but he cared little for their hurt feelings, and shrugged off their brooding attitudes.
The two servants Jezra had assigned to him walked over and suggested he followed them down another hallway as they picked up his bags. The idea of letting the women carry his things while he walked like a master behind them disgusted him, and he stood his ground, once again addressing the guardians.
“Do you usually let the girls do the heavy lifting here?” He did not attempt to mask the sarcasm in his voice. He shook his head and dismissed the two young women.
The guardians glared at him, and one even made a motion to approach Sytravious, but Bryce had arrived and intervened by shoving the man back. “Do not mind these fellows. They are just sore about Her Holiness recruiting you after you blindsided everyone by winning the tournament the way you did. Stick with me and I will tell you everything you need to know about the temple life.”
His friend helped him with his bags. They traveled through an archway, and Sytravious admired at the fine marble flooring and walls. The molding along the floor was trimmed in gold, and the ceiling was painted in images of the goddess Vesalys, a beautiful blonde woman that glowed with perfection. He noticed all the expensive details that went into the temple, and realized where most of the donations to the temple probably went.
“It is even fancier than the castle, I noticed. Edgar must be envious of the temple’s lavish wealth. Will I ever get used to living in this place, Bryce?”
“I know what you mean. I thought the same thing when I first got here, but sadly, you do get used to it. The main thing to remember is to respect the rules about the priestess. It is no secret among the guardians or priests that Raiven is not your average girl. Her beauty has brought plenty of praise from the kingdom, and even grief among our order. No males are permitted to be alone with her, with the exception of Vienken, being a eunuch and all. The guardians always escort her in groups. If we are forced to hold each other accountable, there is less temptation to break our vows that way. I have never had that problem, though.”
They continued to walk down a long hallway that was lit by a long row of torches that burned with an enchanted flame, which made the hall almost glow with a bright white light. They passed by large portraits of past high priests and priestesses. Occasionally, one of the paintings depicted famous battles between Havencrest’s temple protectors and Moruz’s forces, including Jezra’s famous stand. Sytravious paused to ponder Bryce’s words and stopped on the odd news about the High Priest.
“Vienken is a eunuch?” Sytravious snickered. “Wait a minute, how am I supposed to have any type of relationship with Raiven if guardian vows prohibit me from being alone with her?”
“You do not, at least not openly. I know you, Sytravious, and as Raiven’s personal guardian, I know her just as well. You two will find a way to break the rules, but be careful. The last guardian who crossed that line did not fare so well.”
“The last one? Are you saying she was seeing someone before me?”
“No, absolutely not. Raiven is completely unaware of the offense, but a guardian was once caught sneaking up to the higher levels, into her private chambers while she slept. He was trying to peep on her, I guess, or whatever perverted idea he had in his crazy mind. Either way, he did not get very far. Vienken caught him before she even knew he was there, and he was severely punished.”
The idea of another man trying to spy on the priestess while she lay in bed infuriated him, but at the same time, he could learn a lesson from the guardian’s failed attempt. “Explain severely.”
“Well, since his eyes caused him to break his vows, they were burned out. He works the kitchen now, but he has been training to fight blindly. He is not doing too bad either, all things considered.”
“Ouch. I will have to be very careful, indeed, especially around the dwarf. He already has his eyes on me, but that is another story. All I can say is I am lucky my tongue is still intact.”
Bryce’s eyes widened and the guardian raised an eyebrow as if to question the meaning behind what was being implied, but Sytravious was quick to shake his head.
“You are out of your mind. I do not even want to know what happened, but she does seem to be infatuated with you. I hope you know what you are doing. I will do my best to help you out, but if everything comes crashing down, do not say I did not warn you.”
“I will remember that. If I knew you would react so well, perhaps I would have mentioned it earlier.” Sytravious thought about his friend’s warning. He had already been caught once, and by some miracle, the priest had never revealed the secret as of yet, but it was not likely he would get a second pass from the dwarf. He was thankful Bryce was a friend he could trust entirely.
They had arrived at the door to his private chambers. It was a solid white marble, engraved with crossing swords and a rising sun behind them; identical to several other doors they had passed along the way. Sytravious assumed all the guardians’ rooms were located in this hall.
“Here we are,” Bryce said.
“Thank you, but where do I go once I am done in here? Is the Fellowship Hall far?”
“Do not worry. I will come get you in an hour. Her Holiness has requested a private dinner instead of the traditional audience that would attend. It will be only you and her.”
“I hope that is a good sign.”
“I would not worry. I am sure she simply does not want to be bothered by having a dinner party tonight.”
“Alright, I will see you soon.” He patted his friend on the shoulder before going into his room.
As he shut the door, the realization of what he had accomplished in such a short amount of time overcame him. He had gotten Raiven to fall in love with him, defeated his mother in a standoff, found out he was the heir of the VanDrake family, joined and won the tournament, left his home, and was now in his own quarters in the temple of Vesalys, under the same roof as the girl he loved. What was he thinking?
The panic only lasted a moment, before he took a deep breath and remembered whom he was. He could do this. He would do this for himself, and for Raiven. She could not escape her world, so he had escaped his to live in hers and it was well worth it. The priestess was easily the most stunning girl he had ever laid eyes on in the entire kingdom and was unmatched in grace and beauty. Her golden eyes alone could hold his attention for days. The way her warm lips kissed him shyly but with a deep hunger at the same time was enough to make him mad with desire.
He bathed and changed into the standard guardian garments that were provided to him. The everyday uniform consisted of a high-collared white tunic, jade-colored pants, and a brown jacket with straps to fasten the tunic with. The fancier armor and cloaks would only be necessary in the event he was allowed to stay, something he was not so sure of yet.
When Bryce dropped him off at the Fellowship Hall, it was not long before Sytravious began to feel uncomfortable. Dining in such a lavish style made him feel awkward. All the fancy details seemed like a waste of wealth and he thought about how he had lived a simple life. The brief reminiscence made him think about home and he wondered what his parents were having for dinner. Sytravious hoped that Nysight found the pouch of gold coins he hid for him in the pantry.
He was starting to pick at some vegetables on his silver plate, when Jezra cleared her throat. With that signal, all the servants stepped forward and cleaned up the plates from the table before exiting the hall, leaving Sytravious alone with the high priestess.
“Thank you for joining me tonight. We have much to discuss and I believe it is wise to have this meeting remain between the two of us,” she said. Jezra fixed her gaze on him while smiling softly. “Why do you want to be a guardian Sytravious?”
He knew better than to tell her the truth because she was not really asking him why he wanted to be a guardian, but trying to provoke an answer that would reveal what his real intentions were.
“Does not every commoner dream of joining the ranks of such a prestigious group? If you do not mind me inquiring, Your Holiness, why did you ask me to be a guardian?”
Jezra took a slow sip of her wine and drummed her fingers on the table with her other hand, as if debating how she should reply. “You are wise, as there is indeed a reason I asked you of all people to consider the temple. As you said, commoners, and even some nobles, have aspirations of being asked into the temple walls. But why would I seek one out myself?”
Sytravious did not answer, but instead shrugged his shoulders and let her continue talking. The more she spoke, the less he had to reveal about himself.
“A man with your unique talents can be useful to another one such as myself. Your decision to reveal your otherwise hidden talents was well calculated. Some might think you chose to fight and reveal your skill for the gold. If that was true, I would not blame you. I understand it is hard to walk away from such a large lump sum, but for some reason I
know that was not your motive because you could have earned twice over by beginning your fighting career much sooner.”
Sytravious listened to her and maintained his calm demeanor while she continued speaking.
“So, if you did not join the tournament for the money, then that leaves some other options. Perhaps you desperately wanted a horse, or you could have done it for the fame.” She sucked her teeth and narrowed her eyes at him. “But one could acquire a horse with ease, not that you would have much need for one as a blacksmith’s apprentice. I do not imagine the occupation requires extensive travel, which makes fame the next probable goal.”
He noticed how she was attempting to goad him into telling her why he had joined the tournament, but he was not going to give in. The longer he held out, the more information he could gather about what she is trying to get at.
“Perhaps, I did want recognition for my talent, and that was a part of my intentions in fighting. If everyone saw what I had to offer, then maybe I could dare attempt to become a soldier or guardian. Do not forget that the warden and general offered me a spot in the elite guard, as well. I simply chose to come to you first.”
“That you did, but fame never was a part of your motivationl, was it? I think the most insignificant tournament prize was your gem - to sit at our table. Now, I do not dare flatter myself by believing that you fought so that you may dine with an old woman, no matter how admirable she may be. You can correct me if this is false, but I think I would venture as far as to say my lovely Raiven is your reason for doing all of this. I mean, you did come to seek my aid over that of Edgar and Kenshiro, and what could I have to offer that they cannot? That is an easy answer - my attractive young priestess.”
Sytravious was surprised at her boldness to get right at the truth, which left him in a difficult position. He could choose to lie about his interest in Raiven, or make the dangerous move of being honest and risk losing every opportunity he had created thus far. Then he thought that if Jezra intended to reject and banish him from the guardianship and temple, seeing as she was sure of his motive, why would she have invited him at all? There was indeed a game developing, and he was going to have to risk playing it. He wished he knew what her motives were and it was something he needed to figure out next.
Sytravious: The Lost Warlock Of Moruz (The Oathbreaker Book 1) Page 21
