Sytravious: The Lost Warlock Of Moruz (The Oathbreaker Book 1)

by Acevedo, E. B.

  “They killed my mother,” he muttered, keeping his face buried in her chest.

  Raiven’s eyes widened in horror. “Who killed her? How could this happen? I am so sorry, Sytravious. Vesalys will be with her now.” Tears streamed from her own eyes.

  “Assassins from the First Legion of Moruz. They are in the city, and they killed her, so I killed them.”

  “What? Sytravious, I do not understand. Should we get Jezra?” She tried to stand up and leave, but he held her back and shook his head.

  “Jezra cannot help us now. Nobody here can. Raiven, we have to get out of here. Once we do that, I promise I will explain everything. We have to go now though, because if we stay here after tonight, we will never be allowed to be together. Trust me.”

  Raiven could see the worry in his face as she tried to put together what he was saying. This was becoming the craziest night of her life thus far, and as scared as she was, looking into his eyes only further grounded her resolve to stay with him. Without another moment of hesitation, she smiled and kissed him.

  “Tell me what to do,” she replied.

  Sytravious breathed out a sigh of relief. “Thank you so much. You will never know how much this means to me. We have little time to waste, but I need a change of clothes. I cannot travel like this…covered in my mother’s blood.” His voice cracked and was full of emotion.

  She squeezed his hand and sighed. “The remaining guardians are on a double patrol. There is no doubt that they will see and stop you. No one besides Jezra or Vienken will question my movements within the temple, and they must be sleeping. I will go to your room.”

  He looked as if he was struggling with the idea. “Fine, but be careful. My room is the last one on the right of the dormitory hall. There is a sack of gold at the bottom of my bed, hidden under my cloak. Please grab both on your way out. I will wait here.”

  Raiven turned and ran toward the temple. She managed to sneak inside without being seen or heard. She slipped into the dormitory hall, stopping every so often to make sure no one was around. With several hours before dawn, she hoped they could get away in time. Raiven approached the last door on the left, ready to open it before pausing. Wait, or was it the right?

  She hesitated, unsure of her next move. How could she have forgotten so soon? Her mind was filled with different thoughts at once, and could not recall all of Sytravious’ instructions. Thinking as hard as she could, she decided to go with her instinct and crept into the room on the left.

  From his bed, Bryce locked his stare on her. Raiven froze, embarrassed and unsure of what to say. The two stayed silent for what seemed like an eternity. However, after a minute, a booming snore came from the guardian’s mouth while his blank eyes looked in her direction. Raiven waved her hand up and down, and when she did not get any reaction from Bryce, she realized he was sleeping with his eyes open. Raiven backtracked out the room and breathed a sigh of relief as she let the door close with a soft thud.

  If her heart beat any harder, it might pop right out of her chest onto the floor. She dashed across the hall and into the room on the right this time and closed the door behind her. Raiven cupped her hands together and whispered a spell. A small orb of white light floated into the room and illuminated the empty space. She was pleased to discover that finding his items was an easy task, as he was a very neat and organized person. She snatched some clothes for him, along with his cloak, and threw them in a cloth bag he had hanging from his bed. Beneath the clothes in the trunk, Sytravious indeed had a bag of gold coins. Raiven added them to his items before extinguishing her orbed light.

  Not much time had passed since she left Sytravious to wait for her. Their plan was going to work out after all! After she delicately closed his door behind her, she turned around and bumped right into Vienken. Raiven gasped and held Sytravious’ bag against her chest. The old dwarf glowered at her. His small arms were crossed, and his cheeks were crimson. He seemed so angry, she thought he might it explode.

  “Young lady, you should not be down here, much less in a guardian’s room!”

  “I…I…I was only checking on him,” she stammered. “Nothing happened! I swear it upon Vesalys’ holy name.” She was so overwhelmed with anxiety, she had to lean on the wall for support because she felt as if she would faint right there in the hall.

  “You do not sound very convincing, Raiven.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “What is really going on? What is that you have got in your hands? Give it here right now.”

  She yanked the bag away from him, in a panic about what to do. His mouth dropped open in astonishment, and he seized the bag from her grip. Vienken began examining the contents of the sack with a look of distress upon his face. She groaned and a tear fell down her cheek.

  “Why is this in your possession? Is our newest guardian going somewhere?” He raised an eyebrow as he questioned her.

  “No---I mean--- Um, I do not know,” she muttered.

  The dwarf shook his head in disapproval. “I have covered for you once before. I see now that was a mistake. This incident will be reported to the high priestess, since you seem incapable of obeying my rules. Now, I will escort you back to your quarters. Come on.”

  “She does not want to go anywhere with you,” Sytravious said in a gruff voice.

  Vienken jumped, startled by the unexpected interruption. “Huh? Where did you come from? I should have dealt with you the first time you dared invade the priestess’ privacy. You clearly have deceived all of us, but I know your true intentions in this temple.” He blocked the path to Raiven from Sytravious as best he could.

  “My intentions have been, and always will be, to do whatever is in Raiven’s best interest.” Sytravious said.

  Vienken chuckled and reached into the pocket of his robe. “Her best interests are with the temple, so that she may be protected from the likes of you.”

  Sytravious burst out into sarcastic laughter as he pointed to Raiven. “You mean the very same temple that will auction her off to the highest bidder. How blind and foolish can the High Priest really be? Open your eyes! Jezra has been trying to bargain Raiven off to any man who can assist with her own ambitions for power over the country. This temple is a farce!”

  The dwarf pulled out a small silver rod and pointed it at Sytravious, while holding out his other hand to keep Raiven back. “I have no intention of listening to your twisted lies. This temple has more virtue and integrity than to waste time being caught up in political nonsense. You would be wise to leave this place alone, Sytravious. You do not want to make me use this.” Vienken jabbed the rod toward him.

  “What are you going to do with that little thing? Beat me with it?” Sytravious smirked at the dwarf.

  “Master Vienken, he is telling the truth. Jezra did make a deal with Sytravious for my hand, but only after he helps her destroy King Lucas and Kenshiro,” Raiven asserted.

  Vienken looked back to Raiven, an internal struggle was written on his face as he contemplated her words. Without another word, the dwarf summoned his power into the rod and fired a bolt of electricity at the young man, hitting him square in the chest.

  Raiven shrieked as Sytravious slammed into the wall and then collapsed to the floor. Her instructor appeared nervous. His hand shook while holding the rod, keeping it aimed at Sytravious.

  “He gave me no choice. You must not let your foolish heart overcome your common sense, Raiven. The man is nothing but trouble!”

  Raiven ran to Sytravious’ and screamed at her instructor, “He is not trouble. This forsaken temple is trouble! Now, get away from him.”

  Vienken aimed his rod at her. She knew he was desperate to try to stop her from making a terrible mistake, but was unsure if he actually had the heart to fire a spell at her. It was something she would never find out because a massive fist clubbed the back of the dwarf’s head, knocking him unconscious. Bryce stared down at Vienken with a look of anger and worry on his face. She had not noticed when the guardian emerged, but was grateful Bryce w
asted little time striking Vienken down.

  Frantic, Raiven was already placing a healing charm over Sytravious’ chest, when she noticed an unfamiliar amulet he was wearing around his neck. He groaned and gently brushed her hands aside, before getting back on his feet. She was bewildered to see he was unscathed, as that spell was meant to injure most men.

  “How can it be that you are not hurt after a High Priests’ spell hit you?”

  Sytravious glared at the now unconscious Vienken as he rubbed his chest. “I owe you one, Bryce.”

  “Yeah, well, I could not let him attack the priestess, now could I? It was proper protocol to stop him, right?” Bryce asked, looking to Raiven for validation.

  “You did what you felt was best, just as Master Vienken thought he was doing what was best. I am sure he will understand in time, but I am not staying here to find out,” she said.

  Raiven knew her instructor had acted out of concern for her well-being, but she was still disappointed that he had attacked Sytravious. She got up and retrieved the bag she had packed for him, and noticed Sytravious had already brought hers along.

  “Wait a moment, what is going on? Are you two actually leaving?” Bryce asked.

  Sytravious took his bag from Raiven and threw it over his shoulder. He grasped Raiven’s hand and looked at Bryce with remorse. “Sorry, old friend, but I cannot stay here anymore. There are bigger things going on right now. All I ask is that you let us pass, I do not want to fight you.”

  She clung to Sytravious, and gave her guardian the best pout she could manage. Bryce looked as if he was thinking the situation through. He stared at Vienken, then back to Raiven.

  “I am sorry, but I cannot let you two just waltz out of here,” he said.

  Sytravious sighed, and Raiven frowned while shaking her head. Then she noticed a wide grin spread across Bryce’s face.

  “You cannot waltz out of here until you give me a few minutes to pack my bag, because I am going with you. I vowed to protect the priestess no matter what. Besides, who would I have a drink with if my best friend leaves? Boring ol’ Elric? I do not think so.” He chuckled. “Wherever you are going, I will stay by your side.”

  Chapter 25

  Battle In Havencrest

  Daegon was the most ruthless and unforgiving king in the history of Moruz. Once he set his sights on an enemy, there was no escaping his wrath. Generations after his death, memories of the VanDrake king’s terror remained. Even the mention of his name still sent chills down the bravest soldier’s spine. Therefore, naming his favorite sword Daegon’s Rage seemed appropriate. The legendary weapon lived up to its name, inflicting the destruction and fury Daegon had intended for it, making the wielder a fearsome opponent in the field of battle, and Hellios was no exception.

  Nyxseous had lit the blade for him before they had gotten separated, allowing him to slice and stab the flaming sword at each assassin who dared engage him in the hectic streets of Havencrest. Blood spurted in every direction as body after body fell to the ground when Hellios slashed through a horde of legionnaires. It seemed like an endless battle as a new assassin emerged from the shadows just as another went down. He needed to make a break for the south gate, where he hoped to meet up with his comrades, Nysight and Nyxseous. Creating such a commotion in town had surely alerted the guard, which meant the window of time to slip away was closing fast.

  He split from the fight and sprinted south as fast as he could. Over the sounds of his own heavy breaths, he kept hearing a soft childlike giggle echoing around him. Hellios ignored the laughter and dashed through the city where he saw townsfolk barricading their windows and doors. They wanted no part of the bloodshed outside, and he could not blame them. He felt the same way, but unfortunately, he had no choice in the matter. He had to defend himself.

  Once he turned the corner, he could make out the southern gate. Just ahead, Nysight was hacking away at his enemies with blades in each hand. Hellios sighed and was relieved to see the general had survived this long, then rushed to join him in battle. He fought his way through the henchman, until he stood back to back with Nysight as assassins surrounded them.

  “Where is Nyxseous?” Nysight shouted over his shoulder. He blocked a sword, and cut an enemy down.

  “I thought she was with you,” Hellios replied, and then beheaded a man with a strong slash. “I have not seen her since we got separated.”

  Nysight grunted, and kicked his next opponent in the chest. The shattering sound of the man’s ribcage followed. The enemy fell to the ground as he choked on his own thick blood that spattered out of his mouth.

  With the pair combatting the best they could, the assassins began falling much quicker. Through the cluster of fighters, Hellios could finally make out a young witch as the source of the eerie laughter. A look of malice formed on her childlike face as she contorted her fingers in a strange pattern and created more assassins out of the shadows around them. Hellios gasped when he realized he had been fighting lethal phantoms all along. He knew they had to eliminate her in order to escape the deadly trap she had set.

  “We need to do something about that girl. Her little game with the shadow puppets will be our demise. I cannot keep this up all night,” Nysight warned.

  Hellios glowered at the witch. “I am going to kill that little monster. Try to watch my back, alright?”

  Nysight nodded, and then swung his blades around to block the next wave of attacks on them, giving Hellios a chance to end the girl’s terror on them. However, she preempted his move, and vanished. She reappeared nearby, and he swore under his breath. He pointed Daegon’s Rage at her, inciting a challenge. The girl smiled and then let a long serpent slide out of her sleeve. The snake came to a stiff point, forming a black blade in her hand. Her sorcery worried him. What else did the witch have up her sleeve? He held his sword up in a defensive position, waiting for her next move.

  She bounded toward him and lunged with her serpent blade. He smacked it aside with his sword, and found himself having to roll away from a wave of striking snakes that emerged from her sleeve. The witch was proving to be a deadly foe. He countered with a flaming slash, aimed at her neck, but the young girl was too agile. She jumped inside his guard and gashed her sharp nails across his cheek, drawing blood. Hellios leapt back and was shocked by the stinging pain that ensued, but his attention was drawn towards Nysight’s sudden cry.

  He realized the situation was about to take a drastic turn when he saw a squadron of soldiers racing down the streets, each armed with scimitars. The general and his apprentice were out front, leading the elite guard and hacking their way through shadow assassins. When he snapped back to his current opponent, Hellios noticed the witch had disappeared. He groaned, and then rejoined his friend to help him destroy the foes.

  “Nysight, we need to evacuate right now! The elite guard will not take the time to figure out whose side we are on.” He watched as the knights demonstrated their proficiency with each enemy they took down.

  “I will not leave without my wife, even if I need to battle my way through the entire elite guard!”

  “It would be suicide to face the entire brigade! Just think, would Nyxseous make such a foolish choice? No! She would not stay, but instead flee to the woods, which is where we need to go now.”

  Nysight was frustrated. He growled, squeezed the hilts of his swords, and glared at the approaching militia. “Then come on, let us get to the woods, but we will go no further until we make contact with my wife and son.”

  “Of course, you have my word.”

  They ran with haste as the sounds of armored boots drew nearer. Hellios knew the knights would catch up to them well before they could reach the exit. When the pair got to the south gate, they spotted another group of soldiers blocking the large oak doors. Hellios and Nysight nodded in agreement, and readied their weapons, knowing they had to drive on.

  “Who is taking the general?” Hellios asked while they slowed down to a jog.

  “Since I have tw
o swords, holding off the gate guards will be easier for me. You can keep General Kenshiro and his men at bay. We do not want to kill them and have to deal with the wrath of the kingdom on our way out.”

  Hellios spun around with his sword pointed in Kenshiro’s direction, ready to receive whatever onslaught the general would bring. Kenshiro’s dual scimitars crashed into Daegon’s Rage with a high-pitched chime. Their blades clanged against the other as each man twisted and ducked each other’s attacks and Hellios realized his flaming sword had little effect against Kenshiro’s weapons.

  “Your cursed sword means nothing in this bout, foreigner. These are blessed blades, fabled in their own right. You chose the wrong city for your stupid battle. Now, suffer the consequences!”

  “It is amazing how seriously you take yourself.” Hellios muttered and blocked a series of strikes from Kenshiro and managed to catch glimpses of Nysight as he continued to fend off the general.

  Nysight had handled the gate guards and was now giving Kaspar and the knights of the elite guard all they could handle, careful to injure rather than kill. As the clash continued in the streets, the guards on the other side of the gate slammed the doors shut. Hellios tried to think of another plan to escape.

  His arms ached from fighting for so long against such a large amount of foes, but he pushed through the pain, and continued to parry Kenshiro’s blades. The general must have sensed his weariness, because he came at him with a barrage of blows that had Hellios backing up against a building. He was about to parry another attack when Nysight’s two swords slapped Kenshiro’s scimitars aside, causing the general to stumble sideways.

  “It looks like we should trade off,” Nysight suggested.

  Hellios glanced at Kaspar and his remaining men. They looked hesitant to rush in for a fresh attack, which was a different reaction in comparison to the brave intentions they had a few moments ago. It was impressive to see the storied General Nysight in action for the first time. Even in his old age he was a terror in battle, and worthy of his status among the Fifth Legion legends. Hellios was glad to switch off with Nysight, and brought the fight to Kaspar and his men, backing them up with his flamed blade.