A/N: I have successfully changed the wording in the previous chapter. Thank you everyone who pointed out to me my mistake, I don't know how I didn't think of that. Anyways, please drop me more reviews, I love all the feedback.
Harry
I shiver at the intensity swirling in the strange glowing eyes that meet mine for one fleeting glance before I remember my place and focus my eyes on the floor in front of me. After a few breaths, I rise from my lowered position, the rustle of fabric and the scraping of weapons off the floor alerts me to the rest of the crowd gathered behind me following my lead. The Collar of the Right-Hand feels heavy and warm around my neck, well that can't be good, I file the sensation away to be examined later.
I can make out some of the new Lord Marshal before me through my lowered lashes, but I had gotten my fill as the battle between this new man, Riddick, I remember, and Zhylaw stretched on past comfortable levels for me. Golden skin stretched over prominent muscles, shaved head catching the light coming from above as he moved with a feline grace, the sheer dominate power flowing off him in waves was an intoxicating sight. Now the power is mixed with pain, a quick flash of Hermione fills my brain, I wonder who she was, I think distractedly.
"What are your orders, my Lord?" I ask him, I can feel all eyes on me as my quite voice breaks through the silence for a second time.
"Everyone out," He orders, his voice rough, as he sits straighter on the throne, "Everyone but you," He quietly amends lifting a sure to be calloused finger singling me out, really Fate? Couldn't cut me just one break, I think dismayed once again by my luck, or lack thereof.
I hold myself still as everyone clears out of the chamber, a surge of adrenaline kicks my senses into high gear throwing me into a hyper-aware state and forcing my senses to stretch to their limits to pick up everything around me; the shift in air as everyone hasten to obey, the temperature dropping drastically from the sudden removal of almost all the heat, the chills that run rampant up and down my spine, the crashing sound of metal and leather soles echoing through the Great Hall, the almost silent whispers breaking out through the crowd. The silence that descends on us as Vaako closes the door, his parting glance mirroring my inner dread and confusion, almost deafens me with its lack of sound.
The sound of my own heartbeat pulses in my ears steadily as I wait for him to speak. Long minutes stretch out between us, making my 'danger senses' tingle, and I silently thank Snape for this exact treatment that left me with the ability to wait it out without fidgeting.
"What do you do with your dead?" his voice was rough, with emotion or disuse I couldn't tell.
"Necromonger's have different Rites, based on their position. Lord Marshal Zhylaw will be cleansed and placed with his predecessors in the Hall of Morning, so that those who wish to can visit his remains."
"And Kyra?" he demanded in a whisper, his head jerking toward her body scant meters away.
"Her soul will be cherished and her body cremated, her ashes scattered in space, sending them to the Underverse with honor and ceremony," I slowly reply as memories of different funerals surfaced, bury them in glistening white tombs so that loved one can mourn and find comfort.
"Do it," He demanded. Turning on the spot I gratefully slide down the stairs toward the door. Snapping my wrist at the two bodies on the floor they obediently lifted off the floor and fell in behind me. "Wait for me before your ceremony," he calls before I leave the Hall.
"As you wish it, my Lord," I whisper as I turn and bow low, one arm extended beside me the other held diagonally across my chest to curl around my heart. Dame Vaako was just outside, her glimmering dress a dead giveaway, and my show would heckle her more than she will ever admit out loud. She will start the Challenge, I smile with the thought and turn to leave shadowed by the two levitated cadavers, looking up at him my smile fades at the calculating look within the mysterious eyes.
The doors closed behind me as I left, but his look was burned into my retinas as I walked down the familiar halls of the Basilica toward the Bath Houses. I was down one master but had gained a new one, no wonder Snape was grumpy.
"I wonder how you fit into the equation now," Aereon spoke, falling into step beside me.
"I told you before Elemental, I've had one too many fortune-tellers predict my future," I glance beside me just to watch her figure fade and reform with her constant breeze for a second, "I like to be surprised every now and then." I grin.
"This is no laughing matter young man," she scolded me, the twitch in her lip giving away her amusement. Her amusement fell away as she continued, "There are many outcomes that come with change, and Riddick has always been, and will always be a wild card."
"Yeah, yeah," I murmur flippantly with a wave of my hand, "Now leave me, Witch, I have tasks to complete before I can see to the many ceremonies that will take up this next few cycles."
Fading away after a small incline of her head, I rounded the last corner and the steam from the Baths began to fog my vision.
Wildcard, I wonder what he will do now that he has a willing army at his beck and call, I muse as I carefully hand the bodies to the attendants waiting just within. "Lord Marshal has requested that all ceremony be postponed until he can attend to them. Please cleanse both of them, but that is all," I order.
"Yes Right Hand," came their immediate reply.
Leaving without a backward glance, I start toward my chambers to start the endless orders to the countless menials and servants so that all the headache inducing ceremonies can be organized. Damn spectacle-loving race, I grouse mentally.
