Soul of the Wyvern Lord
by the Legendary Armor
A/N: Thank you for continued support and helpful suggestions. I apologize for the delay, but here is the next chapter—during the course of it, the third support will be included. Thanks for reading, and please review if you have the time.
Chapter Three: Clouded Eyes
"How did it come to this…"
"You've fought Valter?!"
Seth nodded quietly. "To be more specific, I found myself in a confrontation that I fled from. I do not regret the action, however." He looked up, his serious, yet kindly gaze meeting Cormag's dark eyes. "Cormag… If I may ask you something…"
The wyvern rider felt compelled to speak. Seth was such an understanding person, it was difficult to not want to tell him everything… "Yes, what?"
"Why are you fighting in our army? Is it… revenge?"
…Was that sadness in those striking red eyes? Was that fear? Was this what a friend did? Cormag had never truly been close to anyone but his brother, so he knew little of friendships and bonds. But this man… He knew he could trust him.
"Of course it is. Valter… He murdered my brother, and mutilated his corpse, treating it as if it were nothing but a sack of grain to be thrown around Grado's palace. I know he has committed countless other acts of horror—someone must make him pay. I will kill him with my own two hands, and I will enjoy it."
The moment seemed to slow. Seth looked at him carefully, and finally said, "…What will you do, then, once he is dead?"
"…I don't know." Cormag looked over at the paladin, so pale and… fevered? He was sweating, despite wearing no shirt, and being in the cool shade. "Enough with the questions. You've got to rest."
Footsteps rose above the general din of people rushing about outside, as someone drew close to the caravan. Franz stuck his head through the curtains at the back, already whispering, "Sir Cormag, is General—oh. Um, we've gotten a tent pitched for both of you, but if you feel as though you still need to stay in the wagon, General, then that's fine—"
Seth shook his head. "I'm well enough to sleep in a tent. It's safer than being alone in a wagon, anyway, if we're attacked at night." He offered the young cavalier of Renais a weak smile. "Besides, Franz, I can't very well leave Cormag alone, can I?"
"O-of course not! I apologize to both of you, and—"
"Calm down, and go get some sleep," Seth interrupted. Nodding eagerly, Franz bowed his head and vanished behind the curtains again, leaving the paladin and wyvern lord alone once more.
Cormag… wasn't sure what to think about this man. Seth continued to stand by him, even as he was weak, even as he was recovering… It had almost sounded as if his words to Franz were almost… excuses. But no matter what they were, he knew one thing: this man was his friend, his only close friend in the world, and he wasn't going to let something like this happen again. It was his fault that he'd been hurt… his fault that his shoulder had suffered even more abuse.
And he hadn't even apologized or thanked him.
That thought struck him as surely and painfully as a blade would—that his friend had put himself in direct danger for him, and all he'd said afterwards were ramblings about Valter and revenge. But how could he bring it up now? How could he, without sounding awkward?
But Seth seemed fine, as if all was well between them, as he offered the blond another smile. He carefully pulled his shirt on, and then began to slide gingerly out of the sturdy wagon into the lively camp. Cormag practically launched himself outside and then offered the paladin a hand down, concern on his tanned face.
"Careful. You'll hurt yourself." Seth chuckled a bit in response, but he gently took the offered hand and climbed down as carefully as he could. The wyvern lord grabbed some more bandages and vulneraries from inside, and then looked around for Franz, who waved them over to their tent.
"I'll get your weapons in here; wait just a second." The cavalier bounded off, and Seth took the opportunity to settle down into his bedroll—he managed to do so with hardly a wince.
His eyes closed, and he said not a word as Cormag took off his own armor and crawled under his blankets. Franz returned a moment later with Forde, and put their weapons in the entrance; they said nothing to them, respecting their silence.
However, Seth seemed to want to break it once more. "Cormag…"
"What is it?"
"I know it's not my place, but… I want you to try and consider your heart before you face Valter." He did not look over at his companion, as if he were afraid of offending him somehow. "Vengeance can tear a man apart inside. And what is left afterwards? What is left when you've achieved such a goal, when you let nothing else exist in your heart?"
Cormag watched him; he was taken by surprise, but at the same time, it was almost as if he'd expected it. "I won't stop seeking revenge."
"I won't ask you to. Just… please, find something else to live for, as well. It would sadden me to see you fall into self-destruction."
Several silent moments passed after that. Cormag wasn't tired… but as he listened to Seth's breathing fall into a steady, even rhythm, he felt it lulling him to sleep… and soon, he, too, drifted into slumber.
Several more days passed, and as they drew closer to Jehanna, the army grew more restless. Seth recovered rapidly, but Cormag continued to stay by his side, too prideful to apologize or thank him, but too worried simply walk away.
He woke one morning to the blinding glare of sunlight as the flap of the tent was pulled open, letting in all the sun's rays. Seth stood there, and, haloed by the light, seemed almost… ethereal. He smiled as the wyvern lord rubbed his eyes and wordlessly began putting on his armor. "Can I have a word with you, Cormag?"
More of his coherence returned by the second, but still the blonde remained groggy. "Oh, Seth. Of course. What can I do for you?" Looking back at the Silver Knight, he saw a thoughtful look on the slimmer man's face.
"I've been thinking about your story, and I've come to a decision."
Curiosity… that was the feeling that welled up inside Cormag at that moment. What did he mean? Why did he look so serious? "Hm? What are you talking about?"
Seth kneeled down beside him, and began helping him put his armor on. "…Cormag, listen. As a General of the Knights of Renais, I'd like to offer you a post."
"What?" The wyvern lord was caught completely off-guard… it seemed as if the paladin was full of surprises. "You want me to join the Knights of Renais?"
He nodded slowly. "Yes, exactly. I've been watching you fight, and I've been thinking about this for some time. Since we've been speaking, I've seen more than just your fighting prowess. I've seen that you're a strong and noble person as well." The serious look receded a bit, replaced by something more close, more personal, with a small smile to accompany it. "You are a man I would risk my life fighting beside."
That sentence… froze Cormag inside. He could not look away from Seth's shining, dark red eyes, but he felt guilt fall on him once more like a horrible, titanic wave. "Prince Ephraim will be a great king. Would you fight for him with me?"
He didn't want that smile to vanish. But he didn't want to be any more of a traitor… nor did he wish to take such comfort in riding beside the man later, after this was over. He surely didn't deserve it… "I really appreciate it. Thanks, Seth. But… Grado is my home. I can't trade loyalties to Renais just like that." Even if my oaths now mean nothing… and even if it would certainly be pleasant…
But there was some form of understanding in Seth's eyes, still, and he seemed to blame the wyvern lord for nothing—not for being a traitor, not for his injuries, and not for his base feelings of vengeance. "…I knew you would say that."
He couldn't just mean to leave it at that! He hadn't meant to drive him away— "Emperor Vigarde is my only lord. My duty now is to correct the mistakes he has made. That's why I'm here. I hope you can understand."
Pathetic, he thought. He almost sounded as if he were pleading… But Seth took no notice of that, just smiled. "Yes, of course… Still, I'm glad that I met you."
The blond finished strapping in the last bit of his armor—a sturdy, worn gauntlet—and looked up, one of those rare, genuine smiles on his face. "Same here, Seth. Now, let's get this war over with, shall we?"
Seth's response was encouraging… and full of sincerity. "Yes, and when it's done… we'll get together and tell some stories."
The wyvern lord smirked. "I'm looking forward to it!"
They were close… so close…
The Princess of Renais' speech echoed throughout the ranks of the small ragtag army as they stood only miles from Jehanna Hall. "The Hall has indeed been captured by Grado's forces. To ensure the safety of Queen Ismaire and save the Sacred Stone, we must lead an assault on the royal hall itself…"
L'Arachel conversed with Dozla heatedly, and whispers passed through the army from their spy reports… It seemed Colm had spotted one of L'Arachel's old companions among the enemy ranks.
The words, surely, were unsettling… especially to a certain few in the army. Artur had never seen Joshua look so uneasy… but they continued on, wary and ready for the first sign of combat.
And as they entered the hall, they caught the first glimpse of the soldiers… and they readied their weapons. They were ready to fight… they were ready to die.
Seth charged forward, beginning the long, difficult assault on Jehanna. The soldier at the northeastern corridor's door never stood a chance as Seth's lance swept him easily aside, and the sneaky Colm took the opportunity to unlock the door and then fall back as L'Arachel rescued him.
Cormag flew over Seth and into the corridor itself, blocking the door as two axe-wielding toughs rushed him—one scraped his wyvern's left leg, and in retaliation, it tore him in two. The wyvern lord took care of the other one with a javelin, and smiled grimly. Genarog didn't appreciate that…
"Cormag, look out!"
A dark-robed figure was shrouded in shadow, pointing at Cormag menacingly. A dark, pulsing cloud began to appear under Genarog… he rushed forward just as the fog constricted with a snake-like hiss and launched the javelin towards the druid, dropping him in an instant.
What he did not expect was for the Princess of Rausten to rush past him on her horse, waving her staff about and shouting at a shady-looking brunette trying to weave his way through the fighting, a sword at his side. Cormag didn't hear their conversation, but L'Arachel threw her hand up and shouted "Ally!", and Seth was there in an instant, throwing the brunette man onto the back of his steed.
The door in front of the Silver Knight was wide open at this point, and a myrmidon stared him in the face with a wicked grin—that grin vanished, however, when he caught sight of Cormag and Genarog, rushing above Seth's head, javelin racing towards the myrmidon's side. The swordsman fell, a sickening crack sounding through the hallway as his head hit the floor.
The rogue brunette rolled his eyes as L'Arachel shouted "Rennac, to my side!" Ignoring her, he jumped off of Seth's horse but readied himself behind the powerful duo of paladin and wyvern lord… almost as if to reach the chests in the next room.
One man, taller than Cormag by a good margin if he wasn't on Genarog, threw a spinning axe at the blonde as hard as he could. He tried to pull up, but the blade grazed his left arm. He ignored the slice of pain and the feel of damp warmth, and speared the man in the face with a javelin, dropping him to the ground as he writhed for a few seconds before lying still.
Another man, looking almost as though he were the brother of the first, rushed with another spinning axe, but this time Cormag deflected it with his javelin completely and ended the man's life quickly by skewering him in the stomach. Two more druids with their strange dark magic tried to trap him in the constricting, black fog, but they both missed and met their end.
He advanced further with Seth, and the flame-haired paladin rushed forward to meet a general with his lance. He found a seam in the enemy's armor, and dropped him in a sickening spray of crimson.
He waved a signal at Cormag, and the wyvern lord nodded, understand. The Silver Knight inched forward, and a druid took the opportunity—the bait, as it were—and attacked.
As Seth met the druid with his javelin, the rest of their group advanced behind them, taking the chests and watching their back—L'Arachel hovering around Rennac as he picked the locks on the chests, Joshua and Artur as a fighter and magic-user team, and Tethys in the very rear to provide further backup.
As the druid fell, Seth peered forward and saw a lone priest holding a staff. The man met the paladin's eyes and looked suddenly terrified.
Seth shook his head. He's so afraid… just a simple healer… if we can eliminate all the enemy soldiers before he can heal them, perhaps he can be spared. He inched forward again, readying to rush past the priest to the general several feet beyond him, switching to his iron sword in anticipation that Cormag would finish the man off. Cormag hovered behind, and the rest of the group was nearby as well.
Seth turned and made to signal Cormag forward, when suddenly—Cormag's eyes widened, and his face twisted in surprise and fear. He began shouting.
"Move! Seth, move towards me!"
What? The paladin looked back towards his front, and saw that the simple healer was not a simple healer at all… The staff in his hands glowed a fierce golden-red light, and a pulsating circle of the light suddenly appeared around Seth. Feeling a surge of… panic?… he tried to get his horse to move back—
—but the ring of crimson and gold tightened, constricting his body painfully. He held back a cry, and then—what was this? The light was being absorbed into his body, through his clothing and armor…
A dim red shroud fall over his vision, and then he felt a horrible malice rise inside him. He blacked out completely…
Cormag watched in horror as Seth slumped in his saddle, then suddenly snapped back to a rigid sitting position, the grip on his iron sword tightening. He turned his mount and lunged at the wyvern lord, madness on his face, his eyes a fierce, glowing red—a sick, soulless red, so unlike his kind and understanding gaze.
He raised his lance defensively on instinct alone, for his shock still clawed at his heart. Seth's expression had twisted into something feral, something wild, something completely uncontrollable—a mad grin unlike any other. The paladin's blade struck against Cormag's steel lance, a clang resounding throughout the hall.
Once again, the paladin lunged for him, but this time, Cormag did not block in time—Seth had always been on the faster side, and Genarog had little room to maneuver in the hallway. He felt iron score against his armor, hard enough to bruise, but nothing more. The berserk Silver Knight struck again, faster still than the wyvern lord's lance, and cut his thigh wide open… The wyvern lord urged Genarog to back up as another of the crimson-gold rings tried to surround them, and the priest's magic missed them completely.
And as Cormag fought down his feeling of shock, the anguish, he spotted the general behind the priest dashing forward as fast as the heavy armor would allow—straight as Seth's vulnerable back!
Cormag blocked another of his dearest friend's strikes, and tried to cry out a warning, but Seth could not hear him through the magic controlling his mind and soul.
The general's armor made such noise that Seth's mount, who in this situation was already completely terrified—what had become of its master so suddenly?—turned, trying to force the paladin to deal with the larger threat.
But Seth, still focused on Cormag, was trying to attack the wyvern lord even completely turned away from him, twisting strangely in his saddle. The general smirked and cut at him with a heavy lance, and caught Seth in the face with the blunt end of it, the bladed end cutting his cheek as he pulled the weapon back.
Blood seeped from the wound, and crimson began to leak from the corners of his mouth… but he forced his horse around again, to face Cormag once more. Despite the blood, he still grinned, tinted by magical insanity, and cut at the wyvern lord with all of his strength.
Cormag raised his lance once more, blocking the weapon—but the iron slid off the steel, the force of the desperate block sending the blade into his side. He stifled a cry of pain, and looked up to see the general going after Seth's vulnerable back.
Without pause, he slung his lance into a strap on Genarog, and then pulled out a javelin. He threw it, as hard as he could, praying to whatever deity that might listen for it to strike true—and so it did, through the eye slit of the general's helm. He backed up once more as another of the magical rings tried to entrap him, and it missed once more…
Crimson stained his shirt as his blood began to seep from his side wound, his pants already more crimson than blue. Pain lanced through him like a paralyzing fire, but he looked up again, ready to attempt to block another of Seth's strikes…
But all he saw through his rapidly blurring vision was Seth's face… bloody and completely horrified…
And then Genarog's shrill voice, crying out in alarm… he dropped the reins, slumping over as darkness stole his senses… The last thing he felt was Genarog's cool scales on his face as oblivion stole him from consciousness, Seth's frantic shouting fading away in his mind...
To be continued in Chapter Four
