Chapter 24: Servants
"Khaesilya! Do what you can to help Eliarainne!"
The crusader's words echoed in Khaesilya's mind even as he dashed off to another part of the battlefield. The sohee concentrated on trying to fight the blood knight. She was aware that the one called Salendriel was Eliarainne's father. What bothered her was the sword that the blood knight carried into battle. The grinning skull that adorned its hilt seemed almost alive.
'Sohee…'
The sohee stared incredulously at the sword. It was communicating! By telepathy as well!
'You hear my thoughts, don't you? It must be a gift among your kind. Other sohees I've encountered possessed no such abilities. My name is Executioner, sohee; pray tell me your name. You are a servant like me.'
Khaesilya ducked in time to avoid the clumsy swing of a skeleton prisoner. The heavy, steel ball barely missed her head. The sohee reversed her grip on her stiletto and jammed the handle against the skeleton's jaw. The entire skull went flying off right before she kicked the undead monstrosity to the ground. The thing continued to struggle to get up until she hacked at it several times. Once all the bones were scattered or broken, the thing did not rise again.
"My name is Khaesilya…what are you, sentient sword, and why do you fight for the blood knight?"
Slow, deep laughter echoed in Khaesilya's mind. It was not derisive like the laughter she was used to hearing from strangers who saw her only as a servant.
'I serve because he wields me. That is the purpose of every sword. Ever since Khatzbalger was destroyed by a female crusader, I have served as the blood knight's weapon…'
At that moment the blood knight swung Executioner in a wide arc, slicing past Eliarainne's shield and gashing her on the shoulder.
'You are my enemy then, Executioner…'
The sword laughed mentally again. The points of light within the eye sockets of its skull hilt flashed.
'As you have access to my surface thoughts, Khaesilya, you must expect that I have access to yours as well. I know for instance that you fear the presence of my brother, Grimtooth, who happens to be in the possession of the one called Trynis Eviskrae.'
Khaesilya's eyes widened. Trynis Eviskrae was also here? What were she and NightKnife up to?
'The rogue plans to assassinate your king, sohee. Make no mistake; Grimtooth will perform flawlessly if he is given the opportunity. They walk the streets of Prontera even as I speak, Khaesilya.'
The sohee gripped her stiletto tightly. Even her Master Makaelthos agreed that King Aelthorius was weak-willed. He only served as a titular figurehead while his ministers handled the affairs of the kingdom. Nonetheless, should he be killed, the entire capital would be thrown in chaos.
'Why do you tell me this?'
The sword's voice was calm as it sliced deep into Eliarainne's side. Khaesilya wanted to help but she had to find out!
'Because I know you will be forced to stop her yourself, sohee. Which means you cannot assist this knight whose blood I feel on my blade. Go then, stop my brother, Grimtooth, while I deal with blood knight's enemies. You, on the other hand, must trust this knight.'
Khaesilya hesitated for a moment longer. As much as she hated to admit it, Executioner was right. It was unlikely that she could stop Trynis Eviskrae and her host of assassins and rogues but she could at least delay them until the fight was over and the distracted army returned to their posts.
'I have to trust you, Lady Eliarainne. I pray your father loves you enough to spare you should the battle go awry.'
With that Khaesilya dashed for the city. As if to confirm the Executioner's words, she noticed a lone figure on top of the walls. A pair of katars glinted wickedly on its arms. From afar, the sohee could recognize the figure's grayish skin and shoulder spikes.
'Creivil…'
The injustice seemed to have spotted Khaesilya as well. He grinned toothily and gestured for her to follow before disappearing.
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Seihanine Xalascent was well aware of the fight in the southern gates as soon as the horns started blaring. The stab wound to her side was still hurting but she knew she had to do something! The huntress staggered to her feet and began to move towards the door. Most of the poison had been purged from her body but her muscles were still slightly numb from the aftereffects of the sidewinder poison.
'That Maiha…she wasn't going to back off because Eldrid was there…what is she thinking?'
The thought of Eldrid brought Seihanine to another important matter she had to settle. The brown-haired hunter was still her cousin even though his unnatural attraction to her was…disgusting. With the clan almost obliterated, she didn't want to lose anyone else. Kreizen seemed so intent on killing Eldrid again and Trenzein…the huntress remembered the angry look the wizard's face when Eldrid asked him to leave. She was actually slightly awake at that time. There was something in the way he glanced at her that made her worry.
'I have to stop thinking about what Zein feels so much.'
Seihanine shook her head and staggered to the stand where her brother kept her gakkung. What Trenzein felt was not important right now. He was probably in the middle of the fray, casting one spell after another.
'Without regards to his own life, no doubt.'
A sudden image of the wizard being run down by a massive pillar flashed in the huntress's mind. Unconsciously she picked up her pace. Despite the numbness she was already out the door.
"Kalyx!"
The falcon screeched in response to his mistress's call. In a flurry of feathers, the bird had flown from his perch outside the house and landed on the huntress's shoulder. Seihanine moved as fast as she could towards the southern gates. At the very least she could bring down a few more raydrics despite her condition.
"You must be Seihanine Xalascent."
The huntress looked directly in front of her and raised her bow. She did not recognize the voice but she judged it as hostile from the tone alone. It was deep and raspy, an inhuman voice.
"What are you doing here, injustice?"
The creature grinned and raised his katars. The weapons glinted dangerously despite the lack of sunlight.
"I've heard rumors about you. I must say that I'm not disappointed."
The injustice licked his lips. There was no disguise for his lust-lit eyes.
"I've got time to kill before Mistress Trynis gets her act together. You'll serve as an appetizer."
Seihanine drew an arrow and pulled at her gakkung's string. While it was surprising that the injustice took time to speak, there was nothing new with its mindless desire for killing. The huntress winced as she pointed the arrow though. Her arms were still shaky and it was hard to keep the bow steady.
"Miss Seihanine!"
Seihanine looked about and found Khaesilya running towards her. The sohee had drawn her stiletto and moved behind the injustice.
"Creivil…where is the rest of NightKnife?"
Khaesilya circled the injustice warily. She had a lot of unpleasant memories regarding the injustice. Even though he was not a member of NightKnife during the time of her servitude, he frequented a lot of NightKnife meeting places. He was a cruel and hateful; a perfect example of "monster". He had made it quite plain to her back then that he planned to rape her. If it wasn't for her Master Makaelthos watching out for her, the injustice would have succeeded and she wouldn't have put up a fight with the silver knife of chastity binding her.
"Khaesilya…gotten quite proud of yourself I see. You actually think you can give orders to anyone? Come here and prostrate yourself before me!"
The sohee wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"Monster! It's pointless talking to you!"
The injustice did not reply and instead lunged at the sohee. Seihanine's arrow struck true, burying itself into the injustice's left shoulder blade. Instead of slowing down, Creivil brought his katars on Khaesilya, who raised her stiletto to block it. Seihanine drew another arrow from her quiver and fired. This time the silver-tipped shaft struck the injustice on the leg. Creivil merely grinned fiercely and slashed at Khaesilya. The katars snagged against the sohee's clothes, ripping a portion of her sleeves away and showing a bit more of her pale skin.
"Tempting…too bad you're Makaelthos's whore, but I don't mind sampling you anyway."
Khaesilya's eyes narrowed. Her stiletto flicked forward, grazing the injustice on the arm. Another arrow from Seihanine flew above them. The huntress was already panting from exertion, it was clear that each shot she took strained her still-recovering body.
"Your huntress friend can't help you so much now; slave, not that she could have at her full strength with what I'm going to do to you."
Creivil suddenly drew forth a small sheath. Almost at once, Khaesilya recognized the engraved design on it as well as the elaborate handle of the knife.
"Silver Knife of Chastity!"
Khaesilya drew back fearfully. Memories of the first time the thing was used on her flooded her mind.
"Yes, you know what it is, slave. You see, when Makaelthos broke the first knife we used on you, he set you free. However, since you trailed him like a whore, everyone simply thought you were still bound. Even if you weren't, you'd still be Makaelthos's pet!"
Another arrow sped towards Creivil. This time he sidestepped it and laughed.
"You're getting more inaccurate with every shot, huntress! Don't worry. After I engorge myself with this sohee, you'll be next!"
The injustice drew the knife and concentrated. The silver blade began to shine; the light seemed to penetrate Khaesilya's eyes as she stepped back and clutched her head. Already she could feel the enchanted knife's powers slipping into her psyche and trying to dominate her.
"Kalyx!"
A command from Seihanine sent her falcon diving towards the injustice. Steel-tipped claws tore through Creivil's chest, making him drop the knife. The injustice cried out in pain but it was too late. The knife continued glowing.
'Obey me.'
Khaesilya closed her eyes and fell to her knees. She felt an overwhelming instinct to listen to the voice and to do what it says.
'I will not! My master…my master is…'
The voice was steady and persistent it was neither high nor low, maintaining an even, uncompromising tone.
'Obey me…Creivil is your new master.'
Khaesilya clapped her hands to her ears in a vain attempt to stop the voice. It was hopeless; she was starting to feel her will draining away. She could already envision herself as a puppet, enslaved by Creivil. Another screech indicated to her that Seihanine was still fighting.
'Obey me…serve Creivil and attack his huntress enemy.'
The sohee felt her hands grip her stiletto as well as an impulse to attack Seihanine. She resisted the urge as hard as she could but…
'Master Makaelthos-'
Khaesilya remembered the one person she truly served. The silver knife was trying to remove her memories, forcing her to become a docile slave. Suddenly, a particular memory flashed in her mind.
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"Khaesilya, why do you still follow me? I set you free, didn't I?"
The swordsman, Makaelthos Solcry, watched the sohee curiously. They were spending the night in the shadow of a large sand dune, in the Sograt desert. There were no roads from Morocc to Prontera so they had to cross the desert in order to reach the capital. Khaesilya had asked him to be allowed to set up his tent for him. While he had no objections about it, Makaelthos was perplexed by the sohee's still servile attitude. The fragments of the silver knife were probably still lying near the gates of Morocc…
"Master, you've set me free from the silver knife's bindings. Let me spend my freedom in serving you."
The sohee bowed down, keeping her gaze to the ground. The swordsman approached her and lifted her gaze carefully with both hands.
"Khaesilya, look at me. I'm a criminal, a member of the guild that took you from your home and forced you to serve. Why would you still want to serve me?"
Khaesilya grasped her master's hands with her own.
"Master Makaelthos, you are no longer a member of NightKnife. Even when you were you were never like them. These things you showed me, kindness, love, acceptance. I would never have learned them if I remained in the caves of Payon. There is nothing for me in the caves, or anywhere else. Please, Master Makaelthos, let me stay by your side."
The swordsman was taken aback for a while before he smiled.
"Khaesilya…if that's what you really want then I won't be against it. I thank you for your service."
The sohee smiled and nodded. Service…she had never felt so happy serving before. She detested working for the assassins, rogues and thieves that comprised NightKnife. She hated being called "slave" but when it came to her master, it was just…different. The feeling felt so…right when she helped him. She could never get that feeling from doing something else and she wanted to continue feeling it.
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"I will obey no one but him…"
The silver knife continued to flash. The voice continued to insist that she serve the injustice. Nonetheless, Khaesilya felt her will returning. She scorned the thought of doing anything that would please Creivil. She was aware that the injustice was dodging Seihanine's arrows as well as keeping away from Kalyx.
"I am not a slave. I am free. I do what I want and what I want is to follow the sole master that I recognize."
The sohee let out a fierce wail and at that moment, the silver knife of chastity shattered. Creivil looked incredulously at the fragments of the knife and snarled.
"Stubborn whore! If you refuse to be my slave then die!"
The injustice signaled. In a few moments, both Seihanine and Khaesilya were surrounded by at least eight assassins. Seihanine's eyes narrowed as she pressed her back against Khaesilya's. The sohee behind her was sweating from her mental exertion; she wasn't far from that state either. Her arms were shaking from overexertion, Kalyx circled the air but his wings were bleeding slightly from being hit by Creivil's katars. The injustice grinned.
"Within a few minutes my group will link up with Mistress Trynis's. I think that's enough time for us to butcher the two of you."
"Your dedication to your master impresses me, sohee."
Almost everyone stopped upon hearing the voice. It was pitched evenly and had a musical quality to it. Nonetheless it was deep enough to be considered male. The voice was followed by a dragging, metallic sound. As if someone was dragging a length of chain on the ground. Creivil snarled again and looked at the shadowy corner of a nearby alley.
"Whose there? Show your face!"
"I want to meet your master for myself, sohee. I want to see why he is so worth your extreme devotion. Perhaps he will make a suitable wielder as well. My brothers have already found wielders of their own."
Khaesilya peered at the alley. Something was moving there but the shadows made it hard to see. Suddenly a blur of grayness suddenly streaked from the alley. In the next moment, two assassins dropped to the ground. Their halves gushed blood, leaving large stains of red on the street. Near the bodies stood the strangest creature Khaesilya had ever seen. It appeared to be a one-handed sword, wrapped in lengths of black chain. In the center of its hilt was a grotesque, glaring, red eye that seemed to glance about constantly. The chains extended from its hilt and formed two "legs" which carried it.
"What are you? Who are you?"
Khaesilya backed away from the sword even as she asked the question. Seihanine pointed her bow at it but refrained from shooting. Creivil ordered his men to attack but in a flash, four more assassins dropped dead. The sword swung about at terrific speeds and with incredible skill. It slipped past their defenses and sliced into their bodies almost effortlessly. The remaining assassins glanced at each other and retreated, leaving Creivil to deal with the sword.
"What am I, sohee? I am a free-willed servant like you. Unlike you, I have yet to find someone to dedicate myself to. I am a sword with no wielder."
Creivil lunged at the sword but the thing was too fast even for the injustice. The chains dropped low, ducking his katars and in a blink of an eye, the sword swung horizontally, separating the injustice into two pieces. The look of surprise did not leave Creivil's face. Seihanine tensed. Now she and Khaesilya had to face the sword. The sohee suddenly stepped forward as the image of the sword shimmered.
"When I talked to the Executioner, it mentioned that it had brothers. It said that Grimtooth was wielded by Trynis Eviskrae, who plans to assassinate King Aelthorius. Are you like them?"
The sword seemed to blur before them.
"I am. Executioner is my younger brother while Grimtooth is eldest among us. Collectively we are known as the three doomed swords. I am different from my brothers though, I have no wielder like they do."
Seihanine stepped forward as well.
"What are you doing here then, sword?"
The image of the sword vanished and was replaced by that of a young man with long, black hair. His left eye was covered by his hair and he looked at himself, as if appraising his own appearance.
"I am always wandering Rune-Midgard. Looking for a warrior whose hand I may grace and whose cause I may serve. I am second of the doomed swords…"
The man bowed slightly. Seihanine noticed that he had yet to stop staring at Khaesilya. The sohee trembled, showing that she noticed this as well.
"I am Mysteltainne."