Crimson Twilight: Dusk

Chapter 18: Honor and Loyalty

Makaelthos Solcry was the first to visit Seihanine the moment he heard that she got injured. First that is, if he discounted Kreizen, who never left his younger sister's side. Silmeia couldn't be considered "visiting" either since she insisted on personally healing the huntress. He walked the hall towards the infirmary with Khaesilya. His partner had to manage the colony reports that came in. He had to smile when he remembered her words when they were returning from Morroc. 'And she says I'll burn myself out.' He thought.

Khaesilya smiled as well as she watched her master. "You're quite fond of her aren't you, Master Makaelthos?"She spoke.

Makaelthos turned his attention towards Khaesilya. Even after knowing her for a long time, he was still amazed by her telepathic abilities. Not only could she read someone's surface thoughts, she could talk mentally as well. At first, he had thought that all sohees possessed this ability. It turned out that it was a rare gift among them. While Khaesilya's powers had limits, such as her being unable to hear a person's inner thoughts, it was still impressive. "You're hearing my thoughts again, Khaesilya." He answered. Why do you think that I'm fond of Eliarainne?"

Khaesilya was silent for a while. She treasured the moments when her master was relaxed enough to banter with her. During the whole time she had been serving him, she had become well acquainted with his introspective nature. Even his surface thoughts were complicated things. He was quick to consider all sorts of options and notice every detail. As a result, he always seemed too serious for banter. "It's because the thought of her always makes you smile, Master Makaelthos." She said. "You're always serious when you think of your other friends."

Makaelthos paused for a while before opening the door to the infirmary. It was true and he had always appreciated that aspect of his partner. Eliarainne reminded him that honesty did exist. With her, he didn't have to carefully scrutinize every bit of information she divulged just to make decisions about what her motives were. It wasn't that she was predictable; Eliarainne could be cunning as far as combat was concerned. She didn't become First Knight Commander solely for her impact on her men's morale. But she had certain zeal in everything she did and would rather have someone genuinely join her side instead of manipulating them. Makaelthos found it refreshing each and every time he was with her. "Well it's true that the thought of Eliarainne always seems to make me relaxed or amused." He answered.

Khaesilya giggled slightly behind the sleeves of her robes. If that was the case then she would be glad to see Dame Eliarainne spend more time with her master. "She's also the one who always gets you tense and frustrated!" She said.

Makaelthos smiled at the sohee as he opened the door. It was also true that his partner's ways were still so strange to him even after five years of knowing her. There were plenty of times when he was actually tempted to grab her by the shoulders and shake her in hopes of causing her sense of caution to tumble out. "Another point taken, Khaesilya." He answered. "Let's see how another friend of ours is doing, shall we?"

Makaelthos found Seihanine arguing her older brother. As he stood there, he realized that nothing probably changed for the two of them. Seihanine Xalascent was still extremely concerned for about her brother's affairs and Kreizen still had a light-hearted view of things in general. He sometimes considered the relationship between the siblings as odd. As the older brother, Kreizen seemed more suited to take the role of the over-serious, protective brother while Seihanine seemed more likely to take the role of the carefree, younger sister. Instead, they seemed to have switched roles.

"Let me convince Silmeia to release me first before you pick another fight with them!" Seihanine argued.

Kreizen shook his head dismissively. "Don't be silly, Sei." He said. "You need to rest. Besides, I'm not going to pick a fight with them."

Seihanine looked worriedly at her brother. Makaelthos stood silently in the background for a while. It was a rare sight for her to display an emotion like this. She quickly noticed him though. In a flash, her look of worry was replaced by an emotionless mask. Makaelthos wasn't surprised. Five years had not been enough for him to fully gain Seihanine's trust. She was cautious; cautious enough for two people as Kreizen would say. She knew only a little of Makaelthos's history but she always spotted the shadows that flitted about him wherever he walked. That, combined with his tendency not to divulge information to anyone unless absolutely necessary, resulted in her trusting him least among the companions. Makaelthos did little to assuage that mistrust. He was not there to allay Seihanine's worries and, if she would not trust him, she could always trust logic and that was always his method.

Kreizen turned to see who Seihanine was staring at. At the sight of Makaelthos, his mouth split into a wide grin. "Makaelthos! Great to see you again, old friend!"

Makaelthos smiled and nodded. Khaesilya bowed respectfully to the blacksmith, who clapped her hard on the back. She winced but did not say anything. This was Kreizen after all. Makaelthos turned his attention back to Seihanine. "How are you feeling?" He asked.

Seihanine mustered a smile. Though she didn't like Makaelthos very much; he displayed a cunning she found disconcerting and a penchant for secrets, she couldn't count the number of times she wished that her brother was more rational like him. "I'll heal if Silmeia has anything to say about it." She replied. "And, believe me, she does. Is Rainne with you?"

Makaelthos shook his head. "Eliarainne's still handling the reports from the colony. She did say she was going to visit later."

Seihanine was silent for a while before speaking. She could guess that something else would occupy Eliarainne for a while. "What day of the week is it, Makaelthos?" She asked.

Makaelthos immediately guessed the meaning behind the question. It always happened to Eliarainne at least once a week. "The fifth." He replied. "I know what you're thinking; it's about time Lord Sialsanderin had a talk with his "wayward" daughter."

Seihanine's eyes narrowed. She seldom saw eye-to-eye with Eliarainne. The knight was reckless, noisy and prone to extreme bouts of violence; her brother in a woman's body and without the familial bond, but the both of them could agree that Cafilex Sialsanderin was an ass. "Nothing good ever comes from their talks, Makaelthos." She said. "You should convince Rainne to stop seeing that old fool."

Makaelthos allowed himself a slight smile. Seihanine may argue often with Eliarainne but she did show concern at times like these. "Me, Seihanine?" He asked.

Seihanine twirled a lock of her light blue hair around her fingers; a sign that she was uncomfortable with the subject. "It's because Rainne listens to you, Makaelthos." She explained. "She won't listen to Silmeia or me and Trenzein isn't really suited to talk to her about such things."

Kreizen shook his head. His voice was low this time and it carried an air of wisdom that didn't suit his boisterous nature. "Nothing will happen if we have to convince her, Sei." He said. "Eliarainne has to decide for herself if she wants to stop seeing her father. They're family after all."

Makaelthos was silent for a while. He had not expected the discussion to switch to Eliarainne's situation. Kreizen suddenly turned to face him. "You know your partner the best, Makaelthos. I'd wager you know her better than her own father! What do you think of her talks?"

Makaelthos looked out the infirmary's window. From his place he could see the palatial mansion that was Sialsanderin Manor. "I think Eliarainne keeps going anyway because she keeps hoping that maybe this time her father would learn to accept her decisions." He answered. "He never does, though. On the short run, it does seem like she has to stop but, then again, Cafilex is still her father. He's not going to stop being that if they never talk again. It's not proper that we interfere in her family's business."

Kreizen nodded in agreement. "Family business" was always an extremely serious topic for him and his sister. Clan Xalascent used to be famous throughout his hometown of Payon until a certain incident nearly brought about the family's destruction. Now, all he had was his sister. But now was not the time for such gloomy topics. "You're right as usual, Makaelthos!" Was all he said.

Kreizen turned to his injured sister. "I have to go now, Sei." He told her. "Do as Silmeia says this time. I have a feeling we'll face the orcs soon enough." Seihanine tried to rise in response; wincing as she put some weight against her injured shoulder. Kreizen frowned and got her to lie down again. "Don't be stubborn, Sei! I'm just going to work on some elemental weapons!"

Seihanine did not look convinced; although she obeyed her older brother. "The last time you told me that, my brother, I found you sitting on top of a pair of unconscious blacksmiths." She said. "The following day, I found myself traveling with you to the colony."

Kreizen grinned sheepishly. It was true. He did brawl with a pair of guild blacksmiths and it was for a small reason when he looked back to it. They were simply arguing about the price of their elemental weapons. "True…look I'll go with Makaelthos if it makes you feel better. Besides-" Kreizen's expression darkened. "-there's no colony to be banished to."

Kreizen and Makaelthos left the infirmary at the same time. Khaesilya excused herself and went back to Makaelthos's quarters to take care of its cleaning and to prepare dinner. While her master often reminded her that she didn't have to, she found a certain satisfaction in doing so anyway. The noon sun was already shining on Prontera when they left the white-walled building. After half an hour, Kreizen's mood seemed to lighten with the atmosphere. "Lovely day isn't it, Makaelthos?" He asked.

Makaelthos stared at the blacksmith in amusement. Half an hour ago, Kreizen was talking of orcs and invasion. All of a sudden, it seemed as if all that mattered to him now was enjoying the afternoon. Doing what he loved the most; forging. "I suppose it is, Kreizen." He answered. "It's hard to imagine that we might go to war tomorrow with this kind of atmosphere."

Kreizen looked over his shoulder and smiled. "Speaking of lovely, here comes our priestess."

Makaelthos smiled as well when Silmeia approached them. Kreizen was quick to greet her. Silmeia nodded in return before turning to Makaelthos. "Where's Rainne? I thought she was with you." She asked.

Makaelthos explained Eliarainne's preoccupation. That was when he noticed a familiar shadowy figure vanish into an alley. "I have to go, Silmeia. Take care of yourself." He said. "Leaving them with that hasty goodbye; he walked swiftly towards the alley. Though he barely caught a glimpse of the figure, his trained vision took note of the man's gray skin, the leather bindings and the wicked pair of katars strapped to his wrists. He soon found himself in an abandoned alley. "I know you're here, Creivil. Why don't you just show yourself?" He called out.

The only response to Makaelthos's question was a laugh. The voice was deep and raspy with an inhuman quality to it. He easily recognized the laugh. Sure enough the shadows parted as the gray-skinned figure walked towards him. "Sharp as always, Solcry. You really are one of the best." It said. "No wonder the guild mistress still hopes that you'll come back." The man grinned; baring teeth that have been sharpened to wicked points.

Makaelthos kept his hand to his saber. It took all sorts to make him resort to violence. He responded in kind to deadly force brought against him but he rarely wanted to kill his enemies. Then there were creatures like Creivil. The "assassin" was an injustice; a member of a race of degenerate humans that lived in Glastheim's ruins. He was a murderous thing kept in check only by the repercussions against killing sprees. He had tried to join NightKnife during Makaelthos's time in the guild; hoping to use the guild as backup to allow him to ignore the law and kill everything he saw. Makaelthos had naturally refused and Trynis agreed with him. Makaelthos would have been happy to kill Creivil then as well but the injustice fled back to Glastheim and the guild saw little benefit in chasing after him. Now, it seems that Creivil had finally joined NightKnife. Makaelthos had to know why Trynis allowed it. "That brings us quickly to the first point, Creivil. What's an injustice like you doing in NightKnife?" He asked.

Creivil laughed harshly as he glanced at the black and purple armband he wore. "Let's just say that the guild mistress needed some powerful and loyal allies after you left." He answered. "I fit the role perfectly despite having you opposing my joining the guild."

Makaelthos glanced at his sides. Among the shadows, several pairs of katars flitted near him. He also heard the faint, stretching sounds of bows being pulled. "I still do, Creivil. NightKnife has no need of a rampaging murderer like you." He answered.

The injustice's laughter blared once again. "Again it might be so, Solcry! But only if you were in NightKnife! You're not, even though the guild mistress has kept the position of being her right hand man for you alone. I plan to take that position; to be second only to Trynis Eviskrae in the strongest guild in Midgard!"

Makaelthos suddenly raised his shield as one assassin leapt from the darkness. A pair of wicked-looking jur slashed at him. Rivulets of poison splashed onto the shield's surface. Makaelthos blocked the assault with his shield, sidestepped, and used the assassin's own momentum to push him towards another attacker who came at him from another side. As the two assassins crashed into each other, he turned his attention to the rogues who were sniping at him. Several arrows hit his shield uselessly while he charged towards their direction. As he neared his target, he stopped and turned around; surprising the rogue who was about to stab him from behind. White light flared in the alley followed by the sound of a body falling to the ground. Makaelthos stood over the downed rogue; the cross-shaped gash he inflicted on his opponent's chest was still smoking. The other rogue, the one he was charging at, dropped the bow and pulled out a dagger.

"Enough." Creivil said. The rogues and assassins turned to face him. The injustice grinned as the fallen rogue struggled to get up and failed. Makaelthos's blow, while powerful, was not meant to be lethal. "You fight like a crusader, Solcry, but you certainly think like a NightKnife master. I will enjoy the moment when the guild mistress will finally permit your death."

In less than a heartbeat, Makaelthos found himself alone. He sheathed his saber and headed for Baelthran's; his favorite tavern. With his duties over for the day, he turned his attention to another situation. 'So Trynis still keeps me as her right hand even though I left the guild.' The thought wasn't that surprising. It would be just like Trynis to hold on after such a long time. She had him watched constantly and that reality never escaped him for a moment. Why he couldn't bring himself to go after NightKnife and bring everyone in it to justice, he couldn't fully understand. Perhaps because he couldn't let go as well.

A quarter of an hour later, Makaelthos seated himself on his usual spot at Baelthran's. He didn't like how the rogue easily occupied his thoughts. Five years had gone by since they parted but Trynis still lurked the shadows of his mind. It was bad enough that he had to encounter her during his mission in Morroc but it was even worse when he realized that it only took a brief mention from Creivil to evoke his memories of the guild mistress.

"Makaelthos! You're a bit early today! Anything special?" The barkeep, Baelthran, rubbed his pudgy hands together. Makaelthos and his companions were regular customers in his tavern. While Baelthran's was not in any way special, Makaelthos had found that it suited him well. He did not like staying at the classier bars that the other knights and crusaders frequented. The barkeeps there were snobbish and clearly didn't relish the idea of serving a "ditch knight". The shadier bars that were frequented by all sorts of thieves reminded him too much of NightKnife and the dark, tension-filled bars that served as the meeting places of the guild.

Baelthran's, on the other hand, was a small tavern that was on the verge of closing when he found it. The quiet and simple atmosphere appealed to him and, soon enough, to his friends as well. Makaelthos's friends brought other customers to help with business. Knights from the First Knight Division came when their Knight Commander started frequenting it. It was the only time they could see her relaxing and enjoying herself with something other than combat. Soon, other people began to frequent the bar. Kreizen's clients came to discuss details such as personal engravings on their commissioned weapons over a flagon of his favorite Payon spirits. Trenzein's like-minded colleagues; wizards who shared his distaste for the academy, came to discuss magical theory with their comrade and make fun of their academy's administration. There were even priests who ordered something before settling down to stare at Silmeia all night; discreetly of course. Baelthran owed his successful business to this group and he reserved the best table for them alone.

"I'll just have a glass of Morroc wine, Baelthran." Makaelthos answered. Baelthran was friendly but he did not prod much. Makaelthos also appreciated that.

Baelthran immediately filled out the order. Morroc wine was Makaelthos's usual. It was a potent drink; slightly thick and quite sweet. "Your friends joining you soon?" He asked.

Makaelthos shook his head before taking a sip of his wine. "Not tonight. Everyone's quite busy. I'd expect Eliarainne though." He replied.

The barkeep frowned and stroked his graying mustache. "That time of the week again, eh?" He said. "It's a good thing you're always here when she's like that, Makaelthos. Otherwise, she would have torn this place apart already!"

Makaelthos was about to reply when the tavern's doors violently swung open. He didn't even need to look to see who it was. "So how did it go with your father?" He asked offhandedly. It was more to start the conversation that out of actual curiosity. He already knew the answer.

An extremely furious Eliarainne Sialsanderin sat beside Makaelthos. Her fists struck the polished wood; rattling the glasses and bottles on it. When she spoke, her voice was livid. "Miserable as usual!" She snapped. "Baelthran! Payon Spirits! Bring the bottle!"

Makaelthos sighed inwardly. Payon spirits meant that the discussion between the knight and her father was worse than usual. He was going to have to restrain Eliarainne from getting too inebriated.

"I'd sooner marry you."

Makaelthos Solcry had to smile as Eliarainne said those words before stumbling towards her bed. "That's the Payon Spirits talking." He replied. "Get some sleep, Eliarainne. You really need now." With that, he closed the door behind him and locked it using the keys she had given him. It was a measure of Eliarainne's trust that he could come and go in her room at his leisure. 'Marry me indeed.' He thought. 'Cafilex will probably pay every assassin in Rune-Midgard to kill me before that happens, and Trynis-' Makaelthos pondered on his former guild mistress's possible reaction should the unlikely even occur. He put the thought aside though as he entered his quarters. He found Khaesilya asleep. She had prepared dinner for him as usual. Another thought crept into his mind. Something from the question Eliarainne had asked. "If she wasn't a swordsman then-" He spoke the thought aloud. He didn't expect someone to finish it for him though.

"We'd still together, Makaelthos."

Makaelthos turned towards the sound of the voice. "Trynis Eviskrae." He spoke the name as if it were a sigh.

Trynis smiled as she closed the door behind her. "How are you doing, Makaelthos?"

Makaelthos stared at the rogue suspiciously but he couldn't help but admire the guild mistress's flowing, waist-long, silvery-white hair, her lithe and graceful form and her- Makaelthos swallowed hard and focused on facing NightKnife's guild mistress as a soldier of Prontera. "I'm coping quite well, Trynis." He answered, keeping his voice neutral. "Is that why you're here?"

Trynis laughed softly. "Straight to the point are we?" She said. "Relax, Makaelthos. I'm not here on NightKnife business."

Makaelthos did not relax, though. There was always something unnerving about Trynis's actual physical presence. He had always felt her presence even when she was far away. There were the constant eyes on his back and then there was NightKnife itself. The guild had a hand in every shady business in Rune-Midgard. Every assassination ultimately led to NightKnife for the guild tolerated no freelancing assassins in its territories; which included every major city on Rune-Midgard. "And just what exactly is NightKnife business these days, Trynis? Killing sprees?"He asked.

Trynis's smile did not fade with Makaelthos's harsh question. "You must have met Creivil." She replied. "I had to make up for losing your loyalty, Makaelthos."

"Then why don't you give him my position?" He returned.

Trynis stepped closer to Makaelthos and put her hand against his chest. The elunium plates of his armor felt cold to touch and the expression on his face matched that coldness. "Because no one replaces you, Mak." She answered. "You know that."

Makaelthos stepped back. "Trynis, stop. It's over now. I'm not going back to NightKnife."

Trynis looked away. For the first time she allowed the sting of his harshness to momentarily mar her face. "I see…let's talk about other things then, Makaelthos." Was all she said.

Makaelthos grew even more suspicious. "What other things?"

Trynis's smile lessened. "How about your partner; Eliarainne Sialsanderin?"

Trynis quickly noted the reaction from Makaelthos. There was an immediate change in the way he tensed up. She had guessed right about them then.

"What about her?" Makaelthos's response dripped suspicion and worry. It was obvious to her that he was not comfortable about having this subject.

"What is she to you, Makaelthos?" Trynis asked. "That's quite the touching scene, you helping her take off her armor. I'm surprised that you didn't go the extra mile."

Makaelthos frowned at her hinting. Trynis was reminding him of what they used to do back then. She would ask him to take of her coat for her, then her boots…and then…he focused once again on the present situation. "I'm not like that anymore, Trynis." He answered. "Besides, Eliarainne is nothing more than a friend and my partner."

Trynis was not convinced. While she maintained a calm and amused exterior, it took effort to ignore the burn of jealousy. Who was this knight that she deserved so much of Makaelthos's concern? "Is she?" She asked. "Is that enough reason for you to wait for her in that tavern each time she comes from her home? That merchant in Alberta wasn't really going to lend you his warehouse if you didn't look like you were going gut him on the spot and I'm quite sure that you were resolved to do that if necessary. Besides, she's the reason for our situation now, isn't she?"

Makaelthos's voice became impassive as Trynis spoke. Her reasons also served as a reminder to him that his every move was being watched. "What I do, Trynis, I do out of duty." He answered. "Eliarainne is one of Prontera's best knights. It is my duty as her partner to keep her alive."

Trynis's eyes narrowed. Duty…it was all that Makaelthos talked about these days. "What about your duty as my right hand, Makaelthos?" She asked. "Just what makes you decide which duty to fulfill anyway?"

Makaelthos had only one answer for that. "Even when I was still a swordsman, I've had qualms in what we did." He replied. "Some might call it a conscience or a sense of honor. I just started listening to those qualms and, when I did, I became more at peace with myself. It's something I realized the day I decided to leave NightKnife."

Trynis stared contemptuously at him. "Honor…you've become so much like them, Makaelthos." She said. "Still, I will have you back though there's nothing much I can do tonight. I will see you soon, Mak."

Makaelthos watched as Trynis Eviskrae opened his door to leave.

"By the way, I don't think that was the Payon spirits talking."

Leaving that last remark as a warning of sorts, she vanished, leaving Makaelthos to wonder if he had truly stepped out of her shadow.

World Notes

Injustice – the original injustices were the gaolers and torturers of Glastheim's gigantic prisons. Due to the constant presence of dark rituals in their workplace and the crushing horror of their work, these men and women were warped to their very cores. When Glastheim was all but destroyed, they remained in their workplaces to be joined by other demons such as the rybios. Their corruption continued as they propagated until they became the injustices known at the present. Injustices lurk the ruins of Glastheim's dungeons and torture chambers. They practice their own twisted version of the assassin's art and are able to interact with humans.

Payon spirits – a potent alcoholic drink made from the potatoes native to the mountainous region of Payon.

Morroc Wine – a strong drink made from the grapes grown in Morroc.