Crimson Twilight: Dusk

Chapter 44: Rainfall

"I can go wherever I damn please, Eliarainne!" Cafilex shouted. "You have no right to tell me otherwise!" He slammed his hands against his bargaining table as he stared at his only daughter. The nerve of this girl! Cancelling his meeting with a client and then barging into his office to tell him to never visit the knight barracks again!

"I'm asking you, father." Eliarainne tried to keep her voice even. She had reminded herself that Makaelthos was able to deal with her father without flying into a rage. She had tried counting and she was already at two hundred without feeling even a fraction of her building rage dissipate. Nothing was working. "I'm asking you to stay out of the Regular Army's business and to stop hounding Makaelthos. Not only that, I also want you to cancel my engagement to Eldorius Sevrisn."

"I will not do either, Eliarainne!" Cafilex retorted. "I will not rest until that ditch knight is put in his proper place. As for your engagement to Eldorius, it will be over soon enough. Your wedding has been scheduled two weeks from now. The Sevrisns have already hired a priest to attend to the matter."

Eliarainne felt her control splinter. Talking to her father was like trying to move a Greatest General. He was rooted to the spot and he kept flailing away with everything he had when someone tried to move him. "You did not consult me about this matter again!" She said; her voice rising. "I am not marrying Eldorius Sevrisn! Not now nor two weeks from now!"

Cafilex raised an eyebrow as if challenging her. "And why not?" He asked. "It will be for the good of both parties, Eliarainne. Yours especially! Why are you being so stubborn about this?"

Eliarainne felt her head starting to throb and it was still early morning. Why was she being stubborn? She was the one being stubborn in this matter? "Why?" She retorted. "Because Eldorius is a lecherous bastard who can't see past his own slobbering desires! Because this isn't to benefit me, it's for your own business! Besides, I-!" She stopped herself. 'What was I thinking? I'm not-'

Cafilex's indignant reply broke past Eliarainne's thoughts. "You…what?" He asked. "You have someone else in mind? Why don't you tell me? And tell me why he's so much better anyway!"

Eliarainne felt her control snap. "Because you're a stubborn, old fool who can't see past your miserable business to ever bother about knowing what I feel or want!" She snarled. "You and Eldorius deserve each other, father! Why don't you marry him if you want their business that bad?"

Cafilex jumped to his feet at the remark. "Hold your insolent tongue, Eliarainne!" He shouted. "I ought to-!"

Eliarainne's voice lowered into a dangerous challenge. "You ought to what?" She asked. "Disown me? Why don't you do so already, Cafilex Sialsanderin? You've already stopped being my father the day I became a swordswoman!"

Cafilex lowered his voice as well. "Is this that ditch knight's idea?" He asked.

Eliarainne's eyes narrowed. The constant mention of "ditch knight" was really grating into her as much as it would have grated on Makaelthos. It was an undeserved and spiteful term that betrayed a person's judgmental attitude. "None of this is Makaelthos's idea, father." She answered. Once more she tried to control herself. She didn't want this conversation to fall into the same routine she had with her father. She refused to blow up and storm out of the house without resolving anything. "I'm asking you again to at least leave him alone if you cannot get your nose out of my affairs."

The blacksmith crossed his arms as he stared at Eliarainne. He showed no signs of giving in to either demand. "You've thwarted me so many times, Eliarainne." He said. "I will not let you ruin this."

The moment Eliarainne heard those words, she immediately clutched her head. The throbbing was increasing. She could feel fury rise to her chest. It surged inside her and threatened to explode into something violent. Already her hands were itching for the feel of oridecon. "You take that back." She said. Her voice was barely above a whisper but it wasn't due to control.

Cafilex remained silent.

"Take that back, damn you!" Eliarainne shouted. She pointed her halberd menacingly at her father's throat.

Cafilex did not flinch. "You would kill me, Eliarainne?" He asked. "For what? For whom?"

Makaelthos waited patiently outside Sialsanderin Manor. He could hardly believe that his partner actually wanted to visit her father at a time like this. Despite the strange circumstances, he had a feeling that the outcome will not change. Cafilex's stubborn nature was all too familiar to him. 'It must run in the family.' He thought. 'It's not that Eliarainne's any less stubborn.' He felt something wet drop on his cheek. He looked up at the gray skies above him. The skies had been overcast for a few days already. Rain was common during Pronteran autumns. Soon it would be snow falling out of the sky instead of water. "It's going to rain." He said to himself. He continued to stare at the sky; allowing the rain drops to fall to his face. Morning rains always did possess a melancholy atmosphere for him.

"Still watching the rain, Makaelthos?" Someone spoke to him from a distance. "You haven't changed."

Makaelthos turned towards the sound of the voice. He often disliked hearing familiar voices that did not remind him of anyone from the Regular Army. Still, with this one he could make an exemption. "But I have, Kallifen." He replied. "I wouldn't have left if I hadn't."

The voice laughed as Makaelthos turned to face it. He allowed himself to smile at Trynis Eviskrae's former bodyguard. Kallifen was an assassin who once served with him as servants to the Eviskrae family. When Trynis's father was murdered by rival rogues and assassins, they had escaped along with his only daughter; Trynis. It was through their hard work that she managed to eventually found NightKnife. "Quite true, Makaelthos." Kallifen said with a smile. "It's quite obvious now why you'll never change your mind. Although, Mistress Trynis seems to think so otherwise."

Makaelthos's smile disappeared at the mention of Trynis. "How is she these days, Kallifen?" He asked.

Kallifen stroked his graying goatee and watched Makaelthos curiously. "You're still concerned about her?" He replied. "That's surprising, Makaelthos. I thought you had severed your ties with each other when you left NightKnife."

Makaelthos avoided Kallifen's stare. It was true; he still cared for Trynis in some ways. Though not as he used to. He just didn't want her to come to any harm, especially with murdering monsters like Creivil working for her now. "I'm more concerned with how she's handling NightKnife these days." He said. "Creivil's presence concerns me."

Kallifen's expression grew serious. "As it does me, Makaelthos, Mistress Trynis's actions of late are sources of major concern among us longtime members."

Makaelthos watched Kallifen curiously. The years were beginning to wear on the assassin. There were a lot more grays in his hair and beard and a lot more lines around his face. Life had never been easy for an Eviskrae retainer and Makaelthos would always feel guilty that he likely aged Kallifen by several years by leaving NightKnife. It was strange though that the assassin would take the time to tell him all this. "What has she been doing?" He asked.

Kallifen seemed hesitant to reply and Makaelthos could understand. Trynis's suspicion of her own guild members bordered on paranoia so there was no doubt that they were being watched by someone from NightKnife. "The change of guild policies has been…tolerable." He answered. "What bothers me is her constant fixation on you. A lot of members who so much as mentioned your name carelessly have paid for it with their lives."

Makaelthos's concern over NightKnife increased. It had occured to him that Trynis would react like this to his departure but not to this extent. He had thought, no, he had hoped that Trynis would eventually move on. Perhaps find someone else and focus on her ambitions. Five years had passed and Makaelthos's hope had waned severely.

Kallifen continued describing the situation. "Creivil and a group of like-minded assassins and rogues want a confrontation between you and Trynis." He said. "They're hoping that, once Trynis kills you, NightKnife will stabilize again."

Makaelthos's eyes narrowed. "And what would you have me do?" He asked.

Kallifen prepared to leave. "There are two things you can do." He answered. "You can either rejoin NightKnife and resume your role as Trynis's right hand or you can end up dead. It's the only way she's ever going to stop."

Makaelthos's gaze lowered. Kallifen may as well have asked him whether he wanted to live or die in Trynis's name. Everything he could do seemed to be under her influence. "I cannot do either, Kallifen." He answered.

Kallifen flicked his long, braided hair casually. His mustache twitched slightly, a sign of either irritation or amusement. It was the latter that was apparent when he spoke again. "I thought so." He said. "Then all I can tell you is this. Step out of Trynis's influence before she consumes you once again. Nightknife isn't as passive in this war your city has been."

Makaelthos shifted his attention towards the manor. The rain was getting stronger now. "Is this all you came here for, Kallifen?" He asked.

Kallifen smiled in response. "In truth, I wanted to catch a glimpse of your new partner, Makaelthos." He answered.

Makaelthos did not bother turning. He knew instinctively that Kallifen had already gone. As if on cue, Eliarainne stormed out of her mansion. "How did it go?" He asked her.

To Makaelthos's surprise, Eliarainne's voice sounded more tired than angry. "He won't budge, damn him!" She replied.

The both of them walked towards the First Knight Division's station. The attack was to begin about a few hours before noon; long enough for the First to Third Wizard Divisions to assault the kobold tribes along with the doppelganger's division. His eyes narrowed as he recalled the strange smile on "Sir Buck's" face. The doppelganger had succeeded in earning the trust of the Regular Army. It was a good thing that he was assigned to handle the remaining kobolds. It would have complicated matters if he had a direct way to combat the remaining immortals that besieged Prontera.

"Makaelthos." Eliarainne spoke.

Makaelthos looked at his partner. She was staring at her hands. What worried him was that her fingers were shaking. "Yes, Eliarainne?" He replied.

Eliarainne turned to stare at him. He grew even more concerned. It seemed as if every confrontation she had with her father sapped more of her flagging strength. That she wasn't getting enough sleep was also starting to take its toll. "About those things my father told you." She began.

Makaelthos kept silent as Eliarainne hesitated. It took a lot to avoid aggravating Cafilex Sialsanderin with a retort each time the blacksmith called him a ditch knight. However, as much as he wanted to make Cafilex eat every word he spat out, he knew that it would only worsen Eliarainne's already deteriorating relationship with her father. "I don't mind it." He said.

Eliarainne did not seem convinced. "It's just that…he's making a complete ass of himself and he has to involve you into this whole thing." She went on "Each time he calls you ditch knight I just feel that it's partially my fault."

Makaelthos smiled briefly. "Well it's not, Eliarainne." He replied. "Cafilex does what he does without ever considering you so why should you take the blame for his actions?"

Eliarainne to muster a smile and failed. The rain was really falling now. It ran down their armor and soaked their capes. Her eyes spoke of emotions trying to burst through. Still, she held them back. "But it is!" She insisted. "He's doing this because I can't make him stop. I could put a stop to this engagement business if I just…if I-"

Makaelthos's face grew serious.

"Get out of her influence before she consumes you again…"

He continued walking; picking up the pace. It was almost as if he was trying to escape the situation. "Battle's starting soon." He said. "Don't let your father distract you, Eliarainne, we need you at your fighting form today."

Eliarainne stopped walking.

"For whom?"

"It's not about him, Makaelthos. It's-"

Makaelthos stopped as well. He did not turn to look at his partner. He dreaded the words that would come next. What made it so frightening was that he wanted to hear them and, at the same time, he was wary of the consequences. "Eliarainne-" He began.

"I'm in love with you."

Makaelthos froze as soon as the words reached him. The rain was really pouring now.

Eliarainne felt her chest tighten when he remained silent. She had finally blurted it out; the words that she had wanted to say to Makaelthos for the years they served together. It had been torture when she thought about it so she had kept it to the back of her mind. She did not want to drive Makaelthos away with her feelings but the whole engagement with Eldorius kept bringing those same feelings to her each time it was mentioned. And now...she couldn't help it.

The silence grew unbearable. Makaelthos continued to stare at the rain. Finally he decided to speak.

"Don't be."

Makaelthos's words were barely audible amidst the noise of the raindrops hitting the stone pavement. Nonetheless, they reached Eliarainne. She stood there for a long time as he began to walk once more.

'I…I-' Was all she could think.

Another inner voice seemed to scream inside Eliarainne.

'You fool! You weak, pathetic, fool! Relying on fleeting emotions like child!'

Eliarainne clutched her head painfully. The feeling was both terrible and strangely welcome. The hurt was too much for her. It felt as if Makaelthos had turned around and stabbed her with his saber. She could feel the imaginary blade twist inside her chest. All she needed to feel now was-

Eliarainne's eyes turned red.

From the darkened halls of Glastheim, Baphomet stirred within his lair. He felt a presence he never expected. 'Another demon roams Prontera? Interesting...perhaps I should welcome it to Rune-Midgard.' He thought. He licked his fangs and grinned. There was only one way a demon greeted another demon. His crescent scythe flashed menacingly in the darkness.