Beginning: Victoria
Chapter 21
The dust settles and the ground stops shaking. The assassin lifts his hand, brushes the dirt from his eyes and coughs to clear his throat. He looks around and sees the four others opening their eyes in amazement that they are still alive. Zenith looks up and can see the night sky through holes in the floor above the cellar. The blast has destroyed everything above ground. He sees that Valencia can't stand and walks clumsily towards her and Jaimus.
"It will just take me a little time to heal myself," says Valencia. "I'm fine... I just need to catch my breath and stop feeling so dizzy to concentrate."
"Take your time," says Jaimus helping the cleric.
Zenith stands not knowing what to do. He feels quite dizzy himself. Leaning against a wall, he presses his forehead against the stone still warm from the ball of flames. He can hear Dark Lord and his sensei speaking behind him.
"I need to go in search of survivors and Sitting Bull," says Dark Lord.
"And I?" asks Zenith's sensei.
Dark lord is silent for a while and then finally sighs.
"Carry out your initial orders," says Dark Lord.
Zenith shakes off the dizziness on those words and turns to go after his sensei. The man is already out of the cellar. Zenith leaps forward but Dark Lord stops him.
"Call off the order," says Zenith. "Please."
Jaimus looks up at the pair confused.
"I can't," says Dark Lord. "We both know that we are bind to the treaty and that our agreement with the council on this subject is final."
Zenith stops resisting and stares blankly passed his leader. Why is he putting up such a fuss, he wonders? Could it be because of his past with Sira's father? Does he, despite his position in the protection council, disagree with the methods? He knows it's true. Zenith never had agreed with the way people had been exterminated in the past. His duty is one that had been passed down from his father and grand father. A chill runs down his spine as he remembers the night with Sira's father. The man's shear presence made him freeze in fear. He had such a powerful aura around him. Fear of the dragon spirit itself could be why Zenith never opposed the council before and continued to train with them. He doesn't know what to do. He doesn't know what to think. All he knows is that he has an overwhelming need to protect the Sira. He does not want to live through his past incidents again.
"Zenith," says Dark Lord, now very close so only the assassin can hear. "I am not going to stop you."
"But you should," answers Zenith closing his eyes.
"There is a lot you still do not know," says Dark Lord.
Zenith opens his eyes.
"If the gods may have it," says Dark Lord. "And you are able to find Sira alive... Go to Ossyria. There will be a ship in Ellinia. People from Ossyria have come to help us. The man we are dealing with in this war originates from Ossyria."
Zenith steps back. Ossyria? He thinks the idea is preposterous. Ossyria is a barren winter wasteland filled with terrifying monsters and a group of outcasts more dangerous then anyone in Victoria, or so is said. He goes to protest, but Dark lord is already leaving.
"Good luck," says Dark Lord, disappearing into the night above.
