"Gremana?" Heart read with a stirring intrigue in her voice.
"It's worth a try to at least get some rest an' food," I nodded along.
"Not to mention supplies," she added.
With that, Heart and I headed to the gate we found locked tight. Iron rods kept us from being able to slip by. However, we did see a guard inside a post just outside them, seeming rather shaky as he looked about. Heart tilted her head as she walked over, while I stood back so he couldn't get a good look at my face, just in case. Despite my recent good behavior, I was still a wanted man.
"Sir, is everything okay?" she asked politely.
His armor clanged as he jumped in his boots, and turned to face her. He was a young soldier, with curled blond hair and frightened green eyes, far too young and inexperienced for a position such as his.
"W-What are you doing outside the gates...miss, and so close to nightfall?!" he questioned while trying to control his chattering teeth and wobbly knees.
"We're actually seeking shelter and rest for the night," Heart mentioned calmly.
The guard looked to me briefly but didn't seem to recognize me. That or he clearly had other concerns, as he waved me forward.
"W-We can provide shelter of course, as for rest I am not so certain...not in Gremana," he offered apologetically.
"Why do you say that, officer?" I asked, with my own curiosity peeked now.
"Gremana has been under siege for weeks now by a strange curse that occurs at nightfall," he spilled, "If there were time, I would strongly advise you seek shelter elsewhere...but I can't in good conscience turn you away now..."
He pulled a lever inside the post, and the gates unlatched and open. Rather than being able to question further, he urged us through. Heart and I shared a bewildered shrug, and walked through to hear the gates slam in place behind us.
"I guess I won't complain too much," I said, "Let's find the inn then?"
The town itself had traces of activity in their winding roads. Footprints made by playing children, wagon tracks of merchants, and other such signs, were scattered throughout Gremanna. Yet now all those signs were all that remained of this. Windows were now boarded up, doors bolted shut, and only a few mandatory guards patrolled the streets. They too paid little mind to us being there, only pausing to give us directions to the inn. The iron clad soldiers were as insistent, as the one at the post, that we get inside.
Those at the inn were just as jumpy, closing the door as soon as they'd let us in. The homely woman and her husband then began shoving a cabinet against the door to keep us in, or something else out.
"We have some silver to offer for a room an' a meal," I offered after helping them with their movement of the furniture.
"Oh, yes, yes, we'll take care of payment in the morning, dearie. I'm afraid dinner will have to be warmed leftovers from the day's special, we don't have time to cook anything fresher," the gray bun topped woman dusted her hands off, before hurrying to the kitchen, "Here, follow me!"
We did as we were told, and followed her through the dismantled inn, that we quickly realized was otherwise empty. Admits her cooking, she offered her name, "You may call me Mrs. Timbers, this is my homely inn. I'd love to give you a better welcome than that, but there simply isn't time. We were expecting to lock in for the night as it is."
"Most folks leave the area well before nightfall around here," the husband mused, while securing some of the closed off windows.
"We just wandered into town," Heart mentioned as she tried to offer help.
"Well I suggest you eat quick, and then get to your room," she answered sharply, "I'm sorry dears, it'll be better in the morning, I'm sure."
Heart looked to me with growing concern, clearly showing in her eyes. All we could do was follow the advise, and eat our warmed soup and bread, that was still pleasantly soft with a nice crunch to the crust. After a week of rations and scavenging, it was quite uplifting to get a hot, home cooked meal in our stomachs. Heart was even given a cold glass of milk to enjoy with it, while I sipped clean water.
"Now up to your room! Hurry now, and keep the light off!" the wife ordered sternly, drudging up the sense of unease washing over Heart and I.
"What's goin' on? Is there a curfew or somethin'?" I asked, "A very strict one?"
"Surely, the soldier at the gate mentioned the town curse?" Mr. Timbers inquired.
"Briefly," I replied.
"Well, you'll see soon enough then," Mrs. Timbers sighed, while handing us the key to the room, "Now go lock up, and sit tight, dearies!"
The woman looked to Heart, before turning to me, "Keep low, and maybe they won't see you."
"They-?!" Heart had exclaimed before we were pushed up to our room to find, and then lock ourselves in as told.
Following the trend; I pushed the dresser up against the door, and found an upturned table against the window facing the street below. Besides a bed, the room was otherwise empty of furniture, or any source of light, or anything else. I looked to Heart, who was double checking the window, before turning back to face to me.
Even in the dark, I could see her nerves jumping from the thickening tension of the town. I walked over to her, and took her by the hand, "It'll be okay, Heart. We'll sit tight for now, an' get some needed rest in the meantime. Maybe there's somethin' we can do to help them?"
"We won't know until we see what they're dealing with, Duke?" she replied.
"I don't think that will stop us much? Jus' try to relax while ya can for now, okay?" I pushed gently while sitting her on the bed beside me.
"I guess we're sharin' tonight?" I tried to tease her a bit to get her to blush, but it was clear she wasn't paying attention to this.
She was focused on that window.
"Ya can't do anythin' exhausted, Heart," I mentioned softly.
"We should take turns keeping watch," she said.
I sighed, knowing she wouldn't give in otherwise, "Alright. I'll take the first watch. You get some sleep, sweetheart."
"Duke..."
"I'll be alright, Heart," I assured her, before she tried to ease herself under the blankets.
While she lay there, I sat up on my side of the bed listening to the silence. I didn't dare let myself drift off, but I did allow my head to lean back against the headboard of the bed. A tired sigh escaped through my teeth, as I glanced at Heart through the dark to find her still awake. Giving a slight smile, I rested a hand over her hair and wove my fingers through the burgundy and ruby pink strands as gently as possible.
For a brief moment, I found myself fighting the urge to lie there beside her. We'd been on the road for so long, that the bed itself was taunting me. As was the chance to have someone so close to share it with. Someone who trusted me to be so close.
However, I settled for stroking her hair when I saw again how tired she was, and how nervous. These weaving motions seemed to help, as she gradually closed her eyes while whispering into the air, "Thank you..."
When she was sound asleep, I smiled, "No problem, darlin'."
Then I sat, and watched the dark for a good long while. Silence was my conversation with the night for a good hour or so. I began to wonder what all the rush had been.
That is until, while listening on, the shambling and shifting of some unearthly movement caught my ears. At first it was so brief, I thought my mind was playing a trick on me to keep me from drifting off to sleep. Then I heard it again, and from then on, it grew louder and multiplied. Easing myself off the bed without a sound, I crept over to the window. Through the sliver of a crack in the boarding, I peered out at the street below our room.
My eye widened, as I bit my tongue to keep from exclaiming even a breath too loud.
In a growing march of a shambling parade, was the procession of the skeletal undead, continuing on in rows, as though being commanded into battle. Clad in several styles of armor spanning over time, and wielding all manners of weaponry, they soldiered on in search of a bewildering goal. Almost all were on foot. However, one armored figure road upon the mount of a fleshless horse, whinnying sharply to declare their arrival. This is what awoke Heart, as she looked immediately to see I wasn't beside her. Her eyes scanned through the dark to meet my one, as I motioned for her to stay quiet and move towards me carefully. She then slipped beside me to find what I already had, stifling a gasp as she did.
When one of the soldiers looked up without eyes to see, I had already pulled her from that crack in the boarding and held her against the wall with me. Neither of us dared to breath.
At first, despite their horrifying existence in it of itself, they moved peacefully along the streets. They seemed almost like phantoms, not even bothering to interact with the world around them. That is, until they caught sight of a guard forced to patrol through the haunted road. With a horrid cry from the knightly armored warrior, they charged forth, quickly outnumbering the elderly soldier, clearly forced out of retirement from his shaky stance trying to defend himself. Even if I could get down there, it wouldn't have been in time as they swarmed him, dragging his now still form along with them. Until it started to move once more; and I realized, that among these skeletons, there were a few fresher bodies joining the ranks.
Heart had noticed this too, and I felt this as she gripped the front of my tunic without a word.
As much as I wanted to help somehow, I knew going down there would be a suicide that didn't even end in mere death. I wasn't going to force her to watch one of her few friends be turned into the suffering undead, or let her become one herself.
After a while, they began trying to get into the blocked off doors and boarded up windows of the buildings along the street. The proof of durancy of this curse was evident, when those barricades held to make them lose interest and move on. Below where we stood, we heard a similar attempt being made to no avail.
Though our breath of relief was premature, as we heard the cracking of wood suddenly fill the room as a force of spiked metal shattered some of the boarding beside us. I quickly slipped a hand over Heart's mouth to cover her startled cry, as I pulled her into the corner of ebony with me. My mind raced for a moment to figure out what to do.
Then, releasing Heart, I crept over to the window just as the morning star broke through the glass and wood. Then it began to shove the cabinet out of the way, moaning and shifting it's bony limbs to try and get in. As it began to push, I was ready on the other side, shoving it right back. Seeing this, Heart hurried over beside me, and gave the boost needed to push the piece of heavy furniture out the window, colliding into the climbing soldier, that now plummeted to the street with it. We immediately ducked down to avoid being spotted by the onlooking soldiers.
Suddenly, I noticed Heart taking a quick breath before grasping the window sill, as the glass and wood from before quickly reshaped itself, boards and all; as though it had never been broken. This seemed to work, as we heard the soldiers marching on with disinterest. However, we stayed down on the floor, so not to risk drawing further attention. As we did, I rested a hand over Heart's in a some sort of offer of comfort. It didn't go unnoticed.
After an hour or so of this the marching below grew distant, until finally silenced altogether. We could feel the panic and dread subsiding for the night through the town, despite the horrors witnessed.
I could see it in her eyes, before I asked, "What do ya want to do Heart? Do we stay an' help, or move on?"
"We have to try," she said as I smiled.
"Alright, but first let's rest up," I advised when I saw the fatigue from our travels finding her, with the adrenaline washing away.
"I can take the first watch," she attempted as I shook my head.
"I get the feelin' the worst of it is over for the night," I assured her.
When she gave in, and rested her body beside mine, I carefully rested a protective arm over her. She looked to me a bit bewildered by this gesture, but I insisted, "This way we'll feel the other move if there's trouble."
I didn't dare admit, that it was just I wanted to look out for her. I didn't attempt to utter a word, that holding her against me had caused my heart to pound with the surge to protect someone I was rapidly growing quite fond of. Instead, I settled for her head resting against my arm as I lay on my side. My other arm remained over her, in a shield of sorts, while that hand brushed against her cheek to get the hair out of her tired eyes. Instead, I said to her as she drifted back to sleep at last, "I won't let anythin' hurt ya, as long as I'm able to protect ya, sweetheart."
Why was the urge to kiss her forehead so hard to fight, until I finally fell asleep myself?
When morning found us, we got to right to work. Even through breakfast, provided by the Timbers couple.
"I take it you got the answers to your questions last night?" the husband sighed tiredly, while rubbing the back of his neck.
"It only gave us more actually," I replied, "For instance, why does that happen? What are they tryin' to do?"
"We're not really sure. They're march through the town started about two months ago. At first, it was only a few stragglers; but their numbers grew each night. We can only guess they're looking to expand their army. Every night a life is taken, and then they march along with them as though instantly commanded," Mrs. Timbers explained while bringing us a glass of milk and a cup of water.
"What about the guards? You're tellin' me, you rely on a handful to try and stop them?" I questioned.
"They did at first. The skeletal soldiers would fall back at first...until they dug up more to help. They quickly grew to outnumber our forces. Now its down to those like our son, guarding the gates, and the few volunteers to try and fight," Mr. Timbers said gravely.
"They're being sent out to be slaughtered that way," Heart said, "From what we saw, they'd be better barricaded inside with the rest of the town. They lose interest in conflict easily from what we saw last night."
"Mayor Graives insists on at least a guard or two making a patrol just in case," the fatigued father mentioned.
"Wait, the mayor? What else does he say in all of this?" Heart asked.
"A lot actually," Mrs. Timbers grumbled, "That we need to be brave and patient, until a solution can be found. That's why there's a strict curfew at sundown. All trade starts early so we can still make a living. However, those who have stayed to see our town's infliction have sense fled and no doubt spread word of warning to others. Our resources are starting to dwindle."
"Well, while we're here, we'll happily pay for room an' board," I assured them.
They both looked to us with eyes as wide as tea saucers. The mother stammered, "Y-You're staying here?!"
"How else can we help solve this problem?" Heart asked in encouragement
"You saw how dangerous it is out there at night! If you try to fight you'll join them!" Mrs. Timbers protested.
"We never said we'd be fighting; but there has to be an answer as to why this is happening," Heart pointed out, "Maybe we can find a way to put this curse to rest?"
"Oh dearies, that's awful brave of you; but we can't ask you to do this," she insisted.
"You don't have to ask," Heart pushed back pleasantly.
"Well then..." Mrs. Timbers pondered, "If you really intend on this, we'll give you a bit of a discount."
"That's kind of you, but you need the money yourselves," I parried.
I then looked to Heart, as she finished her milk and suggested, "So the mayor then?"
"You can try and speak with him, but I don't think you'll get much more out of him," Mr. Timbers shrugged, "he's been doing the same as everyone else."
"Other then sendin' young men an' women to their death on this patrol?" I mentioned.
With that, we headed out, and I quickly took note of the left over footprints of the elderly fallen soldier from the night before. More so where they'd been stationed, around the mayor's home, I realized with a smirk, "Where there's a guard, there is loot."
It felt strange waltzing up to the front door and knocking. Then again, no one seemed to notice who I was thus far. They had far bigger problems to worry about, than a thief, to deal with. From inside, we could hear someone walking up to the door before it opened.
Standing at the door, with a rather assuming expression on his face, his brow raised in surprise before hand. He was dressed in rather fine clothes, making his station apparent to us and anyone else who saw him. His long grayed hair was combed back and oiled to stay in place as it hung just over his shoulders. Despite his older age he carried himself like an old, but still able general. He was dressed as such as well, wearing a clean and well kept tunic, with leather armor underneath. Those old boots of his clacked against the polished wood of his floor. His grayed eyes looked down at us. Despite being just about as tall as me. When he clearly noticed the scales on Heart's arms, he raised a brow again, "A dragonblood here of all places?"
Heart didn't shy away from this remark, nor the presuming look in his eyes, "We're trying to get some answers about the skeleton army that marches through the town at night."
"We were hopin' you could answer some questions clearly you've been dealin' with it more directly than your people have?" I masked my contempt to try and give him the benefit of a doubt.
"I have," he retorted dryly, "And I don't really have time for this."
"Look, we just want to help. Perhaps there's something we can help find to calm their curse? From what we saw, they don't seem to be on the warpath so to speak," Heart attempted.
The mayor looked to Heart as though she'd sprouted an extra head on her shoulders,
"Not on the warpath?! They take at least one soldier every night?! They destroy property on some insane hunt?!"
"Maybe they're looking for somethin'?" I suggested.
"Look could we just talk, maybe you could tell us what you've observed from them?" Heart tried again.
With a disgruntled sigh, he waved us in and closed the door behind us. He then lead us to his study lined with several books and maps upon the shelves. It was a smaller display than the recently deceased baron, but would still be rather impressive. It was also better kept, along with the house in general. His desk was covered in forms to look over and sign, a few in regards on how to deal with the crisis at hand. Others were pulled files of retired soldiers, along with other more able possible fighters to be brought in to carry on the task. I couldn't help but notice the agreement to pay handsomely to the next of kin, should they fall due to the circumstances.
"This can't go on forever, mayor," Heart said, "Sooner or later you'll run out of soldiers, willing or not."
"You don't think I know that?" he bit back.
"Have you noticed anything about the army, anythin' that could help us search for an answer to their call?"
With a sigh, and a roll of his eyes, he finally gave an answer, "The army began their march two months ago, growing in numbers ever since. They seem to be coming from the nearby burriel grounds, based on their armor. Any men I have sent to investigate have vanished, dragged into their ranks for not making it back in time. Those at their posts have recorded their march starting at sundown, though it is slow, and it reaches here by 10, and lasting until well passed midnight. Then they return to their graves to rest, only to start all over again the next nightfall. Anyone who has tried to fend them off have perished, only to join them."
A chill ran up my spine as I looked to Heart. Then the mayor added, "The only bit of comfort I have seen in all this, is that these soldiers seem to respect their new recruits, enough to dig up graves for their beds, pushing the boundaries of the cemetery grounds."
"None of them are left behind, they all end up there?" Heart asked.
"From what little reports have been found, yes," the mayor stated grimly
"So others have escaped the grounds, but were attacked along the way?" I asked.
The mayor nodded.
While he'd been explaining, I'd been looking around the room rather quietly. When he had turned to Heart, I slipped close to the desk to shift some papers back and forth soundlessly. I raised a brow at my findings, something about how to deal with the undead with charms and such. I made note of the talismans posted on the inside of his windows, as well as over doors. Yet there were no notes on why he would need such measures. Though looking around, I could see a few treasures from his days in battle, placed and cared for with the utmost respect. Medallions from over the centuries, a few rings from fallen warriors, weaponry hung on the walls that were dulled, but still sang of battles won and lost. A few treasures were even worn by the mayor himself; such as rings of protection, and others to keep him at fair health, and a silver spiraling charm with rings guarding it's shape that hung carefully around his neck, looking to be quite favored and worn as though it had been lovingly caressed.
"Do you think they're looking for something?" Heart asked.
"That, I could not tell you," he replied, "All I know is that they attack each night, taking lives and trying to break into the homes of the people here."
"Yet your home is the only one guarded?" I slipped, to then receive a hardening glare from the public official.
"If I fall, then so does the town. I have to manage this the best that I can. However, in order to do that, I must rely on my guards to protect-"
"Protect you, while they die at your doorstep?" I pushed a little.
"They protect this town so we can survive; and then we can build into something far grander when this plague is over!"
"If it even ends! The way things are goin', ya won't have much of a town to build on if they continue to destroy it!" I snapped, "Ya need to find out what they're after!"
"You are speaking rather boldly for someone who's only had to deal with this a single night! Who gave you the authority to take this on in the first place?!" the mayor spat, as he stood up from the arm chair he'd been sitting in.
"No one; but in my one night here, I saw some poor old soldier dragged away into an undead servitude, while you hid away in here! All this weaponry, an' ya did nothin'!" I didn't back down.
"What exactly did you do?!" he demanded.
Without a second thought, I shouted while gesturing a hand towards Heart, "I was protectin' her! We were attacked, an' had to defend ourselves!"
"I would watch your tongue, before I remove it!" the mayor snarled while slamming his own fist down on the desk, causing some of the papers to scatter.
At this, Heart leapt to her feet and grasped for my arm to pull me back, as I said, "You're lettin' innocent people get killed! Your town is goin' to fall into ruin if somethin' isn't done!"
The mayor then took a step back, and let out a scoff as he somewhat realized, or assumed anyway, "That isn't your concern though is it, thief?"
I paused where I stood, trying to calm myself down as he walked around me, like a predator toying with a bit of prey, "You didn't think I recognized you, did you boy? How could I not with the loss of that eye of yours, marking you for exactly what you are, it's been added to your reward posters, hasn't it? I'd have had you completely blinded if you'd been caught here."
"That's suggestin' I was ever caught in the first place!" I growled, barely keeping my temper in check.
"Concern of ours or not we're trying to help you!" Heart pushed, while remaining with her arms around my one, almost protective in nature, and a bit un-phased by what was said to me just then?
"How is a vagabond pickpocket, and some wanna be magician, going to help us? Can either of you turn the undead, cleanse them, or even fight them off?" he asked, making my blood boil with every word.
"My suggestion for the two of you, is that you both leave; before I have him arrested, or the army of the undead claims you both in this reckless pursuit!"
With that, we were shown out. When he reached for my shoulder to shove me along, I assured him I could leave on my own, and did with Heart's hand in mine. The door slammed shut behind us, with a heavy bolt keeping him inside.
"Coward!" I hissed under my breath, before I felt a gentle tug on my hand.
Looking to Heart, I found sapphires offering understanding that I still wasn't used to. I almost pulled away from her, with a rush of anger and shame trying to cloud my usual confidence and pride. Taking a deep breath helped to clear my head.
"Let him hide away in there! We don't need his help!" she advised in a very soft tone, while meeting my remaining eye with hers, adding with such sincerity, "I'd rather adventure with a brave an' compassionate rogue, than a cold, spineless soldier like him."
Again I looked to her, and found I wanted to kiss her to breathe in those sweet words; but knew this wasn't the time or place.
"It seems we're headin' to the burial grounds for answers," I suggested, "We won't find anymore here."
"We'll go together," she assured, and I found there was no arguing with her on this.
As we'd been warned, the road to the burial grounds was a bit of a trek. It was mid day by the time we reached the creaking of the opening gates.
"We'll have to keep an eye on the time somehow," Heart mentioned.
To this, I produced a polished silver pocket watch, with a grin curving my scarred lip, "Got that covered sweetheart."
"Where did you get that?"
I shrugged, "The mayor decided he wanted to help out in some way after all."
She bit her lip, in an attempt not to smile, "Duke, you really should be careful still."
"I think he has bigger things to worry about than a missin' pocket watch," I retorted, while slipping the heirloom into my inner lined tunic pocket.
We then began looking over the graves, and finding they were indeed turned up from various means. Some were dug out with aid, others had clawed their way up, or used weapons to pierce an opening through. Then they were filled in once again with loose blankets of soil, dried grass, and dust. Several names were engraved in the headstones, while fresher graves had piled stones to mark them.
"There seems to be a sort of respect to all of this," Heart mentioned in a quiet tone.
While we walked along the quiet grounds, I noticed how unusually solemn Duke was now. Then again, seeing how many makeshift graves there were, I soon realized it was a quiet anger that ran through my companion.
"This isn't how ya look out for those that count on ya! If ya can't do the job, then don't ask for it!" Duke growled, barely under his breath.
We had come to the most recently made graves, which Duke had examined it closely before he lowered his head in a moment of silence.
"Duke?"
"I wonder how our crew is back in WaterDeep," he mentioned, "It's been a good month or so since we left them in charge."
He then shook his head, "We have precious time as it is."
Our search continued on towards the back of the grounds, where a crypt stood. Upon examining the chains that attempted to keep others out, or in, Duke said, "They were unlocked not long ago. If they were broken out from the inside they would have just pulled apart from the strain. Someone was here. and in so much of a hurry to get away, that they didn't lock it back up."
Putting his gloves on, Duke reached for the stone door's silver handle, and gave a steady pull to open it enough for us to slip inside. Once in, I lit the lamp to give us some light, as we headed down the narrow steps that had been well traveled as of late. They lacked the dust one would expect from such a place.
"They've been comin' up from here too," Duke observed as we reached the bottom and looked about the coffins, finding two side by side in the back center of the room.
"I think I found the commander?" I mentioned as I approached a recently opened coffin, with the remains of a horse resting obediently at it's side, in a sleep of it's own.
"Zarock," Duke read with the aid of the light, "This warrior fell in battle to defend his home, and his love. May his sword, and his soul, be at rest and at peace, knowing he was able to protect them."
"Something must have disturbed his rest," I said, while looking over the closed coffin.
"Do you think he's looking for his beloved?" I asked Duke.
"Ya think she wasn't buried here with him?"
"I don't know...I'm just guessing at this point," I admitted.
"It's not a bad one," he pondered while looking around the darkly lit chamber.
He walked over to the neighboring casket, this one made of satin lined glass, and lined with silver. Without even opening it, we could see the long since fallen loose strands of fair blond hair, now sheer white with age. Their hand was nearly grasping at the rib cage that was their chest.
"Faith?" I read as softly as Duke had.
"Could this be them?"
"If so, then that's not what they're lookin' for," he mentioned.
Leaning forward to examine the long dead figure, Duke handled the casket with the utmost care. It was then that he realized, "They weren't a part of the march last night, but the casket has opened recently."
Both of us then noticed the slight indent left at where their hand rested beside, the matching shape of the pendant we'd seen that very morning.
"He took it," Duke breathed with a quiet fury rising in him.
"You think that's what they're after?" I asked.
He nodded, "I'm certain of it. We need to get it back, an' return it somehow."
"We won't have time to get to town and back before they wake up," I mentioned.
"Maybe we can get it after their march, an' return it in the mornin',? Duke pondered quickly, "We have to get movin'!"
"What time is it, by the way?" I asked as we started to head back up.
Duke slipped the pocket watch, and grew rather still with sudden dread, "It's nearly sunset?!"
Neither of us had realized how long our venture through the crypt had been, and heading back up took a good while too. Taking a breath, Duke then said, "Alright, if we get up there, we can hide away from their path an' head back after them."
Then both our stomachs dropped when we heard the slamming of the door just above, the chains pulling into place, and the mechanism locking tight. Running up, we began trying to get the stone slab back open to no avail. We both pounded our fists against it, crying out that we were still inside to whoever it was we heard walking away, but to no avail.
Duke looked to me, catching my hand before I hit the stone again when he noticed the scrapes appearing on my knuckles. Pulling me back from the door, he said, "Maybe there's somethin' down there we can use to pry it open?"
I nodded and followed along back down to the crypt below. Yet as we met that final step, we both froze, side by side, at what played out before us.
From within the gold and glass casket, we could both see the shifting of the satin. We could hear the bones cracking and shambling to life, before their hands began pushing open the lid, with the lock sliding off as though it were never there. Then the fair haired skeleton, wearing their soft blue robes and gowns; now pulled themselves up, and turned their head to face us directly. Their eyes now glowing an otherworldly shade of the sky's usual azule. They raised their hand, pointing at us as a voice emerged from within our heads. I knew this, as Heart's hand grasped mine tightly in that instant...the moment we both heard...
"Are you a thief...?"
That word stretched out, as though searching our very minds for the answer. I was helpless to resist, as I thought of the countless treasures I'd taken since I was barely 13 years old. Guilt racked my whole frame, as I stood before this being, who could see straight into my soul.
Before I could utter even a word, an unearthly cry emerged from their barely hinged jaw, for both of us to hear,
"The girl is innocent...However,...you, thief;...you will not take anything else from here again!"
"I wasn't-" I attempted, before a sharp pain dragged my voice into a groan as I gripped my sides a moment.
I vaguely heard Heart gasp my name, as my whole body ignited with a rising heat from within, and then stopped abruptly. Standing upright, I attempted to try and find my voice, only for it to speak instead.
"For your crimes, your fate will be swift and just..."
Before Heart could reach out to me, as I saw her starting to, I felt an odd pain in my hands, drawing my attention and panic to them. What we saw, made both our eyes widen. What we heard, made my core begin to twist. Their voice grew more clear, calculating, and feminine, as they must have spoken before,
"As is custom for thieves, I will remove your hands, but replace them with the talons you will need from this day forward..."
At this, my fingers began to stretch, the skin hardening to the talons of a bird of prey, as they were commanded to be. My remaining eye widened in horror as I watched them shift, from my forearms down to the claws that grew out from what were my fingers. Then the heat I'd felt a moment ago began to simmer within me as she cruelly continued.
"Your fate, thief, will be to protect this tomb from your own brethren! Use those claws, teeth, and horns to rend them apart when they trespass!"
Looking to Heart with a horror stricken eye, I could feel panic gripping the heart in my chest. I attempted to speak, feeling my canine teeth growing and sharpening in my jaw, "Heart! Please!"
I didn't know what I was begging her to do? For help? For her to make it stop somehow? For her to stay beside me? What?! Before I could try to figure out my own answer, I would find myself collapsing to my hands and knees. As I did, I would hear Heart scream my name, as my body obeyed the words given to me.
"For you, the frame of a wolf would be better than that of a bear, as you are used to slinking through the dark."
Groans of desperation and agony mingled with my begging to Heart as I looked to her, "H-Heart...please..." what was I trying to tell her? "Heart...I...-!" Cries of pain drowned out the rest, as my frame began to bulk up as directed.
"Duke!" I heard her cry as her hands tried to provide some sort of comfort to my shifting shoulders, "Duke, I'm right here!"
As I tried to grasp for her shoulders, I found myself instead curling up, hunched over and trapped in that convulsing agony. My head was in my talons, as I begged for it to stop. Every memory of my life of crime was forced through my mind, as I took on the form that was now the price I would pay for it all.
"Your tail will help you to balance your new frame, and an ebony coat will help you to slip through the darkness."
None of these words were a suggestion, I knew, as my spine stretched out.
My whole body trembled, as muscle and shifting bones tore at my tunic and armor underneath, leaving me in scraps of cloth, as I shivered and convulsed before Heart like this. Despite all this, I would become very aware that she could now see every hidden scar I bore from over the years. Every slash from a blade, every pierce from a bolt or arrow, every burn that marred parts of my flesh, were now there on display for her to see. I didn't even have a chance to speak to her, in some strange attempt to console her, before I felt a thick ebony pelt of beginning to cover them. My talons clawed at the ground to try and grip anything in my panic, fear, and rising fury. Still, Heart's hands remained steady as she tried to reach out to me. Just as I looked up at her with a blurred vision from the tears welling in my eye, "Heart?"
"Please stop! Please let him go! He was trying to help!"
Yet she ignored Heart's cries.
"Worry not, thief. For your form will remain swift and strong, ready to pounce on those you will hunt!"
Another groan seethed through my sharpening teeth, as the bones of my feet shifted into a blend of lupine and human feet.
"Please, stop!" Heart begged in my place, as I grasped her hands that were still placed on my shoulders, trying to hold onto anything I could to stay as myself in some way.
"Wings will help you in your task, if you should need to guard the outside of our tome from above."
"No! No, please!" I begged, as my shoulder blades shifted beneath my flesh and growing fur, the skin starting to rip and tear while I clung to Heart, "Don't do this!"
She wasn't listening...only Heart heard my cries, but was just as powerless as I was to make it cease. The very air around the mage warned Heart of a similar outcome, should she cast her own spell or attack against the skeletal mage.
Was I holding onto her to protect her from that possibility? Still I scrambled to try and get up, to fight it somehow; but only ended up collapsing into Heart's arms. All the while, I held her tight in what was left of my arms, those talons digging into her shoulders, "Heart!"
Suddenly, an unwillingly scream of pain tore from my chest and throat, as the wings I was commanded to have now ripped through my back in one unforgiving motion. As they unfolded, I gasped in ragged breaths, pleading to Heart without words as tears stained my face and her tunic.
"Now the rest..."
Again, the heat rose in me, and all I knew was fear, panic, and that I was holding onto Heart for some shred of a chance that she could do whatever it was I trying to tell her, "H-Heart...please...!"
"Duke..." I heard her voice shake as she held onto me, withstanding my claws digging into her as I trembled.
As I writhed in her arms, I could feel the thick fur growing over most of my form, though leaving my talon-like arms and wings bare. My ears began to grow and pull into a point, shifting to be more wolf-like in shape and nature.
Then that fury I'd been fighting back with every shred of willpower I had, began to rise. In this rush of heat, I released Heart and tried to stand again, only to stumble onto my paws and talons in place of feet and hands, partially crouched and curled.
"Those who wish to claim what isn't theirs within this tomb, will come to quickly know the fury in your eyes."
"Duke?" Heart attempted, as I began grasping at my own hair, trying to shake away this growing anger as I looked to her.
In this motion and fear, I vaguely felt myself pulling at the strap that secured my eye-patch. Suddenly, I would hear a sudden snap, causing me to inhale sharply as I saw the cloth fall to the ground at my knees. I then tried to cover my face, refusing to let her see, refusing to look at her. Only through those talons, did I manage to see her gently pick up the covering for my deepest scar, and tuck it away into the pouch on her belt. Then she went to reach for me once more, her voice trembling, "Please...let him go..."
"He must pay for his crimes...and he will do so, by protecting this tomb...lingering on to hunt all that would seek to disturb us and take what isn't theirs!"
It was now that I felt a piercing pain at my temples; as well as in my teeth as the canines lengthened into dagger long razor fangs, emerging from the upper and lower lips of my screaming mouth. My talons were gently pulled from my face by careful hands, and I looked to Heart desperately, knowing that horns I was forced to have, now began to spiral out like those of a ram from the sides of my forehead. Still I watched Heart, realizing I could see her with both eyes...or whatever crimson rage that was my sight now.
"Heart...?" I started to growl, rather than speak, as I saw those wide open sapphires remain focused on me in her fear.
"...Duke..." she started to reach for my shoulders to try and pull me back somehow, but I knew I was fading from the thief she'd come to know...I knew it was only a matter of moments before I no longer recognized her as someone I held so dear.
Before I heard the mage's next command, I summoned up what ever was left in my core to cry out to my trembling friend, realizing now what I'd been trying to beg of her, "HEART, RUN!"
"Now my guardian, let out a roar through those jaws, warning all that come here what fate will have in store for them!"
"DUKE!" Heart screamed, too stunned to move, as my cries grew further into growls.
I tried to hold it in! I didn't want to frighten her any further1 I didn't want this! I just wanted to help others, to journey alongside the girl that remained by me, to protect and help her, to see her grow into the magic she'd been willing to show and teach me. I wanted to help her save our home. To show her I was more than a thief.
I wanted her!
Yet now...before I could tell her any of this...these dreams were rapidly stripped away, along with what freedom I had.
Unable to fight it any further, I felt the structure of my own face shifting, my mouth snarling as it formed into the jaws I would rend flesh with when I bit down into it.
I would stop anyone from taking anything else! I would hunt down anyone trying to disturb my domain! With my jaws setting in place, I could no longer hold back, as I let out the only warning I could, as it merged with the roar I let out, "RRRRUUUNNNNNNNNAAARRRRRR!"
Then the heat began to subside; but it certainly didn't die as I looked to the girl trembling before me. Her hands were covering her gasping mouth. Tears welled in her wide open eyes, still shimmering in the dark. Somehow, I knew that she was trying to say something to me? Yet I found that I cared little to know what it was. As I knelt down, hunched over in my new frame, all I knew was what was commanded of me.
"Now our tomb, inside and out, will be your domain. No longer a thief; but a guardian against them. All who disturb our dwelling, may you show them no mercy as you seek them out...and rend them apart!"
"Duke...?" I breathed in shock, as I didn't dare look away from him.
Pained growls and gasps could still be heard emerging from his throat. Searing red light glowed where his eyes should have been, blinding him in a quiet fury.
"Please...please, change him back!" I looked to the mage, trying to gather myself for his sake, "Let him go! He was trying to help!"
I tried to get to my feet, only to stumble from the lingering shock. Again, I attempted to stand to try and get their attention, as the mage looked away, "Let him go!"
He must pay for his crimes!
I barely turned around in time to see Duke preparing to lunge at me. My heart leapt to my throat as I tried to figure a way out for both of us. I glanced over my shoulder to see the imprint of the amulet, left empty at the mage's chest. With this revelation, I breathed, "I have to steal it back!"
Their eyes quickly focused on me, and so did his when I uttered those words. Without a second thought, Duke leapt towards me in a more bestial manner than human, talons out to rend whatever he caught in them. Instinct kicked in as I jumped away from him, managing to evade those claws. Another roar shattered the silence around us as he glared at me. I slightly stepped back a bit further, the dirt and stone shifting under my boots.
Only now did I realize that my lamp light was about to run out of oil. As I glanced at it, I would catch sight of something glistening desperately in the low light, lying upon the floor. Risking to look away from Duke, I would find the delicate gold chain of a necklace near the doorway, where Duke had transformed into the daemon he now was. At the end of the chain, was a sapphire carved into the shape of a heart. Beside the open pouch of his torn off belt, it beckoned my attention. Yet as I went to reach it, Duke focused on me once more and lunged at me, this time knocking me down under his strong frame!
I let out a startled cry as the lantern was knocked out of my grasp, and the light nearly sputtered out. Now lying on my right side, I looked up to see the rage in his eyes, wild and focused all at once. Though I'd managed to avoid his claws, as they planted themselves at either side of me instead. Although not letting me move away, he also didn't attack any further, seeming unsure of what to do next.
"Duke...? Are you still there?" I attempted.
A growl was his answer, as he looked into my eyes. Holding my breath, I managed to pull a hand free from between his talons, and reach up to grasp at that chain. With some stretching of my fingers, I at last felt the thin gold links shift, pulled into full clasp, as I brought it close to me. I didn't know where it was from, nor how long he'd had it...but something told me it was very important to him.
Seeing me grab hold of it, Duke let out another roar, trying to catch my wrist with that talon as I pulled it against my chest. Clutching the necklace close to me, I knew my whole frame was trembling as he gasped with lingering pain. Still the sapphire glistened in my hand, catching his attention with a fury, as he snarled with a voice that was an emotionless imitation of the rogue I knew.
"How dare you?!"
"I'm not trying to take it! I don't want it!" I pleaded, as he reached up a talon, ready to let it fly towards me.
"Give it back thief!"
What was once his hand dropped swiftly to my face as I cried out.
"DUKE!"
Grazing my cheek, his claws slowed to a stop, before drawing any blood. His other hand, firmly planted beside my shoulder, trembled from hearing his name. Then he curled his talons into his palm, before stroking the flesh he'd nearly slashed into, feeling the tears that stained my cheek, as I attempted, "I just want you changed back, Duke..."
I risked a hand to his face, the one not clutching the necklace, and brushed against his right cheek. He shuddered at my touch. The mage looked on over us, and I would hear her warning.
"The thief left in him will erode away soon. I suggest you leave, before this happens. My fury is not meant for you."
"He doesn't deserve this!" I screamed at her, while shakily getting to my feet.
Then I heard it...just as the light went out in the lantern, the shifting of the other coffin. It's marble stone lid grinded across the bottom piece, as it was pushed aside from within. I stood there, between them and the transformed rogue behind me, hearing above, as similar graves shifted in the Earth. Looking over my shoulder, I could see the lingering compassion in Duke slipping away as he gazed up at me in return. Then, reluctantly, I knew what I needed to do.
With that, I grabbed a hold of Duke's sword, left on the ground near the door, and darted up the steps. Behind me, I would hear a harsh roar, climbing up those stairs behind me. His frame shook the stone at my feet as I ran from him. Once again, I was knocked to the ground, as I remembered too late that the door was locked ahead of me. Duke's frame again came crashing down over mine, pinning me down to ask harshly,
"What are you after?! Why are you here?!"
I realized her words were true, as his memory seemed to begin to break away. Still, I looked up at him as he asked these questions, and replied softly, "I want to save you. I want to keep you from slipping away...to keep you from being nothing more than a memory...I have to go and make this right...but I swear I will come back for you Duke! I will not give up on you!"
We then heard the steps approaching from below, and the shifting metal of armor, moving with the lingering warrior emerging from his crypt. Behind us, the lock fell away, and the chains pulled free to allow the door to be opened, if pushed. We could also hear the blade of a great ax, being dragged up along those steps, and then not, as it rose up. I could only guess as to why, with me still inside.
That is,...before Duke swept me up in one taloned arm, and pulled me into the corner of the shrouded corridor. His wings unfolded in a shield of sorts over us, and his other talon closed over my mouth as his hand had the night before. I allowed myself to cling to him, clutching the thick fur over his chest to remind him of how I trusted him then, and still did now. It was then that he noticed the sapphire hanging from the chain I'd managed to loop around my wrist to secure it. He didn't growl over it this time. Instead, he pulled me against him even tighter, as we waited for the door to open, and the warrior passed by. Then the slabs sealed shut, but remained unlocked.
Only now, did Duke pull away and look over me with pained eyes of glowing crimson. Seeing the necklace, he attempted to reach for it. In turn, I unwrapped it and placed it in the palm of his talon. For a brief moment, he clutched it in his claws, before holding it out to me.
"Duke...?"
"Take it...an'...Forgive me...sweetheart...?"
His voice said to me, before the emotion in it faded away. I carefully took the necklace, and clasped it around my neck, making sure it was secure, despite my trembling fingers. Then I would hear, in a more commanding tone,
"Leave, and do not come back here...or I..."
I realized he wasn't going to finish...not so soon, as I looked to him and swore, "I will not forsake you, Duke! I swear it!"
With the door open, I hurried out of the burial grounds. The army had already marched ahead of me; and I realized Duke had been holding me back for just that. Shreds of him were still left in that transformed frame, and I had to move fast if I was to have any hope of keeping him from slipping away.
By the time I got to the gates, the army of undead had already marched through, leaving further destruction and fallen weapons in their wake. Now the streets were still and silent, as the residents in their homes and shops were now able to rest for the remainder of the night. Hopefully this would include the mayor, as I made my way to his now unguarded house.
Seeing the repeat of the tragedy in the dust, drew out a frustrated breath. I then looked over the building to figure a way in. Something told me that if the mayor had taken the necklace in the first place, he was likely not going to give it back of his own accord.
My observations took me around the house, and to a low set window near the kitchen. It wasn't even boarded up as the other homes were, and I remembered the charms posted on the walls inside. They, along with his sacrificial lamb, were sure to keep them too busy in the short time allotted to them to search the town for the amulet. However, it seemed that the talismans only warded off the undead. Which I very much wasn't. In fact, my blood ran quite hot as I thought of why Duke wasn't there with me to steal it back. So breaking in really didn't take that much convincing to myself, as I pried open the window and slipped inside.
My first guess was the study, where the other treasures were kept. Once again I found a nice collection of artifacts, weaponry, and other cherished trophies from battles once fought. Though in light of the situation, I began to wonder just how many of these items were taken from battle, or robbed from the dead and claimed as victories? This brought my attention to something tucked away in a drawer I'd pulled open, inside a small velvet case hidden away. My heart leapt to my throat as I opened it; but then it sank a bit when I found it wasn't what I was looking. However...something about the piece inside did keep my attention a moment. For looking back up at me, was an eye formed of crystal and brown jasper that gleamed without light touching it. Without even a thought commanding my hand, I reached forth and gingerly clasped the rounded gem in my hand. Then I, just as carefully, slid it into my pouch, nestled in the eye-patch still sitting inside it. After slipping the notes for it into the satchel as well, I closed the case and pushed the drawer closed again.
Continuing on, I found there was no sign of the pendant. This would bring me creeping up the stairs to his private chambers. I held my breath with every step. The tension eased slightly, as I heard the deep snoring of the elderly man, masking any sound I might have made. His door, however, I would find locked.
I shook my head, as I recalled Duke using the oddest items for keys, and smiling with quite a bit of pride when it worked. Despite my days as the Black Viper, I didn't have the same experience as him, nor the tools he carried to aid him. Mage hand couldn't work without me seeing the inside either. So my answer was the next room and out the window to scale along the catwalk. Outside his window, I would find the latch locked, but it wasn't nearly as much as a problem now. Casting my hand over the mechanism, I would hear it unlatch smoothly, and then open from the inside to invite me in. Once inside, I stepped lightly towards the bed and found my instincts to be correct. Wrapped around his wrist, was the woven chain that held the amulet in place. I gave a bit of a smirk, as I reached over and began unlatching it and pulling it free. In it's place, I slipped a bit of rope around his arm, along with the other one, before loosely tying them together, just enough to catch him off guard and keep him from grabbing me.
I was about to step back and head towards the window when I pulled my hands back. That was the plan anyway, as his eyes suddenly snapped wide open, and a hiss of a warning was heard from the retired soldier, "I should have known you'd come slinking in here, snake!"
His hand would have flown to grab mine, had it not been for those ropes. Then he realized, as his eyes darted from his wrists and back to my hands, the amulet clasped in one of them, "How dare you?!"
I didn't wait, I flew towards the window as he leapt from his bed. As he untangled himself, I reached for the windowsill to try and leap back over onto the catwalk. Just as I did, he just barely managed to catch my hand in an iron vice of a grip, yanking me right back through! With that same motion, he made sure to toss me into the nearest cabinet, my back buckling from the harsh, abrupt impact.
"I'm not going to let some vagabond, and his lizard companion, take what is mine!" he insisted with vile contempt coughing out.
"We don't want it, and it's not yours to keep!" I bit back, while stabilizing my stance and keeping the charm clenched in my hand.
"Give it back to me, serpent!" he snarled with a few taken steps closer.
Even in his sleep, he'd been ready for a fight, with his leather armor worn beneath his bed tunic. What he didn't know, was that I was about ready for one as well.
"Don't you understand this is what they're looking for?! If we give this back, they may cease in their march! Your town will be safe!"
"If I give it back, all I've worked for will be lost! That amulet is the key to what I seek!" he snapped back with another few steps closer to me.
"Your work has cost the lives of your own people!" I shouted, no longer feeling the need to stay quiet, "All of this would be over if you gave it back!"
"I will save the town my way! I just need a bit more time to complete the puzzle!"
"Your way is what started all of this in the first place! Your way is why he is trapped there now, after trying to clean up your mess!" I yelled, with a rush of fury rising in me.
At this, he took a pause and raised a curious brow as he asked, "So the thief was caught?"
My mouth went dry with disbelief, "What?!"
"You didn't think I'd let that worthless outlaw ruin all my hard work did you? I figured his sentence would be death by this point anyhow, so I simply sped things along," he said, with a tone as though he'd simply crushed a bug under his boot while going for a walk, "And now you're here to avenge this petty pickpocket as he joins the army of undead?"
In this sliver of a chance, I felt something snap as my hand flew to his throat and clenched it rather tight. With this, came a burst of energy sent through me to him. He choked out a snarling cry, as he looked me in the eyes, with my words drenched in a fury, "You have condemned him to a fate far worse than that, you wretch! Your hands are drenched in the blood of your crimes, and you speak of his, while he pays for yours?!"
He scoffed, despite the hold I still had on his neck, "Why should I feel remorse for one less filthy thief roaming this Earth?"
I couldn't begin to list the ways one thief had done more good in my life than the countless heroes and regal blooded people I'd come across in my travels. That one outlaw had risked his own freedom to give mine back to me.
"Why should I feel compassion for the scaled beast that has broken into my home to free a vile criminal from his sentence, and by taking what she shouldn't even touch?" he questioned, while looking down his narrow and crooked nose.
Ignoring his degrading remark towards me, I said in an icy tone, "This isn't a sentence, but torture and a curse that you've forced upon him!"
With that, I felt another rush of energy surge through me, this one harsher, as it flowed into him from my fingertips, that dug into his neck still. He let out a gargling yowl, as his eyes rolled back and he slumped to the floor once I released him. Short rapid breaths of my own, were the only other sound I heard at first. Then I knelt down to check for his pulse and felt it still going. Using some of the rope I still had in my pack, I tied the unconscious mayor to the bed post, and slipped out of the room. It seemed that the mayor was distrusting of people in general, for there was no one else in the house to hear the struggle. This was also fortunate, due to how drained I felt after using that much magic.
However, I couldn't afford to be tired. Every moment was possibly the last that Duke had.
So I hurried outside to find his horse, in a stable towards the back, and did what I could to carouse it into following me. One of these things was offering one of the apples I'd swiped from his own kitchen. This seemed to help, as I promised him, "There will be more, if you take me where I need to go?"
It seemed to work, as I was able to saddle up and climb on without him resisting much at all. I patted his mane to ease his snorts of confusion. Then I looked at the reigns and breathed out, "Let's go!"
With that, we were off; and I ignored how exhausted I was by clutching the reigns to not fall off.
Riding a horse was quite a bit faster. Even if the mayor had woken up, it would take a while for him to get free and catch up without a horse. Hopefully by that point, this would be all over, and Duke and I would be long gone to evade his wrath.
I tied the horse to the gate so it would not roam free, and offered another apple as a thank you. Then, making sure the amulet was in my hand, I started through the grounds. Only adrenaline and desperation could have pushed me along those gravestones without miss-stepping. As I walked, I noticed a few more had been added, and I shook my head silently. Once more I found the crypt door unlocked, and a bit easier for me to push open from the recent uses. I kept my lantern off, relying on careful steps all the way down. For I wasn't sure what would happen if I were seen by this point. With this unnerving thought, I tried to listen for what was ahead, down along that stone stairwell. My hand carefully brushed along the cold marble for support and direction.
When I found the chamber where the two coffins rested, I couldn't see him blending in with the engulfing ebony. Yet I could hear his breathing, and tried to search for crimson eyes that weren't seen.
I carefully reached out a hand to rest against the glass casket, making sure I'd found the right one. Then I went to started to open it.
Suddenly I would feel harsh talons grip my shoulder from behind, as I was pulled back with a force I couldn't begin to fight against. That strong set of claws, with one swift motion, tossed me back against the unforgiving wall. My back collided once more, and only now did I remember the marks dug into my shoulder from Duke when he'd changed. Until now, I hadn't felt them somehow, even when fighting in the mayor's room. Now a rush of heated pain ran through them, as my back buckled again and I collapsed to the ground in a daze.
A sharp voice, that was and wasn't his, echoed in my head, as a clawed talon gripped my hair at the nape of my neck to make me look up,
"What are you doing here, thief?!"
I trembled as I looked up at him; trying to find some trace of Duke, somewhere in this form before me.
"I'm trying to return what was taken! I'm not trying to steal anything from them!" I told him.
His red hot eyes narrowed, as though searching for an answer other than that. All I could do was gaze up into that angry crimson, and assure him, "All I want is you back, my friend...Duke?"
His eyes widened, as though he'd just heard a name he hadn't in eons, rather than hours. Then they focused once more, as he asked,
"What do you have to return?"
I retrieved the amulet, and held it out in my open hand. He looked over it carefully, while still holding me up by my ponytail and neck. After several moments, he eased his grip, but not so I would collapse again. Instead, he gently set me down, and I would hear him suggest,
"You may try..."
I nodded my head in a silent reply, and shakily got to my feet. Once again I tried to push open the casket, and found him giving aid as I struggled. With it open, I rested the amulet on the mage's chest. Then we both waited.
Nothing happened. Faith did not awaken, nor did Duke revert back to the form I knew. Exhaustion and fatigue was about to take it's toll, as I demanded, "Why isn't it working?! I got your treasure back! Please, let him go!"
Still nothing. Other than me sliding to my knees, as I fought my tears that threatened to fall. I then begged to anyone or anything that might hear me, "Give him back! I got what you wanted! Please!"
I would then risk a glance at the figure crouched down in a partial lupine stance, as he looked to me. I missed his playful smirk, curving his scarred lip. I missed how confident he was when dealing with a problem. I missed the light of life in his warm remaining eye. I missed Duke.
Yet in return, he seemed to look at me without any trace of knowing who I was. To him, I was a possible thief that he was told to watch for, and dismantle if I proved it to be true. I wasn't the girl who'd needed him to save me not so long ago. I wasn't his hope for things to be set right back home. I wasn't his traveling companion, or a trusted friend that gave him that in return. A friend he'd risked so much to save.
"I'm sorry, Duke..." I finally began to weep into my hands, trying to figure out what to do.
Perhaps I had to wait until nightfall for Faith to awaken and see the amulet returned? Maybe then the mage would take back their curse? Yet that was several hours away.
I looked to Duke, through a blurred vision, as I pleaded softly, "Please...hang on, Duke...don't slip away on me when we're so close...?"
As I knelt there before him, in the dust of that crypt, Duke didn't look away. Instead, he crept closer to me, as something seemed to catch his eye. A careful talon reached out to me, before brushing the sapphire hanging from my neck. His claw tapped the gem, as though trying to recall where he'd seen it before. Then, I would hear in a wisp of his voice,
"...Heart...?"
I nodded my head, "I'm right here...I'm not going to give up on you, Duke. Just hang on!"
His answer, to my surprise, was gently wrapping his talons around my back, and pulling me into his arms. In this gentle motion, I felt him being careful not to catch me with his claws. I couldn't fight it anymore, as I broke down sobbing into his chest. As I did, I clung to the thick fur covering his chest, trying to keep him with me somehow. While he, in turn, echoed his words from the night before,
"Get some rest, okay?"
I found I had little choice, as I cried myself to sleep, there in the crypt with what was left of my dearest friend. If I had to fight for him still, I would need every ounce of magic I could conjure. I vaguely realized that the mayor wouldn't risk locking me in, not if he wanted the amulet back. He would return to try and take it again. If he did, I'd use whatever spell I had left to keep him from stealing Duke's chance.
At the sound of the shifting caskets, my eyes shot wide open. When they did, I would find Duke beside me, lying on his side with an arm over me as he had done before. He'd had placed his other under my head, making me come to see that I'd curled up against him for warmth. One of his wings had unfolded over us both as well.
Yet as I moved now, he awoke and looked to me with a confused look in his eyes, before pulling away. Keeping him from getting far, I grabbed a hold of his arm, "Duke?"
He didn't respond as he had before, and my heart nearly froze in my chest. Was it already too late? Quickly I got to my feet to approach the opening casket, and held out the necklace. Yet as I did, I brushed my hand against something of smooth leather left beside me. I looked, even in the dark, to see Duke's pouch from his belt left beside me, the one he carried his tools in. I gingerly picked it up, looked to Duke as he nodded solemnly, and felt my heart nearly stop as I knew what he was trying to say. My hands shook as I attached it to my own belt, keeping the pouch at my back for now.
Then I turned my attention to the two caskets before me. As I'd hoped, Faith awoke and took in their surroundings, before looking to the coffin beside her. A distant, but growing chill filled the room, as she sharply turned away, to find me standing before her.
"Are you a thief?"
I froze as she pulled up memories from only the night before. In my core, I could feel a heat beginning to rise, and I now knew what Duke had felt in those first moments. That dread, and that wanting to plead for forgiveness to make it stop. However, rather than beg for my own salvation, I instead held out the amulet and said, "It was to bring this back to you! I only wish to return this to get my friend back! Isn't this what you were looking for?"
That furious heat in me paused, and she then beckoned me forward. I didn't even take a breath, before walking up to them. As they reached out, I placed the amulet carefully in the palm of their bony hand. Their cracking digits closed over the charm, and pulled it inward to look it over. The fingers of their other hand caressed the ancient treasure. Even without eyes in their sockets, I could see the bewilderment in their expression, and I could feel the aching of loss. Before it flashed back into anger, as they glared at me.
"What-?!"
Her voice raged on in a scream in both our heads, causing Duke and I both to tremble. Then the other coffin began to open as it had the night before.
"I don't understand?!" I stammered, "I brought it back to you! Please, take back your curse! Spare the town your wrath, and let Duke free! He didn't do anything to you!"
Faith still glared at me, refusing to look at the spirit beside her, rising from his tomb. I tried in vain to search for an answer that I was clearly missing.
"Please, let him go!" I begged in continued confusion and desperation.
Then Faith pointed at the soldier, commanding him to march forward once again, and a cruel voice echoed through my head.
"Why should I return my guardian to the thief he was?! If you don't leave, you'll join him!"
A warning of heat flashed through me, as I cried out and dropped to my knees. Then just as quickly as it had started, it paused and I looked up to see her placing a finger to her chin, as she mused in a tone that chilled my entire frame,
"Then again, why should I let you be together, even as my guardians?"
My eyes met his now, as they blazed with a narrowing, hellish inferno. A low growl emerged from his jaws, lined with elongated fangs. My core twisted as he watched me, without a trace of who he was left to recognize who I was. Yet I also realized that he wasn't about to pounce on me this time. Instead, I could feel the stirring heat rising in the air, as he inhaled deeply upon this twisted command. I barely managed to leap out of the way, as he let out a fiery breath, the flames licking at my heels as I lunged back towards the door.
However, as the light of that blast illuminated the chamber, I would catch a glimpse of the soldier marching towards the door. The armor clinked and resisted from rust and age, yet still it moved. Only now I wondered just how, as I found it to be empty! Unlike his fellow soldiers, the bones that should have worn the armor were completely absent.
Stunned by this discovery, I turned to Faith and breathed, "I-It's him that was taken from you,...isn't it Faith?"
Before I received any sort of response from the mage, I would then feel the sudden, unforgiving impact of Duke's reshaped frame lunging into me. Again my back would collide with a harsh surface, reminding me of the wounds I'd suffered already. I cried out as his talons gripped my shoulders, and he growled at me. When I attempted to pull from that grasp, he reached back with his left set of claws, and just as swiftly swung towards me. A scream tore from my throat, as this time those claws slashed into the right side of my face. One razor like finger, digging particularly deep, sliced the skin just below my right eye. I tried to ignore the warm flow of blood, as well as the stinging pain in my face, as I looked up at him still, fearing it was too late. Yet I couldn't seem to help the pained whimper slipping through my gritted teeth.
Suddenly, Duke's eyes widened, as though shaken from what he saw. Shaking his head in a panicked manner, he then tried to brush the palm of his talons against my face, almost as though trying to erase what he'd just done. He then began to recoil, as I realized that through the wild ebony fur, and the crimson glow of his eyes, I could see the remnants of his deepest scar. The one he hid behind a cloth, and the skill of his remaining eye. Duke now brushed his palm ever so carefully over my eye, almost as though making sure I was indeed looking up at him with both still.
My heart about tore in half to see him so shaken and twisted up. As he eased off of me, to try and back away, I quickly sat up and threw my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. When I refused to let go, as he attempted to pull away at first, I would hear him thinly ask of me,
"How could I...? Forgive me...?"
I simply nodded my head as he hugged me the best that he could, and my own embrace grew tighter.
By this point, the soldiers had headed out, with the cursed armor leading the way to find his missing remains. Reluctantly I pulled away from Duke, desperation forcing me to say, "I have to try again, Duke...maybe I can find Zarock and bring him back?"
He looked to me, and shook his head, the emotion in his voice exhausted as it echoed in my head,
"No, Heart...I can't...I won't hurt you again...stay away from here...please...its okay..."
"It's not okay!" I shouted, "Don't you dare give up! You don't deserve to become this! Please, hang on! I...I can't lose you!"
Before Duke could say a word, we heard a cold chuckling emerging from the stairwell. Both Duke and I went to turn our attention, and found ourselves facing the mayor.
"So, the thief has become a mere beast has he?" he taunted, "A fitting sentence for petty a criminal."
My hands balled into fists, as I went to step between Duke and the retired soldier. Then I looked over my shoulder, to see Faith trying to wave a hand towards the elder human, and ask,
"Are you a-?!"
"Your magic will not work on me today!" he barked with laughter, "I've come prepared to gain what belongs to me!"
He held up a hand adorned with a jeweled bracelet hanging from his wrist. Though it was growing brittle from use, "Izzet's charm will dispel your magic long enough for me to claim my prizes and leave!"
"Prizes?" I questioned sharply.
He turned his eyes, aged with battle and time, to look over me like I was an item, just as others had. His eyes gleamed with greed as he said, "I require that blood in your veins, beast!"
The armored former soldier took a step closer, and I quickly realized that my own magic also refused to ignite. He scoffed, "You didn't think I'd let you strike me again, did you monster?"
Just as I went to draw my sword, he stepped closer. Then in a rush of black, that flashed swiftly before me, I would hear the mayor cry out in rage, "Get off of me!"
My eyes went wide as I watched Duke growl at him, his jaws clenched in a growl as he gave his warning,
"Ya won't touch her!"
Graives quickly let a hand fly to attempt to strike at Duke, but he retaliated by clamping his fangs into that arm. The older human cried out in a snarl of pain, as he attempted to wrench himself free. Duke held on like a vice, still growling,
"I will protect this domain! You will not take anything, or anyone, from it!"
Hearing this, despite Duke initially protecting me, I felt a sense of sudden dread rush through me. If this kept going, he would lose himself to his given task. His very movements were giving further into the frame of the creature he now was trapped inside the form of. His outward growls grew much more vicious, even with an intelligent mind still intact within.
However, before I could try and do anything, I would hear the mayor snarl, "You won't save anyone, you cursed knave!"
At that, I would hear Duke let out a pained, growling cry as he was sent reeling back a bit with some sort of unseen force knocking him off of Graives. It were as though his very mind had been struck, as he collided with the wall. His strong frame collapsed to the ground, stunned by the attack.
"Duke!" I cried out as I hurried to him, kneeling down beside him to try and reach out to him, "Duke, answer me!"
"Run!"
Before I could even attempt to fight or do anything, the soldier grabbed a hold of my arm, yanking me away from Duke with that iron clad grip. No matter how I pulled and kicked, I could not get free. My magic refused to break through the shield placed over it. My other hand tried to reach for Duke, still to no avail.
"Duke!"
All he could do, in his shaken state, was let out a weak growl, as he watched me be pulled over to the casket. The human elder then snatched the amulet from the just as helpless Faith, and then drag me up those steps. I kicked and fought with every fiber of my being, but found it useless. He'd come quite prepared to claim what he was after, and he scoffed, knowing this, "At last the puzzle will be complete!"
"Duke!" I pleaded once more, while mostly up those steps now.
This time, I could hear Duke struggling to his feet and talons, as he began to give chase.
The mayor did not wait for Duke to catch up, as he hoisted me up over his shoulder and ran. Kicking his chain armored chest proved to be useless, as did trying to wriggle out of his grip. Especially with my magic still locked away.
"That beast can't help you! His domain is that crypt! A fitting prison for a thief, if you ask me. His own chains that tether him here will keep him from being able to follow after his fellow demon!" he chortled, while hurrying to the gate.
As we passed them, my captive grabbed some of the loose chains to pull them off of the door. He then continued to run towards his horse, waiting with it's stomach contently full of apples still. Just as Duke reached the top of the stairs, I would see him burst through the door, and see us near the gate. Finding us far away, he began to take in a deep, heated breath. Yet before he could let out that inferno again, the mayor spoke up, seeing the sparks of flame in Duke's jaws, "You'll only torch her; but by all means, make this easier for me! I only need her blood!"
Duke clamped his fanged maw shut at this, and our eyes locked for a moment. He darted towards us in a roaring fury that shook me more than my magic being drained away had. The mayor scoffed as he ran, "Only a matter of time now, before the boy loses himself entirely!"
By now we'd just run outside the gate, and he cut his horse free of the rope I'd used. He was careful to step just enough passed those iron wrought bars to throw me onto the horse, chaining me in place, as he taunted, "I wonder if it's you, or the charm, he's after by this point? If I were a betting man, I'd put my money on the latter. Your blood is the only thing of value about you after all."
Our answer would be Duke charging towards the mockingly opened gate. The elder human turned slightly to watch, as the former rogue was pushed back by his boundaries, his talons reaching out as much as he could manage. He let out a roar that nearly deafened me, but only made the human laugh, "What's the matter, demon? Can't obey the commands given to you? From a worthless thief to a useless guardian!"
At this, I managed to kick him square in the jaw. Yet as I tried to jump to some sort of freedom, he let his hand fly. The harsh metal of his gauntlet met with my temple, and I vaguely heard a roar of anger as everything suddenly went black.
"I have the body, the bones, the soul, the mind, the army," the pride in his work slipping out as Graives hissed a snicker, "and at last, I have the blood to finish the spell."
I moaned from the dull ache in my head, as I opened my eyes. I would find myself with my arms bound behind my back. The chains Graives had taken were used to form a sigil on the floor, connecting me to other pieces of a bigger image he was creating. To my write was a pedestal holding the amulet, at my left a slab with bones arranged carefully to reform the stolen warrior. In the center, standing at a point before me, stood Graives himself with a book in hand. Behind him was another pedestal, holding a jar with the lid in his other hand.
"About time you woke up, beast," Graives stated impatiently, looking down at me as though it were my fault he'd had to wait, "Do you like your new collar?"
I glanced down in alarm to see a jeweled, thick silver ring clasped around my neck. With it locked in place, I couldn't even summon up a cantrip. In fact my very connection to magic itself seemed to be severed.
"You should have made sure that jolt you gave me was enough to finish the job!" he scoffed,
With my head still aching from the impact from before, I tried to remember what had happened. Then I felt a sudden rush of panic grip my chest as it came rushing back, "Duke?!"
"What a misgiven name for a vagabond thief," Graives said, while looking down his nose at me, "a lowborn urchin who chose to steal what he wanted, rather than work for it bit by bit. I worked my way to the top, while knaves like him only know to take and take from society!"
"He's not a grave robber," I pointed out with a bit of venom, "And that thief is more of a hero than a narrow minded cretin like you could ever know!"
"Yet he's cursed to spend an eternity guarding that tomb, alone in the dark he's grown up in? Not a fate for a so called hero if you ask me," he mocked.
He then gave a wide, prideful grin, "Although I could shorten eternity for him, with some given mercy I suppose?"
Rather than hope, I felt dread twisting my core as I looked up in bewilderment.
"Magic runs in your veins, and yet you understand so little about it?" he said with dripping disgust.
As he spoke, I had begun fishing into the pouch at my back that he hadn't bothered to remove. He maintained his smile of contempt during his next remark, "His curse has a small number of ways to end it, and there is even a way for him to revert back to the form you once traveled with. Although, if that is done I'm afraid he won't be going much of anywhere, except maybe his own grave that is."
I looked up in alarm at this grim remark, while he snickered, "You see, demon, if I slay him he will certainly be free of the task he's shackled to!"
"No!" I gasped , trying to keep my composure while he strolled up to me.
"Oh little scaled creature, do not fret. You're the only one that would miss this urchin, and you won't be around to anyway!" He insisted while setting the book on the center table.
"Now, to begin the ritual that will make me the warrior this town, no, this world needs! Unending, resilient, strengthened by the magic that should have been at my disposal all along without the use of artifacts!" he stated while drawing out a dagger tucked into his vest.
"The bones to merge with my own to give me unending strength, a bit of my soul tucked away in hiding so I can not truly be defeated, my body ready to take on the change, the pages of the book engraved in my head, blood of a caster to cleanse and mingle with my own, and the amulet to infuse it all into my one being," he began to chant, as the chain linking all of these pieces began to glow.
Graives stood just before me now, his dagger held up and catching the light of the arranged candles with it's twisted blade. Without a second to waste, I finished cutting my binds with the file I'd slipped out of the gifted tool kit, and balanced myself as I swiftly swept my foot under his stance. As he fell, I quickly grabbed a hold of the chain along the floor, ceasing it's glow as the sigil's shape broke away, and proceeded wrap them around him. At least I tried to, as he grabbed a hold of my wrist and threw me down on my side, "You little beast!"
"I won't let you kill him!" I snapped as I managed to grab his wrist that swung at me with his dagger still.
"You do realize that, by now, the thief you knew is long gone! His body now holds a transformed soul, devoid of every lie he ever told you!"
Desperation became my fuel as I shoved him back off of me, kneeing him in the stomach to stun him in the process. As he doubled over, gasping for the air I'd knocked out of him, I pulled the chain up, and pulled it tight around the former soldier. With a sharp tug, made sure it was good and secure, enough to cause him to drop the dagger. While catching my own breath, I leapt back onto my feet and quickly looked around. Taking the end of the chain, before he could gather himself, I wrapped it around the pedestal with the amulet, swiping it back into my satchel in the process.
"How dare you?!" he bellowed, "You and that cursed thief will not steal away all my hard work!"
There wasn't time to say anything in response. Adrenaline ran through me as I hurried over to the stone slab and began trying to find a way to move the bones. With little time allotted, I had to get Zarock back to Faith. If Duke had to endure another day in that form, he truly would slip away. Yet how could I...?
The sudden cries of villagers defending their homes from the horde above caught my attention now. I could hear the choking of blood from the metal clad lamb sent to be slaughtered.
I looked back to Zarock's remains in a growing panic, as I realized the book was useless to me even without this collar locked onto me. Then again, I wasn't sure if my few spells would help right now.
My head raced for ideas when I retrieved the pendant from my satchel and held it in my shaking hand. As though resonating with it's presence, I then noticed as the skeleton began to shift, almost like one sleeping and simply waking up. Eyes of a fighter's burning spirit lit up in those empty bone sockets. He turned his head and lifted a hand to reach for the necklace I held. Without question, I handed it to him and he clutched it close to him. His stringy black hair had grown long passed his shoulders and down his face a bit, cut loose from the wars he'd once battled. Those moving bones summoned a strength they'd once wielded as he rose and got to his feet. In my head, I would hear the voice of a homesick warrior,
"I must return home...Faith needs me...beside her..."
I nodded my head as I began trying to help him find a way out, ignoring the disgruntled bellows of the older human still chained up behind me. Scanning the room a closer now, I would come to realize we were in a basement that had been turned into a room to perform such a ritual, well hidden from the townsfolk above. Zarock followed the sounds of his fellow soldiers, and began up the nearby flight of steps. All the while, still clutching the amulet in his skeletal hand. While he did, I took that book and knocked over the jar, shattering it to pieces as Graives snarled out, "You vile wench! When I get free your own curse will be crueler than his, and I will make damn sure that beast suffers for this! His last roar will be a strangled cry of death when my sword cuts into what's left of his heart! Mark my words!"
I didn't stop to contemplate any of his threats. I hoped without his book that there was little he could do. As I hurried up behind Zarock, I began ripping those pages piece by piece. When we got to the top, I quickly helped him to get the door open and darted for the front door. With every step Zarock regained his strength, until he was charging forward with me out onto the streets.
In that burst of speed and adrenaline, we shoved our way through the front door, the two of us stumbling out into the view of the army still searching and fighting before us. As soon as they saw me standing there, they reached out to grab me, a few of them actually grasping tightly to hold me back by my arms as I tried to pull free, "No! Please! I'm trying to help!"
One of them went to rise his sword above my neck, another pulling back a spear to lunge forward with in this same instant. By now, I'd dropped the book and watched it be torn to bits by other soldiers. As both weapons were being thrust towards me, I would see Zarock hold out a swift hand, stepping before me to block the steel. Both warriors came to an instant halt as their commander waved them off, and they stepped back in reply. Then the head of the undead army nodded his head to the skeletons holding me back, and I was released with his strong voice echoing,
"Thank you, dragonblood...I will return to Faith and calm her wrath, brought upon this town in her search for me. Your bravery will not be overlooked."
"Take me with you!" I pleaded quickly, "There's someone I have to try and save!"
He looked a bit perplexed by this, his skeletal brow raising a bit at my request. However, while putting on his armor and mounting the remains of his faithful steed, he nodded his head. Then he reached a hand down, and helped me up onto the horse. With a kick and a snap of the reigns, we were off.
However, as we rode on, I would feel a bit of panic return as the winnie of the mayor's horse cried out not too far behind us. Knowing he'd be even more armed than before, I pushed, "Hurry, please!"
With another crack of the reigns, the skeletal horse darted forward in a burst of urgency. Behind us. the army of undead marched on, eager to reach their eternal beds at long last.
Well into the night, we found the gates of the burial grounds still open from their waking up earlier that evening. Zarock jumped off of his steed, and began orchestrating his soldiers in finding their rightful resting places. As he did this, we heard Graives galloping up, and Zarock directed me to head towards the crypt. I didn't question this, as I quickly hurried inside those open stone slabs and down the steps.
In my panic, it hadn't registered that I was once again a thief in a way charging into that tomb. It didn't matter the cause, as I heard her chilling question, and the collar kept what resistance I might have had locked away,
"Are you a thief?"
My thoughts quickly conjured the recent memories of taking that spell-book, as well as the amulet I was trying to return once more. With the necklace, nor Zarock, not in her sights, Faith's fury was thoroughly felt as a heat boiled the blood in my veins, and I tried in vain not to cry out. Looking ahead, I found the glowing blue that was Faith's eyes gazing at me in an unforgiving glare,
"You don't learn, do you? Perhaps you should share in his curse?"
The bones in my hands began to ache, as claws tried to replace the nails of my fingertips. Before they could, I managed to cry out, "Zarock's here! Faith please, he's coming back to be with you! Once the army is at rest, he'll be right beside you again"
Faith paused in her spell, and I felt some relief wash over me as she released me from it.
"Zarock...?"
"He was locked away where your army couldn't go. I got him free for you, so he could come back to you! Now please, calm your anger, and release my friend from the curse you shackled him to!" I pleaded.
It was then that I realized I hadn't seen him yet. I'd expected him to be down in the crypt with the mage, as he had been before.
"Where is he?" I asked shakily.
Before Faith could answer, I would hear a swift set of steps approach from behind. As I turned around, Duke's eyes locked with mine. He gave a soft growl of a warning as he focused on me.
"You should not have come back again, thief!"
"Duke! It's me, Heart! Don't you remember?!" I questioned, "I'm your friend! I'm trying to break this curse to bring you back to who you were!"
"Back to a thief?"
Faith would question in almost scoffing disbelief. To this, I would look to Duke still, but say to both of them without batting so much as an eyelash, "Yes. Not just a mere pick pocket or grave robber, but the thief that saw value in a creature like me."
While Faith watched with widened empty eyes, I looked to Duke still as he gazed at me with caution, ready to follow the given commands of his master. I wondered if he would be able to stop this time. Not for my sake, but for the sake of finding some sliver of him holding on. I would hear her ask,
"The question, however, would there by anything left of him to bring back now?"
I would hear her bones shift in some sort of given command, followed by Duke as he rushed towards me. Again I was pinned, this time up against a wall as he growled at me, daring me to move. I didn't. Instead, I looked right into his eyes of burning fury. Yet deep in his remaining one true eye, I would catch a glimpse of a soul searching for an answer that seemed out of reach. He would question loudly in my head,
"Who are you? Why do you wear that sapphire?! Why do you keep coming back?!"
"I-" his talons dug into my shoulders to keep me from pulling away, as I tried to answer, "I'm Heart...remember? I don't know why I wear this sapphire? All I know about it, is that you gave it to me. If you want it back, then just take it! If that's what it would take to get you back! Just please don't slip away!"
At this, he faltered slightly while he looked into my eyes, as though making sure what I said was true. He glanced down at my neck; and before I could move, he had talons pulling at the clasp at the back of my neck. In that instant, something unlocked within me, as he shattered the silver collar I'd been wearing. A rush of electricity flowed in my veins again as I gasped, and nearly collapsed into him as he held me up by my shoulders to steady me.
"Duke...?" I barely had a chance to ask, before we heard the clash of metal and then bones collapsing down the steps of the crypt.
Looking up, we would see Zarock trying to get up to his feet, while Graives descended towards us with a deep chuckle in his throat.
With this approaching threat emerging, Duke let out a thunderous roar that caused the walls of the tomb to tremble. Without asking, the thief turned guardian was pulled into intervening on the fallen warrior's behalf. Duke slashed at the older soldier, with his wicked claws digging into his shoulder. In retaliation, Graives swung the sword he'd drawn, it's blade grazing Duke's chest. This drew out a growl of pain as my changed companion struck again, knocking the human back a bit.
"You deserve this fate, thief!" Graives shouted, while clutching the hilt of his sword, "Turned into a monster, so that I can slay you!"
"I am not a thief! I rend thieves apart when they enter my domain! You will be no different!"
As these words reached all who could hear, I would feel a rush of panic run up my spine. I stifled a gasp of dread, but he'd already heard it and turned to glance at me. The fury in his eyes raged on, as did his roar, as Graives took the opportunity and swung his blade. This time the steel of his longsword cut into Duke's right wing, drawing out a snarl of pain from his jaws.
"Duke!" I cried, only to get no response at hearing his name.
I shook my head, as I ran forward, "No...you can't be...!"
As I reached Duke, I would notice Zarock watching us a moment from near the entrance of the crypt. Then he would look passed me, watching Faith as she gasped in shock from behind me.
"Ah, the vile wench returns for her...what are you to him anyway? A one night stand that fell for his lies? Perhaps a pet to use at his disposal?" Graives scoffed while blocking Duke's claws with his sword this time, and then sneering, "Or should I say...what were you to him?"
"I..." why was I so lost for words at this question as I stood there now?
I looked to Duke as he watched me in a passive manner. He was neither happy, nor angry, to see me. Any familiarity I once had for him, seemed to be severed. It was only now that I vaguely caught sight of the charm being held in Graive's hand, held out towards me, as a gripping sensation of dread drowned my thoughts. My very frame trembled as I started to realize, "I'm the one that couldn't save him...I'm not anything to him now...not a friend...nothing...what good was this magic, when it couldn't do anything to help him...?"
Duke looked over me, as I shook with these words drawn out. In turn, I tried to reach my hand out to him, fighting my fearful thoughts, "Are...Are you really gone, Duke? Is it too late? Duke...I'm so sorry...I wish I could have stopped you from coming down here!...I wish I could take your place! I wish I could steal you back!"
Graives was holding up his charm as it glowed brightly in the palm of his hand. His thin lip curved into an amused sneer, while I sank into a ball from the dread shackling me to the ground. I wasn't aware of his boots stepping along the dug up soil, as I pleaded to Duke, "I would give anything to see you returned as you were...Your confidence to fight through and solve anything with your clever mind; your playful nature that made me know things would be okay, as long as they ended with us laughing together; how protective you were over someone you'd just gotten to know...it was so sweet of you to treat me that way, no matter how brief it was,...your charm that drew me in, and let me know that I could trust you, when I wasn't willing to trust anyone...Duke, please...please don't be gone..."
"Poor creature, let me end your suffering," Graives gave a feigned comforting tone, as he took another step closer to me.
I looked up, and couldn't even register the fear of a sword being drawn up above my neck. I knew I should be running, and that I should be fighting for my life. Yet the only fear that would sink in, was the dread of being too late to fight for him. I also realized that he was sure to keep that charm glowing with me in it's view, amplifying the terror I felt for my lost friend.
Suddenly, the blade dropped towards me, but then wasn't; as Graives was knocked back by the force of Duke sliding between us and swiping at him. The sword and his claws bit into one another, and Graives found himself looking up at the fury driven guardian, snarling over him,
"You're nothin' but a coward!"
As Graives went to strike at Duke in vain, he spat, "Hardly! I've fought battle after battle to get where I am today! My mind has been just as sharp a weapon as my sword, as I've unlocked magic to wield!"
He sneered, "Including the enchantment in this blade!"
The steel began to glow with a cold fury as he swung towards Duke, this time catching his forearm. Duke let out a roar of pain as he cradled his now searing arm against his chest.
"A holy blade would do wonders against you now, wouldn't it?" Graives snickered as he went to lunge at him again.
"That's the true twist to this curse, isn't it? Whatever your ideals, your personality, your views; they're all being warped to guard what you're commanded to. Regardless of the cost, you will see it to the end! Either killing the offender, or being slain yourself! It's quite a nasty curse indeed, twisting someone's core into an evil entity; however it also makes it so radiant energy is quite effective on you! Given enough time, he will finally give in to his new nature!" Graives taunted while taking another swing.
This time Duke ducked down to avoid the slash meant to disconnect his head from his shoulders, and slashed back at the attacker. His claws dug into the soldier's side. Graives retaliated by knocking Duke back, disorienting him, with a strong hit from the mayor's gauntlet wearing fist hitting right into Duke's jaw.
"Now then, if I slay you in this battle, you won't have to worry about that happening, will you? You'll revert back to the urchin you were before with some of your soul still intact!" he chortled while taking another swing, this time slashing across Duke's chest, causing him to grit his teeth in pain.
"Duke!" I cried out, seeing as his wolf like ears flinched in response to his name.
"Then I will take what I worked so hard to gain! I will become the warrior I deserve to be! Endless, and with my own undying army to command once again!" Graives assured with a smug grin as he dodged Duke's next swipe of his claws, "I've memorized the ritual! I can gather the bones and amulet; and the blood to infuse with my own is ripe for the taking!"
Lastly he commented, "And if you're wondering why that miserable mage can't turn me as she did you, I was wise enough to come shielded from her pathetic spells and curses. Her fury has no effect on a mind that feels no guilt, and even more so with a charm to protect it! This just means that your crimes have caught up with you, as they should have long ago!"
Duke stepped to the side to avoid the next bite of the steel, only to be kicked against the wall instead. While I watched on, trying to figure out how to help. Then, without thinking, I felt a rush of energy take hold as he went to strike again. My hand flew out in a quick motion, allowing a bolt of electricity to strike the soldier's back as I yelled out, "Stop!"
Graives cried out in a jolting snarl, before steadying himself and turning his attention to me now. His body spasmed in brief twitches as the lightening claimed him still.
"I see I'll need another collar for this little beast! Or maybe I can just collect the blood I need now?" he hissed with contempt, as he went to take a step towards me.
Only now did I realize that Zarock had lost the amulet to Graives in their own scuffle. Once again, the enchanted pendant hung from around the mayor's neck as his claimed prize.
Yet as Graives did this, Duke quickly grabbed a hold of the glowing blade, it's enchanted steel searing and biting into his hand. Even still, Duke yanked it back, before wrenching it from the human's hand entirely. In this swift motion, he tossed it over to where Zarock now began to stir from his prone position.
"Ya won't touch her!"
Duke warned in an echoing growl, his voice showing a shred of himself holding on by a thread. Graives raised a brow in contempt mingled with amusement, "There's little you can do to stop me! The longer we fight, the more you lose yourself in that rage that your cursed to bare now. Before long, you'll see her as a threat as well. She is a thief after all!"
"I didn't-"
"You don't think I know what you took from my study last night?" Graives demanded with a laugh, "I suppose it's natural for one thief to learn from another. However to this guardian, there's no distinguishing your intent. A knave is a knave in his twisted view, isn't that right?"
Duke looked to me with a fire in his eyes kicking up, as I remembered the gem I still had on me.
"If you'd simply taken the amulet, I supposedly claimed from the dead who were no longer using it, that would be one thing; but you didn't, am I right? Show this guardian that you're no better?"
"I-"
"You won't, will you? You know the crime you committed, and the shame you should feel from it? You understand he'll tear you limb from limb like any other thief that crosses his path now, won't he? For what's to stop you from taking something from his given domain, as you did from my dwelling?"
Faith's eyes focused on me, but I paid little attention at this point. I didn't even care when she asked again,
"Are you a thief?"
"Yes," I replied without having her spell search my memories, "because sometimes that's what it takes when so called heroes fail."
Graives raised a brow at this defense. Faith raised a hand towards me. and I looked to Duke still, retrieving the rounded gem I'd taken the previous night. The eye gleamed in my palm as I opened my fingers like flower petals to show him. Without hesitation, I told Duke, "I thought maybe it could help you?"
"Whatever the intent, it was not yours to take, now was it?" Graives gave a slimy grin, "If my goal is seen as a crime, despite the people it will save; then yours is just as wrong, if not more so."
A grimace twisted my face as a heat ran through my unshielded frame. I glanced up to see a rather stunned Duke looking over the gem held out to him still.
"Faith...I know why you're so angry, I understand you're hurt from Zarock being taken from you! However, Duke does not deserve to be the one to pay for this! Yes, he's a thief; but you don't understand how important it was for him to be one...at least to me!"
"Don't worry, pest! I'll slay you before you can be turned!" Graives assured while walking up to my frozen form with a dagger drawn in his hand.
"I'm sorry Duke...I'm so sorry I couldn't save you..." I said.
"The power to command this undying army, all at my fingertips at last!" Graives chuckled in near disbelief, "And nothing can even hope to stop me!"
My eyes would then catch the shimmer of the amulet gleaming in the dark. With a breath, I focused the best that I could on it until I heard a snap. The chain pulled until it broke, allowing the charm to float in the hand I'd managed to conjure, and then tossed it over to Zarock, lying nearly still on the floor. With a seething breath, Graives grabbed a hold of my still outstretched arm, just as I closed my fist over the gem again, barely managing to do just that. Then he shoved me to the ground as he shouted, "What makes you think a demon like you has any hope of stopping this?! That thief of yours is long gone by now, and I'm about to send you after him!"
He then laughed, "Actually...his very soul isn't even there where you're going. It's been changed, not sent away. Unless I slay him and send him after you, I suppose?"
In that moment he plunged the gnarled and twisted blade down towards me. Though Faith had released me from that frozen state, I had no way of moving out of the way, as Graives towered over me. Just as I braced myself, I would feel the force of Duke's strong frame leaping over, as he caught Graives by the wrist, his wolf like frame shielding me in the process. He pulled me against his bulked up frame as he growled,
"I'm still here, an' if I'm to be trapped in this form, I will guard her!"
"Duke?!"
"You won't get to decide that for long! That curse will eat away at you, and that hopeless notion! You'll see her as the thief you once were soon enough! Let me save you both from this f-"
Before he could finish, we would hear a blade suddenly plunged into his back, and he would begin to choke on his own blood in shock. Behind him, stood Zarock with the radiant blade glowing in his hand that he'd stabbed into Graives's back. Then he commanded calmly, "You wish to be apart of my army? Then by all means, join it!"
With that, he pulled back the blade, and Graives dropped to his knees upon the ground. We then watched as Faith cast her hand upon the dying Graives and stated,
"Go to your rest now, and a gravestone will be marked for you. Only if the others rise, will you do the same to take part in their battles!"
We watched as the light in Graives's eyes died out. Then he rose to his feet, his movements shifting like a weighed down skeleton being forced to march when he should sleep. He'd be able to do this once he found room in the burial grounds above. He was lead up those steps by Zarock, and then we distantly heard the digging up of soil before a collapsing thud that gave Graives the sleep he now longed for.
It was now grimly still and silent inside that dark crypt. Only Duke's growling breath filled the air around me, as he held my smaller frame against his still. Looking up at him, I would find his eyes growing distant in expression as he watched me.
"No!" I pleaded as I shot up, grasping his shoulders, "Don't you dare slip away now! Duke!"
He watched me with crimson ethereal flames for his eyes. In them, I could see him trying to remember, despite still holding onto me.
I looked to Faith, desperation causing my heart to pound hard against my chest, "Please, let him go! You have Zarock back, you have your pendant! Please, lift your curse!"
Faith looked over us both, seeming unsure of my request.
"Please! I beg you! He was trying to help you! He was trying to save the town too! Thief or not, he's still a good man!"
Still Faith watched us. She took in the sight of our injured forms; and she saw him clutching onto the thread that was me, keeping him tied to who he was. I then wondered for a moment what might have happened to him had I not been here with him through all of this? Would he have slipped away in an instant without someone to remember him? I was too afraid to register in that moment how terrifying it was to think of this outcome; or how lonely I felt imagining him not being in our world.
"Please...free him of this before it's too late..."
"You did all of this...for this one person? All your injuries, your exhaustion, your very life nearly drawn out by the one you're fighting to save? Is this thief really worth all of this to you?"
"Yes," I breathed out while clinging to him.
She turned to Duke, and I would hear her say while casting a hand out to us,
"If you can remember who you were, and your connection to this girl that claims to know your true nature , then I can lift your curse. If not, then your fate has already been sealed, and this domain will be your prison to protect; and she will mean nothing to you any longer."
Duke looked to her, and then to me as we heard these words. My heart raced against my chest as I tried to think of how to reach him, to begin trying to pull him back. The confusion in his eyes drowned any familiarity that I could find before. Seeing this, I rested my hands against either side of his face, speaking softly, but still clearly, "Duke, please...give me some sign, and I can help you remember, I'll be with you every step of the way. I just need you to recall something to start with, okay?"
I then glanced down a moment as he stared at me, unsure of my pleading. Quickly, I held up the sapphire in one hand, showing it to him, "What about this? You were carrying it, weren't you? Was it from a job?"
He started to shake his head, before reaching a talon out to carefully grasp the gem in his palm. He started to tell me,
"It wasn't a job...not this one...an old former friend challenged me one night, a few years ago. That night, my best friend showed his true colors when I won. My prize was this stolen sapphire...along with the loss of my eye, an' almost my life..."
My own widened to hear this; but even more so, when I saw his talons recoiling a bit, reverting back into hazelnut shaded fingers. So I asked, "You've held onto it since?"
He nodded his head as his other hand followed after the first, gradually reverting back. Seeing this, I slid my hands carefully from his shoulders, down along his arms, and reaching his wrists. Then I gently took his hands in mine, grasping them tightly, "That's it, Duke!"
"If I hadn't been a thief , than I'd still have my eye?"
His curse tried to reclaim his hands as talons, but I held them tight while focusing on him, "Nonetheless you were a thief! Even still, being a thief helped form who you are, Duke!"
"It did?"
I nodded my head, with a bit of a smile curving my lips, "Duke, being a thief is just a part of you. It's given you skills that you've honed through the years, skills I can tell you're quite proud of, aren't you?"
His hands continued to return as he looked to me and tried to smirk; but his fangs reminded him of what he'd become,
"I was..."
"Focus on who you were, Duke, I'll pull you through the rest."
He relaxed his tensing shoulders a bit, as I held his hands firmly in mine, "You don't deserve this."
"I don't? After all the treasures I've stolen, hearts I've broken over the years?"
"Tell me about those treasures, those adventures you've had?" I requested, "Like you did when we first started traveling together?"
"I...I want to...but everythin's so hazy..."
"Duke, tell me of your wanderings beneath the moonlight, and through the shadows of the cities you've visited! Regail me of the good times you've had at taverns with friends and acquaintances you've met along the way! Share your scars if you need to! Anything to help you come back to me!" I told him.
He looked unsure of whether he wanted to smile, or grimace at my request. In my hands, I felt him shudder as he looked to the scarring over my face, but I didn't let him pull away. Instead, I said to him, "Duke, I want to keep traveling with you! I want to talk with you again! Please!"
At this, the furious crimson in his eyes began to die down. The dark fur of his coat started to thin out, showing some of his scars as it did. He tried to look away, but I quickly rested a hand against his cheek to keep him from doing so, "It's okay. You surviving each one has shown how tough it is to knock you down, right?"
He decided on a bit of a smirk, as the fire was replaced with the natural light of his eye. Before he realized that I could now see the deep scarring where his right one should have been. He quickly went to cover it with one hand, before I slid my hand up slightly, and assured him, "Duke, you don't need to hide this from me."
He looked to me, stunned by my words. Then his smile began to return, as he asked me with some returning confidence, as he caught a glimpse of the sapphire around my neck,
"After givin' a bit of myself for that one, I swore I would hold onto it...if I gave it away to anyone, they'd have to be someone quite important to me..."
His gaze rose to meet with mine as I felt the warmth of his words turning my face a bit red. I now realized that his ears were reverting back from those of a wolf as he asked me,
"You must be someone very dear to me to, wear it now...?"
"Duke?" I attempted softly, "Please, come back. Please, remember? You were the thief that found me in need of being stolen from a fate worse than death. You were the hero that risked his life to not only save me, but has helped others along our journey. Going through this alone...knowing you could slip away...I couldn't bare the thought of it. I wanted you there with me, making me laugh when I was unsure of things. I would have given anything to have you back. The thought that all that you are could be gone..I..."
"You were scared for a thief like me, Heart?"
My eyes widened to hear him use my name again, igniting something that began to pound with my chest. Yet I didn't have a chance to say anything further, as a sudden pain jolted through Duke, and he collapsed into me, "Duke?!"
I quickly wrapped my arms around him as his body began to convulse. As he trembled, he grabbed a hold of me in return. I ignored the pain in my shoulders, and focused on pulling him back bit by bit, somehow knowing what he needed to hear, "Please hang on, I won't let you slip away!"
"Heart!"
"I've got you! Just come back! I want to see you smirk when you've gotten into somewhere locked away!"
His hands fully gripped me, without a trace of claws at his fingertips. Still every fiber of him shook as he started to revert back in force.
"I want to watch as you become more of the hero you told me you always wanted to be as a little boy! You can't do that trapped here in this tomb!"
His tail retreated as his spine realigned to that of a human. With every change back, he growled and whimpered in pain, but he didn't dare let go. Nor did I, as I pleaded softly, "I want to hear the stories behind your scars, to know how those hardships molded you into the man I met not so long ago."
His pawed feet eased back, and his legs re-shifted as he collapsed further into my arms. He began to cry out as the extra bulk of muscle he'd taken on began to erode away, his lean frame returning bit by bit. I only tightened my grip, one hand at the base of his neck, and the other at his shoulder, "Use that strength and grit you've gained through the years to hold on now!"
He nodded his head, with a growl still in his throat ,as his ears finally reverted to those of a human. His fur fell away, leaving him in shreds of his tunic still left around just below his waist. Now he shivered as he held onto me.
"Don't let that fire in you, that burns to fight and protect those in need, die out! The world needs a thief to do what's right when so called heroes fail! I needed you that night, and I need you now! Please, Duke!"
At his name, his grip grew like a vice as he buried his face into my neck and shoulder. As he did, I felt his jaws reverting back, and a growling scream tore from his throat. I looked up to see his wings beginning to return into his back, his shoulder blades pulling them inward.
"I know, Duke! I know it hurts! Just hold onto me, I won't let you give up now! Don't let these scars be the ones to break you!"
Another roar of a cry deafened my ears, causing them to ring as he clung to me. I looked to see his wings nearly gone, his shoulder blades raw with blood and agony. His breathing was short and rapid, as he endured his bones in his back rearranging, making it as though the wings had never been there in the first place.
"Duke, you are my dearest friend...the one I was able to trust when I'd almost given up! You stole me away with the skills you've sharpened over the years! You helped me escape with your instinct and wit! You reached out to me, knowing I didn't remember how to do so myself! You found the smile I'd lost a long time ago, simply with the charming one you offered to me...Please don't take that away...or the hope you've given me..."
As his wings finally melded into his back, and his bones shifted within to reform the frame he'd had before all of this, I felt his hands tighten on my shoulders once more. With one last sharp cry of pain, the fangs he bore retreated, and the rest of him followed suit to transform back into the lean figure the rogue I knew him to have. Then he began to ease up slowly, as he looked to me through his wildly loose dark hair, and with a weak smirk curving his scarred lip while he breathed out, "Thank you, sweetheart..."
Before I could even attempt an answer, he collapsed to the floor, with me somehow managing to catch him as his head landed in my lap, lying on his right side a bit. I kept one hand resting along the side of his face, and the other at his opposite shoulder. He shivered from the cold and pain washing over his lean frame. The shock of no longer having a thick coat to warm him nearly caused him to curl up. Instead, he turned his head slightly to face upward, as though trying to make sure who it was holding him, as he breathed out, "H-Heart...?"
I choked back a sob of near disbelief, seeing him so shaken. My hands trembled slightly as I brushed the hair out of his face, assuring him gently, "I missed you, Duke."
He gave a tired smile while trying to look up at me, "Charmin', huh?"
I couldn't tell if my cheeks were red from his teasing, or from my own crying. Nonetheless, I tried to regain my composure as I offered a weak laugh of my own to encourage him. It seemed to work, as he shakily turned onto his stomach and pushed himself up with what strength he could find in him. I offered what assistance I could by resting my hands against his shoulders in support.
As I felt Heart place her hands against my still trembling frame, I looked to her to see the deep crimson shade her face was now. Yet I also saw the fear lingering in her eyes, as she tried to convince herself I was back. It tore my heart to shreds to see her so frightened and exhausted. My very core shook when I realized just how much she'd gone through, just to keep me from slipping away. To be replaced by the guardian that wouldn't know her from one person to another...her...Heart...the girl I reached out to now, by resting my hand against the cheek I'd scarred with my own claws. She'd gone through all of this...for...?
I wanted to tell her...I wanted her to know how much I wanted her right then. I wanted to offer my heart to her, and I nearly did as I leaned close to her. Yet those scars I'd made, the remnants of what we'd just gone through, they somehow made me hold back. Just before my lips brushed over hers, I shifted my head slightly to kiss her cheek instead. I felt her stiffen from this, and I offered what words I could, "I owe ya more than I can ever say, Heart...thank you."
"Duke?" she asked shakily.
It was then that I told myself I didn't deserve to tell her that. As glad as I was to be back, I knew why I'd gotten into this trouble in the first place. How was it fare to her to offer a heart that could be ripped away from her if I were ever arrested and executed? How could I ask her to bare such a possible fate? I simply couldn't. As much as I cared for her, as much as I wanted her...I couldn't take her...she was the one thing in my life that I refused to just steal. No matter how much I wished to. So I withdrew in those trembling moments, there on the floor with her. Instead, I would find comfort in getting to travel with her still, and be by her side in whatever adventures found us along the way.
I then attempted to get to my feet, before my body refrained from this movement, due to the shock of changing back and forth as I had. Heart was there to catch me as I fell into her. This made my resolve even harder to hold onto, and I gave a pained laugh, "This will take some time to recover from..."
We then looked over, as we heard Zarock returning down the steps. He smiled a bony grin when he saw us, and gave an understanding nod. He then walked over to Faith, and wrapped his bony arms around her, as she did the same with him. Then, after kissing her forehead, he rested her back in her casket, before returning to his own. Only when they were at peace once more, did I feel the lingering anger and confusion finally wash away.
Then Heart slid her arm under my shoulder, as she helped me to my unsteady feet, and began guiding me up those steep steps. We would find the former mayor's horse tied to the gate outside. With a promise of apples, Heart was able to steer us back to town.
Once back and had told them our tale, we were celebrated as heroes. Mr. and Mrs. Timbers would be the stand in mayors to help rebuild the town, and bring it to prosper once again. In return, they promised to share our story with others, which surprisingly gave me some hope. Perhaps if I could clear my name, become more hero than thief, maybe then I could offer myself to Heart after all? Until then I would settle for simply being her traveling companion and friend, as I'd promised her.
That night, I awoke to hear Heart stirring from her own bed. She sat up with a sudden start, before looking over to me. Only when seeing me, as she knew me, did she relax from the nightmare she'd just had, in the sleeping and waking realm. I offered a smile to let her know I was awake, inviting her to come over and sit beside me.
"After a day or so, I should be good to head out," I assured her softly, "I'm a quick healer, an' Mrs. Timbers found some healin' potions in Graive's house to help the process. She said we could take the rest with us on our journey."
"Take the time you need," she insisted.
I gave a nod, and then tilted my head curiously, "I overheard ya askin' Mrs. Timbers about a new tunic for me?"
At the moment I was in a loose fitted sleep shirt, with my wounds bandaged showing a bit from underneath the fabric. I'd also insisted on leggings to wear.
Heart nodded, "I didn't think you'd want to adventure in...well..."
Was she blushing? Despite my reservations, I couldn't help but tease, "Not exactly the kind of attention I'd want. Even if it does make ya blush like that?"
She tried to laugh, but I could see the unease clinging to her. So I offered a hand out to her, in which she held rather tightly in both of hers. It were almost as though she were keeping me from slipping away again. Then, while lying there, holding her hand, I vaguely recalled something, "That cretin Graives,...he accused ya of stealin' somethin' of his?"
Heart looked as though she'd forgotten until just now as well. She then pulled away to retrieve the gem from the satchel resting on the dresser. Returning to the bedside, she opened her hand as though her fingers were the petals of a flower. Without hesitation, she offered softly, "I thought it might help you?"
"Heart...ya didn't have to do this," I attempted, before seeing the recoil in her stance.
I quickly sat up slightly as I looked to her, "I mean...Heart, if somethin' had happened to ya 'cause of this. I'd never be able to forgive myself...I..."
This wasn't helping either of us. So instead ,I said to her what I really thought of her gift to me, "Thank you so much, darlin'. It means more to me than I can say."
I watched as she blushed, and I found it to be a bit of torture. She then handed me the notes that went with the gem, as we looked over them together, "This gem, The Eye of Jasper, acts like any other eye, however it offers the gift of being able to see in the dark for it's bearer. I don't need it now, but if I were to lose one in battle, this eye could be rather useful in it's place."
Heart carefully handed me the gem, placing it gingerly in my outstretched palm, as I closed my fingers over it.
"Guess there's only one way to find out?" I realized how nervous I suddenly was.
She closed her hand over my other, as it rested over the blankets. Somehow knowing why I was as hesitant as I was. Then, after taking a deep breath, and with her careful assistance of keeping my hair out of my face, and helping me to keep the scarring of the socket out of the way, I was able to set the gem in place. It was comfortably smooth, I soon realized. Then, as I simply blinked as I naturally would, I found I could see Heart sitting at my right with natural ease. I almost didn't believe it, and I think it showed, as my remaining natural eye misted over from the shock. I watched as Heart offered a comforting smile, while gently squeezing my hand.
However, I found this simply wasn't enough. So I pushed myself to sit up better, and pulled her into a hug as I silently breathed out, to where she couldn't hear the last part, "Thank you...love."
She in turn answered what she did hear, "I'm just glad you're back..."
Heart then pulled away and retrieved something else from her pocket now. I soon recognized it to be the eye-patch I'd worn over the last few years. She noted the scarring around my eye, and I admitted, "I'd still prefer to wear it...I'm proud of who I am, an' the skills I've gained; but the patch looks more appealin' than these gruesome scars."
She looked directly at me to prove, "I wouldn't look away, Duke."
"I know that, sweetheart; but I'm also just used to it."
"It would probably be safer for the gem to be covered I guess?" she then mentioned, "No one will try to take it from you, if they don't know it's there."
She then held the eye-patch out to me, before noticing the torn strap from my panic before. Yet when she saw me recoiling a bit from this, she carefully waved her hand over it. As she did this, I watched closely when she placed the ends together and they seamlessly wove back into place. You'd never know it had ever been broken.
"I might have to steal another kiss for all of this, Heart. Ya really know how to make a man feel quite lucky," I told her as she handed me the patch.
I found I could easily see through the cloth, but she could not see the gem hiding behind it. Then I asked, as I leaned forward towards her, "May I?"
She blushed a bit, tugging at my heartstrings further, and mentioned, "Is it stealing if you ask?"
I gave a soft chuckle at this remark, before brushing her cheek once more with a thank you, that I knew simply wasn't enough. Yet as long as things were this way, it would have to be...wouldn't it? Looking into her eyes with my own, when I pulled away, I began to wonder?
"You both went through so much for the other," I stated to the thinning mists before me.
"That we did," he replied a bit distantly, as though he were reliving these memories.
"Do you still have it then?" I couldn't help but be driven to ask.
"Have what?" he inquired.
"The Eye of Jasper?" I pushed carefully.
"Of course," he assured, before pausing and then asking, "Did ya wish to see it?"
"If I may?" I ventured with a fair of courage causing my heart to pound against my chest.
"Alright, sweetheart," he answered softly.
My eyes widened a bit as the mists began to part before me, as though unveiling the answer to my request. For rather than showing it with only his hand held out as before, the lean figure of the thief Dark Lord stepped forward. A bit of a gasp escaped through my lips as I gazed over him, until I was looking up at his face. He was just as he'd described himself to be; with skin of hazelnut; a thin, and yet, strong frame; his wild dark hair pulled into a short ponytail, with his bangs of ebony and white swept up and framing the right side of his face; and his remaining eye still carrying a warmth to it's brown shade. A smile was drawn out along his scarred lips as he knew I could see him, and the proof of such a gift, as he lifted the eye-patch for me to see the gem glistening back with me in his sights. I couldn't help but make sure that my hood was still up, hoping to hide a bit of my in awe expression. His attire was that of a phantom thief, from his high collar under-armor that reached down to his feet, and his dark dyed tunic to blend in with the midnight around us.
He placed the patch back over the gem that was his right eye, as he said, "You're quite lucky, darlin'. You're the first to catch a glimpse of me in quite a while, with your heart still intact at the moment."
He then raised a brow, "Unless I've managed to steal it away before we've finished this tale?"
I shook my head, "Not exactly. Though I'll admit I wasn't sure what I'd see when I found you?"
He appeared human still in form, with only his hands slightly changed to swipe what he wanted with his shifting, thin fingers blended with his tools of the trade. Unless they weren't needed, as was the case at the moment. He knew I wasn't trying to slip away, and gave a confident, charming smile to assure me of this.
Though it did soften a bit when he looked me over, with me a bit closer now, and said, "What a lovely gem of a lady, I must say. I look forward to stealin' that heart of yours, though I am enjoyin' the company in the meantime."
"Then shall we continue?" I asked while looking over the journal once again.
"Are ya sure ya want to? Your heart may break with what's to come next?" he warned.
To this, I pushed back a bit, "I may as well know the rest of the story in the process. For either way, I will lose it."
And he would answer, "Alright then, sweetheart."
