Chapter 4: Destiny
Inside Mark's Head
Things were going from bad to incredibly worse. In a day's time I had been jumped at a tavern, suplexed by a demon, nearly cleaved in half by an undead brigand and then tortured by my doppelganger. Mountains of questions were forming with no answers in sight. The only thing I did know is that they were somehow connected to Garoon… the bane of my past… it was my intention to never have to hear that name again; I thought I had made sure of that… Clearly I was a fool for thinking that.
I'm asleep. I know what you're thinking, the proper words right now should be unconscious and fitful but it's hard to explain. Whatever that imposter did to me, that shock in my skull was one of the worst pains I've ever felt. And yet it seemed to jog something in my head. My mind began to drift around, with surprising clarity. I found myself dreaming of the past again. This time wasn't just a brief glimpse of my family's faces, happy and fulfilled as they were years ago. No, no this time was a full memory...
Sancti, Etruria: Ten years ago
I woke up when the first rays of dawn came through my bedroom window. They struck my closed eyes, triggering them to open and be greeted with the sight of a beautiful Etrurian morning. Our family was lucky, Sancti was a city built into the side of a small mountain. The higher you lived on the mountain, the more it said about your status. Due to my father's success we were able to move into the upper district a few years ago, which meant a big house, servants, and my favorite perk: a beautiful view of the sunrise. I sheepishly gazed out at the early morning scene before my brain connected what day it was.
"He's home today!" I stammered excitedly to myself, fighting the early morning exhaustion. I practically fell out of bed in my scramble to get to my closet. I changed quickly, tossing my sleep clothes off to the side in a haphazard pile, nothing less to be expected of a twelve year old boy. I burst out of my bedroom and practically ran down the hallway, straight past one of our servants who was bringing a bowl of water to my room.
"Oh! Young master! Don't you want to wash up before you go!?"
"It's okay Matilda I will later!" I called back to her as I practically leapt down the staircase down to the second floor. I broke stride once I reached the bottom of the steps though. Nona's room was in this hallway and I still had bruises from last time I made too much noise. Elimine help me if I woke my sister up again. After tip-toing with as much alacrity I could muster, I descended down to the first floor and picked up my pace again.
"You're in an awful hurry, Mark." I skidded to a stop and turned back towards the study I had just run past. A tall, solid figure was planted at one of the desks in the room, surrounded by stacks of books but particularly focused on the one open in front of him.
"Orin? Have you been up all night?"
"I couldn't help it, I've almost got this spell and then I'll go to bed." My older brother responded, punctuated with a yawn.
"You know he comes home today right!?" I said, not being able to help the grin pulling at my lips. My brother chuckled and yawned again as he turned in his seat to face me.
"Yes, yes I know. But you do know it's probably not going to be for hours, right?"
"I know, but I wanna wait at the gate for him! I mean… it's been a year. Aren't you excited?"
"Of course I am, trust me I've missed him as much as you have. But I need sleep, and he'll be here when I wake up." He said with a small smile as he rose from his chair. As he passed by me he ruffled my hair with his big paw of a hand. "Give him a hug for me, alright kid?"
"I'm not a kid!" I grumbled as I shook my head away from his hand. He just laughed and shuffled to the staircase, more than ready to collapse into his bed. After a moment of watching him go, I shot through the front door and down the street. The roads of Sancti were steep and paved with gray brick. It was hell going uphill to get back home, but it was a lot of fun going down. At the speed I was going it took me mere minutes to get out of the upper district and only minutes more to make it down to the front gates of town.
The last leg of my journey went through merchant's row. It was a section of the main road right before the city gates that was lined with traders, both tradesmen who lived in the city as well as certain spots reserved for traveling merchants to display their wares. I usually took my time through here, always curious to see what was on sale that day, but today being special I discounted it altogether and sped to the gate.
The area out front of Sancti was a pleasant meadow, framed by the land of farmers who toiled to bring in a steady supply of food. I walked along the city wall for a minute until I came to a large willow, leaning lazily in the spring sunlight. While the sunrise was always a pleasant sight, this spot was still my favorite. I had been coming here for years; I'd climb up onto the awkwardly shaped trunk and watch the road through the hanging leaves and just contemplate various things. The other children in the upper district looked down on my habit, thinking it was unbecoming of nobility to travel even beyond their section of the city, let alone beyond the city gates. But since my family wasn't technically nobility, I felt I was exempt from that sentiment.
It must have been hours I was waiting there. I started off intently watching the road at first, keeping my eye on every passerby to see if it was him, but to no avail. After a while I started to have doubts. Maybe I got the day wrong? Maybe he wasn't supposed to be home until tomorrow? Maybe he got back to the city before I even made it to the gate? I was so intent on making it to the gates I could've run right past him and not realized it! I cursed the thought of carelessness though and sighed. Eventually my eyes began to feel heavy and I fought as hard as I could to fight off sleep. It's one thing if he doesn't show, but it's another to fall asleep and miss him! Stay awake! I struggled and tried to keep my mind racing, but sure enough I nodded off mumbling to myself, "Damn it Mark, stay awake! Damn it… wake up… wake…"
Somewhere in Southern Ilia
"…Mark... wake up… wake up… Mark!" I shot awake suddenly and found myself in a different place entirely. No longer was it a warm spring day in a willow tree, it was a bitter winter night in a cage. It took me a moment to get my bearings and realize what was happening. The dark stone of the prison had been replaced with a cold, steel floor and bars. The cage was large and there were a few other figures sitting in the holding along with me. Rope was tightly bound around my hands. It was clear I was captured again, but something struck me as off. There was a certain feeling in my stomach and something odd about the movement I saw outside the bars in the darkness of the night. Then it clicked, we were on the move.
"Mark? Are you alright?" I looked to my left and realized the whisper was coming from Legault. It was dark, but the torches from nearby soldiers walking alongside our transport allowed me to make out a few bruises on his face, particularly a shiny new black eye.
"Yeah I'm alright… We didn't get away did we?"
"My you really are the brilliant mind aren't you? No we didn't… I was able to outrun that armored bastard, but then that red haired girl showed up and throttled me something fierce. She's a lot tougher than she looks." Legault grumbled as he rubbed his bruised eye. "So how'd you get caught?"
"One of them did something to me. He used some kind of magic to knock me out and he… he has my face."
"What? Mark there's no mirror on hand, but I promise you that you still have your face."
"No! No I don't mean he took it but… I don't know how to explain it. I saw it for myself, he was identical to me."
"Do you have a twin you never told me about?"
"Absolutely not, there's my brother Orin, but…"
"But what?" The words were caught in my throat, but I managed to force them out.
"…He's dead." Silence hung in the air for a moment before Legault spoke again.
"I'm sorry Mark… how did he-?"
"It doesn't matter right now. All I know is that ghoul has my face and I have no idea what he's planning... This is bad Legault."
"No kidding, how'd you say he knocked you out?"
"It was some kind of magic. It felt like he was crushing my head and then I passed out."
"Hmm… Strange."
"What's strange?"
"You don't look roughed up; if anything you look like you're in better shape than when I left you."
I was about to debate Legault's point when I realized he was right. I shrugged my shoulders and realized all my aches were better. "Yeah you're right… someone must have healed me before I was thrown in here. Did you see anything?"
"No, I woke up just before you did…" I sighed and shook my head, just more questions to add to the mountain. I turned back to Legault and was about to ask something else when I noticed him staring at me strangely.
"Is something up Legault?"
"What's going on here Mark?"
"I have as little idea as you."
"I don't know if I believe that." I suddenly felt threatened.
"Legault, you're the only ally I have right now, I wouldn't jerk you around."
"Mark… you're sure you don't have any connection to these guys."
"Legault I swear I have no idea who these freaks are." Legault looked at me in silence for a few moments before hanging his head with a sigh.
"You know I'm on your side right? Whatever happens?"
"I know Legault."
"And I trust your word above all else. It's just that these guys seem like they're taking a special interest in you."
"Believe me I know…" I responded, conscious of the tattoo on my wrist and the bump on the back of my head. "Their leader, Oz, was saying he needed me to create tactics for something. They're definitely planning on attacking somewhere."
"Do you have any idea where exactly?"
"No clue Legault, but telling by their numbers and the way they're equipped… I'd guess a castle."
"Really? I know by this path we're heading south by south-west… Lycia?"
"It's likely, but they know I'm allies and friends with many Lycian nobles. I would never willingly lead an attack against them; at least most of them." The faces of Erik of Laus and Marquess Araphen popped into my head. I wouldn't mind leading an army against those bastards. "We'll have to deal with it as it comes. First priority is still getting out of here."
"Well, remember how I told you we were being attacked back at the compound? I was busy running but I was able to see they were getting attacked by Pegasus knights. I think I saw Fiora leading them."
"The fifth wing? Did she know we were here?"
"I didn't exactly get a chance to stop and ask her. If we've got luck left they're still following us."
"I hope so… if they attack again we can try and slip away again in the confussion."
"Yeah, but until then…" Legault then proceeded to lean back against the bars and close his eyes.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm trying to get some sleep."
"Are you serious?"
"It's the middle of the night and I'm not exactly feeling cunning after that beating. I just need to rest up a bit, and then I'll be good for whatever plan you can cook up…" Legault pulled his cloak around him like a blanket and shifted down onto the floor for some more support. As eager as I was to get out of here, he did have a point. At the moment I had no plan of escape and we had no idea where this convoy was headed. The best thing to do for now was rest up, gather some more information in the morning, and hope Fiora catches up with us. I looked around the cage and noticed that the others were asleep too. I took their cue, bundled up in my cloak and laid down on the cage floor.
"Hey Mark…" I looked back over my shoulder towards my companion.
"Yes Legault?"
"I'm sorry I wasn't able to pull through."
"What do you mean? Escaping?"
"Yeah."
"It was a long shot of a plan; you have nothing to be sorry for. We'll have another chance."
"Yeah…" I heard nothing else from Legault so I rolled back over and shut my eyes. Really wish I had some liquor right now… if Fiora knows we're here maybe she told the others… maybe even her… Lyn's face came to mind and stayed there in my head, until I finally fell asleep.
Sancti, Etruria: Ten years ago
As soon as I was aware that I had nodded off I snapped awake. The sudden awakening startled me and caused me to wobble on the willow. Í let out a small yelp as I tried to claw my way back onto the tree but found myself slipping too quickly. Before I realized it, I was falling towards the ground, looking up towards the leaves and hoping that the landing wouldn't hurt too much. I closed my eyes and braced myself as I made contact. Only the ground didn't hurt at all actually. In fact something felt off about it. It felt like… arms?
"I'm barely back a minute and you almost give me a heart attack?" I looked up and saw a bearded face framed with graying brown hair smiling down at me.
"Dad!" I shouted as I wrapped my arms around him in a tight hug as he lowered me down onto my feet with a hearty laugh.
"Mark, I've missed you! How's my boy?"
"I missed you too Dad! Everything's been good while you were gone I made sure of it!"
"That's my boy! I can't believe how much you've grown in a year! You became a man while I wasn't looking!"
"I'm not there yet, but I've grown three inches and I've been working hard with what you've taught me! I'm catching up to you and Orin!" He let out another laugh and ruffled my hair.
"In time I'm sure you will Mark." He was about to say something else but his attention was drawn to a set of approaching footsteps in the grass.
"Jon? Is everything okay over here?" The man who had followed my father over had long silvery-gray hair, yet looked only a few years older than Orin. He was garbed in the long flowing robes of a mage and I could tell just by being in his presence that he was very powerful.
"Ah Lord Pent! Yes everything is fine. My lord, this is my son Mark. Mark I'd like you to meet Count Pent Reglay. He's the man I've been serving for the past year."
"I-It's a pleasure to m-meet you sir!" I said immediately dropping to my knees. I was accustomed to seeing plenty of nobles due to living in the upper district, but this wasn't just any noble. Reglay was one of the most powerful families in Etruria and Lord Pent had made quite a name for himself, both in and out of politics. If there was mention of magic in Sancti, it was almost always followed by mention of Lord Pent. Although he was so young, he was well known for being the best mage in the whole city, possibly even the whole country! I didn't think it likely that I'd ever meet him, let alone find out my dad was working for him! I was suddenly afraid I hadn't made a proper introduction, or maybe had bowed incorrectly. My heart dropped further when I heard him approaching me. I braced myself for some form of reprimand on a lack of courtesy, but there was nothing, only him extending his hand to me.
"Stand up Mark, there's no need to bow." I looked between him and his hand in hesitation before finally grabbing hold of it. Even though my legs were jelly and unable to help much, he effortlessly lifted me back to my feet with just the one hand. Not only was he strong, but his hand was tough and even callused. Never had I met a noble without soft hands, but his echoed of a life of honest and hard work. It made me instantly respect him.
"I-If you say so sir! But it is truly an honor to meet you!"
"Haha! No actually I find it more honorable to finally meet you Mark. Your father has spoken much about you on our journeys, he's very proud of you." I felt my face go beat red when he said that, and proceeded to stammer for a second before my father laughed and clapped me on the shoulder. "I never thought I'd see you at a loss for words, Mark! How will you work for him one day if you can't even speak to him?"
"W-What? Really?"
"Of course!" Pent said laying a hand on my shoulder. "Your father is one of the most brilliant tacticians I've ever met in my life. But if what he tells me is true, there's a rising star in you as well. One that any noble would be honored to have in his service." I felt a grin spread across my face at Lord Pent's words.
"Yes my lord! I'll do my best!"
"I know you will. Seth, I'm afraid I'm needed at the court. I've kept them waiting for a year and apparently they plan to hang me if I keep them waiting any longer."
"Understood my lord, I'll report to you this evening then."
"I'll see you then, friend. Mark, it was nice meeting you, I hope to see you again."
"As do I sir, take care!" Pent then gave a smile and nod and walked back to the city gates.
"I had no idea you had been working for Lord Pent this whole time!"
"Yes lad and I will be serving him still. He has offered me a position in court as his advisor."
"So you'll be home for a while?"
"Hah! Aye lad, you won't be losing me again so soon. Now let's go see the rest of the kin and I'll tell you about my adventures. Is Nona as ornery as ever?"
"I fear she's gotten worse while you were gone." My father let out another laugh and shook his head as we approached the city gates.
"Well that's just fine, I'm glad things haven't changed too much in my absence… oh, that reminds me." Dad reached into the inside of his cloak and dug around for something. After a moment he pulled out a small red sack and placed it in my hands. "I came upon it while we were exploring a tomb in the Western Isles." I opened the bag and my eyes widened at the sight. I reached in and slowly pulled a necklace. The chain was made of finely polished black metal, what kind it was I couldn't tell but it was beautiful to be sure. Hanging from it was a well polished gold amulet with a remarkable black gem in the center.
"Wow, it's incredible! You found this in a tomb?"
"Sure did! It took a lot of work to get the dust off and restore it but just like that it's as good as new. It worked as sort of a good luck charm for me when I wore it, so I want you to have it now, son."
"Thanks dad! Is that… a symbol cut into the gem?" It was hard to make out, but somehow what looked like a cross with a hooped top had been somehow carved perfectly into the gem stone.
"Ah yes, the locals told me about that. It's the symbol for their god of destiny, Garoon. They say he watches over those who fate has marked for great purpose. I believe one of those people are you Mark, so who better to wear it?"
"I…I'll take good care of it"
"I know you will son. Now come on, I'm sure your mother is waiting for us. Let's go… let's go…
Somewhere in Southern Ilia
"Let's go… I said let's go!" I snapped awake as I felt something poke me hard in the back. I realized immediately that we had stopped, for the rocking of the cart we were on had ceased. I rolled over from my spot on the floor of the cage to face my aggressor. It was hard to make out with the glare of the morning sun on the snow, but I could tell it was one of the Sons of Garoon. He had been jabbing me with the butt of the spear he wielded. "The boss will see you now."
I glared at him for a moment before rolling over, and checking to make sure Legault was still beside me. Thankfully my comrade was still there, sound asleep. I was about try to nudge him awake, but the soldier prodded me again. "I said now." I sighed and rolled over towards the door of the cage where two other soldiers were waiting. They quickly opened the cage door and threw me from the cart onto the snowy ground. I grunted in pain, but before I had time to react another two soldiers lifted me by the shoulders and marched me towards the front of the convoy.
As they dragged me by, my brief scan of the cargo train confirmed my fears. They had multiple ballistae they were wheeling by horse and carriage along with several catapults, typical siege weapons. A long train of food provisions also meant they intended to be in the field for a while, or worse that they were prepared to starve out a fortress. The damning evidence though was when I spotted a soldier pull back the cover on a weapons cart. I spotted several racks of hammers, armor slayers, and lancereavers. Truly a full arsenal fit for fighting knights. There was no doubt about it now; they intended to attack a castle. The question I'd need to answer before we made it there was which one?
We finally made it to the front of the convoy where a ring of eight collapsing stools had been set up in a circle as if to signal some sort of council. For a moment I expected the two soldiers to throw me into the center of the circle like the prisoner I was, instead they sat me in the only vacant chair in the ring.
"Ah, Mark, so glad you could join us this fine morning!" I glared across the way at my tormentor, Oz, who was seated directly across from me. He had what appeared to be a warm smile on his face; however I was aware of the malevolence behind it. He finished a small piece of bread he had in one hand and took a drink of something from a skin clutched in the other. He suddenly looked embarrassed and cleared his throat. "Oh dear, where are my manners? Cut him loose please and get this man something to eat and drink!" Without a second's breath, one of the soldiers stepped forward and quickly sliced the ropes around my wrists with a dagger. A moment later another soldier handed me a small loaf of bread and water skin. I looked at the two suspiciously before looking back at Oz.
"Go on! I'm sure you're famished. Oh! Wait of course. You there." Oz said pointing to one of the soldiers besides me. The man instantly stepped up and took a bite of my bread and a drink of the water before handing it back to me. "Just wanted to make it clear, we have no intention of doing something as cowardly as poisoning you." I seriously did not put a stunt like that past them, but I hadn't eaten or drank in a day so I honestly wouldn't have cared anyway. I began to calmly eat and drink, even though I wanted to ravenously consume the two.
"Now, before we begin our discussion allow me to go around the circle and introduce everyone to you as you're a stranger to some of our little group here. Now I'm sure you remember Bast and Ark." To my left sat the armored morph staring me down with his menacing yellow eyes. The incredibly tall string bean sat to my right and he… well I'm sure he was staring at me too, but the burlap mask with the crudely drawn smiley face made it hard to tell. "I also believe you've had the pleasure of getting acquainted with my body guard Heidi and my advisor Aherm." Oz said motioning to the horned red headed girl and the black robed imposter, sitting on either side of him. Getting acquainted was one way of putting it; they were responsible for half of my knockouts yesterday.
"Now I don't believe you know my two lieutenants. They were out yesterday doing some scouting work for me yesterday so I don't believe you had the opportunity to meet them. May I introduce to you Brutus and Iscar." Brutus who was sitting on the middle left instantly reminded me of Hawkeye in figure. He had the same insanely muscular build bulging out of a red and black vest, but had much darker skin and long, curly black hair. He also had a large scar that spanned from his forehead, over his left eye and down to his chin. The woman across from Brutus, Iscar, was… strikingly normal compared to the rest of them. She had a smooth, pleasing face with maple skin, framed by short black hair that was tied back into a pony-tail. Her figure was lost in heavy red robes as she was in the book she had clutched in her hands. It was as if she couldn't care less about being here.
"Now that introductions are out of the way we may begin. I certainly hope you are feeling better after that little scuff yesterday. I had Aherm here heal you up as good as new." The dark skinned man grinned as he patted the black robed ghoul sitting next to him on the shoulder. My eyes couldn't help but linger on Aherm. His structure had changed again; he was now taller, very thin, and hunched over in his chair. Whatever he had done to change himself into me, it must've worn off for that was certainly not my body anymore. "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding yesterday. Tensions are running high around here so honestly no one is to blame if things get a little crazy. So without further ado, I forgive you. Now with the matter at hand, I-."
"Wait, you forgive me?" I asked with an incredulous tone in my voice. Oz looked around at his coterie with a confused expression.
"Why… why yes. Remember, you attacked me yesterday? Tried to plunge a knife in my back? Luckily Heidi was there to save me, but let's not point fingers here. What's important is I'm unharmed and your spell of madness is over. I-."
"MADNESS?" I rose quickly from my chair, dropping the water skin to the floor. If there had been any bread left I probably would've dropped that too. My sudden motion caused the guards to jump and ready their weapons, but Oz's coterie did not as much as flinch. "You know exactly why I attacked you yesterday. There was no spell of madness! You intentionally provoked me by bringing up Garoon!" Oz raised his hands and made a calming motion with a smile on his face.
"Fine, whatever the reason was it's over now and all is forgiven between us. I'm hoping we can go back to being civil despite-."
"Civility went out the window when you subjected me to that morph massacre in the prison! You allowed all those innocent people to die!"
"It was an unfortunate accident! Bast is sometimes clumsy with the locks and tends to leave a few of them undone. Am I to be held accountable for the blood thirsty nature of my prisoners? After all, that's why they were locked up in prison right?" I felt my blood starting to boil. Oz was really starting to get to me and we'd been talking for a minute. But I needed to relax. He was trying to get a reaction from me. If I give that to him he wins. Easing up, I shut my mouth and slowly sat back down in my chair.
"I'm glad you can see reason. Now, I was hoping you took some time since we last spoke to think about my offer. What do you think?"
"Help you coordinate your murderous army and assist in your quest to awaken Garoon? I think I'll pass."
"No, no I don't think you remember the offer then. My offer wasn't asking whether or not you'll help us. You WILL help us. Your choice is whether you do it willingly and be comfortable or if we have to pull teeth along the way."
"More threats… if fear is your only tactic to try and convince me you truly are in dire need of a tactician. The unspoken threats are the worst. Don't think I didn't understand your message from the morphs in the prison.
"I honestly have no idea what-."
"Batta, Glass, the Ganeleon? How you learned to raise morphs, especially ones that talk I don't know. But you chose those ones so that you could make the point that you know all about my past… it's a shameful threat, but I've no family left and I've cut off ties with my old friends, so that makes it an empty one."
"Really? I'm aware that you have had no contact with your old allies for two years now… but you mean to say if I started seeking them out across Elibe and eliminating them one by one you'd feel no remorse?" I had to consciously stop my fists from tightening. Flashes of my family and friends shot through my head when I heard that. I wanted to shout at him to stay away from them, but I knew better. He was bluffing. It had merely been a scare tactic to try and get my cooperation.
"Honestly I wouldn't. Besides, I really doubt you have man power to carry that out. You're here in Elibe for one purpose: reviving Garoon. I seriously doubt you can afford to send out kill squads just to spite me."
"You'd be surprised what I'm capable of." Oz said with that damned smile. "I don't mind killing your friends if you'll submit to my will. I'm not proud or afraid to admit it; I need you if I'm to carry out this ultimate homage to my God."
"While I'm honored, I'm sorry to say you'll never achieve your goal if that's true. You're a heart-less bastard who leads a murderous group of demons, obsessed with the one thing that has ruined my entire world. Your god of destiny has brought nothing but trouble to my life since the day I first heard its name. If you seriously wish to awaken him, I pity you, but you won't get my help… and I'll die before I allow you to kill any more innocent people… I promise."
Oz chuckled and was about to respond when Ark suddenly shot to his feet, pointing to the tree line of the nearby forest. "Master, it seems we have a spy in our midst." A moment later something shot from the trees and took off into the sky, moving quickly away from the camp. A Pegasus knight! She must be one of Fiora's! I realized as I watching the rider fly away with much alacrity.
"Oh dear, someone must've been curious about what we were doing… grab her, Ark." With a nod, one of the creature's arms shot out to inhuman length straight into the sky after the knight. Ark's arm was moving much faster than the pegasus could fly and struck it and it's rider probably before either of them even knew it was coming. The two fell very ungracefully from the air and were plummeting towards the ground. They were not too high above the tree line, but it was high enough that when they tumbled down through the branches I questioned whether or not they'd survive. A group of soldiers rushed towards the forest with ropes to apprehend them. I was about to rise from my chair but both Bast and Ark each placed a forceful hand on my shoulder that kept me seated.
"No need to move Mark, they'll bring the girl to us. I'm as curious as you are to see who are little spy is." And sure enough a minute later they emerged from the forest with the stunned pegasus bound in ropes and a tied up knight to accompany it.
"Sir, the pegasus is dazed and the girl is unconscious. What should we do with them?"
"Hmmm… tie the pegasus in with the other horses. We can find use for it later. As for the girl leave her here a moment." The soldier nodded and laid the girl's unconscious form in the center of the circle.
I felt a strange sadness wash over me seeing the girl lying there. She was young; I'd be surprised if she was as old as eighteen. She had a fragile figure and a soft face that reminded me a lot of Florina, except her hair was a straight pink, not a curly purple. I wondered if this girl was like her personality wise too. If she was awake right now, would she be crying and scared like Florina would?
"My! I was not expecting our spy to be so young… I wonder for how long she's been following?"
"My guess would be since we left the compound… those Pegasus knights must still be on our trail." Ark said in his deep, sinister tone. "She must be part of a forward scouting party."
"It's no matter. We'll be gone before the rest of them can catch up. I can't help but wonder if they heard anything." Oz wondered as he stroked his beard.
"Allow me to take my men back and meet them. We'll slaughter the ponies before they can follow us any further. And we should kill her just in case." Brutus said nonchalantly as he drew an axe from his side and made towards the girl. I was about to move, but Heidi suddenly jumped in front of him, placing a hand on his chest to stop him. She did not even say a word, but her look said exactly what I would have: Stay back.
"I'm inclined to agree with Brutus on this one. We should risk splitting our numbers though if we're attacked while Brutus is gone. Cut her head off. Leave it behind as a warning." Iscar said without even looking up from her book. Aherm and Bast nodded in silent agreement. Heidi looked around the group with a stern expression and gave her master Oz pleading eyes.
"I'm sorry Heidi, but they're right. This girl needs to die." He stated calmly as he drew a knife from his side and approached the girl lying on the ground. "It's really such a shame. She looks like a real sweet girl." He said calmly as he brought the knife to her throat. I felt my heart jump to my throat and I couldn't stop myself from calling out.
"Wait!" Oz stopped his knife and slowly looked up at me.
"Yes, Mark?"
"That tree line is much too far away to hear anything. There's no way they could've overheard us they were just looking. There's no reason to kill the girl. Take her hostage and use her as leverage against them." There was silence followed by a small amused laugh from Oz.
"So the brilliant mind finally lends us his plans! I thought you weren't going to help us Mark?"
"I'm not. I'm making good on my promise to not allow you to hurt more innocent people." Oz's smile dissolved to a bitter expression. He was clearly growing impatient with my refusals. He stood back up straight and turned his back to me, stroking his beard in thought. He then turned back to face me, the friendly smile had returned.
"I just came up with a marvelous plan." Oz suddenly flipped the blade in his hand and offered the handle to me. "Kill her."
"Me? You're crazy if you think I'm going to kill that girl."
"No, no I don't think you're going to kill that girl. I know you're going to kill her."
"Why in Elimine's name would I do that?"
"Your promise was not to allow me to hurt more innocent people right? Well, I just decided that your idea to hold her hostage is awful. It would just be another mouth to feed and another prisoner to watch. I don't want to go through all that trouble. So Mark, what am I left to do?"
"You can let her go." I know it was a stupid suggestion, but what else was I to say?
"A sense of humor too! You cut me up Mark!" Oz laughed, holding his gut with his free hand. No, but I'd certainly love to cut you. I would've said it, but the situation didn't need to get any worse. "But in all seriousness, the only option left is to kill her. Now I would never be so cruel as to order one of my men to do it. She's quite young and I can't imagine the guilt they'd have to bear knowing they carried out my order of execution. So to protect my men I'll carry out the deed myself. After all I'm heartless right? How can I feel guilt? Yet you insist you won't let me kill anyone! Now you are not one of my men and I'm sure you don't intend to break that promise. So what's the only decision left? You do it."
"I'm not doing your dirty work."
"You will if you don't want her to suffer. You see, I'm fascinated with the human body, particularly with pain. I can only wonder how much she can take before she finally dies… I'm willing to experiment to find out."
"You're a mad man."
"But you're not are you? Be merciful and give her a quick, clean death. I know you're not a killer but you study battle after all! I'm sure you know all kinds of clever ways to kill people painlessly. Do it."
I stood frozen in shock, staring at the knife Oz was offering me. All eyes were on me. Not just Oz's lackey's standing in the circle, but I could feel the eyes of the soldiers on me as well. I've never been a killer, Oz knew that. I've had to defend myself at certain time on the battle-field for the sake of self-preservation, a few times even dealing mortal injuries to my aggressors. They've always been unsavory though: psychotic brigands, pirates, black fang, morphs… never have I had to resort to hurting an innocent. Killing this girl? It was out of the question. And yet do I let her die horribly at the hands of this bastard?
My eyes drifted away from the knife and back to the girl's unconscious form. Her polished armor caught my eye. Was she truly an innocent? In all honesty no, she probably wasn't. Pegasus knights were mercenaries who were usually trained young and often were required to kill. Memories of the Pegasus sisters tearing through Black Fang on the battlefield came to mind. Especially Florina, for a girl so timid she became fierce when people she cared about were in danger. Maybe this girl was like that… or maybe she was a stone cold killer at such a young age… or maybe she was a raw recruit who had yet to see blood... something told me one way or another I'd never find out. This girl was about to die… either by my hand or by my stubbornness…
"So what will it be Mark? How will Garoon guide your destiny today?" Oz asked with a smirk. I glanced at my mad tormentor, then back at the girl. I glanced at the sun light gleaming off the knife, then back at the girl. I glanced at Bast's eerie yellow eyes, then back at the girl. I glanced up at Ark's creepy mask, then back at the girl. I glanced up at Heidi's strangely emotional eyes, then back at the girl. I glanced at Aherm's cowled visage, then back at the girl. I glanced down at my hands, and my eyes stayed there.
There's only one option here... Am I really about to do this? Am I really about to compromise all that I am? There will be serious consequences for what I'm about to do… but as long as the ends justify the means right… right? It doesn't matter anyway. Every path from this point will lead to only destruction. If this path will cause the least damage… then I'll have to travel it. It will be a bitter path… but if it's the path I must walk then so be it. I'll stand the bitter taste… I'll shoulder it like I have everything else! Legault, Fiora, Pent… Lyn… forgive me. You will think badly of me for what I'm about to do, and I'll surely be less of a man for it… but it's for the best.
Oz appeared as if he was about to turn back towards the Pegasus knight and do who knows what, but I acted first. I snatched the handle of the knife from his hand and was moving towards the girl before he was even able to say anything. Everything suddenly felt like it was in slow motion. Like someone tugged life's reins, going from break-neck speed down to a trot. It was as if I wasn't even controlling my own body. Some unknown force had compelled me to grab the knife and lunge for the hostage. I brought the knife up to a proper hold and lunged for the defenseless girl. An unseen hand guided my own as I brought it in a single stab straight down...into the frozen earth beside her.
"You win Oz… I will serve you… you and Garoon."
-fin-
Firedude: I know it was not a very action packed chapter, but all in due time! Please review if you liked it (or if you hated it) I'm always pleased to hear to comments, questions, and criticism from my readers. Stay vigilant for more updates, enjoy!