Book 3: Chapter 69
Zayde
I knew King Jerold would know demonic with his lineage, but I’d said it that way so the wyverns wouldn’t understand. They are loyal, but still unsure… fearful. If they end up attacking because of my words, Tiffany won’t ever forgive me.
And I’m glad they sent the Son of Turrus… That was before my time, but through grandfather I learned the legend all the same. Turrus was to be the first Lord of the Layer of Aggression, Anger, Strife, and Hatred, however…. He disappeared.
And thus, Jerold is not branded by the Horned One…
To be the son of the Light’s High Priestess… and not be marked, is because of Arviel’s anger. When he found out, he took her blessings away.
The legends tell that those two eloped, and the mindlessness of minotaur stems from them loving each other in secret during the war. After all… a priestess and a demon… They were Never meant to marry. They are enemies.
But Lord Jerold held no comradery, not being marked of the Night Court, nor the Light. He truly is impartial… He belongs to neither side.
I gently braced my mate for our landing. The scent of magic and bleach was faded as if these events happened years ago…
Sai’fire is smaller, so he had a easier time landing than me or Micael. Lord Jerold was already writing when I placed my mate on the ground to stretch her legs. She handed me pants, and I shimmied them on.
“That’s the Realm King’s scent and magic burn pattern.” He pointed at a few tufts of grass out of place. Indeed they did smell of electricity… and a bit of anger.
Sai’fire shifted. “I should not have come.” He said looking around. “This place is evil.”
“Hold.” I commanded, and I hated to do it, but if he flew off like that, there’s no telling where he’d go.
“I got this.” Said Tiffany. When it came to this kind of thing, she was best at it… she was also a better field medic too, but I’ll never admit that.
“All the wyverns you house are victims of Elkteer.” Said Jerold as more of a statement…
“We are all that’s left.” Said Sai’fire. “The master left us with Lord Zayde.”
“And how would you rate their treatment?’” he asked sternly, writing down details of what was left.
“….I don’t understand that question… but they treat us well. They keep me and my kin safe, but this place… This place is evil… tainted… rotted.”
“It’s gone now.” Said Tiffany to soothe him. He’d lost his form … but he is the strongest of my wyverns. I doubt anyone else could handle it any better than he was at the moment… and I did hate to do this to him…
But better he be picked at now with a neutral party, than the Church if they didn’t feel satisfied.
“It is.” Mumbled Lord Jerold. “If he needs to go home, I’ll figure something out.”
“You can ride in my hand?” Micael offered. “So long as you don’t punch it off.” He joked.
“I will not inconvenience a master.” Said Sai’fire.
“Then go with my order.” I said sternly. “Return to your mate, and give Mrs. Jekal this.” I said making a magic note. He won’t know what wailing willow is, or what it does. It’s the blue variety of willow tree. Normal weeping willow bark heals physical pain, wailing willow’s for emotional. That and maybe a sedative…. And as a dragon he’ll need a double dose.
“Thank you master.” His arms became wings, and he flew off as he shifted in the air.
Lord Jerold noted this interaction as it happened, as we spoke....
I have no doubt in my mind that should he not be satisfied, he Will level Yellow, and there is nothing I can do to stop it alone.
He seemed to have 4 sheets he actively wrote on… Ironic that many of my people would have immediately wrote him off as a half-beast and nothing more, but We knew better…. I had a suspicion though that our report will be favorable…
But also like… we hadn’t Done anything! Elkteer, even in death, is a thorn in my backside!
\-----Tiffany----
I rode in my mate’s hand as the sun dipped low… He wanted to see the Sun Temple too. Nothing was there with the pargeese gone, so with magic we helped destabilize the stone, and he didn’t even have to shift to throw a tree on the entrance. It ended up collapsing, the tunnels too, and filling with river water. It’s reclaimed now, so that no other creature would find that place, and dwell there.
I bet he also checked for more facilities too, but the one we found was the only one according to the Realm King… Because of Elkteer, eyes will likely be forever upon us.
The Church sending a King was a message… a multi-part one.
The First part of their message is a warning… They have kings on their side to deal with us should we be a problem… and they know where we live, so there’s nowhere to hide. Lastly… they programed that amulet to wedge lord Jerold like that… They Knew I’d have up a barrier…
It’s Literally my specialty!
They made sure to program that necklace not to shatter it… They wanted Jerold to, and he did with a single punch…. They also wanted to show that their might is mightier than mine… and my pride as a witch is hurt.
My pride as a barrier maiden… it shattered with the ‘glass’ dome….
We made our way back to the castle, and for the most part… the smell of food didn’t excite me… We hadn’t eaten the entire day, and food permeated the whole castle, waiting to be eaten in the ritual room below, preserved in perfect stasis….. Everything from pancakes to the imported elk was being braised with honey sauce.
Yet I still could not relax.
In silence he walked the halls, systematically… Almost as if he knew where he was going, yet, I know he didn’t. Hell, I live here now and even *I* don’t!
“Everything’s up to code… no magic leaks… no desecration contamination outside your living quarters, the rookeries are New and they’re clean… Good work. Now all I need’s the ritual room.” He said sternly.
“Would you like to stay for the New Moon ritual?” I asked. “The sun’s down, the banquet’s ready… and you ARE a guest…Guests are entitled to the banquet.”
“And audience with the Horned One.” Said Zayde.
….I’m sure Zayde didn’t say that, so Jerold can report that we can summon the Horned One…
Surely he does not see that as some sort of back pocket threat to weave?
Rodrick would know something like that, but this will Froth the Church into a Rabid Frenzy!
“….You know what, I Do.” He said with a light smile. “As far as I’ve seen, you lot pass this inspection. Culling for religious purposes are protected so long as the sacrificed party is registered.”
“He is.” Said Zayde, summoning papers from our office. “I made sure yesterday. He’s a meat market human.”
“Then there is no issue. Anything you do down there will be legal.” He said writing it down. “Your castle is clean, as is your intention. You have my voice. That alone should be enough for Rodrick.” He signed the 4th page, and handed us a receipt.
I don’t know why I needed to hear it, but I dropped my shoulders. I let out the breath I was holding… He put a hand on my shoulder. “Of all the witches I’ve had to deal with, even when you were Theo, you were honorable. I Trusted your words little one, but I still had to see for myself.”
“I let my past cloud my judgment.” I growled. He really was impartial…. It was My misjudgment, based off a past he’d clearly thrown away as I did… Hypocritical. I let instincts run away with my imagination!
*Childish*
“Don’t we all?” He asked, reminding me of dad…. “I’m older than the In-Between, being the *reason* there is one.” He chuckled. “Hell, being stubborn almost made me reject my mate. Now I can’t imagine a day without facepalming at least Once.”
He got a soft chuckle out of us.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
