The Return pt.24
Lucien and Morrigan carried their two chests filled with their spoils through the city passing guards, Count Draeken's knights and the everyday citizens of Salver. Every one of them stops and stares as the two of them pass them by. Two towering individuals, one a man in blood-soaked armor and the other a woman dressed in sapphire, carrying two chests spilling with valuables from the noble quarter is certainly eye-catching, especially with the chaos of the day.
Continuing through the city Lucien orders Morrigan “Guide me to the apothecary you all have been visiting for medicine.”
“May I ask why, my lord?”
Answering with an unexpected calmness Lucien said, "I wish to thank him personally for all the aid he has given you all." Nodding her head Morrigan began directing Lucien through the city streets towards the apothecary Henri.
Upon arriving at the apothecary, they find it mostly abandoned with a few guards and knights continuing to evacuate others or gathering medicine for the sick and wounded. Every one of those guards and knights freeze in place as Lucien and Morrigan walk by them. Setting the chests down, Lucien looks to the others and sternly tells them "No one touches these. Understand?" With everyone nodding their heads in agreement, Lucien and his servant walked into the shop.
Behind the counter continuing to work despite everything was an old, bearded man. This old man ignored Lucien for a time until he stood before the shop counter asking, "Are you the apothecary that operates this shop?"
"I am. What do you..." As he spoke Henri looked up from his work and froze. He had never seen Lucien before, nor seen an artistic piece of the legendary creature from the east, but he knew him when he laid his gaze upon him. Briefly his eyes leave Lucien finding Morrigan standing off to the side with a smile on her emaciated face.
Jean the apprentice walked in asking where he could find some of the medicinal ingredients he needed, but when he looked up and saw his master staring up at a towering individual the young man asked, “What do you need giant?”
Instantly Henri struck Jean in the stomach, “Watch your mouth boy. You stand before a king.”
In disbelief Jean complained “What do you mean? That’s not King Richard.”
Staring at his apprentice with worry filling his eyes, Henri explained through his teeth “Not our king boy. The king of the wastelands.” Then pointing to Morrigan, he continued “Her king. The king you here those from the east and the Dharan traders talk about.”
Eyes widening, Jean fell to his knees and stared up at Lucien. Every word of apology he could think of was choked out by the lump in his throat. Henri lowers his head briefly apologizing on his apprentice's behalf before asking "What can I do for you sire? What brings you to my shop personally?"
Smiling at the old man and his apprentice, Lucien answered, "I came to thank you personally for all the times you have aided my servants." Lucien then did something truly unexpected and lowered his head to the apothecary "I thank you apothecary."
It was now Henri's turn to choke on his words as he lowered his head in return. Reach over the count Lucien rests his hand on Henri's shoulder saying, “Please raise your head."
Doing so the old apothecary looked up into Lucien's eye as the old creature said, "Though it is too late now, I would still like to return home with the medicine Morrigan originally came here for. Would you be gracious enough to make some more for us?"
Old Henri nodded his head as he stammered out "I understand sire. We'll have it ready shortly."
Lucien being no thief asked, "Thank you. How much?"
Turning back with a lowered head, Henri answers, "It was already paid for once sire."
Without pausing for a moment Lucien responded more sternly "How much?"
Not wanting to push further Herni answered "Twenty pulsern sire."
Being unfamiliar with the current currency of these lands, Lucien told old Henri "Step outside and pick something from our chests then. I am still unfamiliar with this pulsern you speak of." Turning to his apprentice, Henri has him go into the back to make the medicine before stepping outside with Lucien and Morrigan to collect payment.
Outside of his shop Henri is shocked to find the two chests bearing their spoils. Every type of treasure was there, and the small fortune was left untouched by those standing around. As he looks over them Lucien tells him "These are the spoils we gathered from the duke's residence. Feel free to take whichever you wish from the chests."
With his eyes wide once more Henri looked up to Lucien who flashed him a wicked grin, "He dared to take my Morrigan as a slave and attempted to break her into a sexual slave for his harem. Everyone there paid the price, dearly."
Nodding his head in understanding, Henri quickly selected two pieces that had caught his eye from the chests. A small gold necklace with three amethysts set on it and a rather exquisite gold ring.
"One for you and one for your apprentice?"
Turning to Lucien, Henri answered "One for my wife and one for my apprentice sire. I didn't want to assume your generosity, but I also didn't want to refuse it. We will soon be heading into the immortal realms under invitation, and I've never been able to provide my wife with such a fitting piece before." Smiling Lucien interrupted the old man, "You do not have to explain to me. I hope your wife enjoys it and you do well in the east."
Lowering his head in appreciation, the old Henri returns inside his shop to help Jean with the medicine.
As they waited for the two apothecaries, Morrigan asked her lord with tears beginning to well in her eyes "Why my lord? It's already too late. You said as much yourself."
Without looking to her, Lucien answered, "You originally came all this was for the medicine. It would be a shame to return without it, even if it is too late." He then looked at her and continued "It may still find use once we return home. Before leaving I ordered August and Carol to evacuate the villages to the capital before barring the gates."
Understanding, Morrigan turned and faced the shop quietly, tears hanging from her eyes. Her mind more slowly through many different thoughts, but she was satisfied and thankful for Lucien's answer.
Two hours later Henri and Jean appear from inside the shop and present the medicine to Lucien, who gratefully takes it before tying it to his belt. With a few final words of gratitude and farewell, Lucien and Morrigan pick up the two chests. "When you get settled in the east send word to us. My servants would be glad to know the location where you still apply trade." As Henri and Jean lowered their heads, the two Dharans walked away towards Salver's eastern gates.
The walk through the rest of the city was long but trivial. Everyone stopped what they were doing to stare at Lucien and Morrigan, almost instinctively understanding who they were and what had happened. Even the guards that were once chasing Lucien down stepped out of his way, fear and hatred filling many of their eyes in equal measure. While several wanted to assault Lucien, they could not. Count Draeken had issued his orders, and his men were everywhere leading the evacuation. The crowds attempting to evacuate slowly cleared out of Lucien's way terrified of the creature approaching them.
Arriving at the eastern gate they found Count Draeken quite busy issuing a flurry of orders and urging those evacuated to press on further for there was a great need to get away from Salver. When one of his men stepped up and tapped his shoulder the count nearly shouted at him "What is it?" The count's man told him to look towards the gates with a simple gesture. As the count looked over, he froze at the sight of a blood-soaked Lucien.
Looking over Lucien for any sign of impending death, Count Draeken sighed as he did not find any such sign allowing him to relax for the first time in hours. With his muscles now relaxed the count offers a polite bow to the creature while saying "Sire."
Without addressing anything happening around them, Lucien simply stated "The duke and his people are dead."
The breath in the count's lungs briefly caught in his throat as he stared at Lucien. Forcing himself to breathe again the count nods his head, "I understand."
"Where is my horse?"
No explanation was needed for what was meant by Lucien. It was quite clear, and this potential problem had been handled months ago. "The stable master is bringing him here sire. The mercenaries that captured your servant tried taking him, but several were killed by the horse. Several of the duke's men also attempted it but met the same fate. I then paid the stable master to move the horse to a farm on the outskirts of the city's territory to prevent any other potential issues between you and the now deceased duke."
For the first time Count Draeken saw Lucien smile joyfully. None there, aside from Morrigan, could tell if this was because the horse had killed the men or because the count had helped the horse avoid death. But all of these thoughts were soon interrupted by Lucien asking, "What of rations for my servant and horse?"
Quick to answer Count Draeken said, “It has all taken care of sire. It will be with your horse for when you set out for the wasteland…for Arlorne.” Continuing on as if he felt no fear, “Alongside repayment for the coin stolen by the mercenaries, though most of it is in pulsern sire. We were unable to recover the majority of the coins as the mercenaries were quick to flee the kingdom. And we could not find enough of those old coins in our own treasuries to repay in what you are familiar with.”
Noticing the attitude of the count, Lucien looks down at him saying "You seem eager to see me gone."
Knowing the creature has figured him out, Count Draeken lowers his head and gathers himself before looking Lucien in the eyes, "Sire your presence here disturbs everything in this kingdom and...Vyrna. Word will quickly spread from this city that you are once again on the move and of what you have done here. That puts us in a precarious position as every nation will be watching to see what your next move will be alongside our now weakened state." Draeken then takes a deep breath before continuing "And right now sire, your continued presence here unnerves me and those around me. I would personally appreciate it if you would leave and never step foot outside your own borders again."
Lucien could not help but chuckle at the audaciousness Count Draeken was showing towards him. It was quite impressive to the creature, and he made sure to tell the count, "I like you Draeken. You show real mettle. Unlike others I have met since beginning this journey."
The count did not know whether he should be proud or fearful of having earned this creature's respect and the confusion shown on his face and in his smile. It was ever present in his voice as he said, "Thank you sire."
"I let fifteen from the duke's estate go free. Thirteen slaves from his harem and two guards all but one missing a finger from their left hand. The one is a guard who is now missing a rib. I would like to know what will happen to them."
This new information caused the count to pause for a moment before turning to face some of his commanders and discuss this new complication. As this happens Captain John Draeken walks up to Lucien saying, "My cousin will not say it, but he is thankful. You took care of a growing issue for the kingdom by removing the duke and his people from this world."
Lucien nodded his head in acceptance but still told the young captain "No need for gratitude." Then as he looked over at John, a grin came to Lucien's face, "I see you are now able to stay composed in my presence."
A wide and proud smile came over John's face as he admits "Well after our last meeting I've had time to think about what had happened and how my cousin handled it."
Raising and eyebrow Lucien eyes the young man "And what conclusion did you come to?"
"That despite your great power it's not worth the effort or energy to fear you. If you wish me dead, then you'll have me dead no matter what I do. But I'll make it the hardest fight you've ever experienced from a mere man."
A chuckle escaped from Lucien as he turned his head to look at the back of Count Draeken "I look forward to learning of your great feats in the coming years." Hearing such a compliment from a creature like Lucien caused John to lower his head in gratitude."
It was at this moment that Count Draeken turned back to face Lucien, "We'll fail to capture them and allow them to escape with what they can before we move in and clean up your mess."
If anything more was to be said it was cut off by an angered voice shouting as it approached from the gatehouse "What in the six hells is going on Draeken? Why is there so much damned chaos going on in this damned city?"
Draeken's face went paler than before as Lucien thought to himself for a moment. This angered voice was familiar to him and so he turned to face it asking "Younger?"
Freezing in his steps alongside his ten guards behind him, the angered man began to ask "How do you," but his question would go no further. Despite the gaunt, sickly appearance, the scraggly beard and the long hair the angered man and his guards recognized their lord with wide eyes and fell to their knees.
"My lord."
The widest smile the people of Reval had seen came across Lucien's face as Morrigan looked on in surprise, her own mind wandering. Every man and woman from Salver that was there stared as they had never seen the angered man being called Younger, or his guards in black armor show anyone such respect. Their normal attitude towards the authorities of Salver and the Kingdom of Reval was one of arrogance and dismissal. This attitude was one that no one dared to challenge after an entire elite mercenary company had been slaughtered. Not even the now deceased Duke Castellen challenged them beyond occasional accidental skirmishes. That meant this terrifying man covered in blood was someone more dangerous than they had ever known previously. Even Count Draeken was surprised by this attitude from the trader and his guards.
Lucien stepped over to the kneeling and well-dressed man, "Younger please rise. You know there's no need for you to kneel before me."
Slowly the man being called Younger rose to his feet and smiled at Lucien, tears threatening to fall from his eyes. Lucien placed a heavy hand on Younger's shoulder and smiled at the man before pulling him in for a warm embrace.
"I am glad to see you doing well."
"Thank you my lor...Thank you Uncle."
Upon hearing this Morrigan's mind finally realized who this man was. "Younger, as in Aurelia the Younger? Son of Aurelia the Great? One of your greatest generals, the Conqueror of the East, my lord?"
Lucien released Aurelia from the embrace but kept the slightly shorter man pulled close with one arm as he turned to face Morrigan. "One in the same my dear."
"W-why did he call you uncle? Aurelia is not related to the Salvatal family."
Aurelia chuckled before answering for his lord, "My father was sworn brothers to Uncle's older brother Orias. After my father died Uncle here took me and my mother in and helped raise me as if I was a Salvatal. I've called him Uncle since before that."
The warmth on Lucien's face was something Morrigan had never seen before. But before more familial history could be brought up, one of the guards stood and removed his helm, "It is good to see you moving again cousin."
Turning to face the voice, Lucien continued smiling, "Jullien." As the two men embraced each other Morrigan realized who this man was as well. Jullien Salvatal, a cousin of Lucien's from a distant branch family of the Salvatal line. He was so far removed from the line of succession that his name was only mentioned in the family histories a few times. The most prominent of those times was when he, along with several hundred others, accepted Moriena's battlefield gifts alongside their king on that fateful day Aurelia the Great was killed in battle.
Two more men soon approached Lucien as he embraced his cousin and removed their own helms. Lucien released his cousin and reached out to the shoulders of these two men, resting one hand on each. "Aggricien. Scipus."
Scipus was unfamiliar to Morrigan, but Aggricien was known. Aggricien was a Dharan commoner that established himself a great many times in battle under the command of Aurelia the Younger. Eventually being allowed to join in Moriena's gifts and become an upír. If Scipus was here, then that meant he was a well-established warrior in the army commanded by Aurelia the younger and given his height, one of nobility.
The helm of every guard had now been removed and Lucien seemingly remembered them all. When he had finished greeting each one individually, he turned back to Aurelia and said, "I see you have kept your men together all this time." A simple nod of the head followed before Lucien stepped up next to him and said "I am proud of you and I am certain your father is as well."
Tears formed once again in Aurelia's eyes, "Thank you Uncle."
But this jovial atmosphere was soon replaced when Lucien was asked "What made you decide to finally start moving again?"
Pointing to Morrigan, Lucien answered "My servant here came to this city for medicine and was taken as a slave by the duke of this city."
In an instant Aurelia and his guards fell to their knees as Aurelia apologized "I am so very sorry my lord. I should have paid closer attention to the goings of the city."
Lucien nodded his head as he said, "Good. You understand my point. She was taken by mercenaries that operated in this area. I only learned of it when Count Draeken here, under orders from his king, came to my castle and informed me in hopes that I would spare their kingdom. They did this because they feared what I would do when I learned of it from someone else."
Standing tall before Aurelia and the others, Lucien asked a sharp question "Why did it take non-Dharans to inform me that one of my servants, a Dharan, had been taken as a slave and was being tortured in efforts to break her into a submissive slave of a harem?"
Lowering their heads further Aurelia and his guards apologized profusely and swore to better involve themselves in Salver and the region surrounding it, much to Count Draeken's dismay. Having more involvement from the east was possibly the worst outcome from this event.
But after seemingly being wrathful, a smile returned to Lucien's face as he spoke to the kneeling men, "Rise, please. It is not your fault she was taken."
In an instant the tense atmosphere settled and returned to a state of normalcy. Once Aurelia was standing once more, Lucien asked him "How is your wife, Younger?"
A saddened smile came across Aurelia's face as he answered "She is doing fine Uncle. She finally decided to stop visiting our descendants. It had become too difficult for her to continue meeting them knowing they were going to be dead in the blink of her eye"
Morrigan's own heart felt the sting from those words. She did not understand why, but it hurt her nonetheless. Even Lucien was hurt by these words, but a soft smile continued on his face as he once more pointed to Morrigan and said, "You and your wife should meet Morrigan then. She is one of yours."
Aurelia's eyes seemed to bore into Morrigan's soul as he looked at her. His mind was working but he had already realized just how she was related to him, "My daughter. She did marry into the Ziudra line." Lucien nodded his head as he said, "Yes and Morrigan is a direct descendant making her your distant grandchild. It's been so long since I've seen any of her descendants, I nearly forgot."
Slowly nodding his head, Aurelia said, "I can tell now that I've looked at her properly. Her emaciated state hides it well, but she does resemble my little Lia."
Wanting to ask something, Morrigan opened her mouth only to be cut off by Lucien, who answered every question she could come up with, "Lia was born before Aurelia and his wife became upír. None of his children chose to follow them to Moriena's gifts, preferring to spend eternity at Panno's side."
Before more could be said, Aurelia stepped over to Morrigan and embraced her tightly. "It is a pleasure to meet you Morrigan. Please come visit us in the east whenever you wish. My wife may not enjoy meeting our descendants anymore, but she would love to meet you."
A smile came over Morrigan's face as well as she promised to make the journey at least once. Then as suddenly as the hug began it ended, with Aurelia stepping back from his descendant.
Following this something was brought up that surprised Morrigan and Count Draeken equally as Lucien asked of Aurelia, “Speaking of daughters Younger, have you seen my Lucia?”
Nothing Morrigan had ever read about her lord mentioned a daughter named Lucia. There was barely a mention of a possible heir named Lucia Argenta Elialnal Salvatal but that was supposed to be a cousin Lucien had adopted and raised to be his heir after she was born with great magic like him. But as her mind continued to wander, it was with these thoughts that made Morrigan realize the supposed cousin was actually his daughter born early into his life as an upír.
Aurelia looking at his lord answered, “No Uncle, I haven’t seen Argenta in over two centuries. I do hear word of her every few years, but she’s never visited.”
Upset was how Lucien felt as he said, “I was hoping you had seen her. She has not once visited me since I returned to my castle.”
It was now Aurelia’s turn to comfort his uncle, as he rested a hand on the king’s shoulder, “I’m certain it’s not because she no longer loves you, my lord. From what I know she’s become a silver clad legend of adventure to the humans herself. Last I heard a few months ago she was seen boarding a ship traveling to one of the western continents.”
A smile came to Lucien’s face as Count Draeken was able to quickly realize who this daughter was and nearly collapsed from the shock. One all powerful monster was enough but learning that the silver clad adventurer from legends was the daughter of that monster and potentially as all powerful, was almost too much for the count to bear. But the reason for the age of some of those legends was now made clear in his mind. It was not multiple people over the centuries assuming the mantle, different people being turned into one or rumors being turned into legend. It was simply one immortal woman enjoying her life as an adventurer.
Moving on from the talk of family, Lucien reached out to Aurelia and asked, "Younger, could your company transport these two chests to my castle? It will be more trouble than I want to transport them there myself with only one horse."
Aurelia was quick to agree with a nod of his head before having several of his guards step over to the chests. With this now taken care of Lucien further requested Aurelia to use his company to watch for a certain mercenary company. This was the company responsible for taking Morrigan and Lucien wanted to be the one to punish them. Count Draeken was even forced into this as Lucien told Aurelia to have the count give him everything they knew about the mercenaries.
Now with most of his business well taken care of Lucien's mind turned briefly towards the future and quickly laid claim to the land where the duke's estate currently sat "I will take the duke's estate and a few of the neighboring estate as compensation from the kingdom for the insult allowed to me and my people."
Count Draeken swallowed hard upon this declaration and knew there was nothing they could do about it. And his feelings of dread were only amplified when Lucien continued "I will build my first embassy and palace outside of my land there. Once everything has been purged with fire."
Nearly collapsing from the stress caused by this declaration, Draeken looks at Lucien who asked with narrowed eyes, "Is there a problem count?" Draeken nearly buries his knees in the ground as he kneels before Lucien with some force, "No sire. That land will be declared possession of the crown, and we will gladly hand it over to your kingdom for the purpose of an embassy and foreign palace."
A smile came over Lucien's face before he looked back to Aurelia, "See to it that the construction is completed in Dharan fashion. I will see to it that you get the correct materials." A wide came over Aurelia's face as his guards put their helms on, hiding the wickedness of their own grins.
"Uncle, may we use part of this land for a larger office for my company?"
A quick nod of the head was all that was needed from Lucien before Count Draeken made a mental note to combine more than three estates for their usage. How many would end up being given over, he did not know and would have to be decided by King Richard in the coming months.
Despite Draeken's fears and thoughts clouding his mind, he was quick to understand something about Lucien that would surely aid the Kingdom of Reval in their dealings with the creature. He was still an incredibly politically astute monster. Already he was trying to head off any potential issues with other nations now that he was moving again by making a new palace and embassy here in Salver, the city closest to his own kingdom. And there were a great many potential issues. If he had an embassy, they could come here to speak to a likely very loyal representative instead of traveling such a long way into the wastelands. But what Count Draeken did not realize was that the Dharans would be quick to move on this. In his mind it would be several years to allow everything to come to a rest before they moved to claim and build. That was not to be.
Before any further conversation could be had the stable master was heard shouting "Can the king please help with his horse? He's being difficult." Lucien nodded before shouting out for the horse in Dharan. Immediately the horse came rushing up to Lucien, nearly dragging the stable master who was fortunate enough to let go of the reigns.
Lucien was already petting the horse when the stable master finally walked up "I apologize sire. It appears he doesn't trust me that well." Lucien smiled wide as he told him with all honesty "I am surprised you were able to get him away from the stables at all. That is quite impressive."
The stable master lowered his head as he admitted, "It took some time sire. I tried several different methods, but he refused to listen for a while. It took me to bring other horses from the farm for him to willingly go there."
A chuckle escaped all of the old creatures present. The stubborn nature of these war horses was something purposely bred into them. Only a Dharan would naturally have their trust, all others would have to prove themselves and it appeared that this stable master was well on his way to earning it.
Impressed by this, Lucien walked over to the chests and took a piece from it before tossing it to the stable master, "For your efforts."
As the stable master lowered his head to Lucien, the creature moved over to his horse and easily lifted Morrigan and sat her atop it. In an instant the reins were in her hands as she looked at Aurelia, "It was a pleasure to meet you."
Smiling at his descendant Aurelia said back to her, "Same Morrigan. Do not forget to visit us in the east. You are our family and will always be welcome." A wide smile came over her face as she nodded her head. It was nice to know she still had some family in this world.
Lucien looked over at Count Draekene telling him "May the next time we meet be under better circumstances." The count bowed once more as he responded, "I pray that we never meet again sire." The old king merely scoffed at this as he turned and placed his hand on Aurelia's shoulders "May you forever feel a warm breeze and have a swift horse beneath you Aurelia."
"Live freely Uncle."
The voices of the creatures standing behind Aurelia joined in unison, "Live freely my lord."
It was now that Lucien leaned in close to Aurelia, whispering in his ear, "There is a young woman working on a farm that I suspect belongs to your company, named Liviana. See to it that no harm ever comes to her and that she receives a Dharan's noble education. I suspect that she will prove valuable to us in the future."
Nodding his head Aurelia whispered back, "I know of her, Uncle. She does indeed work at our farm. But who is she?""
Quietly continuing Lucien said, "Duke Castellen's bastard through the mistress of his slave harem Livia. Let no others outside of the Dharans, Count Draeken and his captain there know about her existence."
Accepting the order Aurelia tells his lord, "It will be done Uncle. I will personally see to it."
Patting Aurelia's shoulder, Lucien whispered, "Good man," before walking away.
Speaking to the horse, Lucien turned and began to lead it and Morrigan towards their home in the east, but they did not move very far before a group of heavily armored knights rode up with their weapons drawn. A one-eyed man shouted at Lucien, "Stop right there creature! Today you pay for the deaths of our order."
Recognizing the knights who are now threatening him, Lucien stepped up and away from Morrigan, who looked down at the horse beneath her with a sigh. Her excitement to return home now crushed by these foolish knights. In that same instant the guards of Aurelia surrounded their lord Lucien, weapons lowered towards the knights just waiting for one wrong move. An arrogant smile came to Lucien's face as he rested his own hand on his sword, "You best leave boy. I already took one eye from you. I am willing to take the rest of you."
The one-eyed man lowered the visor on his helm that still bore the arrow scar and with a growl moved to spur his horse forward. But Count Draeken and his own men rushed in-between the two forces shouting "Halt, halt you daft bastards."
The knights halted as ordered and looked towards the count and his men. Captain John Draeken's eyes looked around nervously as he and his cousin were now in the most dangerous location possible. If those knights did push on, he was not sure if he would be fighting just them or the creature surrounding Lucien as well. A cold sweat had broken out on the captain as those creatures were all radiating a strong bloodthirsty aura and were clearly ready to slaughter.
Aurelia reached out and grabbed the horse's reins and slowly walked it back away from the potential battle as he told Morrigan "Stay back here with me." His own free hand ready for a fight, resting on the hilt of his sword.
Looking down at Count Draeken, the one-eyed man asked, "What in the hells are you doing Count Draeken? That creature is an enemy of the kingdom and our order! Move so we can kill him."
Count Draeken stood tall before the knights with his own men ready for a fight, "This man is a guest of King Richard. You will not bring harm to him."
This upset the knights and one of them argues back, "But Count, this creature has killed two captains of our order and a dozen other knights. We cannot let this go. Our honor demands vengeance."
His voice rising louder, Count Draeken shouted at the knights, "This is an order from King Richard himself. Leave this man be!"
None of the knights can bring themselves to accept this royal order, though none of them could bring themselves to disobey it either. That was until one of the men in the back rides up to the front, "Under my own authority as acting captain of the Order of Slavow, formed by command of King Richard, under the patronage of Duke Castellen the Official of the City of Salver, declare that we will have this creature's head." This acting captain Lucien recognized as well as he was the one to pull the one-eyed man back from the chase at the river.
Shaking his head, Count Draeken clicked his tongue before telling these knights "Duke Castellen has been stripped of all authority and noble rank by order of King Richard. I am now acting Official of the City of Salver, and I order you with the authority granted to me by the crown to cease any assaults on this man."
All of the knights now stared at Count Draeken as the acting captain asked, "Why has Duke Castellen been removed from his seat of authority? Why has he been stripped of his noble status?"
"Former Duke Castellen, in an attempt to seize power from the crown sought to instigate a war by wronging our guest here. Wishing to avoid war with King Lucien Salvatal here, our King Richard sought to rectify this situation by giving him full authority over the matter. As such the former Duke Castellen and every single one of his conspirators have been executed. Every action taken by King Lucien during his travel here and inside the city of Salver is considered to be done by the authority of our own King Richard. If you were to continue being active conspirators in the duke's grand conspiracy, then I will have to step aside and allow your executions as well."
The furious knights adjusted their gazes to Lucien. Clearly, they were contemplating assaulting him despite the royal order. The one-eyed man ground his teeth as the acting captain thought through everything. Either they could disobey a royal order and attack this creature, marking themselves for execution as traitors, or they could obey the order and bite their tongues as they lived in dishonor. Unable to decide the acting captain leaned over to one of his men and briefly discussed everything in hushed whispers. Following a click of his tongue the acting captain jerked on his horse's reins and turned away, "We'll obey the king's orders for now. But know we will seek our vengeance."
Spurring his horse the acting captain rode away from the city with his men behind riding fast behind him. The one-eyed man sat there on his horse staring at Lucien. Lifting his visor the man said to Lucien, "Just wait for me creature. I'll see you again and when I do, I will pay you back for this eye. I will have your head for this dishonor creature." He then jerked on the reins of his horse and spurred it into a gallop, following behind the rest of his order.
All watched as the knights rode away. The city itself seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as Count Draeken offered apologies to Lucien and the others, as Aurelia's men returned to protecting him. Accepting the apologies and saying a set of thankful farewells to his fellow Dharans, Lucien spoke in Dharan to the horse and began walking alongside it towards the east. And as they moved Aurelia shouted out to Morrigan, "You will be glad to know those horses you helped escape from the duke were taken in by us. They are currently living happily at a farm my company owns outside the city." Morrigan could only smile as tears welled up in her eyes and she turned in the saddle to offer a bow of thanks to Aurelia.
Count Draeken was thankful that no more death had occurred this day, but he knew those knights were going to be a problem in the future. And the Count’s worries only were only compounded when he heard Aurelia’s voice said “Come Count. We can discuss all we need to in my office.”
As he led the horse away from Salver, Lucien heard Morrigan ask, "My lord what happens once we arrive back home?"
Without needing to look at her Lucien understood that she was asking if he would return to rotting away or would remain active. "I am unsure. I had planned to rot away to dust alongside what remained of my kingdom, but you were taken. For the first time in eight centuries, I was stirred to action. You know that I have always taken care of my people and knowing you were being harmed angered me more than when my cousin turned traitor." He then took a moment to think to himself before continuing "But now I feel those flames of fury burning out and becoming embers buried beneath ash."
Morrigan was upset by this and asked, "Is there any way that I can convince you to stay active with us?"
Finally looking up at her, Lucien told her "We will see my dear Morrigan." She barely managed to smile as he looked forward again. Her smile grew a little more after hearing him say "First we have to return home." He could not see it, but Morrigan had nodded her head as she gripped the reins tighter and began humming. The horse seemed to prance alongside and in time with her humming as Lucien was forced to smile.
As the day began turning to night Lucien turned north along one of Reval's roads, "We will be taking the northern roads."
Questioning this Morrigan asked, "Why my lord?"
A smile stayed on Lucien's face as he answered, "I am tired of dealing with those knights and would like to avoid it now that Count Draeken spared them. Their camps are along the main eastern roads. By taking the roads in the shadows of the Aser Mountains we can continue to spare them."
Accepting this Morrigan said as much before returning to humming. For some time through the night, they continued moving at a relaxed pace that was easy for the humming Morrigan to handle now that Lucien's magic was no longer fueling her. And after several hours through the night, Morrigan had the time to adjust to riding a horse in her condition.
"We are moving now."
With no time to respond to her lord's words, Morrigan quickly braced herself in the saddle as they sped up to the horse's quick gallop. They were finally returning home.
Well here is the end of book one. If I'm being honest, I have no idea at the moment how I will be able to post book two here. It will need a lot more work to make it avoid the 18+ label than this book did. For now I'm probably not going to work on a 15+ version of the book and just focus on continuing the story as a whole. Until next time I guess.
