The towering stone walls of Ironclad came into full view on the sixth day of travel. My stomach churned, bile creeping up my throat. I had hoped never to see this place again. Too many memories surfaced — playing in the throne room while my grandfather, king at the time, held court. Memories born of a child's naïveté of the world.
Sighing, I nudged Orian closer to Zeke. "Be ready for anything." I glanced toward Veronica as she rode beside the carriage, speaking with Luca. "I don't trust any of them. This could very well be a trap."
"Don't worry, my friend," Zeke replied easily, tapping his bandaged eye. "We're well prepared for anything." He tugged at the rope binding him and Scar back to back for what had to be the hundredth time. "Besides, shouldn't you be more worried about getting her a ring?"
I smiled wryly. Would she even want one? The only jewelry I'd ever seen her wear was her mother's necklace. To me, another piece of jewelry seemed unnecessary to her.
Veronica slipped up beside me while my thoughts deepened. "Einor, can I talk to you about something?"
Zeke laughed at the irritation that must have crossed my face.
With a sigh, I led Veronica farther ahead, away from prying ears. "Call me Jakul from now on — especially inside the city walls."
She scowled. "I have every right to call you by your birth name. Like it or not, you're my brother." Her smile that followed told me she enjoyed my torment far too much.
"What do you want?" I growled.
"Since I know you won't stay in the castle, I arranged rooms at an inn ahead of time. I'll have to call in a favor or two to secure accommodations for Zeke and Scarlett, but that won't be a problem."
Half impressed, I shook my head. "You planned all of this before even finding me. Tell me — what if I'd refused to come?"
"I suppose I'd stay in your place," she said with a snicker. "A vacation, really."
She passed me a folded paper. Inside was a flier for the SwallowTail Inn.
Travelers often praised the place — its refined atmosphere, its harbored connections. My stomach twisted again as I stared at the well-dressed woman illustrated on the page. Nobility disgusted me. I'd sooner sleep in the stables than rub elbows with polished parasites.
Of course she chose somewhere like this. We'd stand out immediately.
I glared at Veronica with disdain. "It was this or the castle," she said with a shrug. "Choose."
"Fine," I muttered, folding the paper away. "But I'll need time to rest before seeing the old man."
She hesitated, then nodded. "That can be arranged. With the festival underway, uncle is likely tied up anyway."
We rode in silence as the growing caravan line thickened. Its occupants became rowdier as we neared. I noticed Veronica stealing glances at Nyx as she slept with her back to me.
"So," Veronica said at last, tightening her reins, "are you going to properly introduce her? You know uncle would love to hear you've found someone."
I frowned. She'd already met Nyx on the first night out of Siegfried. That introduction should have been enough. Then again, she was probably plotting to bring Nyx before our uncle.
"She told you her name," I said flatly. "That's all you need."
Her gaze sharpened. "You know what I mean. I want to know about the woman you fell for — especially since she's a hemomancer."
Blood magic. Forbidden alongside necromancy. Every kingdom shared the same law: capture them, try them, execute or imprison them for life. I swore that fate would never touch Nyx.
"Drop it," I warned. "She's not your concern nor enemy."
Nyx stirred, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "Jakul… stop. We're in public."
I gave a half smile. Can't help but wonder what she's dreamin' about.
Veronica pressed on, but I cut her off. "My shadowmancy is forbidden too. Planning to turn me in?"
That silenced her. The rest of the ride passed without a word.
—
I leaned against Orian's side, arms crossed and head down, as we waited our turn for inspection.
Our merry little band was scattered about. Veronica — to my displeasure — spoke with Nyx. Luca had struck up a conversation with Zeke about Ámmôs Fŷlakas cuisine, the two trading recipes as if this were a festival stroll. Scarlett examined a makeshift storefront with a few knights. The little fox pestered our now-awake Count under Casteilla's nervous watch.
The disdain I felt for Veronica grew immensely with the triumphant grin she would flash my direction. Why did I ever expect her to keep her distance?
Orian licked my face. I pressed my forehead to his and scratched behind his ear, earning a gentle swish of his tail. Six winters, my mind went back to that day. Since the familiar contract was etched into both of us.
I rubbed the bracelet of runes scorched around my right wrist.
"How much for the dire wolf?"
I turned to find a grotesque orc leering at Orian as though appraising meat. Orange hair jutted in every direction, streaked with filth. His fur was patchy and dry. His clothes were turning several places. Disheveled boots revealed clawed toes.
Wealth shown only in his jewelry — studded earrings, a silver nose ring, and golden tusk caps adorned in gems.
Orian growled low, hoping the ignorant whelp before him would leave.
"He isn't for sale," I said. "Beat it."
The Orc laughed. "Five hundred gold."
After taking a better look at the orc, my stomach churned realizing he was once one of my tormentors. A rival of Alabasta: Spatonamus the Glutton.
Too many witnesses, Jakul.
"Fifteen thousand," he said, shoving the gold against my chest. "Final offer."
Tartarus brushed my fingers. Whispers of those slain stirred - their names, their screams, and their debts unpaid.
Nyx wrapped her arms around me, sensing I was about to kill the bastard. "Is everything alright, love?"
"Everything's fine," I said tightly. "Go back."
Spatonamus licked his lips, measuring Nyx's features. "Throw her in with the dire wolf and I'll dou—"
SMACK.
A tusk shattered loose as my fist connected. Blood and spittle sprayed as he staggered.
"How dare—"
I drove my heel across his face and sent him sprawling.
Towering over him, Spatonomus spat blood to the side and held his bruised left cheek. "Do you know who I am? I am Spatonamus Lorndarn!!"
The little pig tried to act tough as he struggled upright. "You have signed your death ledger!!"
I grabbed his nose ring and hauled him to his knees. Nyx seized my arm, the once rumbling line became silent. "Jakul, that's enough!"
Her eyes were enough to make me release him.
"Twenty… Twenty-one?!" His eyes widened in horror. "No… no, it can't be. I searched the colosseum wreckage – there were no survivors!"
Recognition struck him like a blade – and I savored every second of it.
"Master?"
I followed the soft meek voice. Three lepus children stood huddled together. Bodies in tattered rags, hair and fur stained in dirt, and shackles bound them.
I saw myself in their eyes. Each stare was hollow. Lifeless.
"I'll make you a deal," I said calmly. "Those three – for your life."
He fumbled a bit, producing a rusted key. "Here! Take it and begone!"
Does he honestly think I forgot all the tricks of his trade?
I pulled Tartarus from Penumbra and rested it against his neck. "Where's the real key, pig?"
"That is the right key, I swe–"
His left ear hit the dirt.
The whispers screamed for his blood.
Casteilla hissed, silencing them. "What are you doing, Kin-killer?"
"Negotiating," I retorted. "He has five seconds."
Venom dripped from her fangs, seeing Spatonamus "You! Where are the children you took from their homes?!"
I couldn't help but chuckle, making Casteilla bare her venomous fangs toward me. "They're over there, We were discussing the key."
"This is a Breuran affair, Kin-killer," she warned.
"I have a dog in this fight." I pressed the blade deeper. "One…"
Shouts rose near the gates.
"Two…"
Fear clouded his eyes.
"Three…"
He tried to crawl away, but Casteilla blocked him, hood flared.
"Four…"
The smell of piss filled the air. "WAIT!!!"
He tore a necklace from his neck and threw it at me. "It unlocks everything – now please!"
I caught it. "You live by Alabasta's advice," I murmured. "A life that didn't end well for him."
I leaned closer, whispering in his good ear. "You're marked now. The shadows will be watching wherever you go."
He fled, approaching guards stepping aside as he barreled into his carriage. Almost tipping it over.
I turned toward the three children.
Casteilla wrapped a clawed hand around my forearm. "What do you plan to do with them, Kin-killer?"
I looked deep into her eyes, placing my hand over hers. "To pay for past transgressions."
I stood before the children. Fearful eyes gleamed.
I knelt down with my hands held up. Hoping that I didn't appear hostile, I reached for the collar around the center girl only for my hand to be swatted away.
"I'm not going to harm you… any of you. Understand?"
Fear filled each of their eyes with further attempts to free them. Damn that Spatonamus!!! He broke their minds, forcing them to be reliant on him.
I stored the key in my coat pocket. "Do any of you like butterflies?"
The youngest Lepus girl poked her head out to the side – dirt fluttered from her waist-length black hair. Her voice was a meek whisper. "I-I like butterflies. They are pretty when they fly."
The oldest yelled, her golden brown fur glimmering in places through the filth. "Hush, Phoebe!"
"But Alicja, I haven't seen butterflies in a year. I want to see butterflies." Phoebe stomped her foot. "I'm sure Mr. Spatonamus wouldn't mind."
The turquoise haired girl peeked from the other side of Alicja, ears perked up intently. "Um. I-I'd like to see butterflies as well."
"Not you as well Sofia," Alicja sighed.
Smiling, I reached down with cupped hands into our converging shadows. The girls watched in awe when my hands disappeared. Moments later, I placed my hands against my lips and blew. A stream of shadowy butterflies fluttered throughout the air to the giggles of all watching.
After a few minutes, I tried again what I set out to do. "Those collars and shackles must be irritating as they are heavy. I could take them off if you'll trust me."
Alicja measured my words, looking at Sofia and Phoebe. She stepped forward and allowed me to undo her bindings with a simple click. I watched her clench her stiffened fingers and rubbed her neck. Surrounding onlookers watched as the little girl pranced about – followed by the others.
Each one cried out in contagious joy at their answered prayer.
As memories flooded, my brand flared. I spent many days praying for a hero to save me from such torment. Stories of past books were the sole belief that carried me onward – until reality finally set in. I snuck into Alabasta's office and stole journals to keep record of my existence. My cell would serve as the catalyst of my life.
The sad reality is that heroes are just fictional beings created to spread false hopes. A fact that I personally saw on many occasions throughout the kingdoms I traveled. I've witnessed knights take bribes, the cruel constructs of the mind, and murders swept away while loved ones wept. These pretenders strut around believing they were gods. I often savored bringing these false godly heroes down to earth.
I shook the chill out of my spine and watched as the three girls gathered in front of me.
I extended a hand. "Come, my associates would like to see you."
We walked toward the others with a trail of butterflies fluttering behind us.
"LUCA!" Alicja yelled. All three of them released my hand and ran.
Luca wrapped his arms around them in unbridled relief. My mind was lost in the memories of my parents watching the three girls knock him over, each one laughing. Fond memories burnt away with the flames of that day – the only warmth I had for so long. I followed a bird's caw toward the sky, ignoring the shouts of the surrounding knights.
The world is a cruel dark place filled with evils and atrocities. Both of you were simple pieces in the way of such evils. That being the case, I became a necessary evil that protects the lights, such as the reunion in front of me, as they pierce the veil. Maybe in time, I too will return to the light.
Until then… I'll have fun being a villain.