Chapter 5 – Journey
JOURNEY
As the harpy bows her head, time seems to stand still. I’ve never before kept a secret from my Brotherhood, but I’m keeping a secret now. And it twists within me, making my entire body ache.
Medusa and Keto live within our sanctuary. As uneasy as it made all of us at first, we’ve come to accept that they’re exceptions from everything we’ve ever known about monsters. Only, the others don’t know the truth: they aren’t exceptions at all.
I am the assistant to the Keeper of Knowledge. A man who relinquished his title of an Elite and works in the labyrinth beneath the sanctuary, the one filled with ancient books, magical weapons, and powers beyond the understanding of most beings, immortal and semi-immortal alike.
After Medusa and Keto joined our town, the Keeper of Knowledge was brought before the Elites. He asked of me a task that was difficult to follow—wear an ancient ring that conceals me from sight and follow him into the great meeting hall. I did as asked, as I always do.
They questioned him about what he knew about female monsters.
What he said next left me in shock.
And then, not long after, I was sent on this mission. I’m troubled by the information I know that I can never tell, and also because of the harpy. She could be evil. Or she could be good.
Because that’s part of the secret… not all monsters are bad.
If word got out, that truly Medusa and Keto are not the only exemptions to everything we’ve been taught, it would have a dire impact on gargoyle society. I think it could be for the best. But who am I to question the decisions of the Elites?
Only… what if I’m exactly the kind of person who should question them?
Is that why the Keeper had me follow him?
My thoughts slide back to the present, to the woman kneeling before me. Is she one of the bad ones or the good ones? It’s a question I need to have the answer to before I can kill her.
And if Grey should try to hurt her again, I’ll have to stop him.
My best friend. My brother. It’d change our relationship forever. But I’ll do it.
My gaze slides to Ender. He’s staring at the bowing woman, looking troubled. Maybe even intrigued. He probably thinks the same thing I do: does she actually want us to kill her, or is this all part of some sinister plot?
But Grey… his face is twisted in rage. His hand is wrapped around the hilt of his sword. Anyone else would think he was truly about to kill this woman, but they don’t know him like we do. Behind his anger, his eyes are uncertain.
And I’m sure that only makes him angrier.
So for now nothing has truly changed. I’m concealing a dangerous secret. I’ve been sent to kill the woman kneeling before us. And I don’t yet know if she’s good or bad.
No, nothing has changed. And yet, it feels like everything has.
How can I be a warrior when I know too much? How can I ever again hunt monsters if my blade can’t swing without hesitation?
Knowledge truly is power.
And this knowledge may just end in my death.
But will it be at the hands of the tiny woman with the sad eyes?