CHAPTER X #6
Lord Alexander also wrote to Keane this morning to request to stay behind, no longer needing to continue his travel through Woodlands as he had seen enough.
He and Crisjan would remain in Etter and help the humans rebuild, offering their eyewitness testament to the Lords of Knowledge at exactly what transpired during their travel here.
Everything was moving swiftly, as was the news that traveled from Alston.
Elena wrote to Keane, prompting both men to turn from the corner of the room and look at me in my feigned sleep.
I could feel their eyes boring into me and had the small suspicion they knew I was awake.
Their glances were stoic when I opened my eyes, even more so when Keane told me that Sianoa was finally awake.
We would be meeting the Ancient in Alston.
My thoughts drift to Hirovale now, staring at the King and Master Informer as they address the full village in the Ancient of Death’s colors. Apart from his small visit in the Queen’s rose gardens, Hiro has been pretty quiet recently. Either that, or he’s extremely busy.
A part of me can’t help but wonder if he’s hiding from the words he shared in the Southern Park, words that Keane and I still need to talk about together. But I push that thought aside for now, focusing solely on the King and not envying the job he has to do.
The full of Etter stands gathered around the courtyard of the residence in silence, listening as he tells them of what he learned. The sun shines from above through the glittering woods as he does, its rays adding warmth to an otherwise severely cool group of people.
The Woodlands Discerni who took up arms now stand outside the stables, their hands bound before them as Linden’s men watch over them quietly.
All of the humans from the village are circled around the grass, each of them keeping close to their families with many of their heads still bowed.
Even the small group of Discerni who decided to remain in Etter are watching the procession, though they’ve been brought down to ground level with the rest of us.
The King and his brother stand with Lord Alexander and Crisjan at their sides, all four men wearing the deep grey of mourning, a testament and forewarning to the judgement that’s about to come.
Lord Kaven, Carsen and the new Discerni man, Matthias, rest on their knees in the grass, with Carsen the only one keeping his head up, staring at the people around him.
Keane stands commanding with Stormfall on his shoulder, the Bird of Ash always seeming to grace his side whenever something important in the Old World is taking place.
His voice is strong as he looks out to the humans of Etter in respect, apologizing for the past inactions of his father and vowing to remake a better life for them and all the generations to come.
I stand proud next to Holis and Alanna and the rest of our crew, though eye the three Woodlands Discerni on their knees in front of us.
Carsen is still the only one without his head bowed, glaring at the King of Disce with as much hatred as he can muster as Lord Kaven remains silent and cowering, his eyes traveling to his wife every so often in hatred.
It’s a silent procession throughout all of Keane’s speech, but that silence quickly turns into a heavy tension once Desmond draws his sword from his side, handing it to the King. My eyes narrow on him, heart pushing against my chest at the task he chooses to handle himself.
The man Matthias flinches when Keane takes a hard step behind him, beginning Death’s prayer.
“May the Ancient of Death and Exploration greet you on the other side…”
All three men shift frantically on their knees, tugging at the bindings on their hands behind their backs.
“May he assist you in reaching your final resting place…”
I stare at Lord Kaven and Carsen, hating that they’re even afforded these departing words.
“And may you find peace in the next exploration of your soul.”
Keane swings the broadsword in an arch, finishing Death’s Prayer and severing Matthias’ head clean off his shoulders in the same breath.
My heart quickens, watching as many of the patrons of Etter turn away, shielding their sons and daughters from the sight of the Discerni’s body flopping to the ground.
The King steps behind Carsen next, the big man eyeing him in disgust as he repeats the same movement, ending the Discerni’s life before any words of defiance can come out from his lips.
The sound of his body hitting the ground is truly unlike any other, and I do not fault even the adults who now turn to look away.
Lord Kaven becomes animalistic, his eyes wide on the headless bodies next to him as he begins pleading for his life.
“I swear to you, Your Grace, it is not I who is behind this!”
Keane remains emotionless and cold, lifting his sword again just as Stormfall spreads his wings behind his back.
“No, no,” the Discerni sobs, shaking his head at the ground. “It isn’t me.”
I scowl as an argent flies overhead, the bird lending its comforting song to the man before Keane delivers his final blow.