Chapter 9 #4
“Why would I even entertain that thought?” He leaned forward slightly. “Why shouldn’t I just leave you here and ride away? Or better still… kill you?”
Aldric met his gaze.
“Because you won’t.” His eyes piercing. “You saw my soul. Something that should not exist. And now you need to know why.” His voice lowered slightly. “If you ride away… or kill me… you’ll spend the rest of your life wondering if the Order has been lying to you.”
Ulric said nothing.
He reached down, pulled a small knife from his boot, and stepped in front of Aldric.
The blade slid across the ropes.
It fell away.
Aldric rubbed his wrists as blood returned to his hands.
Ulric pointed the knife at him briefly.
“Don’t make me regret this decision.”
Aldric smiled faintly.
“Just like old times.”
? ? ?
They rode for two days toward the mountain pass.
They barely spoke.
The road climbed steadily through broken stone and cold wind.
Eventually they found a narrow pocket in the rock that shielded them from the worst of the wind.
They set up a small camp there.
For the first time since leaving the clearing, the tension between them seemed to loosen.
Slowly.
Still, many things remained unsaid.
Ulric finally broke the silence.
“How did you survive?”
Aldric looked up.
“The Demon Wastes.”
He was quiet for a moment.
Then a memory surfaced.
A radiant smile.
Glowing golden eyes.
A playful tongue caught between pretty teeth.
The memory lingered.
He smiled softly.
But there was sadness in it.
And regret.
“I had help.”
Ulric noticed the change in his expression.
“That demon woman you went with.”
“Seraphae, and she’s a succubus,” Aldric corrected.
Ulric shrugged.
“Same thing. But before that who did you fight?”
Aldric hummed quietly.
“I fought only the wildlife, which had its own demonic flavor.”
He noticed the disbelief in Ulric’s eyes and chuckled.
“It’s true.”
Ulric scoffed.
“Demonkind would kill any of our men who wandered into their realm.”
“If they came to fight, yes,” Aldric replied calmly. “What would you do if someone walked into your home trying to slit your throat?”
Ulric fell silent.
“We can coexist,” Aldric continued. “There used to be a time when humans and demonkind existed in harmony.”
Ulric chuckled.
“What is this now? Are you about to tell me demons are gentle, harmless little—”
“I’ve seen them,” Aldric interrupted. His voice remained steady.
“Humans who accepted their fate. Who chose to stay beyond the fog. They completed their brands and became part of their society. Their culture is older. They’ve moved beyond superstition that plagues Isendor.
”He exhaled faintly. “Though, to be fair… the drama and bureaucracy of their system is its own issue.”
He paused and rolled his right shoulder.
Ulric’s eyes narrowed.
The movement had shifted the torn fabric just enough.
The brand peeked through the rags.
Ulric tilted his head slightly.
“Why haven’t you completed yours?”
Aldric hesitated.
Then he let out a resigned sigh.
“Because it’s not that easy…”
Ulric’s brow furrowed.
“As in?”
“I must renounce my knighthood completely, before stepping into the Well of Light.”
Ulric frowned.
“You already renounced your knighthood when you sided with demonkind and left Isendor.”
Aldric shook his head.
“What I mean is that until I reach the Cleansing Light I cannot use any weapon or armor.”
For a split second Ulric went completely still.
Aldric saw the muscles in his shoulders tighten.
“I know what’s going through your mind right now. Killing me won’t bring you any answers.”
Ulric shook his head slightly, as if pushing the thought away.
He blinked, caught off guard by the honesty.
Then he waved a dismissive hand.
Aldric watched him for a moment.
“How often do they even let you leave the Citadel?”
Ulric said nothing.
A flicker of anger crossed his face.
Aldric continued.
“Ah. Not very often, I assume.”
Ulric remained still.
Aldric spoke again, almost as if thinking aloud.
“I mean… the Holy Order does have its concerns. I’ve heard that after you return from the Light, you are changed.
Your soul is open. Your lifespan increases.
Your physical abilities surpass any human.
” A brief pause. “But you also become more curious, independent. Stubborn, if you will. And that is dangerous. That’s why they only allow three of you alive at any given time…
” He looked toward the dark mountains. “Otherwise… you might drown the whole realm in blood again.”
They sat in silence for a while.
Aldric took a sip from the water satchel and tore a heavy bite from a piece of dry bread.
“Change is coming.” He swallowed and took another sip of water. “And now you’re part of it whether you like it or not.”
Ulric shook his head slowly.
“Let’s say I indulge this insanity. And let’s say we somehow survive. Then what?”
“Then we go back through Zalrrathras. The same way I came through.”
Ulric let out a short laugh.
“Me? Walking into the Demon Wastes with you?”
He shook his head again.
Aldric simply watched him.
“There’s nothing left for you here.”
Ulric didn’t answer.
He just stared out toward the mountains.
Aldric smirked slightly.
“Also… be ready for some difficult choices.”
Ulric frowned.
“What do you mean by that?”
Aldric’s smile widened.
“Blondes, brunettes, redheads… every possible combination you can imagine.”