39. A Better Man #2
The bloodied rocks were slick underneath his boot and he leaned heavily onto his father’s arm. They made their way to the nearest lift. Hundreds of slaves bowed and thanked them as they passed. Unbridled tears streamed down their cheeks. Relief and hope bloomed behind ghostly smiles.
“You,” Byron patted his chest softly, above his heart, “freed them.”
Pride bloomed at his father’s words. Even though the darkness laughed and lurked behind the red door.
It had tasted freedom in the seconds he had lost control and gave in to his full magic.
The door cracked and riddled with splinters would burn to ash at the next chance.
Fintan shivered at the impending moment it would happen.
The lift carrying them moved too slow for his liking. Filled to the brim with slaves who held each other in their arms.
Fintan looked over at his father. It was no coincidence he was also in Randale. What if he had been sent for Aradia. What if —
No.
He wouldn’t think it. Byron might be the hand to the king, but he was his father first. Just as Valencia blood ran thicker than their gold, so did the loyalty of an Aariv.
They stepped off the lift and Byron moved into action.
He had not come alone. A platoon of his men stood at attention as he gave them his orders.
“Get everyone out and toward the city. This is the last time these forges run. Blow them up.” Byron’s voice reached Fintan as he leaned on a rock for support.
“I s’pose makes our job easier,” Rhydar said.
Fintan attempted to smile but it ended up being a grimace. An awkward stretch of silence grew between them before Fintan cleared his throat.
“Listen, I don’t want anyone else to know … what happened to me down there.” Fintan forced himself to hold Rhydar’s gaze. “It’s the last thing Kaiden needs right now is for me to dive back into dark magic.”
Rhydar nodded slowly. He never judged and he never asked questions. “I don’t know what yer referring to.” He winked.
The smirk which crossed Fintan’s face sent a splitting headache to his temples.
“I am however curious to see why your father appeared out of thin air.” Rhydar rubbed his beard.
“Yeah,” Fintan watched his father. “You and me both.”
“Why can’t you have magic portals?”
Fintan pushed Rhydar. “They’re not easy to make.”
Byron motioned for them at the entrance of the mountain. Fintan groaned but walked over with Rhydar’s assistance. Shouts of joy came from underneath the moonlight as people scattered down the paths toward the city. The bell tower tolled eleven times, reminding him of Kaiden’s orders.
“I’m assuming you didn’t come alone?” Byron’s question was more of a statement but they both nodded all the same. “Everyone together then?”
Another nod.
“Good. You will need each other.”
“Are you working under the king’s orders or …” Fintan struggled to voice his assumptions.
Byron shook his head. “A little bit of both really. The king is planning something catastrophic and all I know is the beginning will be here in Randale.” He looked to the left at the black darkness looming in billowing clouds and swirls of power.
“I always believed we were building more armor for the armies and increasing the trade routes to uphold our deal with conquered kingdoms,” Byron scoffed, shaking his head slowly. “I never thought.” He paused.
Fintan and Rhydar glanced at each other. How much worse could the king’s actions get?
“Never thought what?” Fintan asked.
“I never thought he would turn on his own.” Byron’s voice was filled with sadness. “I’ve stood by him through so much, but this —” He hesitated, glancing at them both.
Fintan placed a hand on his father’s shoulder “We know everything.”
Byron cast a sad smile toward the two and shook his head. “It’s no secret Ukoron’s wish is to bring about another Rise. Only this time bring the gods back to our realm. I’m hoping the destruction of the forges stops Ukoron from descending upon Arkan.”
“How?” Rhydar asked.
“There are locations outside temples where the gods traveled through. Each realm has a gate; an entrance which can portal you to another location within Peraynia.”
“Wait.” Fintan’s eyes grew wide as he connected the details. “Randale’s portal was within the mines?”
Byron nodded.
“That’s why there were so many slaves?” Fintan’s head spun. “To weaken the Veil and unleash Ukoron, he had to dig within the mountain, opening the portal once more.”
Byron nodded grimly. “However, we’ve traded one evil for another. By stopping Ukoron from using the portal, he’ll turn his full attention to merging with the king. Through him, he can cross into our world and lay waste to our realm.”
A rumble from the mountain below shook the ground.
“The explosions are set m’lord,” a soldier announced.
Byron nodded. “My betrayal will cut deep and spark a reaction from Arkan. You need to be prepared. Where are the others?”
“Eh, off on their own missions.” Rhydar scratched his beard. He looked out amongst the foggy city. “We’re to meet at midnight.”
“We don’t have much time,” Byron murmured. “Let’s reconvene within the city’s safety.”
“Wait.” Fintan held out his hand to stop Byron’s movements. He glanced at Rhydar hesitantly.
Rhydar cleared his throat. “I’ll find the crew. Let them know yer here.” He stepped away from the mountain, leaving the two alone.
Byron turned to face Fintan. “What is it?”
Fintan swallowed and gripped his father’s arm. “You’ve risked your life by being here, bringing down the forges. You cannot expect him to ever forgive this.”
“I don’t.”
“Why would you put our entire legacy in jeopardy?”
“My son.” Byron patted his shoulder, squeezing tightly in a solid embrace. He looked at him with pride. “The same reason why you followed Kaiden, and why you freed Randale. A life lived in chains is no life at all.”
Fintan’s sigh was a rattle in his chest.
“When the nights are long and the days are dark,” Byron began.
Their family motto ran through his mind.
“Look to the skies, for our comfort will always be found within.” Fintan finished. “I’ve always tried to be wise and strong like you.”
His father looked out over the city and sighed with content. The smoke congesting every crevice of Randale began to disappear for good.
“You have grown into a far better man than I. It’s all I’ve ever wanted for you. The Aariv family has made their mark in this realm and the legacy of this family will soon fall upon you. You have made me prouder than any father. Thank you.”
A blast sounded within the mountain. Soldiers scrambled away from the entrance, running down the path. The forges had been destroyed. Ukoron’s depths would soon swallow them along with the king’s rage. A storm was coming and there was no escaping it.