Chapter 12: Somber

I slowly made my way out of Orcshire, as I crossed the border in to Mitovia I turned and looked at the haunted lands once more. “I failed you my love.” I said as I looked down at her lifeless body resting in my arms. I was making my way back to Reign’s Reach to bury my wife, and pay my final respects to my friends and family that were slaughtered by the filthy…the Orcs. After almost two years of hunting down these creatures, I did what I set out to do. Destroy them all. But it did not make me feel like I had hoped. Instead I felt sadness. Sadness at how barbaric and primitive the Orc were. Sadness at what I had done. I killed so many of them. I even killed those that were not responsible for the deaths of my Mother and Father. I killed Orcs that were hospitable and intelligent. I killed, just for the taste of their blood. I allowed myself to be consumed by hatred, revenge, and most of all ignorance. I am through making vows; however there must be someway to atone for what I have done. My friends were right, all of them. Thresh, Oases, the Shaman, and even my wife Cirania. The words they spoke were true, and I turned my back on them. I did make a mistake in accepting Zeshua’s offer. I must see to it at some point that I have a hand in his ultimate demise. He must be the next one destroyed.

I made my way out of Mitovia into the woodlands known as White Raven Forest. I stopped at a small farm house nestled along a winding river. The farmhouse was dilapidated, and falling into ruin. The scent here was so familiar. I knew the smell that was coming from the land, I just couldn’t place where. I had hoped to find someone occupying the farm so I could perhaps barter for a horse. Instead I continued on north by northeast. I knew the capitol of these lands were north of the river. However time was not on my side, as the sun would be rising within the hour. I decided to pick up the pace, and began to run at a dead sprint. Within a half an hour I could see torch lights high in the air. I knew that I had run right past Castle White Raven. Stopping to find a place to sleep for the day, I could smell the undeniable scent of salt water. I had reached Port Raven. Perhaps at dusk I could find a horse here. I found a sturdy tree and dug out a temporary crypt for my wife and me so no one would disturb us while my enemy roamed the land. About to fall in to my slumber I thought about the past and where I went wrong in my unlife. There were many things I could have done differently to change the course that I was currently walking. The only thing that went through my thoughts over and over again was why. Why were there Orcs so far from their home? I know there are Orcs everywhere, but the Orcs that killed my family were from the Orcreish Tribe. They are known only to inhabit the land of Orcshire. So what were they doing in Reign’s Reach? Who had sent them there? I tried to meditate on these thoughts, and find out the culprit behind it all. However my body was tired. I needed to sleep. I did. I also dreamt once more.

I was surrounded by two men and one elf. Him I recognized, fair haired, he was the one who had the two swords of power. The men I did not know their names or their faces. They were angry at me. Something I had done. Or something I was going to do. Whatever it was, it did not matter. They were no match for me. The three stood around me, all with their weapons at the ready. I drew Harbinger and let out a laugh so evil, I felt like Zeshua himself. I spun to face the fair haired one. “You don’t have your swords of power elf. You are no match for me.” I said. I swung Harbinger wildly. Just as I was about to make contact, the blond Elf, in a blur drew two weapons from both sides of his body and brought them in front of him to form and X. He blocked and trapped Harbinger with his two blades. “You are incorrect my friend,” he said, “I have Destiny’s Wave and Salvation right here.” Stunned, I yanked Harbinger from the Elf’s grasp. My sword of power was vibrating so hard in anger that I could barely hold it. No doubt it did not like this Elf’s weapons. I turned my attention to the raven haired man and swung Harbinger fiercely. He moved with a demonic speed. His blade was in front of him and deflected Harbinger’s attack as though a child had swung the weapon instead of a Vampire. “Boy, your sword is made of pure evil.” He said. “This is not a sword of power, yet I dispatched yours as though it were just a branch from a sapling.” I could not see the second man’s face, he just stood there. He kept laughing at me, almost daring me to attack. I did as he had hoped. The man fought me blow for blow and never winced nor faltered in his parries. His fighting style seemed so familiar to me. I know I had fought this opponent before. I continued my attacks with a relentless fury, but he deflected every one of them. I dismissed the familiarity to a case of Deja Vu. Perhaps someone I had fought in a previous life. Harbinger just continued to vibrate in anger. It was almost as if it feared something or someone in my presence. I turned my attention back to the raven haired man and said, “I am getting to them whether you like it or not.” The three defenders all stood now in front of me, weapons drawn and prepared for battle. “These Orcs have done nothing wrong to you Vampire. Why do you wish to destroy them?” My blade seemed to be fueling my anger as I spoke, “It is my quest on this planet to destroy all of those filthy beasts.” Every word spoken made me seethe in undeniable hatred. “This is your last warning. Either step aside, or feel my blade slide between your ribs.” The three continued to stand their ground, refusing to budge. From behind me I heard, “Aerol, please, you must stop this. For the last time, you must stop this.” I spun around, “Cirania?”

I sat up and wiped sweat from my brow. I looked down by my feet at my satchel, where Harbinger lay. “I still haven’t forgotten what you did to me. You are the reason I walk alone. You are the reason why I now have to bury my wife. I will deal with you in time.” I dug out a bit of earth to make sure that the sun had gone down. When it was clear I dug out completely and grabbed Cirania and made my way out. Cirania? “Did you speak with me in my dreams?” I asked, looking directly at her wrapped head. I turned my attention straight ahead, “Of course you didn’t. You’re dead.” I made my way in to Port Raven and found the stables that rested near the docks. I approached and said, “Excuse me, I need a horse, a fast one preferably.” The stable hand put down his broom and wiped his hands on his apron as he turned and faced me. “Ah, it seems…” He took one look at me and my coat and stumbled backward over a stool and a water bucket. He was an Orc as well. I never flinched nor did I make for my weapon, “Please do not fear my friend. I am not who you think I am.” The male Orc stumbled over his words as he stumbled over his working materials. “You…you’re the one who…” I lowered my head in shame. “Yes, I was that person. But those days are long past me. I will not harm you. I just need a horse. I can pay you handsomely of course.” The Orc drew back in fear. “Are…are you sure…you won’t hurt me?” I nodded to him. “I promise. I just need a fast horse that can run long distances.” The Orc ran back into the stables and emerged moments later with a young, muscular colt. “He’s a bit wild, but he can run like the wind, and as far as it too.” Said the Orc. I reached in my satchel and grabbed a small pouch filled with jewels and gold. I tossed it to the stable hand. “This should cover it. If not, let me know and I’ll send a courier with more once I reach my homeland.” The Orc jingled the pouch next to his ear and said, “Nah, this should do it.” He handed me the reigns and ran as fast as he could away from me. I shook my head and placed Cirania’s body as gently as I could on the hindquarters of the horse. I found some rope hanging on the stable’s walls and used it to secure my wife. I jumped up on the horse and kicked him with my heels. The colt raced off out of town and straight through to the forest. I leaned in closely to the colt’s head and said, “We need to give you a name. Everything must have a name.”

I rode the young horse hard over the next four days. Stopping only for me to retreat at night, and while I did I was confident that my new companion would surely watch over my dear sweet Cirania. On the fifth night we reached the border of Reign’s Reach. I scratched the neck of my colt and said, “We made it. I’m home Father, Mother. I’m home.”

I walked up the steps of Reign Hall and stopped halfway up. I turned back and looked at my newest companion, “Did you think of a name for yourself yet?” I said to the young horse. He let out a snort and shook his head from side to side as if understanding of my words. I let out a small laugh, “Well, how about Empyreal?” The colt stomped one hoof to the ground and rose up on his hind legs and neighed emphatically. He dropped back down to all fours and looked back at me knowingly. “So be it.” I said. Turning again to face the empty halls of my Father’s castle I let out a sigh and began making my way back up the long stairs to the still slightly opened door. I stood within arms length of the door and turned once more toward Empyreal, he lowered his head as if bowing. I nodded back at him and watched as he began making his way to the east side of the castle. I looked at the door once more and pushed it open. I had not been prepared for what I had seen. I had expected stench and blood everywhere, as well as bodies, bones and chaos throughout the hall. However it was the complete opposite. The interior sparkled and smelled as fresh as a spring rain. I reached into my pouch and pulled out the crude Orc club and said “Hello?” My voice echoed through the hollow room, bouncing off of each wall and marble floor. I walked slowly through the foyer, stepping as light as a leaf falling from its branch in a fall’s breeze. I leered into each small room off of the main hall and found nothing but cleanliness and that fresh spring smell. I arrived at the main chamber door and looked down either direction of the hall that ran east and west. Again there was nothing but clean. I reached for the latch on the door and pushed it open slowly. The large maple door creaked loudly as it opened all the way. I stood in awe as I seen sarcophagi made of solid bronze of my Father and Mother on either side of the main chamber. I walked in and put the crude club back in my satchel. As I strode to the west side of the hall toward my Fathers sarcophagus I could feel someone watching me. I stopped and turned three hundred sixty degrees and seen nothing, or anyone for that matter, so I continued to my Kings resting place. I knelt beside it and placed one hand on top of the bronze casket. “I hope I have made you proud Father. I know I have journeyed down a road that I should not have, but I am trying to make amends for that now. What I did was wrong, and I shall try with all I have in me to not make those mistakes ever again.” I rested my left arm on my knee and clinched my fist as tight as it could be. “I know you would be ashamed of what I’ve done. I’m sorry Father.” After a moment sitting in silence I stood up and made my way to my Mothers tomb. I didn’t kneel, and I didn’t speak. I just stood beside the casket and prayed silently to myself. I asked Gaia to make sure that my Mother above anyone else on these lands find her way to the afterlife.

The feeling that I was being watched had come back to me again. I turned toward the door to the main chambers and found Empyreal standing in the doorway. “You startled me my friend.” I said. My horse motioned his head toward the exit and turned and made his way out of the castle. I looked back at my Mother’s tomb one last time and followed Empyreal out of the castle and to the east side of the grounds. The cellar door that led to my sire’s residence was blown completely off. Splinters of wood were scattered all around the ground. I reached for Empyreal and stroked his snout and said, “Thank you my friend. I can tell that the stable boy did not have a clue what he had in you.” I walked carefully toward the opening of the cellar and pulled out the Orc club once again and said softly, “I’ve got to find a new sword.” I walked down the small stairway and peered down the long, dark hall. I could only see the earthen floor and the stone walls. There was nothing out of place as of yet. I made it to the first door that was on my left and looked in. Ah, my former training room. Dante brutalized me daily in this room. One day I’ll pay him back. I smiled at the memories that came flooding back to me as I stared in at my old training room. I looked across the hall at the door that stood forever closed. I had never seen the contents of this room, and it did not appear as though today was going to be the first time either. I reached for the latch and tugged, but to no avail. The door remained locked, as always. I turned and faced the door leading to Dante’s main anteroom. I had only been allowed in here one time, and I did not enjoy the experience. The room smelled of death, and was covered in blood stains from floor to ceiling. I had only been fifteen years old at the time, and the sight and smell of the room made my stomach lurch. I could only hope that the feeling did not return. It was then that it had dawned on me that I had not fed in over a week. Nor was I feeling the craving. I could not explain it. However I was very grateful for it, as there was no one around to feed on.

I walked down the rest of the short earthen hallway to Dante’s anteroom door. The door was unlatched and opened slightly. I could see firelight coming from the inside of the room and stopped to listen. Opening up my sense of hearing to focus on what might be inside, my heart leaped from my chest when I heard my sire’s voice. “I realize my Lord that the boy has managed to elude your plan. But you must take heart that he will do everything that we have laid out before him.” I heard silence after that, then Dante’s voice once more. “I understand my Lord. I will not fail you again, you have my word. I will set the boy straight. He will follow the path that you have placed before him.” Again, silence. I could feel a rumbling coming from inside of my satchel, as well as a slight humming. The conversation inside the room ceased. I leaned in closer to the door to try to hear what, if anything was being said. The door then was flung open, startled I reached in my satchel and grabbed the first thing I could find to defend myself with. I could feel the hatred and negative energy flow back through my body as I landed on the dirt floor. Dante and Zeshua stood in the doorway. “I told you my Lord, the boy would not stray too far from the path we have laid before him.”