The Goddesses’ words had rung true. Baz and Daymin had spent their final day in paradise quietly anticipating the move. Dreaming of the new life that was about to begin. Daymin had said nothing about his childish pleas, Baz didn’t need to know that. He’d never have to hurt him again.
A man came the next day that same sort of golden glow to them that they had. His name was Geriel. Old but large and strong. Clad in beautiful sliver white plate mail. Daymin had never seen such a warrior before in his life.
“Daymin, Bezeial I have come to take you to your new home.” He said looking at the go of them. “Your divine service begins starts today.”
The two young men exchanged glances with each other a smile, crossed Baz’s face first making the one on Daymin’s grow even quicker. They had little to pack, just their weapons and the clothes on their back. No keepsakes or tokens to remind them of this place. All the training and waiting was finally over. Vows would be taken and a purpose given.
Geriel held small stone in his hands as the two readied to leave. He held it to his lips and spoke Return. Light surrounded them and Daymin felt his feet lift from the ground for but a moment, before suddenly touching back down again. The light faded and the two of them found themselves standing atop a hill overlooking a small town, a large stone temple placing them in its shadow.
“Welcome to Orlbar and to the Minor Temple of the Lady of Vengeance , Gallaidia blessed is her name.”
“Blesses is her name.” the two of them repeated back to their elder.
“You will the clothed, fed,and trained here. I will give you missions from her Blessed Vengeance, when you are not on missions you will have chores and studies. Very little of your time will be spent idle, except with one hour a day to do with as you wish, the last hour between mass and bed which is promptly at nine o’clock. Understood?”
“Understood” the two of them replied.
“You will refer to me as Master Geriel,” he scolded them suddenly. “I expect much of you boys.”
“Understood Master Geriel.” They corrected bowing their heads deeply.
“Come I will show you to your quarters.” He marched off, the two of then quick on his heels.
He lead them through the massive marble halls, Baz and Daymin’a eyes darting about at each of the beautiful colour glass windows and pillars the reach high above them. The great statue of the goddess over looking it all. This was so much more than their small temple, Daymin couldn’t help but feeling as though he was an insignificant speck of dust on the floor of this place.
Far to the back of the temple Geriel opened the door to a simple room. Two beds one on either side of the outer walls, a small trunk in front of each. A shrine to their goddess along the center of the back wall, with placed for their weapons in front of it. It was simple but more than they had before this.
“Your vestments and armour are in the trunks. Change and be ready for presentation to the Mother in a half and hour.” Master Geriel said turning on his heels and leaving the two of them alone.
Daymin watched as Baz ventured in first, his purple eyes scanning the space intently. Daymin follows a few moments behind, taking it all in. This was home now, there were other people here, others like them, they would now really be serving, now really have a place they belonged, a purpose.
“Don’t have to share a bed with you anymore it seems.” Baz said sitting down on the bed on the left of the chamber, running his hand along the bedspread.
“You kick in your sleep anyway.” Daymin sat on the other and looked across at his friend. “this is home now Baz.”
“I know isn’t it wonderful.” He smiled. “we will be doing good work here. She will be so proud of us Day.”
“I know she will.” Daymin looked across the expanse, he’s never seen Baz happier.
“Lets put the new clothes on then.” Baz leaned over and popped the trunk open. “Time to look the part right.”
“Yeah,”
The two of them stripped off the remains of that old life. Rough spun tunics replaced by soft white linin accented with red. Breeches and shirts that felt light and breezy, not heavy and itchy. Then there was the armour, strong and sturdy silver, heavy armour for Daymin and lighter breastplate for Baz. They two of them fumbled and helped the other with the new ties and buckles, until they were sure things looked mostly right. The weight on Daymins shoulders felt strange but not uncomfortable. Having filled out the last few months had made carrying all this metal much easier he suspected. Moving his arms he tested the joints and found they did not slow or stiffen his movements.
Dressed now they each studied their friend’s new appearance. Eye moving across every inch of the other. Fixing this new them in their mines. Their true selves. Baz looked strong and confident, his long black a hair pulled back with a tie, standing almost a foot taller than he seemed to this morning. He approached Daymin and fixed the clasp on his bright red cloak.
“This is us Day, the real us,” he pressed his forehead to his and smiled, “this is what we have been waiting to be all our lives.”
“You look amazing Baz,” Daymin smiled,
“Of course I do, white is the prefect colour on me.” Baz drew back, Daymin’s head following the path for only an instant. “Come its time we met back up with our new master.”
“Right…” Daymin blinked. “lets get this new life started.”
****************
Their days did not change all that much, there was still training and prays, chores and routine but this time there was other people. Not that they spoke to them frequently; most of the people here bowed their head in reverence as they walked passed one of them. Geriel and the Temple Mother; an old wise woman that scared Daymin and ruffled Baz feathers, seemed if not their equals but certainly their superiors. From them did Daymin and Baz take their lessons on battle and faith.
The training was harder physically, but he didn’t have to hurt Baz anymore. They fought side by side against Geriel and all manner of creatures he’d summon. He and Baz took to it like it was second nature watching the other’s back, Daymin coming down with hard goading hits while, Baz swiftly attacked from behind, the dance they had been learning all their lives finally paying off. Not a word passed between the two, they new where the other was at all time and new exactly what the other would do. Daymin found a great peace in that, and the killing no longer bothered him so.
He could draw blood from their master and there would be no second thought. His halberd cleaved the heads of many beasts and he felt nothing but the high of battle. A feeling he and Baz were beginning to crave. There was some recourse when Baz would take a hit, but for some reason it bothered him far less than when he was the one causing the pain.
The more mental lessons he didn’t take to as well. Meditation and prayers, were a struggle as always. Numeracy and Medicines were slightly better but his mind still wandered. They had etiquette lessons with the Mother, as they learned how to act around people. Daymin found his best course here was to say as little as he could and let Baz do the talking when he could get away with it. He did like learning to ride a horse, any other lessons where his strength gave him advantage and he didn’t have sit for too long.
Baz flourished in these mental and social lessons. Daymin never realized how much he liked to talk until other people entered their world. The Mother called him charming and eloquent, traits she believed would make him the perfect spy for the goddess. Baz reveled in it and studied hard. That last precious hour of the day spend reading histories and scripture any new knowledge he could get his hands on. A stack of books growing next to his beds.
The beds…
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That was the one thing that they both hated here, were those beds. Though never spoken Daymin knew that Baz hated the expanse between them as much as he did. Those first few nights spent tossing and turning, looking for the other. Even when one of them had slept on the floor they were never more than arms length away.
It took a week before Baz cracked.
Daymin had managed to find sleep easy that night, to tired to care about much else really. Master Geriel had put him through his paces today and all his body wanted was to just stop and rest. Passing out even before lights out had been called. His sleep only disturbed for a moment by the familiar presence, crawling in beside him. He shifted closer to the wall to make space for Baz and her crawled under the covers, a smile crossing his face before easy sleep found him once more.
When the morning came no words were spoken. They two of them just got up like nothing ever happened. Though Baz’s bed went unslept in most nights from then on.
************
It was the dead of winter when news of their first mission came. Bandits had hit the village below killed many and taken good and a gold from the villagers. The time had come to be Her hands of vengeance.
“It’s finally happening Day.” Baz smiled as he helped his friend ready his armour, at attach his cloak. Baz had cut his long hair short in preparation for tonight, Daymin’s curls still fell around his ears, their goddess bidding his to let the world see his gold. “All we’ve been working for.”
“You scared?”
“I’m excited Day.” Baz glow brightened. “Are you?”
“What if I choke…. These are people not Geriel’s summons or goblins in the woods.”
“They are our quarry Daymin.” Baz grew serious. “You will not falter. You will strike down our enemies.”
“But what if…”
“Stop.” Baz placed a finger over Daymin’s mouth. “You are stronger than that Day.”
Daymin nodded, he wasn’t so sure.
*****
That bandits camp was down by the river. Uncovered and out in the open. They were stupid enough not to hide, maybe this would be ok.
“I’ll scout down and signal you to follow. We will used second formation,” Baz explained.
“Got it.” Daymin nodded as Baz took off silently down the hill.
This was really it. A real mission. Daymin took a knee in the snow and looked down at the bandit camp. He counted ten, maybe more. Baz would get a more accurate count. He was actually going to kill people tonight. Daymin shook at the thought of it. It was real now.
Ten minutes passed. Then fifteen. Where was he he should have singled by now. Daymin felt his stomach starting to turn, had they got him? Was Baz dead. He rose from his position in the snow and creeped closer down the hill searching the darkness for his friend.
His foot hit ice under snow and he began to slip down the hill. He held his breath and tries to catch himself. He crashed and began to slide, his armor clanking as he tried to right himself. He slipped about ten feet before stopping, landing hard in the snow. He froze and he heard shouting from the bandit camp.
He had compromised the mission
What did he do? Men were heading for him fast, did he attack or did he lay low and hoped his large form was not seen in the darkness. Or did he draw their ire and let Baz deal with the camp. All his training felt gone in an instant.
Then a hand clamped over his mouth and a weight came down on his back, a darkness slowly covering him. He flinched.
“Shhh.” Baz’s voice whispered in his ear. “My wings have us hidden in the snow so just wait until I tell you to move okay?”
Daymin nodded his understanding, feeling Baz’s swords pressing against his back. This couldn’t be comfortable for either of them but Daymin had messed this up and as always Baz was making up for his shortcomings.
The voices were closer now.
“There’s six of them.” Baz told him. “Count of three we are up and in formation four.”
Daymin nodded once more and held his breath.
“One,” Baz counted. “Two… Three!”
Using Daymin’s back as a spring broad. Baz popped up and Daymin heard the sound as his swords cut through the air. Daymin stood up, halberd in hand, his head quickly scanning his surroundings to orient himself on the field. Two men right in front of him, sword in hand.
He swung.
The halberd cut through the first man effortlessly, blood spurting across the snow, the man falling in a scream of pain.
He swung again.
The second mand head went sailing.
Daymin scanned once more, stepping to the side and swinging at a third bandit. Ducking down as Baz ran up his back and stabbed downward and them bandit, both swords plunging into the attackers neck, before landing on the ground. Daymin tuned, and pressed his back against Baz as they squared up into formation. Half their quarry downed.
The remaining three struck out, the hits glancing off Daymins armour, Baz disarming another, the third paused for just a moment. Trying to stab at Baz, barely catching him in the shoulder, enough to sting but not enough to stop a scimitar between the eyes. Daymins halberd cut the final two down, he blinked the snow around the now bring red.
“Wings out Day there’s still ten more down there.” Baz smirked and silently dashed down the hill.
Daymin barely had time to think. He popped his wings and followed. Baz had two more slayed by the time Daymin reached the camp. He joined the fray and the enemies fell easily, Daymin did have a second thought pass through his mind, he was he Vengeful hand and now he new it to be true.
It was over before he knew in his heart pounding hard in his chest and his holy weapon dispatched the final bandit. His eyes scanning for more to fall.
“That’s ten Day.” Bas clapped his shoulder a small bit of blood tricking down his are.
“Right…” Daymin let his breathing slow as he touched and healed the wound in Baz’s shoulder. “lets secure what was taken and report back.”
The two of them moved through the camp taking stock of the situation. Stolen goods scatted about, food and furs, gold, as well as spirts and bottles of wine.
“Think this stuff is any better than the communion wine?” Baz grabbed one of the bottles, uncorked and smelled it, his noes scrunching up. “Not sure if it good or bad. Try it?”
“Seriously?”
“What, successful mission right? From what I understand people celebrate these things.” He handed Daymin the bottle, his comrade hesitantly taking it. “One drink that’s all.”
“Fine,” he took and drink that spat it back out. “This stuff tast…”
His words wouldn’t come, there was a sting as something stabbed into the side of his neck. A stabbing pain and the warmth of blood as he reached for the source. He drew it out of him… an arrow.
He heard Baz scream and then glow bright with his blinding light. Daymin’s knees buckled and everything went black.
******
“Wake up Day.” Baz’s voice called to him through the darkness.
The pain was back. The shooting, pain in his neck. Daymin gasped and opened eyes only to shut them again at the brightness of the world around him.
“Ba… Baz.” he wheezed as he tried to speak.
“You’re going to be ok Daymin.” His friends voice seemed to echo.
Daymin blinked his eyes adjusting to the light. It was coming from Baz, kneeling beside him, a wind of radiant light swirled around him, his eyes white with angelic power. Daymin felt a pull towards him like his light threatened to consume all around him. What had happened?
Baz sat Daymin up in the snow to see a bandit tied to a post before him shaking in fear. The bodies to two others sliced to ribbons around him. Baz rose from his side and moved to the captured man, grabbing him by the hair and cutting his bindings, before hauling him in front of Daymin.
“Beg his forgiveness!” Baz voice shook the world around them.
“Pppp….please… Merciful angel… spsp…spare me.” The bandit whipered.
Day could not reply. He just looked between the man and his friend. He’d never seen Baz like this. Was this what they truly were?
“Tell him what we are Day.” Baz shoved the man closer to his face.
“We are Her…” he stammered finding his voice again. “hands of Vengeance. Servants of the Goddess Galiadia. Blessed is her name.”
“Here that.” Baz drew his sword across the man throat and held back the cut. “We are no angels of mercy.”
He drew the blade and the mans blood spurted out, washing Daymin a fine spray as the light began to fade from Baz, his wings gone. He cast the body aside and feel to his knees in the snow, his body shaking. It was over
Silence fell as both friends, collected themselves. The pain in Daymin’s neck still throbbed but he wasn’t bleeding out anymore. He pulled part of his cloak up two wipe the blood from his face, his fingers trembled.
“You need a healer.” Baz broke the silence, “My power stopped you from dying and that was it.”
“That light…” Daymin moved to take his hand.
“Not now.” He drew back. “Back to the temple so the Mother can heal you.”
Daymin nodded and got to his feet, leaning on his weapon for support, he had survived the first mission. But what about the ones to come.
*******
He and Baz barely spoke in the days that followed. Daymin was on bed rest due to his injury while Baz kept up his training. Strangely keeping this distance between them, like they both didn’t want to speak about what had passed. They had been praised by the goddess, and those around them, celebration had for spilling evil blood. Offerings of thanks brought to the temple from the villagers. But both of them were shaken.
“It gets easier in time,” Master Geriel told them.
Right now it didn’t feel easy and laying alone with his thoughts didn’t help much. Daymin was still amazed with how easy it had been, taking all their lives in a few quick slashes and stabs. It shouldn’t have been right? He really was capable after all.
Then there was the light…
Baz’s light, far more bright that Daymin could have ever imagined. More than his had been that day they earned their wings. Was that sort of power inside him too? Baz wouldn’t touch the subject in the few words they had exchanged. But Daymin knew it weighed on him. He wasn’t sleeping right. Neither in his own bed or crawling in with Daymin, he’d sit by the window looking out at the night until exhaustion took him. He’d taken a similar spot tonight as they returned from mass. Daymin finally up and about once more.
Daymin readied himself for bed as Baz lost himself in the night sky, unsure if he should be the one to break the silence. But this couldn’t go on any longer. He was better now, training would start once more, they would have new missions.
“Are you resigned to that chair being your new bed?” Daymin spoke leaning against the window and blocking Baz’s view of the world.
“Might as well be,” he shrugged. “I never sleep in the one I have anyways.”
“Well there’s always mine.”
“Daymin I think we are a bit too old now to be sharing a bed.” Baz stayed pensive. “We shouldn’t be doing that anymore.”
“Hey you’re the one who always…”
“I almost lost you Daymin…” Baz cut him off. “That light came over me when I thought you were…”
“Dead?”
“Yes, you almost died because I miscounted, I didn’t find them all when I scouted.”
“And I slipped down a hill and you had to come save me.”
“I thought it was over and wanted to fool around… why was I that stupid… why am I always that stupid, just like with the goblins…”
“Baz,” Daymin put a hand on his friend’s shoulder, he’d never seen Baz so shake. “you need to sleep. We both know we sleep better in the same bed. We’ll stop tomorrow okay?”
Baz nodded and rose from his chair. The two of them moved into Daymins bed. No words needed pass between them after that. Baz snuggled in and was asleep nearly as soon as the two of them had settled. Like he’d finally found some peace, and Daymin was not all that far behind.