Chapter 85 Lady of Hellfire.
Marie was standing behind Sera watching the arena. Isaac had placed a hand on her shoulder and told her to switch places. He sounded… irritated. She did as she was told and he had appeared next to Lenna. ‘This wasn’t a duel. It was a public execution.’ She thought to herself but could only frown. It wasn’t the worst thing that she had seen but she had hoped that she could avoid such disregard for life by being Sera’s bodyguard. She glanced at her old teammate and then at his sister. ‘I hope you two didn’t make a huge mistake.’
—
“That wasn’t part of the plan.” Isaac chastised Lenna quietly.
“It was as messy as you wanted it.” Lenna replied evenly.
“We’ll talk more about this later.” He whispered. He took a deep breath. “Lady Lenna V’Nova, my Lady of Hellfire, congratulations.” He spoke in a deep voice while cloaked in shadows. The fire’s wreathing Lenna’s sword all faded away and she stowed her blade and gave Isaac a short bow. “Your flames seemed to have had an impact on the mortals.”
Lenna straightened. “Indeed, my Lord of Darkness.” She agreed.
“Hellfire may have been more than that mortal deserved.” He spoke.
Lenna shook her head. “He insulted your honor. I could not stand for it.” She explained.
Isaac turned to face the announcer who was standing a good dozen paces away. “Announce the winner.” Isaac ordered him.
Isaac’s words snapped the man out of his shock enough for him to do his job. “Ladies and gentlemen! Lady Lenna V’Nova!” He called out.
“The Lady of Hellfire.” Isaac added loud enough that the announcer could hear and get the message.
“The Lady of Hellfire!” The announcer added. The cheers were muted. The spectacle was not quite what any present had expected but it had still been a fight of powerhouses.
Isaac and Lenna left the arena. They even left the legendary sword lying in the sand and blood. At the very least it could be sold for the man’s funeral. There was a chance that the man’s party members would sell it and pull their funds and be able to afford a resurrection. In all likelihood however it would be sold and the money used to keep his mother comfortable in her final days. After the loss the odds of her living much longer were low. An entire family was destroyed at the hands of Isaac and Lenna. A family that hadn’t truly deserved to die for what they had done. They deserved punishment of course but death may have been a bit harsh. Especially to the mother who hadn’t been directly involved at all.
—
Thomas faded into the crowd and was soon walking aimlessly in the general direction of the Safeharbor General Smithy. He rubbed his neck. “I was really close to dying back then huh.” He whispered to himself. He remembered the time that he had followed Isaac and Lenna deep into the spider tunnels and heard some things that he shouldn’t have. “I’m surprised he didn’t use me as an example for the rest of the spies.” He had just realized what kind of people he was working with. “At least I know the target won’t survive to take revenge.” He grumbled while trying to look on the bright side, as dim as it was.
—
Eleonora pushed against Brick’s side but only succeeded in pushing herself the other direction. “Man she has gotten so much scarier.” She said with an excited giggle. “One of these days I’ll catch up, just you watch.” She said more to herself than her companions.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
“Keep dreaming, it’ll help your progress.” Bartholomew replied without looking at her. He was still trying to figure out where that magic was coming from that made her seemingly immortal. If only he could ask the Lord of Darkness directly, his curiosity was killing him, but that might actually lead to his early grave.
“Shut up, Bart.” Eleonora shot back. “It’ll happen, just wait and watch.” Brick never talked much but he shook his head. He knew that there was no way the little human woman next to him would be able to beat the monster they had just seen in the arena. Eleonora squinted up at Brick. “Don’t you go doubting me too.”
Bartholomew finally registered what she called him. “It’s Bartholomew, Bar-thol-o-mew.”
—
“Those two aren’t like you or your mother.” Edward told his nephew. “They do whatever they feel like they need to do, damn the consequences or the pain.” He shook his head. “He is a villain who tends to do good and she is his weapon. If you are going to remember any one thing that I tell you; Do not make an enemy of them. I don’t care what you do, who you have to hurt, or what city you have to burn.” Edward spoke with a hard look on his face. “You won’t survive otherwise. We’ve invited a true monster into our city.”
Lucius nodded. “Alright.” He said meekly while walking next to Edward. His eyes found the back of his mother’s head. She had been silent since they had left. He wondered if she was regretting her decisions or trying to find a way to make the most of the situation. Knowing her, she was going to find a way to turn it all into a good thing, somehow.
—
Lenna got right into the bath as soon as they had gotten home. Isaac closed and locked the door behind them. “I thought I told you not to use that spell.” Isaac said coldly. She knew that he was actually angry at her. It was the only time he had ever actually been angry with her.
“You did.” Lenna replied but otherwise stayed silent.
Isaac sighed deeply. “Listen, Lenna.” Isaac began. “I know this sounds hypocritical, but I don’t want you to get hurt.” He ran his hands down his face. “We are elbows deep in blood and we fight for a living but there are some things that are avoidable.” He continued. “Cone of fire would have been enough to get rid of most of his body. The fireball was overkill. The broken finger was avoidable.” He collapsed onto the bed and stayed silent for a long moment. “Perdition to burn off the gore? Really?” He huffed
Lenna didn’t answer for a long moment. “I understand.” She replied with a softer voice than usual.
Isaac got up and walked over to her. He didn’t seem to notice the fact that she was in the bath. He put a hand on her shoulder and turned her face to face him with his other hand. He smiled both lovingly and sadly. “Please don’t hurt yourself any more than truly necessary.” He pleaded. “It hurts me to see you in pain. Sometimes it is necessary and I accept that but…” His voice trailed off.
Lenna nodded. “Alright.” She acknowledged and put her hand over the hand that was on her cheek. “I’ll be more careful.” She promised.
Isaac’s smile lost some of its sadness and got a bit warmer. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Thank you.” He told her with his lips still pressed against her. He leaned back so their eyes could meet. “I love you.” He told her.
Lenna smiled back. “I love you too.”
— — —
Inventory
Isaac’s Inventory (46.8/60)lbs
- 100 Platinum Coins 2lbs
- 50 Gold Coins 1lb
- 50 Electrum/Silver/Copper Coins (Assortment) 1lb
- Potion of Healing 0.5lbs
- Potion of Antivenom 0.5lbs
- 2 Days Water 9lbs
- 2 Days Food 10lbs + 2lbs(Container)
- 1 Change of Clothes (Isaac) 1lb
- Weird Box 2lbs
- Magic Lantern 2lbs
- Compass that Always Points Towards Civilization 1lb
- 8 Throwing Spikes 4lbs
- Lenna’s Backup Longsword 3.2lbs
- Straight Sword (Magically enhanced) 2.6lbs
- Backup Shortsword 2.6lbs
- Backup Dagger 1lb
- Self-cleaning Rag 0.2lbs
- Toothbrush 0.2lbs
- Vial of Soap 0.5lbs
- Sending Stone #1 0.5lbs
Lenna's Bottomless Bag (139.4/500)lbs
- 10 Of Each Coin 1lb
- 2 Changes of Under Armor (Lenna) 1lb
- 1 Change of Clothes (Isaac) 1lb
- 8 Days Water 36lbs
- 8 Days Food 40lbs + 4lbs(ContainerX2)
- 2 Bedrolls 14lbs
- 2 Blankets 6lbs
- 20 Pitons 2lbs
- 2 Throwing Spikes 1lb
- 1 Dagger 1lb
- 3 Potions Of Healing 1.5lbs
- Potion of Antivenom 0.5lbs
- Scroll of Cone of Flames 0.2lbs
- 4 Scrolls of Shroud 0.8lbs
- 2 Sets of Climbing Spikes 6lbs
- 2 Lengths of Rope (50ft) 20lbs
- Small Hammer 2lbs
- Toothbrush 0.2lbs
- Vial of soap 0.5lbs
- Woman's Products 0.2lbs
- Sending Stone #2 0.5lbs