Time passed on quickly, and another week was gone. Iago regained his strength with every passing moment. He could already walk on his own during the day. By the end he’d be dead tired and drop the second they stopped, but he travelled on his own. It was a great achievement for a person who was thought to die at any moment.
But having survived the fever, his improvement was eye-catching. Without the need to shape, and a decent amount of food, his form returned to its old state. His skin lost the pale sheen of sickness, and though he was still thin, it was no longer unnaturally so.
In another two weeks, it’d be hard to know anything had happened to him if not for a few grey streaks in his hair.
But why were the people allowing it? Iago sat, eating breakfast, and wondered at their generosity. These strangers came with large supplies and didn’t mind sharing them with the survivors, and even Iago. They didn’t put much effort in preserving his life, but neither did they do anything to prevent Scorpius from nurturing him back to health.
Iago had gathered that these strangers had come on Mistress’ invitation. They’d encountered one of her scouts and decided to come and meet this legendary persona with many gifts. But since she was killed right before their arrival, they packed up and decided to leave. While inviting all the survivors to join them on the journey to their city. They said there were over two hundred people there.
Was that invitation really that simple? Did they only want to help out others?
He was certain it was a lie, but what kind of? And they kept him alive. It didn’t seem like they were lacking in food supplies, so what use could they have for him. He was more of a danger than an asset. All shapers were.
Or was their leader someone that knew of him? He instantly dismissed the thought. Not in this body. Iago Farrisal was a simple commoner that lived below the line of poverty. No one farther than two houses away from him knew of his existence.
It puzzled him, but he wasn’t going to ask the strangers. They kept mostly to themselves and there was an air of detachment around them. If they didn’t want to establish a good relationship with him even after hearing the others’ stories, there was no point in him coming to them. He wasn’t that desperate, yet. This way he may even have a better chance of escaping if something went wrong.
Escaping…
Where? And more importantly what for? Didn’t he say that all he wanted was to die?
The human heart was such a terrible creation. Even as he wanted to die, he fought for life with all that he had. Wait. The human heart, or was it Iago? Elecar might seek redemption and escape in his death, but the young man, Iago, would never have such a wish.
And now that Elecar’s greatest wish was fulfilled, his presence was fading. Iago remembered more of his tough but considerably happier childhood in the slums. The memories were no longer being subdued by the constant shadow of Mistress, the mere knowledge of being in the same place as her bringing back all that had been done to him.
He shuddered uncontrollably and sat unmoving for a moment. Then he banished the thoughts and returned to finishing his breakfast. It wasn’t a large piece of meat but enough to quell the hunger until the evening. There was even a cup of cool water by his side.
The sound of approaching feet caught his attention as he was finishing the water. He turned his head to see Alec coming towards him with Lyra, Denni and Grey following after. All of them had serious expressions, even the young boy that used to be enchanted with him.
“You claim to be Elecar,” Alec said, looking down at him. Neither of them seemed to plan to sit down and face him on equal level.
He thought about it, then lowered his head and looked at the empty cup. “I don’t claim to be anything. I simply am who I am.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that you’re a liar. Elecar is dead,” Alec hissed, his face contorting from emotion.
Iago didn’t look up. The young man seemed to be filled with feelings that ran far deeper than a care whether his hero’s name was being thrown around in vain or not. The latest events should have taught him that there were more important things in the world.
One’s name was nothing but a title. A way to trick your enemies into thinking they know you.
“He wishes to be so. But not yet. There’s still a flicker of light left.”
He wondered about that. A flicker. When would it go out? The two people in his mind didn’t fight for supremacy. They didn’t exist in the first place.
It was only him with two sets of memories. A dedicated brother and a disgraceful son. What did that make him then?
“What are you doing here?” Scorpius asked, appearing from out of nowhere. The others jumped. Denni squeaked in surprise.
“We want to know why he claims Elecar’s name,” Lyra said. Then after a moment’s hesitation added, “It’s not right for it to be used just like that. Ele-”
Iago waved her off. “Enough. You act as if you have the right to decide that. Aren’t I allowed to do whatever I want with my name?” he asked, standing up and facing them. He wasn’t yet in his body’s former glory but he was still taller than an average person when straightening out.
“You’re not him!” Alec stated again. He took a step forward, standing chest to chest with Iago. “Stop mocking the only righteous person in this godforsaken world!”
“Righteous?” Iago asked, laughing, and turned away from him. “You’re looking up to a fantasy. The Elecar you idealise has never existed.” Then before the youth could disagree, he continued, “What do you want me to tell you? That your father was a wiry man with constantly dropping spectacles, while your mother wore a river stone bracelet he gifted her on their engagement? Or should I explain how much work I had to do to protect your family from being attacked again? I’ve lost five favours that would’ve quickened my campaign considerably to ensure your safety.
“Enough?” Iago asked, glaring. “Or do you want something else? Your boot size maybe? Sorry, didn’t take it.”
Alec fumed, but his mind was working. Soon, Iago’s words passed through his haze and he faltered. “You know my parents? How?”
“How else? I remember most of those I’ve assisted. There weren’t as many of them as you might think. Rumours simply spread with the speed of a wildfire.”
“Are you certain he’s telling the truth?” Denni asked, eyeing Iago with a cold look. “He’d say anything to protect his hide.”
Her friend nodded, shock and sorrow intermingling on his face. He was becoming aware of a terrible reality that the truth he came to ascertain here might not be the one he was expecting.
Iago let him simmer in that confusion for awhile. He wasn’t overly eager to prove to anyone that he was Elecar either. If it was his choice, he’d bury that part of him and never see it again. Elecar should have died along with Kallum. He was a relic that the new age had no need of.
“Enough, go now. I want to have a couple more moments in peace before the endless marching.”
“We still have questions!” Denni shouted out, pointing at him with a finger. “You will answer them now!”
He sat down, ignoring her command, and closed his eyes. There was still about ten to twenty minutes before the rest would be ready to leave, so he could use that time to rest. Being better did not mean that he was all right. The long hours of walking weren’t kind to his body, and he needed to conserve as much strength as possible.
The youths postured for a bit longer, but seeing that he was seriously not going to pay them any attention, gave up and left. Only Scorpius remained. He busied himself packing up their meagre supplies: two thin blankets, both most commonly used by Iago, a bowl, spoon and some herbs.
A horn rang and they were off.
The sun was yet to rise, and the temperature slightly cold. Iago huddled tighter into his cloak. He would soon be sweating from the strenuous exercise, but not now. For the moment, he was cold and tired. They just started off, and his legs were already complaining. It was going to be a very long day.
Two days later, buildings rose in the distance. They were still far off, but Iago could see their general shapes, and that many of them were still standing. The Scourge must have spared this city from its worst temper.
Was that why it became a beacon for all survivors in a month’s quick marching distance? Awfully lucky, was that. How did people even find out about its existence now that all communication was cut off?
He watched the faces of the strangers who’d come to bring them along. They didn’t show any special excitement to be back. Sure there was relief for returning to a place with a certain food and water supply, but not much more than that.
Strange.
He pushed himself to walk faster, get closer to a pair of the strangers talking. However, the moment he got into hearing distance, they quietened down.
That disturbed him more than anything he might have heard. People who didn’t have something to hide didn’t stop their conversations because someone might overhear them. These strangers, they were planning something. And it probably wasn’t going to be good for the survivors.
But that was no longer his problem, was it? He’d played his part, cleaned the world off Cyana. The survivor’s future now depended on their own voracity. He couldn’t stay with them forever, protecting from every danger this new world might throw at them.
It wasn’t his place. Nor did they want him to. It would be in everyone’s benefit if he didn’t try to butt in where he wasn’t welcome.
Hours passed by and by late evening they reached the city.
From up close, Iago was astonished to see that this city was almost levelled to the ground during the catastrophe. Few if any old structures remained standing. However, what he’d taken as surviving buildings, were actually newly built two-story houses.
The people had used remaining walls and foundations to act as support and built around them. This quickened their speed and there were over twenty decent looking houses. They wouldn’t be winning any awards for architectural designs any time soon, but they were serviceable.
There was one thing that still puzzled Iago, though. This many houses… Was there really that many people here? He heard them talking of many people, but this surpassed his expectations. There might be even more than the promised two hundred.
Breathing hard, Iago took the last few steps up to the building one of the city’s guards pointed them to, and stumbling inside fell into a corner to sleep. He knew it was going to be cold if he didn’t get the blanket from Scorpius, but he couldn’t be bothered to move a muscle. Everything ached, and he was drenched in sweat.
He was asleep before even hitting the ground.
Scorpius entered after the others, noticing a distinct shape on the right. Iago occupied a dark corner and was already sleeping fitfully. Scorpius stared at him for a moment, wondering how anyone could be this uninhibited in an unfamiliar place. Well, maybe he knew how.
The shaper no longer cared if he lived or died, after all.
Shaking his head in disappointment, Scorpius unpacked their items and threw a blanket over his friend. He then sat down nearby, wrapping himself in his own, and watched the others settling down. They were talking in hushed voices but didn’t say anything of interest.
He would’ve liked to go and scout, but guards were posted outside the door. Their escort told them it was for their own protection, but no one was fooled. It was obvious they weren’t trusted.
And if he disappeared, everyone would be in big trouble. Not to mention, that most of the survivors didn’t know who he was. They would be as likely to cause a commotion as the guards outside.
Alec sidled up next to him. He sat down and stayed quiet, staring into the opposite wall. After awhile, he turned to Scorpius. “Do you think he’s the real deal?”
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“I’m certain,” he said, pulling up his knees and lowering his head on them. There was no doubt in his mind that Iago was who he claimed to be. He’d seen the man’s transformation himself.
The person who he met first, the one who saved his life, wasn’t exactly the one sleeping nearby. He was, and he wasn’t at the same time. At times, he’d see glimpses of that man, but more often he was an impatient stranger with a tendency for brooding.
Did that meant Scorpius should stop regarding him as a friend? The stranger had sacrificed Orin in cold blood, after all.
It should have meant the end of it. But for some reason it didn’t. Scorpius didn’t have it in his heart to just abandon a sick person to his death. Not when it was the man that had saved his life and given him friendship without asking anything in return.
Yet it was also the man that allowed his other friend to die. How did these two actions equal themselves? Did they cancel each other? He couldn’t see it that way no matter how much he wanted to. It were two extremes that didn’t seem to fit together. Kind saviour and careless murderer. Which one was he?
“What are you going to do?” Alec asked quietly.
A question that plagued Scorpius’ mind already. What was he supposed to do? For now he took care of him until he got better, but once that happened? What then?
His hands tightened their grip on his legs. “I’ll think of it when the time comes.”
“We’re already here. It’s time you made a choice. Are you going to turn on him like everyone else, or will you remain by his side?”
Scorpius turned the question on Alec to evade answering it himself. “What about you? He’s your greatest hero, ain’t he?”
The young man beside him stiffened. “No more. Not after he just let Orin die like that.”
“Does admiration really die that easy?” Scorpius asked, intrigued by the prospect.
“No,” Alec answered with a heavy sigh. “Maybe. I don’t know. In my mind I still have the image of that great man, the hero of the people. Father brought me up with tales about him. During my childhood, I heard nothing but his adventures and heroic escapades. And now Iago’s trying to tell me that all of that was a lie?” He shook his head, a sad smile on his face. “I just can’t believe it was all a lie.”
“Maybe it wasn’t,” Scorpius said in a soft voice.
He felt sorry for this young man. Meeting your childhood hero and seeing him mock all your beliefs couldn’t be an easy thing.
After a moment, he added, “Iago isn’t in his right mind now. He speaks of the past as if it was a forgone conclusion, he’s the demon and that’s it. But I doubt so many people could be wrong. There had to have been good in him for the common people to fall in love with him so. Something had to have sparked the rumours. They might have went out of proportion, but the fact remains that they must have an origin. He complained about losing favours, but he did save your family, didn’t he?”
“Well yeah…”
“And he didn’t ask anything, did he? He came out of nowhere, stopping to protect a family that could reward him with nothing but their gratitude.”
“What if that’s what he wanted? What if he did all those things just to win the common people’s favour?”
“Would that make his actions any less true?” Scorpius asked. “He still did protect and help all those families.”
He wasn’t certain who he was trying to convince with those words. Did he really believe it himself? He often wondered now if saving him was really just an act of compassion, or if Iago had had an ulterior motive. And if he did, did it matter? Did that change the fact that he saved Scorpius from certain death and then helped him remain unnoticed, giving away his own precious blood?
“I just don’t know.” Alec grabbed a handful of his own hair and twisted it. “It’s a freaking mess in my head.”
“We share something then,” Scorpius muttered under his breath.
Alec choked a laugh.
They sat in companionable silence for the rest of the night. At some point Alec fell asleep, and Scorpius soon did too. He could’ve remained to keep watch, but decided it was pointless. If someone wished them ill in this camp, he’d hear them coming even in sleep. The house’s door creaked abominably, and there were no windows to sneak through.
The next morning, Iago did not wake up. He slept through the morning and far into the afternoon. Everyone left and spread out through the new city, led by guards to be taught the way of this place. Only Scorpius, Alec, Denni, Lyra and Grey stayed in the building, waiting for Iago to wake up.
They could’ve woken him, but neither felt like it’d be a good idea. The man was a shaper. If startled, he might kill them even without even wanting to. It was too high a risk to attempt waking him. A couple of guards remained outside the door to wait until they were ready to leave and have their introduction.
The sun was way past the midpoint when Iago finally opened his eyes. He groaned and stretched, picking at the blanket as if surprised by it. He then looked over the group waiting for him and pushed himself into a sitting position.
“Where’s everyone?”
“They already left,” Scorpius answered, moving to gather the blanket.
Iago rubbed his eyes, yawning. “Why didn’t you wake me?”
Nobody answered him.
Before they could leave, though, a young man entered through the door. Malek. He surveyed the group, then focused coldly onto Iago. “I’d like to talk to you.”
“All right,” Iago said with a shrug. He yawned again and stood up, swaying a little. After a moment, he righted himself and went to Malek.
The young man backed off at his approach, a flicker of fear passing through his eyes. “Come outside. We can eat lunch while you explain everything.”
“Everything?”
“Why you killed my little cousin,” Malek hissed, unable to control his temper. He then stormed out, shouting at them to hurry up.
Scorpius glanced at Alec but he had the same puzzled expression as him. What was this about?
Having no better ideas, they all filed out and followed Malek. The guards did not obstruct them, settling in a good dozen steps behind them. An uncomfortable honour guard if there ever was one.
Luckily, they didn’t go far. Malek led them into large house whose whole ground floor was a single room. It was filled with tables and chairs, no two looking the same.
“This is the canteen. I asked them to put away a portion of the food since you were going to be late,” Malek explained and went to bring their share.
In the meantime, they found a table large enough to seat them all and sat down. There was nobody else in the large room and the place felt eerie. Too empty somehow. Scorpius listened in for someone hiding, trying to catch the sound of their breathing, but heard nothing. They were really alone, not counting the guards outside.
Yet he couldn’t help but feel that something was wrong. This was just too… weird.
Malek came back with plates of still warm food, some dish containing heavily seasoned potatoes. On the side there was freshly baked bread. Its tantalising smell made Scorpius’ mouth water. It’s been awhile since he ate something this good. He didn’t know how much he liked Urri’s cooking until they were on the march and had to eat the strangers’ dry rations.
A plate was put before each of them, Malek included. Scorpius sniffed his own, but didn’t touch it. He still felt that something was wrong and didn’t want to be too busy stuffing himself when danger came. The distraction might last only a few seconds, but that might be enough.
On the way here, he’d caught a smell of something he’d met only once. Lycanthropes prowled in this city. He didn’t know if they were hiding, or people knew of them but whatever the case, they were a danger. Their two races weren’t in conflict, but that did not mean they were friends.
If they found him, they might think he was trying to steal their territory, and they were extremely possessive of it. There’d be dozen of casualties if they fought. Lycanthropes weren’t as strong as nosferatu in their human form, but after shifting, their power and speed increased greatly. Not forgetting that they were pack animals. Hunting alone was never a favourite of theirs.
Everyone else in the group didn’t share his reservations and dived into the food. It disappeared almost as soon as it was put before them. They then sat with satisfied expressions, Denni and Grey even smiling slightly.
Only Iago was looking strange. He was holding a potato skewered on a fork and squinting at it. His expression soon changed to surprised, shocked and finally horror-stricken. The fork dropped, splattering food, and Iago leaned back in his chair, taking in shuddering breaths.
Malek started laughing. He laughed and laughed, the sound echoing through the large hall. He then stood up, a victorious grin on his face. “Ha! The great Iago has been bested by me!” He chuckled, pointing at Iago. “You fell for it! You really fell for it! What a fool! That’s what you get for killing Orin!”
That couldn’t be good. Scorpius jumped, moving to Iago. “What happened?” he asked in a whisper. “Was it poisoned?”
Iago closed his eyes, breathing deep. He then opened them, a look of forced acceptance in them. “In a way. There was a piece of green metal in my food.”
“What?” Scorpius shouted out, showing more emotion than the poisoned person himself.
The other three crowded around them, too. “What does that mean, if you eat it?” Alec asked.
Scorpius had explained to everyone the effects of the green metal after the battle. It seemed like the right thing to do. They should know what happened.
There wasn’t a moment in his life that he regretted something more than right now.
Iago put a calming hand on his. “It’s fine. I won’t die. Not right now anyway. It simply shut off my access to the currents, and in time will erode the paths altogether. Even if I’ll have it removed, I’ll never shape again.”
“You- why- I-.”
Tears dripped down Scorpius’ cheeks. He hadn’t meant for this to happen. He doubted Iago’s sincerity, and his choices, but not to this point. He never wished to cripple him. Never! How could anyone steal such an intrinsic part of another’s being just like that?
His rage-filled gaze went to Malek. The youth seemed to sense that something was terribly wrong and backed away to the door.
Not fast enough. Scorpius was before him in a fraction of a second, grabbing him by the neck and smashing into a wall. He screamed. Both of them did. Scorpius couldn’t say whose was filled with more pain, but he was inclined to think that his.
“Not another step,” a cold voice said.
Scorpius glanced in that direction, seeing two dozen men filing into the room after four oversized wolves. Two of them moved to stand before Malek’s crumpled form. He was still alive, breathing raggedly. Even in the throes of anger, Scorpius couldn’t just kill a defenceless kid.
“You leech, if you move, I’ll set our weres on your group. You won’t be able to protect them all,” the same voice spoke again. Scorpius turned to its owner, noting a forty or so year old man standing at the front of a militia group.
Some of them had the bearing and confidence of professional soldiers, but most looked awkward with their weapons unsheathed. They must be like Alec and his gang, survivors who chose to be or were drafted to act as the law.
Noticing that Scorpius had stilled, the man turned toward Iago. “And you claim to be Elecar, the one who set about the destruction of the world?”
“What do you want?” Iago asked in a bored tone. He had fully calmed since his loss of powers and now stood with nonchalance, arms crossed.
“You’ll be taken into custody and tried for the murder of this planet. If found guilty, you’ll be burned at a stake.”
Iago smiled grimly. “Already ready for my execution? What if I’m not guilty?”
The man didn’t deign to answer that. Everyone knew, or thought they did, who he was and there would be no calling falsely accused here. Scorpius found it quite ironic that the one who had set that about was actually Iago himself. If not for his vehement cursing of Elecar, nobody would even have thoughts of attributing the destruction to the national hero.
“No!” Alec shouted out, brandishing his own sword. “I won’t let that happen! You can’t kill Elecar!”
The man gave him a pitying look. “We can and we will. The guilty must be made to pay for their crimes.” He glanced back at his men and waved. “Take them in.”
The militia surged, surrounding Iago and his three defenders, all of whom now held naked steel. Scorpius wished to jump to their aid but four pairs of canine eyes followed his every move. If he even twitched…
Damn it all.
He could only watch as the his companions were overrun. They were better trained, at least than the random militia of this place, but the numbers were too different. Besides that, there were three real soldiers who made short work of Lyra and Denni.
They were about to turn to subdue Grey when the boy dashed forward with a stab. His opponent, a man of fifty, extended his own sword in an awkward parry when Grey tripped. Surprise registered on the boy’s face as his own lunge pushed him onto the blade.
As if characters in the play, everyone froze that very second. They turned and stared at the quickly bleeding out boy and his wide-eyed opponent. The man’s grip loosened and he stepped back, letting go of his sword.
Grey crashed to the floor, impaling himself to the hilt. He tried to say something, frothed, and died.
In the grave silence, steps echoed as loud as temple bells. Iago moved to crouch by the boy, gently closing his eyes. “I’m sorry,” he choked out in a thick voice.
No one moved to intercept him as he reached over and picked up Grey’s sword. “Kallum,” he said in a soft voice, “I promised not to lift a weapon again, but I’m sure you would understand. Sometimes words just aren’t enough.”
He hefted the sword, adjusting his grip for a second and then lunged forward. His attack took a soldier by surprise and he didn’t even have time to raise a weapon in defence. Stabbing him through, Iago pulled back his sword and in the same movement slashed through another man’s neck. Blood spurted out, dotting his face red.
The third real soldier was ready now, aware of what was happening but he had no chance against Iago. The shaper shifted his sword, attacking faster than it should have been possible for a human. The soldier’s sword was only midway to a defensive position when his arm was sliced off. But he didn’t have to suffer long. The next moment Iago finished him off and dashed into the thickness of militia, slaughtering them like sheep.
He fought unlike anything Scorpius had seen before. Every move of his was direct and precise. Not a single of his strikes went astray. It was as if there was a flow to his movements, a pattern invisible to everyone but him. He lunged and parried. Slashing, stabbing. He was always in motions, always doing something.
The militia were like toy soldiers about him, killed by the merest of touches. Sometimes even he didn’t see the attack, and the man would fall, clutching at his neck or stomach.
When there were less than seven left, and the wolves were readying themselves to join in while eyeing him warily, Scorpius heard Iago’s voice. “Take them and leave. Run as far as you need to, but get out of here. I won’t have anyone else dying for me!”
Scorpius froze, uncertain. The wolves were focused on Iago now. If he tried to run, it was doubtful they’d follow. Enhanced by shaper blood, he could probably take care of two, maybe even three if they weren’t experienced fighters, even if they did.
But to leave Iago in the hands of these people? No way! He prepared to tackle one of the giant wolves.
“Go!” Iago roared at him, parrying two attacks and kicking a chair into his opponent’s path. The man didn’t dodge in time and faltered, receiving a deep slash on his sword arm. Howling in pain, he dropped his weapon and backed away. Iago wasted the precious free moments to glare at Scorpius. “Do it! Take them and leave!” His voice broke at that moment and the last word came out in a whisper. “Please…”
Scorpius swore for the first time in his life and changed his direction. The wolves scattered from his path and he was before the three friends that had followed Iago here. They were staring with both horror and amazement at their idol.
Scorpius grabbed them by the collars and dashed out. It wasn’t the most gentle of ways, but efficient. They were out of the building and leaving the premise of the city in no time. One of the wolves tried to chase after them but didn’t get too close.
After a time, it fell back and returned to the city. It wasn’t foolhardy enough to think itself capable of facing a nosferatu on its own.
Dropping the bloodied and battered trio inside an abandoned hut, Scorpius moved to stand in its doorway. He watched the direction he’d come from. There was no one as far as he could see, but he imagined he could glimpse the faraway city. Hear the shouted orders to subdue the shaper.
Lycanthropes would converge on him, maybe even killing him. He bit into his fist, shaking with the effort to hold back. It was too late to go back. His mission now was to take care of Alec and the two girls. It was Iago’s last wish.
“I won’t have anyone else dying for me!”
The words echoed through his mind. They proved his most hidden hopes. All while sending him to the deepest of pits.
It was all his fault. If he’d kept the secret of the green metal to himself. Or at least picked up the necklace to safeguard it… But no, he left it in the open for anyone to snatch.
If Iago died, it would be on his head. He would’ve killed the only person that had ever cared about him.
The irony of that statement wasn’t lost on him.