Canadine reached up and plucked an apple out of the tree. Funny, how he was back here after all this time. He looked down at the ocean. The waves broke on the cliffside with a pattern that only nature knew. He remembered when Karline and Elana sat and looked out upon it. That was the last good memory he had of them. Their goodbye.
At least some things hadn’t changed, “You want one Alesria?” He extended the apple to her
She simply crossed her arms and turned her nose up at it, “I told you not to call me that.”
Canadine gave a sigh, “At least let me have some sense of stability. A lot of things have changed since I left.”
“That’s not my fault! So don’t call me that. I have a title you know. Charastro Angelica.”
Canadine laughed a little to himself. He had heard her say that before, but not he truly saw the context, “How does Leren feel about that?”
Alesria waved her hand, “What does it matter what he thinks. He’s dead.”
“Doesn’t look dead.”
Angelica gave a prideful smile, “Because I brought him back. I’m his master now.”
Canadine couldn’t help but laugh, “I bet he loves that!”
“He’s grown used to it.”
Canadine took a bite of the apple, “You’ve really grown up, haven’t you?”
“So, your Ms. Reilore’s brother.” She said it as if she hadn’t fully believed it yet.
Canadine turned the apple around in his fingers, a long distant look in his eye, “Yeah, but it’s weird to hear her go by that. After all this time…I’m glad she’s done well. She even has a family. I couldn’t be any happier.”
“So, Ms. Reilore’s brother slaid Heaven’s Bane?” She went on, ignoring him.
The sweetness of the apple soured in Canadine’s mouth, “You could say something like that.”
Alesria put her hands behind her back and a curious glint came into her eyes, “Care to explain how? That thing killed to Vindexs and yet you slay it and you’re well enough to have a bout with another giant monster a few days later, not to mention that fire…”
“While we’re asking questions why is it that you look sixteen even though you must be eighteen, if it really has been thirteen years since I’ve seen you.”
The glint in her eyes seemed to dull in annoyance, “A blessing.” The words sounded like they tasted foul to her.
Canadine nodded along and took another bite of his apple.
Angelica furrowed her brow at his silence, “Well? Are you going to answer my now?”
“Soon. I’d rather only like to explain myself once. Besides…” he looked over to Selari who was a few paces away from them, gripping something in her hand, “This isn’t my moment.”
Alesria looked between the two, “What were you two even doing here together? I can imagine how you heretics must get along…”
“I’m not a heretic.”
“Your lack of an angel says otherwise.”
Canadine looked down at her like she was a child which seemed to frustrated her more than anything else he had done the entire conversation, “If I was a heretic would I be able to wield a holy weapon?”
“I wouldn’t exactly call that thing holy…”
“You saw the light.”
Angelica fumbled for words to say to that, but Canadine held his finger out, “We can argue about this later, but this moment isn’t ours; it’s theirs.”
Canadine nodded over towards the village. Ms. Volen walked from it, approaching Selari.
“What…” Alesria whispered, but Canadine put his arm on her shoulder to quiet her.
They watch on as Ms. Volen approached Selari with enthusiasm, but stepped back a bit at her dejected mood. Selari reached her hand out then took them away. She spoke soft words that were meant only for Ms. Volen and the wind of the sea.
Tears started to come to Selari’s eyes as she clutched the object in her hand ever so tightly. Ms. Volen began to tremble and shake her head frantically, but Selari continued on. She held the item close to her heart then held it out to Ms. Volen. It was a small pouch with a string around it, but she held it like it was the most important thing in the world.
Ms. Volen retrieved the pouch with shaky hands, tears now flowed down her eyes freely. Once the pouch was in her hands, her legs gave out and she held it to her breast. Her sobs were only meant for the contents off the pouch and the heavens above.
The Tamer looked on upon this and heard her cries. He forced himself to look away and disappeared into the void.
At last, Gralt had returned home.
***
Angelica tapped the table with great impatience. Leren sat next to her still in a physical body. She couldn’t help but grit her teeth in chagrin at the sight. She wondered how long it would take before his new form started to go to his head.
The other spectre’s were also there, but didn’t seem too interested in what was going on around them. Well, except for the Jester, he seemed to revel in even the smallest of things.
They all sat around a great oak table in a stuffy room with no windows. The only thing in the room besides the table was a modest fireplace. The last time Angelica had been in the room was for a discussion of the arrival of a Voice of the Emperor.
Angelica looked down at the table where Nalenco sat. He was as much of an annoyance as they predicted, but now he had taken on the attitude of a scared puppy. It was as if any sound, even the most minute, would set him on edge.
Next to him sat Timothen drinking a strong spirit with a bandage around his arm. He eyed Leren very suspiciously, “And who might this be Charastro. Another one of our saviors? Why does he wear a mask? Trying to hide something?” He took a sip of his spirit.
Leren bowed his head, “It is nice to see you again too, Timothen. I see you’re still as wary as ever. I may look like an oddity in this form, but I am the old Charastro.”
Timothen spit his spirit out onto the table, and turned pale as ash. Angelica couldn’t help but smile at the man’s reaction. He was always so high-strung around her.
Canadine and the witch entered the room. The witch’s eyes were still red from the events that transpired that morning. Angelica still didn’t understand the significance of the sack, and Canadine refused to tell her, much to her frustration.
As Canadine saw the empty seats around Angelica he furrowed his brow, “Which one’s are open?”
Angelica narrowed her eyes in suspicion at the question. He had clearly been able to see them the previous night, so what had changed? Well, his eyes for one. No longer were they an animalistic amber, now they were a dark hazel.
Angelica nodded to a free seat and he took his place. The witch sat next to him, ignoring Angelica all together.
Angelica clenched her fist a little at that then turned to Leren, “Do you think he will even be able to attend?”
“He may be ill, but after everything that happened last night, and Canadine’s return, I do not believe that he would miss it even if it killed him.”
A groan penetrated the walls and shortly after a maid rolled in a sickly man in a wheel chair. He wore bandages around his eyes, and his body had a blue hue to it.
The maid pushed him to the head of the table across from Angelica and he gave a violent cough, “Damn cough!” he wheezed through the fit.
All those presents waited until he was finished.
When he finished, he gasped for air and looked around the room, and a smile spread across his face, “I see Gralt has returned! Oh, what a happy day!”
Canadine and the witch shuffled around in their chairs before Canadine spoke up, “Only his ashes mayor.”
He nudged the witch and she brought out the sac around her neck.
The mayor’s mood plummeted as he sat back in his chair in defeated. He did it in a way that suggested it was his normal way of sitting. However, he awakened once more at another thought, “But I heard Canadine is back! Where is he!” He said with great hope.”
“I’m here.” Canadine spoke up once again, uneasy.
The mayor turned towards his voice, and all color went from his face and a sweat formed on his brow, “I see…You must have had a harrowing journey…very harrowing…welcome home…”
Canadine gave thanks then hung his head as if some terrible thought possessed his mind.
The mood in the room was less than pleasant as the mayor sat back once more in his wheelchair. It was as if the weight of mountains sat upon his lap.
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“Timothen give your report.” He said.
Timothen cleared his throat, still glancing back at Leren, “Fifty-three dead, including guards and over a hundred injured. Given the circumstances, I would say we were lucky.”
“And what attacked us exactly. My apologies but last night I was…unwell.”
“A demon, mayor.” Leren said.
The mayor lounged back as if to savor the words, “Ahhh, Leren how nice it is to hear your voice again. It seems that you and Ales…Charastro Angelica’s relationship must have finally rightened itself.”
Leren gave a nod, “Indeed it has.”
The mayor ran a hand through his thinning hair, “But a demon, do all that? How is that possible? And why would they do such a thing?”
“Have you ever heard the story of the Daphitum.”
“The myth? Yes, I am familiar with it. Though if you’re implying what I think you are…” He broke out into another coughing fit that lasted some moments, “If you’re implying what I think you are, shouldn’t that be impossible. I thought a priest sealed all those demons away…”
Leren interrupted him, “Seals can be broken, and it seems like the Mistress of Tragedy broke through.”
The mayor fidgeted with his hands, “And what became of her?”
“Dead.” Angelica interjected
The mayor raised his brow, “How did you manage that?”
The Jester and The Tamer appeared in their seats; The Rogue remained invisible. Angelica preferred that everyone in the room remained alive.
The mayor nodded, “So that’s what I was seeing. I’ve been wondering for a while now. Well, regardless I applaud your success.”
The witch laid her chin on her hand, “You seem to be forgetting something.”
“I don’t like giving credit to heretics.” Angelica said curtly.
The witch smiled to herself as she shook her head, “Nonetheless, I have more pressing concerns. As much as I disagree with your interpretation of the Daphitrum, I agree that they are very dangerous, as seen from tonight. I fear that all the seals may be broken or close to breaking.”
Leren perked up at her words, “What makes you say this.”
“I trust nearly everyone here has seen the Master of Comedy out in the open. You know the one…”
“ENOUGH!” The mayor let out. He spiraled into a coughing fit from the effort, clutching his eyes as if they were in pain.
The witch nodded, “Of course, but the Beast of Destruction has also been seen. His other name seems to be much more popular these days, Heavens Bane.”
Angelica waved her words away, “It matters not if these demons are free. From my point of view, they seem to be falling like flies. Already both have been slain by Canadine. Must not be too impressive they were killed by someone from our village.”
The mayor slowly looked to Canadine, but the effort looked like it almost killed him, “Are her words true Canadine?”
Canadine clenched his fist in his lap, “I would rather not talk about it.”
Angelica gave a self-satisfied nod, “That is understandable. Well, witch, do you have anything else to say.”
The witch was focused on Nalenco across the table who had remained silent the entire meeting, “No I am just making sure that our Voice of the Emperor is paying attention. He has much to explain to the Wolf when he arrives.”
The mayor jumped back in his seat, his mouth hanging half open, “The…the Wolf…here! Again! After all this time!” He began to cough once more, but this time it sounded as if his very lung would explode from his mouth. He seized his legs as if a great pain had somehow possessed them, “The Wolf! The Wolf!” He wheezed.
The maid seized the wheel chair, bowing as she went, “My apologies but the master needs his medicine.”
As she rolled him out all eyes turned to Nalenco who gulped at his words. If anyone was to be pitied it would be the servant who called upon The Wolf.
***
Niss pulled a key from her apron and unlocked the attic door.
Canadine felt as if he was in a daze whenever he was around her. He feared if he touched her, she might turn to ash. He feared that he would wake up from a dream.
“Sorry that this is all the room we got. Are you sure you don’t want to stay at the hotel across the street?”
Canadine struggled with his words. He couldn’t believe how hard it was to say such a simple word as “no”
She looked back at him, wrinkling her nose a bit, “Suit it yourself.”
The attic was dusty and cramped with a single window at the end of it. Old furniture and containers were littered about without any semblance of organization.
Niss lead him to the corner of the room with a bed with a decrepit mattress covered with dust, but to Canadine’s eyes it looked like treasure, “You kept it…after all this time…you kept it.”
Niss raised her brow, “Did you think I would throw it out? It’s a perfectly good bed.” She considered it doubtfully for a moment, “Besides you would always be running off. No one would know were you were, but you always came back. Let’s just say I trusted you wouldn’t change.”
Canadine looked down for a moment then unsheathed his great axe. It felt heavier in his hands somehow. He propped it on the wall. Its blade still gleamed despite the darkness.
“I’m sorry Niss.”
“Sorry? I assure you; you’re not inconveniencing anyone sleeping in that bed…”
“That’s not what I’m talking about.” Canadine cut her off with a pained voice, “I’m sorry for not saying goodbye. My eyes saw red…my thoughts rang with that man’s laugh, with mom and dad’s…” his voice cracked, “I left you…left without a thought…I can’t imagine…I can’t imagine what you were going through…What you went through…”
Niss hugged him from behind, “I ended up fine Canadine. That day haunts us all, but now I have a family. A husband and kids, your nephews and nieces. I’m the one who can’t imagine what you went through. Three boys left the town, yet one returns. I can’t imagine…”
A wave of relief swept through Canadine’s head as his eyes began to tear up, “Gralt…” he rasped.
Niss tightened her grip on him, “I know, I know.”
“That man…I met him two more times and yet…he…”
“I know. I know…Your home now. Your home.”
They stood like that for quite a while. For a moment Canadine was able to forget the axe.
Canadine sat on his bed looking at his hands. His eyes were red. He regretted putting all that on Niss. He didn’t want to burden anyone, especially her.
He looked into his hands. He clenched and unclenched them. When he last sat on that bed his hands had been different, cleanier, harmless. Now they were dirty and dangerous. Even dweliing on the thought sent a shiver through his spine.
“Am I interrupting something?” The voice came from the window.
Canadine slowly looked up and saw the man that had helped him the night before. The medals on his coat shone in the moonlight.
“Ferian was it?” Canadine said.
Ferian raised his brow with a smirk, “Are you always so calm when armed men appear in the window?”
Ferian jumped into the attic, stumbling around, taking great interest in the boxes scattered about.
Canadine let out a sigh, “Haven’t had a window in a while.”
“A nomad? Well, I can’t say I understand that style of living.”
Canadine shook his head, “I don’t either. Is there something you wanted…”
Ferian spun around and cut him off, “Answers for one.”
“And I will give them, but I don’t know much.”
Ferian waved his hand, “I’m sure you know enough, but first a story,” He leaned back onto a barrel, “I’m a new Vindex you see, so some…powerful people might doubt my qualifications. However, to my luck an easy solution seemed to fall into my lap,” He leaned forward towards Canadine as if awaiting an answer.
Canadine looked back at him with indifference, “I don’t see what you're implying.”
The Vindex leaned back a little more, “That’s fine. I’ll play along with your little game,” he smiled a bit at that, “Where was I? Oh yes, to my great luck, two Vindexs were killed in this fine country. Well, it’s not confirmed because the bodies were never found, but you get it. Would you like to finish the story?”
Canadine kept the same expression throughout the other man’s words.
Ferian stood up once more, Knocking the barrel with his hand, “I rushed to this country from Melgon, a far journey you can imagine, and I am greeted with a few surprises. The ghost of another Vindex, a tale I heard as a child come to life, and…” his expectant gaze was met once again by Canadine’s stalwart face. The Vindex held out three fingers and slowly counted down, but still Canadine did not react until finally all fingers were down.
Ferian gave a disappointed sigh, “And finally that someone had already killed the beast…or should I say make a deal with it.”
Canadine’s eyes burst open and Ferian gave a self-satisfied smile at the reaction, “Ahhh, there’s a response,” he held a hand up to silence Canadine, “Those flames were an obvious giveaway, but I’m sad to say that I had to get his with them first before I figured it out. I’ve burned to death hundreds of times, but never like that.” he squimred a bit at the memory of it.
Canadine glared at him, “What will you do now?”
Ferian shook his head, “Don’t misunderstand, you don’t have to explain to me why you did it. I too, am someone who has made a deal with…less than savory figures.” his eyes darted to behind him and back, “And I reckon that I’ve done enough here to prove to other countries that I live up to my title, but I just want to know one thing. What will you do now?”
Canadine threw his head back and looked at the ceiling as if it held the answers, “I’ll most likely stay here, maybe fish for a living. Have a family…”
Ferian's spear whistled through the air as he pointed it at Canadine.
Canadine furrowed his brow at the Vindex’s actions, “What?”
“Men don’t make deals with the divine just to become fisherman.”
“Are you calling me a liar?”
“I know you are a liar.”
“You’re going to have to believe me.”
Ferian gave an amused grin, “Oh, I think I actually feel like doing my duty for once. You are just as powerful as a Vindex. A threat if you want to call it that, and a lying threat does me and my country no good.”
“I’m not a liar, just tired is all.”
“You didn’t seem tired last night.”
Canadine’s eyes took on a glare of irritation, “Then what are you going to do? Kill me? Does your demon think you can do that?” sparks flickered from his shoulders, “Did she face down my flames when they burnt you to a crisp or did, she run away?”
Ferian looked behind him for a moment then audibly gulped and turned back.
Canadine went on, “I don’t want to fight, especially not in my sister's house. I’m sure you don’t want to see any more chaos befall this town, so with that in mind you are just going to have to believe in what I say.”
Ferian tapped his spear for a moment then gave a long sigh, withdrawing his spear, “Fine you win.”
He made his way towards the window, but Canadine called out to him, “Don’t make trouble for the townspeople.”
The Vindex waved his hand lazily, “Yeah, yeah,” He propped himself up onto the window, but hesitated for a moment, “You may be telling the truth, but people like us don’t get to rest. The people who pull the strings will always find a way to drag us back in. If you do become a fisherman, I’m sure every Vindex will envy you.” He leapt out into the night, shutting the window behind him.
Canadine groaned at that and rolled back onto his bead. The man’s words weighed on him for a moment. He closed his eyes. He was back in the same bed he had left all those years before, and he truly doubted that even the highest power could drag him out of it.