Chapter 14

Arios journeyed down a hall devoid of light. It could have been an aqueduct for there was rushing water up to the knees. It was cold and dark; water fell from the ceiling splashing all around in a haunting ceaseless drip.

He had been walking for hours. At first, he had stumbled a long, hands ever searching ahead, feeling for an end that never came. He had long since abandoned this hope. It was an endless tunnel, all that was for him was to press on. Around him were the scuttling of tiny beings. They nipped and clawed at his heels, driving him forward. He did not dare imagine what would become of him if he were to stop moving.

He walked on, the cold sank in to his bones and his feet began to stiffen. It crept up his legs climbing higher with each step. Soon his body would betray him. Then and only then would his tiny pursuers reveal their true intent.

He shouted in to the void, screaming and crying. It was unfair. He did not deserve this horrid fate. Why was he here? To his surprise a voice called out in response.

“Arios! Arios, Come home.” The voice was soft and sweet. It reminded him of his sister but somehow older. It warmed his heart and lifted his spirits.

“What would you have me do?”

“Worry not dear boy. I will show you the way.”

Ahead a small light began to grow. How far he could not tell but it was warm, and bright, and it called to him. The light of the sun.

His pace quickened and with it his pursuers. They tore into the flesh beneath the rushing current, desperately trying to latch on and pull him back. There were multiple forces at play here. The sudden appearance of light was unexpected and unwelcome to these creatures.

“Hurry! Arios, Hurry!

He felt the last of his warmth spill out of the tears in his legs and the cold rushed in. His legs went numb, frozen in place. He felt the creatures climbing up to his torso as he sank into the waters to meet them.

“Arios, come home!” But it was too late, the light already was fading.

He awoke to frenzied shouts.

“How dare you! He is just a boy. My boy!”

His eyes took a moment to adjust to the sudden light of the world. He was in the Council Hall, laying on a great slab of obsidian marble. He saw Father before him, his face was pale but his eyes burned.

“I understand you anger,” a voice replied calmly. “But you cannot be suggesting that this is somehow my fault.”

“This is your city is it not?” His father’s voice shook with rage. These words were for Lord Kalydor!? “Lord Pyragos is under your charge and yet he felt free to take my son and command him like a common soldier! He could have been killed!” Underneath his father’s anger was agony, but deeper still lay relief.

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“He could have been. But no harm came to him.”

“No harm—”

“—Which is more than can be said of Lord Pyragos. Be glad of your son’s wellbeing Daidal, one who is very nearly a son of my own may not survive the morning.”

The words cut deep. Arios had failed Pyragos. He had gotten himself captured, abandoning the young general to fight alone. If the lord died it would be on his shoulders to bear.

Father was now sunken in his council seat. Lord Kalydor stood beside him; hand placed upon his shoulder. “It is” —his voice wavered— “lucky we got them both out.”

The loud thud of boots echoed through the hall.

“Lord Theron! Weolcome! We are both most thankful for your service and should you desire anything you only need ask.”

Lord Theron’s eyes were bloodshot. His dark curls matted, clinging to his face. He wore plate and his cloak was stained red.

“It was only my duty Lord Steward.” His words were humble but his face shown with pride. “I am here to give my report.”

“Of course, please,” Kalydor gestured to an empty seat beside him and they sat together.

“I lost three men in the fighting. Two others are being treated now but seem like to live. There will need to be payments made to each of their families.”

“When you have settled on a figure, please send a scribe to me and I will make sure they receive it. Continue.”

“It appears there was a small contingent of Lord Pyragos’s men in the brothel yesternight. There were six of them. All dead. Slain by Kyrithon agents while they drank. We took as many as we could alive and slaughtered the rest.”

Pyragos had brought other men to the Saffron Veil? Arios had not even noticed. In hindsight it seemed like an obvious move.

“That rash fool,” sighed Kalydor. “He could not even follow my commands for one evening and now nine soldiers are slain and he himself on deaths door.”

“The general and I have had our differences, all know it. But his plan was sound if not sanctioned. It is lucky that I myself was of a similar mind and so was nearby with my men when things turned sour.”

“They say you found my son.” It was Father. Voice hoarse and wretched.

“Indeed, I did. Although he was not in need of much saving when I came upon him. It was Pyragos that slew the assassin. I found them all lying together.” He paused, “You son is awake by the way.”

Father gasped and rushed to his side. “Arios! Arios, are you well? What did they do to you, my son?” He took Arios in his arms holding him close, weeping.

“Father I am quite well,” choked Arios. “Please, you are going to squeeze the breath out of me!”

Father released him and stepped back. He wiped the tears from his eyes and the fire returned to them. “What were you thinking!?”

“Father I—”

“Think of your sister, does she deserve such a fool for a brother?” He grabbed Arios again caught between a father’s anger and the relief of having his son back. “We will speak more later. For now, be silent.”

“Perhaps it would be best if you took the boy home,” interrupted Kalydor.

“Yes, yes, his sister will be overjoyed to see him well.”

“Before you leave, I must question him for moment. Arios, come here.”

He rose. Father grasped his tunic tightly but relinquished as he pulled away. “What information can I provide to you, Lord Kalydor?”

“From the placement of the bodies it seems the assassin had taken you prisoner and that Lord Pyragos had come to your rescue. Is that so?”

“Yes sir.”

“What was their interest in you?”

“I think she meant to bait Lord Pyragos to her with me.” He did not know why he lied, only that it felt right to do so. What would they do to him if they thought he was important to the Kyrithon. “They meant to torture me to draw the general in with my screams.”

“They?”

It was Lord Theron.

“There was an older man with her but he left before my… my rescue.” Pyragos had given up everything to see him safe. He did not deserve it. “I did not see his face but from their conversation it seemed he was nobleman.”

“The stain of Kyrithon corruption is wider than we thought,” whispered Kalydor. “Lord Theron you are in command of the city’s defenses while Lord Pyragos mends. Root out these agents, from the lowest peasant to the noblest lord. Come we have much to discuss.”

They left the hall leaving Arios alone with Father.

“I am sorry,” he mumbled.

“We will talk later. For now, I need to bask in the relief that your safety brings me. I love you, my son.”

He took him by the hand, “Arios, Come home.”