It was easy to get lost in the way the wind carried the last of the autumn leaves, gracefully guiding them. Like a waltz of gold, crimson and air. So ethereal, yet earthy and grounded to the fabric of the world. A world that would soon; in a few days; lose the red, brown and yellow tones that graced its forests and rural roads. Only to change them for what it would seem like an eternity of white and bone-breaking cold.
In the distance, a young man was looking through the window while mindlessly hammering a silver necklace. And judging for the way his eyes wondered across all the places he'd rather be, one could tell this was very boring for him.
Yet, when the front door of that humble home was opened, the lad jumped a little bit from the loud noise behind him. A tall, robust man got inside and closed the door behind him.
—Aye, boy! Get your head out of the clouds, or you'll turn that fine necklace into a coin.
An older voice said, making the young Vistani drop his silversmith hammer on the table. He then turned around and stood up from his chair, smiling.
—Father!
The lad sprinted and hugged the older man, making him giggle. But he cut the hug short, gently pushing the young man away.
—Careful, boy. I'm all covered in dust and coal!
He said amusingly, as he walked inside his home. Approaching the water basin to clean the dirt and dust on his rough, hardworking hands.
—How did it went on the mines? Have you found any silver?
And after he was done with the basin, the man then took a linen napkin from the table. Carefully drying his hands on it, while trying not to soil or rub to hard the beautifully intricate pattern that was sewed in the fabric.
—Not much. But about enough to make a few rings, if you help me melt and purify the metal.
The lad's face was brighten by joy. The Vistani men were known to guard their craft's secrets very closely, for it wasn't just a matter of vanity. It was all they had to fed their families and keep their children healthy. And when a child of the family was chosen to receive the family craft's knowledge, it meant that they were ready to face the world as adults.
But, as the father took a brief moment to delight in his son's mirthfulness, he knew he had to take him down to earth. So he gently patted his shoulder, making him sit again.
—Now, Valerian, this is no laughing matter. This might be your life's work, and the only thing that will keep your siblings fed when I'm gone, alright? This isn't just a craft, it's our culture. Our family's legacy.
The father patiently explained, fully knowing that his son needed to be brought back to earth, where the world was cold and not as bright as the one within his mind. And the best way of doing that was mentioning the twins.
Valerian nodded affirmatively, accepting the weight that his father was putting on his shoulders on behalf of his beloved siblings. His little angels.
—And now, one other thing I've been meaning to tell you: I know that it's been hard... Never getting to know your mother. And there's so much about you that reminds me of her, my boy.
His thick fingers caressed his son's face, making a beautiful clash of colors: the russet brown of a skin punished by years of walking under the sun, and the pale beige of a young man who has barely seen the world outside of his village.
It was hardly the time to talk about something like that, but considering how hard the man worked and how much time he had to spent outside of his home and away from his family, he had to seize every opportunity to speak. After all, words left unsaid hurt more than those said out loud.
—You're just her spitting image. But I'm afraid that beauty it's not the only thing that you inherited from her...
The man then crouched for a moment, reaching behind the table to reach for a tiny chest. Which he opened, and took its content out, showing it to Valerian.
It was a piece of coal, one that he used to play with when he was younger. But now, it had some sort of iridescent veins and marks all over it, like the scorching corners of a burning hot coal. But it was completely cold to the touch. And they shinned with an unnatural red hue, beating and softly crackling.
—This, Valerian... This is sorcery. Something I haven't seen since your mother left.
A soft gasp escaped the lad, making him cover his mouth. As he nervously watched the crackling piece of coal and his father.
—How did you know I hid it there? How did you find it? Father, please don't-
He stuttered. But before he could panic even further, the man hid the rock in the chest and left it where it was before. Even covering it with an old blanket on top.
—Hush, boy. You don't need to worry. I found it the day before I left for the mines... And I made sure the twins didn't see it.
The old man then put a hand on his son's shoulder, trying to calm him down. Valerian was notably nervous, at the edge of breaking into tears.
—I am your father... And I don't care about what those kashren from the capital say about our people, I will never turn a child of mine for an accident of birth!
A gentle kiss was left on his forehead, as he hugged his son.
—Not for anything...
The boy quickly calmed down, starting to tear up from his father's words. With the growing fear against the Vistani and their sorcery, people were starting to hunt them down. Turning them to the Imperial Chantry for witchcraft. Even the people of this village were getting fearful of the local Vistani.
—So please, I beg of you, Val: you must hide this sorcery of yours.
Valerian's eyebrows crossed slightly, looking at his father with confusion filling his big, brown eyes. And now, the tears building up on the bottom of his eyes fell through his cheeks, like droplets of rain on a misty window.
—Don't look at me like that, please... I'm trying to protect you!
The man then turned his back on him, for he couldn't bare to see his son in the eyes after asking such a thing of him.
—After what happened with King Adrien, the people of Aurai are going mad... And I can't lose you to one of those zealots from the Chantry.
But before the lad could answer something other than a quick nod, the bell on the front door was ringed. Along with a few words from a raspy feminine voice.
—Mr. Belnadez, are you there?
The father quickly dried the boy's tears with his index finger, signing him to calm down and act natural. Then, he went to answer the door. Opening it and revealing a candid old lady, dressed in bright yellow fabrics that matched with her terracotta skin.
—Oh, Alira! Good morning, how can I be of service?
The man said, going back to his usually hearty self, while Valerian did his best to act normal. In fact, he went back to working on that necklace.
—Good afternoon, Aurelius. I was wondering if your boy was finished with my silver heirloom. I need it back as soon as possible.
A few hairs on the back of his neck stood on end as she said that. But luckily, she wasn't able to see him from there.
—Well, we'll give it back right now! But if I may ask, why are you so rushed, my lady? The necklace wasn't fully restored yet. Is there a party we weren't invited to?
Both giggled a bit, but Alira's laugh was remarkably short.
—Not really, sir... Haven't you heard the edict from the Royal Court? They want us Vistani exiled from our homes. Their knights are coming to each town to make sure every single of our communities is, indeed, walking away from their lands. So I'd like to secure my family's heirloom before those brutes can steal it from our home.
Four brows were raised in concern around there, but only those of Mr. Belnadez were visible to her.
—How is this possible? Does this have anything to do with King Adrien's death?
Then, the lad quickly stoop up. And as he hold the silver heirloom in a tiny blue velvet napkin, he stood beside his father on the door. Offering it to Alira.
—Here you have it, mam.
A stutter snitched how nervous he was, making the old lady's face become concerned.
—Are you alright, dear?
The father then quickly put an arm over his boy's shoulders, trying to hold him in a way that would calm him down without looking too suspicious.
—He is. These are just... Very harsh news for us.
He then patted his shoulder and allowed him to go back inside.
—Now, have the Court Knights arrived yet? How long do we have to pack our things?
Valerian couldn't hear anymore, he felt numb and confused. So he just went to his room, closing the door behind. Praying for some silence, so that he could get his thoughts together. But to accomplish that now, he had to cover his head with his blanket and put his pillow on top of his head to cover the light that was reaching inside through the window.
His father knew he was a sorcerer, because his mother was a sorceress too.
He had to hide this "condition" from anyone but his father. Not even the twins could know, for that would put them in danger too.
And now, they had to pack their belongings and abandon their home because of what the Royal Court declared.
Where would they go? How would they survive in the wild? How could he keep his sorcery a secret?
But most importantly: how could he raise his two seven year old siblings so far from home?
They were kids, they needed a safe place to stay and a warm bed. Gods above, he didn't even knew if he and his father could manage to make a living without the silver from the mines!
Why would people even buy jewelry and fine dishes, if they couldn't even afford bread?
All of those questions and doubts were tormenting him. So much, that he didn't notice the little hands that were now pulling his right arm out of the bed.
—I'm telling you, Jeza. He's dead!
A gentle yet high-pitched voice said, as another hand touched Valerian's wrist.
—Shut up, Juriah! I'm trying to feel his pulse...
They really thought he was dead, just like that? "Dumb little doves", he thought. But he might play along just for the fun of it. And so he did.
When Jezariah took the pillow and covers off his body, he was sticking his tongue out with his eyes closed. He was completely quiet and still.
—J-Jeza... He's not moving. I don't see his chest moving.
And the look on Jezariah's tiny face was both adorable and hilarious. It was just the moment in which the joking mood quickly turned into serious concern.
But just as they both got closer to his chest to try to hear his heartbeat or look for signs of him breathing, his cold hands grabbed them by the waist, pulling them in a big hug, as he growled playfully.
—RAAAAWRR, I'M A VAMPIRE! AND I SHALL EAT THEE!
The "vampire" started tickling them in the sides of their bellies. The twins screamed loudly at first, but then realized he was just jesting. And then, they started giggling and yelling happily.
After a few more moments of playing with them, he then sat them on his bed, one twin on each side. Both looking at him, staring with love in their eyes. The kind of love only a child can give you.
—Vampires don't say 'raaawr', silly! Vampires say 'hissss', like cats.
That was Juriah, a pocket sized smart-ass.
—It's a good thing that they don't exist, then. We have enough mean cats in this world, right?
He made her giggle again, messing with her hair and then hugging both twins.
—Listen, little magpies: we need to start packing our things... Because we're going on an adventure!
Valerian knew he had to sugarcoat this, if he wanted to keep his siblings calm and blissfully unaware of the situation. That made both twins gasp with excitement, starting to shove their older sibling around, like pushing a bag of potatoes between the two.
—Where are we going? Are we going to fight dragons? That's so awesome!
The asked and yelled, before he stopped them and had them sit on the bed once more.
—Now, now! I need you to pack your blankets and your things right now. And don't worry, father and the rest of the neighbors are coming with us. Even your little friends!
They were so immersed in the conversation, that neither of them noticed their father's head poking out of the ajar door. He was listening to them, and he was smiling. Probably proud of the fine and responsible young man his son was growing to be.
So, he waited until his younger half-siblings were busy packing their belongings in their little bags. And then, he stepped inside the room, looking straight as his older son.
—Hey, little mites. Are you going to leave without your father?
And of course, as soon as the young kids heard their father's voice, they gasped and turned around towards the door. Jumping towards him to hug his legs, with one twin on each one.
—Papa, you're back!
Young Jezariah said, as he crawled on his father's thigh. Until he grabbed both twins, one on each arm and hugged them.
—Now, now! We need to get things ready before dawn.
Gods above, having those two little faces looking at you was truly moving. These two could get away with anything.
—But Papa just got here...
Juriah said, holding unto the older man's shoulder.
But he just kissed them both in the forehead and gently left them to stand on their own on the ground.
—Kids, listen to your brother... And if you get everything ready before tomorrow, maybe I'll get us some apple tart for supper?
And that was all that it took to get those two rascals to go back to packing their things, now full-time speed. Kids were so easy to please, so full of hope.
—A word, son?
The Vistani father asked rather seriously, as he opened the door and invited his older offspring to the other side of the house. He probably wanted to talk.
Valerian walked towards the other room, winking an eye at the twins before closing the door. But once he was alone with his father, his facial expression turned rather serious.
—Tell me, what's wrong?
The man checked that the room's door were completely closed, and then he answered his question.
—The Imperial Knights are on their way to Argirae, they could get here at any moment. So please, just act natural and don't get witty with them. We don't know what they're capable of, now that they have a royal edict supporting their fanatical believes.
And the lad's mood didn't improve at all with those words. In fact, it only remarked that fear on his eyes.
—Alright, and where are we supposed to go?
But that was his father breaking point. He was holding his composure, but when he knew he had to tell him the truth... His voice broke.
—The Anderfels, to the north.
Valerian covered his mouth from the shock, not being able to assimilate the hardship that they were about to be thrown to.
—The Deadlands? T-That's on the other side of the mountains, we'll have to cross the Bone Crest. That's a death sentence in winter!
The older man signed for him to lower his voice, but he still got closer to him to embrace him.
—We'll be fine, Val. We won't be alone, we will be with our people. And we Vistani always find a way to move on, remember? We just need to stick together.
When the young man heard that, he finally understood: they weren't alone in this. Yeah, his family might not get along with every other Vistani in town, but the exile would surely get them together and stronger than ever... Right?
Before he could stop to consider the possibilities even further, a loud knock was heard across the house, coming from the front door. And considering how hard it felt, he deduced it probably came from the knuckles of a metal gauntlet. Like those which knights wore.
His father eyes quickly met his, and he simply nodded and pointed at the kid's room direction with his chin. Telling him to go with them and hide. And without any other choice, since he was too nervous to pretend he was fine, he silently went back to his room. Praying on the inside for a miracle to occur.
The door was opened, and under the dying light of dusk, three knights of the Auran Court were waiting outside. With a perfect stand and posture, as if they were armor stands.
—Good evening, sir. My name is Sire Alexander Rustamov, and the Royal Court of Aurai has sent me here to make sure that the Vistani folk are safely... Disposed off.
He savored each word with a conceited smirk on his thin lips.
—For what we've heard, good sir, we should have until dawn to collect our belongings and go on our way. Why are you here so early?
One of the knights got closer to him, growling like a rabid dog.
—You dare to question the Court's edict, old fuck?
But before he could get any closer, the other knight stopped him by shoving him back to his place with a single push of his right arm.
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—Get a grip, lad! There will be plenty of time for that later. For now, we have a job to do...
He looked at Aurelius, who was already crossing his arm and leaning against the door's frame.
—May we have a look inside, sir? We need to make sure you people actually plan on leaving.
The silversmith's eyebrows frowned so hard, that one could crack a stick in half between them. But regardless of that, he sighed and allowed them to go in.
—Go ahead.
He said, gritting his teeth but trying to remain calm. But course, they didn't wait for his permission. They just barged they way through the door, and when the younger knight passed beside Aurelius, he bumped his shoulder against his. Totally on purpose.
—How many people live here? I know you Vistanies fancy living packed together like rats, but we need to know the number of members in your humble household. No one will be left behind, after all.
The armored lad giggled smugly.
—Because you are not wanted here.
The man of the house had to invoke every bit of wisdom on his soul to avoid whipping the brat's teeth off with a punch. How dare they come to his house just to insult him and his people?
Despite their disgusting attitude towards him, the man kept his cool and briefly collected his thoughts, finally giving them the answer they wanted. As the older knight was already taking his notebook to write a record of this family's departure.
—I am Aurelius Belnadez, and live with my three children: Valerian, Juriah and Jezariah. The first is my oldest lad.
He said, as the knight was taking note of what he was saying. For such a horrendous character, the man was very dedicated to pass things down on paper with singular accuracy and neatness.
—Alright. How old are they, and how old are you?
Wouldn't they like to know what color of underpants he was currently wearing too?
—I am forty-three years old; my oldest son is nine-teen years old; and the twins are almost seven.
The Sire scoffed a giggle when he heard that, writing down the ages.
—I'm surprised a humble silversmith knows how to count... Positively, of course.
Once he was satisfied with the answers, the man started wandering across the house. While his men were also observing their surroundings, as if on the lookout for something problematic. Or more likely, something easy to steal.
The knight leader finished with his official records, leaving his ink pen on a tiny strap on his belt along with his notebook. Then, he cleared his voice and spoke to his men.
—Since our official task is completed, let's go straight to the point: we will take whatever we want from your wretched little house, and in exchange, we will have the courtesy of letting you go.
Aurelius' gentle face was suddenly hardened and frowned with fury, being unable to process how could they be so shameless and lawless. And speaking of which, the knights were already grabbing everything they could from his silversmithing worktable: collars, bracelets, gemstones, even unfinished pieces of necklaces, like silver chains.
—What!? No, don't even think about it! That's my life's work, and you kashren bastards have no right over it!
But as he leaned towards one of the thieving knights, he felt a strong blow hitting his chest; as the Sire punched him just below the ribs. Making the older man fall on his knees as he coughed and groaned in pain.
—A bloody damn shame, sir. I thought I offered you a good deal... As if I wasn't generous enough to allow your kind to simply go away from this town, instead of making every single one of you pay for what your queen did to King Adrien!
A loud groan was heard, as the knight of the court hit the Vistani in the face with his knee. Drawing some blood, thanks to the steel knee caps of his armor. But not contempt with that, the Auran grabbed the older man by the hair, shoving him against the wall.
—But don't worry, sir. We might be able to forgive you and your family... If you surrender one of your children to us.
Aurelius enraged look was clouded by confusion, not really being able to see the logic behind that.
—Good! I haven't got some good release in a while, sir. And I could really use a pretty Vistani boy right now.
The father's eyes widened when the younger knight said that, as he grasped their true and degenerate intentions. Yet, he only limited himself to stand up as best as he could, with tears running down his tired eyes.
—Give me a moment... The children's room is locked. I'll open it for you.
The man said, as he slowly moved towards an old piece of furniture, taking something from inside a drawer. Once he had it at hand, he walked towards the kid's room. Pretending to go towards the door.
But once the young knight got close enough to him, the man revealed what he truly had on his right hand, and it was not a key: it was a dagger. And its sharp edge found rest on the knight's throat. As the Vistani father made sure to leave a wound that he couldn't walk off.
—YOU WILL NEVER HAVE MY CHILDREN, YOU SON OF A BIT-
But before he could take the blade out of the man's flesh to attack the other knight, the slash of a sword was heard. And all he felt was silence, as blood started pouring from his chest. Where the tip of the Knight leader's sword could be seen, poking through his now broken ribs. Yet at the sight of that, Aurelius couldn't help but scream. Not just from the pain on his injury, but from knowing he might not survive long enough to save his children.
—You should have stabbed my first, you filthy mine-dweller.
The wicked knight whispered on the man's ear, before taking his blade out of his body and shoving him to the ground. Giving him a kick on the side of the stomach to push him away from the door's way.
—Sire Curies, help me break the door. We will take what we want, and go.
That's the last thing that Valerian heard from the other side of the door, and as if he wasn't already terrified to death, now their lives were in immediate danger. But before the panic could take over his mind, he took the twins and got them close to the room's window.
—Juriah, Jeza, jump through the window! NOW!
And the twins, with their faces wet from crying, nodded positively. Grabbing their little bags and quickly dashing to the open window, doing their best to climb the wooden stool so that they could get out.
But as Valerian was gathering their last belongings at hand, a loud crack was heard across the room, as several pieces of wood flew across everywhere. The knights were finally able to break the door.
And when the young man looked towards the door's direction, he saw something that would scar him forever: a Auran knight, with his sword bathed in blood; and his father laying on the ground, bleeding out as he tried to crawl in their direction.
He had a wound on his chest.
He was stabbed.
And he was going to die.
He could feel the air abandoning his chest as he saw the man who raised him at the brink of death, crawling and bleeding, like a lamb trying to escape the slaughter. And even if he wanted to run, the only thing he could do now was scream, and scream, until his throat was raw and sore.
—FATHER, NOOOO!
A raw cascade of emotions was overwhelming his senses in the most painful way possible: suffering, terror and fury were trying to claw their way out of his chest. And the grief was maddening. It felt like being stabbed in the chest repeatedly, just like his father was. Yet all he could do about it was grab his head and hair with both hands, in a desperate attempt to process this insane amount of emotional pain being thrown at him so suddenly.
—I told him to cooperate, but he resisted... And now, you'll pay the price of his foolishness.
As he heard those words, his nails were slowly dragging down the sides of his face, scratching his skin without even caring about the pain. The only thing he cared about was the man in front of him, so he looked him death in the eyes. Starting to feel a warm and pulsing feeling on his chest, as many hateful thoughts crossed his mind.
His father died trying to protect him from being abused by those Auran degenerates.
That man, a knight of the court, killed an innocent man just because he knew he could get away with it.
He killed the only person who understood him, who embraced him and accepted him exactly the way he was.
And he took a father away from him. Away from his little siblings, who will now have to face the cold, dark world on their own.
Valerian didn't noticed it at the time, but each furious thought, each second he expended on channelizing that sheer hatred on his mind, his body reacted to it in the most strange of ways: his eyes started turning red, starting from the little veins on his scleras to his brown irises; the veins on his wrists and fingers started glowing with an incandescent red hue, just like the one on that old piece of coal, but much more furious and alive.
The Knight's eyebrows started elevating, changing his smug and cruel expression to one of sheer terror and disbelief. He wasn't able to understand the sorcery that was happening in front of him. Unfortunately, he wasn't going to be able to do it any time soon. For an otherworldly force started swirling around his hands, like tiny red vortexes that seemed to flowed from the bright in his veins. And before the knight could react, that strange energy started emanating from the boy's body, like blood pouring from an open wound in reality.
As that energy was pulsing and expanding through the room, Valerian took a deep breath. Looking straight into the knight's blue eyes, as he cowardly tried to take a few steps backwards.
Alas, the Auran knight wouldn’t be able to run away in time. For when he tried to move, the Vistani lad screamed his lungs out at him, until his voice broke. While this dark, crimson magic flowed towards his hands, empowering the vortexes around his fingers.
And in an instinctive physical motion, Valerian pushed his arms forward. Unleashing the full might of all that raw power that was gathering around him, and turning it into some sort of arcane beam that grasped the man as the magic materialized and dematerialized around him. Restraining him firmly and making him hover a few meters above the ground, as the Vistani sorcerer directed the spell with very precise finger movements.
—NO, LET ME GO! I BEG YOU!
The man yelled, as he desperately tried to escape that magical grasp around his arms and torso. Squeezing him harder and harder by the moment.
A part of Valerian felt scared of what he was about to do, but with so much hatred raging through his veins with every pulse coming from his broken heart, that stutter of cowardice was easily ignored.
—Never.
The fingers of his right hand clenched tightly in a fist, making the spell squeeze the man even more. The sound of cracking muscles and bones was just as audible as the Auran’s screams.
At this point, the man was sobbing and drooling, bleeding from his mouth and looking at the boy with desperation in his cold, blue eyes. Begging for forgiveness with each glance at him.
Yet, Valerian seemed unmoved by this.
—Never again!
He yelled in continuation, before using both hands to make a complex hand motion: he shoved his hands in the air and started to push to the sides, like trying to rip your way through a hole in a piece of fabric.
An unnatural motion, yet it seemed very real. For the air was presenting some sort of resistance against his physical strength.
Nonetheless, the crimson force started piercing the man in the chest, mimicking the somatic movements of the sorcerer’s fingers. Making the man groan and scream even more, as his flesh and bones crackled beneath his magical embrace, while his legs shacked and kicked the air.
—NEVER AGAIN!
Valerian exclaimed one final time, before using all of his strength to channel the last breaths of magic around him towards the inside of the man’s chest. That was now ripped open, beginning to get swollen by that arcane force.
With one last push, his hands finally ripped that imaginary fabric. And again, the spell copied his motion, doing the same to the man’s body. That arcane power ripped skin, muscle and bones. Finally tearing the knight’s corpse in two halves.
Yet as the bloody carcass fell into the ground, the remaining magic escaped the body of the knight. Blossoming with a loud roar of scarlet fury, and blowing up towards the ceiling. Shattering the wooden logs that composed it, and opening them to reveal the sky.
Once the murderer laid dead, the sorcerer fell to his knees. Laughing and crying softly, as his eyes slowly recovered their natural brown color.
He couldn’t believe what he has just done. So much power, so much strength… Valerian would have never thought he had something like that.
Nevertheless, the sight of his father’s body reminded him of the cause of all this tragedy. The only think he could think of was begging to the gods that he died from blood loss before he could see what he has just done to avenge him.
The boy walked on his knees towards his father, approaching his face with his trembling hands. Caressing him for a while, until he finally decided to close his eyes to give him peace and dignity.
—Goodbye, papa… May Kali Zora guide your steps into the Endless Night.
And after saying that, he kissed his almost cold forehead. Feeling a tight knot on his throat, almost like he was being strangled by grief.
There no much time left, and he had to run. So he stood up as best as he could, and simply walked back to his room. Quietly peeking through the window to check where the twins were.
And despite feeling a could shiver running down his spine, as he considered the worst possible scenarios… Their two little blonde heads were peeking on the sides of the tree just beside the window.
So, sighing with relief, he simply took his traveling bag and jumped through the window. Trying to collect his thoughts, for he had to be strong for them.
—Juriah, I’m scared… And I’m so cold…
Little Jezariah said, as he held his twin sister’s hand with his right one while covering his eyes with the left one.
—It’s okay, Jeza. Everything will be fine… Vally will save us.
The fact that she posed so much trust on him warmed and shattered his heart at the same time. He just obliterated a man with the darkest of magicks… He wasn’t in a position to save anyone, not even himself. Or so he thought.
But after clearing those thoughts from his head, he quickly ran towards the twins. Taking both by the hands and making them stand up.
—Come on, we have to run!
First, he took Jezariah on one arm and guided Juriah with his left hand, all while carrying the weight of his travel bag on his back. But none of it mattered now. Saving his siblings was the only thing that he cared about.
—Vally! Where’s papa? Is he alright?
He had to fight the tears coming up from his eyes when she said that, with her pitchy little voice. But he managed to keep it together.
—I can’t tell you that now… Please, let’s just go! The Auran bad men will hurts us if they see us!
And that worried her deeply, but just enough to rush her to run beside her brother. Sprinting together through the town’s market streets, and leaving their ruined house behind. Like a ghost in the fog.
As Valerian ran across the muddy streets, he could hear a man screaming something. So he got a little closer to the market, to hear what the commotion was about.
—Men, help! These heretics were hiding a witch! We need to kill them all, purge this vile sorcery!
And for a moment, he saw the man that was yelling that, and recognized him: he was the third knight, the one he didn’t noticed. He was far too busy butchering that murderer to see him escape and run away.
Now, the other knights started drawing their swords and bows, getting ready to rain war on the town just because of an act of self defense.
But he didn’t have any time to pounder on his innocence and their crimes, so he just took Juriah on his other arm and started running on the opposite direction of where the soldiers where.
Even with his boots on, the cold from the snow on the ground started to hurt and get his feet numb. But he had to keep running, he had to get to the town’s bridge, from where he could get out of the settlement.
However, as he was reaching the bridge, he noticed there was a group of people waiting there. And thank the gods, they were the rest of the local Vistani townfolk! But something was off… They seemed furious and distressed, even more now that they saw him.
—There he is, he’s the one who got us into this!
One of his neighbors yelled, furiously pointing at him. But before his finger could reach his personal space, a wooden cane slapped his wrist.
—Enough! Leave him alone, at once!
An old, but very gently voice said. Making the whole group quiet, as she revealed herself in front of all of them.
It was a Vistani oracle, none other than Mrs. Sorana Tepez. She was the local oracle, the closest their people had to a leader. Both in spiritual and earthly matters.
—Long have our people been persecuted, brothers and sisters. We don’t need to add to our suffering by blaming each other like conceited children.
As the old woman said that, everyone seemed to be accept her words. Even in times of dire need, the Vistani respected their wisest individuals.
The Oracle got closer to the blood soaked boy, looking at him with a certain compassion and untold understanding in her eyes.
—You poor boy… You’ve seen so much, felt so much. I am deeply sorry for what happened to you.
She got her wrinkled right hand close to his face. And even if he leaned away for a second. Calming down when he noticed she only intended to comfort him by caressing his cheek.
—But lamentations will have to come later. We need to leave this town, immediately. Before they can-
The sound of dozens of metallic footsteps marching in their direction interrupted her, and they soon realized what was happening: the town was already overrun by the Auran Knights, and they were trying to corner them against the bridge. An open terrain for their archers to fill them with arrows.
—Run… Run to the other side of the bridge, right now!
The woman commanded the people, guiding them towards the bridge to make sure they would escape together.
After everything that happened, Valerian knew he had to do something. He couldn’t allow this butchers to turn this tragedy into a bloodbath… So he left his siblings with the Oracle, kissing each of them on the head.
—Please, take care of them… I’ll do what I can to keep them at bay. Now, RUN!
And after saying that, he produced a magical shove of force to give them some inertia and help them run faster to the bridge.
The twins were looking desperate and confused, trying to reach their brother with their hands. But eventually, the oracle and the others were able to run away with them too, starting to cross the bridge.
But the knights were now hot on their heels, getting closer to the bridge, and they would eventually reach them. Either by foot or by arrow.
Valerian stepped forward to the approaching soldiers, without a single reservation or fear on his now deep, red eyes. Even when the knights formed a circle around him and the entrance of the bridge.
—What else do you think that you can take away from us?
He said, raising his voice and speaking at loud towards them.
Once again, those scarlet, swirling vortexes of arcane energy surrounded his hands. His veins started glowing too, making many knights gasp and hang on tighter to their swords.
—You came here looking for a culprit of your king’s death. You came looking for a villain…
And his red, bright eyes raised from looking down to the ground to look towards them
—So that’s what I’ll give you.
image [https://i.pinimg.com/736x/c1/68/cd/c168cd2be6648c7e71f116e5a29fbf8a.jpg]