PART 1
Cara urged her horse forward, time was running out. Ten guards trailed behind her, still unsure if she was sane or not.
Jebbin had written Amira’s name on the stone with his own blood before dying. With his final breath, he warned them. Even till the end, Jebbin worked to save the people he cared for. He knew Erik was in danger now that Amira would be close to him.
Amira had many opportunities to kill him, why she hadn’t, Cara would never know. The only thing on her mind now was to get to Unari and warn her husband. Erik would be the most likely target but her priority was Xerath’s safety.
What had surprised her the most was that the main force was on their way back to Xerixes, not to Unari. Xerath, Rayman, and all the cavalry were gone. Amira was nowhere to be found.
She must’ve left the group, going with Xerath and his forces. This worried Cara even more.
If Amira wasn’t with the army, then she must be in Unari already. It would be easy. Only a handful of people knew her face. She could use her status as a physician and gain access to most places with little effort.
There would undoubtedly be many wounded soldiers for her to tend to and during which, she could slip away and do only Hashem knows what.
“How many traitors are in our midst,” she wondered. “Was Amira the one that attacked her all those years ago? Did she kill her son, Asar?” her mind raced.
“No.” she thought. “The assassin was a male, he had to be.” The speed and strength the assassin had were incredible and Cara couldn’t imagine a woman overpowering Xerath with such ease.
But a nagging thought lingered. One that Xerath had told her. “Whoever the assassin was, he or she had inhuman strength,” he had said.
Thankfully, the army had spare horses, which she commandeered for her and her guards to continue without them. Their fresh horses galloped with vigor and speed. They were making good time, which gave her hope of reaching Unari in time.
As she left Xerixes, she had been informed that all their messenger birds hadn’t returned, making her believe someone was shooting them down before they could deliver any messages to Unari.
Someone was doing their damndest to keep Amira’s identity a secret.
This strengthened her belief that more enemies were among them than she previously believed. How many, she couldn’t guess, only that they were conspiring against them. She would not let her husband die. If she had to personally deliver the message, she would, without hesitation. Thus, she rode hard, toward the city, willing her steed to move faster.
PART 2
Xerath stalked down the long stone hallways, on his way to Erik’s room. He knew Rayman would be there, he hadn’t left Erik’s side nor slept for days now. Xerath pitied the man. Erik wasn’t his son but that bond was there and he understood it well.
If he had to, he would command Rayman to his bed chambers. For he needed the rest most of all. Erik would pull through, there was no reason for the man to torture himself.
Turning another corner, Xerath thought back to the conversation with Lord Landis only moments ago. Personally, Xerath despised the lazy and cowardly man. When things settled he would be replacing him after how poorly he had dealt with the situation.
Without Kyburn, Landis would have locked them all outside and left them to defend themselves. If not for Kyburn’s quick thinking and strategy, everyone knew Unari would have fallen under Landis’ supervision.
The Emarine were also praised by the people. They were also a vital part of the defense of the city. Morale was high, even after such a devastating loss of life.
The knowledge of having inhuman beings on their side lifted everyone's spirits, overshadowing the threat of the Thrak. Xerath wondered how long that would last.
Perhaps he would make Kyburn lord of Unari and strip Landis of his title where he could spend his days on his personal estate. Hashem knew Kyburn deserved it. Cara would agree with the idea and it would also bring Kyburn closer to Xerixes.
All this thinking brought back all the memories of the war. Everything that had happened. Kyburn’s stubborn nature. His need to make the right choice. He hadn’t changed in all these years, still, the man he was long ago. Kyburn deserved Unari, but would he take it after what had happened?
Stalking down the hall, Xerath approached the room when he heard a high-pitched scream coming from behind the door.
“Guards!” he shouted down the halls.
Grabbing the latch, Xerath began opening the door only to find it yanked inward by someone else. He was met, face to face with the assassin that had killed his son. He wore a cloth over his face and he was dressed in the same garbs the day his son had been killed.
“Assassi-!” Xerath was cut off as the hooded figure rushed him.
Erik’s sword, Frostmoon slid out from behind the black cape, nearly impaling him against the wall. The assassin slammed him roughly against the stone but Xerath shifted to the side just in time to dodge the frostrium steel blade. Sinking an inch into the stone, the blue hue blade got stuck and he released the sword before slamming a fist into his jaw.
Stars lit his vision but Xerath retaliated with a fist of his own, nearly breaking his fingers from the impact. Rage and adrenaline surged through him, and his body swelled with energy, and the desire to see this man pay for his crimes outweighed any logical thought.
Xerath followed up with a knee to the man’s gut, winding him. Lifting his elbow, Xerath slammed down with all his might, his muscles screaming from the force. He connected his elbow to the assassin’s back, sending him crashing to the ground. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem to phase him, as he brought his head back up and connected his head with Xerath’s lower jaw, nearly making him bite his tongue off.
His whole head jarred from the blow, sending his head smashing into the wall. A dagger slid into his rib, making him shout in pain. The cold steel tore through his flesh and in between his ribs.
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Before it sank deeper, Xerath whipped his arm down and jabbed at the assassin’s elbow, causing the dagger to shift backward. The momentary pause gave him enough time to grab his wrists and keep the blade from sliding further into his ribs. The hooded figure brought his free hand up and buried it into his face again.
Jarring his neck and nose, Xerath grunted in pain but at this point, he heard the clanking armor of guards approaching.
“Assassin!” he shouted loud and clear this time but the desperation in his voice was not lost in the echoing off the walls.
Xerath headbutted the man in black which caused his own vision to go black for a moment. Toppling to the floor, Xerath opened his eyes to the assassin, fleeing down the hall, away from the guards.
All but one guard chased the man. Bending down, the soldier laid a hand on him, his head was bleeding and his right rib was soaked as well.
“Sire. You are wounded.” The guard looked frightened. He was young but he kept calm. “Doctor!” he shouted as more guards came. “The king has been wounded!”
“I’m fine.” Xerath shook his head. “It isn’t deep. Catch the assassin at all costs.” he groaned. “Don’t let him escape.”
Xerath’s gaze lifted to the room in front of him and for the first time, he saw the scene in Erik’s room.
The girl Rayman had brought with him from Qutreth was crying uncontrollably.
Amira lay on the floor, her face and hands bloody. Sobbing over Erik’s dead form, her body shook from convulsing cries. Her face, buried in his chest, smearing more blood on her.
Xerath lifted himself from the floor, all the while the guard protested to keep still. Ignoring the advice, Xerath slowly walked into the room and stood over them.
“What happened?” he whispered, anger rising in him. Not only was the assassin getting away, but he had also killed Erik and nearly killed him. “Did you get a good look at him?” Xerath asked, his hand clutched to his side.
“No.” she sobbed. “He came in while I was giving Erik food,” Amira said in short gasps, tears flowing down her face. “He choked me till I thought I was dead,” she lifted her chin to show the marks around her neck. “Then stabbed Erik to death. He tried to fight back but…” she trailed off.
“Come away from him,” Xerath said softly, trying to console her. “There’s nothing you could have done.”
“If only…” she choked. “If only I had seen him enter. I could have screamed for help.” Amira cried.
More guards stopped at the doorway, frozen in shock to see the king of Vulkira lying on the floor, dead. The scene was a gory one. Blood soaked the stone and Xerath took one step back to avoid the ever-increasing pool of blood around him.
“Get her out of here,” he ordered the guard. “And wake Rayman.” he sighed heavily.
Carefully, they took Amira away, removing her from the horrible scene. “What should we do with his body?”
“This is going to kill him,” Xerath whispered under his breath, then addressed the guards. “I want the whole city on lockdown. Every guard on high alert. We may be able to catch him before he leaves the city. I want two guards at Trygve’s room and two at Rayman's. Put four on Kyburn’s room for me as well.”
“What about you sire?” one asked. “You’re wounded.”
“I’m fine for now,” he replied. “Get Rayman here immediately. He will decide what we do with the body. In the meantime, put a blanket over him.”
Xerath stepped into the blood and knelt next to the young king. His brother-in-law’s body was already growing cold and the blood thickened from the wounds. He was shirtless and he got a good look at the multiple stab wounds.
He and Erik were never close but he felt a deep loss creep in, like a void that he didn't know was there until seeing Erik’s cold eyes staring at nothing. His thoughts went to Cara, he had to send her a letter tonight. Her brother was dead, the brother she had sacrificed so much for. Losing family was never easy but he was all she had left. This would be a devastating blow to her and just as she was moving past their son’s death and working through their problems.
“Perhaps Jebbin would know what to say to her.” Xerath thought. “She always looked to him as a father.”
Now this, another bloody death which was now linked to her son’s killer. Brother and son, lost. Though Xerath recognized the assassin’s eyes from somewhere. It was the only feature he had noticed in the swift exchange of blows.
He wouldn’t be sleeping tonight.
Gently, Xerath closed Erik’s eyes tenderly with his fingers and said a prayer over him. The guard brought a white blanket to him and handed him the soft cloth. Unfolding the blanket, Xerath spread the sheet over Erik’s still form.
“Where is Rayman?” he asked.
“Two guards left the moment you said to get him, sire.” a guard replied. “They should be here any minute now.”
Xerath let out a heavy sigh, his emotions threatening to overcome him. Erik dead, Asar dead, the assassin escaping again. It was too much. Tears welled in his eyes but he fought them back, composing himself.
Clearing his throat, Xerath stood just as he heard a voice shouting down the halls.
“Where is he!” the voice echoed through the castle and Xerath’s heart froze, feeling sickened by the pain and worry in that voice.
“Where is Erik!” Rayman shouted. “Where is my king!” he could be heard shoving past several guards then came to a stop at the door.
Rayman gave a look so desperate and painful, Xerath almost looked away. He bellowed in anguish. Erik had never told him directly of the relationship between Rayman and the king but through Cara, Xerath knew it was like a father seeing his son dead on the floor.
Rayman wailed and tears burst forth, gushing down his face, “Erik! NO! NO! NO!” he repeated over and over again.
Sobbing uncontrollably, Rayman fell to his knees and uncovered Erik, revealing the rapidly paling face beneath. “Erik! No! Not you!”
A full minute went by, as the guards and Xerath stood frozen, watching the grieving man. No one moved or said a word, unsure how to react. Each man in that room knew all too well what it felt like to lose someone dear to you.
“Who did this?” Rayman whispered in a low, trembling tone.
“I-” Xerath started.
“Who!” Rayman jerked his head around and his eyes bore into Xerath’s.
“I believe it was the same assassin that killed my son,” Xerath said slowly. “I got a good look at his eyes.”
“Did you recognize him?” Rayman sneered in anger, wishing to find something to release his wrath upon.
Xerath paused then sighed. “I can’t say for sure,” he said. “Only that he looked familiar. Someone I know or have met before.”
“Whoever he is.” Rayman spat. “I’ll kill him. No matter what it takes. I’ll kill him.”
Xerath frowned, setting his gaze on the hate-filled man. His own anger rose at the loss, but anger wasn’t the answer, he knew. Only calculation and strategy would prevail against a foe who lived in the shadows.
More than ever, Xerath needed a plan to catch the man in the act. Something that would catch him off guard and then they would have the drop on him. A plan started forming in his mind. A plan that made him sick at the thought but he knew it would work.
“Don’t worry,” Xerath said to Rayman. “He will pay for what he has done.”
A sharp grating noise turned his attention to the doorway, where an Emarine stood awkwardly, his head bent down to fit inside. Frostmoon was in his grasp, he must’ve pulled it from the wall. His face was gentle and saddened. A moment later, Yvlana appeared behind him.
Ducking their heads, they entered the bloody room. “I didn’t make it.” the male frowned.
Yvlana looked shocked but she said nothing.
“Felkuru warned me something was happening,” Kaladin said quietly. “Now I know. I am sorry for your loss, Rayman. I wish I could’ve made it in time.”
Xerath knew this wasn’t the time for questions but he had to know.
“Felkuru is miles from her, how did you know?” Xerath wondered but inwardly guessed the answer. “Are you like Erik?”
“Yes. I am also bonded to Felkuru.” Kaladin admitted. “He warned me from afar. Fel was linked with him. His death.”
“Does the beast know who did it?” Rayman gritted his teeth. “Can he find the man who did this?” he didn’t look up at the Emarine, only seething in anger and sorrow.
“We will try.” Kaladin ignored the use of the word ‘beast’ to describe his friend.
“Then what are you standing there for?” Rayman barked. “Find him. And when you do… bring him to me.”
Kaladin cocked his head, obviously disliking the tone in Rayman’s voice but he nodded, “I will do this for you.” then quickly walked from the room.
“Kaladin.” Yvlana trailed behind him. “Wait.”
Xerath watched them disappear, grateful for the Emarine. He must’ve known what Rayman was going through in that instant. The look of understanding on Kaladin’s face told Xerath everything.
Everyone, human, Vog, and even them, the Emarine had lost something. He was glad Yvlana also kept herself from confronting Rayman. Rayman was grieving and they knew it. It often made people lash out.
Turning to the weeping man cradling the dead form of Erik, Xerath took one step forward.
“Whatever it takes.” Xerath hesitated. “I will find him. Whatever it takes,” he repeated.