Fuko P.O.V.
My beast bellowed with rage.
GRAAAWL!!!!
“Good, good, keep up the pressure!”
I ran and twisted the neck of the feather beast before slashing another. The roar from my baby beast froze the flying bastards long enough for a close up.
“Four crux.”
Four core slashes in two breaths.
I believe that is not bad for a midair attack and two targets.
“Here, have at them.”
I threw the game at my beast companion. He lunged at them slower than what it took him to start crunching and feasting.
“We have brought the trespasser, young master.” Said a familiar voice from behind me.
It was Zero, my personal attendant.
He was named like this as an insult to my status within the family. The son of a former mistress of the main head getting adopted was already more than enough face for the likes of me. An illegitimate child of an illegitimate affair.
A double portion of bastard blood.
Status is everything when you lack power, and when I arrived that’s exactly what I was, powerless. The House of Zarandel is one of the military pillars of the Eternal Moon kingdom. I am one of them, a Zarandel is still a Zarandel, no matter the form.
“What is his crime?” I asked Zero as I turned to see a trembling man kneeling in front of him.
“Stealing berries from the orchard.” Zero said with no inflection.
“And they send him to me?” I asked annoyed.
Zero offered no response.
“Guess my brothers and sisters will never change their poor opinion of me, they continue to trouble me with these mundane chores.” I said as I took my weapon out.
“Do you have a name?”
“Mink, my lord.” He said trembling uncontrollably.
“Whether you knew it or not you have trespassed and stole from the territory of the Zarandel Dukedom. Unlawful entry of unknown persons, beasts or otherwise for the purpose of harming its interests is punishable with death.”
I readied my short moon shaped scythe. One full swing and his head was off. The man died painlessly. Blood splurted everywhere, not touching any of my clothes.
Clean cut I say. My hand twitched, just a little.
“Guess I am not used to it to the point I should.” I told Zero.
“Your brothers and sisters will keep sending these requirements until you become cold blooded enough in their eyes.” He insisted.
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“Needless bloodshed is useless, harming a defenseless man brings no joy. I’ll gladly take their necks if father allows it.” I said sarcastically.
“Be careful of such words, young master.” He pleaded. “The Duke is summoning you, better get going sir.” He said.
“Take care of my pet then. I’ll get going.” I started walking off to the main mansion.
“But sir, that is a ragnar cub he won’t listen to me. PLEASE do something!” He pleaded again.
“Aslan, eat the man.”
I was being helpful, wasn’t I?
The beast obeyed and tore into the dead body while I walked away.
----------------------------------------
“Hello young master, what do I owe the pleasure?” Gormesh asked as I entered his hut.
“I have come seeking guidance for my next culling.” I told him.
The old man stopped whatever he was doing and took a meditating position on his mat in front of me. I did the same. We were mirroring each other.
“Did your training go well? Is the four stroke style I taught you completely under your domain?” He questioned.
“Yes, it took a long time to see results. More effort than it was worth it perhaps.” I said.
“To stand against your brethren and be the head of an eagle you must acquire sturdy wings. You will see the greatness of my style soon enough when you go to battle.” He countered.
The old man has been a favorite of the Duke, my father, for a long time and for this occasion the leader of the Zarandel has allowed me to seek council from the old man. It has been five years since I last saw him.
“I’m going on campaign; I have the honor of representing the tip of the spear against those wretched sages.” I spouted.
“Ho ho ho. How far in are you going this time?” He probed.
“All the way through, Lemuria is the final ground.” I answered.
“I see why your father sent you here. Let us begin, your work is bountiful and dangerous and protracted.”
“What is the reward?” He voiced.
“The blessing of Malgrun done by priest Versico.” I blurted out annoyed by the thought.
“Did you take it?” He asked with extreme curiosity.
“No. Power that is not my own is not power but a shackle. I bargained for a suitable reward of my choosing upon my return.” I smiled.
“Spoken like a true heir of Zarandel my boy. Very, very good for an adopted easterner. Don’t disappoint the Duke.” He seemed very content.
“Enough chatter, let us commune.” He ordered.
Within a few breaths with closed eyes, I felt my soul merge and unmerge with someone. This lasted a few breaths or a few hours, I couldn’t tell. Then the connection was lost and I opened my eyes.
“I see great battles, bloodshed, smoke and terror. Be careful of the union of our enemies and the plots of the High Priest. Retreat rather than advance. Escape rather than confrontation. Unless you have accounted for all things within your grasp do not engage. If wisdom is with you, although blood shall cover you, it will not be your own.”
“This sounds dire and foreboding.” I said curtly.
“I will take care of your fearbeast while you are away, get your chin up.” He said.
“I’ll need an elite squad of Kazardim. I’ll have to trouble you for it, I’m sorry.” I replied apologetically.
“Absolute power comes from oneself. But even then, one cannot do everything without others. I hope you have permanently learnt this lesson.” He talked while looking through some glyphic cubes.
He gave one of those cubes to me.
“Take this to Damuca, south from here, go to the Augir encampment hidden there using the glyph. Ask for Irsun, he’ll get you five members as crazy as you from our ranks. Hire Ethola, the hunter, no matter the price, he’s worth it.”
“Thank you, old man. I owe you.”
“You really do, remember me when the time comes.” He emphasized.
“I will, when I come back we will make the oath.”
He smiled at my words like a proud owner of a new toy.
“Your brothers and sisters are hoping for your demise.”
“I won’t give them the pleasure of my passing.”
“Remember, as long as you return if the rest dies it will be a victory. Just imagine the possibilities… like the first Kazardim to become a Zigur since the Duke’s great great grandfather.”
“You shouldn’t read that deep into someone’s souls when you use your abilities old man.” I complained.
Gormesh just laughed it off like he always did. He handed me a list written in a magical parchment.
“What is this?” I asked.
“The list of ingredients and fearbeast hides I need in order to make you some suitable armor.”
“I cannot afford this and father won’t move a finger. I assume you want me to hunt these down with my new team?” I said.
“And that’s why I like smart people. We’ll do a three-way trade for your set and some nice orgon blades for your little crew.”
“Go to Andara.” Gormesh sounded terribly serious.
“I will prepare suitable artifacts for clashes against the Claimere. Anything other than this, RUN. Come back in a fortnight.” Old man Gormesh said waving me out.
I left the hut and outside Zero and Aslan were waiting for me. Zero looked haggard.
“Come let us go, there is much to prepare.” I gave the order as Aslan and Zero followed behind.