Cool air touched Seth’s cheeks as he scrambled down the steps. How did he find me? he panicked. Is Master Naboth okay? What about Mom and Dad? Oh Crim, please let them be okay.
Seth tripped and fell down a few steps before landing on his back in the square. A few straggling villagers eyed him with confusion as they headed up to the village hall, but Seth didn’t notice. He just jumped to his feet and ran all the way back to the Twin Hammers.
He took alleyways and backstreets. He dashed around each corner and constantly looked over his shoulder. To his relief, no one followed him.
Seth sighed with relief when he reached the backdoor of the Twin Hammers. I must’ve lost him, he panted. I need to get out of here! Who knows what he knows! Seth opened the door, glanced over his shoulder one last time, then slipped inside, completely forgetting that Bhaldran had locked it when they left for the May festival.
Seth dashed into his room. He grabbed his leather bag from a hook on his door and tossed it on his bed. Where should I go and how do I tell Master Naboth?
He put an anxious hand to his chin before hurrying to his dresser to grab a few shirts. The Frozen Lakes! I could go there! No one would be crazy enough to follow me there! As soon as he touched his drawer, a chill went up his spine. On blind instinct, Seth ducked and rolled away from the dresser to the door. He sprang to his feet and looked up to see find a huge burly man step out from the shadows by the dresser, in his hand a dagger glinted in the moonlight.
There are two of them? Seth panicked. He pulled the dagger from his belt and raised the tip. “Who are you?” he demanded.
The burly man laughed, then answered in a deep voice. “That won’t matter in a few moments.” Then he dashed forward grab Seth.
In a panic, Seth slashed wildly with his dagger, then dove underneath the man before leaping to his feet behind him.
The man chuckled. “Slippery fellow – we were warned about that.”
Seth tried to stab the man’s side but spun around and caught Seth’s arm. The man twisted it back and Seth cried out in pain, dropping his dagger. A thick hand clamped over Seth’s mouth and yanked him back into a hold. Seth struggled, but his head was forced back, exposing his throat. Out of the corner of his eye, Seth saw a dagger glint. There was a deep-throated chuckle by his ear. “This is almost too easy.”
Adrenaline surged through Seth, and he jabbed his elbow into the man’s gut. He heard a grunt, and the man loosened his grip on Seth’s mouth, giving him the chance to bite his hand. The burly man cried and yanked his hand away.
Seth scrambled out of the man’s reach. He spat out blood, then drew a few sigils and focused his energy on the dagger the man held. “Ardenti metallum!” he cried. The dagger instantly became red hot. The man screamed and dropped the knife.
Seth looked to the floor and saw his dagger, he snatched it from the ground, then spun around and drove it deep into the man’s gut. The man stumbled back staring down at himself.
Seth drew the same sigils again. “Ardenti metallum!” he cried again focusing on the dagger in the burly man’s gut. It glowed bright red and the stench of burning flesh filled the room. The man screamed and dropped to his knees trying to claw at the burning dagger.
Seth quickly scanned the room for another weapon. He spied a fire poker by his door. He leaped over to the door, grabbed the poker, then plunged it into the man’s chest. The burly man gasped, fell over, and didn’t move.
Seth stared at the body for a moment, then he dropped to the floor, shaking, and stared at the blood on his hands. His stomach churned. He’d never killed a man before! He felt bile rise and he retched on the floor. Seth panted and wiped his mouth. Why didn’t Master Naboth warn me?
His eyes widened. The letter! He pulled it out of his pocket and started to read through it again, then his eyes fell on the words: “The end of the tale holds the key.” Seth blinked. Wait a minute…he thought.
Seth scrambled to his nightstand for a pencil but couldn’t find one. Then he looked at his bloodied hand. He gulped and circled the last word of every sentence in blood, then he read the message:
Seth,
I am watched. You must leave flee. They are coming.
Beware.
Naboth
Seth stared at the letter. Master Naboth tried to give him a six months head start and he had squandered it. I need to leave… A noise outside his window startled Seth. He gasped and whipped his head towards the window. Nothing…for now.
In a wild panic, he left the smoldering body and snatched the assassin’s dagger from the floor. Then he grabbed a few belongings, and food from the kitchen, then stuffed it all in his bag. He raced to the backdoor and whipped it open, then fled the Twin Hammers towards the Stonerun Mountains.
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Seth raced through the streets of Northhorn. He looked over his shoulder. He’d gotten one assassin, but the other was still unaccounted for. He dashed across the main street. No one should see him now; they were all at the dance. He laughed manically to himself. A quick getaway!
“Seth!”
Seth stumbled forward a step and his stomach lurched. No! his heart pounded. It can’t be her. Anyone but her! He fearfully looked back towards the voice – Gloria stood in the street staring at him in horror.
“What happened?” she cried and ran towards him. “Are you alright? Why are you covered in blood?”
Seth took a step back and shook his head, then he saw something move behind her. His head snapped up and he caught a glimpse of the tall, hooded man duck down an alley. Fear shot through Seth – The assassin was following her to get to him.
Gloria reached out to touch him. “Are you hurt? I can help!”
Seth drew back from her touch and met her eyes for only a moment. “Go home,” he said, his voice hard.
Gloria’s hand halted and she pulled back stung. “But…” then she noticed his bag. Her eyes widened and she looked back up at him. “You’re leaving? Why are you leaving?”
Seth kept his eyes fixed on the alley where the assassin hid. He was putting her in danger! She didn’t deserve that. “Go home, Gloria. Now!”
Gloria’s face turned from concern to stubbornness. She frowned and crossed her arms. “No! Not until I get some answers.”
Seth’s heart leaped to his throat when he saw the assassin peer around the corner. He took a step back. “I can’t stay! I need to go!” Gloria started to follow his gaze. “Don’t look back!” Seth cried. “Just… go home!”
Gloria looked back at him. A few tears beaded in her eyes. “I don’t understand…” she said.
Seth didn’t answer; he just turned and ran. Gloria called after him, but Seth refused to look back. He had wasted enough time as is. He needed to get out. He needed to run!
Seth escaped Northhorn and fled out into the plains. The Stonerun Mountains rose high in the sky before him – a beacon of safety. He pushed through the grass and raced towards the foothills. A chill breeze whispered through the tall grass and Seth shivered. I should’ve brought my coat, the distant thought rang in the back of his mind.
Nearby, the grass rustled. Seth spun around, whipped out his dagger, and swiped at the grass. There was nothing. Seth shook and looked around him. Must’ve been the wind, he thought, shaking. Or an animal, he sheathed his dagger and took off running again.
A nearly full moon had risen by the time Seth reached the foothills of the Stonerun Mountains where the Northhorn Pass lay. All he had to do was travel through here up north to The Frozen Lakes.
Hopefully he’s not as crazy as I am. Seth thought as he stepped out of the grass onto rocky ground. I’m not even sure what I’ll do when I get up there.
Just as he was going to enter the pass, Seth noticed a black glass-like shrine by the entrance. Something about it piqued Seth’s curiosity and drew him over. The shrine looked like a headstone with a little table protruding from it where gifts were scattered on it and old, faded runes were carved into the face. Seth wiped off some moss and tried to decipher the text:
Give an offering to The - - - - and pass through her lands unharmed.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Seth furrowed his brows. The runes for whoever’s name had been here looked as though they had been scratched out.
He looked down at the gifts on the table. There were flowers, bones, and berries. Seth fished out a coin and put it on the table. He wasn’t too religious. But best to be safe, he thought. I need all the luck I can get.
Just then, the grass rustled again. Seth whipped around and pulled out his dagger. “Who’s there?”
Gloria stumbled out of the grass and fell over. She looked up at Seth and relief spread across her face. “Seth!” she climbed to her feet. “There you are!”
Seth sheathed his dagger and stormed forward, shaking with anger. “Gloria!” he snapped and pointed towards Northhorn. “I thought I told you to go home!”
Gloria crossed her arms and steadied her face. “And I told you, not until I get some answers.”
Seth looked to the sky and growled in exasperation. “Go home!” he yelled. “That’s all I’m going to say!” Then he turned back to the pass and started walking towards the entrance. Footsteps crunched behind him. Seth looked over his shoulder and saw Gloria following him. “What are you doing?” he demanded.
Gloria shook for a moment before jabbing a finger at him. “You’re acting weird!” she cried. “You won’t talk about your home. Something terrified you at the dance. The lights all suddenly blinked out, and now I find you leaving town with blood all over you!” she glared at him and her voice rose, “and you left me at the dance!” she cried.
Seth blinked, then shot back. “Why do you care? It was just a dance!”
Gloria started back, her eyes misting with tears. She bit her lip and looked away, tugging at her hair. “W-well,” she stammered, “Anyone would’ve noticed how cagey you’re being!” She tucked her hair behind her ear and looked back up at him. “Something is off here, and I need to know what!”
Seth opened his mouth to argue, but a glint in the moonlight caught his eye. He snapped his head up and began to draw a sigil in the air, when something slammed into his right shoulder and threw him back.
He landed flat on the ground, his breath knocking out of him as he hit the dirt. Seth screamed through his teeth as a burning fire radiated through his shoulder. He gasped and stared at his shoulder – a long arrow was buried in his flesh. Seth shook in shock and pain.
“Seth!” Gloria cried and started to hurry to his side when a smooth voice called out.
“Not another step young lady – Thank you.”
Seth groaned in pain, and the tall, hooded assassin stepped into his view holding a longbow. The assassin leaned on his bow and looked down at him with a smile. “Well, well, well, Mr. Smith,” he chuckled. “You are a very difficult man to find. Two successful years evading me and my brother – and of course anyone else that’s taken the contract – that’s quite the accomplishment. The longest chase I’ve had in years. I’m almost sad to put you down.”
The assassin slung his bow over his shoulder and drew his dagger. “Unfortunately, your time here on Dunnamel must come to an end,” he inspected his knife. “Lord Ember upped the bounty on your head,” he glanced back at Seth and grinned. “My brother and I intend to collect.”
Suddenly, Gloria threw herself at the assassin. “Leave him alone!” she cried trying to wrench the dagger from his hand.
Seth’s eyes widened. “Gloria!” he wheezed.
Gloria was no match for the assassin. He grabbed her arm twisted her around, pinning her to his chest and putting his dagger to her throat.
“Wait!” Seth cried, stretching out his arm, before jerking back in pain. He grunted and shuddered, but the assassin stayed his hand. “Please,” Seth pleaded quietly. “Let her go. Your contract is with me. She has nothing to do with me...” Seth met Gloria’s wide eyes, then he looked back at the assassin. “Please…” he begged. “She’s just a local girl…”
The assassin sighed tapping his blade against Gloria’s throat. “I understand the sentiment, believe me, I do,” The assassin’s thumb stroked Gloria’s cheek. “I am rather hesitant to destroy this beautiful flower, but I’m afraid I can’t risk her attacking-”
Seth whipped out his left hand and quickly scribbled a sigil in the air. He tried to push past the pain and breathed out a spell. “Ardenti metallum.”
The assassin’s dagger glowed bright red. He grunted and dropped his dagger. Gloria took the opportunity and broke free from his grasp and raced out of reach.
Seth grabbed the arrow and broke the shaft. He tried to leap to his feet, but the assassin leaped on top of him and pressed his knee into Seth’s wounded shoulder, pinning him to the ground. Seth screamed out as red and white flashed in his vision and pain burned through him.
A spell! A spell! He needed a spell! I…can’t….focus!
The assassin pulled out another dagger from his belt and flipped it around. “Not today,” he smirked. Then he stabbed Seth.
Seth felt as though he had been struck by lightning. He gasped as the red-painted knife pulled out and readied to plunge again. Seth threw out his left arm to defend against the assassin, but it did little to stop the second stab or the fourth.
Seth felt unbearably hot for a moment, then as more blood left him, it got colder, and the world began to feel distant. His body racked from another stab and Seth could feel his body slowing.
It hurts…he thought, gasping for breath. Everything…his mind began to drift. …I want Mom.
A flurry of red hair suddenly smashed into the assassin. Seth barely registered Gloria beating her fists against the assassin. “Stop it!” she screamed. “Stop hurting him!” The assassin threw her off him, then turned and stabbed Seth once more. This time, it went through his heart.
Seth stopped fighting and his slashed arm dropped limply to the dirt. The sound of Gloria’s screams faded away and memories of home began to drift through his mind. The warmth of the forge when he worked with Dad, the sandy beaches and green fields he spent his boyhood in, Master Naboth’s twinkling smile…The beautiful bronze walls of Autumnport.
The last memory that washed over him was his mother bathed in a warm golden light. She held her arms out, wrapped him in a warm embrace, and stroked his head.
“Mom….” Seth wheezed, then he shuddered and didn’t move.
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Oh my… A soft feminine voice crooned. Such a violent death and you had so much ahead of you.
Seth panicked. It was cold and dark. He couldn’t see; he couldn’t touch. “Who are you?” he cried, trying to peer through the thick darkness. “Where am I?”
There was a tinkling laugh, and a soft caress trailed along his cheek. He recoiled at the touch and tried to find the source. “Hush now my child,” the soft voice whispered in Seth’s ear. “You need not fear, after all, you paid tribute to me, did you not?”
Tribute? Seth’s mind raced as he tried to remember, but his memories felt just barely out of reach. “I did?”
“Of course,” something slithered around him, and Seth felt as though he was being inspected from all angles. He shuddered. “You placed a coin on my shrine. How could I not protect a dear child who, despite pursuit, paused to pay me a coin?”
The shrine! Seth tried to lick his lips, but they wouldn’t wet. He put his hands out and groped in the darkness. “Am…am I dead?” he asked fearfully.
“Not yet,” the seductive voice answered drifting away from him. “Your soul is in between realms. Mine to be exact.”
“And where is that?”
The voice ignored him and went on. “Because you paid me tribute, I wish to give you a boon. If you take it, you will live again and be restored.”
Seth’s heart caught painfully. I could come back? I could live again? Temptation surged through him. There was so much he still wanted to do. He opened his mouth to accept, then hesitated. Something didn’t feel right. “Who are you?” he asked, in a trembling whisper. “Why me?”
There was another laugh. “All shall be revealed in good time, my dear child.” He felt icy fingers grab hold of his shoulders and a soft cold breath tickled his ear. “Now do you wish to accept? I will not ask thrice.”
Seth shook. I shouldn’t accept this. he thought. Something told him that this was wrong, but he didn’t want to die. He wasn’t ready to die! “Y-yes,” he swallowed. “I accept your boon.”
A cold tingle shot through Seth’s arm, then he was surrounded by a cold embrace. He blinked and before him was a beautiful woman with frost-glazed skin and icy blue hair. He stared back at her, his eyes wide with both awe and dread.
The icy woman gave him a sultry smile and caressed his face. “Return to the living my child,” she said tipping his chin up to her. “You have a destiny to fulfill.”
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Gloria fell to the ground and whipped back just as she heard Seth wheeze. She shook in grief and horror when she saw Seth’s bleeding arm drop to the ground with a dull thud. “No!” she screamed. “Seth! Please! Oh Crim, no!”
Seth’s final breath echoed in her ears, and she helplessly watched as the light left his eyes. Tears streamed down her face and the realization slowly dawned on her – He was dead…Seth… was dead.
“Finally,” The assassin panted, pulling his knife from Seth’s limp corpse. He rose and turned to Gloria with a wide grin. “Now to deal with you, my dear.” Gloria looked up at him with wide eyes and swallowed. The assassin flipped his knife around and gave her a mock grimace. “I can’t let you get away at this point.”
Gloria panicked and scrambled away from the assassin. “Stay back!” she cried. Gloria tried to stand and run but tripped on her dress and fell back onto the ground. She climbed up to her knees and tried to crawl away, but the assassin put a foot on her back and pushed her to the ground.
Gloria screamed and struggled under the assassin’s weight. “Help! Someone! Please help!”
The assassin grabbed her hair and pulled her back. “Oh please,” he chuckled. “Who do you think is going to hear you all the way out here? Say your prayers,” he flipped his knife around. “I will make it quick for your sake, sweet flower.”
Gloria shook when she saw the blade come into view. At least I won’t have to suffer at home anymore...
Suddenly, there was a crack, like ice snapping. The assassin looked back and uttered a cry. “What in the…?” His grip loosened and Gloria took the chance to pull her hair out of his hand. Curious, she looked back as well, and her eyes widened in shock and horror.
Seth’s body glowed ice blue and a burst of freezing air erupted from him. His wounds began to close, filling in with glowing blue ice and his pale skin grew white as snow. Then his body was raised up like he was a puppet on strings being propped up. His head rolled up and his eyes opened. There was no color in them – they were pure black.
An unnatural smile filled Seth’s face, and a feminine voice spoke from his lips. “Hello there…” Gloria gasped. Seth’s head jerkily snapped to meet hers. “Ah, yes you must be Gloria,” Gloria shuddered when she met the black eyes – she felt as though they could see right through her.
Seth’s face jerkily moved from her and snapped to meet the assassin’s. His head cocked just a little too far and the black eyes narrowed. “And you’re the pitiful fool who killed my child.”
The assassin took his foot off of Gloria and faced Seth’s body. Gloria crawled away from the assassin but couldn’t help but turn and watch.
“What the devil is going on here!” The assassin cried. “What are you, demon?”
There was a chuckle and Seth’s face grinned. “Now, now,” a soothing voice creeped out. “There is no need for such insults.”
The assassin laughed wryly. “I suppose not. I killed you the first time and I can kill you again.” He stalked forward.
The grin on Seth’s face widened and his head shook. “Oh no…” the voice said, and Seth’s body stretched out his hand. “Not this time.” A sudden blast of ice erupted from his hand and engulfed the assassin.
Gloria started and watched in horror as the ice ripped off the assassin’s skin. He screamed out in pain, then his cry was cut short, and he was left as a pile of bones that clattered to the ground.
Gloria shook and fought back the urge to retch. A tinkling laugh, called Gloria’s attention back to Seth’s body. She met his black eyes again. They looked her up and down then smirked at her. “Oh, this is going to be most fun.”
Then the black in Seth’s eyes vanished and was replaced by the most brilliant blue Gloria had ever seen. Seth gasped as though he had been underwater. His legs wobbled and he stumbled a bit, looking down in bleary amazement at his hands.
I need to help him! Gloria thought, but she couldn’t move. She was glued to the ground and could only watch in disbelief, terror, and a flicker of relief. She swallowed and opened her mouth, shaking. “S-Seth…is that you?”
“What...?” he shakily looked around him until he met Gloria’s terrified eyes. There was a flicker of recognition. “Gloria…” he mumbled. Seth’s legs buckled and he groaned, then his eyes rolled into the back of his head, and Seth collapsed.