Chapter Twenty One

Aetherius hadn't shown herself again since leaving the mountain, the power within remained dormant. It appeared as an average sword, but she knew better. They both did. What they witnessed with their mortal eyes would remain secret as darkness still threatened their existence.

The travel back was tiring, yet the bubbling sensation of accomplishment coursed through their veins as Xerath's mountain showed in the distance. The white cap was a fools illusion. They were fools once, but no more would they fall for such tricks again. After gaining her sight back in full, Rayne felt a little... off. She had grown used to her flaw that at times she found herself covering her eye. Gideon, since they began their travel together, was as quiet as a mouse. He didn't talk her ear off like he used to. His expression was hard, unreadable. His eyes were dead set on the mountain.

"What's on your mind?" she asked him. He peered over to her from the corner of his eyes, the tension setting in his jaw.

"What if this is exactly what Ravnyk wanted? To find this magical weapon that combats the darkness, just so he could swoop in and corrupt it himself." he spoke his mind. Rayne understood his concerns, for she thought the same thing. What if they were playing into Ravnyk's hands?

"Alright, if you were Ravnyk and you knew that your enemy obtained a sword meant to strike you down, what would you do?" she asked him. Gideon looked off across the field.

"I would pretend I didn't know, in order to draw them in and take it when they least expect it." he told her. She nodded in agreement.

"For that to even happen, he needs to let us get close to him. Which means letting us into the castle." she said.

"And be controlled by his spell." Gideon muttered, looking over to her uneasily, "How are you with immunity to charm spells?" he asked her. She thought for a moment, recalling any kind of trinket or potion that would suffice.

"I don't, but I believe we know someone that would." she said as she pressed her heels into her stallion's hips and sent him into a sprint. Gideon quickly followed.

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Xerath ran his fingers over the blade, the dancing orb of light made the metal gleam brilliantly. Gideon sat at the table in the kitchen, watching Xerath carefully while Rayne had her back against a wall. They had been in silence for some time as Xerath admired the creation.

"She hadn't said a word since?" Xerath asked them.

"No. Is she still present?" Gideon asked him as Xerath picked up the sword and weighed it in his hands.

"She is." was all he said before taking the sword and placed it on the mantel above the steaming pot. He waved his fingers over it, muttering in a language neither could comprehend. The image of the sword waived until a stack of books took its place.

"What did you do?" Gideon asked him as Xerath tended to the pot. The beef stew aroma stirred Rayne's stomach. She was going to miss this old man's meals.

"I hid it for now." He scooped the stew into three bowls and passed them around. "I believe tonight will be the last night we see each other for some time." he said as he blew on the stew. Rayne met Gideon's gaze. He knew what came next. The only way they can get to the King. To Ravnyk. After tonight, things were going to change.

"Before you two leave, be sure to take these with you." Xerath spoke up as he reached into the inside of his robe and presented two amulets. The copper chain linked together to a crystal orb, barely the size of a gold coin. "Ravnyk grows stronger by the day. His influence over you both will change everything. So whatever you do, do not let him in your head." Xerath warned as he took a bite from his stew.

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With proper guidance, the pair managed to make their way back to the north gates with ease. What they came to meet was not for the faint of heart. The buildings and streets appeared to have lost all vibrant color, taking on shades of grey that would depress the cheerest of folks. Each building looked as if it was ransacked through. Wooden planks covered windows, every door appeared shut, possibly locked. The only building that appeared unharmed was Vixen's apothecary, still as dark and uninviting as ever. What was more alarming though, was the amount of guards that patrolled the streets. Around every turn, standing at every other building. It was as if King Abel ordered his army to take control of his own Kingdom.

Every eye was on them as they were escorted to the courtyard. Rayne kept her hood low over her face, but her eyes were scanning. They couldn't have locked down everyone, right? But no matter where she looked, each civilian that they passed by had Ravnyk's mark on their necks. With her hands tucked within her cloak, she felt the amulet tucked inside of her shirt. She chose not to wear hers. Not yet. She wanted to see the darkness that had tainted her temple brother with her very eyes. Gideon had his on before they left Xerath's tower, sitting out of sight underneath his armor. The fool looked uncomfortable wearing the dull uniform. Aside from growing used to not wearing it, it no longer held meaning to him.

"Sir Gideon Ryder," a gentleman that shared the same plated armor as Gideon walked up to them as they approached the castle gate, "King Abel has been waiting for your arrival." he informed him. Gideon glimpsed over to Rayne, sharing a look.

The knight that approached them lead the two into the courtyard where they dismounted. Rayne untied a large sack from the side of her saddle before their horses were lead away and several guards surrounded them immediately. She felt Gideon press against her back.

"At ease." Gideon's voice rang out, but the guards didn't back down. Rayne scanned the circle until she zoned in on one and flickered her attention to the mark on his neck. They were not going to listen to them, no matter what they would say.

"Let's get this over with so I can get paid." she said with disinterest and moved past the guards. Gideon followed after her, but the guards kept close to them. That was smart on their part.

They were led away through the main hall to the large oak doors that closed off the throne room. Rayne stiffened just outside the door. It wasn't fear she felt, or uncertainty of the situation. No, she sensed what lingered behind the doors. She can almost smell it from this far back. Training her senses did her wonders in the mountains.

Two guards opened the door, the loud creaking echoed in the hall. She half expected to see King Abel and half of his guard armed and ready, but instead they met an almost empty room. As Rayne and Gideon stepped inside, the door shut behind them. The guards did not follow in. Rayne placed a hand on one of her daggers, not feeling the least bit comfortable in the situation. They walked down the red carpet to the throne where King Abel sat, but they were met with an unsightly view and deathly odor. King Abel sat upon his throne, poised and proper, yet his once hefty form appeared skeletal like his very life essence was drained from his body. His eyes were sunken and lifeless, his hair white as snow. Flies buzzed about him.

"King Abel?" Gideon called out to him, his voice bouncing off of the walls. He did not respond. Rayne stopped approaching him, instead focusing her attention on what was behind him. The torches couldn't reach past the chair, or at least no light could even shine on that spot. Rayne wrinkled her nose, clutching her dagger as the shadows within that darkness shifted out of place. A figure stepped forward from that darkness, a devilish smirk on his pale face. Rayne knew it was him, yet she stared in disbelief. Dressed in a black leather armor with grey trimming, Ravnyk pushed King Abel's corpse off of the throne, and took his place on the seat. He rested his chin on his palm and crossed his legs.

"Rayne, my sweet Rayne. I've missed you dearly." he said as the door to the war room opened and several orcs and goblins filed out, surrounding the pair. Gideon rested his hand on his sword.

"Don't speak her name." Gideon growled at the man. It only made Ravnyk's smile more sinister. He stood up from the throne and made his way up to Rayne, his black hair brushing against his shoulders. She wanted to slip out her dagger, she wanted to lunge and slice his throat. She was faster than him, more precise than him. Yet she couldn't move. Her breathing felt shallow the closer he got to her, her heart pounding in her chest.

Ravnyk stopped in front of her, leering down at her. His hand reached up, capturing her chin with his fingers sharply, while his other hand pulled down her hood. She stared up into his black eyes, fear creeping through her muscles.

"You've come to my side, just as I knew you would." he smiled at her. Rayne pulled her face away from him, his nails catching her skin. It stung, blood breaching the surface of the thin cuts that were left behind. She tossed the sack at him, hitting him in the chest and dropped to the floor. A head rolled out, Xerath's lifeless eyes staring up at the ceiling. His throat jagged from her dagger cutting it off.

"This is what you wanted. I'm leaving." she scoffed at him, turning away, but Ravnyk's hand clasped down on her shoulder, halting her. He peered down at the head, bringing his boot up and slammed down on it. There was a squishing sound as his boot made contact, but the head back to shimmer and dissipate until a watermelon replaced it, broken open. Gideon withdrew his sword, but two of the orcs grabbed his arms and held him back firmly.

"Rayne!" he shouted to her as Ravnyk wiped his boot on the carpet. Another orc grabbed her, but she slipped out her dagger, flipping it to face inward and slammed it off to her left side and stabbed the orc in his rib cage. He let out a cry of pain, releasing her. She pulled the dagger away, flipping it back around and lunged at Ravnyk. He watched her with a smile as two goblins tackled and pinned her to the ground. She squirmed beneath them, but one pinned down her legs while the other pinned down her arms.

"If you wanted to embrace, you could've just said so." Ravnyk told her as he knelt down, brushing her cheek with the back of his finger. His touch was like the chillest of winters. He rose back up and Rayne watched him step up to Gideon. The knight was raging, his face red as the orcs struggled their hold on him. She knew first hand that when Gideon's adrenaline kicks in, he was practically unstoppable. Ravnyk stopped in front of him, his eyes searching until they found exactly what he wanted. He reached up, slipping his fingers under his arm and pulled out the amulet.

"No." Rayne spoke as Ravnyk yanked the amulet off, breaking the chain. He turned his attention back to the knight, staring up at the hulking figure as he reached up with his hand again and pressed two fingers to his forehead. "No!" Rayne screamed as Gideon's calmed down instantly. The orcs released him as the goblins released her. She jumped to her feet, rushing up to Gideon, but his eyes were glazed over.

"Now, we can truly be alone." Ravnyk whispered into her ear. She gritted her teeth, yelling as she swung her fist around, but a hand grabbed her wrist tightly. She peered back to see Gideon restraining her. "Take her to the dungeons." he commanded. Gideon released her as the orcs grabbed her and dragged her toward the main doors. She stared as Ravnyk and Gideon stood side by side each other, a triumphant smile on Ravnyk's face.

"Gideon!" she called out to him, but he didn't blink nor twitched. "GIDEON!"

TO BE CONTINUED...

BOOK 2: SHADOWBANE