Chapter 8: What you ask

Song recommendation: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pULe7-6yRo4&list=RDGMEMKcfdYVpEGn7ut17qwCZ9pg&index=9)

Veretta's eyes came up furiously, "We had a deal! If I had died, you would have died too!"

"Perhaps," he said quietly.

"Then why?" Veretta glared at him wide eyed. "I thought you were happy with the arrangement. You even taught me the sword!"

"As I said, Veretta," Errik replied unflinchingly, "everything has a cost. I wanted to see if you would be able to pay it,"

"What does that even mean?" Veretta shook her head angrily.

"I suppose you'll come to understand my meaning in future," Errik replied indifferently. "but If you wanted help you should have asked,"

"I see," Veretta turned bitterly and stormed off. How was she supposed to ask for help when she was being strangled to death?

She marched angrily onward through the snow and wind. From the top of the incline, she could see the men descending down the winding path towards the village. They were almost there already. Veretta's mind was already on her next steps. There were too many to face alone but if Tomas and Charlotte came there might be a chance. She just had to delay them long enough for that to happen.

"What will you do now?" Errik said joining her.

Veretta ignored him resentfully. She still felt weak. She could probably summon enough magic for one more blast of magic but that would be all.

"Will you kill them?" Errik went on. "Or will you ask me to kill them?"

Veretta's eyes came to him tearfully, "Why are you doing this? I thought you would help me? We had a deal,"

"We do," Errik replied indifferently, "I will do what you ask of me,"

At that moment, Veretta had a short realisation. She had thought that Errik had taught her with the sword out of some kind of kindness, but it wasn't that at all. Come to think of it. He had never refused anything she had said so far. No, It wasn't out of kindness. He was only doing it because she asked.

"Errik," Veretta stared ahead feeling numb inside, "Kill them," she said in a subdued voice.

"Okay," Errik smiled.

Veretta watched cautiously as he stepped forward with his hand outstretched. Suddenly the sharp wind appeared to rescind. Veretta stared up in amazement. The snow falling just above their heads had stopped in mid air. The entirety of the village was abruptly calm. Just as the men reached the gate to the village, there was a shrill whip of air. All the particles gathering above whirled around Errik's hand then rushed at the men below.

Veretta watched in awe as they were congealed entirely in ice, frozen solid where they stood. The last remains of their screams filling the air disappeared as the wind returned and the snow began to fall once more. The aftermath was unbearably quiet. Veretta inhaled rapidly as her eyes came up to Errik.

"Did I perform to your satisfaction, little necromancer?" Errik met her gaze with an impenetrable stare.

"Errik," Veretta gazed up solemnly, "are you unable to refuse what I tell you to do?"

"Are you really just asking now?" Errik stared ahead as the snow fell softly on his shoulder.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Veretta threw her face into her palms to hide her face as she exhaled shakily.

"I think I did," Errik replied, "but it doesn't matter either way,"

"It matters to me," Veretta faltered, "I never wanted to force you to do these things...is that why you.."

"Veretta, look at me," Errik interrupted sternly.

Veretta looked up with tears in her eyes.

"We had a deal," Errik said, his golden eyes staring down relentlessly, "Command me. Bend me to your will. Let me be your shield or your sword, it doesn't matter. That is the nature of our relationship whether you like it or not. But if you cry about it, I won't forgive you."

Veretta's mouth opened but no words came out. She turned her gaze back to the village below. She dashed the tears from her cheeks and set off below. She slid down the slope at such a pace she could barely keep her balance. Errik followed a pace behind.

Upon reaching the village gate, she was greeted by the cold repose of the men encased in ice. Their faces were twisted in expressions of agony. As Veretta stared at the sheen, slick surface of the ice and she felt sick. Her eyes panned down to her own hands covered in blood and she choked back a sob. Not only could she not understand him, but she could scarcely understand herself. What had she done?

At that moment, Tomas and Charlotte came running out of the cottage. They stared up at the great ice vault with fear and apprehension.

"Veretta?" Charlotte's eyes quickly found her as she emerged from behind the ice. Veretta was still looking down at her blood covered hands. Her eyes wide but without tears and her hands trembled terribly. Charlotte pulled her in at once.

"What did you do?" Charlotte regarded Errik viciously.

"I told you he was trouble," Tomas rejoined, "Get out of here!" he snapped.

"No!" Veretta said sharply, "he has to stay," she glanced over at him wearily regaining some composure.

"He has to stay,"

"Veretta?" Charlotte breathed uneasily.

"This wasn't him," Veretta inhaled a shallow breath, "I did this. I killed them."

Inside the cottage, a long silence descended. It was dark and quiet inside. Only the sound of flames flickering filled the space in between. Veretta was leaning on Charlotte's shoulder without saying a word. Tomas was sitting across them apprehensively. He was relieved that Errik had returned to his room but he didn't know what to say. Nevertheless, he felt that he couldn't be silent any longer.

"Shall I make us something to eat?" he asked quietly.

Charlotte gave a nod but Veretta looked up at him confused, "Where's my grandmother?"

Tomas started to speak but Charlotte warned him off with a stern reproach.

"I think she must be in bed asleep," Charlotte said softly.

"Oh," Veretta sniffed, "Then i'll make us something,"

"I really don't mind," Tomas gave a weak smile.

"No," Veretta said rising, "you are still guests. It's okay,"

She started making the meal. When her back was turned, Tomas glanced wide eyed at Charlotte. She shook her head quickly.

"When?" Tomas mouthed.

"Just wait," Charlotte whispered.

"Did you say something?" Veretta turned back, swiping a black hair behind her ear.

"No, it's nothing," Charlotte smiled.

When the meal was finished, Veretta set it on the wooden table. The cottage groaned from the wind outside. The fire roared on steadily and warmly. It was strangely calm. Veretta felt her own calmness growing.

She took a plate and went to Errik's room. Tomas and Charlotte watched her with trepidation but neither said a word. Veretta went to the back room and knocked on the door softly. There was silence, then a small shuffle.

Errik opened the door and stared down with his usual unsmiling eyes.

"Are you hungry?" Veretta asked, her voice barely a whisper. "You don't have to eat if you're not..."

"Thank you," Errik cut in. He took the plate and closed the door. Veretta was left standing. It felt as though the weight on her shoulders was insurmountable.

The next morning, Veretta awoke feeling the same weight had only grown. She rose later than usual. Upon reaching the main room, she found Charlotte and Tomas already awake. They were making breakfast and greeted her with the same anxious looking smile as the day before.

Veretta chose not to say anything. She accepted the food with a smile and they all say down to eat. When the meal was done, Veretta gathered her strength. She had to face facts. What she had done wasn't going away. It would only become worse from here on out.

"I think that you two should go back to the college," Veretta said in a subdued.

"And leave you here with him?!" Tomas' voice rose uncontrollably.

"He won't hurt me," Veretta said flatly, "he can't,"

"Even so," Charlotte enjoined, "I think it is better that you come with us as well,"

"Silthus' army will arrive soon," Veretta replied, "I can't leave by grandmother or this village,"

"Veretta," Tomas inhaled deeply. His blues were grave, "your grandmother...she isn't here,"

"What do you mean?" Veretta stared at him, "where has she gone?"

"She was never here, Veretta," Charlotte shook her head with a pained expression, "she...she was killed with your parents. Don't you remember?"

"You're wrong," Veretta said mechanically, "she was here. She made us food. She always makes us food,"

"No," Tomas frowned, "You made the food for us, Veretta,"

"We didn't want to say anything to upset you," Charlotte's dark eyes shimmered with tears, "but we're scared and we don't know what to do,"

"Master Ruis said you weren't feeling well since you heard the Silthus had reached the border," Tomas faltered, "when he said you left...well like you did, arguing with the head wizard, we were so worried. Then we found this strange man staying here with you alone, it just didn't seem right to leave, but I think being here is making things worse. You've been acting as though this village is still filled people but it's been empty for months. They all abandoned it when they heard Silthus was coming,"

"I'm sorry," Veretta said flatly, "but you're wrong,"

"Veretta.."

"I said YOUR WRONG!" Veretta snapped.

Both Tomas and Charlotte flinched at the savageness of her voice.

"Please leave now," Veretta said with her fist shaking.

"Veretta please.."

"Leave," Veretta said without meeting their gaze.