Chapter 45: Silthus

"So tell me demon, where did Ace pick you up?" the black wizard asked with a smile.

Yona stepped out from behind him, "How did you know I was there?"

"Your demonic magic leaves a stain on this world. I can smell it from here," he glanced back coldly, "now answer my question,"

He was gingerly helping himself to grapes from the pantry and took a seat leisurely at the table.

"He took me from one of the demon palaces," Yona answered reluctantly.

"Which palace?" the wizard interrogated.

"The palace of coins in the East," Yona replied.

"The east?" the wizard mused, "I was there. Did we meet?"

"No, but I saw you," Yona's jaw clenched. "I saw you murder demons. You and that woman,"

The wizard's eyes narrowed, "Funny, I'm sure I would have killed you if I saw you there,"

"I was only a child," Yona responded icily, "but I doubt that would have mattered to you,"

"True. A demon is a demon," the wizard grinned, "it's not personal. I have no grudge against your kind. Just your irritating demon lords who always get in my way - speaking of, isn't your master a demon lord now?"

Yona's eyes twitched.

"Oh, don't worry," the wizard smirked, "I wouldn't dare lay a hand on him while his life is bound to mine,"

"My master is stronger than you, wizard," Yona asserted aggressively.

"Hmm," the wizard gave a smile, "I suppose we'll see,"

***********

Later in the evening, Ace descended from his horse and started towards the tower. He was half way through the caught yard when he spun around. A rock was whizzing towards him. He caught it in hand with annoyance.

"Why don't you get out here, Cora?" He called out.

"Hey Ace!" Came a voice above, " I've been waiting for you,"

Ace looked up and found Cora sitting at a window three stories above with legs swinging over the edge of the tower. She threw herself forward and hurtled to the ground with a crash. She dusted herself down with a smile.

"Where is Silthus? " Ace questioned.

"The better question is where were you?" Cora grinned darkly," Silthus was mad," she added in a sing-song voice.

"Where is he?" Ace exhaled angrily.

"You just missed him," Cora giggled.

Ace's eyes widened. He turned sharply and took off running at full tilt. He reached his horse and built a gallop. He raced through the forest down the narrow track. He burst out along an open field. There was no sign of Silthus' carriage. Had he already reached the manor?

Just as Ace reached the end of the lane, an arrow flew from the top of the slope and hit his horse straight in the chest. He fell from the beast with a crash and hit the ground. The great white stead crushed his foot underneath it. Ace inhaled sharply and pulled himself up. He went around to the horse who was still spluttering.

"Bella..." he stared down with a sad frown.

"You always were so sentimental, " came a voice from behind.

Ace turned back with a strained expression.

Though Ace was tall in stature, the man behind him was more than a foot above him. His body was a mass of muscles coated in dark leather. His dark hair fell in waves over his broad shoulders. He gave a dark smile as his dark blue eyes surveyed Ace's horse apathetically. He wore two swords at his hip and a bow over his shoulder. He drew his sword and slashed the horse's neck till the animal stopped moving.

"You loved this horse so much," the man remarked with chuckled, " the least I can do is put it out of its misery,"

" I was on my way..." Ace started.

"Ace," the man held the bloodied sword to his cheek. Ace's black eyes met his gaze unflinchingly.

"Silthus," Ace replied darkly.

"You make me really sad," Silthus sniffed, " you don't come when I call. You've really hurt my feelings, Ace,"

" You don't have feelings, Silthus," Ace gave a cold smile," You just have tantrums,"

"Ha!" Silthus let out a laugh, "you're so funny, Ace. The others don't talk to me like you do,"

" That's because you would kill them," Ace replied flatly.

"You're right!" Silthus laughed again, " but that's why I've missed you,"

" I've missed you too," Ace replied in a low voice.

Silthus glanced down at him with a grin, " you're such a terrible liar,"

"Well it was worth a try," Ace replied drily.

"Well, stop playing hard to get and come here,"Silthus gestured him closer.

" I'd rather not," Ace stared down at Bella mournfully.

"I said come here," Silthus said severely.

Ace's jaw clenched as he took a step towards Silthus. The instant he was in range, Silthus caught him by scruff of the neck and yanked his head in towards him.

" I told you to come home," Silthus snarled.

"And I told you that place is not my home, " Ace attempted to break from his grip.

Silthus put a hand to Ace's arm and the flesh began to sizzle. Ace tried to pull back his arm once more.

"Silthus," Ace said through gritted teeth, " let me go,"

"The others think I'm too soft on you and they're right. So this time I have to punish you properly!" Silthus spat.

"I'm not a dog!" Ace pulled back his hand sharply, " you don't control me, Silthus. You know our deal. I gave you the North. We are done!"

"That's the thing, Ace. I decide when we're done, " Silthus smiled.

" I gave you everything you asked!" Ace exclaimed with agitation, " just give me what you promised me, Silthus!"

" Yes, since the day you offered your hand, you have never failed me. Though your attitude has remained spitefully against me. But didn't you consider that if you gave the world, I might get greedy?"

"Greed and jealousy never mix well," Ace inspected the burn marks on his arm," it's time you let me go and stop with this game,"

"I don't intend to ever let you," Silthus laughed, " that's the beauty of greed,"

Ace stared at him contemptuously, "or the burden. Depending how you look at it,"

"Your burden that is - for being the apple of my eye," Silthus chuckled, " now, stop complaining and show me to your lovely home,"

"No," Ace replied hastily, " we said we would meet at the college. Your wizards must still be there and I had some tours arranged. Let's go back. It's not too late to enjoy the evening,"

" Ace," Silthus's eyes narrowed, " are you hiding something from me?"

" No, don't be ridiculous, "Ace sighed.

"Oh," Silthus gritted his teeth," I see that you are,"

He lunged forward and grabbed Ace by the hair. He pushed his face to the animal on the ground.

" Who am I going to find there this time?" Silthus grinned wildly, " shall I break their legs again? Maybe this time I'll just slit their throats!"

"Silthus!" Ace breathed with difficulty, "it's not like that!"

"Oh then what is it like?" Silthus pressed his face into the blood soaked earth," tell me, you lying demon trash!"

He pulled Ace's face back, covered in blood and dirt. Ace let out an unsteady breath finding Silthus pinning him to the ground.

"They're my friends, " Ace's jaw clenched.

"Your friends?" Silthus stared down at him suspiciously.

"Yes, just friends who came to visit me," Ace exhaled uneasily, "Cora misunderstood! "

" Then why are you hiding them from me?"Silthus interrogated.

"Because...they're afraid of you, Silthus," Ace said quietly, " everyone is,"

Silthus looked down at him with a blank expression, " not you,"

" What are you talking about? " Ace smiled weakly, " I'm terrified of you,"

" Another lie," Silthus smirked.

He leaned in and kissed the general's blood-soaked lips, " keep it up. I'll break you one day,"

Ace's black eyes watched him coldly as Silthus stood up. He sat up quickly and wiped his lips before coming to stand. Silthus turned back with a grin.

"Onward to yours then. I'm so excited to meet your friends, "

Ace inhaled deeply, looked down at Bella once more and started walking. They trailed along the path up to the manor.

"Why are you walking so slowly?" Silthus pushed past him. He threw open the door and brusquely entered the manor.

Yona immediately came to the door. Her eyes widened at the sight of his towering stature and she bent to a low bow.

"Yona," Silthus smiled, "come here,"

She stepped towards him hesitantly and he put his hand to her cheek and lifted her face to his. His dark eyes surveyed her for a moment.

"Such a pretty girl," he commented.

"Thank you, lord Silthus," Yona's remained rigidly in his grip.

"Silthus," came Ace's voice from behind in a low threatening tone.

Silthus turned back with a grin, "Come on, Ace! Don't be like that. You know I adore Yona. She's like my own child,"

"No, she isn't," Ace replied briskly steering her away from him. He turned Yona to one side. She looked up at his face apprehensively.

"Master, what happened to your.." she began.

"It's fine, Yona," he said quickly then dropped his voice to a whisper, "Is everything in order here?".

"Yes, master but the wizard..." she glanced back.

"What are you whispering about?" Silthus bounded towards them.

"It's nothing," Ace replied dismissively, "Yona will show you into the drawing-room. I need to wash up,"

"Okay," Silthus chuckled, "be quick, Ace and bring your friends. I want to see them,"