Chapter 22

After Kylian had fainted, 'Hodor sent Benn to quickly get a change of clothes and some clean water for Kylian while he guarded Kylian in the dark alley. Once Kylian was clean and tidied up, 'Hodor and Benn sneaked Kylian inside the inn and then to his room. Benn had been really worried about him, but 'Hodor had assured him of Kylian's well being and he would be up in a day or two.

The following day there was a huge commotion on the streets. Guards and soldiers were all over the city, but they were mostly inspecting the outer and middle Mattidis parts. As the innermost part was owned and controlled by the nobles, the checking there was kept to minimal. And why would the culprit even stay after creating such a ruckus, that was the well that would have been a natural course of action.

And even then they did none had an exact image of Kylian as he was covered mostly in blood. So creating a commotion in the innermost part for a mere possibility and disturbing people there was not feasible for business.

To be sure 'Hodor gave the inn manager extra silver shrillings to extend their stay and even tipped the service of inn five extra bronze shrillings. The manager was pleased by the gesture, and when a guard came for doing the formality he made sure three of his esteemed guests were not to be disturbed.

On the same night, Kylian gained consciousness, even his bruises were showing some signs of healing.

Kylian then told the two about the fire mage Cenetaur Tremeur, who would be here just in the city two nights away. Kylian was actually pleased with his luck.

Benn wasn't sure about all this, Kylian was not even in his best condition. Even if he was Benn doubted he could take on a battlemage down, though he knew Kylian was strong, but battlemages had a very frightful image all around the world. They were beyond the laws that governed the world, and Benn had never even heard a single story or a rumor of a battlemage being defeated or killed by a soldier or human being. Benn was seriously concerned for Kylian, even a single battle mage was enough to turn the tides of wars.

But Benn's attempts in swaying Kylian was futile, he could see how determined and confident Kylian looked from the outside, but he had no idea how scared Kylian was from the inside.

Prior to meeting Cenetaur Tremeur, Kylian had gone through just physical pain. Cenetaur Tremeur was the first one who showed him what actual pain felt like, pain that never heals or fades away.

Kylian remembered just it was like yesterday, it was just a normal day ,a man enetred the village through the front, had no bulky stature, he even looked old maybe in his fifties, but the aura around him felt violent. Kylian instantly knew he was bad news. The man was none other than Cenetaur Tremeur.

There was a permanent twitch plastered on his face like he despised anything and everything. Cenetaur instantly started his rampage.

Kylian knew he couldn't possibly land even a single hit on him, but how could he have let someone trample over everything he cared about. As he was about to charge at the tyrant, he felt a searing pain in his body followed by numbness. He tried moving but his efforts were in vain. His whole body was paralyzed. Couldn't even open an eyelid.

Then someone dragged him, he did not have to wait long to know it was Maya, he could hear her sob uncontrollably while she dragged him, through the village. Probably thinking he was unconscious.

By the time Kylian could hear the screaming of the villagers, then just a few minutes later the screams were replaced by foul smell of burned bodies.

Kylian could feel the pain, inside his head.

Maya then came to a sudden halt, Kylian felt her lips on his forehead "take care son" she whispered through the tears, followed by at least two feet fall underground.

Just moments later he could Maya screaming her lungs out, pleading to spare her. But nothing worked and she met the same fate as others. His world consisted of just eighty-two people, and it burned within minutes.

The whole incident had not even taken half an hour and after that, there was complete silence. Kylian was waiting for the effects to fade away, so he could at least shed tears for his loved ones, but to his dismay, there were no signs of paralysis effects subsiding.

The whole night, the sky thundered and shed tears on his behalf.

It was the next morning when the paralysis effects subsided. Kylian quickly got out of the small pit and all that was left of his world was dark charcoaled land. The previous night's rain had swept away everything including the ashes of his loved ones.

Kylian closed his eyes, how could he let something as petty as fear get in his way of revenge. If he could not kill Ceneteur, he would die trying but he would not let this chance slip away at any cost.

Kylian rested for the whole next day. Trying to give his body as much rest as he could.

Kylian woke up at soon as the sunlight broke out, he gave a wide stretch to his arm, it was just habitual. What surprised him was no pain followed the stretch. He quickly looked over his body and there was not even a single bruise. He then gently brushed his hands over his shoulder, it felt smooth as if anew. Kylian then quickly did some more stretching, and to his amaze, he was completely healed.

He then quickly collected his bit of armor and weapons, he was ready. He pulled the door, only to find 'Hodor covering the whole path.

"....You ready....?" 'Hodor asked, only his lower body visible, he was way taller than the frame of the door.

"Yes." Kylian spoke, "You sure you want to come ?" it was fine to have 'Hodor, he knew the ways of battle, could even recommend some good plan.

Kylian was thankful that it was just 'Hodor, it would have been difficult to have Benn around such a time.

Kylian was just cherishing the thought when Benn's, face popped out from the corner of the frame, "What is the plan ?"

Kylian's shoulder slumped visibly "Don't bother you won't be coming." he spoke.

It was 'Hodor who replied- "....He is needed...."

"You sure about this 'Hodor ?" Kylian spoke, unsure about the idea " I don't think he would be of very much help."

"Hey, don't talk about me as if I am not even here." Benn complained, pushing the giant inside the room and making himself a but of space, he continued "I might even save your life."

"....Yohrm say...he...come..."

"Do you see me killing him ?" Kylian immediately asked, "Or does he tell you something about it ? Anything about him will do ?" Kylian was nervous, any kind of information would have been beneficial at the moment.

Kylian paused for a while and his expressions soured. He had not even thought of a basic possibility, what if Cenetaur don't show up at all. Kylian cursed himself, he had been acting too careless when it came to his revenge. This was the second blunder he had made.

He looked at 'Hodor, holding his breath he asked "Do we get to even fight him today ?"

'Hodor took a long pause and spoke "...yes.. a battle .....ahead..... he don't tell.....much....."

It was only then Kylian let out his breath. "You both ready ?" he asked. His eyes burning with determination.

Both 'Hodor and Benn nodded, and followed Kylian towards the entrance of the city.