Lord Folian 1

Folian had spent the entire day in his study, it wasn't often he had the entire day to himself. And though he had to help his servants with menial task these would only take minutes of his time at most. So he spent his entire day in his study, alone and in he dark. Except for the candlelight that was next to him.

His study was done very neatly. With a desk in the back of the room that was surrounded by bookshelves. Those were filed with endless knowledge from scholars and warriors from every age.

Folian enjoyed the wisdom he got from these books. Collecting them wherever he could, as he considered knowledge the most important of all. If he wasn't reading he was doing his lordly duties, if not that he was spending time with his family.

Right now Folian was sat in his chair hunched over on his desk reading the book: "The many ways blood binds us". It was a dark book, considered taboo in many parts of the world. This book taught the many ways you could control a person, track them and more through their blood.

In Lione- the country in which Folian resided the book was banned. As it was used to mind control the previous king forty five years ago. Possessing this book would get you a quick death penalty for not only the owner but his descendants.

But Folian didn't care anymore, he was in too deep his research to stop. He kept rereading a single paragraph at the end of the sixth chapter,

(to repeat. The blood we share with our family is thicker than we would ever understand without the wave. Luckily we do have the wave and thereby the ability to influence even our relatives if we tried to. To search them, to control them. Be careful when using this power as even a single mistake could cause you to become sickened by the after effects.)

Folian his eyes became tired and he sat back in his chair looking at the ceiling. "This is where obsession bings you Folian" he thought silently sighing to himself.

There was a familiar knocking on his door, most definitely from his enhancer Micheal. He knew this cause Micheal only knocked twice and he did so gently.

"You can come in" Folian said, slumping into his chair after a long day of hard work. The door opened slowly. Beams of light from the hallways entered the room like the sun on the horizon followed by the dark image of a man.

Micheal had long straight hair that shone blond like daytime. His face had soft feminine features that fooled many men. His eyes were green and so big that they twinkled like pearls. Micheal wore a dark green robe that that made him look floaty and he also carried with him a wooden staff with him.

The enhancer bowed with a little Ben off the knees, "U called me my lord." His voice was just as soft as his image portrayed it would be, "Yes I have decided. We will do it today."

Folian's voice was quick and decisive. Both of the men made eye contact then Micheal nodded. He did so in a not surprised matter. He knew his lord well enough that he could expect the command that would come him.

"When will it be done?" Micheal asked. "Tonight," Folian answered, "when the moon is at his highest I will make my move.

Cast a sleeping spell. Around the whole castle. I don't want anyone walking in, or the boy to wake up."

Micheal nodded once more. "Alright, that will be it for today. You can leave." Folian said dismissively. Looking away as in deep thought.

Micheal didn't dismiss himself, it was a long minute Folian acknowledged him once more, "Do you have anything to say Micheal? I know you were against this."

"That's not the reason I'm still here my lord." "Than what is it?"

"The boy's mana core." The enhancer said, "We need to sever it if we are going to do this right.." Folian raised an eyebrow, it didn't sound right what Micheal just said, a concept so absurd that it almost sounded unreal coming from his consultant.

"Why would we ever do that, do you want the boy to never in his life cast spells." Folian spat. For a noble, controlling the wave wasn't the end all be all, but it sure was handy. And it would be essential if Gullit were to be noteworthy on the battlefield.

Micheal on the other hand was stoic. He didn't flinch as the Baron snapped at him, he just waited for his turn to speak.

"Blood magic, is the type of magic that will corrupt a person in many ways. The boy, Gullit will be sick for day's, not to mention dazed. He will not even know his mana core was corrupted and as he will start learning to cast spells he will slowly poison himself. Dying an early death just like king Sealand or his mother of which I know you are aware ."

Folian looked away, shame and sadness in his eyes. Maria's death. Something he wished he could've prevented. The enhancer continued talking, "if we sever his mana core he won't it corrupted, and he won't die young. If we are lucky, his mana core might even heal itself, and he will be able to use mana once more."

"If we are lucky…" Folian thought to himself. A severed mana core was often seen as a punishment for heinous crimes against the crown concerning magic. And there weren't many cases in which the punished healed their mana core.

Folian knew that he pretty much dammed Gullit. He stared at the ceiling battling the version of himself that didn't want to do this. Then he said with steeled nerves, "Alright, if that is what will keep him alive we will do it."

Micheal bowed once more, leaving Lord Folian alone in his study. He sighed "this is where obsession brings you Folian." He thought, wishing that Imogit would forgive him for his following actions.

There was another knocking on his door: polite but not in the way Micheal was. It was one of his servants. When he asked what it was she said that dinner was ready.

——

Later he sat on another chair, at the end of the dining table. It was big enough to seat six people.

The table had a certain hierarchy to it. That's why Renard was the next one who followed on the table. Followed by: Icaran , Gullit, Tim and Sheila.

Gullit tried to sit on the very end of the table but he forgot that he was now adopted by Folian. And as a man could sit closer than even Tim, the boy that was engaged with his daughter Sheila.

On the other end other the table sat Alice- his wife. Her blood red lips were plump but also curled in a way which made her look solemn even if she didn't feel that way. She had a slender body built but still had noticeable female features.

The black charcoal hair on her head came down to her shoulders. But for the moment was tied to a bun. Folian eyed her with a romantic glare. She noticed him and gave a embarrassed downturn smile. Her cheeks turned red which she tried to hide with her hands. They said nothing as they focused on their food once more, but Folian got his message across.

At twenty four she was a decade younger than him. Before her, Folian was a womanizer to the highest degree. Sleeping with every female he had the chance with. Yet for her he let that part of his identity die. For the most part at least. Not because of love or anything frivolous like that.

He had broken hearts before he could do it again, no, this time it was different.

When he was knighted and introduced to the world of the bourgeoisie he was alone with no footing. No connections or help.

He had to be strategic and earn himself friends; The Sadnol Family were the ones that would give him a fighting chance. He choose them and strategically began a relationship with them. He knew when he became a knight that he wasn't worthy enough to marry their daughter.

But when he became a baron it was only a matter of time. He could marry her, but only on the promise that their male child would become the heir to castle black. Cheating on the daughter of Will Sadnol would ruin the strong relationship he had with them.

Sadly enough this agreement meant his two… three, sons wouldn't be able take the castle for themselves. They were the children of some forgotten village girls so Folian had already foreseen that something like this would happen.

He also foresaw some scheming for his position in the future though he wasn't sure. It wouldn't come from Gullit, but his biological sons had his blood, so shared his poisonous ambition.

The food they ate was average, as it wasn't a special day. On their plate there was chicken, rice and some greens to round of the palette. Do adults had wine and the children drank water.

It wasn't anything new nor a delicacy. Yet Gullit was eating it like it was the only thing he ate for weeks, gorging it down with a animalistic hunger. His cheeks looked like balloons before he noticed the other boys staring at him, smiles on their faces.

Sheila was giggling, holding her hand at her mouth. Alice had a surprised expression, then glanced at Folian. Gullit schrank from embarrassment.

"It's alright Gullit, we haven't taught you basic etiquette yet. You will learn as soon as possible." Folian said smiling at the boy. Folian saw what followed next promising. He saw Gullit observe the others with a keen eye, nobody noticed him doing so except Folian himself. Then the boy began eating like the people next to him.

It was a subtle thing, they were just eating, but Folian could already see some adaptability in the boy. He had confidence that the boy would fit right in soon enough.

———

The end of the day came and Folian sat alone in his bed looking outside through the window. He was waiting for his wive to be picked up from her room.

They had their duties as nobility and Folian wouldn't fail them.

There was no knocking, the door just opened. Alice was wearing a red floor length nightgown, her hair now untied made her look wilder in a weird way.

The room was dimly lit, but Folian could see her eyes. The way she looked at him wasn't how she normally looked at him. Normally she looked dignified, peaceful and harmless. But now Folian could see a certain hunger in her eyes, a lust to eat the person in front of her.

This was the real Alice, the one he had found on their first night spent together. A woman with desires shut like every other person, kept hidden as women were expected to in this world.

There was no talking. With quick floaty steps she was already crawling on the bed towards Folian, until she sat on his lap facing him. They embraced in a steamy kiss.

Folian kissed her neck also then back to her lips. When he pulled back Alice her eyes were lazer focused on him. There was also a hungry glance to his private area.

Folian lifted her slightly, throwing her on the bed so he was on top of her. He felt the heat between her legs as he rubbed his pelvis against her crotch. With an animalistic haste they made love.

——

Folian waited until Alice fell asleep, then he removed his arms from onder neath her. He sneaked out of the room. In another part of the castle was Micheal, both of them walked to where Gullit's room was.

While underway Micheal kept saying arcane words to himself, he whispered them softly. Then with a wave of his wand a see through sphere encapsulated them, then expanded rapidly until the whole castle was encased. Now wherever you where it would also smell like mint.

It was a sleep spell. It was late at night, no one would suspect the baron to do anything at this hour but Folian wouldn't risk it.

If anyone had but an idea what was going on he would be risking his whole life. Soon enough they were at Gullit's door. Both of them entered. There was no need to be quiet as the sleep spell guaranteed that he wouldn't awake even if someone yelled in his ear.

Folian stood over the boy, looking at him and feeling horrible as to what had to be done. He looked like his father at that age. A little too much like his father. It sent memories to Folian of when he first met Imogit.

They were both born in the village but it wasn't until he was eight till they formally met. He didn't remember how but Folian did remember that that day ended in a competition. Something about climbing a tree…

Folian chuckled, quickly he wiped the smile of his face and lifted the boy off the bed into his arms. He took him to the cellar.

A place with barrels of whine, food reserves and a secret escape route. Unusually there was a circle drawn in the middle of the room. It had all types of symbols drawn inside of it but there was an empty spot in the middle.

Folian placed Gullit's limp body there and nodded to Micheal. The enhancer began whispering to himself once more, he held the staff over the boy and drew circles in the air.

Soon enough a blue orb began to shine in the middle of Gullit's chest, then nerve endings began to shine blue too coming off of the orb.

Micheal began speaking louder and the room vibrates slightly: dust began moving harmoniously and everyone's clothing became light. Gullit began floating also.

As the room became more intense he also began moaning, then he started screaming. His eyes still closed he had probably no idea what was happening, but Folian was sure he was experiencing pain. Pain like not many people had to go through.

The orb in his chest became less prominent and eventually it died down. And so did the screams of the boy.

Micheal looked at Folian, "His mana core has been severed…"

Folian took a deep breath and pulled out two knives. These weren't ordinary knives. They weren't made to kill people, so they hadn't the ability to do so either. These knives weren't mad to pierce skin necessarily.

Folian stabbed himself with a knife feeling no pain then he stabbed Gullit. He then locked his two hands together, standing firm and beginning to meditate.

He followed the steps of the book. Linking their minds he did the following thing. He influenced the body of Gullit stiring it with his mind. Then, because the boy shared blood with Imogit he used that to search his old rival.

He focused then images, sensations and emotions flooded his mind rapidly.

These were Imogit's memories. He saw their old village, then he saw a baby in his hands, he felt happiness and anger when it came to his brother Tupelo. What followed were images of Richard and him hanging with each other.

Then he was fighting with himself in Imogit's body. Memories came of his time in the army, time with his wive and more.

Then Folian arrived at the spot where he wanted to be. The day Imogit was sent to defend the Perubian walls.

He saw Imogit's battalion moving to their destination. Then another force that intercepted them, and a battle that followed. Imogit was winning but something happened and he got teleported away. The last image Folian saw was an image of a man in armor as black as the night. His face bore a helmet. The man was tall and imposing, fierce and dangerous.

The man seemed to see Folian even though it wasn't supposed to be possible. "Folian… go!" The man said. His voice was otherworldly, not human and above all that seemed natural. He touched Folian somehow.

Scared the Baren pulled back an broke of the spell. He came back to the real world and fell on his but. His forehead coated in sweat, he was breathing heavily.

Micheal kneeled to him holding a hand out and pulling his lord to his feet.

"There was an army that intercepted Imogit, I recognized their banner. It's duke Hammersons. He had something to do with Imogit's disappearance." Folian said that all the second he got his breath back.

When Micheal asked why he was sweating so much Folian explained all that happened.

"A dark knight.. and he noticed you?" Micheal asked "not only noticed," Folian responded. "Spoke to me too."

"He must've been powerful."

"Very… I don't know who it might have been. But he has something to do with Imogit." Folian sat against the wall.

"Another enemy for lord Folian I see." Micheal said.

Folian laughed, "most definitely"