CHP35

Sael’s coarselight flashed and released the power behind his anger. From the lands of his own country, he arrived, and where there it had been mid-morning, in this new land, darkness blanketed over the cricket-filled night, the only light from odd windows and the stars above.

A rage consumed Sael, the seraph within himself stirring the anger.

“Did you always know, Seraphim?” He whispered to himself and closed his eyes to listen to the stirring spirit within. A memory of all those years ago came to mind. The seraphim rarely spoke to or through him, just laid low like a tiger in the brush, prowling through his senses at all times, experiencing the world with new curiosity. The seraphim regarded this new life as a strange and new thing for him. The Void had never taken a ‘child’ before, and through Sael had experienced the love of a parent and the heartbreak of loss. Those emotions gave the Seraphim pause to think within him.

“You offer me your body? Then I shall take it and make sure your wish, all your wishes, are met.” The words came in a whisper to his mind, sacrosanct words.

“I was a fool for believing them….” Sael whispered to himself as he arrived unannounced in the courtyard of Kaltah and the palace. A dark memory took him through the courtyard where his child self had stumbled, slipping on blood, braying sobs of desperation with his lifeless brother in his arms. He closed his eyes and tamped down his furious anger as he approached the apartments to the palace. People usually bustled around the building, even at night, but not now. Silence and darkness surrounded the area, empty windows surrounding him, the odd mana’s torch guttering behind closed curtains and open windows as a cool breeze wafted in.

He didn’t know what he searched for or where to go, but that memory tainted something within his mind. Then, he relived it step by step until he stood at the windows of the apartments and gazed up to where Shythe and Revik had been drinking that night. No light greeted him from that window. But, a window next to it shone brightly. Sael stared up at that window and the shadow that passed, wondering if he should send a message to Shythe or Revik. He doubted they’d heed it.

He summoned black fire over his hands and brought the small flame to his lips. “Brother…” he started, finishing his whisper with a quiet note. The way the spell worked, the moth would simply gutter away if the intended recipient didn’t exist. If he did… Sael watched as the moth fluttered up and away, drunkenly flitting into the open, lit window. The king’s heart clenched tight in his chest.

The light within the window flickered as the motion of a body met the moth. Not one but two forms bustled, and urgent whispering hushed out before rapid footsteps rushed through the building.

No… No, no, no… Sael’s thoughts stirred, mind a million miles away.