“Don’t Watchers live to old age?” Ginika asked curiously.
Vera opened her mouth to say something, but closed them and averted her gaze to the sea.
After a long silence, she spoke, “Most Watchers live, but they rarely cross the age of seventy,” She sounded over the wind and the horn of the ship.
“How old are you?” Ginika asked. He also wondered why she sounds unsure of her own age.
“Sixty-two, I think,” Vera shrugged.
“But, I thought it is being used to in the selection of new Vesslers?” Abigail asked. How can it be used by them as training?“Yes, Zita. It is used with the red Amytal vial to test for the presence of a Vessler. But some scholars argue that it has other use, which are yet to be discovered.” She explained patiently. Ginika studied all the content in the box. The bottles were arranged in three columns and five rows bearing different colors of Amytal fluid. He had not used any of these before, and he even doubts if he was a Vessler. This was the closest he has been to the Amytal fluid, without it being used by the healers to heal him.
Ginika’s stomach knotted as his blue eyes followed the woman. He couldn’t help the voice that yelled at him to run after her. She was his shield and protector. This man hated him and would kill him before she comes back.“Chose your weapon,” Balak said and pointed to the brown bag. He was trying to sound calm, but Ginika could see through that glamor, to that discomfort that burned somewhere on his face.There were different weapons carved out from woods in the bag. Slings, swords, ax, knife, bows and arrows, daggers, quarter spear, quarter rod and all. The brown wood made them look harmless, but Ginika has seen what these weapons could do to a living creature if fashioned into a metal.
“What happened?” Vera’s voice boomed in many tones as they echoed in Ginika’s ears.Darkness still walloped him, peaceful and alluring. The arms were comforting, and he wished he could abide with it forever. There was no hate or death here, just the void that stretched into oblivion.“Gini, are you alright?” Vera’s voice echoed again, but this time more distinct and audible.Ginka’s blue eyes blinked his world open. The ache in his head made his earring. Vera aging skin folded with concern as they stared down at him, with those motherly smiles rapping the lower side of her lips.
“Do I look like I was joking?” Vera asked to no one in particular.“Okay, if you are that serious, then I will come with you,” Ginika offered. He knows he could be of help, and not just someone who would be a burden. What happened earlier with Balak was enough proof. Vera laughed at his words, “You are still a novice Gini, what harm could you possibly do to a demon?”“I will come with you,” Ginika’s stomach knotted. He hated the laughter. It reminded him of those times in the village when Dodo and Zahra would take the lead and let him tag along like a good dog.V
“The boat is ready.” The captain said as the onion in his breath escaped with the cold air and dwindled on Vera’s face. Her stomach churned, and she scoffed within, but smiled uncomfortably. If he was not with his crew, she was sure to give him lessons on how to wash his mouth after eating.“How far to Malikoth?” She said and looked away, hoping to avoid the stench in his breath and, at the same time, not embarrassing him.“About a few hours, I think.” The Captain answered with a frown. Vera nodded and touched her waist, feeling the sword under the heavy wool she wore. Fighting demons was one characteristic of the Watchers. They had left the white mou
Thirty years it has been, yet the memory all seem anew. She was young and naïve and foolish too. Lewis was her first love. And only love.“It is not too late, Vera.” Balak replied softly. He could already feel that Vera was starting to return back to the past. The worst situation for a Watcher was to commit their greatest taboo, bear its seed, before giving it up so the emperor could keep you alive. Though he felt pity for Vera, he also was thankful that she was still alive just like him. “It is not too late?” Vera flared, eyes burning with anguish. “You think I like the fact that I grew fond of Ginika and would have to let him go just to save his life. Are you suggesting I keep him when I am to report back to the White Mountains?&rdq
Chapter 85: UnderestimatedBalak released her and was back on his feet as if nothing had happened. However, she could still not help it but get annoyed. She shook her head and elevated her gaze to the place she stood some minute ago. There, embedded on the sickly looking tree, were three long nails, which were hissing.Vera pushed her weight to her feet when she heard the cling of metal. She drew her sword and studied Balak, who saw fighting with the shadowy figure. She could use her Amytal vial without knocking Balak in the process, but it was a risk she was not willing to take.
Bottle clattered as Vera’s shaking hands searched her bag for another vial. She found it and tries to uncork it. That was when she felt a strong grip locking her neck and lifting her away from the ground.“Pathetic,” The man said, but Vera did not hear. Her lungs were already crying for air, and her throat was burning. She kicked and kicked, hoping to break free, but that in itself, was to no avail. This was the end for her. She was meant to die in the hands of a demon, after all. “Let her go,” Vera heard someone say. The voice was familiar, and she felt more fear going down her spine. ‘What was he doing here?’ She wanted to cry in al
The calmness was alluring, and the serenity so great that she felt she could remain here forever. Nothing seems to exist. It was just as if she was just being born. There was no trouble, no worries, and certainly no death. But where am I?“My sweet child,” Someone said, and the girl could feel the hands that patted her forehead.Abigail opened her eyes, just in time to see the beautiful face of Queen Isabel, as she pulled away from her. The rich lemon fragrance covered Abigail’s nostrils lurking around the fresh morning air that was rushing into the room from the window at the far end.“Mother?” Abigail called. Even her own voice was new to her.“Rest, my child, you need it.” Isabel smiled weakly and stroked Abigail’s forehead.“What happened?” Abigail asked as she sat up from the bed. She was totally found. No part of her body ached from the training, and she was more at ease and…“By the heavens,” Abigail screamed when her fair skin. She stroked her head and laughed from the rich bl
Gen jumped on top of the watchman and ripped his throat out, feeling the sweet savor of the metallic taste that came rushing into her palate. She was careful not to bite off his head as that was a disgusting way to feed.She wiped her mouth with the back of her hands and stood up. She was not satisfied, but she must try to be on mission. Maybe she will come back and finish him off when she was done.A ray of sun tubes in through the roof, and Gen laughed. It was still a wonder to her that she was walking in daylight. She had been in the dark for about 50 years, but now, walking under the light made her realize that there is more to life that the ugly face of darkness.The hands of the sun spreads through the whole earth, blessing everything that stood in the vast distance with its grace. From this place, she could see everywhere in Arkenta. Even the border of Landevia spread out and seemed to be touching the sky. She was supposed to monitor the Cavaliers from this Watchtower, but stand
Vera nodded to Gareth and walked out from among the shadows. She followed behind the cavalier, who was totally oblivious of her presence. The man was about to round the bend when she held his mouth from behind and traced the sharp end of her dagger around his neck. She held his mouth tightly as he convulses but released him when he finally became still.“That’s thirty-two,” Gareth whispered as he walked towards her.“You have been keeping counts?” Vera asked and wiped her dagger on the body of the fallen guard.“A total of sixty-six. You are a warlord mother,” “Which way?” “There,” Gareth pointed to another metal door. The torches flickered with the little wind that walked in the air, revealing the emptiness that lies on the other side of the door. It was day, and the sun was at its zenith. But its hands have failed to touch any side of the dungeon. Dar
“Emm…guys, I hate to break the reunion, but I think we are in trouble.” A girl that was twice as tall as any of them in the arena said. Behind her were two other girls whose eyes were wider than the lens of Victoria.“Olivia? We are friends now?” Dodo suddenly asked as she, Abigail, and Victoria turned to the other girls. The looks on their faces told Ginika to keep off. He wasn’t ready to meddle with women’s affairs.“Ginika!!!” Someone screamed. “Pa Bola?” Ginika’s brow elevated to his skull at the voice of the man who was running into the arena from one of the metal bars. Behind him was a strange-looking woman, in breeches and some yellow shawl hanging loosely on her shoulders.“You must get out of here, now,” The man said. The looks on his face were covered with so many expressions that Ginika could not place a hand on.“Bola,” Dodo called, turning away from the girl she had called Olivia. “You are alive.” “Yes, but there is no time, we must hurry, follow me.” Bola pointed to the
A sweet air bashed Abigail’s face when she finally walked out of the burning hallway. The metal bars shut behind her, leaving her and the other children at the mercies of the crowd and their frenzy. The walls of the arena were high, more than thirty feet away from the dust and sand.“Now what?” Dodo asked as she steady her hands on the pan. Her composure was laudable, and it made Abigail want to run into her arms. The girl was showing no sign of weakness or fright. It was as if she had anticipated all the event and knew what would happen.“How long can you last out here, Victoria.” The voice of Olivia came fluttering with the numerous screams of the crowd. The mockery in them was annoying. The girl was acting as though she had everything under control.The metal door at the other side of the arena opened, and some six boys came jogging out of it. They were also Vesslers who had come to transition. Unlike the girls that were given pans, the boys held the sword, spears, shield, and other
The voice of the metals continued to scream as the hammers of the blacksmith descended upon them. The screams only stopped to a hissing sound when the men imbued them into the water pan beside the metal table, and resumes their previous beating. Those clatter and noise from the anvil could cause the ear to bleed. It’s been hours since they came here, yet none of the three blacksmith had fashion any reasonable weapon. It was as if they were toiling in vain, or were they doing this as a hobby?Abigail wiped her brow for what seemed to be the tenth time that morning. If the sweat had anything to do with the heat of the furnace, then she would have taken solace in the metal door whose air was blocked by the girl’s that clustered on it.
“This is ridiculous.” Richard chuckled, “The funniest joke in the history of the empire.”“You are a coward Richard. And your strength Is in your tongue. The only thing you are good at is staring up strife among brethren.”“Is that what you think,” Richard flared and hurried up to Gabriel, but the other children where just in time to hold the two from ripping their throats apart.“Richard.” Ginika said, and all eyes turned to him. “I don’t care if you hate me
“You ruined our lives. I said it before, you are nothing but trouble,” Richard shouted.Ginika’s stomach tightened as he studied the other children who were staring at him like some kind of god. Betty had hidden them in the forest, the same forest which was becoming like home ever since he was kicked out from the brotherhood. It was easily to see through the expression that lurked in the face of the children. They looked haggard and frightened and five years starving.“You hear me?” Richard’s voice rung in his ears but he tried his best to ignore the boy. “You are nothing but evil. Nemesis will fall on yo
Bola wiped the tears from his own eyes, not able to hold them back any longer. Seeing the reunion between the mother and son made his chest ach. He just could not shut the doors of his emotions as his mind flashback into the past, in that night when his whole family was destroyed by the children of the night. His clan had been so weak to defend themselves. They had been so powerless.“Here,” Vera’s word brought his wandering thoughts back into his body. She had was holding a small book in her hands now, a book which she gave to Gareth.“It contains my memory.” Vera smiled and parted Gareth’s cheeks, leaving a smear of red trail on them.“Please don&