Chronicles Of the Ren-Ky Warriors (Book 1)

Chapter 20

Eight days passed while Lovell recovered, in Scarlet’s care. Lovell told Scarlet of his journey, of the people he met and more about himself. Lovell told her about his times with the Goanna Mercenaries. Lovell also talked about how he started his travel. His goal to find and protect Luna and how the Faremin forces captured him. Scarlet was intrigued by his stories paused as he spoke about the Faremin effects.

Scarlet sat up, looking at Lovell, her eyes filled with wonder and child-like curiosity. Scarlet felt uneasy as she asked her question.

 “So, they are not all evil like others say?” Scarlet asked.

Scarlet’s voice seemed calm as Lovell nodded at her question. Taking a sip of his tea, Lovell could see that Scarlet was cautious of her words. Scarlet turned her gaze to the gardens, puzzled by Lovell's story.

 “And this Kyle character? He helped you escape?”

Lovell smiled at the whole ordeal when Kyle saved him. Scarlet sighed as she could hardly understand the world beyond her vision. Lovell turned to look at a patch of sehena’s while his smile softened.

 “Yes, it was hard for me to believe at first, too.” Lovell laughed as he thought of everything he has gone through. “It's funny. Usually, when I see sehena's, I end up crying, but this time I'm not. It feels strange, but somehow intriguing as well.”

Scarlet turned to see Lovell’s gentle expression with a deep sadness within his eyes wash over his face. Scarlet went to comfort Lovell when a servant walked over, bowing before talking.

“Sir, ma'am, you should soon get ready for your trip in four days. We wouldn't want you to be unprepared for the trek ahead.”

Scarlet agreeing with them before dismissing the servant. The servant bowed once more before taking their leave. Scarlet smiled as she looked at Lovell. Lovell took another sip of tea before looking at Scarlet.

“I am astonished that my father is letting me see the world beyond my four-city birdcage,” Scarlet commented as she finished her tea.

            Lovell sigh as he lay across the table, knowing what he has to expect. With the hopes that everything would work in his favour.

“Yeah, but I'm the one suffering from the extra baggage.”

Scarlet smiled sheepishly at Lovell. Lovell sat up, with an annoyed face puckering across. Scarlet chuckled at Lovell as he sighed heavily.

 “Well, now that I am strong enough. We should head into town before the second-morning tea.”

Scarlet chuckled once more as she agreed. Lovell stood up and turned to Scarlet. Scarlet fixed her dress before heading to her room. Lovell knew that he would have to wait as she changed for the day.

            Once in town, Lovell looked at the local market for food that they could bring. Scarlet came rushing over to him, yanking him away. Lovell reluctantly followed her to a barber. She pushed him, telling the barber that he needed a makeover. Lovell grabbed his hair, seeing nothing wrong with his sense of style. The barber smiled as Lovell sat down, knowing he had no say in the matter.

The barber cut his hair in two parts, one being a short shaggy top and left a small segment in the back that Scarlet suggested would give him more elegance. Lovell looked at himself. Seeing that the new hairstyle suited him, Lovell was impressed. Scarlet smiled at her handwork.

Once Scarlet paid, Lovell and she walked down the streets to the market area. Lovell could see the fall theme across the buildings with trees with leaves of every fall shade. They walked up to a stall, and Scarlet started to go through the produce while Lovell stood back, waiting for her to finish.

In the distance, two teens began to run over. Lovell stepped out of their path, but they acted as if they did not see him and bumped into him. Lovell shrugged it off, thinking nothing of the incident, feeling that they might have been in a rush. Lovell reached for his coin pouch to count how many coins he had. Lovell felt around for his purse and found it was missing. Lovell turned pale.

            Scarlet turned to ask Lovell a question when she noticed that he was in distress. Lovell turned to Scarlet as she raised her brow.

 “What's wrong, Lovell?”

            “My coin pouch is missing? II must have left it back at your place—” Lovell stopped as he grew ever paler. “You have to be kidding me!?”

Lovell rushed off, leaving Scarlet behind, wounding what just happened. Lovell weaved through the crowd before making his way to the alleyways. Lovell then lept to the rooftops as he scanned the area. Lovell caught a glimpse of the two teens as they made their way up to the rooves.

“HEY!”

The two teens jumped at the sound of Lovell's voice. Turning to see who called out. The two turned pale as they could see Lovell running towards them. They scrambled to get their things tucked away. Before Lovell could catch them. Lovell drew ever closer as the two ran off, splitting off in either direction.

 Lovell growled, knowing that this would not be easy and turned his attention to the girl. Leaving the boy. She looked back to see Lovell going after her as she ran faster. Lovell knew he could catch her. Lovell began to use flash step, moving in ever closer before she jumped down.

Scarlet cast a vine spell and captured the girl. Lovell jumped down as he took a closer look at the teen. She was no older than eighteen or nineteen years old and was an animilian and elven hybrid. Her pastel blue hair covering her face. Lovell could see her shaking in fear as she was held captive. Lovell instructed Scarlet to watch her as he searched for the other teen.

Lovell returned to the rooftops and began to sniff the air for the other teens sent. Within a moment, Lovell caught their sent and rushed off to find them. Lovell found him as he was pinned to a wall by three thugs. Lovell went to jump in and stop them when the men started to talk.

            “Where's your sister, Zero?” one of the men asked him.

Lovell figured that the teen's name was Zero. Zero looking for an exit as the sweat trickled down his back. Lovell watched as he waited for the opportunity to strike.

            “Yes, you and your twin sister, Zephyr, have been busy today stealing. SO, hand over your share or we will tell the boss you were stealing from him?!” another man barked.

The three men moved closer to Zero. Zero closed his eyes in fear, his ear tucked down, closer to his neck. Lovell gritted his teeth and jumped down, knocking one of the men to the ground. The other two men looked back to see him standing over the comrade. Zero opened his eyes to see Lovell turning his to the other two men.

“Who the hell are you mutt?” The first man growled at Lovell.

            Lovell clenched his fist. While anger boiled up. Walking over th the first man.

“One,” Lovell punch the man to the ground hard. “Never call me that, and two, he's with me.”

Lovell moved in between the last man and Zero. The man quivered as he tried to act tough. Lovell stood his ground as he growled softly at the last man.

 “Th-the boss will have a your-your head.” He laughed nervously.

            Lovell moved in, meeting face to face with him. The man squealed as he stepped back.

“Tell him this, if he wants to deal with the Black Wolf of the Goanna mercenaries, that he will never see the light of the day ever again!”

Lovell let out a low growl as his eye glowed their red hue. The man soiled himself as he ran away as he was screamed bloody murder. Zero sighs, resting his hand on his chest, turning to Lovell to thank him, but stopped to see he was angry at him.

“Now, as for you,” Lovell grabbed his ear, dragging him along. “You are coming with me to have a chat with your partner in all this.”

            Scarlet had Zero's sister sitting in shame as they approached. Zero turned pale as he felt his life in danger.

“Found him, I see?” Lovell nodded while Scarlet sighed. “She told me her story. Now it's his turn to talk.”

            Lovell looked at him as Zero sat down beside Zephyr.

“Now, tell me why you are stealing?”

Zero and Zephyr looked terrified, believing that they would be thrown into jail. Shutting themselves down as the fear overwhelmed the two of them. Lovell reaches over, touching their heads. Zero and Zephyr winced as Lovell smiled at them.

“Don't worry, I am not going to hurt you. But yes, I'm mad at the fact of you stealing. Yet I need to know the reason why you two are doing this so I can help you get out of it?”

They looked up at Lovell, seeing his kind facial expression. Tears began to welling up, as they never had people help them out of kindness. Lovell pulled back, seeing that they were still clammed up. Lovell sighed as he rubbed his head.

“Look, I'm also part of a group that could get me arrested just by turning you two in. Yet here I am, wanting to help you get out of a sticky situation. Why don’t we start with your names? My name is Lovell, and this young lady is Scarlet.”

Scarlet smiled gingerly as she stepped back. Lovell turned to see Zero biting his lip as Zephyr stepped forward. Wiping the tears from her eyes, Zephyr turned away from Lovell. Lovell could tell she was shy and had some issues with her confidence. Seeing that Zephyr was stroking her hair.

            “I'm Zephyr Foxtail.” Zephyr's voice was soft and quiet as she looked at her brother.  

Zero looked at Lovell curiously. Lovell raised his brow, seeing that Zero had plenty of courage. Zero tucked his hand in his pockets as he looked away.

 “Mine is Zero Foxtail. Zephyr and I are twins, but I have a question for you, Lovell?”

             “Ask away?” Lovell crossed his arms.

            Zero turned to meet Lovell’s gaze. Zero swallowed hard as he stared at Lovell. Lovell waited for the question as Scarlet leaned against the wall.

 “Why help us?”

            Lovell tried to hold his laughter in but couldn't to Zero's question. Zero felt confused and concerned as he readied to fight back. Lovell raised his hand at Zero as he composed himself.

 “Because it was the right thing to do, simple as that. NO other reason. Like I said earlier, I want to help you and your sister.”

            Zephyr smiled in relief as Zero narrowed his eyes. Fealing skeptical of Lovell’s intentions. Zero stood his ground waiting for Lovell to attack. Lovell leaned against the wall as he smiled at Zero. Zephyr touched his arm as she became calmer. Zero sighed as he let his guard down.

“Fine, I will accept your answer a-and to answer your question. It is because we were dragged into the local gang called the Ratway. Shortly after our mother passed away six years ago.”

 Lovell's face stiffened as he heard about their mother. Zephyr could tell something was off when Lovell turned away. Zero continued as he looked towards the ground smiling with a sad expression. While pride flowed through Zero’s body.

 “Our father died in the war against the Faremin soldiers. He was an amazing man, the most powerful animilian mage of fire and water that this kingdom has ever seen.”

 Lovell could see that Zero idolized his father. The joy from Zero talking about his father eased Lovell. Yet, a similar feeling washed over him. Lovell, too, idolized someone that was long gone from his life. Lovell watched in joy as Zero’s expression changed suddenly.

“We were about five or six when he passed, but...”

            Lovell could see that Zero was distraught by the past. Lovell cradled his arms as he pulled them close to his chest, remembering his past. Feeling that it might win their trust more, Lovell took a deep breath and turned away.

“I lost my foster mother when I was six to the Faremin, and then lost the man I thought of as a father ten years later. So, cheer up, life is only starting.” Lovell smiled as he pulled himself together.

Zero looked up at Lovell to see a piece of himself in Lovell's eyes. Zero turned away as he felt uncomfortable. Zephyr touched her brother's arm. Zero looked at her know that she wanted to cry out of fear and sadness. Zero then became overwhelmed with anxiety and distress. Knowing that he and his sister could never be free like Lovell. As long as the one who pulled their lives into the underworld lived and controlled them.

“Now, it seems that I need to take care of this Ratway boss if you and your sister here—are going to be free. So that the two of you can join us on our journey.”

 Lovell stood up and placed his hand on his hips. Grinning from ear to ear. Scarlet knew what Lovell was thinking. Zero and Zephyr closed their eyes in disbelief as Lovell touched their heads. Seeing them shrink within themselves from fear and joy battling within them. Zero looked up at Lovell as tears began to form. With what little confidence he had in Lovell. Zero told Lovell where their boss was. Lovell listened as he turned to Scarlet. Scarlet nodded, knowing that Lovell was asking her to take them back to her place.

            Zephyr looked up as Lovell's hand left her head. Seeing Lovell's sturdy stance, Zephyr meekly spoke out to Lovell.

“Will you be killing the boss?”

            Lovell paused as he looked over at Zephyr. Lovell smiled as he looked forward once more.

“Not really. I will be taking the man’s sight as a warning, though.”

Zero remembering what Lovell said to one of the men before dragging him here. That he was the Black Wolf of the Goanna mercenaries. Zero recalled how the Black Wolf was notorious for his killings and how he was a man of fear and power. That no person could touch him. Or the fact that the Black Wolf was a powerful swordsman and sharpshooter with twin pistols.

 “Scarlet, do you mind getting them cleaned up back at your place? I will be dealing with this alone.”

            Scarlet nodded as she shook her head.

“Not a problem, but you do know you acted without thinking where you said that they were coming along,” Scarlet said, smiling as she led the twins back to her place.

Zero followed as he looked back at Lovell. Knowing a legend of the merc world was saving him and his sister. Yet, he wondered why Lovell would leave that life behind. What reasons did he have? Zero became filled with curiosity about Lovell’s choices as he walked out of sight.

            Lovell rubbed his head, knowing that he had to do this. Lovell pulled a pendent out with a two stoned stone on it. Lovell looked back at where they went sighing as he shoved the pendant back under his shirt. Lovell sighed, realizing that something told him to take them and Scarlet. A will, unknown to him, was guiding him to them.

“Man, I really am a kynroc(i***t). Oh well, more the merrier they say.” Lovell grinned at the idea.

 Lovell headed off to the Ratway's hideout. With his face growing dark and sinister. Lovell moved quickly as he race to find the leader.

            “B-boss, we have trouble!” A man stuttered as he raced towards a rat-dog beastman hybrid.

            The beasts twitched his rat ears towards the man as he stuttered. Flicking his dog tail, the beastman hybrid walked out of the shadows, showing his human features. With the tail and ears of the beast and the body of a man, the creature reaches out his hand and tightly gripped the frightened man’s face. Squeezing the life out of the man's eyes. The man struggled under the beast's grasp as he pulled him closer.

“Oh, what kind of trouble and where are those twins at!?” The beast—or boss—growled at the man.

The boss looking around at the other members. They all looked at each other, asking and shrugging at their bosses' question. The boss looked

            The man squirmed at the pain of the bosses' grasp. “That just it, Master Morty. They were taken by a man that gave me a message for you.”

The man screamed in pain as Morty tightened his grip. Morty lifted him closer. The man squirmed as the pain of his face on the verge of breaking. Morty growing ever more impatient as his eyes became bloodshot.

             “What was the message—”

The sound of men yelling caught the beast's attention. Letting go of the man from his grip. The man turned to see what was going on as Morty growled.

“Now what?!” Morty roared.

            Lovell tossed one of his men to the side, unconscious. Morty watched as his men stepped back in fear. Morty became riving in anger as he watched his men cower and tossed around. Lovell moved in closer as the men moved away and ran. Leaving Lovell and their boss alone with the messenger watching.

“Well, now, I will be taking the light away. So you can never see the world around you. You would think that you men would be faster at bringing you a simple message, but it seems I was wrong.”  Lovell’s voice gravelled as the anger within him grew.

Lovell walked closer as Morty let go of the man. The man scurried away while Morty narrowed his eyes at Lovell. Unsure what to make of Lovell's intrusion.

“Well, you would think he was a rat after scurrying away like that?” Lovell remarked. “I am here about Zero and Zephyr.”

            Morty stood up, his face filled with rage as Lovell stood back.

 “So, you took my pets from me?”

Lovell bowed with a smile, taunting Morty. Morty grabbed his staff from beside him. Raising it towards Lovell. Energy formed from the end. Morty was ready to strike as he grinned at Lovell. Knowing he has won.

“You will rue the day you crossed paths with me, boy!”

            Lovell laughed at Morty as he became confused as to why Lovell was laughing. Lovell composed himself as he moved forward.

“You want to go against me? Don't make me laugh, beastmen. You have no idea who I am?”

Lovell's eye glowed as water raised into the air, forming needle-like spikes. The man with the message crawled out. Shaking at Lovell's poised attack.

             “He's the Black Wolf of the—”

             “I know who he is, the infamous Black Wolf, Lovell of the Goanna Mercenaries. We met nine years ago before I took over as the leader.” Morty sneered.

            Lovell looked at him, trying to remember his face. Yet no recollection of the man ringed in Lovell’s mind.

 “Oh, it's you, sorry if I don't remember your name but let's—”

Morty blinked as Lovell flashed in front of him. Morty stepped back as Lovell reached out, covering his eyes. Morty felt a chill run down his back. Lovell leaned in as he finished their conversation.

“—finish what I came here to do. That was to get rid of that sight of yours. If not for a short time. As if you cannot see? You cannot lead your men. Seeing you as weak, just like the one before you. I remember Hawk and how I killed him. You though…you will suffer just like Zero and Zephyr.”

Morty's mind sank as a flash of light blasted into his eyes. Blinding him. The man who stayed behind saw what Lovell did. The man shook his head slowly, while the fear of Lovell’s actions seemed off. Almost sinister. Lovell pulled his hand away and began to walked away, waved his hand in the air arrogantly at the blinded Morty.

“Besides, I never came for a fight. I only bluffed my attack as a distraction. So that I could be rid of your sight. Don’t worry if you seek out medical help, you can recover.”

            Morty groaned in agony, realizing how lucky he was compared to Lovell was years prior. Yet to feel Lovell’s rath was much more than he had thought. Losing the twins was nothing compared to what Lovell could have done to him or his men. Morty ordered the man to tell the others to leave the twins alone and that they were free to do as they pleased. The man nodded as he ran off. Searching for the others of the Ratway.

Morty found his way to his seat. Knowing that he would gain revenge. Sneering at the idea, Morty began to plot his recovery for his sight and what he lost.

            Lovell returned to the de Rosier's house to see Zero waiting for him. Zero twiddled his thumb as his ear pressed close to his head. Lovell could see that Zero was worried about him as he smiled at the thought. Zero turned to see Lovell and stood up. Lovell moved in closer, ready to tell him the good news.

“So, what did you do to Morty?”

            Lovell smiled, touching Zero’s head. Zero grunted as he pulled away.

“I took his sight as fair warning that I'm out of his league in power. Besides, you and your sister are now free.”

Heading inside, Zero felt some weight lifted as he smiled, fallowing Lovell in, only to see him stopped. Lovell went cold as he leaned over to Zero.

“Here is a good lesson for you, Zero,” Lovell's voice cracked in fear.

Looking over, Zero noticed a burly man standing in front of Lovell. Zero went pale, seeing the man crossing his arms as he tapped his arm.

 “Never tick off nobles when you are going to with their baby girl.”

            Mr. Rosier dragged Lovell off, yelling at him for his actions as Scarlet and Zephyr walked over.

“My father is lechering him, isn't he?” Scarlet asked as she listened to Lovell’s screams.

Zero nodded while Scarlet sighed. Scarlet shook her head at her father's reaction. Zero could not fathom what Lovell was going through as the sound of yelling erupted. Scarlet narrowed her eyes before turning her back on Lovell.

 “Well, we did get the supplies we need because of my worry wort of a father. Anyway, Zero—” The sound of her father smashing things echoed as Lovell kept apologizing. “Anyway, we will be leaving in three days so, you and your sister rest up and—”

Lovell running past as her father chased him. Scarlet closed her eyes in disappointment as she sent vines to stop her father.

“Father!” Scarlet barked at her father.

            William struggled as he tried to free himself. Lovell dashed behind Scarlet, fearing for his life.

“Look, Lord Rosier, I said I was sorry. At least I sent her home before I did anything that would put her in harm's way!” Lovell cowered behind her.

Scarlet scowling at her father. William froze to see his daughter narrow her eyes in anger and frustration for his action. Zero turned and looked at Lovell as he could see him cowering fear.

             “You can be brave but are a real coward when it comes to this.” Zero pointed out.

            Lovell glared at Zero before wincing at William's gruff sigh. Turning his attention to Zero, Lovell sighed.

 “Look, a woman's father is scary, and they will do to any at any length to protect their precious daughter. A ubiquitous thing when it comes to Goldheart noble fathers. Form my experiences.” Lovell looked at William, “well, for most of them, anyway.”