Quest of Water and Steel (Gothos Rising)

Tempest

The months to come were surprisingly quiet as Sera went about her womanly arts. She got up early and made sure her husband’s armor was polished and that the servants in the quarter they were staying was clean. When she wasn’t doing that she was using her given gifts as the healer of the complex. Soldier, their families, servants, and slaves came to her for care. Her husband’s had gifted her with a room that was stalked with herbs, cloths, fresh water for washing, and other items needed. It kept her busy and got her the reputation of being a good person. Being busy kept her mind busy from the dishearten knowledge that she has not yet gotten pregnant with a child. Standing in her healing room she washed her hands with rose water and dried them off.

Sera sighed softly and glanced out the small window into the side yard. She was already packed and ready for the trip to the Adonus Mountain Retreat. It was an old Sythian castle ruin that was now a beautiful retreat sight for the soldiers and their guests. It was one of the unusual phenomenons in the land. The old ruined castle had underground hot springs and reflective stone walls.

Dominic had decided that he would take her there along with her servants. Markus and the other men were coming as well for a whole different reason. The ruined castle had rumors of a legendary sword that was crafted together by the legendary human king and the former vampire sire. It was said to be the most powerful weapon in existence, but has gone missing over the centuries. Sera thought it was a nice trip and finished packing up her supplies. She could see out the window, Brena removing some sheets from a clothing line, but not without a painstakingly slow and bored look on her face. Since the day her husband had brought the young woman to the compound she has been a lazy and combatant. She couldn’t understand why the girl had agreed to be a servant when she clearly didn’t want to do it. Sera didn’t like the way the girl looked at her husband as well with a needy and possessive look. The healer wasn’t a jealous woman, but it made her uneasy. Naturally she wanted to send her packing, but she didn’t think Dominic would let her dismiss her when he went through all the trouble to bring her here.

Shaking off her bad feelings she finished tying the bag closed and went down to where the horses were waiting. The servants had already packed everything they would need for the trip the night before and the horses and cart were saddled. Dominic was standing next to his horse and smiled at her, clad in his casual armor.

“Good morning, my dear” he said smoothly and mounted the horse and offered his hand to her. She was dressed in a pink gown with breeches under it so she ride astride with him comfortably. The ruins were a three days ride from her home. They would be passing the Hall of Clothos, but she knew Dominic would not stop there. These long months the only contract with her sister she has had was in the bowl in her room, and her one visit when Amerus developed a cold and needed her healing aide. Getting on the behind her husband she slid her arms around his waist, nuzzling her face against the back of his cool armor. She grew to love him since they have married. To her he was a loving husband and only raised his hand to her once. Sera was not aware of his bloodlust and general lust, that under her roof he was having s*x with her new maid. Even if she had any inkling of it there was nothing she could have done about it. By law they were bound together till death. The group traveled during the day not running into any bandits who dared to cross the Golgothian Knights.

The old castle itself was laid at the base of the Adonus Mountain. Two of the four sprawling towers had been destroyed and decayed over time. The stain glass windows were mostly broken or obstructed by plant life that took it over. Most of the castle was habitable, but sections of it were blocked off due to its dangerousness. There was a man on a horse with escorts at his side.

Dominic slid off the horse upon arrival and helped Sera down from the horse. She smiled at her husband hoping that perhaps the new setting would inspire them to have a child. Turning she felt her heart start to drop when she recognized Emrick coming toward them. She thought her blood turned to ice at the sight of him. The mean spirited boy hadn’t changed, but he committed his devious acts under the crown of King Damon. Becoming the High Bishop of Golgoth he had thousands of devoted followers, and did his work in the name of the Great Building. He was known for his angelic face and fierce fanatic beliefs. She knew his true face from the experience she had during her childhood. Dressed in his long purple robe with gold on the trim he opened his arm in a welcoming way.

“Welcome my children. The Great Builder himself has blessed your travels here. “He said and smiled at them, the hood placed on the top of his head. Emrick had sheared off, leaving him bald. The priest embraced Dominic briefly then turned and looked at Sera.

“Ah, I am pleased to see you are well, my child. I see that the years have not obstructed your beauty and grace” he said lightly, but there was a flash of pure venom in his eyes. He embraced her briefly as he had her husband and turned toward the entrance. Sera knew that Emrick still was that horrible person he used to be, but now he was in power greater than the stone he was sworn to protect.

As the High Bishop under the King he used his power not to protect the people, but to use the art of divination to aid the royal in battle strategy and petty things. He led them into the old castle with a grand sweep of his robed arm. Sera along with her the others walked into the castle, except the servants who were unpacking the luggage. The entrance to the castle was covered with old tapestries that were faded and torn away. There were two stairs leading to a second floor. The reputation of the castle was made for a reason. Instead of stone walls like the grand buildings crafted by humans these walls were multi-colored, shining surfaces. The sunlight from the morning sun streamed through the broken windows, bouncing off the reflective surfaces in a dazzling array of colors. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she stared at the beautiful sights before her. Emrick was standing there watching her silently then he looked at Dominic.

“I take it your lady will want to go up and rest, and then soak in the spring. Captain, we have been here for four days and still no sign of the sword” he commented with a note of frustration. Sera was perplexed by this realizing that her rest and relaxation wasn’t the only reason they were here. This filled her with mixed emotions, but she didn’t say anything. Dominic nodded his head and looked at Sera.

“Brena, take your lady upstairs. There is a room already there” he said in a soft voice. She hadn’t realized her maid was there until he mentioned her name. Turning her head she realized that the girl had materialized at her side. The girl touched her arm and led her up the right stairs and took her down the hall.

“You must be so tired, milady. You will be able to take your mind off the fact that you have not given your husband a child “she said lightly. The comment was most likely innocent, but it was a barb threaded in her heart. Not responding she walked down the hall, glancing at the tapestries that they passed the thread so faded the pictures were not distinguishable. A pair of double doors led to the room she would be staying with her husband. It was a large room with a four poster bed and an en-suite bathroom that was refurnished for visitors. Her bags had already been unpacked and the clothing put away.

“Do you want to rest or go to the spring?” Brena asked with an air of impatience. Sera stood there for a moment in the center of the room and looked at her.

“Go down to the spring” she replied though her legs hurt. Brena nodded and led her back down the stone stairs. She was taken to an underground spring. The walls like the ones built in the castle were the reflective material covered the cavern. In the center was a clear font of water that filled almost the entire underground room. Turning she looked at Brena wondering if she was seeing the same beauty she was, but found that the girl was gone. Her brow knit as she looked around, but figured her servant wanted to give her privacy. Undressing she stared down at her reflection in the mirroring water and stepped inside. At first she was surprised that the water was warm, expecting it to be cold like the rest of the water in the land unless it was warmed up by fire.

Lowering her body into the water she looked around the chambers. Sera felt her muscles relax as she let out a deep breath. Looking at the opposite wall she noticed a mural on the wall of a beautiful winged woman, holding a chalice with a symbol emblazoned on it. It was the image of a snake cannibalizing its own tail. For a long moment she stared down at the mural that seemed to be perfectly kept despite the moist conditions. Finally she closed her eyes and drifted off into a light sleep. She didn’t know how much time passed when she finally opened her eyes. “Brena?”she called groggily. No answer came to her though. The maid had left to find Dominic and have s****l relationships with him.

Once again her eyes focused on the mural and she noticed that the symbol on the chalice seemed to give off a glow. The torches were the only illumination in the antechamber. It took Sera a moment before she realized that the reflection was coming from the amulet around her own neck. Left in a stunned silence she reached down and touched the gemstone that glowed in the shadowed darkness. She did not have time to respond to this shocking turn of events when another one came upon her. The mural with a low hiss slid to the side reveal a dark passage way. Blinking she waded her way over to it for a better look.

The amulet she wore lit up the secret hallway. It was strange to her that instead of fear she felt a strange sense of déjà vu and curiosity welling up in her. Quickly she went back to the side where she came in and grabbed up her removed gown. Holding it above her head she went back to the tunnel and climbed into the entrance. It was tall enough for her to stand up fully. Sliding the dress over her body, it clung to her nude form.

A part of her advised her not to follow this strange dark passage, but the rest of her wanted to know the secrets that lay inside. The stone around her neck lit the way down the dark corridor. Sera found her way to the end of the corridor and found herself at the foot of stairs. Turning her head she looked back at the way she came and only met darkness. The door she entered had closed behind her without her even realizing it. It seemed that the only way was up these stairs. Taking her first steps she let out a soft breath and proceeded upwards.

“How long do these stairs go?” she wondered out loud as she continued to go up and up. Water dripped from the top of the caverns causing her to realize that she must be in the mountain itself. The healer felt the ache in her legs, but finally she was rewarded seeing two double doors ahead. She exhaled a tired sigh, her hands wrapping around the handles and pulling them open.

The door opened without resisting her. She was admitted into a large circular room all lot like the room style in the House of Clothos. The walls were covered with bookshelves covered with more books and tomes then she has ever seen in her whole life. There was a cozy hearth in the middle protected by stone around it keeping the scattered pillows from being engulfed. A small stairway was leading to a hidden second floor. There were high windows that looked out at the Arcadian Sea. The mountain itself was hollow, having been carved out to be made livable. Her bare feet cool against the marble floor as she crossed the chamber and looked out at the dark sea. But who lived here in the mountain? Someone must be living there if there is a roaring fire. The books and tomes looked like they were well kept and cared for.

“Who are you? How did you get here?” a soft slightly accented voice brushed her consciousness. Turning she saw vividly the man from her recurring dream. He looked equally baffled to see her standing there in his home. For a moment she couldn’t speak as she drank in his whole being in the firelight.

“The way to this room has been sealed off with special magic” he said in her silence. The man’s golden eyes looked at her face then down at the amulet around her neck.

“I see…”he murmured. “Do not be afraid of me. My name is Argos Erelius, Prince of the Sythian race”he explained to her his hands moving animatedly, but trying not to scare her. Argos was exactly the way he looked in her dream, but very real. He stood in front of her his expression imploring for her not to turn away. Finally catching her voice she looked at him, shaking herself out of the large shock.

“My name is Sera. I am the protector of the stone of healing. I was raised at the Hall of Clothos. You’re not going to kill me are you? “She asked with trepidation. Shaking his head he frowned deeply at her question.

“No, I have no desire to drink your blood. Humans think we cannot stay sustained without blood. We live off the essence from the life’s blood, but we can go centuries without gorging ourselves on it.” He told her, folding his bat like wings around his form a bit.

“I have to admit that I am glad to finally have company after the self-imposed isolation. That amulet you wear around your neck is from one of the same stones that the humans protect to this day. It was the stone of immortality that was broken in the conflict between my father and the humans”. Sera shifted in the spot she stood.

“You have been hidden here this whole time?” she asked her voice being stronger then it was before. Argos sighed as he bowed his head, his shoulders hunching a bit.

“I admit that I am a coward to be hiding here well the rest of my kind are hunted down. I have spent centuries reasoning in denial that I being the royal line had to stay and go on, but in truth it wasn’t noble. “he said quietly, his expression filled with shame. The look on his face broke her heart as she looked at this figure of the man in absolute despair.

“I don’t think you are a coward. I think you are trying to survive the worst of times. When I was a young initiate at the Hall of Clothos, I was told of the story of your father and King Ursa and how society broke down under fears and suspicion. What really happened?” she asked knowing that it wasn’t the best time to ask, but the questions rose in her. She could hear the audible sigh that rippled through his body causing his long wings to shiver slightly.

“It would take a very long time to explain the full truths that lead to the disillusion of humanity, and the thoughtless blood thirst of my kind” he told her and glanced toward the window.

“Your library collection is very impressive” she said changing tact. In time she figured he would open up to her. He blinked at her words then his eyes lit up.

“You like to read?” he asked with a child-like curiosity. Seeing that they have a common interest made her smile widely.

“Yes, I have always loved to read and learn since I was a small child” she replied. Argos seemed to be considering her words carefully, knowing that it would be dangerous if he made a miscalculation. Her being able to come to this place using a piece of the Omeron stone was no mere coincidence.

“You can come and read from these tomes and books when it pleases you” he suggested and smiled at her warmly. Sera nodded her head and looked into his golden eyes.

“I would like that very much “she said after a long moment of considering. She knew that coming here would be dangerous. If her husband and the others of the Golgothian Knights found out they would kill him and see it as the greatest victory. Reading her face he let out a soft sigh

“You fear that you will put me in danger in coming to visit me. I know they are here. “He said softly.

“They are searching for the ancient sword made by my father centuries ago. I wouldn’t worry too much about it” Argos waved his hand and walked to the window and looked out.

“I want you to come and see me. The silence is almost maddening” he told her wearily. Sera walked up to him and placed her hand on his arm, feeling the muscles relaxing under her fingertips. He turned his head from the image of the breathtaking scenery and looked at her.

“You are like no other human I have met. You radiate a kindness from your very being, and you are beautiful. It humbles me with shame that I have judged your kind for so long. Perhaps you can teach me to forgive them.” Argo gazed at her thoughtfully.

“They want to kill you. Doesn’t that scare you?” she asked. There was tightness in his cheek as he turned his gaze away.

“As I said before I am a coward to hide here. They think that killing me will frighten the rest of my kind into submission, but I don’t think they are so weak. I believe in them and in the prophecies” he commented. This got her attention peaked as she touched his arm again.

“Prophecies? “she couldn’t help but inquire. He smiled slowly and walked to the books and ran his fingers along their bindings.

“There is a prophecy that says that the man who is meant to find the sword will bring peace between the Sythians and the humans. This will change to the four territories. I believe in these prophecies that were foretold by our astronomer Mikanose, centuries ago. My faith is all I have left amongst this bloodshed.” Sera took that in and nodded her head.

“I would like to learn about your culture. Your kind has attacked my people, but I understand that not all of you are monsters” she said softly.

“I don’t about the prophecies you speak of, but true or not I want to find some way to help.”

5. Serpent’s Entwining

Sera found her way back to the bathing area from the secret tunnel. Stepping out into the water she removed her dress again to again not get it wet. Wading across the warm, steamy water she felt the coolness of the air contrasting against it. She reached the other side of pool and climbed the stairs. Pulling the wrinkled dress over her body she left the bathing chambers, unable to find neither hide nor hair of Brena.

Where was the girl? Yes, she was lazy but to not be on duty was almost unheard of. Feeling a bit disgruntled at it she held the towel to her hair and walked down the hallway. The longer she searched for the girl, the more annoyed she felt. A few rooms down she heard strange noises coming from behind the door. It sounded like an animal groaning. Looking around for a guard or someone, not sure if she should handle this by herself. Finding no one around she walked to the door and touched the handle.

Pulling her hand back for a moment she hesitated realizing that it might be something more obvious than what she first thought. Surely she didn’t want to interrupt someone in the throes of passion, but on the other hand this might be where her wayward maid is. Pushing on the wooden door, she eased it open a little bit.

On the bed were two naked figured tangled in a sheet. The sound she was hearing was her second guess. Immediately she knew the woman, her head thrown up back in absolute abandoned passion. It was Brena with her arms and legs thrown around her lover’s strong body. It must be one of the guards from the strong arms and torso who was shirking his duties to take a tumble with a disobedient servant girl. Starting to ease herself from the room she stopped when she saw a scar on the man’s back, it was a deep line going vertical next to the spine.

Her heart dropped in her stomach as she stood unable to tear her eyes off of the man’s nude back. If she needed more evidence the man raised his head and she could see it was her husband, Captain Dominic. Sera felt the cold running through her as she stood frozen to the spot. She knew that it would make her feel even worst if she was caught standing there. Her hand clasped over her mouth she forced herself to steady her breathing and back away. Closing the door she ran to her chambers leaving droplets of water in her wake.

Throwing her door open she went to her bed and could no longer hold back the sobs caught in her throat. The pain seared in her whole being as she laid there on the bed she shared with her husband, the one who betrayed her. The worst part about it was that there was nothing she could do about it. If she told her husband what she saw then he would remind her that she is his wife and had no right to tell him what he can do. She knew he might even blame her for his transgression. As a child she thought that being a protector of a sacred stone made her immune to these things, but she wasn’t in the House of Clothos anymore. As a wife she has no power to wield. This knowledge made her feel miserable and lost.

The next few months were the hardest for her pretending in the face of her husband that she didn’t know of his betrayal. Sera went about her wifely duties, but she spent most of her time with her sister-in law and the growing daughter Melody. Aside from using her healing art to care for those in need she had a secret of her own.

At night she would slip into the secret tunnel in the hot spring under the guise of taking a bath and went to see Argos in the mountain retreat. She didn’t feel it was on the same level as her husband’s infidelities, especially after that day she found out all lot of things her husband was guilty of. Most of them were rumors, but she wasn’t as innocent as she once was. Over the months she has spent her time with Argos and learning from the ancient tomes, trying to learn as much as she could about the ancient kind and their prophecies, especially concerning the stones. It was an amazing secret that they shared together.

The Sythian prince was a well of information and stories of the centuries that he lived through. He revealed to her that he had a family of his own once, but they died as causalities of battle. It was the hardest part of his life, but he had forgiven those who did it seeing them as ignorant and what they have done. The m******e now was what pained him greatly. It was the horrors against his people in the present.

Beside a roaring fire they talked for hours on end, studying and discussing, books scattered all over the marble floor. Some nights they just talked and laughed to gather, her husband spent most of his time away from her so he didn’t even notice. Argos first started as a mentor and friend, and then they became lovers. It was betraying her husband, but it didn’t feel like a bad thing.

Sera sat on the marble floor with her winged lover, dressed in a simple silk wrap that clung to her body. She was sipping sweet wine looking over one of the tomes open on the floor. A map lay next to it.

“You’re telling me that the sword isn’t even here. That it is hidden away in some cave. Well the Golgothian Knights would love that information “she said lazily.

“That is something they should never know. They have no concept of what that sword really represents” He said quietly and leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers.

“I promise I wouldn’t tell them anything. Why should I give loyalty to the man who betrayed me” she replied with a shrug of her shoulders. The awe she had felt toward her husband had fallen away. It was really her own fault for marrying a man she thought was a guardian angel, when he was really a devil. The irony wasn’t lost on her that the Sythians who were considered evil were beautiful beings driven to be scavengers, well the humans who were vulnerable and led to do horrible things in their ignorance.

“He did what was in his nature. The way a man treats others shows the true nature of his heart” Argos mused quietly.

“Well, what is in my nature then? Being here with you?” she asked with her knee resting against her chest as she looked into his eyes. The Sythian man took a long moment considering her question.

“I think you are a woman of good substance. You have been hurt so greatly and all you want is to be loved. Love is the most fundamental desire that surpasses all races, gender, and nationality.” Placing his glass aside he took her face in his hands and pressed his lips against hers passionately. She drew herself into his lap, sliding her arms around his neck, sliding her fingertips along his sensitive wings.

Argos shivered in response and slid the bottom of her wrap aside, caressing her legs gently. A moan passed over her lips in their joined kiss, his touch so soft, yet filled with great intensity. She positioned herself on his nude form raising her to join with him. Draping herself over him she slipped his member deep within her body. His groan of pleasure gave her great satisfaction as she started to roll her hips along his. Argos reached up and took her breasts into the palm of his hands, caressing her tender skin.

Sera stroked his hair as she rocked her hips against his, feeling every inch of him stroking her insides. Moaning in sync with him she slid her legs around his waist, heels digging into his lower back. He placed his hands firmly on her hips and pumped his hips off the marble floor to meet her steady movements. Sera arched her back against him feeling their pleasure rising in unison. She looked deeply into his golden eyes feeling pure joy in his arms. Moaning out his name she hit her peak, shuddering on top of him. Argos groaned and nuzzled his face into the hollow of her neck, joining her in pinnacle of passion. Breathing against her neck he felt the temptation of the vein in her neck, pumping against his cheek, but he would not do that. He adored her too much to bring her any pain.

“You need to go upstairs and get some rest before you go back to the waking world” he whispered softly. Sera nodded her head and gave him one last kiss before getting up and went up the spiraling stairs to the huge bedroom on the second floor. It was a place she didn’t take much notice to until they got to know each other better. The first time she came into this room she admired the carved wooden pillars of the four poster bed. Birds and flowers seemed to come to life in the oak medium. The scent of sandalwood and vanilla permeated in the air at all times. A warm hearth laid in the middle with bricks surroundings it. Just like the room below, books laid on the shelves and tapestries hung from the walls.

Smiling to herself she walked to the bed and slipped under the cool covers she closed her eyes and drifted asleep.

Sera was not sure how much time had passed when she opened her eyes. The first thing she heard was a clanging and thumping noise. It struck her as odd as she rose from the bed, pushing the covers off her body. Getting up she tried to clear her head as she made her way to the door. The sound continued but then she realized it was voices yelling. Panic rose in her as she threw the door open and moved hastily down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs was the most horrible sight that she would never forget. The Golgothian Knights stood with weapons bared. They had strung Argos up with his arms above his head, tied tightly by ropes. He was bleeding profusely by his head and chest, the blood dripping down his stomach and onto the marble floor below. Her poor lover was on the edge of consciousness, his lips moving but no sound coming forth except a raspy sigh of pain.

“You filthy creature! Did you think we wouldn’t find you?” The voice was of Emrick, standing at Captain Dominic’s side giving a toothy smile. Argos made no response to the taunting, his pain overwhelming. Sera against her better judgment moved off the bottom step and let out a throaty cry. They all turned and looked at her standing there. Dominic’s face expressed absolute surprise at her being there.

“Sera…how…”he whispered, his blue eyes fixed on her. Emrick didn’t look surprised at all, but gave her a look of triumph.

“Don’t you understand, Captain? This witch has been colluding with him all this time. She has been the snake all along, the poison to your saintly being” he said, his voice rising in conviction. Dominic’s expression turned from bewilderment to pure, unadulterated rage.

Markus was there still looking absolutely caught off guard, his eyes flickering from Sera to his brother then back. Sera felt her whole body starting to shake under that look of anger from her husband.

“b***h” Dominic whispered from between his grit teeth. Turning he faced Argos strung up, one of his wings clearly broken.

“You and this creature. You will watch your lover die” he told her in a tone of voice just teetering on the edge of insanity. Unsheathing his sword he raised it and brought it down on the top of Argo’s chest and slid it down to his navel, causing the Sythian to scream in agony. The blood poured all over the marble staining it. Sera wanted to go to Argo, to give him some sort of comfort but one of the other knights had grabbed her in a tight hold. Dominic wasn’t look at her the whole time as he looked at his victim.

“Any last words, you bastard?” the confident Captain asked as he grabbed Argo by the hair, pulling his face up to look at him. Argo battered and bloodied opened his golden eyes and looked past Dominic to where Sera stood.

“Sera…” he whispered in a shaking voice. This seemed to enrage the captain as he thrust his hand into Argo’s bloody chest and pulled out his heart with a sickening squishing noise. Argos let out a shuddering breath and went still as a silent hush came over the room.

Sera stared at the man she loved laying now dead, strung up like a piece of meat in the lauder, and then at the heart that lay in the man who was her husband holding the heart aloft. Dominic then dropped it to the ground and kicked it aside as if it was nothing at all. Sera’s sobs were deafening as she hunched over where she stood, still being held. Dominic finally gave her his attention.

“Emrick was right about you, but I didn’t want to see it. You’re a lying w***e” he hissed and nodded to the man holding her. Grabbing her by her wrist he tossed her to the floor. She slid over the sticky marble being coated in blood of her former lover.

“H..how?”she asked in a trembling voice, looking up at them. It was Emrick who laughed at her words

“Do you think you are the only one who has figured out the secrets. That stone that lies around your neck is part of an evil stone that has been lost for centuries. You see I found a piece of it as well. I knew you are a sinful woman, but I never suspected you to be this wicked. I was told by your lawful husband that you took bathes for hours on end. Finding that strange I went to check on his complaint and I saw you going into the tunnel. At first I couldn’t figure out how you were doing it. For weeks I pondered on this, but then saw the shine of your stone, and it came to me that you were using that evil thing to get in. The Great Builder works in mysterious ways” he said with a satisfied smile.

“Your god is a lie” Sera said coldly, her eyes narrowing as she looked at him. The first kick took her by surprise, her face forced to turn to the side. Feeling the ache in her head she turned and looked at Dominic who was raising his foot to strike her again.

“Blasphemous harlot” he spat out brought his foot down on her stomach, his heel digging into her side. Groaning in pain she looked up at him. The look in his eyes told her that he intended on killing her. His neck stomp she felt a rib starting to snap, over and over he continued the assault.

“FOR THE BUILDERS SAKE” Markus cried, unable to bare this any longer. Dominic stopped and looked at his older brother, his eyes wild with animalistic anger.

“By the law you cannot kill your wife, no matter what she has done. We are not savages” Markus knew that if he tried to save his sister-in law he might get accused of the crime of adultery.

“At least banish her for her crimes against you” he pleaded his case. His words seemed to sober his brother up a bit. Dominic looked down at the bleeding woman at his feet and slid a bloodied hand through his black hair.

“You are right…as usual. Bundle her up and put her on my horse”he commanded giving a sidelong look at two of his brethren in arms. Sera felt herself lifted from the floor and carried out of the room before losing consciousness. In her passed out state she was wrapped in a blanket and placed onto the back of Dominic’s chargers.

Dominic felt numb as he started off toward the Southern Territory. Upon arriving he got off his horse and picked up the bleeding and battered body of his wife and laid her in the sand.

“You are nothing to me now. You might have been part of the protectors, but that no longer matters. You will die out here in the desert. This is your payment for your betrayal. “He said softly, bent over her. Standing up he once again mounted his horse and left her to die in the hot and dry conditions, not giving her a second thought.