Hot Blooded Obsession

Chapter 4: Kael the Ravager

Eira’s POV:



"What is your name?" he asked, his voice deep, as he carried the small pot of boiling water inside with his bare hands. Jeez, this guy has a high heat tolerance, I thought.

"Wait, let me put something underneath, so it doesn't scorch the wood," I said, and he lifted it again. I placed a thick clay plate down and instructed him to put the pot on top. I needed to be careful with this part; if I added too much hot water to my dry mixture, the potency would diminish, and it wouldn't work.

"Eira," I told him, focusing on scooping the hot water, blowing on it, then gently adding small streams to a smaller vessel. I stirred the dry herbs into it until the vessel was full. Mashed Gloomcoil berries, Wretch's Sting herb, honey, and water. Nicely done!

"Eira... interesting." He mused. "Where do you hail from, Eira?" he inquired, settling onto the table. Now he asks? Seriously! Fine, what does it matter? I'll be rid of him soon enough. I sighed, a scoff escaping me. "Believe me, I wish I knew!" I said with a bitter edge. He leaned forward, arms resting on his knees, watching my hands. He frowned, glancing at my face. "You don't know?"

I secured the cork on the small bottle and began to shake it vigorously. "No, I don't, but I hope to... very soon," I replied, my voice dropping on the last words. I moved to sit beside him, the bottle still in my hand. "Alright, my mighty and patient mercenary," I addressed him. "I'm done with the mixing, but there's one final step: my promised service." "I will enhance this herb, making it far more potent than it currently is." I closed my eyes, holding the bottle close. My antlers emerged, faintly glowing, and symbols ignited around us, charging the air with electricity. When I opened my eyes, his gaze was fixed on me, then shifted to the bottle in awe. "It's changed color..." he whispered, captivated. The light faded, and my antlers receded. I opened my eyes, looking at the now-transformed bottle.

"Yes!" I declared with a triumphant smile. "It's at its absolute strongest, most potent." I unstoppered the bottle and extended it to him. "Drink," I urged.

He accepted the bottle, his eyes narrowing before he sniffed its contents. I held my breath, anticipating his agonizing collapse. Instead, with a casual shrug, he downed the entire mixture! My jaw dropped. The overwhelming bitterness should have been unbearable; I'd expected a mere taste. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, then calmly rose and began to pace.

"The taste... it's familiar," he murmured, his hand touching his chin as he looked around, pondering. "Ahh! Wretchwort and Gloomcoil berries!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide and a smirk spreading across his face. "I was weaned on these."

My face drained of color. "Oh..." I whispered, utterly defeated.

"Well, I don't feel any different?" he remarked gruffly. "I simply feel..." His words began to slur. He stumbled backward. "I cannot see..." he mumbled, before crashing to the floor.

It actually worked! I thought, incredulous. I rose slowly, approaching his utterly still figure. "K-Kael? Mercenary?" I murmured. He remained completely unresponsive. I jumped, laughing, clapping my hands. "Hah!" I cackled, feeling a surge of pure elation. "That's what you get! Time for me to earn coin again. Farewell, my formidable brute! I'm off to find that necromancer and, at long last, make my way home," I declared, liberated from this man's grasp.

My triumphant gaze lingered on him, then a flicker of guilt pricked me. "One last departing gift." I leaned down and kissed him, sucking lightly on his lower lip. "There, my final service to you," I whispered.

Gathering my belongings swiftly, I prepared to leave. Just before exiting, I paused, eyeing his horse. Should I take him? "Flint?" I called softly. He neighed in response, but shook his head when I reached for his reins. "Oh, fine! I was offering you freedom, too. Remain loyal to your master then," I grumbled, annoyed.

Now, my priority was returning to that Kingdom, acquiring coin swiftly, and making my way to Aetheria—the rumored location of the necromancer. I needed enough for travel and for his services. I had to move fast, I told myself, grabbing the apothecary bag and a piece of cooked Nightweaver's leg from the night before, planning to eat it en route back to The Whispering Nook Brothel, hoping to reclaim my lost funds.

1 hour later

The Mercenary Kael POV:

I groaned awake, feeling groggy. "That wretch..." I mumbled sleepily. "Did she... drug me?" I'd slept well, but then a burp escaped me. "I feel as though my stomach got punched." I'd consumed these herbs many times, but she'd amplified it. Whatever she did, it knocked me out for a while. Still dazed, I stumbled to the well for water, shaking my head to rouse myself. Finally, I drew water, dunked my face in, and drank deeply.

Holding the bucket, I chugged as much as possible. Face still dripping, I grabbed my bag and sword, then secured the saddle on Flint. Mounting him, I turned in her direction. I sniffed the air, still dripping, then abruptly steered Flint toward her. Back to the Kingdom where I'd taken her, back to Riverrock Kingdom. "Yah!" I growled, urging Flint to gallop quickly toward her. When I saw her, I'd take her right there! I didn't care where she was— the public square, relieving herself, or dining at The Hearthstone Inn—I'd ravage her right then and there! I thought, my purpose enraged as I moved swiftly with Flint. "They don't call me Kael, the Ravager for nothing," I grinned wickedly.