Forgotten Embers

Chapter 18: Next Time

Blackridge smiled as he gazed upon the astonished faces of his colleagues. 'And now the performance turns to me.'

Zephyr lunged forward. "Is that-"

"Blood," Blackridge proclaimed with a triumphant grin. "You see, Master Kallida, the arrow which hit the man wounded him severely. The shard which pierced him was covered in blood, and the man lost a lot of it. Had we pursued him, we would have run the risk of him dying, and he is far more valuable to us alive. Additionally, this blood sample can be scanned and referenced against our databanks so as to avail us to the identity of our mysterious visitor. This way, they won't know that we know who he is. We will be able to track and capture them all, rather than merely apprehending one of them. This is much bigger than an Armorial in a tree, Inquisitor. This is a matter of the future of this kingdom and its people, and that is why I prevented the advance."

"Well done, Lord Blackridge!" King Zephyr proclaimed from his place on the throne. "Yes, this may be just the opportunity. To think... after all this time... we may finally have them."

'Lord Blackridge, eh? Is that truly praise or is it merely a provocation?'

Kallida looked to the King before turning his attentions towards Blackridge. He glared at him with wild eyes, his sights focused on him intensely in a jealous rage as his body trembled. Blackridge smirked, returning Kallida's maddened gaze with a look of fierce determination while Zephyr reclined in his chair. The King smiled, flipping a coin between his fingers as he admired his work.

'It seems that Kallida's obstinance is not so easily forgotten as it might have appeared.'

"I am at your service, sir," Blackridge assured him without turning his eyes from Kallida. "Master Kallida, is there anything further?" Blackridge asked.

"Yes," Kallida responded grudgingly, "there is the matter of the girl."

"Say on," Blackridge invited.

"How could you say she's not one of them!" Kallida spat at him.

"Kallida, she doesn't know anything," Blackridge replied sharply.

He glanced towards Zephyr, looking for his approval. A fiendish grin covered the King's face with a look of amusement.

"Oh!" Kallida exploded, pointing a finger at Blackridge and starting a march towards him. "I'm sorry, Lord Blackridge! How foolish of me to have thought that if someone's father were found to be involved in conspiracy and espionage and then that certain individual should happen to disappear for days in the very same area where his conspirators are known to dwell, only to return wearing the very garments of those same conspirators, it might be that the person in question is guilty of treason, also, or at the very least able to supply us with some information regarding these enemies of the state!"

"Master Kallida, most parents don't involve their children when committing crimes against the state," Blackridge coolly corrected.

Kallida's eyes burned with rage and envy.

"Swords, gentlemen?" Zephyr smiled.

'Has Kallida truly gone so far as to offend him this badly or does he merely desire some entertainment? Surely, by now he knows I won't kill him. Still, I'd rather not...'

"At the ready, my Lord!" Kallida insisted, raising his hand to a guardsman who appeared beneath the balcony holding two swords in his hands. "Ready yourself, Lord Blackridge! Your kindness will be your undoing!"

'Well. I suppose I've no choice, then.'

Blackridge stretched forth his hand towards the guardsman, and the young man tossed both men their swords. Each apprehended the hilt with their palm and skillfully twirled the weapon into position.

"Kallida, you don't have to fight this," Blackridge pleaded calmly, as Kallida moved determinedly forwards.

"No, but I want to! You've had this coming to you far too long, Blackridge!"

Blackridge assumed a defensive position, "We'll see about that."

"Traitor!" Kallida shouted as he took a powerful first swing at Blackridge's head. A mighty clang rang out as Blackridge moved his sword to stay the attack, but Kallida continued to push, refusing to draw back his sword for another attack. Instead, the two men remained locked in place, their swords trembling with the sheer force of the continuing contact. "You're done," Kallida snarled as he pulled back for a fresh attack.

"Am I, though?" Blackridge replied with lighthearted banter, as he gracefully dodged Kallida's advances.

Kallida took another swing, and Blackridge skillfully supplied another dodge. The occasional clash of metal persisted throughout the next few minutes as Blackridge danced around his opponent with great agility and careful footing. Kallida was becoming noticeably off balance, taking rapid, powerful swings in all directions as Blackridge circled around, parrying his sword.

'Ah, Kallida... what hatred rules you. The more you strike, the more you lose control, and that same lack of discipline is what will cost you this engagement.'

"Welcome to Altruon, Blackridge, the land that you created! Tell me, is it everything you wanted?" Kallida demanded, continuing his furious swinging.

Blackridge found himself caught off guard. His mind raced with a thousand thoughts of past transgressions and the world as it had been. He was becoming uneasy. Distracted and off balance, he narrowly avoided the slashing of his competitor's sword. Kallida was forcing him back, pounding his sword with a quick series of crashing blows as he continued a powerful advance. Blackridge moved for a tactical retreat, but he misstepped, badly stumbling.

Kallida took full advantage of the opportunity to strike. "You are weak!" he cried out, lunging at Blackridge with a mighty thrust.

"No, you're wrong," Blackridge said, catching the guard of Kallida's saber with his blade and sending it flying with an effortless twist of his sword. "You never understood strength," he told him, knocking his opponent to the ground.

"Incredible," Avera breathed, impressed.

The disarmed Kallida fumbled to his feet again and scrambled to retrieve his weapon, but Blackridge pursued him, quickly pushing Kallida to the ground again, this time on his back with the shining tip of a sword at his throat.

Blackridge paused, looking to Zephyr. The King stood, watching him with express interest, his face no clue to his thoughts.

'I think he would actually be glad if I were to kill him... but I won't.'

Blackridge watched Kallida, staring down at him with great intensity as he kept the sword close to his neck. Kallida looked back at him, dark eyes still full of resentment and anger. There was silence in the room as all eyes watched them, waiting with anticipation of what would happen.

He turned again to address the King, his sword still at Kallida's throat. "I'd watch who you're promoting, Zephyr," he warned him, using the familiar address. "Men like this? They'll bring an end of you."

"Appreciated," Zephyr replied simply, addressing his Archmage with a brief nod.

Blackridge turned his attentions back to Kallida. "Next time," he warned him sternly, throwing his sword down forcefully beside the bested man.

'I hope that's enough to put an end to this for now.'

He turned to the men of the King's Court. "Well, gentlemen, I believe this hearing has concluded. Assuming you're all satisfied?" He scanned the room, his eyes meeting those of each of the members with silent warning. "Yes? Good," he said, turning his back to the balcony as he moved to exit.

"Blackridge!" Kallida called out after him. "You cannot avoid it forever, Blackridge. You will kill again. The blood on your hands is not enough!"

Blackridge came to a dead halt, closing his eyes, and breathed a heavy sigh, haunted by the memories of things he would have rather left undone and unconsidered.

Zephyr's words echoed in his head, "I've long forgotten your failure to kill him." He opened his eyes, seeking some distraction from his thoughts. 'Yes, well that you forgive me the failure, but how can I forgive myself the attempt?'

He continued on his way, giving no mind to Kallida, and pretended as if nothing had happened. "Avera," he said, coming to the girl, "you're free to go. Come with me. I'll show you the way."