Questing Sucks (Book 1) (28 page)

Patrick turned to him and met his gaze. Sehn’s heart beat faster at the sight of him. Patrick was almost always calm, collected, and when he walked he carried himself with a sophisticated stride. Now, the man who ruled a nation bore tears in his eyes, and gave Sehn a pleading look. No one had ever looked at Sehn with such longing.

“P-Patrick,” Sehn whispered, a foreign and odd feeling of concern washed over him. Even the Great Sehn couldn’t help but feel concern, not when the most noble of men looked upon him with such pleading and desperate eyes.

“Now that you know I’m a prince,” he whispered back. “You must have an idea of what that means. Sehn, I know you aren’t much one for Geography, but,” he paused for a moment. “I am in charge of bringing happiness to the lives of millions, Sehn. It is me they look to, not my father. I will be king someday, and already much responsibility has been deferred to me.”

“Patrick, I don’t understand, you’re rambling. Why do you have such an awful look on your face? It…bothers me.”

Another tear fell down the prince’s eyes, and Sehn grew even more uneasy. “Patrick! What is the matter with you?”

“Seven months ago, an army was formed,” Patrick continued. He didn’t look Sehn, or anyone else in the eyes. “An army greater than any this world has ever seen, an army so large that when they march the earth trembles. And this army, they have marched against my people. They come into our homes, they slaughter our children, and they burn the rest to the ground. At first it was just the outlying villages, but now they have taken their first city. Sehn, even with the combined might of all the Elven, Dwarven, and Human forces in the world, all of this would still not be enough to stop them. This army, they’re marching on our capital city. They will eliminate all of my kind, and then they will come for yours, as well.”

Sehn tried to gather his thoughts, but the man’s claims were too hard to believe. “You must be mistaken, Patrick. No one would simply slaughter an entire village, that’s ridiculous.”

“It is true,” princess Saerina said, wearing her sharpest gaze. “They leave none alive, from the oldest man to the youngest child.”

Sehn grabbed Patrick by the shirt, unable to control his growing rage. Patrick didn’t resist. “Then why are we hunting for some ridiculous treasure!” he shouted. “You have us going after fortunes, and your fucking homes are being burned to the ground!”

Patrick wept, and it was a deeply shocking sight. Tears fell off of his face, splashing on the grass. His eyes were downcast, in what was the weakest state that Sehn had ever seen the man. “There is no treasure, Sehn. I lied to you, we all lied to you. There is only a weapon, a weapon that we need you to get for us. Without this, we don’t even have a damned chance!”

Sehn threw the man to the ground in a rage, causing Rillith and Daniel to draw their swords. Sehn felt the anger take over him, drowning out rational thought. “Do you mean to tell me you dragged me all the way out here on a fucking lie? What am I doing here, then? Dammit all, Patrick! Nero, Rina, even Cah’lia, do you know the risk you’ve caused to their lives, and all for no reason?”

Patrick signaled, and his two men put their weapons away. He didn’t stand back to his feet, however. More tears fell from his eyes, and he pleaded. The prince of a nation was now groveling before Sehn. This would normally be something that Sehn would bask in, but at the moment all he felt was a deep concern, and a liquid rage.

“You don’t understand,” Patrick pleaded. “It’s not for no reason. Sehn, no one can get this weapon but you. If it were possible, I’d never have bothered you. That’s why Cah’lia has been so—”

“Enough!” Saerina shouted. “You’ve told him enough, Patrick, let me do the speaking from here.” Rillith and Daniel glared at her, and Sehn knew why. The Elven princess was speaking to their Lord in a demanding tone.

“You were born with a gift, Sehn. A gift that—”

“No shit,” he interrupted. “I was born with a lot of gifts, but that doesn’t—”

Sehn was silenced, Saerina’s hand slapping across his face, causing Sehn to hear a ringing in his ears. “Let me finish speaking, you fool. Look behind you, at the boy playing with the toy you bought him, and the little girl he’s playing with. Nero, Rina, names I know you hold dear to you. We hear you shout them in your nightmares, fearing for their lives.”

Sehn stuck his tongue out. “Not true!”

“Deny it all you want,” Saerina continued. “But hear me on this. If we do not stop this army, then Nero and Rina will be slaughtered, in the most gruesome and horrible ways imaginable. I know you don’t believe what we’re telling you, but look in my eyes and see for yourself. There is no deceit. Sehn, you’re the only one able to retrieve this weapon. I swear it to you. I swear it on the Kingdom of the Elven people!”

Sehn was taken aback. The woman wouldn’t claim such a thing unless she was positive she spoke only truth. Sehn looked behind him, to where Nero and Rina were running around playing with the Dwarven throw and catch. Nero laughed, tackling Rina to the ground. They rolled around, before separating and shouting at each other to hurry up and throw the ball.

“You are telling the truth?” Sehn asked to Patrick, standing back on his feet.

“I swear it to you,” Patrick said. “Everything that we value, everything that we hold dear, right now there is a man both capable and willing to take all of it away from us. Unless you get me the weapon, which is the one thing that exists in this world able to stop him, Nero and Rina will not live to grow into a young man and woman.”

Sehn didn’t understand much of the situation, there was still such a great deal he didn’t know. Yet, Sehn hated learning, he hated dwelling on things. As far as he was concerned, he’d heard enough. “Fine,” Sehn spat. “I’ll get the damned weapon, but only because it sounds powerful, and I plan on using it to destroy the world and end all of your lives.”

Patrick shed one final tear, before wiping his eyes. His expression filled with gratitude. Sehn felt tightness form around his hand, and looked to see Cah’lia gripping it, leaning her head on his shoulder. He’d punish her for it later, but for now he decided to let her be. “Thank you,” Patrick said. “Now listen, I know very little of magic, but from what Saerina has told us it seems the leader of this army knows what you can do. If these men see you, even for a moment, then he’ll change the army’s course and come straight for you. Apparently this man can see everything that is happening from the eyes of his men, even if they are slain. Did I get that right, princess Saerina?”

“You did,” she said.

“You need to hide, Sehn.”

“That is the one thing I won’t do. I won’t hide from anyone.”

Cah’lia pulled him toward her, and forced him to meet her gaze. Sehn tried to avoid looking at her, because he knew that if he met her eyes, he wouldn’t be able to look away. Lately it seemed that she was growing some form of power over him, something Sehn didn’t fully understand. It was those eyes of hers—those beautiful knowing eyes that he wished to drink in for all eternity.

Gah!
Sehn thought.
Did I really just think that? I must be going mad!

“
Just this once,” Cah’lia said. “Do it for me, Sehn. Come on.” She grabbed his hand, holding it in gentle fingers. She led him away, and for some reason Sehn did not fight back.

Chapter 29: Pieces

 

The earth rumbled, and the fifty horsemen closed in on them. Their armor was black, enough so that the sun didn’t seem to touch it. Patrick turned to Prince Saerith, and made their final plans. Patrick was now certain he was going to die.

“All that matters,” Patrick said. “Is that Sehn and the children make it out alive. We need to try and distract them for as long as we’re able, during which Cah’lia will lead them away.”

Saerith nodded. “I agree, though I must admit I was hoping to continue living a little longer. Ah well,” he said drawing his weapon. “That woman, Cah’lia, she is strong. She’ll find a way to do what must be done. I have faith in her.”

Rillith and Daniel had their swords drawn as well. Facing such assured death, all formality had gone out of the window, and so Patrick decided to make his last moments with the prince personal. “There was one thing you didn’t lie to Sehn about,” Patrick said. “Of that I’m sure.”

“Oh? And what is that, my good…no, my Human-buddy, as Sehn would call you. What good does formality do us now?”

Patrick barked a laugh, a powerful guffaw in the face of death. “Your point is taken, Saerith, well said. As for the thing you lied about, well, you really do love the girl, don’t you? I know now that you’d never snatch her away from him, perhaps not even after he dies. But, that doesn’t change the way you feel, does it?”

At first the prince looked shocked at the accusation, his face lighting up in outrage, but then he looked on at the grass being flattened from the horses closing in on them, he only smiled. “It’s true, Patrick. What good does lying about it do me now? Cah’lia is the most beautiful, wonderful, and kind woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. Yet, despite her kindness she is strong, bold, and adventurous. I’d cut my heart out and give it to her if she asked. Though, I have a feeling these men are about to take it.”

Ignoring all formality, Patrick clasped a hand on his shoulder. “It’s amazing, isn’t it? Two of the most powerful men in the world, gathered in the most beautiful place in the world, about to die for the noblest cause in the world.”

Saerith laughed, and gave Patrick a pat on the back. “Indeed,” he said. “The things men must do for their people.”

Cah’lia had led Sehn, Nero, and Rina, behind a hot spring not far behind them. The steam and rocks in the area would keep them hidden, and Patrick was sure Cah’lia knew what she’d risk if she allowed Sehn to die.

Princess Saerina seemed unworried, polishing her finger nails and even tilting her head back to yawn. “Your sister seems at ease,” Patrick said. “I wonder why.”

The prince shrugged. “She’s always been an odd one, my sister, but I know for certain she doesn’t fear death. This is how I’d expect her to act.”

“She’s got courage, she does,” Rillith said. He too had only the smallest glint of fear in his eyes, prepared to die to save his world. Daniel nodded, and smiled at her.

Saerina spoke—it was the first words she’d said in some time. “Who needs courage, when we aren’t going to die?”

Daniel glared at her. “Now is not the time to give us false hope, princess. Do you see what comes towards us? We’re as good as dead.”

Saerina shrugged, and continued to polish her nails. The rumbling grew louder, and pretty soon Patrick was able to make out their individual faces. They were a disgusting lot, with decaying teeth and unkempt hair. All except the leader riding up front, he held a certain charismatic charm. He had neat brown hair, and a boyish face with fair skin. His body was muscular, and hanging around his neck and over his black armor—almost difficult to see through the contrasting darkness—was a ruby pendant.

The men pulled up, and surrounded them. No matter what happened, no matter what devilish tortures they were put through, it was agreed that no one would leak any information, neither about Sehn’s presence among them, nor Patrick, Saerina, and Saerith’s nobility.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” The leader asked dismounting. He removed his head-gear and held it under his arms. All fifty of his men followed, causing a loud banging sound as dozens of armored feet hit the ground at once.

Rillith stepped forward. “We are just travelers, my Lord, passing through Kingdom land in search of fortune. We mean you and yours no trouble, and hope only to pass in peace.”

“Peace?” the man asked. He looked confused, like he’d never heard the word before. “That’s interesting, if not a little expected. I take it you’re the leader, then?”

They had all agreed that Rillith was to play the role of the leader, in an attempt to divert any possible suspicion as to Patrick’s true nature. Even if they didn’t know about Sehn’s presence among them, the wretched man that led the army would surely take notice of an Elven and Human prince traveling together, and perhaps start to wonder. No, that would not be good.

“Aye, sir, I lead this small group. We are on our way to the city of Hahl, and mean you no harm.” Rillith spoke slowly, with a very quiet voice, often being asked to repeat things. Patrick knew without a doubt they were going to be slaughtered and looted, and it was torture to prolong the inevitable, but he needed to buy Cah’lia as much time as he could. Every minute or so steam would rise from a big puff of smoke from the hot springs. During that time, Cah’lia would lead Sehn and the children to a boulder or something to hide behind a little farther out. It was slow, but it was the only safe way of traveling.

“I think he be telling the truths, I do,” said one of the soldiers closest to their leader. The soldiers were now spread out in a circle around Patrick’s group. They were completely surrounded, buried between a sea of black-armored men. Patrick hoped they wouldn’t be tortured.

Princess Saerina stepped forward, and began to pace around the circle of men, receiving questioning glances not just from the soldiers, but from Patrick’s men and Prince Saerith. “Sister,” Saerith hissed. “What are you doing?”

She paced around the circle once, and then paused when she’d come to the point she started, behind Patrick. She walked up to the closest soldier, and ran a seductive finger down his armor. “Well now, look at me, boys!” the soldier cheered. “I told you lots I was popular with the lady-folk. Ain’t this the hottest Elven wench you ever seen?”

The other soldiers all cheered, and the leader seemed unconcerned. “Does she wish to whore herself in return for her life? I’ve no problem with that, if such is the case. As long as she understands that the needs of Lelinas comes first.”

Without turning, Saerina spoke to the leader behind her, situated in front of Patrick. She did not take her eyes off the solider she’d been staring at. “Lelinas is your name?” she asked. “Good to know.”

She continued to run a finger along the solider, the man’s eyes filling with lust. Then she began to hum.
“Oh poor creature born in strife, thou throat has come, to meet mine knife. May you wed death, make her mind wife, and find in her, what you couldn’t in life.”

There was laughter from all around, several of the men even stopping to applaud. “Beautifully spoken,” their leader, Lelinas said clapping. “You, Rillith, is this woman mad?”

Rillith looked around, not knowing how to answer. Patrick whispered into Saerith’s ear. “
What in the gods is your sister doing
?”

“I’ve no idea,”
Saerith whispered back,
“by my best guess she’s pretending to be mad to stall for time, perhaps entertain them.”

Of course,
Patrick thought to himself.
That makes perfect sense, what a brilliant tactic.

Saerina went to the next man in the group, and then the one after that, each time repeating out loud the same phrase. “Oh poor creature born in strife, thou throat has come, to meet mine knife. May you wed death, make her mine wife, and find in her, what you couldn’t in life.”

When she arrived at one soldier, now to the left of Patrick and a quarter-way through the circle of men, he shouted at her. “How about you take some of those fancy clothes off, my Elven sweetie?”

Saerina looked at him with sadness in her eyes. “If that is what you’d like, then sure.”

Even Patrick gasped, when she dropped her garments to stand before all of them naked. Saerith’s jaw dropped. “Sister, are you nuts!” he looked at Patrick. “Maybe she has gone mad.” All around the soldiers began cheering, throwing their arms up and howling in victory and applause.

Saerina spoke to the solider, her eyes mixed with sadness and comfort. “If this is what you wish to see, then how could I refuse? It’s the least I can do, considering what I am taking from you. Oh poor creature born in strife, thou throat has come, to meet thy knife. May you wed death, make her mine wife, and find in her, what you couldn’t in life.”

She made her way to the front of the circle, naked as the day she was born. “How about a kiss, baby?” he asked. Again she surprised them all, pulling the man in and kissing him with passion on the lips. Patrick didn’t know what to think at this point. He knew they needed to stall for time, but this was too much indignity, even Saerith seemed to agree. The poor man looked to be dancing on his feet with impatience.

Finally, Saerina completed the circle, having spoken to each one of the men. She came to stand beside Patrick’s group, and raised her voice for all to hear. “I have wished all of you the best, and I have prayed that you may all have safe passage to whatever lies next. Know that I offer you my humblest apologies.”

They all began to laugh again. “She’s gone mad!” one shouted. “The sexiest madwoman I’ve ever seen, though,” another cheered.

Lelinas clapped his hands twice, and in an instant all fell silent. “Boys, we’ve had our fun, but now it’s really time to be killing this lot and moving on. Sorry dear, I was kidding about taking you as a slave. We’re not permitted such luxuries.”

There were groans from around the circle, the soldiers all moaning in protest. “Now, now,” Lelinas said holding out a silencing hand. “I’ll still let you have your fun with her before you kill her, but there will be no survivors, understood?”

The cheers resumed, and the men draw their swords. “Wait!” Saerina shouted, command in her voice. “There’s one more thing I want to show you.”

They all paused to look at the naked Elven woman, even Lelinas. “I have one last thing to say to you all. When death asks you if I was fair, please remember to tell her that I gave you my most heartfelt words of parting, understand?”

They all looked around and laughed, in what Patrick assumed to be mockery of the woman they presumed mad. princess Saerina raised her left hand above her head, and tilted her head to the sky. In a thunderous voice that rivaled any Patrick had ever heard, Saerina opened her mouth and screamed into the cloudless sky.
“SELLOS RAHL!”

It happened too fast, far too fast for Patrick to follow. One moment the princess was shouting her spell, the one she’d used to cut down the tree in the
Jinkar
forests, and the next Patrick was seeing red, his eyes covered in blood.

Did I die?
Patrick wondered.

He wiped his face to clear his vision, and realized the blood was not his own. There were pained cries shouted from men all around him, their bodies were being split in half at various locations. A one-eyed man in front of Patrick seemed to explode from the inside, his stomach ripping apart from the center, emptying out his guts and intestines.