The Realmsic Conquest: The Hero of Legend - Book 1 [2015 Watty Award Winner]

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Seku knew how to move undetected. He had cultivated mannerisms that allowed him to go as unnoticed as an ant crawling on the ground. Now, from a secluded section of the castle's dungeon level, he quietly observed the military patrols until he spotted the person he'd been waiting for.

"Pssst. Igthu, over here!" Seku hissed at a young soldier who strutted past.

"There you are! I've been looking all over for you," Igthu exclaimed.

Seku greeted him with a secret handshake, the same one he'd used since the youth was a small child. "How's your patrol going?"

"Fine," Igthu replied.

"Well, have you been taking care of yourself?" Seku's tone was fatherly.

"I always do." Igthu's hair was a stringy, straggly auburn, and his eyes were dark, yet sharp. Seku tilted his head from side to side observing his features. "You're a lot paler than you usually are," he stated.

Igthu rolled his eyes. "It's from spending weeks at a time confined here in the castle."

Seku could detect a hint of hostility in his voice. "Look, I know I haven't been around much to check on you."

Igthu shrugged. "I do fine around here on my own."

"I've no doubt," Seku replied. Igthu possessed an independent spirit and largely took care of himself. Seku first met him years ago living as a runaway in Zuleese, a Western Nation city. Since then, Seku had kept a close eye on him, never challenging his independence, but giving him guidance when necessary.

"How have things been for you and the other soldiers?"

Igthu sighed. "It's slow most days. Pretty much the same boring routine: dungeon patrols, sharpening swords, and polishing helmets."

He suddenly leaned in closer to Seku. "But I hear that's all about to change," he whispered. "I hear the Warlord isn't done conquering yet. I hope not. I'm really looking to see some action!"

Now Seku rolled his eyes. Although Igthu was seventeen, he was as strong as an adult and was ready to experience combat. "You sound like so many kids your age. Restless."

"Well, there must be some merit to the rumor," Igthu said. "I mean, you're certainly being kept busy these days."

Seku couldn't argue against the logic. Igthu knew he reported directly to Damian, and the fact he hadn't been around seemed to confirm the young man's suspicions.

"What have you been up to?" Igthu inquired.

"You know I can't tell you specifically."

"Right!" Igthu clapped a hand to his forehead. "I forgot. There's a lot of secrecy involved in being the Warlord's snitch."

"Don't call me that!" Seku snapped. "My duty is to maintain order within our ranks, and that entails providing pertinent information."

"Sure," Igthu said.

Seku's face reddened. "The Warlord holds me in high regard!" he stated in a slightly raised voice. "As a favor to me, he's kept you out of the infantry ranks and placed you in a position where you'd be safe."

Now Igthu became angry.

"As a favor to you, he's denied me of my glory!"

"There's no glory being cleaved in a field, Igthu. And a Crucifer's blast would cook you alive. Your skin would blacken where you stood. I've seen it!" The sudden reverberation of his voice in the dungeon hall jarred him. He quieted his tone, reminding himself that Igthu was still young.

"Look, I didn't come down here to argue with you," he said. "I worry about you, is all. You're like a son to me, or at least as frustrating as one your age would be."

Igthu stifled a chuckle.

Seku palmed the back of his head as he brought him closer. "I came down here to check on you because, right now, I don't know what's going on."

"But you always know what's going on."

"Not this time," Seku whispered. "The picture doesn't seem to be matching the message."

"Huh?" Igthu's brow wrinkled.

"It's hard for me to explain right now. The Warlord ingrains in us that we're fighting for good and for freedom from magic. I thought that once we conquered the kingdom, it'd be the end of tyranny. But all I've seen since we've arrived here is more pain and suffering. It ... it just doesn't make sense to me."

"You need to stop talking like that and keep your thoughts to yourself," Igthu warned. "You remember what happened to the men who spoke out of turn. What were their names?"

"Cail, Tam, and Reeze." Seku's jaw tightened with the anguish of the memory. "No one has seen them since. I can only imagine what horrible fate found them. I still regret turning them in."

Igthu lowered his gaze as Seku continued. "Perhaps I'm just jumping to false conclusions about this whole bad feeling thing."

"I don't know," Igthu said. He suddenly looked over his shoulder upon hearing approaching voices. "Sorry, Seku. I have to get back to my patrol. But, trust your instincts. If you're sensing something's there, then perhaps something is. Otherwise, you wouldn't be this worked up."

"That's strong advice," Seku said checking that the coast was clear. "Go ahead, finish your patrol. I'll check in on you in a week or so. In the meantime, just keep your head down and take care of yourself."

Igthu smiled, "Like I said before, I always do."  

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