Iron of the Innocent: Mistress of Agony (Vol 2)

Chapter 22: Vanished

274 I.C.
Sacren
Solorn Kingdom
Solorn Province
The Ruins of Cuthras

The person sitting in the front row rose and turned toward Dreydan, Bethahna, and Reasha. Clothed in a long, white cloak, the figure looked up at the three visitors. However, a hood obscured the face. Beneath the cloak, the person wore a multilayered, long sleeved, light tan tunic with a white center, tan colored pants, and soft, light brown boots. In one arm, the person held a gray colored cat with dark gray stripes. The unexpected inhabitant of the sanctuary gently petted the feline's head with slow, light touches. The cat's dark yellow eyes turned toward the visitors.

Moving with a graceful stride, the person walked to the center aisle and slowly ascended the steps to where the three waited. As the person approached, Dreydan could tell the person was very tall, and from the body shape, he determined it was a man. Dreydan's hand went to his sword hilt as the man approached, but Bethahna rested her fingers on his forearm.

"Don't worry," she said softly looking up into his eyes.

"Welcome," the man said as he drew near, stopping within several steps of the visitors. His voice was deep and powerful, and despite his lower position on the risers his height brought his head level with their own.

He gently lowered the cat to the sitting area to his right. "This is Winter," he said petting her once more before straightening back up. The cat looked up at the man and gave him a meow of discontent. She did not like the loss of her comfortable perch in his arm. Nevertheless, Winter sat down on the stone and looked at the visitors for a few seconds before licking a paw. "Like you, she just recently arrived," he said as his hands lifted to his hood and pulled it back.

"Hello," Bethahna said, but if there were more words, they were lost when he revealed his face.

The man's long, pure white hair was drawn back into a tie at the base of his skull, and long locks were braided, streaming along the sides. The irises of his slit pupiled eyes appeared to be a metallic silver color, and his pale, unblemished skin looked carved from white stone. Sharp bones lay beneath his flesh, and when he talked, his skin revealed white, reptilian scales that disappeared once more when undisturbed on his hairless face. The man's presence felt overwhelming. Deep down, a part of each of the visitors wanted to turn and run, yet a comforting peace flowed from the man keeping them there.

Bethahna bowed before the man, "Thank you for allowing us entrance," she said.

"You are welcome in this place," he said in reply, bowing in turn. "I have been aware of your presence since you entered Cuthras." He paused as Bethahna came up out of her courteous bow. He stayed bowed for a moment longer, never losing eye contact. Returning to his normal stance, he continued. "And I have been in anticipation of your arrival."

"My name is Bethahna Linthel, paladin of Iethis," she said, "and these are two of my companions. Dreydan Ruin and Reasha Goldhammer."

"The one who walks across time," the man said nodding slightly. He looked at the other two, holding their gaze before returning his attention to Bethahna. "In your tongue, you may call me Thohlos."

"Walk across time?" Reasha questioned with confusion playing across her face, peering up at Bethahna.

"That is correct," Bethahna said, giving Reasha her attention. "A long, unexpected story, which I will tell when we get a chance."

Reasha pursed her pink lips slightly, considering the information. "I hope so," she said softly as the man continued speaking.

"I have kept this sanctuary safe for a time," he said, "and now I return it to you..." The man's gaze turned toward Dreydan. "To a son who has descended from Hendril Ruin. A man who walked in the paths of the creator, whose heart found the light. He demonstrated unyielding faith, and he was the lord of this place."