The Wilting Ballad

12

"Kaionira!" The man in red called, balling something green in his hand. He strides up the stairs with the limping Shick, whose white shining raiment was all but tarnished.

Kaionira was looking paler than usual. She was toying with Baronn's head from atop her nail-crowned horse, poking the dead man's eye with a glorious dark staff she had conjured earlier. "Vanacius?"She hissed without raising her head.

"I've found it!" Vanacius announced, his commanding voice echoing through the withering forest. He held it out in his hands and it gleamed. A tiny green piece with old writing that translates to the letter 'W'. "The missing piece of Hal'odmrtyu. The thing that has withhold us from completing His will is now at our grasp." His raiment of crimson wafting as the wind arrives unannounced.

Tentoria gasp gleefully, jumping up and down, ever the while holding a shadow rope that have the two Shīzas tied with their backs against each other.

Shick giggles uncontrollably, wincing with every laugh. Laughs. Teeth clenched. Wince. Laughs. Teeth clenched. Wince. Laughs. Teeth clenched. Wince. This was a rhythm replayed since Xarabia called the roots of all the forest trees and caught him in between its clashes. He also found it extremely difficult to not laugh at himself for losing to a mere man. He curses and insults his weaknesses when Vanacius first set him free. But decided against cursing and insulting his good self, instead of giving in to laughter of mockery to satisfy his forgotten soul.

Vanacius looks disgusted slightly, "Ugh. Have your teeth fixed, Shick. It's sickening."

That remark appears to encourage Shick furthermore. Laughs. Teeth clenched. Wincing. Grinning. "Oh, I will. After I get my bonds fixed." He said, gaping in the direction of Tentoria. Rolling her eyes she gestures him to come.

"Where did you found it?" Asked Kaionira.

The others halt whatever it is they were doing and stare at their pale leader. Vanacius proudly held his head high, "There was this red turban thrown on the floor." He throws it down to the ground, "In the torture room. I pick it up and out it fell."

"He had that on his head. Wearing it." Said Shick, pointing at the turban. "The leader of the Shīza was wearing that before he fought me."

"Who killed him?" Kaionira asked.

"Killed himself." Said Vanacius, his respect for the Shīza was apparent. "He commits a sadvifer-emerot."

Kaionira was upset, she lay her hand at her horse's crown. The horse neigh, snorting angrily, then bought down its hooves to Baronn's head, breaking it, shattering his skull, spattering his brain on the earth. Shick laughs, as if he particularly enjoys watching that scene, then his rhythm resumes.

Kaionira pulled the reins and turned to face her partners. "How was it in the hands of a bloody Shīza? How did he acquire it?" She asked, none dare answers her, they were familiar with that tone. "Tentoria, how long until they're completely under your spell?" She asked once more, nodding towards Hermis and Alfaus.

"About the same time as the time, it takes to bleed a man to death after a single wrist is cut."

"Very good. Can you ride, Shick?" Kaionira asked again.

Shick responds with an aggressive nod with a wide grin spread across his face. "The gem, Kaionira?" Asked Vanacius, confused. "And what of the girl? He commands us to get her. What if we anger Him by letting her go."

"We have the piece to complete the Breath of Death, my friends. Should He still wishes for her after you hand Him the piece yourself..." Vanacius looked as if he could cry with pride, he held the broken stone closed to his vibrating heart, gripping it tightly in his hand. "Then we ride out again to get her." The others nodded in acquiescent.

"Summon your horses, friends! The Ill-Fated One awaits!" Shout Kaionira as loud as her throat allows her.