|| The Chaos Mage ||

Chapter 4 - Kismet

A/n: Image above: Cinis

Zarek, Affiliation: Edotaria

Ketean Forest, Affiliation: None

Zarek could practically taste the taint of magic the second he stepped through the portal. It was palpable in the air, a thick swirling miasma which tickled the back of his throat and popped in his ears. This most certainly was not the first time he'd hunted witches, in fact he was quite seasoned in the matter. But the clarity in which he could sense the magic had never before been so clear.

As much as he despised killing, especially under his father's orders, he held a certain regard for the thrill of battle with particularly powerful opponents, like witches. And if he was guessing correctly, this one seemed to have quite a skill in chaos magic. 

Chaos magic; not much was known about it. Just that it was dangerous and unpredictable, yes, Zarek was going to enjoy this hunt. He could play the perfect soldier if it meant he could sharpen his skills further.

But he hated nothing more then unnecessary murder.

Maybe this one would be different.

Maybe this one would kill him instead.

"Sir!" a soldier barks, interrupting him from his train of thoughts. "We have just received reports from the local military. There's no way the witch has left the forest, we have troops patrolling the border. All that's left is to find it."

"And have they found them yet?"

The soldier grimaced apologetically. "They claim to have searched the entire place, but found no sign." 

The prince sighed in exasperation. "My father really should put more funds toward training soldiers in the outer-territories." He mused, more to himself then the other. "Remind me, how many dead?"

"Six, and thirty-seven all put out of action due to similar wounds."

The prince scoffed, making a mental note to bring this up with his older sister Critch, the future royal advisor, at a later date. 

"Tell the Keteans not to engage with the sorcerer unless absolutely necessary. Have them all on border patrol. I want our party from Sinistra backing me up from the rear." He ordered sternly. No more people were dying today. Except perhaps the witch. He gently seized his horse Cinis' reins from the soldier holding them, and mounted his steed.

He steered Cinis toward the last place the witch had said to have been seen, where a soldier chasing them had been severely wounded, falling from his own horse. Cinis stretched his strong limbs beneath the prince, seeming almost as enthusiastic as his rider was. Zarek chuckled fondly, patting the grey of the creature's neck fondly. The horse snorted his reply. Zarek imagined if the beast was human he'd be saying something witty or sarcastic.

They arrived in the area and Zarek couldn't help but let out another irritated sigh. It was clear tracking this witch would be difficult. The soldiers had obviously been stomping around in the bracken in search of the sorcerer, and now any tiny clues like a snapped twig or scuffle of dirt could just have as easily been an Edotarian.

His men from Sinistrum following seemed to also realise the issue. 

"We'll have to do this the old fashioned way, I suppose-"

Cinis began walking forward without command and the prince paused in surprise. His horse had been trained to absolute perfection, this was quite out of character. He then noticed how Cinis' ear were swivelled forward, paying attention to something not much further into the trees. He followed the horse's gaze to something glinting in the distance. Zarek recalled such colours from somewhere before, and so encouraged his horse forward.