A Fool's Blade

Chapter 49 - Delvin's Answer

Warning: This chapter is kind of dark.

"Why am I not surprised to learn Cicero is alive?"

"Yeah...about that..."

Nazir held up a hand, "I still can't stomach the little clown, but if you've welcomed him here, I won't question it. Anyways, I believe he's brought back a guest that's waiting to see you."

"I'll go a head. You go get Babette."

Nazir nodded to her as she turned down the hall, halting in the room where she had originally found Cicero.

By the gods... you! Out of all the people that survived-! You... Yeaaaahhhh!" The prisoner lunged forward, only to be stopped by his restraints. The chains that bound him, clanked together as they pulled him back. His eyes were no longer red and puffy from crying, instead they had become bloodshot with fury.

"You should have known better than to leave the duty of killing me to a few rookie soldiers, Maro."

He responded with a low growl.

"This is twice now that you are responsible for the deaths of my family. I think you deserve to feel what that's like." Slowly she raised her hands, the purple light within them growing. Roots crept there way around Maro's body, the sharp extentions piercing his skin, drawing nutrients from his blood. Purple petals began to form growing larger as Jade thought of each member of the Brotherhood.

Festus's limp body hanging from the tree, impaled with arrows. Arnbjorn, killed infront of me by six of his men. Liz and Gabriella, bodies already burning by the time I arrived. Nazir, finally doing something other than scarfing down bread at the dinner table, because he was being attacked. Veezara...the plant grew larger as she though of Veezara. The roots pressing deeper towards his heart. Veezara was trapped under rocks and burned to death. "I'll never forget. I'll never forget what you did to them!" She shouted at Maro, deathbelle spouting quickly, slowly choking the man.

Astrid...by Sithis...Astrid...the light in her hands began to fade. I killed Astrid...and Narfi, and Beitild, and Ennodius Papius, Lurbuk, Deekus, Ma'randru-jo, Anoriath, Agnis, Maluril, Helvard, The Gourmet, Vittoria Vici, the Emperor, Gaius...15...by the gods...what have I done? The light in her hands faded away as did the deathbelle growing on Maro. She turned her back to him, and looked towards Nazir and Babette. She said, "He's all yours," and left the Sanctuary.