A Shield of Faith (BOOK 4)

Chapter 50

KEMAL

"Greetings, Kem,

I wish I had better news of your Trainee, I really do — now, more than ever, I feel a sense of guilt, of responsibility for what happened. I know you, so I shall not hold it any longer.

Kayal is dead.

He was given a proper Storm Warden send-off and his crescent blade cast into the volcanic forge. He was interred in the crypts, safe from harm or disruption so he may find the peace he could not find in life.

I'm so sorry. I know you would tell me that what happened was not in my control, that Kayal, and all the other Trainees knew what they were walking into. Told over and over as we were — that if they had any doubts, none would judge them for turning away from this life. I wish I could say he did not suffer long, but that would be a lie.

Fenrer revealed the truth in an Auric Trance, and Kemal, I beseech you to continue work on finding this damned cult before they take any more lives and spread more blood. There is something wrong happening in Elvkana. Something wrong and rotting the ground out from underneath us. Now, more than ever, we must find the truth so Kayal's, and all the other missing Warden's sacrifice wasn't for nothing. I shall be returning soon enough after setting up an outpost in Irimount.

I suppose I should at least share the next bit of news.

Yuven survived.

It is strange how life continues to show its cycle. For a death, there is life... would that it did not happen to two children who didn't deserve it. Yes, I know Kayal was in his twenties, capable of making his own informed choices... but Kem... I live two centuries. That is a child to me, even if the Avaerilian lifespan is so different from yours. Even as a Storm Warden... he still had so much life.

I have started to question how many times my heart can break... if I can even take it anymore.

I hope you are taking due caution. You must be, as our Oathbound connection remains unchanged, but I still have that constant fear. I do not like being powerless to prevent someone's death. Take care of your Trainees... send them home. We need to get to work when I return, and I refuse to let the cult escape my grip when we are so close to the answer they've been trying to hide in Obscura Texts.

~ Neven Lotayrin."

He kept his thumb pressed against the letter as he stood in the damp dome with the Obscura Text which drove Neven out of his own mind. Yet he still lacked the temptation to dig himself into it with the same stubborn viciousness Neven showed when he tried to pull him out of its crimson clutches. So... that's how it is. He put his knuckles against his hips, tightening his grip on the thick parchment of Neven's tearful words and wavering conviction. It must be bad to cause you to doubt so much. Over the stones, he came closer to the magick bubble which contained the Obscura Text from outside and inside influence. In the darkness, a starry connection rippled from his soul and dissipated into the crushing atmosphere ahead. Nev... we are going to solve this. That is the oath we swore... to protect, no matter the cost. No victory without sacrifice.

He snapped his fingers and the barrier dissipated back into the air. The Obscura Text continued to spin in lazy, slow circles. I know I will not get a straight answer from you, but I am also not against keeping you handy. You have knowledge, I can accept this, you just refuse to show it. You drive people mad when they dig too deep. You leave Aurus to try and decipher whatever aura you extrude, often leaving them in a long daze. You haven't dealt with me. Kemal took it into both his hands. Its spine rippled when he brushed his thumb through the tiny tendrils. "What did you show my Oathbound?" He switched his grip onto the supple black cover. "What did you show him that almost drove him out of his mind?"