A Broken Man

Chapter 1: The High Priest

A boat drift on the ocean, coming from the large state of O'Khastic, one of the most powerful kingdoms in this world. On it were at least four guards, staring off into the distance in the front of the boat was the man they were escorting, he was the High Priest of the region, and everyone both respect and feared the man. His name was Zane Ro'maeve, one of the most powerful men that is living. His long, black hair covered half of his face and he wore a mask that covered the lower half of his face, the only thing you could see clearly was his left, pale blue eye. A guard came over to him for a report.

The Guard: " We are almost there, Sir. We should be there at noon."

Zane just shifted his visible eye over to the guard. The guard shift his eyes back and forth, trying to figure out what to say.

The Guard: " Grand High Priest, if you don't mind me asking, but why are we traveling to this village? I can understand that Phoenix Drop was able to get itself back on the map, but is there a reason why we're traveling there?"

Zane was quiet for a moment, he let out a deep sigh and answered the guard.

Zane: " Because someone requested me to priest at a wedding there. We apparently owe them, or something. Either way, we're going for a wedding at Phoenix Drop."

The Guard: " I see."

Another Guard: " Well they made a great decision asking you, Sir. It's a high honor to have you bless a couple at their holy matrimony."

Zane just nodded, he got up and walked into his cabin.

Zane: " I'm going to rest for a while. Don't bother me unless we get to land."

The Guards: " Yes Sir!"

Hours passed, the boat had reached the docks of the small village known as Phoenix Drop, the guard got ready to leave the boat, but one of them had to get Zane. They all looked at each other for a moment, they shifted their sight over to the youngest one in the bunch and pushed him over to the cabin. The Guard who was shoved looked back, both scared and upset that the others decided to make him get Zane. But he took a deep breath and approach the door, his fist hovered over the door for a moment, but he was able to knock on the door a bit. He pulled his hand away and shut his eyes, there was no response, he took another breath and knocked on the door again, this time louder and a bit faster. Movement came from behind the door, making the guard back up a bit.

Zane: " Coming!"

Zane flung the door open and looked at the guard, sweat rolled down the guard's neck and face.

The Young Guard: " We-w-we're here, S-Sir."

The young guard did his best not to show fear, but he was shaking like a leaf, and he was looking up a bit, trying not to make contact with Zane. Zane looked at the guard intently, but he just patted the guard's shoulder and walked over to the other three guards.

Zane: " You can breathe now. Come on."

The younger guard let out a loud gasp, relieved that Zane didn't do anything. He quickly rushed over to the others as they walk into Phoenix Drop. Right away, the five were greeted by the Lord of the village, alongside a few of her guards.

The Lord: " Hello. Welcome to Phoenix Drop. I'm Aphmau, the Lord of this village."

The woman who was name Aphmau held her hand out, Zane just looked at her up and down, not saying a word.

A Guard: " Greeting Lady Aphmau. Here in front of you is the High Priest of O'Khastic Zane Ro'Maveve. All of show some respec..."

Before the guard went on, Zane held his hand out, hushing the guard emptily.

Zane: " Don't be so formal. It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Aphmau. *looks around a bit* You have a lovely village."

Zane's flat tone made it seem like he was being sarcastic, he was but Aphmau didn't knew that. She bowed a bit, thanking him, she then brought him and the guards over to their living courters for their stay at the village. While following her, a guard was passing by, Zane looked over, the guard was wearing a helmet, but the two made eye contact. They didn't stop walking, but they didn't take their eyes off each other. The guard has a scared look on his face, good thing his helmet covered his face, Zane had a small smirk under his mask, believing that he knows who's hiding behind that helmet.