The Fall Of Imbria (The Fendara Series. Book One)

Chapter Twelve: Simon

It was a long silent walk down the dreary path of the Shadow Walker Realm. I cant say I much cared for conversation after the day we've had so I welcomed the quiet.

Finally, though, we make it through the shaded trees and out of the forest line. It is getting dark as the sun falls to meet the mountains in the distance.

I decide that we will rest here for the night and find our way to Kimona, city to The Realm of Beast, at daybreak.

Cassius has been in a depressing mood since earlier, the deaths of everyone seeming to weigh on him more than me. Maybe its because Ive grown use to it by now. I mean it still affects me, don't get me wrong but when you've seen what I have and endured the pain of death so many times, you just slowly become numb to it.

I still hate seeing it, watching the life leave their eyes as the soul floats from the corpse. Especially when Im the one taking their lives. I even go as far as to not let myself use my magic unless I deem it necessary, because every time I feel it take a piece of my soul with it.

I used to use it a lot more when I loathed myself years ago but ever since coming to Fendara, its brought the life back to me little by little. And little by little I've accepted it.

After all, good people bring out the best in you.

I glance up at the back of the wagon were Torben is still tied up. He opens his eyes and begins twisting his arms and legs at the rope still tied around him.

"He's awake." I tell Cassius.

Cassius is right beside me, just now finished with distributing camping gear for the night. "Good." He says. "Lets get the rope out of his mouth." He climbs up in the wagon, with footsteps so heavy the wood rocks back and forth against the weight of him.

He's a bulky guy, mainly because of the muscle he's gained over the summer but the fact that he is just a few inches shy of my 6'2 height, helps his weight distribute enough to leave him still somewhat lean. "Now. Let's see here." Grabbing the saliva damp rope, he pulls it slowly out of Torbens mouth and tosses it to the floor of the wagon.

"Good evening little bloodsucker." I joke, smirking to myself.

Torben raises a brow eyeing Cassius for an answer at my remark. "What's he talking about?" He questions.

Cassius sighs, giving me a disapproving glare. "You were . . . a little busy today."

"You mean possessed." I correct him, granting myself another disheartened stare that I let my eyes roll at.

"What?" Torben's eyes now look like they're going to pop out of his head in disbelief.

Through gritted teeth directed at me, Cassius replies. "We had a situation." Looking back at Torben Cassius's face shifts to a more positive expression. "It's handled. Don't worry too much about it, you're alive. That's all that matters." He palms his face in his head before running his fingers through his hair. Trying to play off what happened, as if that'll wipe the stress away.

"Yeah, okay, sure." Torben somewhat shrugs sarcastically. As much as one can being tied up. "I'll just not worry about the fact that I was possessed." Cassius just moves to untie and remove the remaining rope that is wrapped around his shoulders and legs. Torben arches his back, sitting up rubbing his forearm at the red marks that I know, lay under his loose cotton long sleeve shirt.

In this moment i see the scared boy i saw at the start of this journey and all I can feel is pity. "Hey." I say stepping up into the wagon and sitting at Torben's other side. "It'll be okay." Telling him that sincerely I reach out and grip his shoulder tight. "Assius will tell you what happened." Grinning i look at Cassius to watch as he rolls his eyes at his old nickname.