Emerging from the cover of trees, four knights appeared, forming a protective square around his client. She was dressed in all black, possibly in mourning for her husband, but most likely to keep up appearances, to separate herself from his actions. Alex flipped up his hood, the cloth casting a perfect shadow across the top half of his face.
Turning towards Elyza, who had risen from her seat, her eyes narrowing at the company, anticipating a fight. "Do you have a mask?" he asked, to which she nodded, and a gesture for her to don it followed, forcing all humour from his voice as he further instructed, "Stay here and don't do anything suspicious. The sooner we finish, the sooner we move on to my plan for you."
As he started to walk toward the approaching group, he noticed that the captain of the city guard was one of the women's escorts. As a precaution, and not to waste any more time, a flick of the hand caused the air in front of his face to turn to mist and then follow his spell's whims. He felt the magic creep over his face, constantly changing his features, ensuring that they would never able to focus on the grin beneath.
_Another mask for the collection._
Alex pushed the thought towards the back of his mind, storing it with the rest of his unwanted notion of the world. He didn't have time to dwell on its meaning, either; the knights drew their swords the moment he got in range, causing him pre-emptively raise his hand to stop Elyza from drawing hers. He stared at the black-clad women, his tone laced with concern as he remarked, "I know we both are from different parts of the world, but this is generally considered a threat in my country."
The Countess remained silent, the captain seemingly speaking on her behalf, stepping forward in an attempt to articulate his threat, "Do not play games with us. You were hired only to rescue Liliana, yet you saw fit to kill the Earl. Did you really think I wouldn't see through your treachery? I should have your head right here."
"The Earl's dead? My condolences to the Countess, though truth be told he was getting up there..." Alex replied, bowing to his client, switching his tone to one of concern, "But I swear on my life that I took no part in his death."
"Do not lie to me, Nemo," the captain growled, stepping further forward to tower over him, trying to use his gigantic stature as an intimidation tactic, his stare broadcasting his intentions with the accused killer.
Yet Alex stood his ground, addressing the Countess through him, "If milady believes that to be the case, why don't you use that trick of yours to prove that I'm being dishonest."
"So be it," The captain relented, his voice dripping with disdain, taking a step back while muttering a chant under his breath. Circular runes started to appear in the air as the words continued to flow, with Alex acting as their centre, faking a yawn as he waited for the questions to be asked. As it neared its end, the runes started to merge into one, creating a circle of magic that cast a golden glow upon his figure. As the spell finished its construction, the Captain commanded upon him, "Under the gaze of Lady Veritas, speak the truth lest you face her wrath."
"Don't be shy, ask what you must..." He remarked with a grin, completely unbothered by the spell swirling around him.
"Did you kill the Earl?"
"No, didn't feel like it." Alex replied, keeping his voice steady and devoid of emotion.
The Captain tensed up, bracing for the spell's reaction, for a great light from the skies to obliterate the man within the golden circles. However, nothing happened, there was no magnificent pillar of flame, no noose wrapped itself around Alex's head, and the spell didn't fracture or explode; it simply dispersed, its purpose fulfilled, the truth extracted.
YOU ARE READING
NEMO: Into The Depths
Fantasy"After you achieved your revenge, after that brief moment of ecstasy at finally doing it, killing the person who caused you so much harm, you felt empty inside. It's as if all the actions you took, all the sacrifices you made, all the people you cut...
