Vendetta's Rise (The Dragon Realms Saga: Book 1)

Chapter 46

The fog roamed from the river to the Newsun cottage. The clouds rolled and churned ever so slightly as the morning sun's shafts barely penetrated the mist to light the room where Elucard woke.

At first his eyes cracked open slightly to examine the bedroom where he stayed. The grainy wooden walls were a dark tint of red. A silver chain bearing the silver emblem of Jedeo hung from the banister of the headboard. A platter with a glass of water and an untouched sandwich sat atop an old wooden nightstand. On the opposite side of the room, Elucard saw himself in a mirror above an oak dresser.

Elucard reached for the banister to support himself as he slowly attempted to get up. He grunted as he accomplished his goal, but now that he was sitting up, the next feat would be to stand and walk. Feebly, he rose to his feet, but collapsed onto the nightstand, knocking over the platter of food.

Wiccer and Marcus rushed into the room at the sound of the clatter. Elucard leaned onto the bed, breathing heavily through the pain and stiffness in his legs.

"You've been out for a week. You'll need to practice walking to get the blood flowing through your muscles again. Give it time, you have plenty of that," Marcus said, helping Elucard back into the bed.

"What is your game here? Why haven't you killed me yet?" Elucard said, grimacing from the numbness in his feet. It was as if a hundred tiny daggers were poking the flat of his feet.

Marcus turned to his son, "Wiccer, fetch Elucard a glass of water, be quick, I'd like you here when I present this proposal."

Taking the glass from Wiccer, Elucard gulped down the water like a fish that had just been released. He gave his thanks before setting the glass aside.

"Well, I'm interested in your plans. So let's hear them," Elucard said. For all the crimes against Long Whisper and the strife he had personally caused Wiccer's family, finding why they kept him alive was a point of great curiosity for him.

"Elucard, my name is Marcus Newsun. I am a general in the Guard of the White Cloaks, and up until recently I served as a military adviser for the fledgling Long Whisper army. It is true you were once a great enemy of mine and my family. You are certainly still an enemy of Long Whisper for... obvious reasons."

Elucard lowered his head.

"But, I believe in redemption. I do not believe that even you are so far gone that you cannot atone for your crimes and serve a higher purpose," finished Marcus.

Elucard looked at Wiccer, who quickly looked away.

"A higher purpose?" Elucard seemed confused still.

"Elucard, my son tells me you are an enemy to your clan now. I understand that it was them who left you in such a mess?" Marcus inquired knowingly.

Elucard nodded, not yet ready to retread on that subject.

"The Black Rabbits are still a great threat to Long Whisper. And despite the hindrance that the ever-present soldiers pose, I believe that they are ill-equipped to actually bring down the assassins. Would you agree?"

Elucard thought back on his training. How he was practically reborn in order to become a Black Rabbit. He had been bred to kill at even the slightest provocation. He was sure that even the strongest soldier in Long Whisper was no match for even the weakest Rabbit.

"No, I don't believe your soldiers could survive an encounter with the Black Rabbits."

"I didn't think so. They would need specialized training. Training tailored specifically to combat a Rabbit." Marcus looked over at Wiccer.

"An anti-rogue operative? Father, do you really want to go through with this?"

Marcus turned to Elucard, "Would you be able to teach a select group of soldiers to become Rabbit hunters?"

Elucard looked at Wiccer. His scowl now replaced with a look of intense interest. They were serious. They wanted Elucard to teach Black Rabbit secrets to soldiers, to go to war with his clan. This is why they kept him alive and tended to his wounds.

A higher purpose.

This would give his life a whole new meaning. A better use of his skills than having them waste away in a cell, "I am willing to do this."

Marcus rubbed his hands in excitement, "Good! Redemption is within your reach, Elucard. This is merely the first step."

Wiccer looked excited as well but then frowned as a large hurdle came up in his mind, "Father, what of the king?"

"Ah, my son. That would be the next step!" Marcus grinned.