The Sins of the God King

Chapter 16 : Lest

Sartos' sight had not yet  fully adjusted after his injury, making it difficult for him to navigate in the dark as he carried the unconscious Elly. Lest walked beside him, the silence between them are heavy and uncomfortable. Hours passed, and exhaustion crept steadily into their bones, forcing them to rest more frequently than before. Their pace slowed as they conserved their remaining strength, each step heavier than the last. The Craglin village should be close by now, Sartos thought, but the landscape seemed to stretch endlessly before them.

"I think we are close," Sartos finally broke the silence.

Lest shot him a condescending look. "You must have a different definition of 'close'. You said that a few hours ago."

Sartos bristled at the snide remark. "What's your problem? I'm just trying to lift your spirit," he retorted.

Lest shook his head slowly. "If lifting spirits means lying to me, then I'd rather go back to uncomfortable silence," he replied.

Irritation boiled within Sartos. "Look, we're both exhausted to our cores, so it doesn't help taking your frustrations out on me. I can hardly see where I'm going while carrying your friend, but you don't see me taking it out on you," he said.

Lest's eyes darted toward Sartos. "You're right, I'm sorry... I'm just overwhelmed by everything. I can't stop thinking about my mother. Maybe we should head to the North Fort instead."

"I already made a promise to your mother," Sartos said. "It would be a dishonor to break it. Do you understand?" Lest looked at him and nodded.

Sartos nodded, and they continued walking in silence. Lest felt bad about how he had acted.

"Do the Craglins have the same healing skills as the Faiths? Because Elly is still not waking up and you're still bleeding from your head," Lest asked.

Sartos quickly answered, "Their treatment is different from the Faiths. They use herbology, utilizing everything they can find in the forest. It's not as good as the Faiths, but who are we to be choosers?"

Lest agreed with a nod. Another silence followed for a few moments before Sartos broke it.

"I know we just met, and I can't force you to tell me how you did what you did earlier, taking out two men single-handedly. Obviously, you have secrets, and I don't want to pry."

Lest waited, expecting more from Sartos, but nothing came. "I don't have secrets," Lest said.

"I just have to say, you'd make a great addition to the Wildaron ranks," Sartos continued. "You know, if conjuring doesn't pan out."

Lest smiled and quickly replied, "Didn't you notice that I freed you using a conjured rat?"

"Oh, I forgot about that," Sartos answered. "Well, the offer still stands."

Lest laughed a little, then fell silent. After a few moments, he broke the quiet. "Do you believe my father is dead?" he asked.

Sartos took a deep breath before answering. "To tell you the truth, I don't know," he admitted. "I saw him weaken after conjuring a kraken and a tempest owl. The last I saw of him, he was lying on the ground. A lot happened so fast that I didn't get a chance to check if he managed to stand and escape the rain of fire."

Sartos looked closely at Lest, trying to decipher what was in his mind. "How about you? Do you think your father is alive?"

Lest thought deeply before giving his answer. "I know he's alive. I can feel it."

Sartos followed up with another question. "Then, do you think he's guilty?"

Lest's demeanor changed at the question. "My parents gave their lives to the kingdom, Sacrificing their role as my parents. So it's very insulting that you ask me that. After everything my parents did for the  kingdom, they're still treated as enemies?" he answered.