Umbral Rune (Rough Draft)

Umbral Rune: Chapter 8 - Undeath Sentence

[Skell]

Confronted by two Templars, chained and alone. Fear's grip tightened as the two scanned me from the cell's opposite side. That is, until they opened their mouths.

"Now I realize that this very moment," Hyland said, "he doesn't carry the typical features of a skeleton, but-"

"Hyland," the other Templar addressed, brown eyes scanning me. "I remind you how word greeted me of this incident: in the bathtub, undressed, and at peace."

The Knight frowned. "I get your point, and-"

The brown-haired Templar continued like he'd heard nothing, gauntlet on his full, pointed beard. "So when our aide burst inside the privy and explained how my colleague quite literally kicked a man out of a common business for 'being undead,' I donned my armor on the spot - likely scarring the poor woman, no less - and made haste here."

"Gervais. I get it. Stop reiterating-"

"All to meet you upstairs, open this door, and find a living, breathing man - chained like a murderer!" His ponytail almost seemed to flare with anger. "Have you lost your accursed mind!?"

Hyland chewed at his jaw in seething silence.

I stared in disbelief. He... he actually thinks I'm human...

"Good. Remain quiet," said the other Templar. "I tire of you for the moment."

He then turned to me, his bronze, diligent face easing. "I apologize for our lack of decorum and formality; I am Gervais des Barres, a Paladin of the Templar Order, but you may refer to me as Paladin Gervais. May I have your name?"

On paper, I should've been thoroughly terrified. This Gervais somehow radiated an even more dangerous aura than Hyland. An aura of might and skill, reinforced by his altered armor.

Like Hyland's, his silver plate was well-fitted to a robust frame. Difference was, Gervais wore crimson accents on several of the armor's sharp sections - like the elbows, knees, and collar. The lion heads on his shoulder plates - reminiscent of the one at his chest's insignia - were easily more striking, however.

Intricate detail went into the recreation of the animal's features, its metallic fangs and flowing mane aimed at the Paladin's flank. Anxious as I was, these should've brought me over the edge. Instead, his menacing armor handed me a sudden foothold of hope.

Hyland's boss. Looking like that, and talking as he does, he must be. And he thinks Hyland is as much a nutjob as I do...

"S-Skell, sire..." I exaggerated my distress, resting weakly against the stone wall.

"Skell!?" Hyland's face scrunched. "By the sun, Gervais, it's 'name' is as obvious as it gets! Don't you see?"

"So it was the name that convinced you?" Gervais asked critically.

"What? No!" said the Knight. "Up until now, I didn't even know-" he cut himself off, looking to me. "You... clearly, you're craftier than the others of your mindless kind. A half-decent mimic, at the very least."

"Enough, Hyland," the Paladin shook his head, taking steps toward me. "Skell, I would like to ask a couple more questions. After that, you will most likely be permitted to leave this cell within the hour."

I nodded, fighting hard to hide a smile. I really have a chance to get out of this! Glamour, I'm begging, please don't slip again!

"You're allowing it to leave!?" Hyland circled his partner in a huff. "A Templar, letting an undead run loose? You do realize-"