The Warlock (BxB)

Chapter 54

The men waited and listened for Tristan to tell his tale. Amaris and Varys were already aware of the things that happened in the past, but Casimir and Logain didn't know the story. Logain could see the shadow that was following Tristan, and he knew some of the details regarding the curse, but not all of them. He knew that this shadow was draining Tristan's life force. The warlock might have only met the other man once before, yet he could see how tired he was. There were dark shadows under his eyes that weren't there before.

Tristan began his tale. "Since you two are unaware of everything about my curse, I'll start from the beginning. I've always been fascinated with relics and magical artifacts, and a year ago, I stumbled across a cursed bracelet. Anyone who is chosen by the bracelet is given immense powers, powers that can summon the dead and rule nations. However, the bracelet had a price to wield it, and blood was the price. Whoever was chosen had to take the lives of many; otherwise, the bracelet would consume your soul and ultimately take your life as the price. I didn't want the relic for its power, but I wanted to sell it to the highest bidder. The money I earned would go to my family, but I never got my hands on it. When I was about to take it for myself, a prince and a group of knights showed up. That prince was the one who was chosen to wield the relic's powers."

"Dante was a prince of Zuvelia, a nation that was known to run on betrayal and blood. He was chosen by the relic because he sought revenge on everyone who treated him wrong. As the youngest prince, Dante was treated badly and was afraid for his life. Some of his older siblings wanted to take his life, but they weren't all evil." At the mention of the Zuvelian prince's siblings, Tristan glanced at Varys, who appeared uncomfortable next to him as he talked about Prince Dante. Tristan gently took Varys' hand and continued, "Varys is one of Dante's older siblings, who was also treated badly in his kingdom, but that's not my story to tell. Varys can tell you if he likes."

"But for now, let's continue about Dante. During my stay in Zuvelia, I tried my hardest to help Dante and to get the bracelet off him. The relic cursed him, and slowly, Dante started to lose his mind when he was forced to go to war because of his father. There, he was forced to kill people, and anyone who tried to harm him would lose their life to the curse. Dante couldn't be touched, and anyone who tried would die. Eventually, the shadow that follows me now began to take over Dante's body. The shadow is known as the God King Elendil."

"Elendil was an elven king and necromancer back when he was alive and ruling Zuvelia. He was evil and conquered as many nations as he could. His undead army couldn't be defeated, and soon, the people began to pray to the gods for help in defeating Elendil. He was eventually taken down, but his soul didn't disappear from this realm. His soul remained in the bracelet, waiting for someone to try and claim its power. When Dante came along seeking anything that could help him get revenge, Elendil chose him and forced him to do terrible things. Once Dante was lost to this world, I swore to save him. With one of my relics, I was able to save him from the god king, but it cost me my life. Elendil stabbed me in one last attempt to claim godhood, but he faded away before I died."

Carefully, Tristan grabbed his shirt collar and pulled it down to reveal a large scar on his chest where he was stabbed. "Soon after my life faded from my body, Dante regained himself. He took the relic I used to defeat Elendil and used it on himself to bring me back to life. Dante died to bring me back, but a piece of Elendil still held onto him. With Dante gone, the curse clung to me instead. Since then, this shadow has been following me around and consuming my energy. Luckily, I've been strong enough to fight him off, but my life is fading slowly. I don't know how long I can hold on, but Amaris offered me his assistance."

Amaris spoke up this time to explain part of the plan. "When I met Tristan, I realized he was cursed and offered to help him. My plan won't only break his curse, but it should make Meredith step down as well. Something most people don't know about the High Priestess and that she holds a relic close to her. It is something similar to the cursed bracelet Tristan mentioned, but it is instead a ring that is blessed. The ring's blessing can lift curses and has the power to bring people back to life. However, the ring must be worn at all times to prevent the cursed person from being affected by their curse. Meredith is, in fact, cursed."

Hearing that the High Priestess was cursed was news to Logain and Casimir. The prince was the first to ask, "How is she cursed? She's never shown any signs of such a thing before."

"I don't know all the details, but I overheard that Meredith was vile and ruthless to a witch in the past, so she was cursed with an aging spell. How she obtained the ring, I don't know. But her curse would explain why she has such a hatred for witches and warlocks," the clergyman explained.

"If she's always wearing the ring, then how do you expect us to get it from her?" Logain asked. The High Priestess would constantly be wearing the ring, so Logain didn't see how they could steal it from her. He doubted any of them could get close enough to Meredith to steal it either.

"Well, that's where you come in. You have magic, so maybe you can use a spell to hold her or trap her while one of us gets the ring from her," Tristan said.

Logain could do that, but Casimir didn't seem fond of this idea. The prince shook his head. "No, I cannot allow this. Logain can't go anywhere near Meredith."

When Amaris and Tristan gave him a questioning look, Casimir sighed. They were honest with him about Tristan's curse and their plan, so he should give them some honesty as well. "My mother had a vision of Logain's death. If he gets near Meredith, then he will die. You know how much the High Priestess despises magic users, and since she wants to turn the people against the royal family, she will use Logain's relationship with me against us. She will turn everyone against warlocks and witches, and in the end, Logain will lose his life. So, I'm sorry, but I can't allow Logain to help you like this."

"Casimir . . . what if this is our chance to finally take the High Priestess down. If we all work together, then we can do this. I'm afraid of dying, but if we don't take this chance, then things will only grow more complicated in the future. We don't know when and where your mother's vision takes place. There's a possibility it has nothing to do with the plan and will happen later on, perhaps even once you and I are married." Logain didn't want to waste this chance. This could be their only opportunity to take down the High Priestess.

"I know, but I don't want to lose you. I don't want to risk your life. There has to be another way for us to get the ring without involving you," Casimir replied. He took Logain's hand, looking him in the eyes and squeezing his hand gently. After coming this far, Casimir couldn't let Logain die. He didn't know when he would reach his end, but he would keep himself as far away from Meredith as he could.

Tristan sighed and said, "Unfortunately, I agree with Casimir. I might need that ring for my curse and to save Dante, but I don't want it to cost your life in the process. I don't want anyone else to die because of me."

Logain might have felt determined, but as he looked around the room, he knew that the others no longer wanted to involve him. He looked at Amaris, but the clergyman wouldn't glance in his direction. If anyone was willing to let Logain help, it would be him. Somehow, Logain would need to speak with Amaris alone. If he didn't accept Logain's help, then the warlock would let it go. But without Logain's help, they were back at square one.

Varys spoke up to break the silence that fell between them. "It's getting late, so perhaps we should discuss this another day. You're all more than welcome to stay the night if you wish."

"Perhaps you should remain here, Logain. I don't think Meredith knows about you specifically, but she will be investigating to find out who I chose as my betrothed at the ball. She'll most likely target any redheads, so lay low for a while. Besides, I don't want you to be alone for a while," the prince suggested.

As much as Logain would have preferred to stay with Casimir in the castle, he knew that wouldn't be possible. He needed to listen to the queen's warning. It was either stay in the castle and pretend to be a woman or stay away for a while. Logain decided he would keep his distance. He would have to part from Casimir for now, but they would see each other again. Perhaps after Casimir left, he could talk to Amaris in private.

However, the clergyman had no intention of staying either as he stood up to leave. "We'll talk later, Tristan. I'll consider our options and come up with a new plan."

With that, Amaris left the home. Casimir stayed for a little while longer before it was eventually time for the prince to return to the castle. He didn't want to leave Logain, but he had duties to attend to. With a quick kiss, the prince left, leaving Logain alone with Tristan and Varys.