Re:Creation Book 1: Allegiance

Eight

"U-Um, Reif?" Telk timidly called down from atop one of the large torch pedestals. "I- I know you're still upset, but-"

"'Upset?'" Reif scoffed. "Believe me, I have never been more furious in my life." He sat on one of the lower stairs of the pedestal, not even bothering to look at Telk.

"R-Right. And that is completely understandable. I just think-" Telk yelped in fear as the flame next to him flared with a sudden and vicious vigor as a result of Reif's power. Down below, Reif was irritably massaging his temples, still not looking back.

"Frankly, Telk," Reif sighed, "I don't give a rat's ass as to what you could possibly think right now, for I have too much to think about, myself. The only thing I want to concern myself with at the moment is finding Lev, and leaving you back on the streets where you evidently belong, understand?"

"...I understand." Telk couldn't deny that Reif's words stung, but harsh as they were, their sting left him feeling more numb than hurt. Reif was not by any means the first to regard Telk with such contempt - in fact, he was used to such behavior from those around him. At this point in his life, he'd learned that it was much better to acquiesce than try and fight back, especially against someone who was much stronger than he was.

"How far away from Syllict are we?" Reif grumbled.

"We're... We're close," Telk abashedly answered. "If we move now and don't stop, we could be there by dawn."

"Good. Could we get to Syllict first and head them off?"

"Probably." Telk started his descent back towards the forest floor. "The transports they usually use to move prisoners always set up camp when it gets dark."

"Forget it," Therias chimed in as he approached the two of them. He'd been tending to Altair and the Ferolan horses ever since they'd stopped to take a break. "Our own horses are tired as well and the sun is already setting. We'd best set up a camp for the night as well or find somewhere to stay."

Telk took a seat a few steps above Reif, looking down on the two. "Honestly, they probably stopped and set up before we got to this point," he said. "A carriage with people on it is heavier than just carrying one person. And the team pulling it can't be many more than the amount of horses we have. Can't imagine their horses aren't tired either."

They idea evidently didn't sit well with Reif who rounded on them in an instant. "We can't do that! We must get Lev back as soon as possible! I'm I the only one who-"

"No Reif, you're not." Therias scolded. "I desperately wish to find Lev as well - I care about him just as much as you do."

"Somehow I doubt that," Reif muttered under his breath. Even though Telk had heard it, Therias didn't seem to, or at least he didn't acknowledge it.

"We must be smart about this," Therias continued. "If the transport Lev is on stops then we won't lose any ground on them by stopping as well."

"Yes, well that's if it stops," Reif countered. "We cannot afford any risks here, Therias. Far too much is at stake for us to even consider taking someone like him at his word!" Reif eyed Telk with such glaring animosity that Telk didn't even want to meet his gaze. "Do not forget that he's the reason any of this is happening."

As Reif went on, Telk noticed something peculiar happen. Faint wisps of dark smoke began to appear, hovering in the air around the priest.

"Reif," Therias spoke almost as a father scolding his son, "you need to calm yourself. Now."

"I am perfectly calm, thank you," Reif retorted. "I simply do not understand how-" Reif paused, his eyes locking on the smoky haze as it steadily grew darker and larger in amount. He appeared shocked by the smoke's presence, as if he hadn't noticed in until then. Telk watched as the priest then closed his eyes and took a deep breath; the smoke fading away in sync with him. After the smoke had cleared completely, Reif opened his eyes, though he kept his gaze trained on the ground.