Taming the Familiar

Chapter 28 - Good old days

Alexa flopped onto her bed. She had spent the entire afternoon and evening helping Patrick muck out the stalls and she was exhausted. She pulled out a new book and saw Kaleth watching her.

"Wanna come sit?" She asked, scooting over to make room. Kaleth took the hint and came to look at the spell book with her. They had been getting short on new spells for her to learn. She knew everything she needed to know. Her shield still wasn't as strong as Kaleth would like, he could still bust through. Only now it took him a few minutes before he could destroy it. He lowered himself carefully to the bed beside her and she returned to flipping through the book. Eventually she gave up on spells and handed it to him, taking her new paperback off the shelf at her headboard.

She didn't realize she had been reading so long until she heard snores erupt beside her. She glanced down, her eyes wide. Kaleth was asleep. She didn't want to wake him up. She yawned to herself and decided to turn it in. She marked her place in the book and placed it back on her headboard before hunkering down into the blankets. She moved to the far edge of the bed. Kaleth didn't seem like the cuddling type. She stared at his profile as her eyes grew heavy. It wasn't long before she followed his lead and was snoring softly beside him.

Kaleth materialized as Alistar called him. They were in the lair and the cell door was open. On first glance he thought the boy had managed to make a break for it. Then he saw the blood pooled, and the boy laying in it. Alistar pointed angrily.

"If his heart still beats, keep it that way." He snarled. Kaleth paled, Alistar knew it was him and he would suffer later. He grabbed the bandages and hurried into the cell. The boy had slashed both wrists, spilling most of his blood over the cell floor. Kaleth shook his head as he quickly took one wrist and bound the wound tightly, then the other. The boy was pliable in his hands, his head lolling to the side as he lifted him. Alistar scowled as he lifted the boy out and propped him on the bench near the alter. Kaleth checked his pulse but there was nothing there. Alistar shoved him aside and did the same. Then he pried his eye open just to see for sure. He snarled angrily, and moving to his book of magics. He found the spell he was looking for and returned to the body.

"Vivificabit." He growled. The boys eyes shot open but only for a moment he coughed up a mouthful of blood then was gone again. Alistar's spell failed because the boy's soul was already gone.

Alistar growled and took a swing at Kaleth. He would have raised his hand, but  Alistar had ordered to never defend himself from him. The slap stung, almost as much as his helping hand backfiring so badly. He had meant to give the boy a bid for freedom, not a chance to end his life. He had thought the boy had more fight in him. Kaleth almost felt tears prick the corners of his eyes. But he knew Alistar wouldn't allow him to cry.

"Why was the door open?" Alistair demanded angrily, completely forgetting the boy's corpse. Kaleth cast his eyes down to the floor.

"You didn't order me to lock it." He replied quietly. Alistar snarled and hit him again. Kaleth stood still. He'd known he'd be punished either way. Alistar didn't hit him again, he seemed to be thinking. Kaleth didn't raise his head. The less he resisted the sooner his punishment would be over. He'd learned this from he previous masters, and Alistar didn't seem to be much different. Alistar stepped away and placed the brand in the fireplace.

"Light the fire." He commanded. Kaleth obeyed immediately, sending a ball of flame into the fireplace. Within seconds it was a raging inferno in there. Alistar nodded and turned back to his book. Kaleth remained where he was, awaiting orders. Alistar flipped a few more pages, nodding before gesturing to the body.