Re:Creation Book 1: Allegiance

Six:teen

That night, Reif chose not to sleep, deciding that it would be best for him to simply stay up until it was time to go meet Lysidia. At present, he was sitting on the end of Khel's bed next to Telk's, watching the full moon through the window.

Reif had always felt a particular bond with both the moon and stars. It was as if he were connected to them. The reason for this wasn't a complete mystery to him - Solgeara was sister to both Lunyre, goddess of the moon, and Aster, god stars. Because of this, Reif felt a certain kinship with the two of them.

Reif's eyes wandered around the room, landing at least once on all of his sleeping companions. Earlier that night had probably been the first time any of them had truly relaxed in days. Therias had pitched a drinking competition against one of the other patrons and claimed victory to no one's surprise. Truthfully, Reif couldn't tell whether the giant of a man fell asleep or passed out from all he consumed.

Contrary to Therias's expertise in drinking, Telk had his first taste of ale that night. After alcohol took to loosening Telk's body, the supposed affinity for dancing that Lev had mentioned became more apparent. In fact, Telk proved to actually be very skilled in the art, even as he gradually became more inebriated. At some point, he was even invited onto the stage by the playing band of minstrels to dance to their music, and afterwards he was tipped by some of the bar guests in varying amounts of coin.

Lev had a bit to drink as well but was not at all close to the state the other two had reached. Instead, he'd only had a single cup of wine before guzzling mug after mug of water and filling his belly to the brim with food. Although Lev mostly socialized with other patrons, the prince still made sure to check on Reif every once in a while to ask if he was alright. No matter how many times Reif reassured Lev, he apparently could never fully set his friend's mind at ease. Admittedly, Reif found it rather endearing that Lev was so concerned about him, but for once, he also wished that Lev would leave him be.

Reif let out a heavy sigh. Everything lately was going horribly wrong. Jeyre was still missing, and three grimoires were out of the priests' reach, two of which were his responsibility. And that's just all that he and Lysidia knew of - who knows what knowledge Aryn may possess? Does he even know Jeyre was missing? Was he in trouble as well? He did have a habit of sticking his nose where it didn't belong.

As Reif was thinking, his eyes involuntarily drifted to Khel's resting body. In his unconscious state, he was so peaceful.

So still.

So...

Vulnerable.

Reif could easily free Ydris's power from its new host. Now would be the best time, after all. Khel was weak. The others were asleep. Reif could make it look like an accident. He could-

No!

No, he couldn't. Reif forced the revolting thoughts away from his mind. He'd known that it was merely a matter of time before such dark temptations tested him, but he hadn't expected them to come so soon.

The urges were the direct result of a burning desire to appease the gods that acted as the cornerstone of Reif's very being. The only purpose of his entire existence was to carry out their bidding. That was not something that he could deny forever, but he knew that he could never take the life of one of his dearest friends.

And yet, if he didn't, Lysidia or Aryn or Jeyre would. It was in their nature - Reif's too. That was what the gods willed, so they must obey.

Reif must obey.

But he couldn't.

He just couldn't.

The knowledge of Khel's inevitable fate pulled at Reif's heart, weighing it down. This wasn't the first time he so adamantly staved off the dark thoughts. Back in Enli Village Reif could have gone with the search party to look for Livo's son, or he could have set out by himself. Lev had said Phaeus was going to Tamras, providing Reif with the exact location of his prey. Reif could have gotten the Book of Earth back, but instead, here he was in Syllict, because it was the right thing to do.