Re:Creation Book 1: Allegiance

Twenty: One

Telk entered the grand hall alongside Therias. There was no hiding the burning embarrassment and frustration he felt from wearing the same dirty clothes he always was.

Truthfully, Telk didn't mind the lack of clothing itself; he was rather fond of his current shadowy outfit. What bothered him was the reason why he had no spare clothes. He knew that the "mistake" had to have been Ura's fault, but he forced himself to refrain from bringing the topic up again for now. He didn't want Lev to get in trouble because of him again.

The grand hall in itself was a grand sight to behold, just as Telk remembered. The venue was far larger than the throne room with five massive tables running up and down the length of the room. On the far side of the hall was a stage for any performers that may entertain, on top of which a harp and stool were currently placed. The hall was large enough to host an enormous banquet, so using it for only eleven people seemed like a waste in Telk's mind. They could have easily gathered in the royal quarters instead; it contained a more reasonably sized kitchen and dining area like the guest manor.

Overhead, lengths of purple silk were drawn from the edge of the ceiling to its center, just like in the throne room. All around the walls were banners with colors and symbols each representing the sixteen Sigil Gods responsible for shaping the world. As Telk entered, his eyes caught Avion's banner - silver in color with a spiral design at its center. He felt his chest heat up where his own spiral band was located, but the sensation quickly passed.

Already seated at the head of the table was Ura, with Navari, Vistara, Cenna, and Lysidia all sitting on his right. Vayl, Lev, Reif, and Vivienne had still yet to arrive. Standing beside Ura was a man only slightly smaller than Therias, whispering something into the king's ear. The moment Telk and Therias entered, the man looked up, his eyes immediately drawn to Telk. That all-too-familiar glare forced Telk's blood to run cold.

Aelrick Rowehana.

Telk faltered in his step. The man who terrorized him and sullied his body - who left him to die - was right there. For weeks after being left alone, Telk had suffered visions of his abuser's imposing figure nearby, but none of them could have prepared him to lay eyes on the the real Aelrick again.

Those warm eyes.

That charming grin.

How personable.

...

Disgusting.

Every feeling and every memory Telk had from that time came rushing forward; the rough bark of the tree he was pinned against and how it scratched his face and chest raw; the coolness of the muddy ground on his bare body as he was discarded; the numb sensation that enveloped his entire body; and the sound of those damn birds merrily singing their songs, mocking the young boy left alone in the world for the third time.

It had rained that day.

His entire body screamed conflicting demands, just as it had back then. He wanted to run. He wanted to curl up and cry. He wanted to scream. He wanted to vomit. He wanted to fight. He wanted to take a sword and ram it through Aelrick's chest. He wanted to take another sword and run it through his own body, so as not to taint his corpse with Aelrick's foul blood.

Telk only had himself to blame for the situation he currently found himself in; he knew that. He had known from the beginning that Aelrick would be in Castle Ralhana; he was one of the leaders and generals of the Sable Oath, after all. The fact that Aelrick was Ura's cousin also meant that he'd likely be at the king's side at some point. Even still, Telk thought he could handle it. Telk came along for the sake of his future and for Lev and to see Vayl and Rallin again. He had weighed that choice against his past thinking that he could bear the pain remembering would cause. He thought he was stronger than this. He was wrong. He was still weak.