The Custodian Chronicles: The Rising (Finished)

Chapter 34: Red Flag

Cedrick felt the tension leave him. He felt stunned. He couldn't believe what had just happened. For what must have been at least half an hour, he stood there: absorbing the truth of the scene he'd just lived. He could hardly believe it. "That... was the dumbest thing... I've ever done." At last, Cedrick shook himself. The sun had gone down. He had to get back.

When Cedrick showed up, he found the men debating if they should close the gate or not. When they saw Cedrick, they looked relieved. "What took you, sir?" The gate keeper asked.

"Sorry. I, ah... was distracted." The men didn't question him. They let him go past as they closed the gates.

When he reached the building where he was staying, he found Elphacena anxiously waiting outside the door. When she saw Cedrick, she ran to him. "Cedrick, what happened?" She asked at once. "Don't tell me nothing. I can feel it. Something happened. Tell me what happened."

Cedrick took Elphacena's arm to calm her, then he embraced her. "I'll tell you inside." He quietly spoke in her ear. He was aware several officers were watching them. "Nothing." He spoke more loudly, to be sure the men would hear. As he pulled back. "Cena, calm down. I'm just a little late. I was distracted by something interesting I found. Come on, it's late. Let's get inside."

Elphacena didn't question him. They both went inside. Once they were in, Cedrick locked the door. He felt Elphacena cast a spell to prevent anyone from being able to hear them. Cedrick sighed and turned to look at his wife.

"What happened?" Elphacena demanded.

Cedrick sighed. "I-I ran into him."

"Him? Him who?" Elphacena asked, fear filling her voice. "Please don't tell me it was... it couldn't have been..."

"Yeah, i-it was Heklis. He ... came out of nowhere. We heard a noise; I thought it was an animal. So I sent the others on and checked it out. He was trying to get me alone."

"What did he do?" Elphacena asked. "You aren't hurt, are you?" She came forward, putting her hands to Cedrick's chest.

"I'm fine." Cedrick smiled gently, taking her hands in his. "He didn't want to hurt me."

Elphacena stared at Cedrick. "W-wait, didn't he want to hurt you?" She asked.

"He was recruiting." Cedrick explained.

"Still?" Elphacena was surprised. "He still thinks he can win you?"

"Not anymore." Cedrick said. "But he won't let me go. He wants me too badly. He says if I won't walk in, he'll force me in, and in the end, I'll be at his mercy."

Elphacena stared at Cedrick. "I-I... wow." She stammered. "I-I can't believe it. He's mad."

Cedrick huffed. "Yeah, he...he's..."

Elphacena nodded. "Don't even try. No one can accurately describe him."

"He seemed so normal at first." Cedrick explained. "I don't know. Almost... I mean he was intimidating, I guess, but he didn't seem to be so...so demented. The things he said, it's like he really believes he's right. That he can just take all the power. That he's the only one who can properly use it. He can't stand not having control."

"It's his one weakness." Elphacena stated. "He has to control everything. He has to control it and make sure it knows he's in charge. That's why he delights in hurting people. It shows he has power to make us be what he wants. He always has to make sure we knew he was the one with the power, always." Elphacena shuddered.

"Well, at least, he still doesn't know about us." Cedrick comforted.

Elphacena looked up at him. "He doesn't?" She sighed, relieved.

"No." Cedrick assured. "He does know you trained me, but he doesn't know how close we are. He called you my friend. I don't think he knows you're here either. He spoke as if he thought you were far away."

"Well then, that tells us one thing." Elphacena gathered. "That there isn't a spy. A spy would know I was here and that we were married."

"That's true." Cedrick sighed. "Now he'll do whatever it takes. He wants me and bad. When he mentioned you, he told me you could tell me what he does to those who stand up to him. How he crushes you, so he can take you and rebuild."

Elphacena shuddered. "He's going after anyone you care about. He'll pick them off until he crushes you, until you snap. That's how he works. He won't kill them -- not to start with -- just hurt them. He'll do it any way he can: physically, mentally, emotionally, however he can manage it. When he sees it isn't enough, then comes the killing." Elphacena shuddered. "He's really coming out now. This war is really about to begin." She looked up at Cedrick. "He'll be fighting you. He'll try to stop us just to get to you."

"Then bring it." Cedrick smiled. "I'm ready."

Elphacena smiled slightly. "You better be. Because now the real challenge begins. We'll begin your dueling training as soon as we can."

Cedrick smiled and took his wife into his arms. "Of course, I can take it." He said softly. "I have you." They held each other a long moment. "We can do this. Together. We'll defeat him, together."