Vendetta's Rise (The Dragon Realms Saga: Book 1)

Chapter 31

Elucard leaned on Inle, the patch job done to his wounds were wearing away as the trio made their way through the woods. The cold rain washed away any chance that they could be tracked, but the heavy water pounded upon their weary shoulders, weighing down their clothes. They had traveled all day and all night, but were still another night's travel away from home.

"I hope Jetta finds some shelter soon," said Elucard. His cold breath wisped in the air. He struggled each step of the way, both physically and mentally. His mind was fractured like glass scattered all over the ground. Jetta's words pierced him like a lance.

Jetta...He still saw her as the child he remembered, innocent, pure...naive. His life as a Black Rabbit wasn't easy, but it was simple. He merely took orders and would someday die by the blade. He was growing into this life. However, this all changed the day that Jetta came back into the picture. His promise to her bubbled to the surface and complicated his once simple life. She spoke a truth that he once would have lived by. It is not the code of the Rabbit, but the law of the rest of the world. It does not comply, but it made sense. But she could not possibly understand the sacrifices he had made. She saw him as who he was, not who he is. What did he see himself as? Who he was? Who he is? Who he could be?

Damn her!

"Master, I'm proud of what you accomplished back there," Inle said, breaking Elucard's train of thought. "You are a legend now, both famous among our people, and infamous among everyone else."

"Infamy, famous for the wrong reasons," Elucard whispered in a daze.

There was a silence between the two, Inle felt the sting of his master's words. He stopped, the rain still pouring on their heads and shoulders. Inle, lifted his mask. His cool and tired silver eyes locked onto Elucard's tired magenta ones.

"Elucard, my master, listen to me. Whatever doubts you have in your life, your actions are praised by the true people that care for you...and love you," Inle said.

Elucard stared down at his muddy feet, slightly light headed from his loss of blood. He raised this student on the philosophies of his master, Legion. The same philosophies that turned him into to the efficient assassin that slew a king. Inle was the prime example of a perfect Rabbit.

"Inle, if you were asked to, would you kill the person you were closest to?"

Inle smiled weakly. Closest to him? His family was long gone and the only person he felt true affection for was the person he was holding in the downpour. He loved Elucard more than just as a brother. He saw the Black Rabbits in a light of chivalry and servitude. He yearned for a way to mix his love for Elucard with his love for his clan; a sentiment, it seemed, that Jetta did not share.

"Elucard, a blade is only as sharp as the Rabbit wielding it. Try to remember this, Master. Do not let the heart lead where the mind will not follow." Inle put a gentle hand upon his master's cool, wet cheek. He slowly moved his unmasked face closer to Elucard's. "Unless that heart leads you to me," Inle whispered, raindrops bouncing off his nose.

Elucard was exhausted, locked within Inle's hypnotic charm. He had feelings for his student, could not requite the feelings Inle had for him. "Inle, I can't..."

Inle moved slowly until he could feel Elucard's breath. With his other hand he removed Elucard's soaked through hood.

"Inle..." Elucard's worn eyes sunk within the shadow elf's. A moment in time froze for the two men.

"Guys, over here, I made a fire." Jetta called from a short distance to the east, "Let's replace those bandages, Elucard!"

Inle quickly moved away from Elucard, annoyance clearly on his face from Jetta's ill-timed interruption. He refastened his mask and whispered into Elucard's ear, "I will wait for you."