Silver Shackles

Chapter 11

We had left the northern mountain range a few weeks ago. Currently, we were heading south-west. Sanctum lay on a well-protected valley in a small mountain region close to Geos' frontier with Sylph, the southwestern country of New Iris. Baal had returned to his wine colored tight clothes while Freckles had lost his warm duster. Ion and Apollo, Freckles' horse, were accompanying us merrily as we held their reigns. We had thought of getting me a horse, but when we so much as approached a horse breeder, Ion started protesting. Ion didn't mind me riding with Baal, he did mind me riding on another horse. Moody horse he was, just like its master. We dismissed the idea of a new horse after that. If push came to shove, I could run faster than any other creature on this planet anyways.

"Alright! Here's the pathway! When we reach the end, we'll be very close to Sanctum," Baal spoke up as he made his way through a bush and exposed a light brown path leading through the woods. "Midway down this path is the lake I wanted to take a break at."

"Why do I have a feeling I'll have to find a faraway spot to sleep at tonight?" Freckles whined from his place behind me, Baal had taken a special liking to teasing him around.

I had to admit it was very funny how the redhead would get all flustered and utterly distressed whenever sex was brought up.

"I've been on abstinence for two months now, soon I'll go crazy and that won't be funny to deal with, guys." Despite his annoyed tone, Freckles had an intense blush all the way to his ears. We had to laugh at his whole display, he was a true piece of work.

While we walked on the new pathway, Baal had taken up a light, happy mood. His happy mood was rather contagious through our Bond, even when he still worried over traveling to Sanctum, the Silver Clan's capital city and Baal's birthplace. He decided it'd be beneficial to think of all the good things that were going on to avoid extra stress. It'd been a long time since he actually traveled, considering he'd been hiding in a brothel for five years. That he could do so along his boyfriend and his best friend only made it better. How would he not be happy about that?

On that note, we'd been riding forever, and my butt was sore from all the jumping around... and well I imagined Baal's butt hurt him even more considering his happy mood also involved—

"Luke, you play those memories in your head again and I swear you'll have to make yourself responsible for my actions."

"Is there no off button to you, my prince?" I smiled before deciding to tease Freckles myself. "On a good note, Freckles! I'm sure you'll find a woman to go crazy with eventually."

"Hahaha, very funny vamp. I'll end up killing myself before that happens."

"It's funnier because we all know I wouldn't let you die." Baal spoke taking his braid and tying it up in a bun. "You're too much of a fun tease."

"Thanks so much for the help Baal, you're a true best friend." Freckles stopped moving. "Luke, do you smell that?"

"Smell what?" Baal asked confused as I sniffed to confirm the putrid scent that hung in the air.

I summoned Lucifer, the gold and silver blade glowing slightly as I wielded it. Baal immediately unsheathed Belial while Freckles unsheathed his own sword. Ion and Apollo were both nervous at the time, we agreed on letting them run away.

"What are you two smelling that I clearly can't?"

"Baal have you ever heard of the Undead?" I spoke up being extra wary of every single movement around us.

"The Undead? Like the blood feasting corpses from the old folktales? I thought they were extinct..."

"Yeah, they were, until rather recently. I guess not a lot of news from the South reached you in that small village. The Council that rules over Sylph and Aquerios brought them back and now my brother controls them." I explained and noticed movement to our right.