The Forlorn Phenomenon

Episode IV: Burning Light

Edvin massaged his wrists as the constraints were cut. A firm grip yanked him up and onto his feet.

"Where are we going?" Edvin looked for Raila to be released too.

"You're coming with me." One of the soldiers pulled him along. He was still clad in armor, only his helmet was missing. "She stays here."

Edvin stole one last glance at Raila before he was dragged into the small tent that the soldiers set up in the two days they had been there. 

The soldier shoved him to the ground inside the tent. A small wooden table sat in one corner with two chairs behind it. A chest and a set of armor made up the rest of the small area.

Another soldier sat behind the table. He was more decorated than the others. "I didn't prepare myself to be in the presence of royalty." He flashed a crooked smile. "One of my men says he recognizes you. He says you are a prince, is that true?"

Another soldier stood near the back of the tent, making three men in total. Each one was fully armored and had swords at the hip. 

"How far South is your kingdom?" Edvin knew better than to answer the question directly. If he could, he was going to get some information from them too.

The soldier behind the table giggled. "You must be a prince, huh?" He stood up and waltzed over to Edvin and flashed a toothy grin. "You didn't answer my question?"

"And you didn't answer mine?"

"You've got some guts, kid."

Edvin kept his eyes locked in place. "Is there something you need from me?"

"I suppose not at the moment. but we'll keep in touch." He smirked and snapped for Edvin to be removed from the tent. "See you soon, your majesty."

Edvin squinted against the bright sun as his wrists were tightened together.

<><><>

The beat of knuckles against wood shook Alek from his daze. "Come in."

"My King." Irid slipped into the master bedroom. "I must leave with a few of our men for Mora."

Alek shook his head. "I cannot believe you got in bed with those cultists again."

"I'm sorry, my king." Irid lowered his head.

"Do you remember what happened last time?"

"I do."

"I still have nightmares about that night." Alek stared through the window and into the bright afternoon sky. The noises of the revolt still echoed from the streets. "How long is the agreement?"

"Four weeks."

"I don't even want to ask what they are making you do. Just get it done without any hiccups. I have enough to worry about as it is."

"Yes, my king."

"And no more deals, not even if they ask. It's not worth the trouble" Alek stared Irid down. "Do you understand?"

"Yes." Irid hurried to leave the room.

"Oh, and Irid?"

Irid halted.

"Swing by the farm outside the kingdom and check on Edvin. I'm starting to worry."

<><><>

"When do we meet next?" Irid sat atop his horse. Rain danced from the pitch-black sky and lighting gave the darkness a short rest.

"We'll inform you." One of the members of the Revere Society held the reigns to his own horse. His face was shielded by a dark angular mask that curved sharply around his face. A red hood cloaked any additional part of his identity left to be seen. He lobbed a bag Irid's way and swiveled his horse into the darkness.

Irid caught the heavy bag and stashed it away. He used his sleeve to smear blood from his dark brow and returned to the other men. He leaned close to one of the twenty soldiers he brought with him. "Lead the others back. I have to make a detour." The soldier nodded and rode into the rain with the others.

Irid pushed his horse as fast as he could in the poor weather. The interaction with the Revere members left him chilled. He had never seen any of them without a mask and it had only ever been dark when they met.

The jobs were never pleasant but the money was good for the kingdom. He thought of lying about how much was he received, but the King was already on his back and any more suspicion wouldn't end well for him.

Irid glanced down at his sleeve where the blood from his brow was now stained. He cringed at the feeling of not knowing whether it was his own or not.

The agreement with the society was not particularly a smart one, and Irid knew that. He gave them a great sum back when  trade was cut off with the North in exchange for work that provided its own pay separately. Once the deal was over, Irid would receive the amount he paid in full, as well as the job earnings. The deal guaranteed a profit, however, the Revere was involved in shady business.

Last time Irid interacted with them, a job involved someone in Elevia and things turned more violent than expected. The King had to get involved in order to prevent any more death and he held it against Irid ever since.

Irid spat at the memory. If only he appreciated what I was doing for the Kingdom.

The faint outline of the farm appeared through the storm and Irid slowed his horse to a trot. The glow of torches brightened the grounds as he grew closer.

Two barns sat opposite of each other in front of the gated entrance. Several men dressed in armor passed through the gate. It was too dark to make out the insignia. 

"Alek must've sent a unit to check on Edvin," Irid mumbled to himself. "He doesn't even trust me to do one thing." His eyes rolled back as he continued his trot closer to the buildings.

"Get back!" One of the soldiers lunged at another figure outside one of the barns, striking them to the ground. "Tighten the bonds!"

A torch flickered in front of a flag with a red and black insignia. Irid swore to himself and backed his horse away.