Re:Creation Book 1: Allegiance

Re: 23 - The Hunt pt. 3

Khelmer Aym Balthasar. Fifteen years old. Only child and successor of Lord Alastor Balthasar and Lady Decarabia Keesling-Balthasar. A frail body, but a strong mind. Once dreamed of becoming a powerful knight and warrior, but due to his physical limitations now strives to become a brilliant wartime tactician. Likes: studying, the history and stories of war, fire, people-watching, snakes, tactical games. Dislikes: thunder, his own frailty, staying inside.

Khelmer's closest friends are Reif Valera, Kinsai priest and adopted son of Jeyre Selvris; and Lev Tyveren, prince of Myral and heir to the throne. As a child, Khelmer couldn't play with them as often as he'd liked--another consequence of his delicate constitution. 

Much of Khelmer's childhood was spent in the care of doctors and under the prayer of Lord Selvris. Few people knew of this, but Lord Selvris was able to stave off the issues Khelmer had developed with his miraculous healing powers. It was the days he visited that Khelmer felt his best. It was those days that Khelmer could run and play like the other children.

Unfortunately, the effects of Lord Selvris's power was only temporary as he was unable to cure Khelmer entirely. Even more unfortunate was Lord Selvris's adamant refusal to regularly maintain Khelmer's stability, claiming that if he did "Khelmer's body would become accustomed to the treatment and never grow strong enough to fight for itself." Though it was hard, Khelmer spent days on end struggling to strengthen his body and wondering if the next time he fell ill would be the last time.

His efforts, along with those of the doctors, proved fruitful as his body gradually grew more sturdy and he found himself able to leave his bed for longer periods at a time. It wasn't until the age of thirteen that Khelmer gained the ability to stay out for an entire day before his fatigue caught up with him. Since then, he'd only grown stronger.

And then came that night.

Surrounded by smoke and flame, any strength that Khelmer had mustered was quickly sapped from his body. His mother and father had been in a council meeting with King Corvelius, and all servants and attendants had fled, leaving Khelmer alone to stumble through the fire. Naturally, he wasn't able to get very far on his own, and as the brilliant swirl of orange and red surrounded him, he had come to accept his death. That was, until a hand reached out to him. The next thing Khelmer knew, he was being carried through the halls of Castle Tyveren by none other than Prince Lev.

The two carried on until Khel was able to stand on his own again. Soon after, they were discovered and chased as far as the throne room. It was then that Khelmer came up with an idea, though he knew that Lev would never allow him to go through with it as the plan's success would only ensure the prince's escape.

And so Lev wouldn't know.

Khelmer had spent his entire life full of desire to take action--to fight on behalf of the crown his friend was destined to wear. That was the responsibility of a knight, and finally, as his entire world came crashing down around him, Khelmer was able to take on that duty. In a desperate attempt to save his friend, Khelmer dropped a chandelier, causing the swirl of flame to grow too large for anyone to follow Lev. And then he ran.

After separating from Lev, Khelmer was alone again. He managed to lock himself in a storage room before collapsing completely whilst angry attackers pounded away at the door.

It was around then that the whispers began. Just before losing consciousness, Khelmer saw a flash of red light and the appearance of what looked to be a book by his side.

By the time Khelmer had come to, he was in a carriage with whom he assumed to be one the attackers. He had only caught one of their names, but he'd never forget it:

Aelrick.

The name sounded familiar.

The attackers discussed something about Khelmer. Something about... a book? A living weapon? After that, Khelmer's memory became fuzzy and full of gaps. He was imprisoned, but where? How long? He was made to fight, but couldn't recall any fighting. When did Lev get there? Khelmer didn't remember any of the answers, but he remembered one thing--escaping. He remembered being able to do nothing but watch in horror as his body slaughtered the knights meant to kill him. He remembered leaving with Lev, coming across more knights and then...