Worst Curse: A Ghostwalkers Journey, Book II

Chapter 15

     The sun began to rise, lighting the way back home for Bynan. When he emerged from the forest a guard was quick to gallop out and greet him. While approaching, the soldier noticed the horses with no rider, Bynan was leading back to the city. Lonely horses meant casualties, and the look on Bynan's face already told the story of what happened atop the mountain. Words weren't needed when the rider arrived by Bynan's side. He took ahold of the horses for his leader, and Bynan trotted off toward the city. Stopping on the inside the city's gates, he stared off into the distance while his command supervisor approached his side.

     "Gather me a detention team," said Bynan. "There is no time to waste."

     Continuing into the city, Bynan was shortly met with a team of men on horseback. The group was led deep into the city. Citizens, in need, approached the riders with arms extended, hoping for some help with plight, but none was offered. They were only met with disregard. About the only thing able to catch Bynan's attention was the dead horse on the side of the road. All four legs had been chopped away, and street dogs were feasting on what was left of the carcass. The rotting smell overpowered the street, making it difficult to ignore.

     The scenery sickened Bynan. He felt it was a representation of what he had allowed the city to become. Ignoring the world outside of the Light Witch had allowed the darkness to creep in and infect the city. His blind eye put him in the troubles he found himself in at this moment. For a long time, nothing was a problem, and he felt things didn't deserve his attention. He was now realizing what had been growing underneath the surface of his ignorance.

     Below his self-made sanctuary he made with the Light Witch, there were a row of houses inhabited by people of importance to governing the city. In the shadow of Bynan's fortress, he kept those of importance close by in case he needed to protect them in a hurry. The closer they got to his fotress, the less they were approached by citizens. There were better patrols, and infrastructure farther away from the gates. A sickness in his gut made Bynan grip the leather strap in his hands harder. He was faced with his mistake, and hoped it wasn't too late. While focusing on the immediate happiness of the Light Witch, he forget to think about her long term wellbeing. Failure in that regard wasn't acceptable.

     In the early morning hours, Jarus' actions were quite peculiar, if Bynan wasn't aware of the motivation. Along with his servants, Jarus loaded a wagon full of his household possessions. When Bynan arrived, the servants no longer exited the house, and Jarus came to a stop, beside the wagon, with his arms wrapped around a wooden crate. Eye contact lasted for a minute before Jarus' shoulders slumped and he slid the crate into the wagon.

     "I was unaware of your departure Jarus," said Bynan. "Should I take this as a formal resignation?"

     "We both know what's going on here. I was hoping to avoid an interaction."

     "Let's be honest. You were hoping I wouldn't come back at all."

     "You were never meant to be hurt."

     "I'm not so sure of that. What if our Highness didn't give into your demands? What would have been your next step. I'm sure you would have had to make good on your threats. You know, to show her you are serious...I wonder what that would've consisted of."

     "Probably some of what is about to happen to me."

     "Now why would you say that?"

     "Because you're going to want to know where Ladieta is, and I'm not going to tell you."

     "We'll see about that." Bynan waved two fingers above his shoulder, in the direction of Jarus. Two of his men dismounted, and approached Jarus. "Are you going to make this difficult?"