The War of the Roil: The Knight and the Warlock

Chapter 16: Vengeance

Lara groaned as consciousness returned to her.

The first thing she noticed was how awful her back hurt. Second was that she was bedridden.

Lara sat up to find that Gammond was sitting next to her bed in a chair, fast asleep and a half finished ball of scrap metal and wiring in his hands.

"Gam?" Lara moaned, "Gam."

Gammond jolted awake, nearly dropping his project. His surprise morphed into a wide smile when he saw her. "You're awake." He said with relief.

"What...what happened?" Lara groaned, "My head...oh gods."

"Medic!" Gammond called. A man in a white coat entered the room and started casting a Faithfler, soothing Lara's pain.

Eventually, the aching faded completely, so she waved the Preserver away.

"You alright?" Gammond asked.

Lara nodded.

"Good."

"I...I remember something, Gammond. From before I blacked out. I was a demon. I had wings. I could fly, Gam."

"I know," he smiled kindly, "I saw you."

"Oh," Lara looked down sheepishly.

"You look ashamed." Gammond said.

"I am." She sighed, "I...I lost control of myself. I...killed."

"Only to protect our city. Lara, you were incredible." Gammond insisted, "Thanks to you, we were able to rout the Atrellians back to Maladeth. What you did was far beyond simple murder. You ensured the futures of free Emryds everywhere."

"I'm certain the king won't be happy about me taking a holy relic, though." Lara muttered.

Gammond took an anticipatory breath, "That would be the case if the monarchy was still in power."

Lara furrowed her brow, "What?"

"After the Atrellians were pushed back, the King Regent took both the Cruelty Stone and the princess and fled." Gammond sighed, "My worst fears for this country are coming true. The Territorylords are taking power and frankly, I think Emreth is going to see civil war once the Atrellians are pushed out."

"What about Imryt?" Lara asked.

"My father has managed to establish an assembly of representatives from most people groups and corporations, but none of them expect it to last." Gammond said, "We can afford to let you recover for a while, but once the Atrellians regroup, we'll be in some hot shit. We need you to lead a final attack against them and push them out of the Norwyn lands."

"Me? Why me?"

"Why you?" Gammond exclaimed, "Lara, you're the Warlock! You're the only person who can unite Emreth. The only thing close would be if the god Tialeis himself marched onto the battlefield."

"Gammond, I'm not a military commander." Lara protested.

"But you're a symbol, Lara. You're hope for the Emryds." Gammond said.

"That...attacking the Atrellians. That would include killing my uncle, wouldn't it?"

Gammond blinked, "Oh shit. I'm sorry, I forgo-"

"No." Lara cut him off, "I want to take his life."

Lara's heart burned as she remembered her uncle. Before coming to Emreth, she would've seen Godric Spetyll as an unbeatable shadow that would haunt her for the rest of her days. But now things were different. She was powerful. She could fight him.