Carmine (Completed)

Chapter 60

My head racked with the subliminal ideas falling into place. I sat on a broken column slab in the woods outside Ersury. Valor, Janilla, Five, and Sandream, all of them sat on fallen logs around me, again.

I felt comfortable here, with people I knew. Something that resolved my internal distraught, and raised it to the surface were the nagging levels of weakness amongst them.

Sandream conscious rested in a weaker non-combat shell with a fractured arm. Janilla was Janilla, and Five had a new body, but his shell had no glyph, hence no special powers.

Valor remained the only useful one. Fantastic, it would have been a while before Sandream got her shell back.

The wind whistled through the leaves, and my nose inhaled the tangy odor in bliss.

My half-sister sent Five to kill me, but he heard I had the forbidden burden of Erot's death within the deep confines of the coven.

Whether it was true or not, he could certify nothing beyond her words. Billasoia acted without her mother's authority. If such was the case, what would my mother gain where my half-sister lost?

Corona was another one. She allowed me to leave, because I promised her a battle to the death, I guess? Plus, she helped me back there. I knew it. I doubt it was because of me, she treasured assisting in the death of Excular I believed.

I asked, "What is next?"

Valor shrugged his animal pelt pack-laden shoulders spotted with blood drops. Janilla looked away, and brushed strands of unkempt hair off her forehead. "I say we keep moving, but since we are stuck here maybe we should set up defenses."

I asked, "Why? If they come, no defense will work. You saw how those Elamnites saunter in whenever they please." Especially with Valor alone being here, I hoped they never attacked, but I knew better. Those times were the best times to come at my neck.

"I was thinking Tiam's army," Janilla said.

"I do not fear them, not right now." I patted on my hair. "Corona will come soon—not sure how my mother will react to me leaving her side in that manner."

Maju walked out of the bushes and toward us.

Valor said, "I am glad you left with Sandream and did not attack Corona. Revenge is not the right way to live."

I snorted at him reminding me of my weakness. Yes, the decision was the smart one, but it was not the one I desired. What I wanted were all my enemies under my mud-caked sandals. "So says the murdering assassin that probably gets contract hits from vengeful employers."

Valor stared stone faced.

Maju reached and read the atmosphere, so she cleared her throat.

I said, "Yes, is Wale finished?"

Maju nodded her head. "To repeat, that will be some days from now. What I came to say is that the wedding of Aconm will be happening in a week. My husband has been invited so I will be going."

I made a face of confusion as I wrapped that idea in my mind.

Janilla saw my confused scowl, and wagged her finger. "She was brought here to marry a King, the next in line is naturally Aconm, so I guess he got lucky in that regard."

Valor replied, "Is he lucky? He is getting married, that is nothing more than torture. No better prison exists than marriage."

I rolled my eyes. "Valor silence. We are not talking about you here."

Valor replied, "You know, the more I look at you, the more I feel the walls closing in on me."

This arrogant bastard never failed to amuse me. "Again, you can leave my presence," I retorted.