The Ice Eyed Mage

Chapter 13

"Good morning, princess." Crowley whispered as Nysia's eyes fluttered open. It had been hours since Copas was promoted and the mage had not left the tent. Only peeking his head out every so often to make sure none of his prisoners had escaped. Copas had immediately given out the ranks to who he saw fit. After they were assigned he had taken the group inside the tent to introduce them to the prince.

Crowley had questioned them harshly making sure they were good fits for their new rank. After he had accepted Copas' men he told them what their original plan was. All of them smiled at the announcement that Crowley would be challenging the throne. One by one they bowed to him and swore their utmost fealty to him.

Copas was originally going to make Bryn his second but Crowley refused the idea saying that the boy would be his second instead. He already made plans on making Bryn his Justicar, the highest military rank there was. The Justicar served as the top brass of the entire military, not just the royal guard. The Marinade, the Skyforce, the Mountry, and the Shored would all be under his command. Copas agreed with him saying that he would be one of the best Justicars of all time.

Now he sat smiling at the Fury woman, who showed her true form to all who came inside. She smiled at him before sitting up and stretching, wincing slightly at the slight bump on her head.

"I'm sorry love, I'd heal that for you but I am far too exhausted." She shook it off and leaned over to hug the man.

"How is Bryn? I heard his screams even as I was unconscious." She looked to where he pointed and rushed to the boy's side. Bryn had yet to wake but he looked much better as Crowley had finished healing him. She grasped his hand and raised it to her forehead. "You stupid man, thank you."

A large rumbling sounded off throughout the tent and Crowley blushed. Nysia's own stomach growled announcing her own hunger. Crowley moved to the tent's door and poked his head out and asked the guard there to bring them some food. The soldier nodded, saluted, and headed off to complete his task.

He and two others returned a few minutes later with a tray of food for each of them. Crowley thanked them and left without a word. The two of them ate quickly hoping to watch Bryn wake. After Crowley was finished with his meal he moved back to Bryn's side and gently tapped the side of the boy's face.

"Wake up, damn you. Don't make me slap you hard you lazy bastard." Thankfully it didn't come to that, for as soon as he said this, the boy's eyes fluttered open. He looked up at the other two weakly.

"Sorry I couldn't do more to help you two." He whispered. A tear fell down Nysia's cheeks and she threw her arms around him, overjoyed at the sight of him awake.

"Nonsense, you saved us." Crowley placed a hand on the boy's shoulder with a smile. He moved back to the door and asked the guard to inform Copas that the other two were awake. Once again the man nodded, saluted, and left. A few minutes later Copas rushed into the tent and sighed in relief at the sight of Bryn.

"Gavin? You're here?" Copas smiled at the boy and nodded.

"Lord Crowley has promoted me to Major General." Bryn smiled up at Crowley.

"Thanks, Crowley. Even asleep you knew who I trusted most within the camp." Crowley shook his head.

"I only chose him because he seemed the most worried about you. A sympathetic general is what we need most." He shrugged. Copas looked amazed before laughing.

"That's why you chose me? I thought it was because Bryn told you about me." The two of them proceeded to explain that Copas had protected and shielded the half-elf from many beatings and helped soothe him whenever he had a nightmare. He was the one person Bryn knew he could trust.

"Then my instincts were correct in choosing you." Crowley shook the man's hand, before turning back to Bryn. "I made a blood pact to you, to punish those who hurt you. I fully intend to complete this task, however, I want you to tell me how they should be punished. Kill them, imprison them, exile them, it's up to you."

Copas was surprised at hearing of the prince's blood pact with Bryn. "I would like to say kill them, but I shouldn't. Maybe kill Raiyne but the others should be in jail for their misdeeds, as many of them were following Raiyne's ideas. Raiyne however didn't just use me, but normal people as well. He's horrible to the bone." He looked to Copas who nodded in affirmation.

"A good judgment from the future Justicar. I expected nothing less from you. Should his death be painless or painful?" Crowley stood and walked to the door.

"Future Justicar? Me?" Bryn was astonished, could he really be a Justicar?

"Bryn? Fast or slow?" Crowley asked again. Bryn snapped out of it, thought for a moment before smiling.

"He's afraid of dogs." He hinted. Crowley smiled wide. He'd have fun with this.

"Copas stay with these two please." He didn't wait for a response before striding back over to his group of criminals.

"Your future Justicar has shown most of you mercy. All except Raiyne will be sentenced to prison for an amount of time which will be announced later. However Raiyne, you have not only raped that boy but many of my people, neither of us feel you deserve to receive the same mercy." Crowley yelled for all to hear. "Raiyne, for your numerous crimes you have been sentenced to death." He smiled at the look on the man's face. He placed a hand on the mark that bound Viid and Ir'vos to him and summoned the two hounds. Raiyne screamed at the sight of the hounds, which snarled and snapped at him. "Goodbye Raiyne, may the gods be more merciful than me." He snapped his fingers and the two hounds clamped hard on the man's legs as they dragged him down into the hole.