The Master of Names

Chapter 15- Three Dots

  Keldon rested his chin on his hands, leaning forward as he kept steady an intense gaze with Salem. The two of them had made their way into the cabin of the prison cart, making sure that no one was around before they spoke.

  "Want me to run it by you one more time?" asked Salem.

  "Maybe..." said Keldon, shifting in his seat.

  Salem sighed. "One more time."

  Salem flicked his hand, opening a brass pocket watch. The outside was unassuming, plain at best. But inside, there were 4 intricately placed clock hands which Salem had explained dictated both the date and time that the final calamity would commence.

  "My full name is Salem Faughlt. I was an ex-peacekeeper of the Order of Solanus."

  "That I got." said Keldon.

  "The peacekeepers were one of the four main factions led by Sun-k'aal-sun roughly a century ago. The other three being; the Order of Lunarus, the Order of Magistrate, and the Order of the Divine. However, due to our..." said Salem, catching himself.

  "Well...their former head -the Sowἆlun- falling into a coma, the peacekeepers have fallen out of power."

  "Why can't you elect or promote a new one?" asked Keldon.

  "Because of tradition. According to the words of Sun-K'aal-Sun, the Sowἆlun maintains his seat of power until he no longer draws breath."

  "Sounds dumb." Said Keldon.

  Salem slammed his fist, staring daggers into Keldon.

  "Sorry. Go on." said Keldon, making a mental note to keep his opinions to himself for this one.

  "Anyways, since only the Sowἆlun can instate peacekeepers, our numbers dwindled, leading to the decline of the Solanus." said Salem, "In their place, the Order of the Divine had taken over much of the jurisdiction, claiming a majority of the political power."

  "Warangels..." said Keldon.

  Salem nodded.

  "So, what happened to you?" asked Keldon.

  "I was exiled. For treason."

  "Then...what'd you do?" asked Keldon softly.

  Salem smiled, twiddling his thumbs as he leaned back "Same thing I'm doing now. Complicit in the act of hiding or aiding any users of Illegal magics."

  "And they didn't just kill you??"

  "They couldn't."

  "Why not?"

  "Let's just say my father had his fingers in a few too many bowls of oatmeal." said Salem.

  Keldon wanted to push further, but the look Salem gave him made him think twice.

  "Okay, that I can accept. But explain this" said Keldon, pointing at the watch.

  Salem stared at the pocket watch with an expression of tenderness that Keldon hadn't even imagined he could make.

  "My wife Emily gave this to me before she left." Salem said finally.

  "Hell of a divorce gift." Said Keldon instinctually, before mentally palming his forehead. "Oh. Was she an illegal magic user?"