Chapter 26: Call for Help

Chapter 26: Call for Help

A glint pulled Leland’s eyes to his slung hand. The crow tattoo craned its neck, staring back at him with its rounded emerald eyes. It opened and closed its mouth like a repeating silent alarm.

Nearby, Shoutwell’s city guardsman sputtered in confusion and nonwords. “N-no that c-can’t- I-I don’t... T-that makes s-so much s-ense...”

“It's okay,” Leland said, burying his hand deeper into his sling. “Just contact the Inquisitors. They’ve dismantled the Cult before, they’ll do it again.”

That stopped the guard’s trembling enough to allow the others entry into the city.

Leland then watched him run off, likely towards a guard station or barracks. He turned to the others, “Let’s sell Alkin’s mount and get to his family home, quickly.”

“Wait what?” Alkin asked. “You three aren’t staying?”

“Not with the Sightless Cult here. I’d suggest you get your family out of town as well.”

The city’s noble flicked his nose into the air. “And leave my civilians to die? How do you even know it’s the Sightless Cult or whatever you called it? You only heard a description of a few murders from a random guard.”

Glenny took the liberty of answering. “I guess there is the possibility it's just a serial killer with an affliction for eyes. But the Sightless have a long and horrid history of encroaching into port towns.”

“Ports, why?”

“Smuggling,” Jude said, his eyes locked firmly on the damp muddy ground. “They smuggle parts of their ‘Lord’ and try to reconstruct it. If they succeed, all of Shoutwell will be in the ocean.”

Alkin only stared back.

Leland picked up the slack. “Our parents have fought them before. They don’t often talk about the horrific aspects of their work, but the Sightless was one they did. You and your family do not want to be here, even if it’s only a possibility.”

Alkin pulled the rein’s on his mount and headed into the city, ignoring the sinking feeling in his gut.

They traveled through the streets, finding them empty and eerie. Shadows moved beyond windows and curtains, the partial appearances of people spied beyond corners or alleys, and there was not an ounce of sound. As they moved, Alkin became restless. He shifted his weight from one stirrup to the other and back, a similar motion finding his neck and eyes.

“Six bodies and this is the city’s reaction?” he muttered. “Total fear?”

Leland held his tongue. It’s not that simple, he thought.

They encroached on a rushed elderly man and his adult daughter packing a wagon. As they neared, the pair became increasingly worried, speeding their escape despite their trembling hands. The family even left a few of their belongings.

Leland frowned at the situation but as they passed by the abandoned home he gasped. There, painted on the door in fly-encrusted red, was a crudely drawn closed eye.

“Don’t look at it!” Leland shouted, snapping his eyes closed and turning away.

The others did the same, even the hesitant Alkin. “W-what is it?”

“A sigil – or a mark, depending on what Legacy you ask.”

“What does it mark?”

“In this case? Death,” Leland said through gritted teeth. “’Here waits those nearest the truth.’ The mark of a vile Lord, the Sightless King.”

“Think of them as the Cult’s Legacy tattoos,” supplied Glenny. “Artificial, just like the ‘Lord’ they follow.”

Jude chewed his lip. “We need to report it. The guard will need confirmation that the Sightless are here. This is it.”

Boor looked his employer in the eyes, a faint squint as he did so. “Well alright then.” He turned to Jude. “I apologize for my sudden attack, I hope I did not injure you.”

The Legacy of Berserker’s eyes were closed. Ten seconds later, he opened them and spoke, “I understand and I am fine.”

Leland and Glenny both stared at him.

“Is mother home?” Alkin asked.

“In the study. Shall I take your guests to a sitting room?” Boor asked.

“No, we all need to have a conversation. Including you.”

“I see, I will start the kettle then. Cookies or muffins?”

“Muffins,” Jude answered instantly.

“Of course. Right this way please.”

The group followed Boor to the study. After ushering them in, the butler then disappeared into one of the mansion’s many hallways.

“Leals, can I borrow your ring of regeneration?” Jude whispered. “He broke my hand.”

Frowning, Leland subtly shifted the ring over to his friend just before his mouth suddenly dropped open at the sight of the study. He was sure it was bigger than his home town’s library, at the very least it definitely had more books. Shelves from wall to wall and in neatly spaced aisles were stacked from floor to ceiling with books. All sizes and colors made up the spines, some even housing obvious magical properties.

“Mother,” Alkin said, causing a dainty head to swivel.

“Ah! My little munchkin!”

The others froze at the nickname.

“We’ve been over this, please do not call me that. We have guests.”

“See, my little Alkin, that is precisely why I called you that. Humiliation builds character.”

Alkin coughed. “No it doesn’t.”

“Sure it does,” Lady Onryo argued. “In fact, I can already see it working. You’ve already made powerful connections.”

Alkin frowned at that, mirroring the look on the boy’s faces. “What do you mean?” he asked.

“Word travels fast when you have a network such as I.” She then turned to the others. “You three were the ones to take out the homicidal Icewillow. Some people in high places are quite impressed.”

Leland’s frown deepened. “Have you been spying on us?”

Lady Onryo gave a predatory smile. “Do you think I’d send my little munchkin out without supervision?”

“Yes,” Glenny challenged. “If you sent supervision, why didn’t they save Alkin before he was taken into the dungeon?”

Her smile twitched. “Forget that. We have larger problems to deal with. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but we have a small cult problem.”