Chapter 724: The Iron Child

Chapter 724: The Iron Child

The Roth siblings reluctantly broke their hug knowing that their time together was growing shorter.

Alex stepped away from his sister, placing his hands on her shoulders. His eyes held hers. Youre one of the bravest people Ive ever known, Selina, and I want you to never forget that. Remember that when you think about me, and remember how much I love you. Ill miss you, and Ill come back home. I promise.

Selina sniffled, looking up at him with her large, green eyes.

Alex took a moment, taking in her face, really looking at her, committing her to memory.

Shed grown a lot over their two years in Generasi. She was taller and leaner. Her face was changing, shifting from round, pudgy and childlike, to the angular face of the young woman she would be. There was still more child there than adult, but that would change with time.

He knew that if he was gone long enough, she might barely be recognisable when he got back.

That thought stung. Deeply.

Youre the bravest person I know, Alex, and Im glad youre my brother, Selina told him. I love you, and thats why you have to come back. Soon!

I will, Selina, I will, he promised again, stepping back.

Sniffling, she walked to Claygon, cuddling against the iron golem. A surge of emotion flooded their link as the golem placed a hand on her shoulder.

Alex turned to Brutus who was sitting beside his master.

Goodbye, boy, he said to the cerberus, wondering if the hound truly understood. He hugged the cerberus thick middle neck, then almost laughed; two years ago, Brutus would have lunged at him if hed tried to touch him, never mind hug him. Theresa had been right, as she often was; a little respect had mended the bridge between them long ago.

Brutus licked Alexs face, those big, brown eyes staring into the young wizards until Alexs gaze drifted away.

He looked up at Claygon.

The golem was watching him intently.

Anger seethed through their link, along with a deep well of sadness.

Iam hereto protect youfather he said, his voice like that of a scared young child. You and Selinamade me for that

Alex placed a hand on the golems arm. Thats true, but youre so much more than that, buddy. Youre a singer, youre my friend, youre a warrior, youre part of my family. Any father would be lucky to have you for a son. Youre so much more than a golem thats only there to protect me. Youre not my slave, youre not just my golem: youre Claygon. You can choose to do what you want, beyond what you were made for.

Smiling sadly, Alex tapped his Marked shoulder. Look at me, I was supposed to be a clown, a servant and counsellor for other people, for the Heroes and all of Thameland. But here I am, doing things my way. You have to do things your way, buddy; you have to be more than my protector while I'm gone.

Yourewrong.

Wait, what now? What do you mean?

Yourewrongfather, Claygon said. Waves of sorrow poured through their link, tinged with anger. Anger that was directed at Alex. I knowall of thatalready. I knowwhat I am. I knowwhat you made me forand I know that I can doas I want.

Claygon looked directly into Alexs eyes andthough his were forged of ironthe young wizard could have sworn the golems eyes were alive. Truly alive. I dontknowif I canresist youif you forced me to dosomething. We arelinkedand I have alwaysfollowed what youvetold me to doand I dont knowwhat would happenif I refused.

Huh, Alex said. I dont know either. Were still connected, but you have your own mind and your heart is made from a dungeon cores essence. Youve already evolved twice; honestly, Claygon, I dont know whatyoure capable of. Thats one of the many, many reasons I say youre more than my protect

Yourewrongfather! Claygon suddenly shouted.

Selina startled, recoiling from the golem, stumbling and falling. Ooof!

Below, chair legs scraped across wood.

Theresa startled.

Brutus jumped to his feet, barking.

Alex was stunned into silence.

Burning anger poured through the link.

I am yourprotectornot becauseyou made me that way! the golem shouted. Youmade mebut I am my ownperson! And Iwant to protect you father! I choose youI choose to protect SelinaTheresaBrutusmy family. I choose to protectKhalikIsoldeThundarthe Heroesmy friends. Its what I choose to do. I am notsomeslave that you have to set free...father. I amClaygon. I amyour buddyyourchild. I choose to protect youand thats whythis hurts so much. Because

The golem shook, his head tilting down.

Icannotcome with youyou are right. If I come with youthen Selinamight get hurt ordie. Terror poured through the link at those words. ...if the churchcomes here You goand I cannot follow. It doesnt hurt becauseI am some unthinking thingthat has to go with youit hurtsbecausebecause

His four hands balled into fists.

But why do mortals die, father?

Here son, you're doing a good job with those potatoes. How about a cookie?

Oh, thanks Dad!

Alex had devoured his cookie happily, quickly forgetting his questions about life and death; it was only now that he realised what his father had done.

He distracted me, Dad never had a real answer, he thought. How could anyone? When he froze like that, he was probably panickingjust like I am now. Huh.

In that moment, Alex felt like he understood his father better than he ever had before.

Claygon He paused, searching his thoughts. I don't know why people do what they do. I don't think even the deities and archwizards of the world know why some people choose hurt and some dont. If they did maybe this would be a better world.

He sighed. Or maybe not. I dont know. I wish I could tell you why they kill for a dead god. Or even a living one; I mean, they do a lot of awful things He shook his head. I wish I could tell you why Uldar built the Ravenernot to help Thameland, but to kill his people over and over againpeople who trust him, who believe in his goodnessbut Ill never understand. I'm not sure if I even want to.

I see maybe it'smore comfortable for themthey don't have to think. They don't have to decidethey don't have to feel the pain of decidinglike I do now Claygon said, his voice returning to that of a small child.

Alex swallowed. Maybe you're right, buddy, maybe you're right. This decision hurts me too. It hurts me a lot.

He took a step forward, his arms spreading to hug Claygon.

Somebody cleared their throat.

Um, is this a bad time? Bjorgrund filled the doorway, eyes wide. I heard shouting and some kind of loud bang, and I thoughtwellthat you were in trouble? His eyes fell on Selina. Um, do you need a hand, small child?

The young girl gaped at the giant, then slowly turned to her brother. Alex, who is this?

Um, um, Im Bjorgrund, the young giant muttered. Uh, sorry for disturbing you all.

I told you not to interfere! Birgers voice called from somewhere below. He sounded like he was standing at the bottom of the stairs.

Selina's eyebrows rose.

Well, Selina, Alex cleared his throat. This is Bjorgrund and Birgerhis fatheris downstairs. Theyre, umnew friends we met in the Empire.

Okaynew friendswe keep making thoseokay, the young girl said, though she looked a little wild around the eyes. She turned to the young giant at the door. Im Selinawelcome to our home.

Gingerly, she reached for the giants hand.

With a single swift yank, he helped her to her feet. Selina yelped. Yikes!

Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you! He recoiled. Its just, uh, I've never really met anyone so small beforeandyou know what? Im just going to go now.

That's okay, I

Goodbye! The young giant quickly turned and fled, thundering down the steps, drawing a cry of alarm from his father.

By my ancestors, watch where you're going, son! Birgers crutch thumped across the wood. You're liable to crush me!

Sorry, father!

Don't apologise, just shut the door! You left it open! Blast it, son, give these people their privacy!

Yes, father!

Bjorgrund scrambled back up stairs, bowed his head in apology, then with a heavy bang, the door slammed.

Silence descended on the room, draining some of the tension away.

Ah, he seems nice, the young girl gave a strained, confused smile, looking like she wished she was in bed.

She suddenly frowned.

Um, we have a problem If there's people who could come here to hurt me, then I can't stay in our home. Not anymore.

Thats why youll be going to our old apartment in the insula, Alex said.

Selinas eyes hardened like emeralds. I cant go there either. Not ever.