Chapter 95: Sanctum XX

Chapter 95: Sanctum XX

But things had changed. The abominations gave a clear, horrifying picture of what the man could do, and a worse case scenario that was impossible to shake. And that was just accounting for outside factors. There was no denying that internal dynamics had shifted, created friction where little had existed. Jorra was no longer explicitly angry, but the end result was arguably worse. I could feel his eyes on me, questioning both my motives and by extension, his own in accompanying me. He stuck next to Maya like they were attached at the hip. I wondered more than once if he would still be here if Maya had remained at the heart. Bellarex had picked up on the tension and almost seemed annoyed with Jorra. It boiled down to a fundamental difference in philosophy and the fact that she had been on the outskirts for most of the battle.

Bell hadnt seen the moment the battle had shiftedhow it appeared that I had snapped after felling the captain, revealing something frightening that lurked beneath the surface, something Jorra had not seen the way Maya had.

So, watching him venture out ahead of the group and scout, I knew how isolated he must have felt, harboring fears and concerns that no one else seemed to share. I just wasnt sure how to handle it, or even approach the problem, when my word was effectively shown to be worthless. He met my eye briefly as he trotted back towards the group, a slain gray creature that resembled an oversized rat swaying limply in his grip.

See anything, Jorra? I asked.

No. The answer came back short and clipped.

Maya glanced at me before speaking. Nothing we can use?

Nothing, Jorra repeated, annoyed. No rivers, no landmarks. Nothing but trees and moss.

It would help if we could see farther than a few hundred feet. Bell noted, looking out through thick wood. She had climbed a particularly tall tree earlier in an attempt to see over the canopy. Once up, Bell had described a shimmering visual effect like a rolling heatwave that limited visibility, but the real surprise was that she spotted a red infernal on a distant section of canopy doing the same thing she was. She waved and the infernal waved back. At the same time. With the same arm. Then she spotted another, and another, all arranged at several points in a circle around her, all that moved when she moved. Some sort of spatial distortion.

Well, you bagged dinner at least. I pointed to the creature that hung from his hands. It had sharp and pointed teeth that gave the impression it wasnt a herbivore. Anything we can do to stretch our rations will help.

Maybe. Jorra shrugged off the compliment. Assuming its even edible.

I toyed with the idea of sending Vogrin out. It was tempting, but after the previous series of events I was loath to put even a fraction of my mana in reserve, let alone close to half. It had been far too close, and I doubted the cowled magician would double down and attack us again so close to such a clear failure. For now, it was enough to know we were headed in the right direction.

There was a twinkling sound, almost like the wind-chimes. I turned immediately, looking for the source. Did you hear that? I murmured to Maya.

She followed my gaze into the forest. No. Again? Are you certain?

Almost certain. I mused. Id been around Maya long enough to know that she was an attentive person. The last few times Id heard the noise Id been the only one to notice. It had been distant, far enough away that I could understand the others missing it, and wasnt entirely sure whether my mind was playing tricks. This time it was clear, and Maya had still not heard it. Something magical, perhaps? Something only I could hear?Read latest chapters at nov(e)lbin.com Only

There was a flash of movement as a small figure retreated further into the forest, though the figure looked wrong in some way. Something about the light. It was almost translucent. It reminded me of the girl outside the enclave gates and the cryptic conversation Id dwelled on for some time, and eventually decided was possibly a simple hallucination under stress.

It also put me in the mind of that first day in the Everwood, when Thoth had used an illusion to lure me away from the caravan into Barions clutches. That in mind, I was cautious. But something about this felt different.

Lets pause here, for a moment. Jorra, did you scout in that direction at all? I pointed out towards the direction Id seen the small figure.

Not really. Jorra said. He hesitated, like he might ask more and decided not to.

The reaction was immediate. There was a cacophony of whispering and the flitting of a thousand shadows. I looked up slowly. The vibrant butterflies had stopped fighting over the flowers. They formed a singular swarm, all facing towards me. Their wings were silent, beating hypnotically as they thrummed with volatile energy.

Slowly, I lifted my boot off the crumpled flower. Red nectar leaked from its stem.

The whispers intensified, and within the whispers I could hear a thousand muted voices. A raw blanket of pain pierced my mind.

Wasnt the only trophy he brought home

What did you offfffer them?

Just like his father

The poor thing is freezing

Guess who came looking for you

Some hero you turned out to be

And you will wisssh that you had died

I clapped my hands to my ears, eyes wide. It did nothing. I could still hear them clearly, their voices bouncing in my head. My vision started to fray around the edges and gray. My mana was plummeting. I wanted to turn and run. To flee. But somehow I knew, the second I turned my back, they would be on me. So, I stood, even as the voices battered me down.

Hey! The voice startled me so badly I physically jumped. I turned to find a figure clad in heavy robes, a mesh net covering his face. In his left hand he was holding a bag, and his right hand wreathed in violet flame. He ignored me and faced the swarm. Come on you b-b-bastards. He waved the demon-fire on his hand as a man might wave a flag before a bull, pulling the swarms focus from me to him as he moved away.

The whispers crescendoed to an angry buzz and the swarm dove towards him. The fire on his hand extinguished. He thrust the bag forward, aimed its mouth towards the incoming swarm, then opened it.

My ears popped and the surrounding air swirled. The robed man staggered backwards as the swarm was sucked in, thousands of butterflies gone instantly, a few hundred more actively fighting the pull, wings tearing in the swill trying desperately to fly away.

The blanket over my mind faded. I ran over and braced him from behind, helping him keep his balance as the final few were pulled into the bag. He pulled the drawstring tight and the wind ceased immediately. He tied the bag in a complicated knot, then pulled the hood off his head.

Nauseous and empty as I felt, I couldnt help but smile.

Bacchus?

Bacchus pushed his spectacles up his nose and offered me a tired smile. When I swore to the lord below Id repay you, I didnt think it would be quite this soon.