An Otherwise Silent Sea

Thelios had eyes of the sort that poured disdain into Keahzztaoom’s heart, dull and self-entitled, they never took the time to peer through a window. Eyes of stone unable to pierce flesh. Some people avoid eye contact because of discomfort, deep thought, or to hide a wounded heart, but Thelios simply didn’t care to meet another eye. He held his posture rigidly; sunny blonde hair fell over a puffed chest clad in black silk, and hands held behind his back concealed an array of dazzling rings under a gold cape. He cocked his head toward Cordivus with an inaudible sigh and faintly lifted eyebrow, “Cordivus” he said with poison, “might this be yours?” The guards lopped forth a limp corpse. Cordivus gave an oblique squint before his countenance dropped. “Mine? Oh Peth, no. Dear boy.” Doômess squirmed in the midst of the open crowd; his eyes never resting on any one person. After a tired eye roll, Thelios responded, “well, your acquaintance, came bearing dire news, if it is true, that is.” He awaited a response, but Cordivus was waiting for the news, Doômess stared at a bloodless Peth, and Keahzztaoom dared not break eye contact with the knights lest he look at Thelios and let loose a flurry of accusations that would land them swiftly in prison, or without heads. Thelios continued, “hmm, young Beth here was found collapsed by my SeaFare Road outpost with an arrow in his back, muttering something about a trio of Baaleks haunting Rishkai, that is, before he bled out. I do find it oh so disturbing how your kind’s blood seeps so quickly into the ground, and the bodies of your dead into bare soil…He’s caused quite a disturbance along the trade roads,” he snarled through his gritted teeth. “I won’t be wasting my men on the report of a quivering Èyümian but seeing as how you Rajës pride yourselves as the hunters of these supposed monsters, why don’t you investigate eh?” he said, leaving the body of Peth on the cobblestone. Keahzztaoom picked him up. “You don’t understand what you’re overlooking, and do you care nothing for this dead boy? When did he die exactly? Did you even try to help him?” Cordivus asked gravely. “Set aside your petty…” “Petty!” Thelios replied with a calmly scornful face, “the power your kind hide away could make this nation an empire, but you keep it for yourselves. Don’t talk to me about petty you witless blight,” he snarled. Then moving closer, he slapped Keahzztaoom across the cheek, “be sure to acknowledge your betters when they grace your presence worm!” With that he left. Keahzztaoom gripped Peth until his knuckles cracked, feeling blood trickle hot under his skin. It was all he could do to not draw his sword. Blood then cooled by the cold body; the ice of death set in as Peth turned stonelike and Keahzztaoom let go. Cordivus lifted his chin and clasped his face with fatherly tenderness. People who came to watch began to trickle back into their places, excited and curious. Leaning back against the pig iron fence of the Pesky Crow, Cordivus furrowed his brow in contemplation while the others waited in grave anticipation. “Our plans have changed. I will prepare Peth for burial and take him to The Citadel for a proper ceremony before the meeting. Keahzztaoom, you and Doômess must go to Rishkai. A Baalek report surely overrides an emergency summons.” “Us?” Doômess spouted in surprise. Keahzztaoom was notably intrigued at the notion but shaking inside. “I’m too old for such a fight; I would bear more weight in the congregation. No, you two, perhaps by Èyüm’s providence, are all we have to meet the enemy with. Let us go and prepare for ourjourneys.” Keahzztaoom shot up, falling on the fence, “then why are we still standing here!? We should be mounting the horses and making our way, not packing! How many might die because we’re wasting time? What if Matana be among those numbers! I won’t stand by while people die!” He turned to storm off when Cordivus’ voice struck him still. “You are throwing a tantrum like a small child! You will lose nothing of your precious manhood by taking the time to be ready for the perils that lie ahead of you,” he said with a voice of anger, disturbed by notes of grief. “Do you think it’s easy for an old man to send a young boy into danger? One that he has raised like his own child? You are not ready, no one ever is, and rushing ahead will only bring about your death and hers more surely than taking our time,” his voice now wavering only with grief. Keahzztaoom stood frozen, his eyes finding no place to rest between the ground and Cordivus. “Keahzztaoom, there are many things you do not know, and many things you are forgetting in your anger and pride, as well placed as the former may be. Not everything can be solved with a fight, the only thing you ever seem prepared to do... Doômess, acquire your belongings and meet at our home as quickly as possible. Come Keahzztaoom, collect yourself on the walk back and we will make preparations.” Doômess nodded his head and awkwardly made his way from the Pesky Crow. Keahzztaoom found his voice, humbled and angry he said, “of course, let’s go,” through a clenched jaw.