Chapter 25 - Deadly But Beautiful
Enzaghe stared in awe at the face of the unmasked Shadow for a while then began to until her. Her long blond hair and cold blue eyes, Enzaghe could hardly contemplate that such a beautiful face could be that of the deadliest killer in the land. “Can I have that” she asked upon being able to stand up once more.
“You cant go back to wearing it now Shadow.” Enzaghe replied.
“I know that” Shadow said, then sighed “all warriors deserve a burial, I think the Shadow of Death is no exception, there is no more Shadow”
“Then what do I call you”
“When the time is right you shall know my real name ” she replied, Enzaghe simply nodded and opened the door and the two walked through it and made their way outside. It was still late night with the moon still just visible through the dark clouds that continued to linger. Enzaghe took a flaming torch from a guard and went to find a shovel, they then made their way toward the trees. Enzaghe placed the torch down on the floor and she began to dig a small hole. Enzaghe left her to dig until she was satisfied that the hole was deep enough, she then reluctantly went to put the mask into the hole. “No turning back now” Enzaghe said, upon seeing her unwillingness to bury it, she then took a deep breath and dropped it in the hole. It felt strange to her burying such a big piece of her past. She had always in the back of her mind wanted to rid herself of it but the act itself was a surreal experience. “I never thought..” she began
“Thought what? thought that you‘d do it?” Enzaghe asked
“That I would be still be alive after I removed it ” she replied bluntly, then got back up to her feet. Enzaghe put his hand on her shoulder, she was too distant to tell him personally but he could tell she disliked this. “It‘s been a long day” Enzaghe said, taking his arm off her shoulder. “You should get some rest, there are beds, real comfortable beds not like in that cell” it took a while for her to dignify Enzaghe with a response but she did eventually.
“Show me them then” she replied and with that Enzaghe and she made their way back to the castle. She awoke the next day feeling much better, like a great burden had been lifted from her head. She sat up and sighed, wondering what would happen to her next. She got out of bed and made her way to a mirror, it was a strange experience for her not having to take a mask off before being able to look at her face, a strangeness that she could grow to like. Her dreams the previous night were relatively untroubled compared to some of the cruel tricks her mind had played on her during other nights. It was the first time her father had never featured in them, his death which had become a recurring facet of her dreams was unusually absent. she had gone to bed wearing the same shirt and leggings she always wore, she packed no other clothes and put on the black chest plate, shoulder pads and the black boots that was the recognised attire of the Shadow of Death without realizing. She stood in front of the mirror once more, captivated by not seeing the sometimes ghastly sight of the mask and admired her new look, trying to get used to it. There was a knock at the door which she didn’t hear and before she knew it they had already entered. The noise of the door being closed triggered her to turn and go to attack whoever it was before seeing that it was Imunzo. “Still on your toes even without the mask I see” Imunzo commented.
“The mask is not the warrior, I am” she instantly responded
“Good to see that removing it has not removed your courage”
“Are you not surprised that all this time the legendary Shadow is a woman?”
“I do not care if you are man, woman or creature, I care about the person and whether they are a good battler or not” Imunzo said. “But yes, I am surprised” he then said, giving her the answer she wanted.
“Has Zvire been released also” she then asked.
“With no charge” Imunzo responded
“ Where is he? I need to see him, or rather he needs to see me, the real me” she then paused mid sentence “can I have my sword back?” she asked, to which Imunzo drew it out of his belt and tossed it across the room, she caught the sword and sheathed it in one swift motion.
“Zvire was with the young warrior Calandria the last time I saw him, down in the main hall” Imunzo then added.
“Then lets go” she replied, they both then exited the room and began to make their way to the main hall.
As they both entered the main hall, the sounds and sight of soldiers filled it from top to bottom. There were people walking along all corridors, some could even be seen on balconies above and there were three large separate groups in the middle of the room receiving orders from stern-looking men in charge. “This is what a castle looks like from the inside before you‘ve burst in and caused chaos” Imunzo said jokingly as they made their way down a flight of steps.
“So where is Zvire then?” she asked Imunzo as they reached the bottom.
“There!” said Imunzo, after locating him heading for the exit. They both scuttled across the room and tried to catch Zvire as he headed for the exit but narrowly missed him. Imunzo opened the door and they then went outside, following Zvire. “Zvire!” Imunzo called as he went through the door, causing him to turn around.
“I‘ve been looking everywhere for you, do you know where Shadow is” Zvire said, as he made his way up to Imunzo, stepping out of the doorframe.
“Shadow is dead” said the woman previously known as Shadow with a smirk on her face as she came into view.
“Shadow is...” Zvire began in disbelief, then noticed the clothes of Shadow on the woman standing next to Imunzo. “Shadow is you!” he exclaimed. Then there was a brief pause which Zvire then broke “you look different somehow Shadow, new hairstyle?” he said, before laughing heartily, which was joined in by the two that stood around him. Unknown to the three however, two figures approached behind them, two familiar figures. Kaiazal and Orscyar.
“Yes, who would have thought that the legendary Shadow of Death was a woman all this time. The captain of the Legia army was killed by a woman, I do hope the rest of the army will be harder to kill” Kaiazal said, causing Zvire to jump and turn, drawing his sword which he had finally managed to get back of Calandria in the process, this was soon joined by the drawing of two more swords. “What evils do you bring with you this time” said Imunzo after taking his sword out.
“With Goreoth released, there are only two things we want” Kaiazal started
“Those swords” Orscyar finished, pointing to the sword of Drakahor and Zvire’s blade, the sword of Chalhor.
“Well you‘re not getting them” came a voice behind everyone, Enzaghe’s. Enzaghe came out followed by Calandria, both weapons allready raised. “When I give the order my men will crush you” said Enzaghe, Kaiazal then saw that castle guards had gained on them and were around them at every angle.
“When I give the order mine will destroy yours” said Kaiazal, irate that anyone would dare try and sneaking up on him like that and he immediately summoned hoards of demons which came down and began to attack the swordsmen. However Kaiazal was alarmed to see when the guards began to fight back, and gained advantage over the demons. Enzaghe gave the order to the troops to attack the demons and he would deal with Kaiazal personally. “Time for a new breed of terror” said Orscyar and he then created five Zaokum warriors surrounding the group of five warriors that included Enzaghe. The Zaokum began their attack swiftly, each going for one of the five warriors that stood facing Kaiazal and Orscyar. Calandria, spurred on by the fact that one had overpowered him last time began to cut and thrust at the nearest Zaokum, who instantly began to back away from the controlled fury that were Calandria’s blows. Shadow was with them on the battlefield, the woman who had been the legend showed the Zaokum memories of Shadow with her power and skill, united with the sword of Drakahor she felt more powerful than usual and forced the Zaokum against the castle wall. The Zaokum however used its cunning and lightning speed to kick the sword of Drakahor out of her hands. Kaiazal instantly became active, steadily guiding the blade out of the air and down into his hands. The moment the blade touched Kaiazal’s hand however, he was floored by a punch from the woman formerly known as Shadow, her fist slamming into his cloaked head hard. “That‘s mine” she said as she snatched the blade out of the air and made her way back to where the Zaokum stood. “No more games” she said as she approached the towering figure of the Zaokum and a split second later she slammed him with a hard right hook, unsettling it and making it stumble. As the Zaokum staggered around the woman that was Shadow thrust the sword of Drakahor deep into its stomach. She was then alarmed to find it had no effect, it did not fade to nothing as the demons had. The Zaokum tried to take advantage of her momentary lapse in concentration and went to land a right hook on her but she managed to duck it and then kick the Zaokum off the sword of Drakahor. Meanwhile Imunzo and another Zaokum were locked in a stalemate, with neither managing to land a blow on the other. Imunzo cut his blade through the air, changing its direction three times to make it harder to dodge but each time the Zaokum managed to find a way to avoid it. “Why do I always seem to get the agile one” said Imunzo to himself as he ducked out of the way of a astute Zaokum blow. Imunzo then darted his eyes around and somersaulted backward high into the air onto the window ledge of the castle. As the Zaokum went through the entrance of the castle to give chase, Imunzo looked up and jumped up, grabbing onto another window ledge and then pulling himself up. Imunzo repeated this another time before he made his way onto the roof of the castle. Seconds later the door across the roof came bursting open and the Zaokum came charging at Imunzo. Imunzo stood expressionless and held his sword horizontally in his right hand as he waited while the Zaokum gained ground on him. He felt a bead of sweat fall down his head and paid no attention to it, keeping his gaze locked on the Zaokum drawing closer to him. As the Zaokum got close enough to grab he made his move, grabbing it by the back of the neck and forcing the Zaokum over his blade, severing its neck in the process. Imunzo looked down and stared at the corpse of the Zaokum “That is one for my people” he then breathlessly said. Imunzo looked over the ledge of the castle and jumped off it, making a perfect landing on the second ledge and then jumping once more to the floor, unaware he was being watched. “He is proving problems” Orscyar turned to Kaiazal and said as they observed the battle.
“He has always been a problem. The Djiani warrior will be dealt with in time, even if it is by Goreoth himself” Kaiazal responded. Kaiazal began to sniff the air, the smell of someone began to fill his nostrils. “Someone is coming” he said, continuing to fill his delicate nostrils with the scent of whoever was approaching. “The boy king Valandt comes this way” said Kaiazal smiling.
“Let us depart” replied Orscyar “The reunion of the boy king and the woman that was Shadow should prove interesting” he continued smiling.
“Yes” agreed Kaiazal “I do not want to stand in the way of their hatred for each other and there is still a something hanging over both of their hearts. They each have something to reveal and this will be the beginning of our victory” Kaiazal concluded and with that they disappeared, taking all the remaining demons and Zaokum with them.
Valandt approached the hills of Hazajaro with elation at the fact that the journey to Hazajaro was nearly complete. He was riding ahead of all the others and desperately missed Astral’s company. Valandt slowed and stopped his horse at the top of the hill and awaited the others to join him, he would have a short break before completing the ride to Hazajaro. Valandt’s main reason for taking a break now was not that he was making such good time and didn't want to arrive to early, nor was it that he wanted to give the horse he was riding a break from the relentless high-speed trek through Legia, it was the fact that he needed to see the beautiful face of Astral again and the subsequent exhilarating feeling that came along with being in her presence. Astral was the penultimate one to come around the corner, Valandt ran to her and greeted her dismount with an immediate hug and soft kiss. “It would have been a beautiful sight to see if there were not so much terror in the air” said Astral after Valandt had let her go and she began to walk toward the hill top and gazed over it.
“What do you mean? it’s breathtaking from where im standing” said Valandt, paying no attention to the scenery and instead looking at Astral’s face, to which she turned and smiled a smile which made him feel wonderful inside. “There is not much to go to Hazajaro now” said Valandt to Astral, relieved that the journey was finally coming to an end. Valandt walked back to his horse holding Astral’s body close to his, he then turned and looked at the other horsemen who were awaiting his next order. “Would you like to ride with me?” Valandt asked Astral, knowing that they would have to depart before the horsemen and Presto became restless but wanting Astral around for much longer.
“I would be delighted” she replied with another breathtaking smile. Valandt gave the order to take the spare horse with them as they rode and mounted his horse. Valandt then took Astral’s hand and helped her up to the horse with him, she put her arms around his waist and held him tight. Valandt was in danger of overflowing with joy as she held him and he gave the order to ride out. They made their way down the hills of Hazajaro and along a wide stretch of open plain, they then went through a small forest and came out the other side, with Hazajaro castle standing in front of them. Valandt got the impression that a battle had taken place recently with blood being strewn across the burnt grass as he dismounted and then helped Astral to the ground, Valandt then waited for Presto and told the horsemen to take the horses around the back and tie them down around the back. After the horsemen had disappeared Valandt, Astral and Presto made their way inside Hazajaro castle. Upon opening the castle door Valandt was greeted by an old friend of his, Calandria. Calandria was the same age as Valandt and although they were very young they both excelled on the battlefield, at one time they had been rivals but this developed into a close friendship which Valandt was sorry to see deteriorate once Calandria had moved on to the army and joined together with Enzaghe full time. They were a double package, Calandria and Enzaghe. Calandria had been with Lord Enzaghe for years, Calandria was his nephew and Enzaghe was the one who had gotten Calandria excited about it with stories when he was a young boy. Calandria greeted Valandt with an instant smile and hug, which pulled his hand out of Astral’s grasp momentarily. “Its good to see you, things around here have been hectic to say the least” said Calandria upon letting Valandt go.
“You never did like the calm days though did you” said Valandt smiling, he then continued “but seriously, I saw the blood outside. Battle?” asked Valandt.
“Kaiazal decided to grace us with his presence, we taught him a lesson though, they disappeared as soon as we began to get the upper hand, cowards if you ask me” Calandria replied to which Valandt nodded.
“Where is Enzaghe? I need to see him” Valandt then asked.
“I‘m not too sure, I think he‘s in one of the rooms upstairs with Shadow”
“Shadow! Why isn't he in the cells?” Valandt responded and then went to head up the stairs to see Enzaghe.
“Before you go there‘s something you need to know about Shadow”
“What about him?”
“Enzaghe’s let him free, and he is a she” Calandria responded, which made Valandt raise an eyebrow.
“Coming with me then?” called Valandt to Astral and Presto as he stood on a staircase and waited for them to join him. “It was nice seeing you again Cal” called Valandt just before he, Presto and Astral made their way up the steps. Just as they reached the top Enzaghe was on his way down, Valandt immediately stopped him. “What‘s this I hear about Shadow being freed?” he instantly demanded.
“Well I thought with everything with the demons and all these beings that posses powers beyond our imagination that we could do with Shadow on our side” Valandt instantly grabbed Enzaghe by the collar and shoved him against the wall.
“Now you listen to me” Valandt began, feeling the anger flow through his veins once more. “What is going on with Goreoth is no excuse to let a man..”
“Woman” Enzaghe interrupted.
“Man, woman whatever. What is going on with Goreoth is no excuse to let someone like Shadow go free, as far as I‘m concerned Shadow is worse than Kaiazal, Kaiazal has the excuse of being born evil, Shadow chose to be. Where is Shadow anyway?” Valandt finished and then let Enzaghe go.
“In that room” Enzaghe replied and pointed to the door immediately to the left of him.
“I‘m going in there, I want no-one else to follow” said Valandt “I want Shadow alone” Valandt then icily added. Suddenly Astral instantly got in Valandt’s face and she put her hands on his cheeks and he felt her calming influence start to calm his boiled blood down. “Do not do anything to her Valandt. She is not evil Valandt”
“As sweet as you are Astral I cannot hide the hatred I have for this woman. She has killed Raiguarde and more importantly she has tried to kill me” said Valandt, heading for the door. Valandt stopped in his motion and turned back to Astral “I will try and stay calm, for you” Valandt then gave her a soft kiss on the lips and went toward the door. “Nobody enters this room but me” Valandt said to Enzaghe as he put his hand on the door. Valandt then opened the door and went inside.
The door closed on Valandt and the woman that was known to him as Shadow and the tension allready began to rise. She was sitting at the end of a large table, Valandt took a seat at the opposite end. She was wearing everything that Valandt had come to know as Shadow’s apart from the mask and Valandt felt his anger steady. There was an eerie silence as they both watched each other, Valandt began to recall his previous encounter with Shadow, they duelled for the crown and Valandt had Shadow ready for dead. Valandt wished he had her in the same predicament, then there was no way she would make it out alive as she had done. “Just come to admire the new improved Shadow or are you actually gonna talk?” the woman that was previously known as Shadow was the one to break the deadlock, her tone showing her clear disrespect for Valandt.
Valandt was incensed at her disregard for him. “I want an explanation, now” Valandt said sternly.
“Explanation for what?”
“Everything, the mask, the killings, everything. The Shadow of Death was a legend, I want to know how that legend started”
“I do not see what business it is of yours but I may as well humour you” she began. “Around nine years ago my father was killed, ever since I've been stalking the land looking for the killer”
“Do you realize how many innocent father‘s you have killed. There would be hundreds of Shadow’s if all daughters were like you”
“And I guess you were the perfect son, that's why you had to go and be adopted by a king”. As they traded comments he calmly sat and attempted to not get angry, however Valandt thought if she got angry and attacked him, then he would have an excuse to kill her with a clean conscience so Valandt began to try and rile her. “I see you have Enzaghe wrapped around your finger” said Valandt, beginning his attempt at antagonising her.
“I saved his life, he let me free. See into it what you will” she replied.
“It was not in his authority to let you free” Valandt said sternly, his anger raising now.
“And what authority are you?”
“I am the king. My demands are unquestioned” said Valandt trying to fight the anger building inside him
“You only have that crown because of Gyraicus’ disappearance and you are not even of true blood, you were not the next in line for the throne, your crown is tainted”
“Gyraicus is dead, I have seen the body with my own eyes” anger was momentarily replaced with sorrow as Valandt spoke.
“Dead?” she said, stunned “Who-Who killed him?”
“Kaiazal” Valandt responded.
“I‘m gonna kill..” she said, getting out of her seat clearly angry.
“Why do you care so much about my father’s death ?” Valandt asked.
“Why do you not seem to care?” she replied.
“Look Shadow” Valandt paused “I cant keep calling you that, what is your real name”
“My real name?” she said smiling. “My real name is Sierra” she began to laugh. “I am your father‘s sister. Gyraicus‘ long lost sister”.
“But she, she was killed by Lord Darkenhathe...” started Valandt in disbelief. He had heard the tale of Gyraicus’ lost sister enough times to know it off by heart and could not believe what he was hearing. “There was no burial for my body, that is because one was never found. My father and I, were constantly arguing. I had no interest in the things he thought were my duties. I had no intention of being a pretty little princess, I longed for the battle and wished to join the army. He forbade this and to spite his anger I slept with Darkenhathe. There was a huge argument the night he found out and I ran away. Golan would never let it be known that his holier than Paix herself daughter would have slept with his worst enemy to spite him so the rumour was spread that I was simply missing, killed by Darkenhathe. I turned to him and he turned me away, Darkenhathe‘s reputation was built on my death and he wasn‘t going to deny it. So I fled, I ran until I could run no more. Then one day I heard news of my fathers death and it changed me, it transformed me into Shadow. I ran after the killer because I blamed myself for his death, because I still loved him and was stupid to run away” Sierra then paused and looked at Valandt who had a look of horror on his face. “What is it?” she asked him. He spoke slowly and with deep regret in his voice and the words rocked Sierra to the core “I‘m the one you‘ve been looking for. I killed Golan”.