Chapter 10 -- Insidiae Divinae

The blond figure gestured all others to leave. 

 

I've.. To stay with him.. 

 

The only comprehensible thought came in segments as once more that piercing gaze ripped away the facade of flesh and bone, appearance and pretense.. No truth could be hidden from the otherworldly warrior, that much became obvious as memories came back to him, from the first few images and sounds etched into his mind, some he even believed lost to time, and some he wanted forgotten.. 

 

Memories, fragments and entire scenes of his life exchanged one another in rapid succession, sped along by the mysterious being, and only a few replayed in full length. Mostly those of his capture, torture, and a story told by his father of a chance encounter with the numinous.

 

So, the merchant was the other of interest.. 

 

It would seem so, but.. He's not here.

 

He started at the realization, those thoughts weren't his own.

 

"Open your mouth.."

The blond figure stated. 

 

Mjoln obeyed the request immediately, without thought or hesitation, eyes still fixed on the immaculate face of his savior. He had expected to see some expression of disgust or shock as he revealed the grievous injury, but nothing changed on the handsome features. They remained relaxed, neutral. 

 

Pain jolted through his skull as the finger touched his wound, pain that faded away as swiftly as it sparked to life. 

 

Moments later, the officer removed his finger from his mouth, leaving behind a fully restored tongue and no trace of what had happened before... 

 

Impossible.. 

 

"I'll get right to business.. Where is your father?" 

 

Mjoln took a minute to compose himself and verify what just happened to him. 

 

"He.. He left to trade in the capital, just the day before those things came here.." with that, he cleared his throat, realizing how tattered his voice sounded. 

 

"Did you ever experience magic of your own, or perhaps of your father?" 

 

Mjoln shook his head,

"Never saw real magic until this.. Incident. Perhaps once.."

he paused in thought, his savior gestured him to continue. 

 

"I saw this priest healing someone with prayers and blessings granted to him by the heavens.. But I'm not sure if that wasn't a dream. I was little at the time."

He explained. 

 

"I'm going to tell you.. If anyone casts such spells in your presence, without care.. You are at risk."

 

"At risk?"

 

"Yes, until I know more, you must distance yourself from all things magical."

 

Mjoln's eyes widened.

"What risk? Would I die?" 

 

"Worse. Much, much worse than death is the fate of those like you, if you seek out your magical potential."

For the first time, the blond youth allowed himself the shadow of a scowl, before he glanced at the door, as if to verify nobody was listening in.

 

"You and I… We have a distant blood relation."

He whispered. 

 

Mjoln flinched, hearing something so improbable would have almost been funny under different circumstances. 

"Are you.. Serious?" 

 

No response came..

"Look me in the eye and say that again, damn it!" 

He paused, remembering who he was addressing in such a tone. 

 

"Very well…"

Came the smooth, calm reply, at the same time as the young soldier closed the distance between them.

Mjoln nearly fell on his behind, but he met the icy gaze with his own. A gasp escaped him when that same voice sounded among his thoughts, only, louder than mere thoughts. 

 

I'm telling you, we are related by blood. One of my clan's ancestors had a human lover. It's not just my clan's ancestors who did this.. Almost all families had. 

 

Mjoln gulped, he blinked, but the connection remained strong.

 

I was one of those chosen to handle the extermination of all the resulting offsprings and all humans involved.. 

However, since those of our own received no penalty I did not carry out my orders.. Because of that, and because it is against my nature to take life, especially innocent lives.

 

His body shook violently, excitement, dread and disbelief waged a three front war within him.

 

"But.. That cannot be.. The texts say.. And those people… But.." 

 

As it turned out, some have died when unwittingly drawing from their otherworldly powers.. Died in agony and vanished without a trace. A condition we named Soul Decay killed them and their souls. I have devised a spell to shut away the otherworldly traits of those who survived, in an attempt to save those who could be saved. 

 

"So, then… These demons.. They want me?" 

Mjoln stuttered minutes later, when he finally digested what he heard. 

 

"Afraid so, it looks as though they have no accurate means to discern your kind from ordinary people.. At least, these grunts don't."

 

And that's not all… You and your father are the only two of this lineage here, in this land.. So from now on, you will do as I say without question. 

Speak of this to no one.