Preparing for a showdown
Issac watched where Venus disappeared to, his eyes narrowing as the scarf vendor approached with a chuckle. “You do realize you won’t catch her unless she wants you to.”
Issac growled frustration evident in his voice. “I am seeing that.”
The vendor’s laughter was a harsh contrast to the tension in Issac’s posture. “But what is more interesting though is the weapon your young ward carries.”
Issac laughed bitterly, a sound devoid of humor. “Isn’t it? He is going to be pissed off when he wakes up. I am not sure if I should just leave or if I should try to settle his fears that I am a good guy?”
The vendor’s eyes gleamed with a sinister light. “Well, you have quite a moral dilemma. I mean, do you really think you can explain it all to him? Do you think he would really understand?”
Issac just stared at the young boy in his arms, his expression softening momentarily. “I do not know. For now, I need to get him into bed. Aurelian took a lot of his energy.”
“You know if you abandon him, he will have many struggles.”
Issac frowned, his voice barely above a whisper. “He has grown on my heart, to be honest. But I must get out of here before Xanther finds me. You have already told him, haven’t you?”
The evil gleam in the man’s right eye told Issac all that he needed to know.
“Fuck you, Haldor, I hate you.” Issac growled, his voice filled with venom.
“Yeah, I love to be the one you hate,” Haldor laughed, looking down at an imaginary timepiece. “Tick tock. Do you take him? Or do you leave him?”
Issac shot daggers in his uncle’s direction before turning and walking away. He stopped and turned around, a wicked gleam in his eyes. “You know, you are going to have to be creative. He has a bow that can kill you, and my stupid Grandfather.”
The smirk dropped from Haldor’s expression, replaced by a look of genuine concern. Issac laughed, turning and disappearing into the inn.
Haldor turned and walked off into the shadows, waiting for Xanther to head his call.
A tall, dark-haired man walked into the bazaar shortly after Issac entered the inn. He stood in the center, his presence commanding attention as whispers spread through the crowd. One by one, every single shop closed its doors, and the bazaar emptied to a ghostly silence.
Haldor emerged from a dark alley, striding over to the new man with confidence.
“Is he here?” The new man inquired.
“He is, but I would tread carefully. The boy has Aurelian.” Haldor cautioned.
The man frowned, his expression darkening. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. The boy turned it on Issac, and he addressed the weapon by its name. The bow only allowed the boy to disarm it after Issac obeyed its command and let her go. You and I know full well Venus and Aurelian were lovers.”
The man in black and gold robes frowned deeply, the veins on his neck popping and causing his tattoos to ripple. “We are going to have to do this carefully.”
“How do you plan on getting the boy’s trust?”
“That is a good question.”
Raziel awoke with a start, his mind a whirlwind of confusion and fear. The events of the past two days played over and over in his head. The bow, the girl, the king, his father’s strange behavior—it all felt like a dream, but the weight of it was all too real.
He sat up and looked around, his eyes landing on the bow resting against the wall. It seemed to hum with a faint energy, as if it were alive. Raziel knew that his journey was far from over, and that the answers he sought would not come easily.
Raziel’s rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he looked around his room. He found Issac sitting nervously by his bed. “Father, what is wrong?”
Issac looked at Raziel, his face etched with worry. “Well, there are men outside that want us dead.”
Raziel frowned, recalling something. “Dad, you said the men I killed are yours? Why didn’t you get me into trouble? Are you mad at me for killing them?”
Issac chuckled darkly. “Raziel, if they were attacking you or something you cared for, they deserved to die. I cannot be mad at you for defending yourself.”
“Dad, I… I did not want to kill them, I just wanted to scare them. I tried to miss, but it’s like the bow had other plans.”
Issac laughed, a hint of sadness in his eyes. “That bow does not miss, son. EVER.”
Raziel thought for a moment. “Can I get a regular bow, father?”
Issac’s eyes filled with murky remorse. “Once that bow chooses you, it will not allow you to shoot another bow.”
Raziel frowned. “You said there are men outside that want to kill us?”
Issac nodded. “I did. They want to kill both of us.”
“Well, I will not allow them to, father. I will protect us.”
Issac let an idle smile form on his lips. “Promise?”
“Promise, Father.”
“Then let us go down and get something to eat.”
They exited the room together, traveling down the hall and to the stairs. Raziel looked down at the tavern below, smiling when he saw the girl from before. Then he remembered his father wanted her.
“Father, I will protect you as long as you let her stay free.” Raziel crossed his arms, the bow on his back humming with arcane power. The air around him seemed to crackle with energy.
Issac raised his hands in the air, a placating gesture. “I promise, son, I won’t touch her.”
Raziel was not sure if he trusted his father. Issac seemed to be hiding something, a shadow of doubt flickering in his eyes. But Raziel nodded and headed down the stairs, each step echoing in the quiet inn. He walked up to the woman and sat down before her.
Issac frowned, casting a wary glance at the pair before heading to the bar.
The woman let mischief dance in her eyes, a playful smile curling her lips. “Hello, my young fae. What can I do for you?”
“Why did my bow lead me down there to save you?” Raziel asked, his voice steady but curious.
She laughed, a melodic sound that seemed to fill the room. “Directly to the point. I will answer your question if you answer mine. Why do you travel with Issac?”
Raziel sat back in his chair, considering her question. “That is easy. He is my father. He has raised me since I was about 8 years old.”
She leaned in close to him, her eyes darting from his to Issac’s and back again. “Let me tell you a secret, boy. You are not of common birth, and you are NOT his son.”
“What do you mean I am not of common birth?” Raziel looked at her in confusion, his brows furrowing.
She laughed again, a knowing look in her eyes. “I suppose you will find out soon enough.”
“Yes, My Prince. Us Larian’s do not bind with anyone but royalty. But I am angry with you. You have ignored me for the last ten years.” The strange dog, Calveron, sat on the bar chair next to him and the girl, his eyes filled with a mix of loyalty and reproach.
She laughed, her eyes softening as she looked at the creature. “It has been a while since I’ve seen you last, Calveron.”
The creature nodded his head, a solemn gesture. “Not since you sent me to be with him.”
Her smile grew, but her laughter stopped, replaced by a serious expression. “I know. It is time, though, that he learns his magic.” She turned her attention back to Raziel. “You have powerful enemies because you have Aurelian. Everyone seeks his power. But he has chosen you for a reason.”
“Who is Aurelian?” Raziel asked, his curiosity piqued.
“He is the sentient God that lives in your bow. He is why you turned your weapon on Issac. He is why Issac seeks your company. Because you can get him out of here alive.”
Raziel frowned, a sense of foreboding settling over him. “I have a feeling my life is about to change. That I won’t ever end up back at my little cottage in the woods.”
She chuckled, a hint of sympathy in her eyes. “That all depends. Do you want to hide in the sand? Or do you want to discover your true purpose, young fae?”
Raziel wrinkled his nose, confusion evident on his face. “What is a fae?”
The girl smirked, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Well, first, let us start with this. My name is Venus. My father is Diaglo.”
“Wait, I have heard that name before.” Raziel tried to recall, the amulet around his neck humming with power. “Oh yeah! Dad said that the pendant had something to do with Diaglo.”
She chuckled, a hint of mischief in her eyes. “Yeah, your ‘father’ stole yours and his from me.”
He frowned, a pang of guilt in his chest. “I am sorry my father seems to have wronged you so.”
She smiled, a forgiving look in her eyes. “I could have stopped him if I wanted to.”
A waiter came over and bowed, his demeanor respectful. “Venus, I have brought your order.”
Her gaze was one of appreciation. “Thank you.” She turned to Raziel, her expression serious. “Here, eat. You are going to need your strength.” She then took a bracer off her wrist and handed it to him. “Take this and wear it. It will help you to bond with your Larian better, faster. That way you won’t pass out next time my love takes possession. You need to gain your strength. There is a sapphire tempest on your horizon.”
Raziel looked at her with confusion but took the bracer. He put it on his wrist, feeling a surge of power as his eyes glowed briefly before fading back to normal. He picked up a fork and began to eat without another word, the food restoring his energy.
He was about finished when Calveron dove and hid under his chair. Raziel turned and saw Issac approaching, a concerned look on his face.
“Why does Calveron keep hiding from me?” Issac asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
“He thinks you are going to kill him, Father.”
“You can see him now? I was wondering when that would kick in.” Issac’s voice held a note of surprise.
Raziel just shrugged and put his fork down. “Father, we are not ever going back home, are we?”
Issac let a wild, yet mischievous expression cross his face. “No, son.”
Raziel frowned, a sense of loss washing over him. Venus spoke, her voice gentle. “Change is a good thing, Raziel. You will come into your power and be an amazing force in this world.”
“It is time to rise, boy. We have a showdown to attend.” Issac smirked, a determined look in his eyes.
