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The BloodVaine EpicChapter 56: Aezezal's Next Victim
Marus was standing on deck watching the wrapping-up of the race between the two Knight’s Kingdom ships.
“A whole lot of good that's doing.” A voice from behind him said.
Marus turned to see a soldier walking up behind him.
“Can’t they see they’re wasting time. Every second we waste is another man dead in BloodVaine’s war.”
Marus looked at him. “Well if you ask me you’re all crazy. If you were smart you’d do what I suggested at the council. Grab your gold, grab your ships and high tail it out of Dametreos as fast as the wind will take you.”
“Yeah, that didn’t go over too well did it. That might be what you’d do, but we Bulls never give up without a fight.”
Marus changed the subject. “You don’t know where we’re going I suppose?”
The soldier shook his head. “I’ve heard both north and west. Some say we’re going to the Black Knights, some say we're going to the Forestmen. Still others say Ninjara.”
“Phillip!” said a voice from behind them.
The two men turned to see another soldier approaching.
“Hey Phillip, have you seen Dilerd?”
“No, why?”
“Well he was supposed to bring up another keg of ale from the hold. Barbod ordered it to be opened in honor of our new ships.”
Phillip sighed. “Why am I not surprised? So what, Dilerd isn't back yet?”
The soldier nodded.
“All right, I’ll go get him. Knowing him he’s most likely fallen in.”
Phillip stalked off with Marus following.
“I don't believe this,” the Bull knight muttered as he went. “There’s a war on and we're passing out ale and holding ship races.”
Phillip opened the gate to the hold and practically ran down the steps. Marus reached the door and was about to follow when he saw something that made him freeze solid.
As Phillip reached the bottom step a sword shot out from the side and hit him in the neck.
“What the megabl.…”
The Bull knight toppled over dead. Marus raced down into the hold, sword at the ready. What he found shocked him. There was no sign of the attacker. Whoever it was seemed to have vanished into thin air. But what really shocked Marus was the pile of corpses, not five feet in front of the landing.
Suddenly there was a voice from the stairs.
“Hey what's going on down there?” Marus looked around at the mess surrounding him.
“Oh megabloks.”
Lord Void returned from the meeting with Barbod and now was at the helm of his prized airship, lazily guiding it with one hand while leaning against the rail and observing his crew. The Arklyndellys Vulondur was manned with all of the fit Fright Knights available, for they had experience with air-bourn craft. Bourne also was on aboard, there to guide Lord Void and to act as a communicator to the ships below. Lord Void disliked flying the airship at such low speeds, but to properly protect the fleet below he always had to be right above them. No attacks had been reported yet, but it only was a matter of time. Lord Void leaned to port and screwed up his eyes. He could just barely make out the ships Fleetwood and Barbarian Blood heading back to Bull Isle laden with refugees. Trevelayn had given up command of his ship to continue on with the fleet to the mainland, but Peter McSornley had decided to return to Bull Isle and update Gerrik on the situation.
Lord Void returned his gaze to the Fright Knight crew, who were testing out the dozen ballistae mounted all around the airship. Lord Void grinned slightly. His Mana power has at last recharged completely and hit felt very fit.
Lord Void’s reflections were interrupted by Bourne, who said sharply, “Void! Something has happened on the Bull’s Revenge! I fear a demon is present!”
Lord Void nodded and banked the airship sharply, inwardly confused on why he had not felt the disturbance. Perhaps he would never regain his full sense of the Mana power after all. No matter, he had no time to think about that now.
The Arklyndellys Vulondur was now hovering just a few feet above the Bull’s Revenge and a commotion on deck could clearly be seen and heard. Lord Void gave over control of the helm to a Fright Knight and he and Bourne raced down the ladder.
“I didn’t do it. I didn’t do it. I didn’t do it!”
Marus was being held by two men on the deck of the Bull’s Revenge. Nearly everyone of any clout was gathered on the deck in front of him. As Lord Void watched the scene unfold before him, the Arklyndellys Vulondur floated back up into the sky to take up it’s protective position.
“LIAR!” Barbod cried. “Dirty Dragon Master filth! Toss him overboard and let him drown!”
“Wait Barbod.” said the Lone Falcon, “We have to let him speak.”
“Oh please, falcon.”
It was the Lone Ranger who spoke.
“The evidence is all there. We’re going to war here! Is this really the time for a trial?”
“I agree with Barbod and the Lone Ranger." said Berlin.
“What say you Lord Void?” the Lone Falcon turned to the wizard, “Is he not your subject?”
“No.” said Lord Void, “He is a deserter. He even tried to use me as a hostage in an escape attempt, shortly after I rescued Reno and Aros.”
“Is this true?” Barbod said, turning to the brothers.
“Yes.” said Reno. “Aros had to knock him out to stop him.”
Aros and Luxus nodded in agreement.
"Now hold on just a minute your lordships.”
It was Jack speaking.
“I know it may seem like a closed case, and I wouldn’t put it past him, for he sure has the look of one would do it. But we have to-”
“But you don’t under stand!” Berlin cried, “Those men were friends of mine. Friends of Peter’s. What will I tell him?”
That's right,” said Barbod. “I don't need my men being killed off by this tyco Dragon Mast-”
“Let him speak.”
Barbod stopped, shocked at who had just spoken. It was Dordrot.
“Now listen,” he continued, “You can't rush off and kill this man just because you think he’s guilty. When I arrived you didn’t let me speak and regretted it later. If you judge wrongly again it won’t be so easy to reverse.”
“He’s a Dragon Master, Dordrot. You can’t defend a Dragon Master. Even if he didn’t kill these men, he’s sure to be guilty of worse things. Besides, where’s the loss? The man has only been a hindrance, ever since he got here. Even Lord Void admits to that!”
Marus scanned the crowd, looking for a friend.
“Gib!” he cried. “Gib, tell them that I didn’t do it!”
“Oh, he’d do it all right.” Gib said. “Just the other day I heard him saying how much he hated the Bulls.”
“No! No!” Marus cried, “He’s lying! He’s lying!”
How could this be happening? Gib wouldn’t. How could he?
The hermit strode forward. “Where is the weapon?”
Barbod produced a bloodied sword which Gib took. But the moment Gib’s hand closed around the hilt, a gray blur hit him from behind. The next moments were utter chaos. Jackal was tearing at Gib with everything he had. It was a full minute they got the wolf off of Gib.
“Restrain that wolf!” Barbod cried.
“No,” said a voice from the side of the ship, “Restrain that man!”
All eyes turned to the newcomer. The bedraggled figure was drenched from head to toe. His clothes were tattered, his face was scared and his eyes were red from lack of sleep. He looked like he had been though megablocks. Reno and Aros stared in shock.
“Get back, demon!” Aros cried.
“I am not a demon,” said the figure. “I am, once more, Searil Chordate. And that wolf has saved your leader from an untimely death.”
Reno was the first one to comprehend what had been said. He whirled around and stared at Gib. The hermit had been acting strangely ever since after the council meeting. He had become reclusive, not even talking to his wolf.
Suddenly Gib picked up the sword and rushed at Barbod. The Bull King froze, astonished. But Gib never landed a blow. The Lone Ranger jumped in and stopped the blade. Aezazel -for that was truly who was in control of Gib’s body- blasted the Lone Ranger back with a beam of black magic, but by then, everyone else was catching on and attacking as well. Lord Void made a sign with his hands and Aezazel was thrown backwards. Everyone, Barbod, Berlin, Lovana, Dordrot, Reno, Aros, Luxus, Jack Craft, the Lone Falcon, even Searil Chordate and the two guards holding Marus. They all charged.
For a moment it seemed impossible not to win, but then.
“Dragons! We’re under attack! All men to your posts! Ready for battle!”
Lord Void whirled around.
“Del Grakken.” he murmured.
The dragons were still a good way off but the fire balls had started. They rained like meteors from the sky. Death was upon everyone. But even before the soldier’s had time to be afraid, their lives were saved. Bourne had made a shield. Water, bubbling upon itself had formed a dome around the ships, protecting them from the fire. In the momentary distraction, Aezazel had disappeared. No one doubted however, that he would be back. The dragons would be among them soon. They would fly through the water barrier and destroy the ships from the inside.
We need a distraction… Lord Void thought, he looked up at the Arklyndelys Vulondur. Perfect.
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