Son Of Darkness

Leaving The Landing

With my other hand I put the crowns I'd reserved for payment in his hand. He smiled gratefully, nodding. He had short cut hair, the center thinning noticeably.

Jasmine stood by the door out, nuzzling against Yves on her shoulder. I walked past her, trailed closely by Aleru.

Stood in the main pebbled street of the town and taking a majority of the path up was a stagecoach. Bigger than the ones of the nobles I'd ever. It's monotone colors matching the adornments of our guide. The horses attached to the reins of the carriage were still. Both a similar grey hue, seemingly frozen in motion.

The left on tapped its hooves. It's feet hovering over the ground as if suspended. The right was up on its hind legs, stood in a pose reminiscent of a statue.

Jasmine stepped in front of me, scanning the coach. Raising her hand, a single snap echoed. The sound seemed to reverberate through both horses. They soon began to move again. Reawakened by the girl's return.

"Calx and Saxum. Good evening sweethearts." Jasmine said calmly to the agitated horses. Their eyes glowing a warm orange. Jasmine stood in front of the massive steeds. Her hands rubbing eachs muzzle to a calmed effect.

A small crowd gathered now, many people looking out of the windows of their surrounding buildings.

With the horses now returned to a relaxed and ready position, the doll like maestro directed us into the coach. Opening the door, I held it as Aleru pulled herself up.

Opening the adjacent door, Jasmine entered as well. I hoisted myself in and looked around. The interior of the coach was massive, almost appearing more so than the exterior.

Taking a seat next to Aleru, her eyes scouring the coach as well. She gave me a quick glance and smile. Sunlight painted her face, a soft light from her rosy cheeks. The metal of her earrings reflective. Her amber eyes beautiful.

The general shape of them was more human like, rounded and small. A small ridge was the only marker of an elven parent.

She was unsure which of her parents was, and didn't seem to care. Her parentage didn't really seem to concern her. I was confident that even if she had the chance to figure out she wouldn't.

Jasmine sat across from us. She was laying lengthwise along the chair. Yves on her chest comfortable.

As soon as she was settled, the coach began to move. The hard trotting of the horses reverberated loudly. Pebbled road shaking the cart unevenly.

"Who wiped out my father's opposition? You said that your family is some of the only remaining resistance. " I asked, eyes trained on the girl adjacent to me. Her eyes were closed and she smiled still. But she still uttered a response.

"His Sons."

Confusion rose in me. Siblings? I used to consider Aleru my sister, everyone in the orphanage was of some relation do me. Now I didn't see her in that light. Doesn't mean she was any less important to me.

"How many of them are there?" Aleru asked, beating me to the question.

"Mmmm let me see" Jasmine said holding her fingers up. Her mouth moved as she lifted fingers up and down. Counting. This went on for a few moments before she finally stopped.

"71. Including those who are no longer alive. "

I froze. The message my father had said after our last encounter returned to me. His declaration of sending a worthy host now made sense.

"One of them is after me." I said looking between my childhood friend and my new acquaintance.

"What?" Aleru said, confusions tainting her voice. Her eyes looked to me, worry evident as they widened.  "How do you know Uri?"

"My breakdown last night, he was speaking to me. He told me someone was coming. To take this back. " I held my hand over the patch. My teeth grinder in response to the memories of last night.

Jasmine gave a slow nod. Confirming what had been said to me.

"Who is he? I said looking at Jasmine. She knew these things. I needed to know what I was going to be up against.

"He has a few names. The most concerning being Kirunvroder."  A unnatural seriousness in her tone as she said the name.

"What does it mean Jasmine?" came Alerus voice. Concern easy to decipher. I felt her hand on mine now. Unsure if it was meant to comfort me or her. Most likely an attempt at both.

"The Brother Slayer. 7th Prince of Darkness. His name in Antiquity is Aamon. One of your father's eldest and strongest enforcers. He's responsible for killing the other two prior half-born sons of your father. Shan and Botus. " She continued. The seriousness still prevalent.

The demon Amon