Rebirth

18. Yew and You

Dear Journal,
              I return to the place where it all began and the woman that started it all.

      - 𝓔. 𝓢𝓽𝓮𝓮𝓵𝓮
                (1605)

"I hope I did not upset you earlier." Syrus said.

It was now the beginning of nightfall and they were both exiting the castle grounds. Elias had found Syrus still leaning against the rails of the staircase, drinking wine as he eavesdropped on his and Emma's conversation.

He had informed him that they were heading to the cemetery sooner than intended since he wanted to investigate something in the graveyard. Now, they enjoyed the cool air of dusk as they made their way towards the forest while following the dirt track road.

Elias also thought he would visit Genevieve. Though he did not know where she was buried, he knew that she was there, somewhere beneath the earth and he wanted to feel closer to her. At first, he had promised to tear the cemetery apart to find her corpse but it was only now that he realized how emotionally charged that statement had been. He was beginning to move on and find love elsewhere but his conscience would not allow him if he did not atleast attempt to wish her a proper goodbye.

"It is fine," Elias glanced at Syrus, "you are young."

Smiling at his sire, Syrus sank into conversation. He told Elias how wonderful wine tasted and how he felt like it curbed his thirst for blood. He boasted of his newfound strength and beauty and how the girls in the castle could not stop staring at him. He thanked him once again for saving his life and dedicated his power to serving him as long as they both lived. His sudden, talkative attitude began to remind Elias of the old him, the innocent boy who wanted to become a knight.

Syrus also went on to admit his concupiscence and his sudden need for coupling. Elias thought this was due to his age as he remembered he was also amorous at sixteen. Infact, he had been like that before he had died. It was the wickedness of man who had turned him bitter and destroyed his need for carnal affection.

"We can go to a brothel later." Elias promised as they walked through the woods of Marewood.

"Really?" Syrus asked, his eyebrows rising suspiciously.

"Yes, Syrus." Elias told him. "You have needs, I understand."

They paused to stare at each other before Syrus's mouth stretched into a fanged smiled. Racing around Elias, Syrus circled him with his superhuman speed before bolting off towards the cemetery.

Chuckling at him, Elias shook his head at the sillyness of his actions. His expression turned serious as the scent of magic dispersed around him, blending in with the air. Elias could not decipher the exact location it was coming from but he regarded the forest like an enemy as he waited for someone or something to show itself.

"Come on, Eli!" Syrus called from ahead, snapping him out of his thoughts as he sped off towards the cemetery.

Entering the graveyard, Elias found Syrus sitting on a tomb, his right foot dangling towards the groung and his left folded up to his chest as he hugged it, staring at the sky. Night had finally fallen and a luminous crescent moon coupled with an asterism of stars posed across the inky blue canvas.

"There is magic in the air." Elias told him as he turned his attention to the old yew tree in the corner of the graveyard.

"Maybe it is us." Syrus joked, his attention never leaving the sky. "What are we looking for?"