Chapter 97 – The Watcher’s Gaze (4)

Searching what remained of the cultists camp provided little enlightenment on their goals, or their next target. There was nothing written down, no maps to scour…

Midhir couldn’t help but feel a little annoyed at Lord Aulorn and Cait. They didn’t need to kill the leader of the cultists – they could have easily taken her alive. Her knowledge would have been invaluable, had she chosen to share it. And if she didn’t… He didn’t really want to think too hard about that – surely the enforcers had their ways, however unpleasant they may be.

With the bodies collected and stuffed into a holding gem to be identified later, the small group was soon ready to move out.

“You mentioned one more monument.” Lord Aulorn softly spoke while Arwen and Alistair helped Cait check the holding gems they collected from the cultists. “Should we head there as well?”

“No,” Midhir shook his head. “We need to locate the one that escaped.”

“The one with the helmet.” Lord Aulorn confirmed. “I’m afraid neither me nor Cait are Scryers. We can’t track him down.” He folded his arms and let out a rather annoyed sigh. “He’s a threat that must be eliminated.”

“I’d suggest capturing rather than killing,” Midhir dryly replied. “I understand you worried about the false priestess’ power, but killing her lost us a lot of information, Lord Enforcer.”

Lord Aulorn narrowed his eyes. “She wouldn’t have spoken anyways – her mind was lost to the Old Faith. You can’t break an already broken mind. You just put it out of its misery.” He scowled. “No human should suffer like that. I agree with your classmate – only insanity awaits beyond that border.”

With that said, the Lord Enforcer left him to stand there as he walked up to the others. His words lingered in Midhir’s mind – was it better to just… kill someone? The thought alone sent shivers down his spine. He absentmindedly rubbed his left eye. At what point was death the better option?

While he watched the four of them prepare to return to Bareon, a disturbing thought surfaced. Was he beyond that line? Had he crossed that border? Was Lord Aulorn one day going to raise his blade against him with the intention to kill?

“Midhir!” Alistair shouted. “Come on, we’re leaving.”

With mortal thoughts occupying his mind, he followed them into the old growth.

It was nearly dusk by the time they returned to Bareon. The city gates were only partially open and were quickly closed after they entered.

While most of the guards seemed indifferent to the enforcers, some made sure to steer clear of them. “Lord Enforcer!” A clear voice rang in the air, surprising them. Captain Rianne stepped forth from the ranks of her men and bowed before raising her head and looking Lord Aulorn directly in the eyes. “We are thankful for your aid. Allow me to escort you back to Lord Orlein’s mansion.” She then bowed towards Alistair as well. Her gaze turned cold, and her expression stiffened as she glanced at Midhir.

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“Your offer is appreciated, but not needed.” Lord Aulorn curtly replied, walking past her without sparing a second thought. “Lord Alistair, I won’t be visiting the mansion just yet – Cait and young miss Maloid should accompany you to report to your father. Young man,” he glanced at Midhir over his shoulder. “With me.”

“As you wish, my Lord.” Alistair quickly bowed his head before leading Cait and Arwen towards the Orlein Mansion.

Midhir followed Lord Aulorn, well aware of the conversation that was to come. As they scaled the stairs leading up the walls, footsteps sounded behind them.

“My Lord!” Captain Rianne’s voice echoed across the silent wall. “I request a moment to speak with you – it concerns the safety of Bareon.” Her fiery gaze landed on Midhir. Her lips formed a pale, thin line as her brows furrowed, and her hands clenched into fists, partially hidden under her fluttering cloak.

Lord Aulorn didn’t speak until he reached the top of the wall surrounding the City of Roses. He turned his back to the sunset, his cold gaze met that of Captain Rianne’s. “I’m listening.” His voice was cold as ice.

“Privately,” she added, shooting Midhir a meaningful glance.

“No.” Lord Aulorn scowled. “You may speak freely in front of your Lord’s classmate and trusted friend-“

Midhir raised his hand ever so slightly, cutting him off with a soft voice. “I’ll excuse myself, Lord Enforcer. Captain,” he bowed his head ever so slightly. Too slightly, for a student should have shown much more respect to a noble of an honourable lineage like Captain Rianne. But not so for another noble. He walked past them, along the wall surrounding Bareon. He could feel her wrathful gaze on his back as he walked away.

Only when he was far enough away did he let his shoulders drop and leaned on the crenels of the battlements. The overgrowth stretched as far as the eye could see, occasionally giving way to a monument here, or a rock formation there. Its spread was frighteningly fast. He remembered how it looked from the window of his room in An’Larion when he was but a child – it was never quite this dense. The canopy used to let the sunlight through, and it wasn’t so frightening at night.

Back then, they didn’t need airships to travel at night. Back then, small towns like Lohssa hadn’t been cut off from civilization just yet.

If things didn’t change soon, there would be no Eldoria left in a century. Even Calador would slowly begin to suffer from the overgrowth – if it somehow survived the current events it was suffering from now.

He raised his gaze towards the sky. The last rays of sunlight had begun to disappear. Soon, Bareon’s war against the new growth was going to begin.

“Here you are.”

Lord Aulorn’s voice startled him. “Lord Enforcer.” He awkwardly chuckled. “I was lost in thought.”

The Enforcer’s lips curled up for a split second before the cold and serious expression he was carrying returned. “I must ask something of you, your majesty.”

Midhir shot him an annoyed glance. “Don’t call me that-“

“I do because I call forth your duty to uphold.” Lord Aulorn’s gaze turned towards Bareon for a short moment before he looked at Midhir again. “So your fear doesn’t compel you to refuse.”

His chest tightened. “What is it?”

“So far, the Great One called you to its realm whenever it pleased.” His voice was grim. “Now you must enter that realm willingly – to find out about the silhouette, and the tear you saw before.”