“That was quite a bit of information that Elgar got from the slice before it was killed,” Weryn remarked.
“Elgar is strong like his Master.Second to him in power some say,” Legion answered.
“Hmmm, well, even if this is a trap, we will be able to deal with it, yes, Legion?”Weryn asked.
An eager nod.“Yes, Master!Together we are unstoppable!”
Was that true?Legion was strong, but young.Kaly was unpredictable.So unpredictable.At least, Legion was sure to not hold back if they were to be attacked.That was one benefit of their unique and troubling nature.
“Then let us go,” Weryn said.
Weryn started down first, but Legion waved him back.
“No, Master, if there is a trap then it is best if I take the brunt of it,” Legion said almost primly.
But a Master should protect his fledgling at all costs.Especially one so young…
“If you wish, Legion.Go ahead,” Weryn found himself saying instead.
Legion eagerly headed down the spiral staircase that just barely accommodated their bulk, Weryn followed after them more slowly.He stuffed the soul gem into an inner pocket of his coat.There would have to be discussions about this with Legion later.But if it worked… Well, the punishment would not be too bad.
He hated being underground.He wasn’t even fond of being in buildings.His palace did not count, because he had brought the outside in.But it had been so long since he’d been back there.He missed his palace too.So much.
The passage was not bare, packed earth with dirt and rocks sifting down on their heads, but it might have been for all the comfort it offered him.No, the white stone walls and generous arched ceiling of the passage that was lit by soul gems felt like it was crushing him on all sides.Considering there was plenty of space for Legion in its shifted form, there was more than enough for him in his human one.
His ears were pricked for any sound other than his and Legion’s mostly silent movements.His nostrils flared as he filtered in every scent.But it was not very good, because the thing–no,person–he most smelled?Daemon.
Daemon’s scent was all around them.Woodsy and spicy with that faint metallic tang.It was the scent of comfort and safety and devotion and love.His chest felt tight as he breathed in his beloved king’s scent. If Kaly had passed this way, he couldn’t smell them, but he could not even smell Legion over Daemon’s cologne.
And it wasn’t just Daemon’s scent, but his presence.Legion–or Kaly–had been right that Daemon blocked everything else out.It was as if his king were physically and psychically reaching out to him.
Is Daemon hungry?Starving?Is he glad I’m back because he needs blood?How long has it been?Oh, gods, too long.What have I done?Why haven’t I come back here to take care of him?
He found himself trying to pass Legion.He had to get to Daemon.He had to see if the king was alright.He needed to get him blood supplies immediately.Perhaps he should bleed himself to feed his king.
“Master, slow down!We must be careful,” Legion warned.“Kaly could be anywhere ahead of us!”
Weryn’s steps slowed slightly, but the need to get to Daemon was overwhelming.As much as he loathed Kaly, he hoped that Kaly had been feeding Daemon.Surely, Kaly had been.They were nearly as obsessed with their king as Legion was with him!He almost laughed at that comparison, but it gave him a little comfort.Perhaps Daemon hadn’t beenstarvingandwaitingnot for his fledgling but for them to return.For Weryn, Kaly, Ashyr, Eyros, all of them to return.
“We are almost there, Master.Just a little farther and we will be at the tomb,” Legion cautioned.The passage ended at a set of stone steps that would upwards.“Master, use the jewel to open the entrance above.”
They pointed at a stone plate at the base of the steps that had an indentation that fit exactly the soul gem.Weryn expected Legion to try and take it and use it themselves, but they only pointed and stepped back.Weryn fit the stone neatly into its assigned spot.There was the faintest amount of grinding noise and then moonlight began to flood the stairs.Daemon’s presence was like a bright lure.His king was up there.His king needed him!
Weryn took the stairs two at a time recklessly and without thought to Kaly’s potential masked presence.He just couldn’t care about any of that.Ashyr was right.He needed to wake Daemon.He’d confess everything and Daemon would fix it.He might not forgive Weryn, but he would fix it.
He’ll make Kaly bring Ashyr and all the others back.The War will end and things will be as they should be,Weryn thought with an almost child’s longing.Is my mind truly broken now?Am I out of control as Eyros said?Or am I finally coming back to myself and seeing clearly?
The stairs opened up inside of the golden dome.Daemon’s body–shrouded in stone–was lying on top of the sarcophagus just like Weryn remembered.The glittering golden flower that was to be used to slice the hands of willing victims glittered at him almost accusingly.
“My king,” Weryn breathed.“I am so sorry.I am so sorry.”
He staggered towards the sarcophagus when an elegant figure in all back stood up to face him.It was not Kaly.It was an Eyros Vampire.One of the War Children that Eyros had created before abandoning the whole idea to fill his ranks.He had dark hair that fell in a mass of waves to his shoulders.He was lithe and tightly muscled on a lean frame.His olive-toned skin spoke of the Mediterranean or perhaps nearer Africa.Full lips, noble nose, broad forehead and wide, silver eyes.Beautiful.Eyros did not limit himself to those physically pleasing, looking for something deeper in his Children, but this one was truly lovely.Lovely and useless.This Childe was hardly older than Legion.Nothing to worry about.
But still, Weryn’s fangs were out and his lips were pulled back from them.He hadn’t even noticed them until he was practically on top of them.Young Vampire or not, threat or not, it was sloppy of him.
“What are you doing here?This is the tomb of the king!Not for the likes of you!”Weryn hissed.
Legion had just come out of the secret passage.Weryn expected them to hiss and spit at this Eyros Vampire, but they did not.
