Happy Friday All
I hope your week was less eventful than mine! Very busy handing projects over to editors and continuing with two projects at the same time. I am so very tire. I do try to take time to write a little, but we'll see how long that goes on.
Anyway, don't forget to read @zakludick's update here before you read this, or you'll be a little lost.
He viewed the two and wished that he could grin. They were sturdy fighters, and to volunteer to go into a literal nest of Lifedrinkers was a fearless task. Something many of their kind hadn’t wanted to do, despite their supposed bravery and duty to Mortis.
Within minutes they were making their way outside of the castle into the grasslands that were taking back the battlefield that had seen many undead roaming it not too long ago. Mortis noticed shadows dodging here and there and knew they were being followed. He sighed, wondering once more what his life would have been like had there been no curse upon this land.
The two Blaze Knights rode in silence, not even talking to each other, but with their heads on a swivel. They had also likely seen the shadows and were nervous. They had every right to be. If Sebastian was anything to go by, then his honour guard would be no easy group to converse with.
It didn’t take long for the trio to reach the hastily set camp of the Clarpratians. The people looked miserable, but they weren’t bound. It must have been a long journey. Mortis almost felt embarrassed that he hadn’t thought to bring food to these people, but he allowed that thought to dissipate as a shadow zipped between his horse’s hooves. Had it been any other horse, the revenant was sure he would have been thrown, but this beast was made of sturdier stuff. The shadow moved from shadow to shadow until it was nothing more than a puddle of darkness before Mortis’s horse. Mortis stopped and waited, not dismounting.
The puddle eventually took shape and an armoured warrior with a skull helm eventually stood before him. This warrior wasn’t as built as Sebastian but was close. Mortis was sure this was his second command. The Lifedrinker said nothing and waited for Mortis to make the first move.
While he didn’t need the breath, Mortis took a deep breath and sighed heavily before saying, “You’re actually going to make me say it?”
The skull nodded once.
“Maria Constance Hakatha the Third cordially invites you to these lands.”
To their credit, the two Blaze Knights didn’t laugh at the Queen’s full name, despite them never hearing it before.
“She says her brother will be treated with the respect that her father would have shone in times long past before the hunger struck.” Mortis tapped his chest, “I am Mortis, and I have been charged with divvying up your people to nearby farms that will take them. They will be clothed, fed, and protected, as long as they don’t bear the hunger. That is all the queen wants. Those of you who are like your king, are to come with us to the castle. Maria and Sebastian need to talk to you.”
The skull nodded and made a sign to someone close by. A human jumped to his feet and ran into camp, speaking a language that Mortis was unfamiliar with.
“He’s saying that the unhungered are free at last.” Said one of the Blaze Knights.
Mortis turned and the knight continued, “My parents are Clarpratians, they taught me the language.”
“Then you are younger than I thought.” Said Mortis.
“Young isn’t bad.” Said the Skull Warrior.
It was the first time they had heard it speak and the voice rang out like metal. Mortis could hear the power in the voice.
Quickly the camp was dismantled and those referred to as the unhungered were quick to approach Mortis. Mortis nodded his head to the two Blaze Knights.
“These two will take you to the farms where you can help. It’s hard work but you will have food and shelter, and I personally will ensure no one is abused while they stay in this land.”
He then turned to the two knights, “Take them to all the farms, those who can’t be divvied up should be taken to the castle to find work there.”
“My lord, and the honour guard?”
“They are for this warrior to deal with.” Mortis swung his arm back to the armour-clad warrior.
“Indeed.”
Mortis waited until the humans were moving off before he turned back to the only guard that had remained, “Where are the rest of the Lifedrinkers?”
The warrior pointed behind them, “Went home, no reason to stay. They did as Sebastian asked.”
“But they are his honour guard, they should have stayed to protect him.”
“Sebastian has one honour guard and that’s me.”
Mortis was taken aback but kept his cool. Sebastian must have had a lot of trust in this warrior.
“I see no horse for you, while my beast is strong, I doubt it can carry the both of us.”
“No need. I like shadows, and the beast doesn’t seem to mind me.” The Skull Warrior melted back down into a puddle and came to rest in the shadow of the horse.
We can go.
The echoing voice in Mortis’s head wasn’t a new sensation but it was odd that this creature had so many strange abilities he hadn’t known Lifedrinkers could have. Perhaps those who were hungered had different traits. He turned his beast and made his way back to the castle. While he did feel a little unnerved by the creature travelling below him, he knew that no harm would come to them. It was clear that Sebastian and Mary knew exactly what to say to put their people to ease.
By the time he returned to the castle gates, young Adrian was waiting for him. Mortis usually expected Magna to be the one waiting, but lately, the young Prince would try to be acknowledged by the revenant.
“Step back, young Prince.” Warned Mortis.
“I’m not scared of Albert.” Adrian petted the horse’s muzzle and the creature nuzzled into his chest.
The beast’s name momentarily stunned Mortis, enough so, that the real reason for his warning didn’t get spoken until the shadow darted toward the back of the boy. In a flash, the Skull Knight was standing there in its black armour with wickedly curved gauntlets at its side. That would explain why Mortis hadn’t seen a sword.
Adrian turned as he sensed the creature and looked up at the armoured face. Mortis was prepared to attack as needed, but instead, the younger twin grinned and said, “Uncle said you would arrive in your best armour.”
I couldn't think of a more ridiculous name for a horse. I remember a book series I wrote many years ago with a zombie manservant who was called Basil. I was trying to go for something like that. I hope you all enjoyed that. I'll be leaving you all in the capable hands of Zak.
Here is an explanation of Chain Stories and here is the current Chainstory Library
Mortis Custos
Sanguifex
| by @zakludick | by @lex-zaiya |
|---|---|
| Part 1 | Part 2 |
| Part 3 | Part 4 |
| Part 5 | Part 6 |
| Part 7 | Part 8 |
| Part 9 | Part 10 |
| Part 11 | Part 12 |
| Part 13 | Part 14 |
| Part 15 | Part 16 |
| Part 17 | Part 18 |
| Part 19 | Part 20 |
| Part 21 | Part 22– You are Here |
| Part 23 – Coming Soon | Part 24– You are Here |
The Reader List
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