FOREVER KNIGHTS: #15 Insatiable Beasts

Merwood, Dread Hideout

Acharius looked at Chavias’ face and was somewhat surprised to see that the darker man’s face had crumpled at the sight of his former comrade.

He doesn’t want to fight him. Acharius recognized.

Due to past loyalties?

Or fear Bast will win?

“You’ve no more desire to kill Acharius then I do.” Bast commented. Stepping slowly toward them. A staying hand outstretched toward Chavias.

Acharius felt the cold steel pressing into the column of his throat. He attempted to not be offended at the statement.

“This blade on my neck seems to imply otherwise.” Acharius swallowed around the bit of metal. Feeling it dip into his kin at the motion.

“Why do you assume such foolishness?” Chavias challenged, black eyes glistening.

Acharius felt the tickle of a drop of blood escaping the hairline wound on his neck.

Bast was slowly working his way toward them. “Come on, Chavias. We were brothers. I’d have sacrificed anything I had for you. What would persuade you do to this? This is Acharius! He taught most of us archery. You tried to teach him swordplay.

“But I was too clumsy with anything but a broadsword.” Acharius admitted. Trying to inflect a bit of humor to settle the tension weaving through Chavias.

Tension that says he might drag that blade over my skin.

“Tell us why.” Bast urged.

“Yes. Do tell.” Acharius stated in an attempt to buy more time.

Let Bast get closer.

“I’ve no choice.” Chavias said coldly.

“The hell you don’t.” Bast said softly. “If you didn’t you wouldn’t be hesitating now.” He gestured.

May’ve been a poor choice of things to say. Acharius frowned. Giving Bast a crusty look.

“I wouldn’t be here, Chavias did I not remember, what you’ve forgotten. I know you.”

“You know who I was.”

“No.” Bast shook his head slowly. “I’ve been within range to hear your thoughts since my approach from WaterRose. “I’ve heard your unwillingness. I’ve heard what you’ve gone through up to this point in refusing to do so.”

“Refusing?” Acharius moved from a crawl to a kneel to look up at Chavias in shock.

Chavias’ blade followed his movement and Chavias shot him a warning look to still.

Understood.

“So, let me ask you again.” Bast persisted. “Why turn on him now?”

Chavias’ face was immediately somber. “One must die so many may live.” He repeated his earlier statement.

Disgust flickered over Bast’s face.

He doesn’t believe in losing anyone. We all know that.

“You’re not talking about him.” Bast stopped. Arms falling as his gaze levelled on Chavias. “You’re talking about letting me kill you.”

Chavias’ leather armor creaked as he shifted his weight.

I know. It’s disconcerting when he reads your thoughts.

“Radix will try to kill us all.” Bast insisted. “You murdering Acharius won’t change that. In-fact it will damage us more in the upcoming battle. He’s critical. You know that.” Bast gestured.

“You’ll fight him again?” Chavias’ face was impassive but his voice showed his astonishment.

He thought we’d never challenge Radix again.

“I intend to.” Bast said.

“You cannot do so alone.” Chavias warned. “What happened to me cannot happen to anymore.”

“I know that.” Bast nodded.

“You can’t keep it from happening.”

“Have you forgotten who I am?” Bast gestured down his length. “Never tell me what I can’t do.”

That’s fact.

Chavias watched Bast intently.

“Have I not single-handedly saved each of you a time or two.” He said with exaggerated arrogance.

Acharius observed something that might’ve been hope flicker in Chavias’ eyes.

He wants to come back. Acharius realized in shock. He’s not as coldblooded as I thought.

Seeing the agony written over Chavias’ face as he tried to decide it was suddenly obvious to Acharius.

He’s been broken but not beaten. Not yet.

“If the Chavias Derenoe that fought at my side was no longer in you I’d not have awoken from my slumber. I wouldn’t have been summoned by your thoughts.”

Acharius gave the darker man another fast look. It was his panic that summoned Bast.

He’s bluffing.

“You wanted me to persuade you not to do this task.” Bast paused.

Acharius was certain he could easily move from the way of the sword now.

Chavias’ tension had seeped into a bone-deep weariness written through him.

He wants to give up.

Bast is getting to him. However both Acharius and Bast were aware any sudden movement could cause Chavias to react violently.

And Bast may never have another chance to reach him.