FOREVER KNIGHTS: #5 Subjugation of Beasts

Merwood, Dread Hideout (Free from Udora for six years)

ACHARIUS

Acharius walked through the trees back toward his cave. Stopping when someone drew a heavy breath behind him. Spinning on his heel he scanned the foliage, picking apart the underbrush.

Listening carefully, he heard nothing more. Radix’s minions are everywhere. The woods were alive with power today. Someone’s generating mass amounts of energy. Overwhelming the woods. Making the trees themselves quiver.

Acharius had felt something watching him for days now and couldn’t help wondering. Has Radix himself come to kill me?

I’m not so important to the old villain. He shook his head flippantly. Fingertips tingled then began to itch. My skin reacting to another’s power.

It washed over him. Someone’s entered my cave.

His neck cracked, eyes turning green as a serpent’s. Iridescent red scales climbed his wrists and wound his arms before consuming his neck and shoulders.

Just as Acharius prepared to explode into his beast, Bast rounded the corner.

“Whoa. Whoa!” Bast’s eyes were wide at the sight of Acharius, already turning into a dragon. “Just me, Old Friend.”

Dammit! I nearly took your head off! Acharius subsided into a man.

“Bloody Hell Bast! I didn’t expect you back so soon.”

“A bit high strung?”

That’s not the term for it. Acharius glared at him.

“I was on my way back from the Netherwood and figured I’d swing through and see how your luck fared with your woman. Afterall, I thought we were old friends. But seeing how you’re looking at me now, I wonder if you’ve failed to inform me, we’re now enemies?” Amusement tinged his voice.

Very funny.

“No, Bast.”

“Cimmerii?”

Always.

“Something has followed me the last few days. A couple past, I killed a Targue.”

They’re hunting me.

Bast cringed at the thought of the dog-like creatures. “Has it been something or someone?”

“I don’t know if it’s Chavias.” Acharius cut to the heart of the question, taking a seat on the edge of his cot, gesturing to a rickety wooden chair. “Have a seat.”

I wonder how much of this is broken? Acharius tugged the crushed burlap next to his ankles, recalling Chastain kicking it, and began rummaging through it. Weeding out chunks of broken glass with a forlorn expression. It was ironic to see the large Viking inspecting the jars so carefully.

“Not good.” Bast’s comment was dry.

Acharius gave an acknowledging nod, studying the floor. “I’m worried about the girl, Bast.”

“The woman?” Bast corrected.

Don’t call her that. I don’t want to think about it. Acharius shot him a scathing look.

“She seems a sweet thing.” Bast swept his coattails aside and took a seat.

She is sweet.

“Is that a hint of envy in your voice?” Acharius’ busy hands paused to study his friend.

“You’re perceptive as always.”

The great Sebastian Bodane jealous of me?

“Everything comes so easily for you. You’ve never longed for anything…To hear Alazareth tell it, even your own mother favored you.” Acharius murmured in shock.

“It’s true.” Bast grinned proudly as he imagined his brother’s irritated tone reciting just such a thing.

“So why in the world would you ever find yourself jealous of me Bast?”

“As I said, your woman-”

Chastain.

“She’s not-” Acharius objected but caught himself at Bast’s baiting look.

“Is sweet.” Bast finished. Sensing he’d won.

Yes, she is.

“And?” Acharius queried.

“Mine is not.”

Acharius couldn’t picture a woman that’d keep Bast’s attention. The valkyrie? I really must get to know this woman.

“More…Something.” Bast corrected half-heartedly.

What?

Acharius grabbed Bast by the shoulders. “Tell me everything.”

Though Acharius intended to be gentle his hands were so big they gripped a bit tightly without intending to.

“I don’t know much to tell.” Bast grunted. Expression turning to a rare frown.