Rubaan felt an unavoidable whirlwind of emotion overcome him. He felt proud of the boy on one hand but on the other, he felt an overwhelming fear of letting the child down somehow. He imagined it was a feeling that all fathers felt at one time or another but the thought itself was no comfort.
Rubaan did not want to be like all fathers; he wanted to be more. He thought for a moment about the relationship that he had with his own father, about the fact that he was the son that his father was least proud of.
Two of Rubaan’s brothers were soldiers in Black Knight, the army that Rubaan left. His eldest brother went missing years ago but he had also been a member of Black Knight. His Bishop General sister Sayraa or Sarasin as she was called had not spoken to their father for years, for their father thought her dead.
After Rubaan had met Amaria, he promptly abandoned his post and quit his position among Black Knight. His parents made sure that they took the time to explain how terrible of a decision that was but Rubaan had been resolute in his decision. He wanted to start a family, he wanted them to be safe. He knew that could not be accomplished if were a member of a terrorist army and so he turned himself into the Govian Empire and swore fealty to the Emperor. They accepted him into the Empire but put him on strict probation, assigning him to the mines and watching his every move. Sarasin had made certain that he wasn’t tortured for information or put into jail but even her reach had its limits.
“I will never be ashamed of you Roc," Rubaan whispered as he reached out and touched the infant’s warm head, “I hope you will one day understand how much you mean to me," Rubaan observed the sleeping child for a while longer before he turned around and crept back into the hall.
As the door closed behind him, Rubaan could not help but tear up a little bit. Becoming a father had changed his life in a way that was hard to explain to anyone who had not experienced it. The transformation from individual to father was almost likened to a rebirth or baptism of sorts. For that reason alone, it can be difficult to dwell on the person that you once were. Whoever you spent your entire life getting to know dies with the birth of your first child. Almost instantly you find new meaning in everything, you see a new side to all circumstances. It truly can be both the most frightening and the most hopeful thing to ever happen to you in your life.
Rubaan could remember the car ride to the doctor’s office on the day that Roc was born. Amaria was quiet and contemplative but Rubaan believed that despite her calm and cool silence she was harboring quite a bit of excitement. Rubaan on the other hand (and much to Amaria's annoyance) was unable to hide exactly how he felt. Unlike Amaria this was his first child and the thought of bringing it into the world made him lose control over himself.
***
“How do you feel?" Rubaan asked, looking over at his wife, “Are you okay, can you breathe?”
“Drive the car," Amaria instructed, shooting annoyed glances at him. She did not sound cold and was not trying to lessen Rubaan’s enthusiasm; she simply wanted to be able to exist in her moment. Amaria had not birthed a child since before she was afflicted with the Thirst many decades prior and she was eager to remember exactly how it all felt.
“Are you sure your sister will help us?" Amaria asked, looking sternly at her beloved, “I do not want any complications with our child."
“We can count on her," Rubaan replied, nodding his head as if to convince himself, “She has it all prepared, we will be seen immediately. This is going to be her nephew after all."
“Nephew?" Amaria asked with a playful smile, “You are so sure that you will be having a son?”
“Yes," Rubaan said with a cheeky grin.
***
Rubaan wiped the tears from his eyes and flung them into the darkness of his short apartment hallway. He loved his family more than he had ever loved anything else and he could not help but resolve to give the boy and his mother everything that they could ever want. He knew in his heart that he was going to be good to them, that he was going to keep them safe until the day he died. He knew that was his reason for living and he promised himself daily that he would never stray from that.
As Rubaan began to walk to the bathroom, he felt a sudden and unexpected chill pass by him. It felt like a winter wind against his naked body. He immediately started looking around for a window that might have been left open and then he remembered that his apartment had no windows except for in the bedroom.
“This old building…" Rubaan muttered to himself as he stepped in front of the toilet, “Must be a draft." As he relieved himself his mind wandered to his work in the mines. He groaned at the idea of having to wake up early as it was already so late and it was doubtful that he would get much sleep at all. With a shake of his head, he flushed the toilet and turned toward the sink.
“Must be a draft," a voice reverberated. It was a deep and disconcerting voice, one that did not belong to anyone in the house. Rubaan paused, for it was not the first time he had heard the voice. He recalled hearing it earlier that day when he had been alone with Roc. Rubaan’s heart skipped a beat and he immediately turned around to see who was there. He saw nobody.
“Who’s there?" Rubaan asked, feeling the counter behind him for any type of makeshift weapon, “I heard you, where are you?" nobody replied.
“Show yourself," Rubaan demanded, trying to keep his voice down, “What do you want? I have no money, please just leave us alone..." again, nobody replied but Rubaan once again felt the chill he previously experienced in the hallway. It started at the bottom of his spine and slowly crept its way up his body and around his neck.
Rubaan became suddenly frozen with fear. He could not move any part of his body and the cold on his neck was so extreme that it felt as if icy fingers were strangling him. He tried to break free, tried to find a way to move but he could do nothing. Finally, Rubaan heard a laugh.
“You look just like your brother," a deep voice declared. The words reverberated through his head like a voice echoing off the walls of a canyon. Rubaan was able to muster short breaths and felt cold sweat pouring down his trembling face, “A remarkable image. Why, if I did not know any different, I would have thought you were the same being."
“Who are you?" Rubaan choked, desperate to move, “Do not hurt… my son."
“Your beloved and beautiful boy is in no peril," the voice replied in a soft, menacing tone, “Neither are you or your wife, as long as you… cooperate."
“What do you want?" Rubaan whispered desperately, “I… I cannot breathe…”
“Hush," the voice soothed, “All will be revealed in time. For now, let my glory wash you clean of your sins, let my presence bring forth the true power within you. Be born again, be renewed for I am your king now."
Rubaan was terrified. Something terrible was in the bathroom with him and he was completely defenseless against it. It was controlling him, squeezing his body like a child squeezes a kitten. His breathing was growing weaker and he could feel his pulse pounding in his temples. Amid all his fears and pain however, all that he could think of was the safety of his wife and son.
“Please," Rubaan pleaded. “Please do not hurt us," he felt his body being pressed against the counter as if someone was pushing against his chest with both hands.
“Hush," the voice repeated. “Do as I command and nobody will be harmed. I am your king. I am Eon."
Rubaan felt a final burst of intense pain through his whole body and he fell from the counter to the floor. He was on all fours gasping for breath and shaking his head wildly, “Where are you?!" Rubaan hissed as he got to his feet, “Face me!”
“It is finished," Eon declared. The voice was no longer audible or present; it was as if it was in his mind like one of his thoughts, “Go be with your wife and kiss your child. Tonight is the last night you will ever see them."
Rubaan’s chest felt as if it had collapsed and his eyes burst into tears. He pleaded with the voice to not harm them but he received no response. Rubaan was left alone in his helpless and defeat
ed state and did not hear the voice again that night.
Chapter Twelve
Alec III
21st of Ramlia – 346AG
16:00 – Empyr
Alec's blonde hair blew with the cool breeze that came down from the surrounding mountains. The region of North Canrom was unlike much of the rest of the continent. Instead of dry and desolate wastelands, it was known for its lush green plains and rolling hills that eventually transformed into the Calduur mountain range.
Despite the lovely scenery, there were very few who were brave enough to travel to the area as it was a known stomping ground for pirates and Marauders. That reason alone was partly why Black Knight hid Base 21 deep within one of the hollowed out mountains in the area. The unsavory crowd that lived outside hid them from detection and provided anyone curious enough to venture into the area with a significant obstacle that would assist in preventing them from finding the base.
As he looked up at the peaks of the mountains to the North, Alec could not help but feel nostalgic. In the past, he and Crinnan had spent a good deal of time in the valleys skirmishing against marauders and monsters. As his mind wandered to those times an immense amount of grief overcame him. He knew those days were over for good and that thought stung like a knife being pushed deep into his heart.
Alec had never been a man who dwelt much on regret or negative emotion. Throughout his life, he had always tried to find the good in things while Crinnan only saw the bad. He found light where Crinnan saw only darkness. The two undoubtedly experienced their share of arguments but it never shook their friendship. In the moment that he was living in, however, Alec found it difficult to see any light. It had been very hard for him to find any good in anything since his friend had died.
“Admiring the view?" Mantan Matalo asked as he planted a hand firmly on Alec's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. Alec jumped at the surprise and pivoted to meet the half-blood.
“Sorry," he shook his head, “You caught me daydreaming."
“One would never know behind that visor of yours," Matalo replied with a stupid grin plastered to his face. He had a cigarette hanging from his mouth and shifted his weight as he crossed his arms, “You know anything about these new recruits we’re picking up?”
Matalo was not a handsome person. While he was very strong and a capable fighter, he had a pig looking face and a body that reminded Alec of a muscular potato. His black hair was kept in a short mohawk and he had a chinstrap beard that wrapped around his face.
Alec took a moment to process Matalo’s question. His mind was so full of his own thoughts that he had to empty it to properly answer, “One of them is Crinnan's younger brother."
“Another Jamiso," Matalo groaned with a shake of his head, “Buncha sullen bastards. Looks like their dear ol' dad is still rubbing the Captain the right way."
Alec glared angrily at Matalo behind his visor and opened his mouth in rebuttal but he was quickly interrupted.
“You can go ahead and stop talking," Elia announced as she approached the two of them, “Crinnan's memorial flame still burns, show a little respect asshole."
Matalo turned to meet her and Alec kept his scowl focused. Mantan grinned and shook his head, “My apologies Lady Sols." He blatantly looked down at her breasts and raised his eyebrows, “Please do not tell your mother on me. I know I would deeply regret angering another noble house." He looked back at Alec and chuckled, “You two love birds have fun." At that, he turned and walked away to join Kelso and Dierlok.
“You cannot let them talk to you like that!" Elia chided as she circled around to face Alec. She gave him a slight shove on his shoulder and he nodded his head in acknowledgment.
“I know, I am sorry," he looked back up at the mountains and sighed, “I am just so distracted, I cannot seem to focus."
Elia’s demeanor softened a bit and she patiently closed her eyes, “I know." She was a bit more empathetic as she understood what he was going through, “I miss him too. It will never be the same now that he is gone but we have to move on with our lives. He would never have allowed us to sulk like this; he was the only one who was allowed to do that."
Alec smiled. He knew that. He knew that he was sulking, that he was depressed and pathetic but at that point, he did not care. Having spent most of his life with Crinnan, he felt he deserved to mourn in his own way.
“What time is it?" he asked Elia, changing the subject. Elia shook her head and pointed at a small clock tower behind him. He turned and after reading the time he nodded his head, “Our train should be arriving soon. Get the others rounded up; I cannot have anyone left behind." Elia nodded obediently and set off to gather everyone.
Alec's attention returned to the mountains one final time and he let out a long sigh. He had never liked being in charge, he felt he was no good at it. From time to time Captain Bran would appoint him a squad and give him a mission to lead and Alec always despised it. He did not know whether Bran simply hoped that he had inherited some kind of leadership trait from his lord father or if he actually saw something in him but Alec never wanted to be responsible for the lives of others.
Eventually, Alec’s concentration was broken by two loud shrill blasts of the train’s horn. As soon as he heard it, he looked to the west where the sound had come from and waited. Initially, he could not see much due to the train station blocking much of his view but soon enough the train came rolling into sight leaving a trail of heavy black smoke in its wake. It was a huge black armored machine and he looked at it with the same wonder he had felt as a boy when he saw his first one. He thought back to that time and a thin smile spread across his face.
***
“Well whose little girl are you?" the skinny old man with thinning brown hair and an OEV like Alec’s jokingly shouted. He grinned a wide yellow-toothed smile at the little blonde-haired boy standing in front of him and tossed his cigarette aside.
“Papa!” the boy shouted as he ran to the man. The man knelt down and opened his arms widely, allowing the child to crash into them. With a surprising amount of strength for his size, the old man hoisted the boy up and planted him on his shoulder.
“Well what did you bring me Alec?" the man goofily asked as he looked over at the boy who sat on his shoulder, “You promised me a present.
“No, I did not!" Alec replied with a giggle, “You said you would bring me a gift." His grandfather faked a look of confusion and then acted like he remembered something.
“Oh yeah!” the man replied with a shake of his head, “I don’t always remember things too good no more. You see, my brain doesn’t work right. You can tell because my hair only grows where my brain works."
“Is that why you have your bald spot on the back of your head?" Alec asked his grandfather.
“What?" the man asked, playing dumb. He looked around with a silly expression and finally back to Alec, “Whose little girl are you?" the two of them both started laughing, the eccentric man’s laugh noticeably louder and a bit more obnoxious than the child.
“Okay boys," a blonde-haired, gentle looking woman declared as she stepped forward, “You are going to miss the train if you keep playing around."
“Well, daughter, I was just trying to figure out who this little girl was," the man said, “Before I give her the special present I promised her."
“I am a boy!" Alec shouted with a wide, entertained smile, “Do not forget it!”
“My apologies Allie," his grandfather exclaimed as he ruffled Alec's hair. He turned and looked over to the woman, stretching as he stood to her level, “He sure is talking proper."
“Well, dad, he does not come from the same place we do," the woman reminded him, “He is of a noble house."
“He’s still a Landkeeper," the man grumbled, “Much better than a Flinn."
“Do not say that," the woman snapped at her father as she looked down at little Alec and smiled, “It is good to be both a Flinn and a Landkeeper."
“What is a Landkeeper?" Alec asked feeling a bit
confused. The man shook his head and threw his hands up into the air.
“You are a Landkeeper just like your mom and me," he told the boy, “And you should be proud."
“I am," Alec declared, looking up at his grandfather, “I am proud to be a Landkeeper."
“And I’m proud of you son," the man exclaimed as he looked down at the boy, “Now let’s ditch your mom and get on this train. We have places to be!" Alec grinned widely and his mom scooped him up in her arms.
“Be careful," she felt nervous about leaving the boy with his grandfather, “I will see you in a few days. I love you."
“I love you too mother," she planted a kiss on her son’s cheek and stepped back and allowed her father to take over.
“We’re gonna have us some fun today son," the man said to Alec, “Let’s get on that train!"
Alec cheered and the two started walking away. The man looked back at his daughter and smiled.
“Relax sis," he called out with a wave, “We’ll be just fine."
***
“Now boarding!” the red-suited conductor called out, snapping Alec out of his reminiscence, “Now boarding, Empyr to Canrom City!”
“That is us!" Elia grabbed Alec’s muscular arm and began to run. She felt the muscles and for a moment looked at the man up and down, almost forgetting he was her friend. Finally, she shook her head and pulled again, “Come on!”
“Hold on!" Alec replied scanning the immediate area for the rest of his squad. Everyone was scattered around but after a quick head count, he found that everyone was accounted for, even Stevill Flox the lone-wolf sharpshooter who usually was out of sight.
“Tickets please," the conductor said as Alec and Elia approached. Alec rummaged through his pockets trying to find them and felt a bit of panic streak through him when he realized he did not have them. Elia watched him and chuckled.
“Here you are sir," she leaned forward past Alec, handing the conductor two tickets. “My husband can be a bit… forgetful at times."
The Black Knight Box Set Page 39