Arius stood there for several minutes trying to get his hands to act, as he looked the disgusting creature in the eyes. Then he heard Korgat’s voice in the distance.
“What are you waiting for?”
Arius smiled, and as he turned around, he saw Korgat, Licius and Lizandra entering the volcano through one of the holes on the wall.
“I said what the fuck are you waiting for? Kill that bastard.” Korgat said again, dropping down from the hole in the wall onto the ground.
“I can’t, he is mentally preventing me from doing it.”
“Fuck it; I guess I’ll kill him myself.”
But the giant Outsider took one look at the small deformed Orc, lying on the ground spitting blood and looking pitiful, and realized he also was unable to kill Xandraf.
They were unable to finish their mission, then saw the edge of Licius’ retractable blade against Xandraf throat.
“Your pitiful mind tricks won’t work through my armor,” Licius said, as he stared down at Xandraf.
“No, it is not fair. I won’t let you rob me from my vengeance,” Xandraf said, as tears of pure frustration rolled from his eyes.
“And what vengeance would that be?” Licius asked.
“I want to kill your beloved Supreme Chancellor, for what he did to me.”
“Well, at least you can rest assured that he will die. For he is no longer my ruler and I will make him pay for what he has done.”
Xandraf was not eager to die, but at least the Elf’s words gave him some reassurance that Bellestis would pay.
So the little Orc lowered his eyes and said,
“What are you waiting for? Put me out of my misery.”
“I could… but I would be compelled to do it swiftly. And a creature as vile as you deserves to suffer more than that,” Licius replied.
“I may not be able to control them fully, but none of your friends will do it as long as I prohibit it. So if you really want me dead, I suggest you use that blade.”
“You are right, but there is someone else that wants you dead. And I would like to see you try and stop him.”
Stundroff could be heard stomping through the volcano.
Xandraf took one look at the Dwarf’s rage-filled eyes and knew his time had finally come.
Stundroff ran towards Xandraf raising his right fist in the air, as he prepared to punch him to death. But as he saw how Xandraf slowly raised his left hand in a pitiful attempt to protect himself, he remembered Maria’s burned hand coming out of the ashes. And the mighty Dwarf stopped and looked at the little misshapen Orc hand.
Stundroff kneeled in front of Xandraf and gently took his hand, confusing everyone around him.
Even Xandraf was confused about what was happening, as he could feel nothing but pure rage inside of Stundroff’s mind. But just as a little glimpse of hope entered the mind of Xandraf, a sharp pain brought him back to reality - the mighty Dwarf had slowly ripped off one of Xandraf’s little fingers.
“That was disgusting,” Lizandra said, as Xandraf’s blood splashed over her chest.
“Well, I suggest you look away, because I am going to take my time and enjoy this.”
“Take your time, my friend, but when you are done, I hope you find your way back to your former self,” Licius said.
“If you don’t mind, I want to watch,” Korgat said, smiling, and the air was filled with Xandraf’s screams of pain, as Arius, Licius and Lizandra walked away.
It took an hour for the screaming to stop.
“Is he dead?” Arius asked a blood-soaked Stundroff.
“Trust me, he’s dead,” Korgat said.
“And how do you feel?” Licius asked Stundroff.
“Better,” Stundroff said.
“Well, I guess this merits a feast,” said Count Barosh. “Join me at Water Siege Castle for a proper celebration.”
◆◆◆
The trip back took several days and not a word was spoken, as the battle had taken its toll on them.
Once back at Water Siege Castle, a huge feast took place, as the Fire Orc menace had finally been destroyed. But in the mists of the celebration, Arius sat alone.
“What’s wrong, my friend?” Licius asked.
“It is nothing, I’m just thinking about what we lost.”
“No war comes without loss, but today we are victorious and you should celebrate.”
“That is the problem, I do not feel victorious, my friend. For this victory comes at great personal sacrifice.”
“I understand, but you are king now and your duty is to your people.”
“My duty has always been to my people. But I’m still not sure that I am fit to be king.”
“I understand that, this must be a heavy burden for you right now. But I assure you that in due time, you will be able to face it.”
“Perhaps you are right, my friend. And how about you, what will you do now?”
“There is still plenty left for me to do,” said Licius. “I must return to my people and open their eyes to the tyrant that has enslaved them for over two thousand years. And as long as Rallec is still alive, it is my responsibility to stop him.”
“I will help you with both things; Rallec and I still have a score to settle.” Lizandra cracked her knuckles in anticipation.
Licius looked at the red-headed druid and smiled.
“And what will you do?” Arius asked Stundroff.
“Well, I think I have done my part to help all of you already. So now I am going to return to my people and show them that there is a much larger world. And using the Dwarf stronghold of Nel Badhur, I will help them rejoin it.”
“Well,” said Korgat, “I guess that nobody fucking cares what I’m going to do, but since I don’t like being the only one being quiet, I’ll tell you anyway.”
“Great,” said Lizandra. “I’m dying to know what a savage like you plans to do next.”
“Well, since you’re dying to know, I’m going back to Logrant city with our beloved king. I want to see this new army of Logrant, besides; I have heard that there are some great whore houses in the capital.”
“Why am I not surprised by that?”
Korgat broke into laughter at Lizandra, a laughter so contagious, that it spread all across the group and began the real celebration, as all of them except Arius tried their best to forget what they had lost, and enjoy their victory.
◆◆◆
And as the noise of the feast drifted away into the distance, at the edge of the dark forest a half-dead Rallec crawled through the trees, only to find himself surrounded by a familiar fog. And as the Elf General raised his eyes, he saw the repulsive and menacing presence of the Merchant of Death.
“You’re alive,” the Merchant said to the Elf.
“Yes, but no thanks to you,” Rallec replied with pure hatred in his voice.
“I strongly disagree, for it was my compass that guided you to the venom antidote and then here. That means that I have fulfilled my end of the bargain and now you will have to fulfill yours.” The mark on Rallec’s neck became active, burning his neck and glowing with blue light.
“Forgive my foul language, but could you tell me what the fuck could you possibly want from me now?” Rallec asked.
“A lot, my Elf General, for I know that it will take me a long time to collect your soul. But I believe that there is a lot to be gained from our allegiance, if you have a minute to hear what I have to say.”
Rallec looked down at his broken body and was instantly reminded of Lizandra and Licius and how he would not rest until he’d killed them.
“I’m listening.”
And that is how the legend of the rise of the Black King begins. But that is a story for another time.
The End
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Scorched Kingdom Page 30