“I have” Ezra replied. “But how do you plan to get past all of the real Sullied in Ramy? Trum Barron himself is also a dangerous opponent, many will die trying to get him. Do you even know your power level compared to everyone else?”
“That I do know” Alex replied. “I cannot read all emotions, I know when someone is angry, when they are happy, if they are sad or irritated. If I am fighting I get a sense of where someone is going to attack and how. I cannot keep my tendril up for longer than a minute, none of us can”.
“A minute is a long time in a life or death fight” Ezra replied.
“I know it is farm boy” Alex said and smiled. Ezra was happy to see the smile, it reminded him that his friend was still inside the person in front of him. “I just can't latch on anyone too far away, this gift is still great, I just have to be up close”.
“Well that is how you fight anyway” Ezra replied.
“I think once this is all over I would like to spar with you again” Alex replied. “Now we are even in the gift department, I think I would be a much harder fight. I am even doing okay with this sword on my hip”.
Ezra smiled and did not want to tell Alex that his gift paled compared to what Ezra could do. Ezra could latch onto multiple enemies from a distance and had gotten a lot stronger from the time Alex dueled him. Ezra felt quicker than he had been, maybe the workouts he was getting from the school were kicking in but he knew he was more dangerous. Ezra’s gift also was strong, he had multiple tendrils that told him of a move at the same time his opponent thought of it and his reflexes had gotten so quick it seemed like time slowed a bit so he could move. Ezra still wouldn't want to fight Trum though, the younger man moved like water and toyed with Lord Bertino who was a fair blade. Overconfidence would get him killed against such a foe.
“Does Hopkins wish to split with the Sullied?” Ezra asked.
“He already has” Alex replied. “They just don't know it yet. In this city there are seven true Sullied, Barron, Lord Kelly, the Honorable Alan Hopkins and four others I have not met formally. It is difficult for the Honorable Alan Hopkins to make more than two Unarmored at a time. He still needs time to recover, but we cannot wait. The populace are tired of the horrible way they have been treated and want to rebel against us. Since Barron is in charge their hatred is directed at him, we know of an attack and we want to join it”.
“The people would never let you stay if they could kick out Barron” Ezra said looking at Alex like he was a fool.
“We don't plan on staying Farm Boy” Alex replied. “But we have 47 Unarmored willing to fight Barron. The Honorable Lord Hopkins doesn't wish to stay affiliated with the Sullied, he wants his own order and is willing to fight to get it. After that we are going to grow our order, no one has more power than anyone else”.
“That doesn't mention what will happen after the fight” Ezra replied.
“We will leave” Alex replied. “But the people will not see us as the enemy, they will see us as their saviors. Most of us are Azardian, they will see us as such when we shed these clothes”.
“If Hopkins can't make anymore Unarmored right now, then why are you all here?” Ezra asked.
“Because when the fighting starts we want the best fighting with us” Alex replied. “Whoever survives will be given the blessing from the hand of the Honorable Alan Hopkins himself. We are both fighting the Sullied, we are allies”.
“You have been indoctrinated” Ezra said as he realized the extent of his friend’s change.
“I have been reborn” Alex replied. “I have a place I belong, people respect power and I have that. All of us will leave to find our own country, where the Honorable Alan Hopkins is king and everyone else is equal. Already our best minds are conducting experiments on how to further our number. If we had four more days then I think we would be too much for even Telrin Fallow himself to stop”.
“How did they get you to buy into all of this?” Ezra asked. “I am guessing the blood you ingested had a lot to do with it, but Hopkins would not take a liar, only a true believer”.
“I was a true believer prior to my transformation and so was Celeste” Alex explained. “I wanted power and would always respect the man who gave it to me. Being Unarmored is every boy’s dream, the fact it could become a reality if I only had faith in someone was the reason I was selected. Celeste wanted vengeance on her father’s killers, she didn’t have to make that up. She loved our leader because he could provide the means to give her the power you have”.
“Alex your Dex are doing horrible things to people in the street and to the populace” Ezra replied.
“That is Trum Barron who forces the people to work” Alex replied. “Still their sacrifice allows us all to eat and live”.
“Alex if you cannot feed yourself without help, then how will your order do it when you are all gone?” Ezra asked. “Something doesn’t make sense”.
“It does not matter if those under us are put to work” Alex replied. “If they do not like it, they could always join our order”.
“Then it looks like our paths are different” Ezra replied. “I wish you luck my friend”.
“I want you to join us” Alex said. “You are one of the most powerful people around and you will be safe with us”.
“We are in a war Alex” Ezra replied. “The Fale are not going to let you just walk away, they don't care about different factions within the Unarmored”.
“They won't have a choice” Alex said as a cry went out.
“Trum Barron is here with a large contingent of Fale soldiers” Lord Tenkay said as he ran into the area. “Fight for your lives!”
Ezra and Alex looked at each other, if Trum was here with soldiers then the fight was going to happen now. Loud clanging could be heard followed by a bunch of shouts, the enemy was trying to break down the door and it sounded like they would be effective. Ezra looked around until he made eye contact with Celeste. She moved towards him and already had her weapon in hand, they would fight as a trio.
“Look!” Alex said as he pointed to a figure.
Ezra looked and saw a figure wearing a white version of the red everyone else had on. He held a thin sword and was flanked by Mistress Wallace and Lord Kelly. This had to be the Hopkins everyone was talking about. Ezra was not impressed but the Turned started dropping to their knees like the king himself was in the room. Ezra was disgusted at the spectacle, whatever this man had done to his friend Alex changed him. The sly thief was gone and in his place was a quivering underling, Alex had said the blood had changed him. This Hopkins had a bunch of slaves, none of that would save him from Trum. A large cracking sound was heard followed by the sound of swords clashing. People left the fighting area and held their swords ready. The fighting was fierce, Fale soldiers streamed into the building and were being cut down. Even with their shields the Turned were too much for the regular soldiers fighting in a small corridor, for Trum to win he would have to swarm Ezra thought. Just then a figure emerged in the hallway, it was Trum Barron along with three other Sullied. Turned started dropping back from the new threat, Trum had killed two of them quickly and no everyone was trying to fall back. The Fale soldiers streamed in as Ezra took a deep breath, the first soldier to reach him died quickly, Ezra caught the man across the throat before he could react and was already on another opponent. Ezra could see from the corner of his eye Alex fighting with a sword, it was an odd sight seeing him fight without the knives, just one more thing Hopkins had changed. A man came in from Ezra’s left, Ezra had his tendrils all over the place and didn't bother moving from the blow the man was prepared to give. Ezra already had the battle played out and saw Celeste parry the strike then return a death dealing blow in her opponent’s armpit. The man fell screaming but even that was cut short by soldiers trampling over the downed man.
“Here comes one of them” Alex said as Ezra looked up to see an Unarmored walking towards him twirling his blade. Ezra was about to tell them to watch his back when Celeste rushed in
to the fight, the man she was facing was not that much larger but seemed more comfortable with the blade. Ezra had tendrils all over both of the fighters and would have jumped in but Alex was by her side. The Turned did not have a gift as strong as natural born Unarmored but at that point it didn't matter. Celeste went on the offensive and every time the man had an opening Alex would block the incoming strike and retaliate. The fight lasted almost a minute Ezra thought as he found his own battles and Ezra was not surprised when the Unarmored enemy fell. Ezra looked around for Trum and found him, he was fighting his way towards Hopkins and had just cut down Mistress Wallace. Lord Jackson jumped in front of Trum when the sounds of battle got a lot louder. Ezra had to take his mind off of that fight and was shocked to see the Knights of Justice stream into battle in full plate armor. They laid into the Fale troops from behind but they were no saviors, the Knights were cutting down the Turned as well and took advantage of the situation.
“Help me!” Hopkins cried out. Ezra watched all the Turned abandon their fight to get closer to Barron.
Many Turned were cut down from behind, Hopkins words had them forget about their own safety and only worry about his. Ezra needed to stop Celeste and Alex from approaching Barron, the man was just too skilled for them to fight straight up. Ezra took a step and found himself facing a Knight just as Alex stood in front of Trum. Ezra struck out four times quickly and tried to get the man off him when three more Knights stood next to him. They were an effective wall that held Ezra up as his sword bit into their armor but the men were unscathed. What happened next sent Ezra into a rage, he could feel Trum’s sword enter Alex’s chest with his magic. Alex slumped to the ground and the Knights in front of him kept him from reacting.
“This one is tough” the Knight on the left said as Ezra started slashing even harder.
“Move out of my way, I have to save him” Ezra pleaded.
“Move us out of your way Unarmored” one of the Knights replied.
The sword Ezra was using was bent out of shape from the hard blows and the men he were facing were doing nothing more than blocking. Ezra started crying and wondered how he could get by them, Trum cut down Hopkins but looked mortally wounded in the process. Tenkay had surprised him and stabbed him through the back of the neck just as Trum killed Jackson. Ezra thought about Alex and what he would have done, the old Alex was all about handling business before thinking about emotions. Ezra fell back and went for the exit, no one stopped him as he took off down the street. Trum Barron was dead and that was his mission, but it felt wrong. Ezra felt horrible he could not get past the Knights when he remembered his sword. Ezra could not leave things the way they were, it didn't matter what the Knights meant to do or for whom. Ezra would have his vengeance and he had a blade that could do it. Ezra went to his hiding place, he dug up his sword quickly and thought about his next move. Ezra had been using his power and was unsure if he had enough to survive. He would need to find a place to rest before he went on his revenge, but he would have his revenge.
~
The sun was just coming up when Ezra could see the Temple of Justice, two men stood outside of it in full armor and looked to have been nodding off. Ezra was sure they would spot him in a few seconds, he had his sword out and wanted them to know they were going to die.
“Prepare yourself" Ezra said as he watched the men grab for their weapons. At noon the Knights were supposed to see to the executions of the Unarmored they had captured along with any Fale soldiers. Many in Ramy had died during the surprise attack, almost twice the number. If it were not for the Knights many more would have died, but that meant nothing.
“What is the meaning of this?” the Knight on the left said as his partner ran inside.
“I was sent here by the Enlightened to kill Trum Barron" Ezra began as he pointed his sword at the Knight as four others came streaming out. “Instead I got to see a friend of my die because of you. I am here for revenge”.
“Citizen I suggest you turn around before you join those in our dungeons" one of the Knights who came out of the temple spoke.
Ezra looked at his blade, it was so dark it appeared black unless the sun caught it perfectly. His blade would be tested today and soon, Ezra could feel the archer get into place and release his shot, Ezra was already moving and leaped up the stairs. The first knight struck, Ezra’s blood sword cut the a big chunk out of the other weapon. The sword had to be expertly made to withstand such a blow but it did little to help the Knight, Ezra’s next blow cleaved off the top of the Knight’s helm, taking a little of the head off with it. The Knights sprung into action after that but it was not the same fight, their great shields were being whittled down and Ezra showed no signs in stopping his attack. A knight tried to get to his back, this man didn't have a shield and could not hold off Ezra as he sliced through the armor and into flesh. The Knights were taking him seriously now, the three remaining Knights tried locking shields but Ezra was expecting it. The way to beat the maneuver was to go after the man on the end, Ezra went after him and soon the Knight’s shield was missing pieces. Ezra could feel a knight trying to sneak an attack, Ezra twisted his body and stabbed just as the man opened up his guard. The Blood sword went four inches into the Knight’s breastplate before Ezra pulled it out the blade and struck another man. The man was fully extended and looked shocked as his sword arm fell to ground, sliced in half at the forearm. The fight ended quickly after that, the man Ezra stabbed in the chest fell to the ground where Ezra stabbed him in the face. The man with the arm could only defend himself until he bled out and the remaining Knight was first stabbed in the foot then in the chest. Ezra opened up the Temple door and walked inside, men were getting their armor on as Ezra laid into them. Their armor was being strapped on them and they looked like they were in no hurry until Ezra killed the the first man. Men were screaming and just trying to attack while Ezra went to work, there weren't that many Knights thanks to their size requirement and soon Ezra found himself in a room with only three men left, two were in full plate armor and had appeared from a door. Behind them was an older man who was obviously a Knight, all of his hair including his beard was gray and although he was not wearing any armor he was as big as the rest of the men Ezra had killed.
“Word has already been sent to the city watch” the older man said. “You will never be able to save your friends with your cowardly attack”.
“I am not here to save anyone” Ezra replied. “I am here to right a wrong”.
“We have justice on our side fiend” the older man spoke.
“I was sent by the High Council of the Unarmored” Ezra began. “I am not one of the invaders. I was sent to kill Trum Barron and had succeeded in getting accepted into their training to get closer to him. Your men stormed in and killed the only friend I had in the world and I was ill prepared to stop them. You are cowards and you will die”.
“If what you are saying is true then your friend knew what he signed up for” the older man spoke.
“Phrase it however you want” Ezra replied. Ezra could feel someone behind him, it was the archer and he had drawn down on him. Ezra waited until the arrow was fired and turned around to knock it out of the air. The archer looked shocked as Ezra started walking towards him, the man picked up another arrow and fired only to have it knocked to the side as well. This man was not a Knight, he was probably one of the city watch sent to help out. The Knights made no move to stop Ezra as he ran his sword through the archer’s chest then turned to face the Knights.
“Leave us” the older man said. “We were only looking out for the interest of the people of Ramy. We saved a lot of lives, if you are one of the original Unarmored then your sect is one of peace”.
“I am not one of them” Ezra replied. “I gave that up the moment my friend was killed. I am nothing more than a man seeking vengeance”.
“You can have the prisoners” one of the Knights said as he backed into the old man. “You can't prove any of us had anything to do with whoever your friend w
as”.
“And you can't prove you didn't” Ezra replied.
“We have information” the older man said. “If you were sent by the High Council then I know you are interested in how regular citizens were able to get your gift”.
“I already know” Ezra said. “Alan Hopkins is dead and so is the ability”.
“Hopkins is dead but more can still be made” the older man spoke. “I have proof of this, but only if we are spared. You can have the prisoners and see it for yourself”.
Ezra paused and weighed his options. Was this information worth his vengeance? Ezra had come to the temple with the intention of dying or killing everyone. If these three men were killed, would it be worth the loss of knowledge? Ezra decided maybe he had avenged Alex enough, the Knights were just too stupid to realize what they were doing at the time but it still made him angry.
“Show me” Ezra replied. “And if this is a trick I will kill you all and every other Knight I find in any other city until I am killed myself”.
Ezra was led down a set of stairs where people were chained to the wall. weapons were piled to one side and he remembered Trum Barron’s swords.
“Where are the red swords” Ezra demanded. “Bring them to me now, they will not stay in your possession”.
Ezra watched a Knight hurry up the stairs and continued looking at the prisoners, they looked to be in poor shape and were gagged. All of them looked like they had been roughed up, there were bruises all over their faces and one poor woman had two black eyes. Ezra was about to look at the rest when he realized the woman he was looking at was Celeste. He had forgotten all about her with Alex’s death and owed it to Jerold to set her free.
“Free this woman” Ezra replied and pointed at Celeste. “She was one of my partners, I had forgotten about her with the death of my friend. Now show me what you were talking about”.
“These can make more like themselves” the old man spoke. “When we stormed the compound, we found a man who was sleeping. He woke up and was very agitated his creator was not around”.
The Blood Blade Page 10