Nimiel stepped forward, leaving black rose petals in his path. "You are unwelcome. I don't care who you are or where you are from, but if you come into our camp in the middle of the night threatening to do Sola knows what to our angels and to our king, we will be forced to take action against you. The coming execution is none of your concern. Xair has been found guilty of his crimes in front of a tribunal of angels and the head judge of Ilyan. As much as we all care for him and consider him a dear friend, we simply cannot sit back and let him help Carvael. We will do everything we can to win this war. The fate of Aldexa and Heaven itself revolves around keeping everything we can out of Carvael's control. You weren't there to see how broken Xair has become. He gave up. He's desperate. When powerful men become desperate, they become dangerous. At this point, Xair will do anything to escape his fate. We cannot have that. None of us want to do this to our friend, but we have no other choice."
Soft footsteps approached from inside the tent. When the flap opened, a disheveled blond boy in a pale yellow robe stepped out. His bright blue eyes were weary from sleep. "Zeriel, what is going on? What's all this commotion?"
"Jaylen, go back to bed."
Jaycob turned to Jaylen. "You're King Jaylen? You're a boy."
Jaylen snarled at him. "I'm eighteen. What do you need?"
"I want to stop the execution of Xair Korvin."
"Execution?" Jaylen asked. "There is no execution. He has not even faced trial yet. I highly doubt that the judge will hand down the death penalty just to appease the racists in this country. Rest assured that Xair is in no immediate danger."
"That's not true. You're lying to me. You are all lying. There are people gathering this very moment to watch him die."
"Who is Xair to you anyway?" Zeriel asked.
Jaycob crossed his arms defensively. "A very old friend."
"You're not Ka'taylin."
"No, I'm not. But that doesn't mean I can't be his friend. I knew Xair back before he destroyed Ka'tayl. I will not let you kill him."
Zeriel stepped between Jaylen and Jaycob. "Don't listen to him, Jaylen. He doesn't know what he's talking about."
"But I do! He was sentenced to death this morning by a tribunal of angels."
Jaylen made a pained gasping sound. "Zeriel, don't tell me you-"
"Yes. It was us. That is where we went this morning all together. We did what we had to do for you and for Aldexa."
"What? How could you?" Jaylen looked over at Jaycob. "You there, bard, come with me. I'm going into town to make this right. I do not know what is wrong with these angels, but this is inexcusable. No one kills my friends."
Jaycob started following Jaylen towards the horses, but he was soon caught from behind and his arms were twisted roughly behind his back. "What are you doing? Release me this instant."
Jeremiah tied the ropes tightly then pulled Jaycob towards the king's tent. "You are under arrest. Zeriel, get Jaylen and tie him as well. We will keep these two under lock and key until after the execution. Not even the king will interrupt this."
Chapter 3
"The mage-glow is getting brighter."
Jaylen stared down at the packed dirt that made the floor of the tent where they had both been sitting helplessly for hours. How dare Zeriel do something so rebellious and uncaring? It was so unlike him, so unlike all of the angels to treat Xair like that. He pulled against the robes again futilely. In that moment, the undeniable truth of their situation came to the forefront of his mind. It made him sick to even speak of it. "They're going to kill him, aren't they?"
Jaycob sighed. "At dawn. Once the mage-glow sunrise gets bright enough to see."
"How are they going to do it?"
"I heard someone in the tavern talking about beheading."
"Barbaric." Jaylen scoffed. "Xair deserves to die in a much more honorable way. How could they do this?"
"They want to do the right thing. I understand, but I don't agree with it. Surely there were other ways of handling it than this. Don't be angry with your angels, Jaylen. To understand their decisions, you have to understand that angels are not humans. It's a fact. If they have something to protect or to accomplish, they will go to every length to ensure it happens the way they want it to."
Jaylen studied the brightly-clothed man sitting across from him. If Jaycob hadn't come to the camp, he never would have even known what Zeriel and the other angels had done behind his back. Now, a horribly sinking pit swelled in his chest and threatened to bring tears into his eyes. "I don't feel like talking right now."
"I understand."
They sat in silence until soft snoring filled the tent. Jaycob raised an eyebrow then leaned over to look outside. "Is that guard asleep?"
Jaylen glanced out through the tiny gap between the walls of the tent to see the guard sitting on the ground with his head slumped against his chest. "I think so."
"Then I guess that's our cue, eh? Dusty, get these ropes off."
"Dusty?"
"He's a golem."
Jaylen watched in astonishment as the small human-shaped piece of clay jumped from Jaycob's shoulder then began tearing away at the ropes with this hands and mouth. "How does it move on its own?"
"There's a demon's soul inside."
"Really?" Jaylen asked, trying to figure out the contraption.
"Aye."
"Where are you from? You have an accent."
Jaycob smiled as he thought of his homeland. "Rural Cilona, in the highlands outside of Carvael's control. My clan was primarily shepherds. I grew up well before Caravel ever took control of that continent, back when Cilona was free and my people were called Hillmen. I am not a Northerner. Notice my slim build, but prominent muscles along with my flat nose. All Hillmen traits that have mostly been bred out at this point. It's sad, really."
"How old are you?"
"I forget myself, actually. I don't keep track of the years that pass anymore. I do not age."
"So you're like the Ka'taylins?" Jaylen asked.
"Somewhat." Jaycob pulled his arms apart and the frayed ropes fell around his legs. "There we go. Thank you, Dusty. Good work, bud."
"Come get me out of mine then we can get to the horses. We'll have to run across camp, but it should still be dark enough that no one will notice. I know where the patrols are this time of night, so we will be in the clear. Can you fight?"
Jaycob untied the ropes then helped Jaylen to his feet. "Can I fight? Aye, I can fight. Every bard needs to know how to defend themselves. We're not all just performers, mind you. We know many secrets that a lot of people would love to get their hands on. There you go. Actually on second thought, you'd better go alone. I will stay here to make sure none of these guards or angels try to follow you. Hurry. Bring me back good news."
"I will do my best. I swear that Xair will not die this day."
* * *
The pink mage-glow of dawn was dim at first, but it still burned Xair's eyes after being held in that dark cell for a month. He shivered in the cold morning air and the wind that blew down from the mountains and penetrated his thin white prisoner clothes. His bare feet walked across the wooden platform towards the end where the executioner stood, his face covered by a black mask and a large axe in his hands. The crowd of onlookers shouted at him, calling him names and all manner of obscenities. They threw rocks that hit him multiple times, but Xair did his best to ignore them. They did not matter.
One of the guards slapped the back of Xair's head then grabbed onto his hair and turned him to face the crowd. "Behold, the self-proclaimed prophet of Sola!"
The people hissed and threw more rocks at the platform in their hatred.
"What's this? Do you not believe his claims? Neither do I. So, prophet of Sola, why hasn't your goddess come down here to save you? Show us how much she cares for you. Call her down here to save you and then we will all believe you."
Xair hung his head in shame. Despite his fear, he mumbled a quiet prayer and waited. But no one answered him. The vo
ice he had once heard as clear as the singing of birds or the howl of the wind now refused to speak to him. Somehow, he knew Sola would abandon him when he needed her most. Just one word. It would have taken one simple word spoken by her to end all of this and to free him . . . but she refused to speak it.
"Nothing? You had your chance to prove yourself, apostate. Now you go to face your ultimate judgment."
"Don't do this." Xair's legs buckled under him until he was being dragged by the guards towards the executioner. He begged and pleaded for his life. "Please. Let me go. I'll do anything you want. Anything. Please."
"Shut up, rune-skin." The guards pushed Xair down to his knees then forced his head onto the block. His wrists were bound to the steel hooks on the sides of the block so he could not move. The guard then turned to the cheering audience. "Shall we make this animal howl first?"
The applause and shouting grew in affirmation.
"What if we removed some of these heinous markings from his skin?"
What? Xair's fists tightened in the bonds as he listened to the crowd chanting to cut him. They would not actually cut out his runes, would they? Xair clenched his eyes tightly as his muscles tensed in preparation for whatever tortures they were going to submit him to. That is when the sharp airy voice of Krivel the demon entered his mind again.
"Ha ha, Xair. Who is winning this battle now? Look at you on your knees and tied to the headsman's chopping block. Are you crying? The mighty Xair Korvin is crying. Wait until the others hear about this. Now they're gonna cut out your runes. I bet that will feel fantastic. Just one more reminder of living before they chop your head off. Maybe then you'll realize what if felt like when you killed some of us demons so we couldn't have our bodies anymore. Maybe then you will begin to understand the hell you've put us through. And what was it that Zilon told you before his throat was cut by those slavers? Axin kul'in amerit. D'aeshi ti-ilum. Kori'vine'an orn akive'n. I found out what it means. It's an ancient Ka'taylin curse to make sure that you die a fitting death along with your people. I'd say this is a perfect coincidence, wouldn't you?"
Xair's internal battle against the rogue demon was abruptly interrupted as the sharp pain seared through his back. He cried out as the knife dug deeper into his muscles and twisted. In one more slice, the blade severed his skin, carving out a chunk where one of his runes had been. Hot blood flowed from the wound as even hotter tears streamed from his eyes. He was writhing against the block, thrashing as much as the tight ropes would allow him.
"Stop! In the name of your king, stop this immediately!"
The crowd fell eerily silent as Jaylen ran up onto the platform then dropped to his knees beside Xair. "Are you all right? Thank Sola I got here in time."
"Jaylen?"
"It's me. It's okay. I won't let this continue." Jaylen stood up then drew his longsword from his hip. "This execution stops now."
One of the guards shook his head. "You do not have the authority to make that decision. The court has already handed down this sentence and it must be carried out. Now step aside."
"Never."
* * *
"Wake up, Liam. I fear something unexpected is occurring in the city."
Liam stirred awake where he had fallen asleep on the dragon's back. His messy mop of brown curls blew in the wind, revealing his bright green emerald eyes and the brands of V and a key on each of his cheeks. He sat up straight and stretched out his legs from his cushioned seat that rested in the dip between two of Karix's gigantic scales. He adjusted his armor that was made out of the dragon's velvety black wings and yawned. "What is it, Karix?"
The dragon's deep voice spoke to him calmly. "We are heading down there."
"We're almost home, huh? Why make a stop? My butt is hurtin' from ridin' so long. I wanna take a bath."
"We will. Just give me a moment to check this out."
Liam grabbed onto the large glistening spine in front of him that he usually held onto for stability during combat and high speed flying. He leaned over as far as he could to peer down to the scene that was unfolding in the square. "Karix, what's goin' on down there?"
"It appears to be an execution." The dragon landed on the roof of a shop near the crowd of spectators. Some of them turned around to point at them, but most were fixated on the execution and the commotion occurring on the platform.
Liam slid off of Karix's back then stretched his arms above his head. "What are ya gonna do about it?"
Karix stood there watching the stage for a few minutes.
"Karix?"
"Shh. Quiet, Liam."
"What are you doin'?"
"Shush." A black swirling energy encircled the dragon. "I am turning into my human form."
After the magic faded, a very tall and slender man with dark black skin, long braided white hair that hung down to his ankles, and bright purple eyes remained. His sharp features were not hidden even underneath the baggy red silk pants and skin tight leather sleeveless shirt. Black boots covered his legs up to his thighs and three studded belts hung around his waist.
Liam gasped. "Karix! You . . . you're a Ka'taylin."
"Yes, I am. I am Xair's father, after all."
"You don't have any runes."
"I don't have any demons. Stay here and whatever happens, do not look at that platform."
* * *
Jaylen swung his sword at the guards, but more approached him from behind to grab his arms and pry the weapon away from him. He shouted at them as his sword clanked against the wooden planks and slid out of reach. "Unhand me! You are all heathens. I am your king. Let me go!"
The guard nodded to the executioner. "Do it."
"No!" Jaylen yelled as the axe was lowered quickly and the darkest blood he had ever seen splattered across the platform. The guards finally relinquished their grasp on his arms then backed away. He stood there shaking until he screamed and fell to his knees. "No! Xair, no!"
The bloodthirsty citizens cheered and cried out their thanks to Sola. They held their hands and their young children in the air to see the carnage left behind. A few women clung to their husbands as they wept tears of pure joy. The guards and priests whispered of justice. The sky quickly turned cloudy as lightning streaked from horizon to horizon, causing people to jump and scream in surprise. Papers and dust were picked up on the sudden fierce winds and blown around the courtyard just as the first few drops of rain pelted the cobblestones. It was as though Heaven itself was grieving.
All eyes in the crowd turned to focus on the tall Ka'taylin man who slowly climbed the steps up to the top of the platform. No one moved to stop him or voiced their opposition to his actions. His boots thudded on the wooden planks that were soaked with dark red blood. Once he reached the end, Karix stopped and knelt beside the body of his son. "Oh, Xair . . . I do not know what to say except that . . . I'm sorry. I am sorry that it came to this. I am sorry that I was never there for you. I tried to do the right thing. I believed that staying out of your life was for the best. I didn't want you to get tied up in my problems. You were supposed to be sultan and to lead Ka'tayl. You were going to be great. I do not know what happened to lead you to this place, but I sincerely hope that your soul somehow goes to the angels. I have to go back to my rider now. I pray that Sola has mercy on you. I forgive you, my son."
Chapter 4
All of the angels stepped outside into the raging thunderstorm as a booming all-encompassing female voice echoed around the planet. The citizens of every nation stopped their daily activities to gawk at the tumultuous sky. Ships in the Onyx Sea lowered their sails to rest in the water, and others slowed as their men lowered their oars. Entire armies ceased their training and dropped their weapons in pure shock. Infants in their mother's arms stopped crying and rowdy children ceased their playing and running. The elves in Tivareshen knelt in front of Tivare, the ancient tree, to listen to the voice. Across the four major continents, no one moved.
"Listen to your creator, your goddess Sola, you lowly beasts of morta
lity and closed minds. Woe to you humans who have defied my will. You have slaughtered Xair Korvin, my chosen prophet. I understand the misguided judgment of my angels and seraphs, but in what perverted from of justice do you humans sentence a fellow man to death without evidence? I have heard your racist name-calling, your cursing, your undeniable hatred for my dear Ka'taylins. How dare you pretend to hold such importance that you can judge and condemn your own human brothers to slavery, discrimination, and death because they are of a different race than you? The precious Ka'taylins were my first humans, my priceless prototypes that each and every one of you should be thanking for harboring the flaws that I was able to change in each of you. My Ka'taylins were to be leaders, to show everyone else what to do or not to do. They were to be glorified and protected, not beaten down and destroyed. If you falsely believe these rumors about Ka'taylins, then perhaps I should smite you right now. There is something you need to understand about my form. I, your goddess, am of every race that has ever existed. I am a Northener, a Hillman, an Islander, and a Ka'taylin, both pure and albino. If you hate my Ka'taylins, then you hate me as well. Listen to me well. I do not have much time. Heed my warning and do what must be done to ensure my victory. Carvael and his Eternal Eclipse must be stopped. Jaylen Corrifus, I need you to be the leader my people need. I am sending you a new seraph, but my work has been delayed due to a certain country's bloodthirsty excuse for murder. He will arrive in full adult form and he will be prepared to help you in whatever ways you need. Do not mess it up this time. You have all been warned."
Zeriel's mouth fell open. He glanced over at Jeremiah who was obviously in the same state of shock. "Jeremiah, was that who she said she was?"
"Do you not know your own mother's voice? Yes. That was undeniably Sola."
Angel of Darkness Books 6-10 Page 42