CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

31.

"Something is wrong," Cressela said. He sat behind her on the horse.

"I can feel it, there is an energy surrounding my city," Ivo said.

"More like a Phen barrier," Cressela replied.

What is happening? 

"I hope the families are not causing issues again," Drustan stated behind them.

"Even if that sort of event occurred, I did not give permission to erect a barrier. There is something bigger going on." Ivo said.

"It couldn't be the same group of adventurers who attacked Isern, could it?" Drustan asked.

Cressela scoffed. "There is a big difference between Isern and Adhu Aqua. Those adventurers wouldn't have been able to set foot into the city." 

"You got a point there, O Great Protector." 

Cressela scoffed at the nickname.

"Let's make haste, we cannot waste any more time!" Ivo ordered.

"You heard the Great Lord!" Cressela yelled.

"Yes, Commander!" The soldiers exclaimed as the small squadron picked up their pace.

Ivo felt his horse pull to a stop. He had assumed they reached one of the gates to the city. Another reason he was certain of this fact was that he felt a familiar aura in front of them.

"Commander Gregory, it is not common that you are so eager to meet us," Ivo said.

"I was made aware of your arrival and thought it would be kind to welcome you back." Col retorted.

"How thoughtful." Cressela retorted. 

While Cressela's relationship with Commander Drustan had been playful, her relationship with Commander Col had been hostile. Nothing he ever did could smooth it out. Cressela helped him get off of the horse. He steadily made his way to face Commander Gregory. 

"While that seemed pleasant, you must be aware that it raises some suspicion." He said.

"I am well aware of that." 

"Have you lost your honour, Commander Gregory? To whom are you speaking?" Cressela asked.

Ivo heard the man chuckle.

"Why is there a barrier around my city, Commander?" Ivo asked sternly.

"Just precautions, it seems that Meinspir is plotting an attack against us." 

Ivo was taken aback by the news. He and the king were on good terms. Why would they attack?

"These are matters that we should discuss within private quarters. But still, you had no orders to erect a barrier." Ivo said.

Ivo turned back to where he assumed his horse was. 

"There is more news, a man named Alaric is currently being held within the castle. He mentioned that he knows you." Col stated.

What happened when I was away?

Ivo struggled to hold back a smile. He felt Cressela's hand on his shoulder.

"Do not get your hopes up yet," Cressela whispered.

Ivo nodded as she helped him onto the horse.

The soldiers began to move but they were halted as Commander Col raised his hand.

"What is it now, Commander?" Cressela asked in a rude tone.

"I am afraid I have orders to only allow the two commanders and the Great Lord within the city walls," Col said.

"Orders from who?" Ivo asked.

"The Great Lord." 

"Great Lord, The Gr-" Cressela was interrupted by Ivo.

"Very well, let us meet the Great Lord." 

Col led Ivo, Cressela and Drustan through the barrier and the gates.

The streets of Adhu Aqua were more packed than usual. He tried to greet as many of the citizens as he rode.

"The people are too happy, you wouldn't assume they are the ones being trapped within the city," Cressela whispered.

"Someone must've reassured them somehow." Ivo kept his voice low.

"Commander Gregory?"

"No, he may be a high ranking commander but he has done nothing to win the trust of the people. It has to be someone significant."

"I knew the commander was ambitious but this is taking it too far, giving control of the city to another person."

"The person must have been good at convincing him."

"What of Alaric? He is a known figure among the aquians."

"Yes but most of the population is not fond of him for what he has done."

"He had done nothing, he was just a five-year-old kid." Cressela scowled.

"We understand that. And he couldn't convince the commander because…"

"He is a mysur, right?"

Ivo nodded.

Ivo knew that Cressela had been avoiding one name, the only person it could've been. Especially with the latest events in Isern.

They rode the rest of the way in silence.

He assumed it had been nighttime when they arrived at the castle. He could tell from the lack of aura he felt from the sky. He could normally feel the faint presence of Ysgafyn's twin. As the four entered the castle, servants arrived to dry them off.

Seems regular enough.

"Where shall we meet the Great Lord?" Ivo asked.

"In the throne room, of course. He had been waiting all day for your arrival." Col said. 

Col led, Cressela walked in front of Ivo and Drustan took the rear. The loudmouthed man had been surprisingly quiet throughout the whole day.

"Is something wrong, Commander Drucker?" Ivo asked.

"It is the city, it feels…off. I don't know, maybe I am off." The young commander answered.

Ivo chuckled. "You are correct, the city is off. Keep a hold of those instincts, Commander Drucker." 

"Will do, sir."

As they reached the highest floor of the castle their pace slowed. Ivo hated this floor, it was a reminder of his failures. Failure to protect Lady Argenta. Failure to protect Alaric. He never did any business within the throne room. He asked the servants to keep everything the same. He wondered if the paintings were still on the wall.

They reached the room and Col opened the door. Ivo was suddenly met with three new auras. Auras that were familiar to him. Without even feeling the aura in the middle before, He knew who it was. That intense aura was always only going to be one man.

Ivo was led further into the room.

"He turned his head to the left.

"Commander Orvyn."

He then turned his head to the right.

"Commander Hughes."

And then he faced the man in the middle.

"Master Jerial."

The man in the middle spoke. "You do not seem surprised to see me, Ivo" His voice sounded different.

"I have been made aware of your resurrection. I was surprised by it since I was the one who buried your remains. But now I am less surprised and more concerned." "Forgive me Master but you sound different than what I remembered."

His master laughed. "And you look blinder. I understand your concerns and we have much to discuss. Let's first discuss our similarities."

"You and Great Lord Ivo are nothing alike!" Cressela scoffed.

"Calm down Commander Beckett," Ivo ordered. Cressela went quiet. 

"What similarities do you assume we have?" Ivo asked.

"We have both performed the creation ritual." Jerial seemed to be coming closer. Ivo felt Cressela move to stand in front of him.

"To create a cast one must sacrifice a part of yourself that is equivalent to the strength of the cast you want to create." Jerial continued. "You gave up your natural eyesight for something much greater. I have done something similar." 

"What have you done?"

"I gave up my natural body for a new younger one. A cast that allows me to hop from one body to the next." 

Ivo realised the meaning behind the words and clenched his fists.

"What have you done with Alaric? You would kill his mother and now him too?" Emotion had been raging in Ivo's voice.

Jerial laughed. "Did I kill Alaric? No, he still exists. Would you like to speak with him?" 

Ivo nodded.

Jerial's aura changed and was replaced with a new aura. One he had never seen before. If Jerial's aura had been intense and threatening, the new aura was similar to Cressela's. It had been protective and calm. Alaric should not have an aura, he is a mysur. 

"Ivo, get out of here. Leave Adhu Aqua-" It had been the same voice that emanated from his master earlier but this one spoke with more desperation.

"Al, I am sorry I couldn't save you," Ivo said.

The intense aura returned and Ivo knew that his master took control once again.

"That fool is really thinking about others while he is trapped." Jerial laughed. "And you apologising, quite humorous." 

"Why?" Ivo asked.

"Simple, I needed a means to hide from the empire. At least for a few years as I formulated my plan. And immortality was just a bonus."

"You would sacrifice your son's life for a plan?"

The next word threw Ivo over the edge.

"Yes."

Ivo walked forward furiously. Col blocked him from Jerial. He heard the withdrawal of Col's broadsword.

"Commander Gregory put away your blade. It is not appropriate in front of our guests." Jerial's voice called out.

Ivo assumed Col listened due to the fact that he moved off to the side.

"Before things get rowdy, I called you here to make a proposition," Jerial said.

Ivo did not ask questions, he merely listened. He did not trust that he would be able to hide his anger. He noticed Cressela walking towards him and Drustan followed her.

Jerial noticed his silence and continued to speak. "Join me again as my right-hand man!" 

Col attempted to interrupt but Jerial spoke over him.

"Join me and we can rule together once again. Just like the old days." 

"And if I refuse?" Ivo asked.

"I will simply have to execute you. But I am a fair man, I will give you a day to make a decision. You can flee if you'd like but then I would spend my days executing each one of the Beckett family until you decide to return." 

Ivo felt Cressela's aura flare at the revelation.

"I understand-" That is when Ivo noticed a small aura flaring next to his master's face.

"Drustan! No!" He yelled.

Jerial had given Ivo his ultimatum when he noticed a strange circle in the corner of his eye. He jerked his torso back just in time to see an arm brush past his face. He heard Ivo yell. He quickly gripped the floating arm. He looked towards where Ivo stood and noticed the young man to his side had only one arm. The other arm had been halved and attached to a red circle similar to the circle that the arm that attacked him came from.

"Spatial casts. Quite rare indeed. A Sio caster as a commander in Adhu Aqua, even more rare." He stated. Jerial's hand that had been gripped suddenly reddened. Steam emanated from his grip. He watched as the young man cried in pain. Jerial then released his grip. Ivo looked at the man with concern.

"You almost caught me off guard, young man. You seem to be quite talented. How about you join my ranks?" He asked.

"No thank you, I don't like to be ruled over by a dead man." The young man said.

Jerial laughed. 

"Great Lord, should we punish them for their insolence?" A voice to his left said.

Jerial eyed the man. Commander Hughes. He was quite the irritation to Jerial. He had been a rather steadfast man who just spoke of his honour and justice. He was easily manipulated but he was rather boring.

"Commander Hughes, Commander Gregory withdraw your weapons. They have done nothing to warrant punishment." He said. He then turned to Commander Orvyn. "Orvyn, you should join them. You have been actively trying to undermine me." 

Orvyn's eyes widened for a second before he nodded and joined Ivo's side.

Jerial looked towards Ivo who had been glaring at him.

"Choose wisely, Ivo." He mocked.

Ivo nodded at him. 

Jerial smirked. His armoured boots shone green as he moved much faster than a regular person was able to. He planned to stop before Ivo but Commander Beckett forced herself before Ivo. Her gauntlet had a yellow glow and a large pale yellow shield protected her and Ivo. She was angry. Ivo placed his hand on her shoulder. 

"You have some great subordinates, Ivo. They are willing to die for you." 

Ivo scoffed. "Two days, give us at least two days."

"Not that it makes much difference but yes. Anything for my favourite pupil." Jerial smirked.