Chapter 340

Vorbuk followed the siren, Raene through Death's passage along her own pathways found. She had long lived in the area. Growing accustomed to the terrain over the countless years. The direction they went in was secluded from other creatures in Death's passage.

Does he dislike being around other living things? Vorbuk pondered when he saw the number of living things were decreasing the further he followed the siren. He did not have a choice in following her. If he strayed away or slowed down the siren would use her melody to force him to keep up with her.

He could feel that his servant, Ashley, was attempting to follow them from a distance. Ashley would not intervene as long as he did not request his assistance. The vampire was able to sense that his master was not in danger which allowed the vampire to follow him more casually and carefully. Though Ashley still had some catching up to do to his location. Vorbuk was not worried about Ashley being able to find them.

Minutes passed and soon became what Vorbuk could only presume had been a few hours. They made their way deep into the secluded area. It looked almost abandoned to the point that even insects did not make a sound. Everything from insect to demon in Death's passage held fear of the headless horseman that one known as one of the guardians of Drethia Kingdom.

"Where are we going?" Vorbuk asked Raene while observing the land carefully. It felt like he could not remember the land even if he tried. Something about Death's passage gave a strange feeling like the land was shifting even as you looked around. Terrain resembling a living illusion surrounded them.

How does she recognize how to move through this place? Vorbuk was not certain how Raene could maneuver her way around with ease.

The siren, Raene, stopped and looked at him, "He does not like others near his place because he prefers things to be quiet. If you value your life I suggest not speaking unless asked something directly. If you disturb him I will kill you myself."

"... Did he not intend to kill me anyways?" Vorbuk asked her after hearing her warning to remain quiet around the headless horseman. He has no head so why would he need it to be quiet?

Raene wanted to smack Vorbuk but calmed herself down by clenching her fist, "Do not be disrespectful."

"What do you mean?" Vorbuk acted unaware.

Raene glared at him, "I can see you clearly thinking something rude."

"Ah." Vorbuk found himself caught. My expression must have given me away. He felt he should be more careful in the future.

Raene felt troubled with him. The beast was stubborn and rude. He showed no fear of her regardless of her race being one feared by most. It felt like he was ignorant of the world. She avoided looking at him further and continued to walk through the path that she had spent years mastering. From behind she could hear his footsteps following after hers.

"Why do you serve someone like that?" Vorbuk tried to understand the siren more. He wanted to understand more about this world, those that lived among it, and he simply wanted answers to why she would help him capture Vorbuk.

The siren flinched and got angry at his question, "Do not speak rudely! You know nothing about him."

"I understand that he serves the god Chynir who wants to destroy the continent itself," Vorbuk spoke without a filter, "I can only see that he does not seem to care about anything."

Raene grabbed Vorbuk by the front of his clothes and slammed his back against a tree, "If you keep choosing to insult him I will result to methods you will not like."

"When did I enjoy anything you've done so far?" Vorbuk rudely asked.

The siren's face flushed red at his words, arguing back at him, "You should not speak about things you do not understand. He has much to speak with you about when you see him."

"What does he want to talk about?" Vorbuk was not certain how the headless horseman would speak to him. If they communicated it could be something dangerous. However when he saw the way the siren acted, Vorbuk wondered if they needed something more from him.

Raene hesitated before answering him honestly, "He would like to make a deal with you."

"A deal?" Vorbuk pondered what he could possibly need help from him with.

She released him and resumed walking without speaking further on the subject. Raene did not want to give everything away to Vorbuk. It was impossible for her to kill him because the headless horseman needed his help.

Why did it have to be help from someone like him? She felt very annoyed.

Vorbuk followed her closely from behind. The siren seemed to keep a certain distance from him. It felt like she was trying to avoid him now. He could only assume she did it to avoid his further questioning.

Soon they reached a clearing where the fog let up. It was still in the air but he could see much clearer. In front of them not far stood a single wood cabin. It was a place built in solitude in the clearing outside the fog. All around the wood cabin were thick wildlife and rock.

No a single sound could be heard aside from the wind carrying the haunting echoes of the headless horseman's undead steed. It kicked up rocks with its heavy hooves when it saw the two of them coming. Perhaps alerting him of their arrival.

"Come on." Raene said to bring Vorbuk out of his trance on observing the area.

They did not have time to linger around and see the sights. She had to get him back quickly like she had been asked. It was not a matter that she could take lightly.

Raene knew what the headless horseman needed from the beast. She knew what problem plagued his heart and she wanted to help him. It was not something she was going to take lightly. There was much that others did not know about the headless horseman. He was feared by everyone and yet she believed in him.

She knew him better then most and understood why he served the King of Drethia. It was not something that he had chosen on his own accord. The headless horseman had no choice but to obey the king. It made her angry when she heard others talk rudely about him. That was because she knew the truth behind it all.

It was not the fault of others like Vorbuk for those rumors. That was the only reason she could contain her anger towards him for his ignorance. The one at fault for the rumors on the headless horseman was the king of Drethia.

If only things could be different. She would do anything to help him regain his freedom if it was possible. The only thing she could do right now was bring Vorbuk to him. He watched him and the others from the moment they entered the boundaries of the witch's garden. Now it was time to bring him to the cabin where the headless horseman resided.