Age of Beast Tamers and Exorcists
Chapter 63: The Short Message

Chapter 63: The Short Message

Skyler took a step forward without realising it. And she protested. "Why are you attacking him!? He’s with us!" The commander, a few inches behind her on his horse, interposed. "Stay out of this, please, Lady Kingsley!" This is beyond respect or familiarity. The whole of Eldengrove is at stake." She had turned her head. Something like worry circled her eyeballs. She protested, "But still..." One of the Task Recruits, Ryu, having blonde hair and being taller than average, closed in by her side. He whispered, "Please be at ease, my lady. Not even us can control the Royal Army... They are fierce to the face of death. I will do my best to keep the comrade safe, so don’t worry about him." The commander cleared his throat. He faced front and said out loud, "Dear soldiers, proceed forward to arrest the accused. The Marked Ones here should be at the get-go as the Necrots might act out funny..." The half-man chuckled, "So you know who I am... and the balls are still down there? Not scared, are you?" The commander lashed back immediately. "They said you folks came into existence at the expense of a mad man’s magic. Like soups come out from the cooking crafts of men this age. And from the same point of view, are soldiers created too. Through pain, training, and unwavering focus that continue to hone our war mastery. You can show off your powers here... and I will be more than ready to show you what a good sword art looks like. But, deep down, everyone knows what magic could do. It overpowers brute force, without doubt. Yet, I and my soldiers are ready to fight. Holding back has never been our motto." "Seize them, soldiers!" Behind the commander’s horse was a wooden carriage where four swordsmen stood beside it. At the man’s command, they retreated from the carriage and ventured into the command. Their shoes crunched on pebbles underfoot. The scent of oil filled the air. The half-man raised his brows. He turned around and looked at the cloaked man. For an unknown reason, the cloaked man had to shake his head, pleading to the half-man about something. But with a raised brow that indicated her disregard, the half-man looked at the front. He then mumbled, ""Let the gears of this mortal plane falter..." The swordsmen closed in more and more... "...and fall silent. By my will..." Their shadows loomed over him. But he grinned in a way that sent chills down the spine. Zmey made up his mind he would fight back no matter how tough it was. Yet, the cloaked man thought it was better to surrender than to let anyone cause harm to his son. The half-man finally said, "...time itself kneels." As the half-man’s final words rolled off his tongue, the air shivered and held its breath straight away. The clinking of armour, the crunch of boots against gravel, and even the rustle of the wind ceased all at once. The azure gradient in the sky grew dull. A distant mountain’s peak was now blurry. This contrasted with how it was earlier. Silence stretched across the field. One would expect the wind to howl louder when it is silent. But the unnaturalness about it was that the half-man’s spell muffled its motion. At least, an honour for the last man standing. The approaching soldiers froze mid-stride. Zmey’s body froze mid-air, his legs hovering above the ground after he had jumped towards the cloaked man. Even the Task Recruits weren’t left out. Everyone froze in place, like dead yet standing men. Their distinct emotions stood still in their eyes as well. The half-man observed with intense focus. He saw signs of determination, fear, and rage in some faces. The half-man chuckled again, this time with something else. He shook his head. He approached Zmey, peering into his eyes. But strange to hell, he couldn’t tell what was on his mind before he froze like the others. He tilted his head. "Anger, love, determination.... and... that too... reconsideration... How come he experiences so many emotions all at once?" He rubbed his chin. "Hmmm... if this doesn’t happen to Orin Stonewood, then who else?" He swept his palm across Zmey’s shoulder. He mumbled, "I will let him know I finally met you today. But due to the current circumstances, I can’t capture you as everyone promised to. Still, I promise to find you at another time. That is, if you haven’t yet become what they said you would be. See you, Orin." With that, he turned his back and leapt over the sturdy fence in a single motion. Swoosh... His legs froze mid-step upon hearing that fast-moving sound. He creased his brows, and with care, he turned. His jaw dropped straight away. "How come...? They are both gone..." Both Zmey and the cloaked man were gone from where they once stood. ’What just happened?’ ’Impossible... Who broke through my spell? Who!? Was it Orin himself?’ Not only should his spell have held these men in place. But also everyone and everything in proximity to this location. No one was supposed to be able to move or aid another in doing so. What was going on? ’I had better vanish before the spell becomes less potent...’ Pushing the thought of the strangeness aside, the half-man immediately got to a sprint. He jumped over fallen logs on the way and flew atop stone walls. But a question never left his mind. ... Who was it? Meanwhile, on the stone pathway of the cloaked man’s house, a silver arrow lay flat on it. And beside it was a small piece of paper. Without warning, a breeze began to flow back. The rustling of metals and the snorting of horses set reality back in motion. "Where are they? Find them, soldiers!" "Yes, commander!" ... Ryu saw the piece of paper in the distance. He immediately got to the stone path, squatted, and read what was on it. ’Justice, By the draconic power.’ He mumbled, "Draconic power?" Both a silver arrow and a cryptic message... "How are they related?"