The Forsaken Hero
Chapter 85: Eavesdropping

Chapter 85: Eavesdropping

After searching the cave, I found a cozy spot in the sun atop aneaby cairn of rocks. Below me, Soltair and Trithe surrounded a small pile of "loot." Much of it was junk, having long since been corroded by the constant fumes and acids of the Basilisk, but that made it easier to tell what was worth looking at. Occasionally, an excited shout startled me from my reverie, but everytime I looked, they were just fawning over some bauble or treasure. I quickly tuned them out, focusing on the surrounding vista.

Far below, at the base of the foothills, several villages made ready for the night. Kitchen fires sent countless streams of smoke skyward, casting a low haze over the region. The falling sun’s rays intersected the smoke, casting a bright red glow over the sky. I sighed, resting my chin in my hands. Among them was Whiteriver Village. I couldn’t help but wonder if the villagers had truly been liberated from the curse. Everyone had been so sure of it.

I hadn’t been able to watch the Basilisk die, courtesy of Soltair, but I’d felt the enormous release of mana.

But, after facing the Basilisk itself, I had little hope. Its eyes were cruel and malicious. There was no way it would let anyone off easily.

I shivered, my chest tightening as I remembered the moment its jaws clamped on the aegis. Just another second, and it might have shattered. The worst part was that there was nothing I could do. I was helpless in front of a monster like that. If Soltair hadn’t been there...

Was this a true monster? Suddenly, Trithe’s words in the goblin cave made a lot more sense. Who would fear a goblin when monsters like the Basilisk existed.

It took me a long time to think through the experience, reconciling my brush with death. As I did, I idly played with my mana. My mind wandered to the strange method the Basilisk utilized in activating its curses. It had all the trappings of a spell, only the process was entirely internal. It also didn’t use a chant, but that wasn’t something I was unfamiliar with.

The church taught humanoid couldn’t replicate the monsters abilities, but that wouldn’t stop me from trying. It was just too interesting to ignore. A welcome distraction from my brush with death, and the searing pain in my wounds.

There were a few benefits to this new way of using magic, too, with almost no drawbacks. Mana got harder to use the greater distance it was exerted over. Even the relatively small diameter of a magic circle had a non-negligible effect, especially with high-level spells. Soltair solar flare had been as big as the arena, forcing him to use his own mana to sustain all of that.

The basilisk had no such inhibition. But even more important than efficiency was the element of surprise. Without the Eyes of Fate, it was impossible to know when it was preparing an attack. There was no way to counter or dispel it. There was no way to resist it. It had only been a fifth level monster, yet had hurt all three of us, Soltair included. Some of its attacks had been as strong as sixth-level ones.

"You all right up there?"

I jumped as Soltair’s voice startled me from my thoughts, and I realized the rest of the day had slipped away without me noticing. He and Trithe stood together, gazing up at me curiously. Beyond them, the land had slipped into shadow, and the darkened sky held only faint remnants of what must have been a truly breathtaking sunset.

"Sorry, coming." I flicked my staff and jumped, calling the winds to cushion my descent. Landing lightly on my feet, I smoothed my ruffled hair behind my ears and dismissed my staff.

"Quite the trick," Trithe said, raising an eyebrow. "Couldn’t you have done that earlier?"

Shaking my head, I sighed regretfully. "Unfortunately not. It’s only useful against the pull of gravity. Nothing like the insane speeds you forced us to."

"Let’s get moving. We’ve been here long enough, and I don’t want to waste time with whatever decides it’s the next king of the hill," Soltair said.

Now that the sun had set, the wind reversed, flowing from the valleys up the mountains. They carried the last remnants of the day’s warmth, but the night chill soon overpowered them. Soltair created a Divine Star, leaving it hovering over his shoulder, which provided both light and heat. Well, to humans, at least. I remained on the edge of its radius and bore the chill. Although I could easily resist the negative effects imposed on demons, it bore the characteristic ability of all Sun magic to make me feel uncomfortable.

The early hours of the morning found us back in the wooded foothills. As we passed the trickling remnants of a stream, my legs failed me and I collapsed onto a nearby stump.

"J-just a second," I managed between gasps. Unable to take it anymore, I slipped my feet from my boots and, groaned as I prodded them with my fingers. Sweat had long since soaked through the creases of my clothes, and my cheeks held a deep flush from exertion.

"It’s fine," Soltair said, taking a seat beside me. "Sometimes I forget you can’t travel as far as us. Why don’t we stop here for a few hours?"

"Sorry to be a burden," I mumbled. Somehow, they both looked like they could go for another few days and maybe then they’d decide to take a short break.

"Nonsense," Trithe retorted. "The only burden is the curse. Don’t shoulder it all yourself."

I glanced up in surprise, but simply nodded. "Thanks." Ever since the village, she’d been unusually kind. I wasn’t complaining, but it was a far cry from the Trithe who jabbed at me constantly. The jealousy had vanished from her eyes, but that had started before we left the Divine Throne. Right. As if I could "compete" for Soltair anymore.

A large yawn forced its way between my thoughts. From the moment I sat down, whatever fumes I was running on left, I found it a struggle to keep my eyes open.

"Get some rest, I’ll wake you when it’s time to leave." Soltair’s soft words were all I needed. I hardly had time to remove my bedroll from my spacial satchel before my consciousness fled and I fell into a fitful sleep.

I had scarcely closed my eyes before I was jolted awake. The soft grays of dawn stroked the horizon, the night already gone. I felt like I’d literally just closed my eyes.

Everything still hurt, but before I could groan, I heard hushed voices.

"Shh, you’ll wake her," Soltair whispered.

Trithe giggled. The noise came from the same place as Soltair voice. We’re they sitting next to each other, or...?

"It’s fine, isn’t it? It’s morning, anyway," she said.

Turning my head slightly, I stared with wide eyes at the edge of the clearing. Soltair sat on the edge of the clearing, back against a tree, with Trithe in his lap. While they were both still clothed, her legs wrapped tightly around his waist shared no illusion of the intimacy their relationship had reached. Blushing a bit, she leaned forward and planted a kiss on his lips, drawing it out until I averted my eyes in embarrassment.

"Trithe," Soltair said sternly, "Please. Or you’ll have to take responsibility for what happens."

"Fine," she pouted. "Not that I’m unwilling, but I can’t have our first time be in a bush. Next to a filthblood, no less."

"I thought you stopped calling her that. What’s with all the kind words and acts, then?"

She laughed, snuggling forward to press her ample chest against his. "Well, I decided there was no point in rubbing salt in the wounds. As long as she knows her place, I have no problem being civil. Besides, didn’t you see her face back there? Even a stone-hearted monster would feel bad."

Soltair was quiet for a moment. "Yeah," he finally nodded. "I hope she was wrong..."

"I doubt it," she admitted. "It’s almost terrifying how good she is with magic. Sometimes I’m grateful for the curse and her slave crest. Who knows what might happen if she were able to unleash her power on the world. That only makes her answer to my question all the more worrisome, though."

"Question?"

Trithe sighed and looked over her shoulder at me. I froze, thinking I’d been spotted, but she turned back and gazed deep into his eyes. "Yeah. I asked what she owed everyone. Why she even wanted to save people. Judging by her expression, I doubt she’s ever thought about it before. I only hope she doesn’t."

"And why is that?"

"Because I’m afraid she’ll learn the answer."

Her words pierced me like a knife. What could she possibly be referring to? Why the fear of me? I’d never been anything but meek and obedient, hardly ever complaining no matter the pain or horror I was subjected to. My tail twitched in agitation, but I grabbed it before it could make a stir.

"Yeah, you have a point. But I’m not overly concerned. The Slave Crest will keep her in check should she think of anything too far off the path. Not that she’s capable of that anyway, but the reassurance is there."

"And of her resistance? What level were we supposed to report to him? Fifth, was it?"

Soltair chuckled without mirth and shook his head sadly. "I only hope it never comes to that, but it was seventh."

I strained my ears, hoping to hear more, but Soltair grunted and rose to his feet. Trithe clung to him, hanging tight until he pried her body away and dropped her to the ground. During the course of the conversation, the morning sun had crested the peaks, meaning it was time to go.

I closed my eyes, feigning sleep as Soltair strode over. His warm breath brushed my skin as he leaned down, his fingers stroking my cheek with a fleeting touch. "Don’t worry," he murmured. "If possible, I’ll protect you no matter what."

His words, infused with an unexpected warmth, tugged at my emotions. I managed to suppress my surprise, only letting my composure falter as his hand descended to gently shake my shoulder I opened my eyes slowly, startled to find his face still close to mine. The winding ribbons of light within his iris’ seemed particularly dazzling against his shadow-ridden face, and my lips parted wordlessly.

"It’s time," he said.

I nodded, eyes never leaving him as I climbed to my knees. "Promise?" I whispered.

He raised an eyebrow. "What was that?"

"It was nothing," I replied quickly.

As I prepared for the journey, neither of them showed any hint of their conversation and actions from before. Trithe hummed happily, using magic to heat some food for breakfast, and Soltair went through his gear one more time, checking for any damage done during the battle. I disappeared into the trees, as much as to get some space to think as change into fresh clothes. By the time I returned, I was resolute. Although my life belonged to another, it was time to begin living for myself.