CHAPTER 126: FROM THIS MOMENT...

Morning came... It was time for everyone to face their fears or monsters.

Jenna woke up feeling hopeful, waiting for the day and whatever it would bring. Meanwhile, back at her father’s house Rhane woke up with sweats and aches all over him.

The previous night had been like the devil’s imps had kicked him around in hell, cackling about while playing a loud drum in his head. It was a festival in Rhane’s head, and his entire body trembled.

Rhane had never gotten ill from a mere stab, he had experienced worse and always had it treated the way he usually did. Weeks were all he needed for it to be a forgotten scar, but this one was different. Being that he had never felt weak, especially when it came to health, Rhane didn’t know how to handle the situation.

It was morning, he opened his eyes but couldn’t stand up from the bed.

"Rhane?" Percy knocked on the door, pressing his ear close to listen in. The young man had left Rhane last night when he noticed he was burning up in anger. When morning came, he quickly rushed to see if he needed anything.

It was out of respect and sudden growing affection for Rhane but mostly because he had promised Kali to look after her brother.

"Rhane?" Percy knocked again, this time twice.

Rhane groaned, even opening his eyes felt like torture. He was burning from inside. Forcing his body up, Rhane grabbed a shirt, used it to cover his body. Inhaling deeply, he stepped down from his bed and walked to the door. Each step sending flashes of pain to the wound that now released fluids.

"Percy?" Rhane’s voice came out rasped and coarse.

Percy nodded, "Yes yes... it is I." he replied hastily.

Rhane turned the latch, then opened the door and turned around walking back to his bed.

Percy entered the room with a proud smile, while holding a laden tray filled with assorted meals in small quantity. "I know you wouldn’t join them for breakfast after what happened last night. I had prepared some of these for you and also by noon the ritual—"

Rhane fell with a soft thud.

"R-Rhane?" Percy stuttered, glancing outside the room. He closed the door shut and dropped the laden on the table nearby. Then walked over to Rhane afraid of saying anything. He rubbed his palms together,

"Do you enjoy resting on the floor too? It is cold during the morning time." Percy sputtered, rubbing the back of his neck. When Rhane didn’t respond, he frowned.

"I will leave you to rest then... and um... return when it’s time to leave." Percy turned towards the door, gave Rhane a quick glance then stepped out of the room.

A few seconds later he returned, "Um... I’m sorry Rhane, but Kali asked that I make sure you return alive. I don’t know why she would tell that to a man like me when you are able to kill a hundred soldiers all alone. As much as I try to be a man and not let her sense my fear, your sister is a killer..." Percy slapped his mouth.

"I didn’t mean it... but you know... you have also seen her. Well you both are..." Percy took in a sharp breath. "Well all I’m saying is... I am going to come over and cover your body so you don’t die and Kali kills me as she had promised she would. So please don’t kill me... I will shut up now."

Percy rubbed his clammy palms together, he closed the door again and began walking towards Rhane.

Grabbing a bed cover on the bed, Percy got on one knee and moved his hand up using the sheet to cover Rhane. He was about to leave when he heard a soft groan from Rhane.

"R-Rhane?" Percy dropped his hand to Rhane’s forehead, and he went frigid. "Help! Someone is dead!" Percy screamed the moment he found his voice.

"He—"

"Shut up, idiot." Rhane grunted, with his eyes closed.

Percy’s eyes almost slipped from their sockets. "How are you still alive?" he cried out loud. Scrambling on his feet, "I’ll go out and get help,"

Rhane grabbed his ankle, stopping him from moving.

"Wh-what are you doing?!" Percy tried to step away, "You need urgent help!"

Rhane sat up, this time resting his back on the bed, "You are help, Percy."

Percy touched his chest, his face contorted in confusion. "Me? You are half dead, I don’t want to kill you! Kali will end me in the worst way!"

Even in pain Rhane managed a chuckle, "I see why she has her paws on you." he mumbled. Now with a serious face and a voice laced with pain, Rhane began,

"From this moment, Percy. You will do what I tell you..."

. . . . . . .

Noon came faster than dawn had arrived, the sun bouncing in joy across the sky. It was a bright afternoon when the council gathered to take the men for the ritual to commence the tournament. Carriages lined out in front of Master Brown’s house.

Gerald was the first to step out of the house, dressed in a pink and blue silk which matched the band around his head. His wounded hand finely bandaged around his neck

"You’re here early," Master Brown praised the young man.

Gerald nodded, when he noticed Rhane was nowhere to be found, a grin spread on his face like it would a clown. "Blood doesn’t lie... we men of high standing take time seriously. You know... father-in-law." he teased.

Master Brown nodded with a smile, giving Gerald an approving nudge.

"What about Rhane?" Nikolai who had been quiet and observing asked. "He was not there for breakfast and now he is late."

Master Brown hummed, "Percy had come to me concerning that, he says Rhane enjoys hunting in the morning... but he should be back now."

"Hunt?" Nikolai repeated but didn’t deliberate on that.

Gerald scowled, "Some things never leave a person," he judged, "Once an animal always one... there he is." he murmured just when Rhane stepped out clad in black from head to toe.

"Do you wish to leave your daughter to someone that...dangerous?" Gerald pointed to make emphasis.

Rhane had a black cloth around his face, leaving his nose and eyes exposed with strands of hair falling on his face. Clad in a raven black shirt and plain trousers, with high polished black shoes to fit. Around his waist he strapped his dagger and behind him was Percy dressed in white.

"He is quite a man..." Brown’s voice trailed, noticing Gerald’s snarl, he continued, "A dangerous one." Agreeing with Gerald.

Once Rhane arrived in front of the men, he bowed to them.

"I had hunted this morning knowing we would need meat for celebration. Two boars and a fawn."

Master Brown widened his eyes, "T-two?" he stuttered.

Rhane nodded, his eyes smiling at the man’s reaction. "It is in the kitchen as we speak."

Brown glanced at Percy to know if it was the truth.

Percy stepped forward and bowed deeply, "My Lord, Master Rhane indeed delivered his game to the kitchen. I saw it with my own eyes."

Brown wanted to run to the kitchen and see for himself but he heard Gerald grumble. He cleared his throat. "You did well all right but keeping us here is not a sign of respect." the man scolded. "An act that won’t be overlooked next time."

Gerald nodded when the man scolded Rhane, he turned and got into his carriage.

"Let us leave," Master Brown announced to them.

As everyone entered their carriage, Nikolai waited behind, his eyes following Rhane’s movement. When their eyes met, he smiled.

"Hunting in the wild is no easy feat, I hope you did not sustain an injury fatal. We have physicians who can care for you."

Under the mask, Rhane’s lips curled. "You forget father, that I am not home-bred. I, too, belong in the wild. The wild doesn’t harm their kind." he replied. With a small bow, Rhane got into his carriage with Percy stumbling behind him.