Chapter 107: Interlude
Lets pause here for the night. Ezekiel and Marissa sat on top of one of the towers enjoying the sunset with Raven.
Over the course of the day Ezekiel had told his story, they had moved around to break up the monotony of sitting in one place. At one point Vito had come in and asked Ezekiel to help him with another section of the ritual that was giving them unexpected issues.
The tower they were on looked out to where the sun set behind tall, snowcapped mountains. As it faded from view, Marissa asked, If I remember correctly, Friar Brown told you if that turned out to be a true blood weapon, he would take it from you.
Good memory, I chuckled. Technically speaking, it is not a true blood weapon.
Yeah, it sounds much worse. Marissas bones clattered a little bit as she made herself shake.
It is much worse, Ezekiel agreed, getting to his feet. But explaining what happened with Friar Brown would be spoilers.
Come on, thats not fair, Marissa grumbled. Im not listening to your story for the storys sake, Im here taking notes, you can spoil stuff.
Ezekiel eyed her raising an eyebrow. You wouldnt mind a bullet point version then? It would save us both some time.
No, Marissa was quick to say. Your story is just fine.
I thought so, Ezekiel chuckled. Now, I think I owe Raven a hunt tonight? Ezekiel shot Raven a questioning look.
You do indeed. Raven sprang to her feet. Its going to be a tight fit though. This naughty critter has been terrorizing the locals and is tucked away inside of a tight crevasse. Youre going to need to give it a good pounding.
You dont want to capture it? Ezekiel asked in surprise.
No, I do, I dont see any need to kill it, Raven gave him a concerned look. Promise you wont kill it. Ezekiel raised his hands in defense. Good! When you flush it out, Im going to ambush it and bring it home.
Right, so, Im going to squeeze into a tight space and pound some critter, making sure I dont break it, Ezekiel clarified.
Exactly, Raven nodded. Then I will have a new pet.
I already struggle with all your different creatures liking me, this one will hate me for sure, Ezekiel complained.
Thems the breaks, Raven laughed.
Just how powerful a creature is it that someone at your level needs to actually fight it, and youre not scared to death? Marissa asked in surprise. Are you just speaking in a euphemism for tonights activities?
Ezekiel and Raven looked at each other for a moment. Raven explained, Youve clearly never been out into the Uncharted, theres a lot of things in this world that would eat either of us for lunch. When you picture this, picture something that can bullet time, move fast enough to dodge a sniper bullet like its stuck in molasses, and has claws that will rend adamantine plate metal fully enchanted to shreds.
Oh, Marissa seemed taken aback. I didnt know things could get quite that powerful. If stuff like that is wandering this area, how did I get here alive?
Ezekiel nodded to where the sun had set. We are very near the Uncharted. But I built my castle here to control this region and push back the Uncharted a little bit so civilization could flourish here. Many of my minions patrol the skies and strike down the more common critters that come out of the Uncharted.
With those thoughts, they left Marissa on the tower, feeling small. The distance between her and Ezekiel in terms of power was great. From what he said, there were creatures out there that made even that seem like nothing.
***
The next day Marissa found Ezekiel coming up from a trail that led down into the valley followed by Raven. She knew in that direction Raven kept many of her animals.
Was it successful? Marissa asked.
Yep! Raven gave her a devilish smile. One pussycat tamed and satiated for now.
Ezekiel groaned and glared at Raven in annoyance, then a wave of his hand sent her flying back off the trial. Lets go before she gets back, he said running forward.
Marissa could hear Raven tumbling down the steep slope, cursing and swearing the whole way down. The last thing she heard was, Ezekiel Verniac, you had better run!
Why dont we go on a tour of my lands today? Ezekiel suggested when Marissa caught up with him.
That might be a good idea, Marissa agreed. Will she be okay?
Ezekiel eyed over his shoulder where Raven had disappeared. A small fall like that hasnt been any kind of real threat to her for at least two hundred years. He laughed. For that matter, if she hadnt been being so full of herself, I would have never pulled that off.
It didnt take long for them to be mounted up in an open carriage pulled by a pair of skeletal horses the size of Clydesdales. Wheres Shadow? Marissa asked.
Technically its a spoiler, Ezekiel said, but hes down in Ravens sanctuary. Helps her keep some of the livelier animals in line.
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