To Pine for Pink Opals

Chapter 10: The Killer

Heldon's new black mare with a peanut-shaped white splotch on her nose, knickered and flicked her ears as he followed Erik out of Kalent. Heldon figured his horse could sense his tension and fear prickled through his muscles as they trotted out into the peaceful countryside.

Even birds serenaded them as they set off on their quest.

It was by all accounts a splendid day, and Heldon wanted nothing more than to turn around, go back home, and hide until autumn.

“We should make it to the edge of the forest by sundown!" Erik called out jubilant from his chestnut stallion, Blaze.

“Great." Heldon didn't feel great, he felt dread. His stomach was a noxious lead bar on the saddle.

Someone from the bar delivered all the winnings from the card game to their family home, except for the ring which must've gone missing in the ruckus. He had his shield with him, a flask of holy water, a small crucifix, and a stake.

His brother had almost the same, except he had a longsword and the torches.

“Chin up, Heldon. We've been waiting for this moment for two years. This is our chance for justice and to earn back our fearsome reputation!" Erik looked behind him, his collarbone length hair gelled back per usual.

Oddly, he knew exactly what Erik was feeling because he felt the same way at Opalgate when he found Ryce the first time. He hardly thought twice about blessing his saber and hunting down a vampire in the middle of vampire territory.

It caught him off guard that considering how different Heldon and his brother were, they would both react the same way when they found their father's killer.

“I know, I'm getting focused." Heldon wasn't focused at all.

He kept seeing hazel eyes that flickered into pink opals. He kept hearing Tival's voice in his head, calling him negotiator, his arm over his side in that warm tavern bed.

His words, 'Nothing I haven't done before, and wouldn't do again…a captivating weakness.'

If that's what Tival really thought about him, that he was just some…notch on a bedpost, some pushover, then why string him along? Why play these games?

Heldon didn't get it, but if he could rip out his heart and replace it with a second liver, he'd do it instantly.

He couldn't believe he fell for Tival three times.

Heldon supposed he really never learned from his mistakes because here he was about to go hunt down one of the strongest Steelpoint vampires and look how well that ended for him last time.

“I can't wait to confront Ryce and stake him." Erik's tone darkened the mood to a more serious one.

If they got lucky and managed to surprise Ryce, he'd certainly let his brother land the killing blow. The further the sun lowered in the sky, and the closer they got to the maple tree, the less he found himself caring about justice.

Yes, he was angry his father was murdered. It tore their family apart. His mother fell ill shortly after and never recovered. His brother sold all their good plates and linens, and their fights would often get physical.

Many nights, he'd stay at Janz' place if he was out on assignment.

The words that Tival said about his own life kept ringing through his mind like bells: 'Don't be stupid. There is nothing worth that sort of risk.'

Heldon realized that slaying Ryce, no matter how despicable he was, wasn't worth losing his younger brother, or both of them over.

Yet, it was too late to stop this now. Heldon probably should've never told Erik about finding Ryce, but he also couldn't live with himself if he had kept a secret either.

Heldon tugged at his empty earlobe as they picked up the pace. He didn't remember what happened to his earrings. Maybe Tival kept them again, though he doubted he'd put them in his ears again.

His heart wept hot. He wondered what Tival was doing.

He was probably having a great time with Shrai. They were probably planning their trip to Waltham estate behind pints of free beer, realizing that they didn't need a neurotic negotiator with them who couldn't handle his liquor or his frequent anxious ticks.

Heldon had thought that Tival and Shrai would be good friends, but he was wrong before, maybe they'd become more than that.

No. He needed to focus. The sky had already begun to flare orange and they'd be in the enchanted forest soon.

“We'll ambush them over there." Erik had a map out and pointed a quarter mile left of the maple tree where he first saw Tival. It was absurd that he met Tival just two days ago.

No wonder Tival felt the way he did. Heldon obviously had attachment issues.

The plump yellow sun sunk halfway into the horizon as they tied the horses to an old tree on the very edge of the enchanted forest.

Heldon tucked his special weapons into his belt and slung his circular steel shield to the other side of his belt. Fortunately, the buckler shield was the perfect size and weight.

“Erik, did you remember to bless your blade with holy water?" Heldon asked, knowing that if he had asked his brother if he wanted to turn around, he'd just get angry.

“Yes, but I plan on staking him. Now let's get going, there is supposed to be a clearing next to the main route to Steelpoint here." Erik pointed to a spot on the map nearby. “That will be perfect for an ambush. Ryce will be one of the last lead vampires to leave."

Heldon guessed Ryce would be up gambling until someone dragged him out of Opalgate.

He and his brother had already gone through the mission particulars. Lord Dastris had already left for Steelpoint, leaving Ryce, and Lady Sloane to finish negotiations. Lady Sloane would be the first to leave due to her guard being slain by Tival. By the time they reached the clearing, she'd be long past them.

“Alright, let's get this done." Heldon pursed his lips into a thin line, anxiety prickled like briars in his lungs.

“Yes, for our family." His brother clapped his hand on Heldon's shoulder and looked him square in the eye, eager and determined.

Together, they set out into the overgrown forest. The mist made it impossible to see past a few yards. He couldn't help but think how much easier this would've been if Tival had been here to have the plants give way to them.

Yet, not only was Tival banished from entering Opalgate until the werewolves had been controlled, but he couldn't drag him into his family's mess.

And after hearing the truth from him, he needed to get away.

The branches snapped and leaves rustled, putting Erik on alert, but Heldon didn't even have his hand on his saber. He knew the most terrifying creature in this forest was the vampire they were hunting.

The forest dimmed into a bleak, woeful gloom as they reached the clearing. The moon lit the clearing and an unfamiliar cobblestone path passed through it.

Despite knowing how insane this surprise attack was, adrenaline zoomed like darts through his veins and pooled bitterly in the back of his mouth.

He unsheathed his saber and it glinted indigo in the moonlight.

“Ok, Hel, get your torch ready," Erik said and Heldon's chest tightened like a vice.

“Erik, you insisted you'd carry them," Heldon replied.

Erik's blue eyes went wide as saucers.

“You're right." He actually admitted fault? “It's ok, we don't need them. Plenty of moonlight." Erik reassured, and a bad feeling washed over Heldon like a rising tide. They had already made a massive error.

In the distance, they heard laughter and boots thumping on cobblestones.

“…I can't believe you let Iulya Revimi win that one hand of cards!" Heldon recognized this voice, it was the other vampire Ryce was talking to in the garden.

“Yeah, well, she and Dastris are friendly. I couldn't humiliate a lady on the trinity, and I already won enough coins off the others to refurbish my quarters." Ryce's deep tenor was unmistakable.

“Never thought I'd see the day you'd purposely lose at cards, or that Lord Dastris would befriend any lowly Opalgate vampire. She must be ravishing." A third voice chilled Heldon's blood.

At least three vampires. This wasn't good. He and his brother had hoped that it would just be two.

“Dastris said prophecy has a use for her, Lachlan," Ryce replied, voice flaming.

“Someone sounds jealous." The first vampire remarked.

It was then the three vampires emerged from the thick grove of trees.

Ryce's aura thrummed through the clearing, making Heldon shiver. He stood seven feet tall with brown hair longer than Heldon's. His tangerine eyes were splinters on his pale face and his mouth pulled up as if he smelled something putrid.

Standing at full height, Ryce was easily the most massive vampire Heldon had ever seen. Two years ago, if he had tried to use his magic on him, he would have been eviscerated.

“Someone sounds like they need a demotion." Ryce's voice smacked cold like an iron chain. The third vampire, smaller and hair up, crossed his arms.

While the three vampires didn't have on armor, they were armed. Ryce's broadsword was on his back and was as long as Heldon and probably just as heavy. The other two had smaller longswords like the guard had used against him.

Terror carved up Heldon's spine like an icy knife.

“Erik, we can still go back," Heldon whispered. No torches and outnumbered, maybe his brother would come to his senses.

Erik shook his head, the look on his face reminded Heldon of the one he had in Opalgate.

He held a large vial of holy water and took a step back to lob it at the trio of vampires.

Snap!

“Who's there?" The third vampire on Ryce's left went for his sword.

Heldon's blood thinned to ice water, but his adrenaline jolted him to action. His magic mark glowed on his neck as Erik threw the vial of holy water.

The holy water arced through the air…

...and into the waiting palm of Ryce.

Ryce's maniacal smile splayed across his pale face like a cavern of daggers. His eyes glowed like a furnace.

With a long ominous scrape, he drew his obsidian broadsword with his right hand and pointed it in their direction.

“Flesh and blood!" Ryce's thundering voice alone could break down a door.

“Blast, Heldon..." his quivering brother whispered, stone still in fright.

If they both ran, they'd get chased and cut down in no time. If Heldon was able to buy some time, his brother would have a chance to flee.

One of the first rules Heldon learned about jawforcer magic is that he cannot compel someone to directly hurt or kill someone else or themselves. He also knew that compelling a strong vampire like Ryce was highly unlikely to work. However, he could get creative, and he knew the name of the third vampire.

“Lachlan, smash the vial!" Magic flowed through Heldon's demand, dipping his voice low.

Lachlan drew his sword and with a quick stroke, he shattered the Holy Water vial in Ryce's hand. Instantly his hand began to smoke and burn, blood splattering into the glade.

Ryce roared in pain and Heldon dove at the opening.

“Erik, run!" Ten seconds. He only had to survive ten seconds for his brother to escape unscathed.

He brought up his shield and swung his saber at certain death.