Chapter 90 The Failure, The Used, The Nobody* (1/2)

Rassa was still for a moment as he carefully closed his father's eyes, then looked over at Aegin. The last time the two had spoken, Rassa had sent him away. Aegin had clearly not given up if he had found Phillip.

”I-”

”You don't have to apologise,” Aegin replied, ”Just know that I probably would have done the same”.

Rassa paused for a moment, then nodded, ”Can you start transporting him back to Cordon?”

”The body won't last-”

”I'll meet you on the road. Don't worry, we'll make it. My mother should get her chance to say goodbye,”

”Rassa, your mother, she-”

Aegin looked up at Rassa helplessly, and Rassa understood, his face crumpled further for a moment, then he took a deep breath and nodded.

”Take it anyway. I'm positive he'd rather be with her in death and with the family he hated,” Rassa stated.

Aegin nodded, then his eyes turned to the gagged head of Zaroth that was still sticking out of a shadow in the distance.

”And him?”

”He'll live to see sunrise, then he'll never see the sun again,” Rassa replied.

Aegin had barely heard the end of the sentence when they both disappeared. He sighed, then looked down at Phillip.

”I don't think you'll have to worry, Phillip. At least, not in the short term. No one is ever going to put chains on him again”.

Aegin looked up as his own father approached, a blanket in hand.

Raymond unfolded it and spread it over the body. He looked at his son for a moment, then turned and left, the Ridge Men following behind him.

***

Rassa had no need for his wings on the return trip. He had already laid eyes on his destination, so all he needed to do was will the shadows to take him and his prisoner there. It was almost instantaneous.

Rassa stood in the mouth of the cave at Jerrica, looking up at the mountains to his right as dawn approached. Zaroth breathed heavily beside him on his knees. Nothing bound him or rooted him to the spot, yet Zaroth made no attempt to escape. From that one trip from the Empire's western coast to this mountain range more than half way across the continent, Zaroth knew there was no running from Rassa.

”You know, this will be my first sunrise in over five years?”

Rassa gave a small smile as he leaned his body against the cave's entrance.

”I always enjoyed sunrises, before I became a Vampire I mean. Afterwards, sunsets are more my style”.

Zaroth made no move to comment.

”Believe me when I say, you're going to want to enjoy this. You'll come to miss it before you miss anything else”.

Zaroth frowned at Rassa's words. He was going to die wasn't he? How could he miss something in death?

The sun rose, turning the dark sky into a mix of pinks and oranges and blues, and dying the mountains and trees gold. It was a spectacular sight in the quiet and clear entrance to Jerrica. Movement came from the cave behind them, and Ebony emerged, wearing new clothing and carrying a bag with her.

”Is it done?” asked Rassa.

Ebony said nothing, simply nodded.

Rassa sighed, ”Start walking, I'll meet you at the gate”.

Ebony didn't protest, she just slung the bag over her shoulder and did as told.

Rassa placed a hand on Zaroth's shoulder, ”Be thankful it was a clear day, and that you weren't viewing it through bars”.