Chapter 313 - A Cacophony in a Cave (2/2)

”What do you want, Sevis?” asked a familiar voice.

Tigin turned to see Aegin sitting on the side, several buckets, tools and equipment lay around him, as well as a rack of what appeared to be weapons. And a big dome looking structure about as tall as Tigin with two openings in the front.

Tigin frowned. It was a forge.

This is what he'd been doing for a year? Learning how to forge weapons? What good would weapons do without the men to wield them? Besides, Aegin had already resolved himself to not fighting with the weapons. Could he have had second thoughts? That didn't explain his idleness though.

”You brought guests, I see,” said Aegin, ”Only you'd be stupid enough to walk casually into the home of a Vampire, next thing you know, Tigin will be following your lead”.

”How long have you been back?” asked Tigin. He couldn't help himself.

”I only left for three months,” said Aegin, then he ducked his head and continued sharpening the blade that rest on the anvil before him.

Tigin frowned as he gazed at it. It wasn't metal. It…it looked more like crystal.

”Are you happy with your finished product yet?” asked Sevis.

Aegin paused again, then gave a deep sigh and put the rock he was using to sharpen the blade down, ”What do you want, Sevis? I won't ask again”.

”Rima's alive,” Sevis replied, ”At Gryffyn Blacksands' estate, guarded by the Djinn”.

Aegin's eyes softened, ”What do you think I can do about that?”

”I know you're the best chance we've got of getting her back,” said Sevis.

Aegin sighed and turned away, ”I couldn't save her the first time, Sevis, what makes you think I'll be any better this time around?”

”Maybe you could be, if you actually tried to walk the path you've been put on,” said Sevis.

Aegin didn't turn back around, but Tigin could see him tense.

”You may not be running, Aegin, but you are hiding,” said Tigin, ”That's worse”.

Aegin turned to look over his shoulder at Tigin, ”Haven't seen me in over a year, and that's all you've got to say?”

Tigin crossed his arms over his c.h.e.s.t, ”If I had something better to say, I would. But from what I've learned over the last year, the hierarchy of the paths of Chaos is always changing. That Djinn may have won the first time, but that's not to say that it won't be different this time, or the time after that. You shouldn't give up-”

”Tigin”. Sevis' tone was like a warning, and Tigin immediately turned to look at him. Sevis shook his head slowly, then turned to look at Aegin, who had turned away once more, ”Look, we know Gryffyn has something that he holds that means he can control the Djinn. If we can get it, then maybe we can cause a big enough distraction for Rima to get away. We'll probably lose our lives in the process, but it's not like that girl wouldn't do the same for us given the chance. Tigin and I are going to Black Sands to get her back, and while I know it's unlikely, we want you to come. Because you're the best chance we have of actually succeeding”.

There was silence before Sevis turned and left, Tigin reluctantly following.