14 Lucundiz (1/2)

Later that same day.

In an unknown part of Hoogport, an eerie swirl fog swirled over a somewhat deserted island. The silver moonlight illuminated the outline of a massive fort which had several protruding spike on its walls. Observing these spikes, it emitted a strange, but faint green glow. Almost as if it exuded a potent poison. From an aerial point of view, the fortress occupied two third of the island. Meanwhile, hundreds of people clad in a pitch-black robe manned the walls of the fortress. Coupled with their long robes, they also wore a gray mask which had faint markings on its eye region. These individuals not only looked terrifying, the manner in which they hovered above the ground would leave most people terrified. As they moved about, their robes flapped because of the chilling air originating from the nearby sea.

As the howling wind echoed in all directions, the silhouette of a monstrous bird appeared in the star-studded sky. The sudden emergence of the bird did not frighten the masked individuals. In fact, they ignored it. They continued pacing around the island like mindless beings.

A few seconds after the emergence of the bird; a faint, thin barrier covering the fortress disappeared. Allowing the bird which was a Dark-Clawed Eagle to gain entry. It landed on a lush field which had several ornamental statues placed at various locations. These statues were in the shape of several races from Skyhaven. The only problem with these statues, was the eerie expressions on its face. They looked panic-stricken. It looked as if someone captured the perfect moment fear griped the heart.

Meanwhile, Dustan and two of his subordinates stood on the Dark-Clawed Eagle with a stern expression on their face.

”I hate coming to this place… Why did that sadist have to summon us? I thought they would give us more time to recuperate,” Leo said while shaking his head.

”We don't have a choice vice-commander… Please don't let the warden hear you. A friend told me the prisoners remembered something. According to him, they would only speak to the commander,” Bren said with a shallow smile on his face. While he faced Dustan, he hoped he would calm their usually lazy vice-commander. But, Dustan remained silent. He looked as if he wanted to complain too.

”To hell with those bastards and that sadist of a warden. We flew all the way from Haveme… If those bastards did this to mess with us, I'll break their legs,” Leo said. With each second, he grew angrier. Meanwhile, Bren no longer responded. Because, he did not want Leo to unleash the brewing anger on him.

”Leo, if they are playing a game with us, you can do as you please,” Dustan said. While his words echoed, Leo and Bren had stunned expressions on their faces. They could not believe what they had just heard.

”Commander… I was only joking earlier. If I break their legs, Lucundiz will break mine, too. Do…,” before Leo could finish his statement, Dustan interjected. ”Don't worry about Lucundiz. She won't hurt you when I'm with you,” Dustan said.

'Commander, do you want to kill me? What will happen when you're not there? huh? Me and my big mouth. Why did I say those words earlier?' Leo mused within his heart, but said nothing in response to Dustan's words. As he regretted his previous utterance, his face distorted in a somewhat comical and tensed manner. Bren used every willpower he could muster not laugh.

'The vice-commander's big mouth have finally landed him in trouble. I'm torn between hoping those Halflings keeping quiet and them giving us the location of that Blay De Tovar. The commander has been acting strange since we got back from that small Kingdom,' Bren mused as he stared at Dustan who had a stoic expression on his face.

Unknown to Leo and Bren, the parting words of the Great Sage weighed heavily on Dustan's mind. And, it was part of the reason he gave the previous order. With different thoughts floating through the minds of the trio, none of them spoke further. They did not even disembark from the back of the Dark-Clawed Eagle.

A few minutes later, a loud rumbling sound echoed in all directions. And, it caused Dustan and the others to snap back into reality.

”Commander, do you need me to wait behind?” Bren asked.

”Bren, what nonsense are you saying? You're coming with us. In fact, you're to discipline those bastards if they refuse to talk,” Leo said while staring at Bren. He spoke just as Dustan was about to speak. He had a sly smile at the corner of his lip.

'You think you can runaway? Dream on! If that crazy bitch breaks my legs, she'll break yours, too. I can't suffer alone,' Leo mused within his mind as he laughed.

Meanwhile, Bren's face distorted on hearing Leo's declaration. 'Vice-commander, why are you doing this? Commander, Please help me. Warden Lucundiz will break my legs, too,' Bren mused as he stared at Leo. Although they exchanged no words, the manner in which they looked at each other was worth a thousand words. Bren had a pleading look in his eyes while Leo had that of total ignorance.

A few seconds later, Dustan's voice drifted into their ears.

”Leo, we need someone to attend to our mount. I can't assign you to such a task. So, Bren will do that for us. I need you to interrogate the Halflings. I might do something bad if I am near them,” Dustan said.

After his declaration, Bren's face changed for a second time. But this time, joy covered his face, and it was his turn to have a smile on his lips. Meanwhile, Leo's face became ashen.

”Commander…” before Leo could finish his statement, a loud female voice interrupted him which sent chills down his spine. ”Dustan! You have finally come to see me. Welcome to Echia!” she said. After her loud declaration, Dustan and the others stared at the approaching figures. They rode a strange creature which looked like a transparent Jelly fish, and it hovered in midair. Three individuals stood on it, and they wore the same clothing as those outside the fortress. But, among the trio, one of them did not wear a mask.

As the silver moonlight illuminated her face, it highlighted her beauty. From her facial appearance, she looked only twenty-five years old. She had a tanned her skin, and her caramel brown hair fell across her shoulders. She also had a faint tribal paint on her face. Drawn across her green colored eyes to her small, but curved ears. A nose ring decorated her small but pointed nose. While her seductive lips had a blood red color. Just like the masked individuals beside her, she wore a pitch black robe. Her figure and that of the others wearing the black robe was identical. It was the same for those who hovered outside the fortress. From the smile on her face and the look in her eyes, one would assume Dustan's presence made her happy.

”Lucundiz, you falter me. Thanks for the gifts you sent earlier. Please forgive, my vice-commander, Leo, will interrogate the prisoners in my stead. I will watch from the side,” Dustan said with a warm smile on his face. It contrasted with the gloomy expression on Leo's face. After Dustan introduced him, he lowered his head at the same instant. Which caused Bren to chuckle.

'I can't let this mad women remember my face. Bren, I promise you'll handle cleaning duties for the next two years,' Leo declared within his mind.

He did not lower his head because of etiquettes, rather it was to prevent the approaching lady from remembering his face.

With his head lowered, Leo retrieved a silk clothing from his armor, and tied it around his face. It covered everything except his eyes. With cold sweat covering his forehead.

”It's not a big deal. Lao can handle it. We'll watch from the side, together,” Lucundiz said with an even brighter smile on her face.

Meanwhile, Bren stared at Leo with pity written on his face. Because, a few minutes earlier, he detected a subtle killing intent when Dustan said Leo would handle the interrogation. And, it only disappeared when Dustan said he would watch from the side. Like Bren, Leo felt this killing intent, too. And, he could not control his hands and legs from shaking.

A few seconds later, Dustan and Leo boarded the Jelly Fish with Lucundiz. They left Bren and the two other masked individuals with the Dark-Clawed Eagle.

As they traveled through the lush field occupied by several statues, Lucundiz ignored Leo while focusing on Dustan. In fact, she acted as if Leo did not exist. Although she treated him this way, Leo was delighted and nervous at the same time.

'gods in the heavens, please answer my prayers. If this madwoman does not remember me, I'll make several sacrifices when I return. Please, let those bastards in the prison talk. Please, I don't want to have my legs broken…' Leo prayed within his heart.

Meanwhile, Dustan and Lucundiz discussed with each other.

”Dustan, how is Marigold? Has she recovered?” Lucundiz asked. Her warm smile disappeared as she stared at Dustan.