The Dawn of Malice
Chapter 4

By The Wayside

She’d been here since morning.

Elaine, trapped by her father’s proud boasting, gave out a faint smile to the strangers greeting her. Awakened by her father’s booming voice, she ran in a panic toward the kitchen. She ran wearing only her nightgown and her hair in a mess to replace Marseille cooking whilst singing. She couldn’t help but giggle, her father hadn’t changed at all in all those years. Marseille turned his head to replace his not-so-little girl giggling. He couldn’t help but smile.

“You’re as beautiful as the day you were born.”

“And you’re still awful at singing.”

Marseille wrinkled his face and smiled shyly before looking down, avoiding eye contact. He’d been feeling distant ever since Elaine had arrived. Elaine gently smiled and moved with open arms to hug her father. Marseille looked at her wide-eyed and gratefully took her into his arms. It was a peaceful scene to behold. A long-lost daughter is finally in the arms of her estranged father.

Elaine had always longed to return to her father. But she was always prevented by her grandparents. Then one day, she received permission from her grandfather, the duke, to return to Marseille. On the condition that she would visit them from time to time. She ran around her grandparents’ estate hugging them lovingly. She was grateful for their gift of understanding.

Before their guests arrived, Elaine had changed into a more formal dress. And an hour later, a group of relatives came to introduce themselves. Then, they’d found seats and started to chatter amongst themselves. There was laughter and boasting and a busy debate about the empire. The debate ended with the agreement that the empire was incompetent. But the conversation was said in whispers to avoid unwanted ears.

Elaine was interested in the debate, but instead, she walked around the tavern, shaking hands with strangers. She walked quickly from one guest to the other, eager to leave and meet with Caerus. As Elaine passed a few tables in the corner of the tavern, she was pulled awkwardly. A young man held onto her hand. He looked awful. His greasy brown hair was swept sideways. His face was covered in grime as if he’d run through mud. Elaine instantly felt a dislike toward her guest.

“It’s good to see you again, Elaine.”

“Who are you?” Elaine pulled her hand away from the young man. Elaine tried her best to conceal her irritation. But it was plain on her face.

“You don’t remember me? My name is Julio Ogorzo Eichhorn, Ignacio’s son, the greatest hunter this city has ever seen.”

“I’m sorry… I know nothing of you.” There was an awkward silence. Elaine took a quick look at him from head to foot. Julio wore a typical hunter’s garment complimented by his muddy boots that tarnished the oak floor. He must have caught her looking at him because he winked at her. Elaine felt a current of disgust run through her.

“You like what you see?” Julio replied confidently.

Reeling at Julio’s awkward introduction, Elaine simply walked away without another word. She couldn’t feel sorry for her actions. That man had no delicacy when handling women. He deserves to be ignored. She could feel Julio’s lingering stare on her back. Elaine shivered in disgust and wished Caerus was there. She was confident he’d defend her. Then they’d just escape together like they used to when they were children.

Elaine passed through more tables, greeting guests, and answering questions. As she walked past an old couple, she happened to see the opposite wall. Leaning against the barren brick wall was a grandfather clock. She stepped back in surprise. It was long past the time she and Caerus should have met. She hurried to the kitchen where Marseille cooked.

She pushed through the kitchen’s revolving doors and the scent of food entered her nostrils. The smell of freshly baked bread and melted cheese wafted in the air. Marseille and an assistant were pulling out a fresh batch of bread from the oven. As they settled the hot tray on the marble countertop, Marseille grinned at his daughter. His white hair was in a mess. Wrapped around her father’s waist was a white apron though flour had managed to cling onto his hairy forearms. The assistant wore a matching apron and had moved to wash the dishes. The porcelain plates had begun to pile onto the sink.

“Father, May I take my leave and go wander around the city?”

“Elaine, you’ve already been out yesterday, haven’t you? Wasn’t that enough?” Marseille looked crestfallen. There was then a sudden lull in the conversation. Marseille slowly reached into his pocket and produced a small handkerchief. He then began to dust the flour from his forearms. Elaine looked at her father’s sad face and felt sorry. But she had made a promise. A promise, she wished to keep.

“I won’t be long papa. I’m just going to meet an old friend.” There was another silence before Marseille looked up.

“Would that friend be Caerus Kietz?” Elaine was taken aback while Marseille slanted his head a bit and grinned. He could tell from her reaction that what he said was true. His eyes began to light up as if recollecting a faint memory. “You don’t need to hide it from me, Elaine.” The wrinkles on his face were taut around the edge of his grey eyes. His old, wrinkled face gave an expression Elaine had never seen before.

“I had known about your little escapades with Caerus. You’d always come home with tears in your dresses. It took all my patience trying to pass a thread through those tiny needles.” Marseille chuckled.

“How’d you replace out Papa?” Elaine asked her father cautiously.

“You can’t fool an old soldier.” Marseille grinned. “Thomas always had his head in the clouds, especially when he thought of Linda. His son is the same. He had the same expression as his father whenever I’d meet him on the streets. I wonder what expression he would have had if I managed to tell him that you were coming home. That boy’s as slippery as an eel if he wanted to be. I’m sure Caerus had good intentions in avoiding me. He’s a good kid, much like his father used to be.”

“That he is.”

“Well? Go on my child. Don’t get occupied by an old man’s rambling. Send my regards to Thomas’s son.”

Elaine gave out her brightest smile and walked briskly toward Marseille. She hugged him tightly and kissed him on the cheek. Marseille’s wrinkled face began to brighten up.

“Thank you, Papa, I’ll give your regards to Caerus.” Elaine smiled from ear to ear happy to have a father like Marseille. Although, she still felt sad that she had to leave her father to attend to their guests. Marseille patted her shoulder and kissed her forehead before gently pulling away.

Elaine turned and walked out of the kitchen. As soon as Elaine passed through the kitchen doors she dashed up the stairs. She took the steps two at a time holding tightly to the banister to keep her balance. Entering her room, she grabbed a colorfully wrapped gift box lying on her bed. It was the present she was so excited to give Caerus.

As Elaine climbed down the steps she was faced with Julio. He looked at her with curiosity and slight irritation. Elaine glared at him, contemplating kicking him on her way down.

“Where are you heading?”

“That is none of your concern.”

“Well then, I shall accompany you. That way it becomes my concern.” Again, Julio perversely grinned at her. Elaine had almost reached her limit.

“Leave me alone or you will be punished.”

“Oh, come on woman! Can’t you tell I’m trying to get you?” Something snapped in Elaine as she stared at the young man. His grin made her squint in rage. Elaine finally reached the end of her patience. She calmly walked down the steps bearing a smile on her face. Julio looked up at her, grinning with pride. Just as Elaine reached the last step of the stairs Julio began to speak.

“Finally, you understa-”

Before Julio could end his sentence Elaine kneed him square between his legs. Julio yelped loud enough that the sound echoed in the tavern. Everyone inside the small tavern turned to look at the commotion. Julio kneeled on the floor. His hands were buried between his legs. He had tears in his eyes as he looked up at the furious Elaine.

“You dare insult me that way! Know how to treat a lady.”

Elaine glared at Julio as the crowd stared at them both, wide-eyed. There was an amazingly quiet air in the once noisy tavern. Elaine looked at the gawking men and women, a look of surprise on her face. Then the door to the kitchen squeaked open. The aroma of baked goods drifted out of the kitchen as Marseille’s grey head peaked out of the kitchen door with a smile.

“Anyone want freshly baked cheese bread?”

He looked around and saw all the guests staring at the stairs. He moves a bit out of the kitchen and sees Elaine on the stairs. A young man knelt in front of her, a look of pure agony scrawled all over his face. Elaine slowly turned her head an expression of embarrassment apparent on her face. She shrugged and gave out an innocent smile. Marseille quickly grasps the situation and comes out laughing.

“That is Phoebe’s daughter!” Marseille exclaimed with tears of joy in his eyes.

The crowd of guests began laughing as well at the remark. The elderly were the ones who laughed the loudest. And soon a torrent of conversation began rumbling inside the tavern. Elaine stood there dumbfounded. She looked at Marseille for an explanation. But he simply shrugged and gave his daughter a wink and a wide toothy grin.

“Go on now. Caerus is waiting for you. How long are you going to make him wait?”

Elaine looked at Marseille and gave a little nod. Then she hopped down the last step and walked through the crowd. They looked at her and grinned whilst giving their regards. Everyone in the room had their attention on her. The redness of her face couldn’t be hidden. All eyes were focused on her. She briskly walked out of the tavern and dashed onto the streets outside. As soon as she got to the sidewalk she walked toward the end of the street. When she arrived at the crossroad, she turned left at the corner of Fox Street and Lyre.

Elaine fumed as she continued stomping down the sidewalk, embarrassment, and frustration etched on her face. She turned to another corner and kept walking. Then, she stopped. She was confident that the amount of time she spent walking would take her to the plaza. But she was in between two buildings and only one turn remained. She turned the corner. She had the feeling that the area was familiar. Looking around, she noticed a sign above a small tavern. Her eyes grew wide, and her shoulders slumped. Her father’s tavern sign, a green fox, swung with the breeze.

Elaine sighed and moved forward. When she reached the corner of Fox Street she turned right. She stopped as she heard screaming in the direction of the western tower. Thinking it was just an occasion or a celebration she continued walking. She had only walked a few paces forward when a bright ball of fire flew thirty meters above her head. That was the moment she realized she was in grave danger.

She looked back to see a rush of people running towards her. She ran in a panic as she tried to outrun the tide of people. She turned left at the end of the street. The people ran like mad toward the eastern end of the city. Elaine leaned onto the wall and slid down. She felt terrified. Then a chilling thought entered her mind. Her father and their guest should still be in the tavern.

Taking all the courage she could muster. Elaine stood up and looked at the people passing by her. Many of them were burned and covered in soot. The look on all their faces as they passed her by scared her to her core. The once happy and proud ran like frightened mice fearing extinction. Elaine ran quickly away from the crowd and into the narrow alleyways. Her small feet pummeled the pavement below her. She turned left where she was sure the tavern was located. The sweat on her forehead was caked with grime as the plume of ashes blew around her.

Elaine looked left and right hoping to escape the maze of unknown buildings. Just as Elaine turns the corner she is faced with the familiar site of her father’s tavern. The building was aflame, and tongues of fire whipped out of the open front door. Elaine dropped to her knees feeling defeated.

The feeling of despair had just sunk in when a rumbling sound began from inside the building. In a blur of motion, a man jumped from the window of the tavern to the ground. Glass sprayed itself all over the sidewalk. The man had barrel rolled out onto the street and the tavern exploded from the inside. The pillars holding the building together crumbled to the ground.

The scent of burned wood and dust overwhelmed Elaine. Her ears were still ringing loudly as she stood up. She could feel the heat of the air on her skin as the smoke began to settle down. Elaine could see the road was covered in rubble and twisted metal.

She slowly walked forward staring at the man lying face down on the cobblestone. His back was pinned down by a still-burning wooden chair. His hair was singed and covered in dust and the clothes of his trousers were burnt. Through the tear in his trousers, Elaine could see the flesh of his legs. The skin was charred and bright, red blood dripping onto the ground.

“Elaine…”

Elaine jerked backward as she heard her name. She regained her composure as she focused on the soot-covered man lying on the road. Upon closer look, the man’s hair was tinged with a bright red hue. ‘Caerus!’ She sprinted to him. Her heart pounded in fear of Caerus’s condition, she could see the soles of his feet. A hole burrowed through his boots and its tear ran toward his toes. Elaine dropped the gift box on the ground and desperately pulled the chair aside, burning her delicate hands.

“Caerus! Please talk to me…”

“Elaine… is that you?” Caerus sat up using his unharmed arm for support. He was finally able to catch his breath. “Get out of here. I don’t really understand what’s happening, but raiders have come and they might breach the walls soon.”

“I can’t just leave you here.”

“I’m fine. I’ll catch up to you.”

“No, you won’t. You just physically can’t! Caerus! I am not going to leave you here.” Her voice was shaking Caerus could tell she was on the verge of tears. But he admired her for her resilience. Caerus looked at her, fear etched on her face. He could tell she was afraid and confused.

Caerus searched the immediate vicinity for something to prop him up. He caught sight of a wrought iron rod protruding from the rubble of the now disintegrated tavern. Then, Caerus looked down at the right pant leg of his trousers which was ripped open. He could see the skin on his leg had begun to peel. He tried twitching his toes, only to feel a sharp pain. Caerus felt lightheaded and on the verge of vomiting. He looked up at Elaine she was now crying and in even more distress.

“Elaine… I need you to be strong. We’ll get out of here I promise.” Caerus reached with his glass-torn hands to feel Elaine’s cheek.

“Caerus don’t leave me…”

“I won’t, I promise. But I need you to leave me –”

“No! I won’t leave you.” Elaine placed her palm on top of Caerus’s hands pressing it lightly to her cheeks.

“Just for a little while. Elaine, listen to me, I need you to get me that iron rod. We’ll walk out of here together.” Caerus’s hand slid off her cheek leaving a crimson streak on her face. Then he pointed toward the pile of rubble. Elaine’s head turned a bit to look at the rubble, her eyes quickly lit up. Caerus could tell she was hopeful.

“Elaine, we’ll get out of here. I promise.”

“Ok. Stay right there.” Elaine pushed herself from the ground and crawled toward the iron rod.

Caerus tried his best to sit up on his undamaged arm, ignoring Elaine’s orders. He twitched his legs unintentionally, which caused a sharp pain, and tears sprang up in his eyes. Everything hurt. But the risk of losing Elaine in this raid was too much. If she died because of him, Caerus would regret ever living.

He looked from side to side before catching a glimpse of the gift box. The ornate box lay on its side as the wrapper smoldered with little specks of fire. Elaine arrived with the iron rod in her hands. She presented it to Caerus and in doing so he caught sight of her hands. Her hands were bright red, and the skin of her palms was bloated and peeling.

“Why’d you do that to your hands?”

“There was no other way. Don’t look so surprised Caerus, this is the least I could do.”

“But still.”

“Shut it and let me help you.”

Elaine gave the iron rod to Caerus’s uninjured arm. Then she picked up the gift box before gently pulling him up. He leaned onto the rod using it as a cane and Elaine used her shoulders to help keep his balance. The feeling of vertigo overwhelmed Caerus, he knew he’d lost too much blood. But if he gave up now, he would lose Elaine forever.

“Are you ready to walk?”

“I can do it.” Caerus smiled trying to reassure Elaine.

“All right, let’s move on the count of three. One, two, and three…” Elaine gently pulled Caerus forward. Caerus was able to take a step forward, his eyes flickering with crimson light. But his legs gave way beneath him. He dropped down without warning and screamed in fresh agony. Elaine struggled to keep him standing, keeping him off the debris-covered ground.

“Are you still okay to move?”

“Just go, Elaine! The raiders might –”

“Don’t say that!” Elaine screamed at Caerus, her anger surprising him. “Don’t you dare say that, please…” Elaine’s small frame shivered from underneath Caerus’s shoulder. There was silence between them.

“I’d rather die here than watch you get killed. I won’t lose you, just when we meet again!” Caerus pleaded.

“Then what about me? Did you ever stop to consider the suffering I’d go through?!”

Caerus bit his lip. She had a fair point. Had he been put in her position he would never abandon her. There was silence. Caerus’s whole body ached now that the adrenaline from his actions faded. He clenched his teeth as he forced his legs to stay upright.

“Promise me you’ll live and stay with me!” Elaine said, “Even if it’s just for today.”

“I promise.” Caerus managed to say, “We need to go. Now.”

As if to prove his point, a brick wall crashed behind them, a building crumbling onto the streets. Elaine jerked from underneath Caerus. “We need to hurry. We’re too close to the wall we’ll get spotted if the raiders get closer.”

Caerus moved forward his face contorting in torment. But he stopped himself from screaming, for Elaine’s sake. Elaine could tell that he was in pain, but she steeled herself and did her best to carry his weight. As they walked, he left a trail of blood from his bleeding foot. Before Elaine and Caerus could turn the corner of Fox Street and Lyre, a howl of voices came from behind them. Caerus knew the raiders had breached the wall and were now closing in on them.

“Ha! Ha! We’ve entered the tavern district lads!” A shout erupted from behind them, and Caerus knew the man behind the voice.

“Get as much of their booze as you can replace. Don’t let our exploits go unrewarded.” Another voice as loud as the last shouted.

Caerus looked at Elaine wondering if she’d heard. It appeared she hadn’t. The young woman strained to keep him standing. Sweat lined her soot-encrusted brow as her hands kept a tight hold on Caerus’s forearm. Elaine grimaced as her raw hands clung to his rough clothing.

“Oi! I see we have runners!” The same voice, the same man who’d tormented Caerus since their youth – Julio, the hunter’s son.

Before long, Caerus could hear footsteps approaching from behind. Men with gruff voices tried their best to whisper. But Caerus could hear them clearly.

“Aim for the one who’s supporting the injured bloke.” A man on the far left whispered. “A’right. We ain’t stupid.” The following reply came from the center. Someone from the group cocked a gun. The sound of the metal mechanism rang out. Another sound came from the group. Someone was stringing a bow.

Caerus felt a shiver of anger run down his spine. He looked at Elaine’s face and a deep feeling of regret rooted itself in Caerus. Caerus stopped his pace a few feet from a gap between two buildings. Elaine looked up at Caerus with urgency. And he looked at her, smiled, and leaned in to kiss her for the last time. Before he spun her and faced his back toward the gunmen.

A sound like thunder rang throughout the streets. Caerus couldn’t even hear the release of the bow. His eyes widened with shock rather than pain. And he felt the arrow shot through him, piercing his lung. Three bullets had managed to hit him. Two bullets penetrated his waist, and one grazed his already burnt leg. Caerus screamed in excruciating agony. He could feel the arrow through his ribs, the shaft through his chest, and the tip of the arrow breaking through.

Elaine’s eyes went saucer-wide, her lips parting in sheer disbelief. Caerus met her gaze, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He tilted his head, indicating an alleyway nearby, before his strength gave out and he crumpled to the ground.

Panic surged through Elaine’s veins as she reacted without thinking. Adrenaline fueling her every move, she half-lifted, half-dragged Caerus’s limp form, muscles straining against the weight. Together, they stumbled toward the narrow opening between the buildings, a hidden alcove that promised temporary safety.

A trail of crimson droplets marked their path, but luck was on their side – the ground was strewn with enough debris and rubble to cloak the telltale signs of Caerus’s injury. As they reached the shelter of the shadows, Elaine’s breath hitched, her heart pounding like a captive bird desperate to break free.

In the dim light, Elaine’s eyes fell upon a weathered wooden crate, an island of concealment amidst the encroaching darkness. With a mixture of relief and urgency, she guided Caerus into their makeshift sanctuary, their shared refuge from the raiders that lurked outside.

“Ha! You see that, you group of fools?! The bow and arrow are far more superior compared to a gun!” The archer yelled fiendishly, rejoicing that he had hit his mark. Even in his dying state, Caerus could hear Julio’s boasting.

“Here comes another one of his gloating.” One of the gunmen – from what Caerus could tell – groaned. Then, a thunder of boots came as a group of three or four footmen approached. They ran down the street to check on a body. But they growled when they had seen nothing.

“They escaped!” Julio screamed in frustration. “I was sure I hit my mark.”

“What are you cross-eyed?!” A man yelled and a loud slap could be heard. “They’re gone. If you were halfway decent then there’d be a corpse on the ground in front of us.”

Frustrated, the raiders went down the street toward the middle of the city. Caerus managed to gurgle a sigh as they left whilst Elaine trembled on the corner of the alleyway, miraculously still able to stand. When she was sure they weren’t seen, Elaine laid Caerus gently on the ground.

“Elaine… Follow this alleyway and turn to the right. Stay in the shadows and you’ll be fine.” Caerus said, barely even a whisper.

“Caerus! Why’d you do that?! You’re a fool!” Elaine lightly pulled him and placed him on her lap. Fresh tears were evident on her flushed and blood-streaked face.

“Remember when we were kids? My job as the knight is to protect my princess, isn’t it?” Caerus smiled at her. “Don’t cry Elaine… I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not… Caerus...”

“I’m never going to leave you.” Caerus coughed, blood spurting out of his mouth. “I’ll watch over you…” Caerus’s eyes went in and out of focus. Elaine grabbed onto his hands tightly, giving what little comfort she could muster. “I don’t want to... But it’s not a choice.” Caerus fell silent. His chest heaved heavily.

Caerus could practically see the wheels turning in Elaine’s head as she fought to come up with a lifeline for him. Her determination was palpable, a blazing fire of ideas and hopes, but he knew the truth deep down. Her desperation, as real as it was, couldn’t change the harsh reality of their situation.

Elaine’s gaze darted back and forth, scanning the desolate surroundings with a glimmer of hope that someone – anyone – might appear, a savior in the eleventh hour. But the world remained eerily quiet, devoid of life or movement. Not even a wisp of a silhouette crossed their path. The once howling wind had surrendered to an uneasy stillness, and their little haven within the alley was a sanctuary from the acrid smoke that hung in the air.

Caught within the muted glow of this hidden refuge, Caerus’s eyes were locked onto Elaine’s face. His gaze, intense and unwavering, etched every detail of her features into his memory. He was determined, stubbornly so, to preserve this moment, to imprint the essence of her presence on his mind’s canvas, regardless of the odds stacked against them.

Elaine then looked down at Caerus, eyes welling up with tears. She looked reminiscent as if she had thought of a painful memory. Her mouth closed and opened like a fish out of water before she spoke.

“Caerus… do you remember when we were kids, the day I had to go? I wanted to tell you something then. But I just couldn’t, can I tell it to you now?”

“Sure…” Caerus eyelids were getting heavier and heavier.

“I wanted to ask you to come with me when I came back and we could live in my grandparents’ estate, playing knights and princesses all day. But now…” Elaine’s voice fell through. Her warm tears landed on Caerus’s cheeks.

“Elaine… Don’t make me regret dying.” Caerus chuckled. But only the sound of gasping and choking came out. The anguish in his eyes was evident. The light was fading from them. He looked at her one last time. He tried to speak but no words came from his mouth.

Elaine’s beautiful emerald eyes glistened with the tears. She was still searching the alleyway for anyone who might pass. Then, she looked down at Caerus and realized that he was barely breathing. He could see her screaming his name.

He could make out her words, but he couldn’t hear it for himself. His ears began ringing and the world began flashing in and out of darkness. It was painful knowing that this would be her last memory of him. It was the memory of an exiled man, the memory of an outcast. He couldn’t even prove his worth to the city, let alone Elaine.

Elaine looked behind her and pulled out the gift box. She frantically opened the box revealing two small necklaces. A red stone sat on each silver heart.

With all the strength that remained in Caerus’s body. He inhaled some air, hearing an odd gurgling sound emanate from his chest.

“Go,” Caerus spoke in a deathly whisper. His eyes looked up at Elaine and he smiled an apology and a goodbye. Elaine – although painful – did her utmost best to give a brilliant smile. She gave the most endearing smile she could give in her life. It was a smile she could only give to Caerus.

Caerus regretted a missed life with her – but he let go.

His arms grew weak. His hands grew cold in hers. Caerus’s head went limp in Elaine’s arms. She focused on his face and saw the life in his eyes was fading. Just as the light faded and the darkness engulfed Caerus, his hand slipped from Elaine’s. It was their final goodbye.

Caerus had died right where he felt safest, in the arms of the one he loved.

As the last embers of life were dying in Caerus’s soul, he could hear a voice. A masculine, strong, and commanding voice emanated in his head. The voice was gruff and aged. It started as a small whisper and then reverberated in his head as it got as loud as thunder.

“Wake up, Caerus.”