Awakened Essence 1: A LitRPG Adventure by Jacob Pool

Author:Jacob Pool [Pool, Jacob]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-06-12T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Alden rode alongside Alerion Solquell, trotting toward the middle of the field between the encampments. Magar and Cassius rode on the other black horse, following after Alerion and Alden.

Alerion, however, didn’t bring any guards with him, though his hand was clamped on the ornate blade sheathed at his hip. Behind them, Alerion’s army stood alert and unmoving, the infantry arranged in strict lines behind a row of cavalry.

Archers stood neat rows behind the infantry. Regardless of his role, each man stood with a blank stare on his face, silent, with not a single hair out of place.

In stark contrast to Alerion, DuLarc rode out with six riders surrounding him—the Mage, the Hunter, the Paladin, the elf—Ezra—and two of Ezra’s comrades that Alden had fought in the streets of Lutria.

DuLarc raced from his messy, disorderly encampment, his white horse’s hooves ripping up the dirt. His army broke off into awkward clusters—tribesmen from the Wilds, somehow contracted into DuLarc’s service; sellswords from Lutria’s less reputable taverns; hired soldiers, evidently pilfered from other nobles’ armies judging by the collection of colors.

Solquell and DuLarc couldn’t be more different. Never was that more evident to Alden than when they met in the middle of the open field.

DuLarc’s horse whinnied as he forcefully pulled its reins back, compelling it to stop. His men trotted out, spreading around Alerion’s party.

Alden gripped his scepter, ready for a fight, but Alerion put his hand out, lifting it off his blade’s hilt.

Alerion nodded at DuLarc. “Alfen.”

“It’s Lord DuLarc to you, Alerion,” DuLarc said, narrowing his eyes. He glanced at Alden. “I hope your little servant delivered my message.”

“He did,” Alerion said. “But I’ll give it to you again, in case you didn’t actually hear it: surrender the artifact to the king and you’ll get to keep your life.”

“Oh, no, I heard it well enough the first time,” DuLarc said. “Even you aren’t foolish enough to think I’d actually accept those terms, are you?”

Alerion sighed. “No, I didn’t think you were wise enough to, no. Even if you were, I wouldn’t trust that you’d actually honor your word and surrender it.”

“Wisdom? Honor?” DuLarc guffawed. “You? After what you did to my wife? You dare talk of honor!” DuLarc’s face darkened.

Wife? Alden wondered. Solquell hadn’t mentioned anything about DuLarc’s wife. The grim look on Alerion’s face suggested that he knew what DuLarc was talking about.

“I’ll show you honor.” DuLarc hefted his loaded crossbow up from its holder on the side of his horse and pointed it at Alerion. “My honor is putting a bolt between your eyes.”

“Aye,” Cassius remarked from behind Alden. “That’s an honor I’ll gladly return.”

DuLarc’s eyes went wide. “C-Cassius Silverstone? You’re… alive.”

“The very same,” Cass said, smiling. “Thought you were done with me when you killed me in the pits?” Cass shook his head. “We aren’t done until you’re the one who’s buried.”

“Magar?” Ezra said from Alden’s side. “Is that you, Magar?”

Magar turned his head and offered a gruff nod.

“Y-You’re alive…” Ezra murmured.

“I see you haven’t truly met my so-called servant,” Alerion said.

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