Lord Reginald (complete)

    Sanguis and I have made our way into Bastat, all the while he’s kept the once peaceful oasis in a state of chaos. His lightning and blood burn down the village as we make our way to the house. 

    “Is this the one?” I ask him.

    Sanguis takes in a deep breath and lowers his arm. “Yes,” he whispers. “I can smell it.” A wicked smile then blossoms on his face. “There’s someone inside.”

    “Then let’s not keep them waiting.” I kick open the door and take the lead, stepping into the house. I can hear the screaming of the baby we’re after, the progeny of that annoying little dragon mage. But that’s not who I see.

    I grin from ear to ear and ready my hand my sword. “Lord Demir!” I announce brightly. “It’s been far too long.”

    The centaur stands before me, blocking the way into the house. His eyes focus on me and narrow in. “Reginald.”

    I start to laugh, feeling victorious in this moment. Beside me I see Sanguis raise his hand. I slap it down and glare at him. “You stopped me once! Not this time.”

    Sanguis lowers his hand and his lip curls. “Touch me again and you won’t be swinging any sword ever again.” He then nods towards Demir. “Proceed.”

    I step towards Demir, pulling out my sword. “You look tired,” I say to him. “Why don’t you kneel?”

    He remains quiet and refuses to move from the doorway.

    I stab him in the gut. “I said kneel!” I scream at him.

    Demir doesn’t move. He grunts and coughs, placing his hand over the spilling wound on his belly. He keeps his eyes on me, the same eyes that have haunted my dreams all these years.

    “Come on Reginald, this isn’t cute.” Sanguis scoffs from behind me.

    “I have waited twenty years for this.” I present my blade, covered in his own blood, under Demir’s nose. “You took everything from me and refused to kill me. That was just one of your many mistakes, Demir. Just one of many.” I slash his chest and yet the giant fool still does not move. “They’ve all come up behind you now haven’t they?” I grin. “All your little mercies aren’t so merciful now, are they?” I drive my blade into his arm and Demir finally lets out a pained cry.

    “How many are there?” I tilt my head. “How much weight is on your shoulders.”

    Demir spits on the ground. “Take me, but please...don’t hurt the baby.”

    Wait...this is it?

    Sanguis steps forward. “The baby is why I am here at all,” he smiles. “I want to give it a proper home, a proper raising. I want to foster their power into something truly magnificent.”

    Demir glares down at him. “That’s hurting it.”

    Sanguis turns to me. “What’s with that look?” He glares at me, leaning forward and getting into my face. “Isn’t this what you always wanted?” He motions down to Demir. “This? Isn’t this all you’ve dreamed? Why do you look so disappointed?”

    I stiffen my jaw and swallow down in the painful lump in my throat. All this time I have wanted to bring Demir down and make him beg for his life at my feet. But this? This feels like such a letdown. This isn’t the desire I’ve been chasing all these years. 

    I take a step forward as I grip hard onto my sword. “You need to kneel, Demir.” I slash at the front of his legs and Demir tumbles down to the ground. Behind him I see an old sabertooth Rakshasa holding a baby.

    “Look at me, Demir!” I raise my sword above my head. Demir turns his head, looking up at me with those awful eyes. This isn’t what I wanted.

    This isn’t it!

    I bring my sword down anyways, slicing through his neck and letting his head and body fall with a sickening thud onto the ground. I start laughing at the absurdity of this. I hate it. I hate it!

    Sanguis snaps his fingers and the sharp pain returns between my eyes. “My god, I thought I was dramatic.” He’s got the old Rakshasa sabertooth in his clutches and the baby in the other. “I hired you for efficiency.” He drops the old man and the baby starts to scream and cry.

    “Oh now, now,” Sanguis tuts and bounces the baby. “It’s ok little Amon, it’s ok. I’ve got you. Nothing bad is ever going to happen to you while I’m around.” He nuzzles to the baby’s head and for a moment I am fooled into thinking he is a gentle creature. “I’m going to love you all my life. I promise,” he whispers, kissing the baby’s soft cheek.

    His eyes then cut up to me. “Reginald! Are you done?” He snaps at me.

    I snarl and kicks Demir’s body as I step over it. “You never let me have any fun.” I pluck up Demir’s head as some of the Rakshasa Royal family join us.

    Sanguis, Edragon, and I left Bastat as soon as Sanguis had finished his business. We took a Gnoll pirate ship off the coast, far from the access of a port, and we set sail. We would travel up the Cobra Strait and towards the northern port in Gravelmeuse. Sanguis is hoping to cut off Lady Aisling and her husband so that way he can take over Gravelmeuse and with it Veleryn, my old kingdom, as well. 

    I notice that Edragon is quiet through most of the journey. Ever since our attack on Bastat he has seemed right out of sorts. I have known this young man all his life, it is not like him to act this way after a victory. Or well, Sanguis claimed it was a victory. 

    Despite having killed Demir with my own hands it still didn’t feel like the victory and the relief I had been dreaming about all these years. His blood dries onto my blade and yet I take no satisfaction from his final moments. If anything, they have only served to anger me more.

    “You’ve not eaten today, boy,” I say to Edragon as he sits at the table with no plate or cup. “Don’t tell me you’re growing soft and feel bad for the raid?”

    Edragon turns his head away from me as I sit down.

    “We have a million more missions to go,” I growl at him. “If you’re turning now, tell me so I can gut you right here.”

    Edragon glares at me. “Don’t act like being around him now doesn’t make you uncomfortable,” he spits at me. “Since he came back, you know there’s something wrong.”

    “Same Sanguis as ever.” I toss my head to the side. “What are you getting at?”

    “He’s different, Reginald!” Edragon’s eyes widen and his jaw goes stiff. “There’s something not right with him! He scares me.”

    I smirk down at him and scoff. “Afraid?”

    Edragon cowers back and folds his hands on the table top. “I’ve never liked this magic. Makes me feel sick inside. But after seeing him come back-” His voice quivers. “I feel changed, Reginald.”

    I sigh and roll my eyes. Trying to ignore the fact the boy may be right and I was feeling the same way. I was hiding it. “He’s the same as he ever was. Just newer in some form.” I stand back up and shove him. “You best eat something. No sense in starving yourself before we get to Gravelmeuse.”

    I’m not too fond of going into Gravelmeuse first. After all, Aisling is my cousin. We haven’t seen each other in ages but it is not a reunion that will be met with open arms. In fact, I’m sure Aisling hates me and if she bends her knee to Sanguis she will hate me now more than ever.

    Once we arrive in Gravelmeuse Sanguis sends baby Amon with the nanny who is also keeping his daughter Therea. We then immediately head to the palace where we kill all the guards, replacing them with Sanguis’ own acolytes. Aisling’s daughter is held captive in her room by Edragon until her parents return. 

    When Aisling and Jasper return they put up a good fight. Jasper is a power and formidable warrior, but eventually he is overtaken by Sanguis’ men and Aisling is brought into our presence. 

    Aisling is placed into the room with me and we stare at one another long and hard. Her fear and anger turns into something else. She is both shocked but unsurprised at the same time. She sits down at the table across from me and she starts to unwork her braid which was frazzled and mussed from the struggle.

    “I had heard rumors you were still alive,” she murmurs. “But I didn’t think it was possible.”

    I lean forward at the table. “It’s possible.”

    “Is Caroline ok?” Aisling’s eyes are sharp steel and her expression is blank.

    I nod slowly. “The girl is safe. Sanguis would let no harm come to her.”

    Aisling slams her palm down onto the table. “But all our guard? Our knights? Our staff and all those who dared get in your way? They’re all dead. They’re all hurt.”

    “Necessary,” I whisper.

    She slaps her palm down on the table again. “I have had this happen to me before, Reginald! I have been locked in my room as a prisoner while usurpers killed my father! You killed him!”

    “I didn’t,” I growl.

    “You are guilty regardless. If even a drop of Jasper’s blood is spilled I will personally rip off your other arm!” Aisling sits erect in her seat as her hair fall freely down her shoulders. “I wanted you dead because I could not promise myself I wouldn’t rip you asunder if you were alive.” She takes in a deep, long breath and lets it out slowly as her jaw goes slack.

    “This Sanguis you side with will be the death of you soon enough.” She cuts her eyes up at me. “Men like him don’t keep allies for very long. You’ve become so much like your father; all you see is the coattails of someone stronger than you.”

    “It’s good to see you too, cousin,” I sneer at her. 

    The door opens and Sanguis walks in, behind him Caroline and Jasper follow with Edragon taking up the rear. Aisling stands up, grabbing hold of her daughter and hugging her tight. 

    “As you can see, your lovely daughter is just fine,” Sanguis replies with a soothing voice. “I have a daughter of my own. I know how you must worry.”

    Jasper and Aisling cut hateful glares towards Sanguis.

    “But now that you know she is safe, I will have Edragon escort her back to her room.” Sanguis snaps his fingers and Edragon moves forward to take Caroline.

    “No!” Caroline cries and Jasper stands between Edragon and her. 

    “You lay one pimply hand on her I will cripple it,” Jasper snarls.

    “Don’t threaten my men, Lord Jasper.” Sanguis snaps his fingers and Jasper falls to his knees, clutching his head between his hands.

    “Stop it!” Aisling screams.

    Edragon steps in and takes Caroline. As soon as he does Jasper lets go of his head and starts taking shallow, quaking breaths.

    “I will stop as long as you listen to me, Lady Aisling.” Sanguis leans back in his chair. “All I want is for you to hear me out. After that, it is your decision to make.”

    “It’s ok, Mom,” Caroline whispers. “It’s ok. I’ll go.”

    Aisling gives a warning glare to Edragon as he takes Caroline away. She then kneels down, helping Jasper to his feet.

    “You’re both extremely impressive people.” Sanguis pours himself a goblet of wine as he speaks. “A warrior like you Lord Jasper is hard to come by. Especially at your age! I bet you could even give Amit a run for his money.” He sips his wine and eases back down into his seat. “Don’t get me wrong, my Reginald and Edragon are both formidable. But nothing at all like you.”

    I turn to look at Sanguis. He had stationed his men outside the gate and around the entrance like that to test Jasper! He wasn’t trying to protect anything or prevent anyone from entering. He wanted to see what Jasper was made of. The fucking bitch.

    “I need someone like you by my side,” Sanguis smiles at him. “Strong, reliant, and having someone half Dragonborn is a plus for me and my vanity as well.”

    Jasper roars and lashes out but Aisling holds him back.

    “You didn’t think I wouldn't notice?” Sanguis laughs. “It’s obvious that a man of your bearing isn’t just Lizardfolk. You’re much more, Jasper. So much more.” He stands up from his seat. “Gravelmeuse isn’t the stronghold Berkset was, but it suits everything I need. All I ask, my lady, is that you let me have it. You shall keep your standing, but your loyalty will no longer be to the nations, but to me.”

    “What makes you think I would ever bend my knee to someone like you?” Aisling snarls.

    Sanguis looks at Jasper. “Your husband,” he states simply. “Your beautiful daughter as well.” He folds his hands behind his back. “I have two children now and I need a place to raise them where they will be safe and loved. I know you would never dare harm a child, Lady Aisling. And I know you love your family too much to ever hurt them.”

    “How can I live with myself if I allow you to use my name as a shield?” Aisling’s voice cracks but she remains standing strong. Her fist doesn’t even quiver.

    “Because you will live,” Sanguis says with a nod. “You and your family will be safe and highly protected. As long as you keep my children safe I will not let any harm come to you.”

    “I’ll kill myself first!” Jasper roars.

    “You do and I will slit your daughter’s pretty throat,” Sanguis hisses at him. “I have no stomach to hurt such a kind and intelligent young woman but I will if you die.”

    Jasper wrenches back and looks violently ill.

    Sanguis stands erect, towering over the once tall and proud Aisling and Jasper. “Gravelmeuse, that’s all I want.”

    Aisling closes her eyes and shivers. She lets go of Jasper’s arm and slowly falls onto her knees. Jasper kneels behind her, tears streaming from his good eyes.

    Sanguis has what he wants now, he has his safe haven and stronghold again. Aisling I sled away and taken to her daughter. Jasper, on the other hand, is being fitted to be Sanguis’s bodyguard.

    I follow Jasper to the nursery where Amon and Therea are laid down in their crib. It is strange to see Sanguis switch into such a drastic roll. He seems like such a good man when tending to the children. It is obvious he loves them, even if Amon is not his own. It reminds me of when Edragon was a toddler and Sanguis took him into his home. He loved Edragon then like his own child, held his hand through and thick and thin. Now Therea and Amon are under this same loving care. I only hope they don’t turn on him like Edragon did.

    “No need to worry anymore,” Sanguis whispers to Therea as he rocks her. “This is going to be our home now. No more running. No more worrying about if you’re going to be too cold or unguarded. Pap will never let you worry ever again.” He tucks Therea back into bed and watches as she and Amon fall asleep.

    “This is everything to me,” Sanguis growls low. “Do not let it be taken away from me.” He turns and glares at me. “Once Veleryn is yours again, I expect the same level of dedication from you as always.”

    “Veleryn?” I whisper.

    Sanguis nods. “You do not think I have not been thinking of you this whole time?” He chuckles. “My dearest friend, this is why Gravelmeuse was so important! I am able to take back your throne and give it to you. There is no one there since Demir is gone. His whole castle is yours for the taking.”

    I’m grinning from ear to ear. “When?” I gasp.

    “Soon, of course.” Sanguis takes me and leads me from the nursery. “All in good time. I thought you had already figured me out!”

    “Not at all,” I chuckle. “Sanguis, this is the greatest gift you could ever give me.”

    He eyes me suspiciously. “The death of Demir doesn’t compare to this?”

    I flinch, realizing I may have given myself away. “They aren’t comparable,” I gasp out somehow. 

    Sanguis nods, leading me into a distant room. “I do have one more gift, old friend.” He tells me. He reaches into his robes, pulling out a ruby that has been sharpened into a point at the end. “I realize that by now you are used to working with one limb.”

    I stare at the sharpened gem nervously. I force myself to laugh. “Well, two if I am with the right person, my friend!”

    Sanguis chuckles then shakes his head. “No need to get crass. I’ve seen that limb.”

    I swallow back the tightness in my throat and take a step back. “Honestly, I barely even notice it at all.” I shake my head slowly. “It’s been so long since the one was severed it’s not important to me anymore. It’d probably only get in my way if I had a second one now.”

    “Nonsense,” Sanguis grabs my stub of an arm and holds it fast. “Do you not want my gift, dear Reginald?” His eyes are glowing a bright yellow and the whites are starting to swirl black and red.

    I try to pull back but he is holding me fast in place with a strength I never knew he had before. “I gladly accept all gifts! Especially from you.”

    Without a word Sanguis shoves the sharp tip into the stub of my arm. The pain is indescribable and takes my breath away. But that is the least of it. I thought him stabbing me would be the end of it, but that was only the beginning of his gift. The gem starts to grow and the sharp spike punches deeper into my arm. It goes into my bone and through my shoulder. I can hear it crackling and snapping as it starts to grow. I scream and writhe as the horrible sound fills my ears. I can feel shards in my lungs and all the way down to my toes. 

    I black out from the pain but wake up to Edragon shaking me. My arm is glued to the carpet by dry blood. My arm?

    “Looks like you’ve got quite the add-on there,” Edragon huffs as he sits on the ground beside me.

    I look at my hand, very much rough ruby but inside there are veins and jagged looking bones. “Fuck.”

    Edragon sighs, hanging his head as he leans his back against the wall. “You screamed all night.”

    “I don’t remember.” But my throat does.

    Edragon tossed a skein at me and I greedily drink down all the watery wine inside. I gasp for air and gulp it down some more.

    “Take me to Veleryn with you,” Edragon speaks low.

    “Sanguis would never let you.” I catch my breath from having drank so much without barely a breath.

    “He will,” Edragon grumbles. “Now that he has Jasper, he doesn’t need me.” His frown cuts deep. “I will be of better used stationed in Veleryn with you in power.”

    I look at my hand again. “If you’re looking to be my right hand man, too late, I don’t need that anymore.”

    Edrahon scoffs and raises his head. “Don’t joke. You’re terrible at it.”

    “I should warn you,” I start. “If you plan on turning away from Sanguis at all, let me kill you now so that you won’t suffer.”

    “I will. He knows how to do that beyond the grave.” Edragon closes his eyes.

    “I’ll burn your body,” I tell him. “Better yet I’ll find how to turn you into a Lich.”

    “I told you to stop joking. You’re not fucking funny.” Edragon stands up. “I’m not turning from Sanguis. I have nowhere else I can go. I’m just protecting myself and my interests. If I’m with you I’m not in risk of angering Sanguis.”

    “Fine,” I say with a nod. “I’ll ask Sanguis if I can take you to Veleryn with me. Don’t mention it to anyone else and act surprised if you get to join along.”

    Edragon sighs with relief. “Thank you, Reginald.”

    “I’m not any worse or better than Sanguis, remember that.” I stand up, feeling the weight of my new arm now. “Pick your battles wisely.”