Undying Blood - Beta - Chapter 10 -

“You got me out of bed for some pissant?! Who the hell do you think you are?”

“I’m the captain and as you know right now I’m about as close to the King and his personal advisors, so unless you want to take it up with him, do what I need and then go back to bed. Understand?”

The older man huffed and leaned back, crossing his arms and revealing more than Francis ever wanted to see in his life.

He couldn’t help but shudder.

So wrinkled…

“Bah! You’re a bitch and you know it!”

“Yes I do, and your balls are wrinkled so bad a raisin might look better, now stop flashing me and inspect this boy.  Tell me what you can see!”

Once more the older man glared at the captain and then turned, letting his hands and thankfully his shirt drop.  He cracked his knuckles, approaching Francis.

“Give me your hand boy.”

Not wanting to argue, he held out his right hand and watched as Nehemiah grasped it with both of his and closed his eyes.

A faint trickle of energy struck him and then it felt like he was dunked under the coldest pool of water in the world.

Both eyelids flew open and Nehemiah let go of his hands, staggering back a step, jaws moving, revealing a few missing teeth but no sound came from him.

Coughing and trying to clear his throat, he motioned for a drink and one of the men around the table handed him a metal cup.

In a few seconds whatever had been it was gone and Nehemiah tossed the cup behind him.

“Where did you find this boy?”

“What did you see?” Vella asked, glancing at Francis once before turning and moving to stand between the old man and young boy.

“Bah! You can’t have him! One word from me and–”

Vella moved with the speed of a predator, grabbing Nehemiah’s white shirt and drawing him close.

“Is there anyway he could be telling me the truth about our enemy? What did you see old man?” she growled, each word feeling like a blade against a stone.

“He’s a sage,” he gasped, pointing an old spindly finger at Francis. “I can’t tell what but he has a sage skill!”

Times in one’s life took a turn one hadn’t expected and this was that moment for him.

Shiiiiiitttt… Now I’m cucked…

Every eye was focused on him and a few of the men backed away.

He could see Dirk’s face looked pale and both eyes were wide.

“Impossible,” Vella stated as she moved to where Francis was.  “A sage? At his age? Only someone who was a…”

Her words stopped and then she took a step back, moving to stand beside Nehemiah who started to grin.

“Oh… things are going to get really good,” he said as he punched Vella’s side.  Wincing after that action and rubbing his hand which hit the plate armor, Nehemiah pushed on. “Now then, I suggest you go ahead and summon someone from the King’s court.  This is going to raise a lot of concerns.”

***

What shit have I slipped in this time?

The trip from Vella’s tent was much faster than it had been from Dirk’s outpost.

Four men accompanied him on each side, moving through the maze of tents and buildings, the smell of actual food teasing his nose. Somewhere, someone was cooking something that made Francis’s stomach growl.

The soldier on his left grunted.

“We’ll get you something to eat. For now just keep up.”

Nodding and not saying a word, he did his best, lengthening his stride as the men moved with purpose.

A large tent that was about the third the size of the one he knew was the Kings began to appear in the darkness, lots of torches and burning fire pits illuminating the area around it and guards were stationed all over.

In the darkness the red wolves seemed to dance as the wind blew the top section that had a large pole set somewhere in the middle.

As they approached, guards with armor that matched Captain Vella’s moved to intercept.

“This is the one?” 

“He is.”

Francis ignored the frown and the way the blond headed man studied him.

“Go inside, they will have a place for him.”

“He’s hungry.”

Sighing, the blond headed guard gave a nod.

“One of you go and bring something back. I’ll see what I can do. For now, hurry.  We don’t have much time.”

Time? Time for what?

Francis sensed the men moving, the one behind him leaving the other three and could feel the gaze of everyone on him.

“Time for what?” he whispered as they passed the pair of guards that had approached.

“You’re about to get a lot of visitors sir.  Forgive me if I in some way offended you. I didn’t know.”

He felt his face scrunching and tried to consider what the man was talking about when they arrived at the tent, two large white cloth flaps flew open as both guards held a side for him. The scent of incense, perfume and cleanliness struck him first.  

After that Francis saw the woven rugs that lined every inch of the floor.  A few yards away, Nehemiah was standing there, dressed in a long red robe and talking with two women who immediately turned upon his entrance.

“Ahh, Francis! Come in! I was talking to the sisters about you!”

The old man’s grin felt so different from the few minutes ago when he stood half naked with his junk showing. Now he looked like he belonged here and not locked up in some stocks somewhere for getting drunk and forgetting his pants.

His eyes fell on the two women, both with red hair and curves that didn’t seem real. Each of their dresses seemed a little thinner than he remembered a dress being as the light from lanterns and light gems shone through them.

“Oh he is a young one,” the one on his left said. “The gods have blessed us. Come! We need to get you cleaned up!”

Francis felt his chest tightening up as he tried to grasp everything that was happening.  

All I wanted to do was get Michael safe… trade some information for some training and staying alive…

Spindly fingers snapped a few times before his face, and Francis shook his head, looking at Nehemiah who was giving a smile that had too many teeth missing.

“I’m sorry son, but you stink.  Bella and Lacy are going to take you to get cleaned up and dressed.  We have a meeting soon and there are so many who want to meet a possible chosen.”

That word made his head spin, and Francis fought to stay standing, feeling a pair of arms catch him on both sides.

“Come with us, we’ll help you,” one of the women said as they easily lifted him back to his feet.

A chosen… they can’t think I’m a… my sage skill.

The belief that sometimes a god might come and chose someone from birth or perhaps even make someone their avatar led most to blind faith and worship.  It had never really been his thing as the fact he couldn’t offer any value to the temples.  Even worse, being the ninth son was considered by some a small curse, forced to take care of them while knowing they couldn’t amount to anything.

Lost in those thoughts, Francis soon found himself in a closed off section of the tent, a copper tub filled with steaming water and some floating stuff on top.

The room smelled sweet and beside the tub on a small stone pedestal was the largest piece of soap he could ever remember beholding.

That thing would fit in my whole hand!

“Would you like some help washing?”

Turning to his right, he saw a pair of green eyes sparkling at him as the woman pulled his arm into her chest.

“Uh… I think I can manage…”

She sighed and nodded. 

“Well I am Lacy and that is Bella.  We can stay here and help you with anything you might need.”

Her voice sounded so sweet and the offer was tempting but turning to the side, he saw a smile that sent a shiver down his back.  

That Bella looks like she wants to eat me…

“Actually, I prefer to bathe alone if that’s ok.  What I really need is something to eat.”

“You mean food?”

Her playful tone seemed weird and Francis nodded.

“Yeah… what else besides food would I eat?”

Lacy sighed and shook her head, that soft smile never leaving her lips.

“You are young I guess… perhaps in time you will learn. Bella and I shall let you bathe. We will be right outside and if you need anything, anything at all, do not hesitate to call out our names.”

Clearing his throat, Francis nodded and watched as the two swayed their hips to the extreme with each step, showing off what he finally realized they were offering.

An urge came for just a moment but then his stomach growled and the knowledge that behind him was a luxury he had never enjoyed.

Without waiting, Francis stripped off his clothes, tossing them on the rugs and letting out a soft moan as the soft carpet touched his bare feet.

Perhaps I should always be a chosen…

Without waiting and not caring about how warm the water was, he climbed in, dunking himself under multiple times before grabbing the bar of soap.

This thing would take two hands to hold… 

Glancing at the cloth that both women had gone through, Francis chuckled and went to town, scrubbing himself with haste, watching as the dirt began stain the clear water.

***

Tugging at the outfit which felt a little tight, he sighed.

I look like a fucking noble… oh what I wouldn’t give for my mother and that asshole of a father to see me right now.

“We can get something that fits you better in a day,” Nehemiah stated as adjusted the jacket from behind. “Now then, I will say you should enjoy the company of the sisters. They are here to care for the chosen ones.”

“Uh… okay, maybe later. Tell me, has my brother arrived yet?”

He saw the slight frown on the older man’s face in the reflection of the mirror.

“No… he has not. But do not worry, he shall be safe from the fighting tomorrow.  Now then, I have news we need to leave and head to the tent where the King is waiting.  Many are excited to meet you and learn about you.”

Spinning on his heal and almost tripping from the new boots he wore, Francis held back a curse.

First pair of real boots and they’re together than anything I could imagine…

“Nehemiah, be honest with me. I’m not certain I’m a chosen. What are they going to do and what does that mean?”

“Boy, you realize that to have the status you do at your age means you must be one. No one else could hope to reach the sage status before five hundred years. Those who possess it are few and rarely come to spend time with the rest of us.”

The older man put a wrinkled hand on Francis’s shoulder and gave what he assumed was a reassuring smile.

“You realize that you won’t have to worry about anything again. No doubt the King will reward your father and mother–”

“NO!” 

Both Francis and Nehemiah backed up at how loud he had shouted that.

“I mean… No. That man has given me nothing since the day I was born beyond a few weeks to nurse with my mother.  He gets no part of anything the King wants to give.  Only Michael and myself.  Do I make myself clear.”

Sucking his lower lip in, Nehemiah bobbed his head a few times.  His entire face scrunched up creating mountains of wrinkles from his nose to his forehead and onto the bald scalp.

“Perhaps when you speak to the King later, you might voice that in a better way.  Chosen or not, he won’t like that answer.”

“Then he better change, because I won’t,” Francis replied, crossing his arms.

A large sigh escaped the man who shrugged.

“Who am I to argue? Let’s see if they are ready for us.  It’s going to be along day.  I hope you got some sleep.”

I’d say I can get some sleep when I die, but I know that isn’t true.

Following the older man toward the tent flap, Francis couldn’t help but feeling uncertain about this next moment. For the first time in a long time, he said a quick prayer.

I’m not sure if you all are watching, but if so, try not to let me screw this up.