V. Expelled
The monks were unusually chatty
during breakfast, the news of the theft travelling across the large dining
hall at lightning speed. Tressen listened closely. He'd given the amulet
back to Sermillion, the older monk as easygoing as a lamb and following
him around. Who knows what had happened but the feeling of having power
over someone excited Tressen.
Walking through the halls, the young monk was trying to decide what he
would do next. Sermillion had been planning to rule the order and though
tressen had a good grasp on Aridwen, his grasp on Sermillion was even
stronger and the younger monk would definitely live longer. But not
everyone would support Sermillion.
Musing, Tressen didn't notice that he was walking the familiar path toward
Aridwen's room. He only noticed when he was already in front of the open
door. Aridwen spotted him and said:
"Rialon. I'm sorry I failed you...Sermillion your father took
it..."
Before Tressen could get away, Isidor turned around and noticed him. The
other monk was old but far from feeble. Realisation sparked in his eyes.
"You." Isidor called and took a step forward.
But Tressen was already moving himself. But he'd forgotten about
Sermillion and crashed into the other monk. Isidor cackled and said:
"Fools. How did you think to keep this hidden? I'd expected more from
you Sermillion, your father was a way better mage than you. But he was
foolish as well. It's a good thing I got rid of him."
A loud howl sounded from behind and before Tressen could stop him,
Sermillion rushed forward and reached for the knife athis belt and stabbed
it in the older monk's abdomen. With a sigh Isidor crumpled and he could
only look and wheeze as life drained from his body.
Tressen knew there was little left to do now. They'd need to leave before
Plevinon returned. Isidor's demise would be even harder to cover up. But
they couldn't make it seem like they were guilty. No, they needed a
diversion. And luckily, they'd already laid the groundwork.
Sermillion wove the hex, fueled by
the pulsing amulet's dark power. There was a part of his mind that knew he
was being controlled. And there was another part that craved the darkness
of the amulet as it seeped into his essence. The more he used it's magic,
the more it fed him. Let Tressen believe he could control him.
Not much later the first whispers of ghostly winds sounded through the
halls. Footsteps sounded and cries rose people from their slumber.
Tomorrow Isidor would be found stabbed in the hallway. Sermillion wove a
spell of distrust and paranoia into the walls. The monks would not trust
each other and he and Tressen would escape. With the amulet....
Strange. Not that long ago Sermillion had done everything to keep the
order safe so he could take over it's lead. But now it meant nothing to
him anymore. The only thing that mattered was the amulet. Maybe it had
been calling to him all along.