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Hand of Fate - Part 19

"Yes, Mark. Father himself." He smiled.

"But what are you doing here, Father?"

Shrain Hialdan was leaning against the door frame. He was dressed in a weird black robe. His smile almost made Mark shiver. He looked to Krss, but she was averting his eyes.

"Thank you for showing up so promptly, son. The Tzel will be combined shortly."

"The Tzel..?"

Mark couldn't believe his eyes as his father took out a sword from the waves of his robe. The sword. "How do you have that?!"

"Full of questions, aren't you, son. Ask Krss here, I'm sure she will explain that she stole it from the Linus Estate last night. You were good enough to supply her with its location."

"Krss! Did you..?"

Krss looked into his eyes. Hers were shining with an exalted light. "Yes, Mark. I stole it."

"Why..?"

"Because He needed it."

Mark felt the majuscule. "But you lied to me.."

"She has lied about more than just that, son."

"What do you mean?" He could feel a tear sliding down his cheek. It was hot.

"I'll wager she also lied about the fact that she murdered our poor Lord Linus."

"WHAT?"

"Tell him, Krss."

Krss blushed. "As You wish, my Lord."

"Krss! Krss, tell me that isn't true?"

"I'm afraid it's true, Mark. I killed him. You see.. I had to."

"But why? Why? How?"

"Putting the why first, very methodical mind, son."

"I needed a sample of his blood."

"What for??" His head was swimming. This was a dream. This had to be a dream. Any moment now, he would wake to stare in the face of someone who wouldn't understand why he cried.

"We need it for the spell. The spell talks about the white blood of Krallan and the black blood of Krallan. We needed black blood."

"Linus was old Mordrig's son, Mark."

"So I lured him to the old monastery. I figured it would be easier there."

"I.. I see.." He was beginning to realise it wasn't a dream. Everything, horrible as it was, made sense at last. "You waited until he was weak from fighting the revenant. You knocked him over the head. You took his blood.."

"In this cup." Krss showed him the cup she had been playing with.

"And you ran away. You bumped into Rythall. You made up the story about the rape. He believed you. He protected you."

"Yes. He is quite faithful to me, you know."

"And you.. you would send him to the gallows. You told me he did it, Krss. You told me he did it!"

"Oh, Mark.. How can you be so naive. I told you many things."

"How could you, Krss.."

"She could, son. She would do anything for me."

Krss beamed at Father and blushed more.

"Why.. why now? Why on my birthday?"

"While we danced, he told me he would go on a trip the next day. I had to act quickly. I didn't even tell my Lord what I was about to do."

"She was quite a brave girl, son. You should think higher of her."

"Krss. Tell me.. was everything a lie? You told me that you couldn't hold the truth from people you lov.. Oh. I see.. I see." He buried his face in his hands.

"Son, let's get back to our business at hand. We have the Sword and now that you're here we also have the Stone."

"Now that I'm here?"

"Yes. You are not aware of it, but the Stone was embedded in your back after your birth."

"The Stone.. is in me?"

"Yes, son. And we need it out before we can make the Tzel. Don't worry, it won't hurt much. And I have prepared a nice forgetfulness potion for you afterwards."

"I won't let you!"

"I'm afraid you have not much choice in the matter." Father muttered a spell and vines sprouted from the stool under him. Mark fought, but there were too many of them. The green tentacles soon engulfed him. Breathing was hard, he screamed with every breath he took. This was a dream a dream a dream.

"Now, now, son. Be quiet and stop thrashing or it will hurt more."

"How can you, Father! How!! How can you!"

Father disappeared behind him. Mark stopped screaming and waited. Was he going to cut him open? Was he really going to hurt him?

The door to the bedroom slid open and Rythall staggered inside the room.

"Oh, I see our young friend is here for the ceremony. I have enough potion for him too, don't worry."

"You will not harm him!!" shouted Rythall. He fell forward on his arms.

"Now, now. Don't make such a fuss from a simple cut." Father brushed the tip of the sword against his back. Mark tensed.

"NO!! Sword! I am your master!"

From behind Mark erupted a bright blue light. Father shouted and dropped the sword. Mark struggled to free himself, but the vines were too tight. All he could do was breathe and watch. The Sword floated above his head and landed in Rythall's outstretched hand.

"Give me back that sword or I'll.. I'll kill Krss!"

Krss screamed. Shrain Hialdan had grabbed her and was using her as a shield against the blue waves that emanated from the sword. He was holding a small dagger to her throat.

Rythall hesitated.

Mark shouted. "Give it to him! He will kill her! I know he will! And then I will marry Lady Gallan!"

Rythall looked at him, wondering probably if he had lost his mind.

"Father! Is there anything I can do? Please.. Don't kill Krss.. Don't.."

"I'm afraid nothing short of the Sword will save her. And you must also drink the forgetfulness potion willingly."

"I'll drink it! I will. If that saves her, I will."

Father placed the vial to his lips and he drank.

The world became green. His sight wavered faintly from the triumphant face of his father to the floor, where Rythall was crawling. His mouth was moving, cursing, but Mark couldn't hear the words.

A wave of coldness spread over his mind.

Rythall handed Shrain Hialdan the sword.

Lord Hialdan laughed, then with a single movement slit Krss' throat. She fell forward, gasping. Blood gushing.

Mark moaned. The moan echoed inside his skull.

Rythall screamed silently.

The blue sword twisted from his hand and cut Shrain Hialdan in two.

Mark closed his eyes.

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