Chapter Ten – Major Zeleon Chevish
Deep within the confines of Castle Oralai, a private audience was held by the second in command of the entire army of Clair. Four bodyguards in bright blue armor, faces concealed behind ornate masks of gold shaped into the visage of wicked demons, stood with pikes and swords against a satin veil around General Barbaroi. The man kneeling before the veil was none other then Major Zeleon Chevish, the paragon of excellence in the arts of war. Wearing snowy white armor of a knight, the paladin wore a flowing white cape with the holy cross and staff embroidered in crimson thread. His soft pale features were hidden behind straight fine black hair and a golden circlet.
“This is an outrage!” growled General Barbaroi from behind a veil of satin cloth, “That woman is in charge of the Clair Crusaders!”
Major Chevish simply replied as all subordinates were required to do, “Yes. It is a disgrace to the Royal Knights!”
From behind the veil the shadow of the General rose from his chair, the stern cold voice said openly, “This bitch is not even of noble blood. Not even a commoner! His majesty is still young and has taken to the wicked magics of that witch. Selling her immature body for power, what audacity!”
“She is a child?” asked Major Chevish, his head tilting up to see the shadowy figure of the General brooding behind the veil.
Taking two steps forward and beginning to pace back and forth, General Barbaroi continued, “It is doubtful. She is of no more the ten or eleven years. Though she has held that position for three years, word is she has not grown or aged in that time. Despite this obvious magic, she holds a noble position in not just the Crusaders, but as a member of the Church!”
“Why has she not been executed?” Major Chevish asked again, General Barbaroi expecting and tolerating questions, a sure sign of his intentions.
“She has won over the lecherous and sinful within the church as well. They protect this bitch despite the truth staring them in the face, but I do not tolerate such things-”
“Nor do I.” interrupted Major Chevish, “What is your will, my lord?”
A soft snort came from the General followed by a soft chuckle, “She is removed from her post. See to it that she gets the message and then do anything you want with her.”
“Anything, my lord?”
“An ageless witch deserves unending torment and humiliation for such sins, whatever satisfies your fancy is permissible, just ensure that she is aware of her crimes as you exact every exquisite agony and misery upon her wretched soul. I leave the specifics to you, but make sure she suffers to her last breath,” General Barbaroi said coldly, “Don't disappoint my high expectations, Major.”
Major Chevish rose and bowed his head to the General, a wide grin grazing across his face, “One hopes her body is strong, it would be a shame to get only a few weeks out of such a prime subject. An ageless witch should at least last several years to pay for such sins.”
As the Major started to leave, General Barbaroi spoke one last time, “Take at least five of your best and see to this matter personally. Her fighting skills are sharp, but her magics are unknown. Please be careful, my beloved Zeleon.”
Turning and bowing respectfully, Major Chevish said only, “Yes, my lord.”
General Barbaroi watched the dark figure of Zeleon proceed through the stone hallway and out of sight, letting out a soft sigh, he fell into his chair. He wore the same armor of Zeleon, only stained dark black and adorned with the crimson cross and staff upon his breastplate. His long and full gray beard was dyed black to show life and health, but the withered and balding man still showed signs of fatigue and aging despite his best efforts.
“How did he look, Xelus?” asked a softer and more compassionate Barbaroi.
From behind the mask of a grinning demon, the bodyguard responded solemnly, “Stalwart, my lord.”
