The Long Road To Ruin Ch. 51

Simon clutched her tighter in his arms, "You want to possess her? Are you insane? Why would we allow that? And how do we know you'll let her go?"

Ni'as' dark eyes flashed at the prince, "Do not make the mistake of thinking that you are the only ones who care for her. I have sworn to protect her and that I will do, but I have not the power to do it from here. My power will act as a shield against the poison once I am joined with her. You have my word and my oath that once she is cured that I will leave her body. This will be my last act, for joining with her will consume what reserves of power I have left. It will be my honor to give my life in order to save hers. We will need a private place for this. There is a small bedchamber here, is there not?"

Vico nodded at the avatar. The blackguard knew what Ni'as intended to do.

...

Simon carried Shiloh into the bedchamber of the small house, laying her gently onto the bed. He sat down on her left side, holding her hand almost reverently. In just the time it took to carry her into the other room, her skin tone changed to match the grey of her lips. "I know you want to be next to her, but I will need some space for this," Ni'as spoke up as he looked Simon in the eyes.

The avatar shed his dark armor, like shadows melding with the dark, putting himself into a trance. His form became as translucent as light, a shimmering specter floating above the bed. He hovered a moment before he settled over her body, encasing her with light. She glowed as he became one with her flesh, one with her soul. Several long tense minutes passed before her color improved. Splotches of mottled red mingled with her normal healthy pinkness. Vico checked her eyes and tongue; both had returned to normal. She was out of danger. He knew she would pull through especially once the antidote arrived. He just hoped Ni'as' sacrifice would hold out until then.

...

Upon the return of Pett and Simo, Vico concocted the antidote and coaxed Shiloh to drink it. The fluid flowed easily down as he massaged her throat, enabling her to swallow without choking. Once it had taken effect, Ni'as reappeared in a shimmering form, still translucent and ethereal. He inclined his head gracefully at Vico before winking out of sight. The avatar had kept his word. Shiloh's recovery was imminent. It didn't take long for her to wake up once Ni'as had departed.

She blinked, clearing her fuzzy vision, whispering to Vico, "What happened?" She gazed about, noting the concerned looks on the faces of Vico, Simon and Alfons.

"Cata used poison on her blades, but we were able to get the antidote in time." Vico replied. "Ni'as also sacrificed himself to save you. I wasn't aware you still had contact with anyone connected to your old patron."

"Just Ni'as, though I really don't see how that is any of your business, Vico." Shiloh retorted as she struggled to sit up. The blackguard glared at her angrily. She looked away from him, her gaze shifting to Simon. Her betrothed looked equally as worried about her and curious as well. She sighed as she kept her eyes locked with his, knowing it was prudent to explain the avatar's presence. "When Bastian was defeated and Vico severed the bond, Ni'as returned to mortal form. He's been with me ever since I woke up in that cell in the hunting lodge. He was using what little power he had left to remain unseen. I'd lost track of him while I was in the castle with you, Simon. I don't know if he was there or even following. I only noticed him again during the duel with that bitch. I never thought he'd give his own life to save mine."

"Your very presence commands loyalty, darling. Look at how many here were willing to fight for you," Simon replied. "I'd have given anything to see you safe."

Vico rolled his eyes, scoffing loudly. "Oh please, spare us the loyalty bit. I'd say it's not her that they're loyal to. I'd say it's Nathan and I'd say if you're feeling better, we have plans to make. That ship he and the others from the Bear Pit are on has enough of a head start on us already. Now if we leave today on a fast enough ship, we might be able to catch up with them before they make it to Westwood. Where's that map you had, Alfons?"

The bushy bearded man spread it out before them for all to see. "We're here. And there's Westwood." He pointed at a small village north of Betancuria, but still belonging to Shiloh's father's kingdom. Just further to the north rise the Black Mountains, a huge mountain range which forms a natural border between Betancuria and Dhorn.

Vico rubs his chin thoughtfully, "Once they reach Westwood, they'll have to cross the Black Mountains in order to reach that lake." He points at the Lake of Sorrow, located on the northern side of the Black Mountains. "Plenty of chances to free Nathan, as I see it."

"If I may interrupt a moment," Simon spoke up. "Going after the ship they're on is pointless right now. If I know anything about how Commander Benthur does things, I know this. The old tavern keeper and anyone else that was captured will be under heavy guard. It would be a suicide mission. Trust me on this. Shiloh and I just need to head to the Emperor's court, where we can speak to my father. I have a feeling he's been kept in the dark about what has been really going on in Betancuria. He'll listen to me."

"Excuse me if I'm not willing to put the lives of Nathan and the others in your hands just yet," Vico sneered, his upper lips curling insolently.

"It's the only way. We all know this. Too many of us have died as it is. How many of us are left that could storm that ship and make it out with Nathan alive? Not enough. It'd boil down to you, me and Pia." Shiloh shook her head. "Vico, you are probably the fiercest warrior I've ever met, but it's too risky."

Simon grabbed Shiloh by the shoulders, looking her in the eyes, "Don't even think about it, Shiloh. I won't let you do something so stupid. You'd be throwing your life away. Benthur would have sent his best men on that ship. He would've planned for you to attack it."

Shiloh smiled at him, "I wouldn't do something that foolish. It would be crazy to go after that ship. I agree with you."

Relief crossed his handsome face, "Then we should gather what is needed from the hunting lodge. That's where Commander Klennard had my belongings sent. That includes the gold from the vault. We board a ship and head directly to court. Bring whoever you need with you."

"That'll be Vico and Pia, unless there is anyone else who wants to come." Shiloh glanced about the room, her gaze falling upon Alfons.

"Most of us are neither rangers, nor warriors. We belong in the city. And I'm not even going to mention the likes of Timmy or Joanna." Alfons replied.

Vico nodded at him, "You want to stay in Betancuria?"

"I doubt that we'd be safe anywhere else. Betancuria, we know, at the very least," Alfons replied. "We'll have the coin Shiloh has promised to keep us all from starving. We'll all have to keep an extremely low profile, but that shouldn't be hard. I imagine that Arto Benthur will chase Shiloh all the way to Dhorn."

Simon frowned, "I wouldn't put it past him. In fact, I suspect we'll meet up with him at court, but that is where I have the advantage. As I said, my father won't take Benthur's word over mine."

Vico's gaze fell upon Alfons, "Then let's do it like this. You stay with the others and make sure they don't get themselves in trouble. Birdie, Pia and I are going to travel to Dhorn with him." Vico sneered as he gestured to Simon. "Once we've freed Nathan, we'll come back to Betancuria. If anything goes awry, we'll send word to you."

From a pouch, Shiloh pulled a key. "This is to the apartment Nathan gave me. I seriously doubt I'll be needing it from here on out. I don't think I've left anything behind in it, but if I did, feel free to sell it if it's worth anything or make use of it." She then opened the portable hole that Dalino had given her and lifted out the pack containing the bulk of the coin she'd gathered from the vault. "Don't be shy everyone. Step right up and take as much as you'd like. Whatever is left goes toward refurbishing the castle."

Drago was not shy about taking gold from Shiloh. The smuggler figured he'd earned it for all the nonsense he'd had to put up with from her. "Ya really t'ink y'll pull dis off, don' ya?" He filled the small satchel he carried.

"I do, Drago. When have you ever known me not to pull off something crazy?" Shiloh winked at him. "Take care of yourself. I'll need someone with your skills once I'm Queen."

The smuggler chuckled, shaking his head at her audaciousness. If anyone could pull this off, it would be her. Lenton, Cynn, Yance and Perto came forth as well. "I need a place to live, Shiloh," Cynn spoke up as she helped herself to some gold, adding it to what Shiloh had previously given her. "May I have that key?"

Shiloh smiled, "Of course, I know you primarily stayed at the hideout, so yes."

Vico also produced a key, "This goes to Apartment 3 on the first floor of 17 River Road, if anyone else needs a place to stay."

Pett quickly claimed it, pocketing the key as well as some coin. "Thanks, Vico. And thank you, Shiloh. You might be the craziest wench I've ever known, but I look forward to you being Betancuria's Queen. Things can only get better, I hope."

"It's true," Pia giggled as she embraced Shiloh fondly. "She's not our little mouse anymore."

Shiloh cocked an eyebrow at Pia before exchanging looks with Simon. Both erupted in laughter that had everyone else shooting them odd looks.

"I'd say there's something to the mouse comment that we haven't heard," Pia grinned.

Shiloh nodded, "I'll tell you all about it later." She glanced over to Kenny, Dara, Taka and Dalino. Cata's thugs had left the house with her demise. She was glad of that. She didn't know who they were and really didn't want to find out. "Look, I do understand why you'd side with Cata. She had a good argument and I won't hold it against you for seeing things her way. The main thing is we're all family here. I'm a big enough person to forgive and let it go. I know that's something coming from me, but if you need coin or whatever, I'm more than willing to share."

"Even after we would have seen you turned over to the Dhorn, you are forgiving us? After everything we've said about you?" Kenny raised a skeptical eyebrow at her. He wasn't sure to trust her or not. Shiloh had often been a loose cannon.

"I wasn't particularly fond of being accused of fucking Nathan. The thought actually repulses me. Despite everything you said I am serious about my offer. Take what you need and by the gods, don't get yourselves killed because of it." Shiloh offered as she held the satchel of coin out to them. She watched as they took their share. "Anyone else need anything? Once Betancuria is under our rule and the castle is renovated, I will be looking to fill it. We'll need workers. I hope Nathan knows I'll be stealing Chella to run the castle kitchens. The good news about that is that the kitchens are in good shape. Simon and I were in them yesterday. Anyone who wants to offer their services to us are more than welcome. And yes, Lenton, that means you."

Lenton smiled at her and Simon, "Thank you, both of you."

Pia hugged her tightly again, "I'm looking forward to being in your service, Shiloh. Who would have ever thought that a farm girl like me would become a royal bard?"

"If anyone has earned such an honor, Pia, it would be you." Shiloh returned the hug. "So shall we? We have a ways to go to get back to the hunting lodge."

"Commander Klennard reassures me there will be a ship waiting for us when we get there, darling." Simon spoke up.

Shiloh caught Alfons' gaze, shooting him a quizzical look, "What? Is something wrong?"

The bear of a man smiled at her, "No...I just had to think of the little girl I saw when I first met you, and how things have changed."

"What do you mean?"

Alfons smiled at her, "You've grown into a fine young woman and will be a wonderful Queen, Shiloh. The Hooded One has blessed you."

Shiloh hugged Alfons, "Ahhh, don't make me tear up in front of everyone, you old bear."

And thus Shiloh, Simon, Pia, Vico, Commander Klennard left the run-down house, heading for the hunting lodge. Their journey for freedom, emancipation and true love had just begun.

(To Be Continued)