Heir Of The Fallen Flame

Chapter 14: This Was It

The ride felt longer than it should have.

Kael could no longer tell how much time had passed since Lafey dragged him away from Lyra.

The forest had long given way to uneven roads carved through hills and stone, and then to open stretches of land where distant villages flickered like dying embers under a grey sky.

He did not struggle anymore.

The ropes around his wrists had already bitten deep enough to leave burning lines against his skin. Each time the creature beneath Lafey moved, Kael was jerked forward like a discarded thing tied to a moving cart.

The beast itself was not natural.

It moved on four thick, jointed limbs, each ending in broad padded feet that sank slightly into the earth with every step. Its skin was dark, almost charcoal in color, but layered with faint ridges. Along its neck ran a strip of pale fur that shimmered whenever it breathed.

Its head was long and narrow, almost horse-like in shape, but wrong in its proportions. The mouth stretched wider than it should have, and from it hung a long, flexible tongue that flicked and curled constantly as if tasting the air.

When it exhaled, a wet sound followed like wind passing through hollow stone.

Kael had seen bizarre animals before but not like this. Whatever this creature was, it wasn't of this realm and something tells Kael the thing looks more dangerous than it appears.

Lafey sat high on its back, one hand resting loosely on the creature’s harness, the other occasionally tightening the rope tied around Kael’s wrists as he walked.

The leash ran from Kael’s bindings straight to Lafey’s saddle like he was no more than livestock.

It reminded him of victims of war and how they are often paraded in chains and ropes.

Kael’s feet dragged against the dirt whenever the beast picked up speed.

He did not look up. At first, he had tried.

He had tried to pull against the ropes, tried to feel for that heat inside him again; the golden fire that had once burned through his soul but there was nothing.

It was like he never existed in the first place. So he stopped trying.

Now he simply followed the creature, head lowered, hair falling over his face. The world passed him in a blur of trees, broken fences, distant travelers who quickly turned their eyes away when they saw him.

They weren't afraid of him, they'd been staring at Lafey instead and the look of honor in their eyes and the mutters of pity towards Kael told him everything he needed to know about this man.

He's a feared man. A dangerous one.

Kael swallowed once, but his throat felt dry. His eyes burned, though no tears fell yet. He wasn’t sure if it was exhaustion or something worse.

Behind his eyelids, he saw flashes he did not want to see; Lyra’s body hitting the ground and not moving after.

Kael shut his eyes tighter.

‘Another one… because of me.’

The thought settled in his chest like a stone. He had stopped counting how many times it had already happened.

“Still breathing,” Lafey’s voice cut through his thoughts.

Kael did not respond.

Lafey leaned slightly forward, glancing down at him. “You grow quiet. I like it better this way.”

Kael’s hands twitched faintly in the rope.

“I didn’t ask for your liking,” he muttered.

Lafey gave a soft laugh. “No one ever does.”

The beast continued forward, hooves pressing into the road as more and more villagers bolted out of the way on seeing the creature and its owner.

Nothing good ever happens when Lafey comes to your village.

After some time, wooden signposts came into view; some broken, some freshly carved. Smoke rose in the distance, signaling a town ahead.

Lafey tugged the leash once.

“Hold him properly,” he said to no one in particular and the creature made a sound that was close to a human shriek.

Kael’s head lifted, his eyes settling on the town that came into view. Stone buildings with slanted roofs lined the main road, lanterns already lit. Merchants called out from stalls, and travelers moved between them like it was broad daylight.

But as Lafey entered, conversation began to die down, one by one.

“Is that…”

“No… it can’t be…”

“The bounty hunter… it’s him.”

Kael noticed the way eyes locked onto him and refused to let go. He lowered his head again, pulling against the rope as if he could disappear into himself.

Lafey did not hurry. He rode through the center street like he owned it. And in a way, Kael realized, he probably did.

They stopped in front of a large building made of dark wood and reinforced stone. A carved sign hung above the door:

THE BROKEN CROWN INN

Warm light spilled from its windows. The smell of alcohol, cooked meat, and smoke drifted into the street.

Lafey dismounted first. Then he yanked Kael forward without warning.

Kael stumbled immediately as his feet hit the ground, nearly collapsing before the rope snapped tight and held him upright.

A few men nearby laughed quietly.

“Careful,” one muttered. “Don’t break the prize before you sell it.”

Kael said nothing and Lafey dragged him forward. The inn doors opened before they reached them.

A man stood there, broad-shouldered, with a thick beard streaked with grey. His eyes moved from Lafey to Kael in a single glance.

“Lafey,” the man said. “You bring trouble again.”

Lafey stepped inside without slowing. “I always bring profit.”

The man chuckled softly. “The same profit that half the realm seeks.”

Kael was pulled through the doorway next. The inn was loud inside until the moment he entered.

The room went completely silent. Eyes turned almost into disdain on both Lafey and Kael. It was almost like they were disappointed Lafey had caught the bounty before they did.

Lafey stopped at the counter just as the man from the door slipped behind the table with a resigned sigh.

“This one needs a room,” he said.

The inn owner studied Kael more carefully now. “That one is the reason half the kingdom is in shambles.”

Lafey smiled faintly. “And the reason I will be paid enough to buy your building twice, Parlo.”

Parlo exhaled as he massaged his forehead. He knew a fight would break out here because of Kael. Everyone wanted a taste of that sweet bounty reward.

“You’ve brought storms into my home before. This one feels worse.”

“It is not your concern,” Lafey replied.

Parlo’s eyes flicked toward Kael again. “Keeping him here will draw eyes. Half the realm wants him!” He snapped under his breath.

“That is why I am paying you,” Lafey said calmly. “And I would like to see who is stupid enough to fight me.”

Parlo hesitated.

From somewhere deeper in the inn, laughter erupted—rough, drunken voices calling for ale and women. A group of mercenaries at a table raised their mugs.

“New girls came in today!” one of them shouted. “Real beauties from the east!”

Parlo exhaled, rubbing his temple. “Very well. One room. But I will not have blood in my inn.”

Lafey leaned slightly closer.

“There will be no blood,” he said softly. “Unless something happens to him.”

His eyes flicked once toward Kael. Parlo understood immediately.

“I will place guards,” he said quickly. “My men. They will watch him.”

Lafey nodded once. “Good.”

Kael’s stomach tightened. He had heard worse threats before. But the calmness in Lafey’s voice made it worse.

Lafey turned and pulled Kael again.

Upstairs, the wooden steps creaked under their weight. The hallway smelled of old smoke and damp wood. A few doors lined the corridor, some open, some shut tight.

They stopped at the last one, a guard stood outside it. Then another. And another.

Ten men in total, armed, spaced evenly like they were guarding something far more dangerous than a prisoner.

Lafey pushed the door open and inside was a cage.

Iron bars reinforced with thick rivets. The structure was embedded directly into the floor, more like a holding pen than a room. Straw covered part of the ground, and a small bowl of water sat in one corner.

Kael stared at it before he was pushed inside. The door clanged shut behind him under lock and key. Lafey stepped closer to the bars.

“You will stay alive,” he said. “That is all I require.”

Kael looked up at him, his voice was quiet. “Why?”

Lafey tilted his head slightly. “Because there's a higher reward for bringing you in alive.”

Kael’s fingers curled slightly around the bars, the metal felt cold under his hands.

Lafey turned away. “Feed him,” he said to the guards. “Do not lose him.”

“Yes, sir,” one of them answered immediately.

Lafey left the room. paused at the door. Ten guards remained outside and Kael stood still inside it.

He exhaled, sitting down on the straw. Maybe this was it, this was his life now. Maybe he deserved it. Two people lost their lives because of him and this might just be what he gets for that.

A shadow rushed past him from the far corner of the cage, making Kael jerk up in fear.

Want was that?