The Worthless Servant Who Awakened the World Eater

Chapter 7: The Enemy Who Smelled the Flame

The inspection started early in the morning.

Elias realized something was wrong when six armed guards entered the servants' quarters and ordered everyone to leave.

No explanation. No warning.

It was the only thing else, except the cutting of blades against the armour, and shouting instructions to march up and down in lines in the chilly morning light.

Mira had her hands to her arms, attempting to warm them.

“What is going on??” she whispered.

I'm not sure."

It was true, and Elias detested it!

He knew that ignorance was a greater evil than weakness: he had awakened the Black Flame. Weakness led to a lack of respect for him. He didn't know better; he was naive and unaware.

It's been a dark time lately.

They were divided into groups and the guards separated them. The two inspectors with the Veyron family's insignia in silver started poking around in their rooms, opening chests, flipping over bedding and exploring every nook and cranny.

One of these exited from his room bearing a small blackened stone of which Elias was one of the ones that saw.

His heart stopped.

It was a part of the damaged seal of the chamber.

He believed that he had hidden his visits to all intents and purposes.

But, it appears he was mistaken.

Who is this boy's bedroom?', the inspector asked, 'Who is this boy?

Elias stepped forward.

"Mine, sir."

Looking at him without any expression "Why, why, why, are you so close to the west wing?

"None."

The answer was very rapid.

The inspector noticed.

"Search for him."

He was grabbed by the arm by one of the guards and shoved against the wall. His clothes were even searched, his pockets and even the inside of his boots.

They found nothing.

Elias, however, was disgusted by what was all around him, and knew that the Black Flame was being ignited in his soul.

He tried to take his breath slowly.

Not here. Out of their line of sight.

The flame broke out and he could not say what it had been he was going to eat, nor what it was that others were eating.

The guard pushed him, and let him go.

"Nothing."

The inspector seemed not to be impressed.

All the men and women who have entered the west wing will be questioned, "Search the rest of the rooms.All visitors to the west wing will be asked "Look in all the other rooms.

Elias was gripping his arm, which he didn't have a sleeve on.

He gave her a quick nod of his head, so she didn't have to say a word.

Then it was looking towards the west down the corridor.

For one terrible second Elias thought about it, but he was to dash blindly towards the room that was tightly closed.

Instead, the man was standing next to an old man servant and presented him with a second blackened stone.

“Is there anything amiss, in the west wing?”

He shook his head, the old servant.

The inspector seemed to be in a serious mood.

They've been working on an old seal but common tools were not being used and there were clues that there was a power that has not been used for decades.”

There was a murmur amongst the servants.

Although the sun was rising, Elias was feeling cold.

It wasn't just a trespasser they were looking for.

They were to search for the crystal.

One person was assigned to investigate the chamber and be familiar with it.

What do you think is the object in the lost room? Mira whispered.

The black piece was in the inspector's hand and Elias glanced at it.

It wasn't forgotten, he said in a low voice. It seemed that it should be hidden.

The inspector would let her ask another question, but before he would send the servants back to work.

Elias went back to his place of business but his mind was in the west.

A person had been looking for the crystal.

A witness having knowledge of the nature of it.

However, if he learned that Elias had resurrected it, then Kael's beating wouldn't be the end of things!

By midday Elias was decided.

He would be taking Mira away with him and going from the estate.

They did not have any money, any friends but Lyra other than that and did not know what lay beyond the borders of the Veyron lands. But there was a day each day of hiding, of being found.

The power of which he had little understanding, one which the Black Flame may be able to shield them from, but one upon which he could not build his future.

As she was sheafing medicinal herbs, he found Lyra in the storage courtyard.

Come on, I need some assistance, he said.

She looked at him, and at the servants, who walked about.

"Not here."

She led him back to the rear of the stone wall to the courtyard behind the store house which absorbed the sound.

"What happened?"

The inspection – they found traces from the western chamber.

Lyra's expression changed.

Was the crystal found?

No, not yet, but they've got someone that came in and disturbed the seal.

She went on in a growl. If so, then you need to cease your visit there.

"I agree."

It was a surprise for her.

Elias peeked about at the servants quarters.

I'm going to take Mira out of here.

He was attentively watched by Lyra. To which city, country or state do you have plans to go?

There is somewhere, somewhere that they can't reach us.

"And when will they do it?"

He had no answer.

Lyra folded her arms up.Lyra folded her arms up.

You will not be able to tell which roads are safe outside these walls, you have no money, no defence and no idea of the power that you have unleashed.

Don't be misled, it is not safe here.

"No," she admitted. “If he doesn't have a plan, however, then Mira could be dead by the end of the day.”

It wasn't in his mind but in his ears.

Elias bit his lips.

What she said didn't sit well with him. He didn't want her to be right.

For years he had been living on the edge, making ends meet as he was compelled to do by the Veyrons. Now he had something that could turn his life around but it wasn't enough to ensure the safety of his sister.

But what shall I do, what shall I do?

Try to get out of the way, if possible, and get rid of it; determine who is interested and knows about the crystal.

“When they discover me, will they discover him?”

Lyra hesitated.

If you do, then you'll have to be ready to engage in a battle.

Elias almost laughed.

Fight?

He had suffered all his life the beating from those who thought he wasn't as good as they were. Now he may be able to find out what's going on in a magic attack and then eat it, but he always has to pay a price for it.

He'd lost a bit of his memories of his mom that were connected to all this.

He wouldn't want to find out what other things the flame might eat.

“Don't want to be anything like that,” he quietly said.

Lyra's expression softened.

It's crucial to remember that you want power: the people who hurt you should not be the ones who are determining your manhood.

It was some time before Elias spoke.

Afterwards, a bell sounded on the entire estate.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Outside in the courtyard, Lyra wondered.

School's Back!

Elias's stomach tightened.

It was used by the Veyrons when they wanted to have everyone in the household together when making an announcement.

To people such as him, calling meant a definite bad thing.

When Elias came to the courtyard it was full.

In the middle of the training ground were children of the mages and servants of the household surrounded the walls. The raised platform, above the assembly, was occupied by several members of the Veyron family.

Wearing black training gear, Kael was in the center.

He was heartened to see Elias and a cruel smile play upon his face.

"There he is."

The crowd parted.

Elias was amazed at the number of eyes that were fixed upon him.

In the shade of silver trees the Lord Veyron sat unmoving.

Kael stepped forward.

I suppose you've heard rumours of a certain interesting servant, who has been very interesting lately.

Several people chuckled.

Elias remained silent.

Apparently," continued Kael, "this less than civilized object has a secret. He's been crawling around in areas where he should not be, he's been disturbing areas where he shouldn't be, he's been getting people's attention in areas where he shouldn't be.

Elias's pulse quickened.

Kael knew something.

Not necessarily all, maybe just enough that they start getting hurt.

"I don't know what tricks you've been using," Kael said, staring him in the face. However, neither I nor anyone else will defame the Veyron name!

He took out a thin training knife from his belt and lifted it up towards Elias.

Here comes a challenge: "Goulash, I challenge you to a duel. "

From all throughout the courtyard, gasps could be heard.

It would be strange if a servant had challenged, or had been challenged, a noble, when the purpose of the challenge was to bring shame upon, or to demonstrate the weakness of ‘the servile class'.But if the aim of the challenge was to denigrate, or demonstrate the feebleness of, ‘the servile class', a servant challenging, or a servant being challenged, was not uncommon. But something was more at play in Kael's face than this.

"You're going to accept my challenge tomorrow, in front of the entire estate," he declared.And, when I expose you as a worthless servant, everyone will know, a worthless servant has no place among people born with real power.

Elias had his gaze off the blade.Elias wasn't looking at the blade.

He could refuse.

It would look bad if he didn't, especially in Kael's eyes who would go on asking him to be investigated for his actions.

He would take and take the risk of giving out the Black Flame.

He could fight without it, he was tougher, faster, he knew how to exploit any weakness, Kael was tougher.

Mira went through the masses.

“He has NOT done me any harm!,” she screamed.

Kael was laughing at her.Kael was laughing at her.Kael was smirking at her.

Perhaps you should remind your brother he is supposed to show respect to his superiors.

Elias was strolling among them.

Please don't put her in this.

Kael's smile widened.

When his dear sister was threatened, there it was: The little servant mustered up the courage.

He lowered the blade down so that the point of it was on the breast of Elias.

Tomorrow you will see what it was – a stroke of good luck or actual strength”.

Elias gazed into Kael's eyes.

He was able to read past the pride and find something else.

Suspicion.

Not only was Kael losing his face, but his pride as well. He wished to get Elias to admit what had been different.

Maybe the duel was a set up.

Maybe it was Kael's plan to get to the Black Flame so that it could come out before the people.

Elias had one night only to ponder.

“Okay,” he said, “I'll take it.”

Mira was very taken aback.

Kael laughed.

“Excellent, see if you can get a day off your back-to-back days as a little bit of a scam artist.”

He looked around and began to walk towards the door and the noisy people walked away.

The words barely penetrated Elias' ears.

He already had his next thing he wanted to do worked out.

However, if he wasn't ready to use the flame, then he could forfeit the match and what Kael wanted as a consequence of losing a duel.

In doing so he may be putting himself at risk of encountering the very people he is looking for the crystal.

However, if the flame needed another reminder of its triumph, he might be losing something, and it won't be easy to come by again.

Clasping Mira's hand, the man clung to her.

It's not required to do this.

Elias gazed into her terror-stricken face.

"Yes," he whispered. "I do."

He would not let Kael make the decision on what had to be done.

Only one thought was not lost on his mind when he saw the noble coming up the stairs to the estate.

If it was a duel and it was to destroy me?

What if it was meant to show me myself, then what is the purpose?

A man kneeling before a circular altar in front of an old ruin of a sanctuary with stones which centuries had never seen the sun's face.

It had black markings on it.

The middle of the red light was akin to a pulse.

The man placed the two fingers on the stone.

There was a slight wave of magic energy that flowed in the chamber.

His eyes widened.

"My lord."

Then a voice cried out, "Out of the darkness beyond the altar a voice said.

"Speak."

It has been confirmed that the disturbance took place, the ancient seal was broken and the energy signature corresponds with the records.

Silence followed.

Suddenly, there appeared a tall figure, covered by a shadowy hood.

"Are you certain?"

There is no signature but the similarity is evident.

The figure with the hood very gradually raised its head.

So many years now after all these years.

A red light illuminated.

Is this an offense, questioning the man who was kneeling?

Those that said "No" were in the majority, with old blood slowly rising.

The person is facing a wall, which has some old carvings on it. One of them exhibited a black flame. One was a giant with a burning globe in his mouth!

It was a man, with his head and face cut off, who stood between them.

He was put in charge as the manager: "To keep an eye on the estate. Wait until we know what the boy must be, before approaching him.

But what if the Veyrons find out who he is?

The hood man had an expression of being a little bit upset.

That little duel that they have may save us some trouble.

When the red light suddenly spurted like a flash of light!

The carving of a black flame appeared to be moving for a second.

The agent shrank back, and stood on his heels.

Nevertheless, the figure with a hood did not

He was scanning the symbol as an old friend of his.

Check to see if the boy can manage it," he said. Let him if he can bring him to me.If he is able, let him come to me.

He paused.

If he is unable, make sure someone else doesn't do his job.

The light went off.

Even under the ashes of the sacred land there was a big movement and in his sleep.