Chapter 17: A Willing Descent

As Luz left the tent, Amelia quietly moved to get dressed, putting on the grey button-up shirt and the brown trousers she wore the night before. She heard talking coming from outside the tent and listened closely to what they were saying. Then she suddenly heard a click beside her and when she turned her head, a tall intimidating man in obsidian armour stood in the corner of the tent, watching her closely. The lantern in the tent illuminated his face and the upper portion of his armour. His skin is pale, contrasted by subtle shadows that deepen the contours of his have. His red eyes seemed so stare right into her soul– unblinking and filled with cold focused intensity. Long, black hair fell past his shoulders, framing his face unevenly making him look battle hardened.

Before she could speak, he spoke. “You must be Luz’s girl. I am Mestre Escuro.” The name caught her off guard. She immediately recognized him as the king of the Corrompido, the one who took Luz from her. “Oh– hello,” she said uncertainly and gaze toward the tent flap, uncertain if she should call for Luz or not. “It is alright,” Mestre Escuro said soothingly. “You aren’t in trouble. I am actually glad you are here.” Amelia looked had him slightly surprised. “Behind every good man, is a strong woman,” Mestre Escuro said casually. “I think having something to fight for will do Luz a world of good.”

…

“Mestre Escuro awaits you,” Lady Escuridade said and indicated to Luz’s tent. Luz’s entire body went rigid as he realized the implication of Lady Escuridade’s gesture. Mestre Escuro was inside his personal quarters– the private sanctuary where he had just spent the night making love to the woman he had sworn to protect. Panic surged through him, cold and sharp, as he imagined what Mestre Escuro might have witnessed or sense through the thin tent walls. Without thinking twice, he burst through the entrance flap. His crimson eyes immediately locked onto the figure standing calmly in the corner of his tent– Mestre Escuro himself, clad in obsidian armour that absorbed all surrounding light.

Amelia sat on the cot, dressed hurriedly in her clothes from yesterday, looking small and vulnerable under that predatory gaze. “Mestre Escuro,” Luz forced out through gritted teeth, dropping to one knee in automatic deference while simultaneously scanning her condition desperately. “It is alright, Commander,” Mestre Escuro said calmly. “I was just getting to know your new concubine. Quite the beauty if I must say so myself.” The word ‘concubine’ struck Luz like a physical blow. His head snapped up crimson eyes blazed with protective fury. “You will address her with respect,” he growled low in his throat, standing upright and taking a deliberate step forward that put him between Mestre Escuro and Amelia. “She is not property to be acquired or dismissed.”

Salvaxe peeked inside cautiously at the tension radiating from Luz. Lady Escuridade calmly walked into the tent and stood beside Mestre Escuro, where she observed the interaction with keen interest. “The girl is impressive. Her connection to you is… potent. Did you plan on keeping this little secret forever?” Mestre Escuro asked casually. Amelia cleared he throat softly. “I think you are making him uncomfortable,” she said softly. Mestre Escuro laughed. “No need to be bashful. We all have attachments. It is difficult enough being on the path we are without them,” Mestre Escuro said understandably. “I have no problem with this unfolding. But I would suggest you give the girl something more fashionable to wear. A shame for a girl so beautiful to be stuck in simpleton clothes.”

Mestre Escuro’s understanding tone caught Luz off guard. For a moment, the hardened commander wavered, his crimson eye flickering with confusion as he processed this unexpected display of empathy. “She needs proper attire,” Luz agreed gruffly, his voice soften than usual. “Something fitting for… for my companion.” The term slipped out unintentionally, revealing more than he intended. His hand instinctively moved toward his sword hilt before stopping himself– an unconscious gesture of protection that did not escape Mestre Escuro’s notice. “Very well,” Mestre Escuro declared with a dismissive wave of his gloved hand. “Lady Escuridade will provide sittable garments for her. See that she is treated appropriately henceforth.”

With that pronouncement, Mestre Escuro turned to leave the tent pausing at the entrance. “And commander– enjoy your reunion. It has been far too long since you have allowed yourself such distractions. We attack Cidade dos escravos in two hours,” he stated plainly. “Salvaxe and I will overlook the army’s preparation.” Mestre Escuro left the tent, leaving Luz, Amelia and Lady Escuridade alone. The instant her departed, the tense atmosphere inside the tent dissolved. Luz let out a slow breath he had not realized he was holding, his shoulders visibly relaxing as he turned fully toward Amelia. The crimson in his eyes softened slightly, shifting back toward that familiar amber hue. “Two hours,” he said, his voice losing its commanding-edge and becoming more natural. “That gives us barely enough time.”

Lady Escuridade stepped forward gracefully, producing a small pouch from her robe. “I bought these for you,” she said gently, offering it to Amelia. “The colour should complement your features better than that rough fabric you are currently wearing.” Luz moved closer, his gauntleted hand governing near her shoulders before stopping himself. Lady Escuridade left the tent without another word, leaving Amelia and Luz alone. “That went well,” Amelia said cautiously optimistic. “Are you okay?” The moment Lady Escuridade’s footsteps faded beyond the tent flaps the tension in Luz’s frame melted away completely. His shoulders slumped slightly, and the rigid mask of commander vanished from his features entirely. “I am fine,” he murmured, his voice sounding tired by steady, he moved closer to sit on the edge of the bedroll beside Amelia, the black armour groaning softly with the movement.

“Better not that we are alone.” His crimson eyes searched her face with an intensity that belied their exhaustion– checking for any sign of fear or distress from her encounter with Mestre Escuro. The amber flickered briefly in their depts when he saw only concern reflected back at him.