Sulphur & Lightning Chapter 36: 035 - An Offer

Read chapter 36 of Sulphur & Lightning by anaugustauthor on NovelPedia.

Elijah walked around for a long time. He had of course already considered the possibility, but confirmation of it was something else. In the grand scheme, he felt that it was truly irrelevant and yet… He found himself at the entrance to his house – his home. Yes, for all its unfamiliarity and depressing atmosphere, it remained his home. He traced a claw across the stone floors carelessly, the scratching sound having a peculiar soothing effect on him. He wondered how much of what he had experienced with her had been engineered. Most of it? ...Surely not all of it. He was certain that there was spontaneous and true friendship there. It did beg the question of whether a friendship needed spontaneity to be true. After all, he had heard of inseparable pairs who had met through forced playdates. Without warning, he struck the ground below him and smiled with satisfaction at the crater his palm created in the stone floor. He was strong. He had to believe in that. To believe that the threads of his fate were grasped in his hand. He thought back to his conversation with the third young noble… he had seen something similar in him. He had seen that streak of rebellion behind his facetious façade. “We’re all just playthings, it seems.” Still , he thought to himself, looking at the chest he had received, there’s work to be done . Busa was irate. His fury was baked like a clay pot in a kiln as he stormed into the compound and towards his personal quarters. He spoke to no one and instead entered his inner chamber and retrieved a long bundle. There was murder in his eyes. “Master Busa.” The words came to the young master out of the blue, and a black blade shot out from the bundle instantly. Julnan stood at the sword’s tip, but his face showed indifference to it, instead peering into his master’s face. “Is everything okay, Master?" The third young master looked at his opponent before sheathing the sword suddenly. “It’s fine. Fetch me my quill and writing parchment.” Julnan nodded to indicate his obeisance but still gingerly asked what he needed it for. “So that I can challenge that bastard!” “There’s no need to be hasty–” A chill settled in the atmosphere and cut the servant short. “No need? Didn’t you see what he did to her?” The images of Yachit’s injuries were stamped onto his consciousness like a brand. He had done his best to barely look at her after their intervention, for he feared losing himself. “I did, master… but she wouldn’t want you using that blade on your own brother.” He sighed at this. “So I should just let Danjuma do as he wishes?” “No, master. I’ll draft a complaint to the elder council… there’s no point escalating it just yet.” Busa sheathed his blade at this and returned it to its bundle. “I’ll do as you advise, Julnan.” “Master is indeed temperate.” He rushed to do as he had promised, fearing his master would change his mind. The young scion looked at his tea set with a bitter expression before suddenly striking the table and cracking it. Who am I fooling? He asked in a rage. His hands shook. How could I have faced Danjuma’s power with my own meagre strength? He was aware of his own limitations but ruminated on his rage. It was like an oily rag lodged in his throat, and he was being forced to swallow it. Better to spit it out and damn the consequences! He said this internally but knew once more that his thoughts were idle – what would become of his servants and dependants if he threw his life away in the ring? No doubt, that was Danjuma’s plan: to disgrace him in combat and force him to submit. No, he couldn’t let his anger get the better of him. Didn’t he just say that the great difference between nobility and the masses was their ability to play every advantage? To use anger and honour as nothing but tools of ambition? Yes, the rag was becoming easier to digest as he spun out rationalisations. A stately young master should not allow himself to be baited into actions. “I’m pathetic.” He could neither deny his fury nor ac