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Ezra couldn't breathe as the copper gauntleted hand closed tighter around his throat. His vision was darkening as he kicked his legs in a vain attempt to free himself. I'm going to die here in this bloody tomb, after everything I've been through. He thought.
His eyes went to his twin curved swords laying next to the lifeless body of a crucible knight. The other who wielded a greatsword was currently trying to choke the life from him. Something about that copper red blade sparked a hazy memory he'd long forgotten.
........
It was a festival night in Leyndell, groups of merry revelers wandered the capital streets. Voices were raised in song and laughter, even the stoic knights of the capital set aside their shields and swords to participate in the celebration. Ezra clad in his flowing blue garb stood out like a sore thumb amidst a sea of gold. He greeted a Royal Guard with a polite bow as he passed through an archway leading into the palace.
Turning down a hallway lined with torches he entered into the private area meant for the Crucible Knights. Their emerald green banner was proudly displayed in their communal dining area above a blazing hearth. Here a few crucible knights had gathered and were conversing amongst themselves. One Ezra recognized as Siluria looked up and raised her hand in silent greeting. "He's in his chambers." She called with a hint of amusement in her voice.
Ezra smiled as he nodded his head. At the end of another corridor he stopped at a large oak door. He knocked loudly and waited for reply. "I'm not home. Piss off Siluria!" A gravelly voice growled. Ezra laughed quietly as he knocked again. There was a gutteral sound followed by stomping boots. "Are you as deaf as you are dumb sister?" The voice yelled. "I thought I -" He interrupted himself as the heavy door swung open forcefully.
The towering man in the doorway was tan with inky black hair and a rugged scar running across his face. His eyes were orange with serpentine pupils that glowed like a dragon's. He wore dark leather pants with a short sleeve emerald tunic and leather boots styled like a hunter's. "Ezra!" The man gasped as his glare shifted to an awkward grin. "Hey, Ordovis." Ezra laughed. "Has Siluria been getting on your nerves again?" He asked as Ordovis let him inside.
"When isn't she?" Ordovis answered with a masterful eye roll. "First she sneaks her new friend into the roots, then she wouldn't stop teasing me when I said I had a guest." Ordovis complained as he guided Ezra to a balcony. There was a long stone bench with a small table placed nearby. "The Deeproot Depths is sacred ground, and source of the crucible, isn't it?" Ezra asked as he sat down. "Aye, you could say it's our home and our mother. The roots of the Erdtree is forbidden by all except for us because our first duty was to protect it." Ordovis said as he stepped back inside for a moment.
He returned carrying a tray with a silver tea set on it. The floral scent of jasmine filled the air as he poured a cup and passed it Ezra. "I found some of that tea you were ranting about, that jasmine stuff. Thought you might want some." Ordovis said as he poured his own cup. "Did you really? That was thoughtful of you. I fell in love with it when I traveled the Reed Lands." As Ezra said this he watched Ordovis make a bitter face as he took a sip. "It must be something of an acquired taste." Ordovis grumbled.
"Tell me more about your travels. I want to know what's outside our fog shrouded rock." Ordovis said as he placed his cup aside. With a warm smile Ezra talked about frigid northern lands, scorching deserts, beautiful forests with towering trees, and arid windswept canyons. Ezra noticed how intently Ordovis was listening, how his eyes lit up with curiosity and wonder as he told stories of fantastic places.
"To think there's more than this, I must admit I feel jealous. One day I would like to see such places myself." Ordovis said quietly. "Perhaps you can come with me when your vows are fulfilled? I'd relish the thought of being your travelling companion." Ezra said with such a warm and genuine smile that it made Ordovis blush.
As Ordovis was about to speak Siluria clad in her armor appeared at his balcony ledge, her golden wings stretched out behind her. "Brother, forgive me for intruding on your date. We've received word of another Nox scout being captured in the roots." Siluria said with a calm and serious tone. "See to the interrogation and I'll join you shortly." Ordovis commanded.
As Siluria vanished from sight Ordovis cursed under his breath. "Bloody date?!! What the hell runs through her empty head?!" At this Ezra laughed quietly to himself. "I suppose since duty calls I shall take my leave. I enjoyed our evening together, perhaps next time I can take you out for dinner?"
Ordovis turned away quickly to hide his flustered expression as he hurriedly began to put on his armor.
.......
Ezra's eyes widened in shock as he recognized his old flame. "Ordovis!" He gasped as he tried his best to get a breath. Reaching up he pulled off his head gear to reveal dark brown eyes and short ashen hair. "It's me, please stop?!" Ezra pleaded weakly.
Ordovis froze, his grip loosening just enough to hold Ezra firmly but allowed him to breathe. The sellsword's lungs worked frantically to pump air causing him to gasp loud and harsh. A chilling silence fell over the crypt, and as Ezra tried to recover he felt what he thought was water dripping onto his face. Until he looked up to see they were tears dripping from the visor of Ordovis' helmet.
"Ezra?" Ordovis said in a pained whisper. "Is it....is it really you...after all this time?" He asked. "Yes." Ezra replied with a warm smile. From his chokehold Ordovis brought Ezra close and held him in a tight embrace. "I thought I'd lost you." Ordovis said with a stifled sob. "I left with Godfrey's men and returned to the Reed Lands. I died defending a temple in the mountains trying to protect the villagers hiding from clashing armies." Ezra said softly as he reached up to remove Ordovis' helmet.
He carefully brushed the tears from his face as he looked him over. Ordovis looked as if he hadn't slept in ages, and he had a few new scars. "I had sent a letter telling you I was leaving, but I guess it never arrived." Ezra explained. "I'm so sorry. You must've been terribly worried."
"I searched every settlement and village. And when I couldn't find you among the living I searched the crypts and catacombs. Until I got trapped here with the restless dead." Ordovis said with a sigh. "I mourned for you for so long. And then grace brings you to me only for me to almost kill you." He said with a bitter laugh.
"Don't be hard on yourself. The whole world has been thrown into chaos over the Shattering." Ezra said with a gentle smile. "You're right." Ordovis said as he smiled back. Then he laughed out loud and shook his head. "Damn, this shit is so surreal! Here we are in a bloody crypt crying like idiots after not having seen each other in centuries!!"
"You're the only one crying." Ezra corrected. "And you can not fucking vanish on me again!" Ordovis fired back. For a moment he looked away towards his brother who was lying in a pool of blood. "Alright, we need to lay him to rest. After that I'm leaving this place. From now on wherever you go, I go to." Ordovis said as he set Ezra down and picked up his helmet.