EPISODE 193
There was no mark.
Everything was still. The crowd stood frozen, breath held, eyes locked onto my exposed back. They had expected. No. they had been certain that the crescent moon mark would be there. But there was nothing.
Not a single blemish.!
Not even the faintest trace of the proof they were so desperate to find.
A suffocating silence fell over the entire space. A slow realization crawled into the air, its presence heavy with disbelief. The warriors exchanged glances, some stepping closer as if proximity might reveal what their eyes had somehow missed.
But my back remained clear, unmarked.
Seram was the most shocked of all. His face twisted, his features contorting in pure disbelief. His breath grew ragged, his hands trembling as he stared at me like I had just committed an impossible crime. His lips curled back in a silent snarl, and then…!
He snapped.!!
With a guttural yell, Seram flung Lucas aside like discarded trash. The child hit the ground with a startled cry, his wail splitting through the tense silence. My heart clenched in fear and anger, my body moving instinctively, wanting to run away.”
Seram was faster. He lunged forward, his wild eyes locked onto me as if I were a phantom slipping through his fingers. Before he could reach me, the warriors moved. Their reaction was swift, their arms barring him from coming any closer. Syrus stepped in front of me, his cloak billowing as he threw it over my shoulders, shielding me from further scrutiny.
“This is a liel” Seram roared, his voice thick with desperation. There should be a mark! It should be there!”
His breathing was erratic, his movements jerky. He looked utterly deranged.
“You saw it yourselves, Syrus said, his voice calm yet firm. “There is no mark”
“No!” Seram’s voice cracked. His eyes darted wildly between the warriors and me, like a caged animal seeking an escape.
“I know it should be there! I need to look closer! I wasn’t able to see it clearly since I’m too far from her!”
Syrus cut him off with a sharp, icy glare. “Everyone has seen. There is no mark. You must have made a mistake.”
Seram’s hands clenched into fists, shaking. He shook his head violently unwilling to accept the truth.”
“No, no! The mark must have moved! It should be somewhere in her body. That’s it, I’m sure of that! His eyes glowed with madness as he pointed at me. “I need to inspect her entire body! Every inch! I need to see!”
A sickening hush followed. The revulsion was instantaneous. The warriors holding Seram back stiffened, their expressions twisting in disgust. A murmur of unease rippled through the gathered onlookers. Syrus sneered.
“What are you saying, Seram? That you want to strip her? Inspect her body?” His voice dripped with venom. “You sound like a pervert”
The crowd reacted as expected. Revulsion, disbelief, and horror flickered across their faces. Even the warriors restraining Seram seemed momentarily disturbed by his words. The tension in the air thickened, the weight of accusation now shifting onto Seram himself.
“Shut up” Seram barked, but his voice wavered. He realized too late the trap he had just fallen into.5
Syrus crossed his arms, tilting his head in mock contemplation. “Or perhaps, you’ve been spouting nonsense this whole time because you wanted an excuse to see her?“%
The murmurs around us grew louder, suspicion creeping into the minds of those watching. Seram’s furious expression twisted further as he struggled against the hands holding him back.
“This is farce!” he spat. “I am not–“%
“You gave your word, Syrus interrupted smoothly “You said you’d bear the punishment if she didn’t have the mark.“” Seram froze. His eyes widened in realization. The words he had spoken before, the confidence with which he had declared them, now came back to strangle him.
Syrus gave him a pointed look, then turned to the warriors.
“There is no mark. You all saw it. This matter is settled.” His voice hardened as he turned back to Seram. “And Seram… it’s time for you to uphold your word.”
Seram’s lips trembled, but he found no words to counter him. The warriors tightened their grip on him, as if ready to enforce the consequences of his vow
Without another word, Syrus placed a firm hand on my back, guiding me away from the spectacle. He walked with an air of dignity, his shoulders squared, his presence radiating authority. I followed, my heart pounding. Lucas’s wails faded as another warrior went to retrieve him.
The murmurs of the crowd buzzed in my ears, but I blocked them out. I didn’t dare look back.
By the time we reached the tent, my legs felt weak, but I refused to collapse Caleb was still sleeping soundly, his small chest rising and falling in peaceful rhythm Unaware Unbothered 3
Then suddenly, Syrus fell forward onto the bed My heart lurched in panic.
Syms? I rushed to his side, gripping his shoulders Syrus, what’s wrong
His face was pale, far for pale His breathing was shallow, sweat beading across his forehead He lifted his head slightly.
ww.sweat his lips parting as if to speak, but no words came out it
My hands shook as I held him, “Syrus, talk to me
A soft rustling came from behind Caleb, had woken up, his small fists rubbing his eyes. He looked at us groggily “What’s wrong?”
I swallowed hard, forcing my wice to remain calm “Syrus suddenly felt weak
Caleb blinked, tilting his head He yawned. Then, in the simplest, most matter of fact voice, he said.
“Isn’t it because he used up too much of his nality
My breath caught My pulse mared in my ears. I tumed sharply to look at Galety, my mind spinning
fyrus used what?
