Soulstone (Eligium Series Book 4)

by Jake Allen Coleman

  Whatever he said to Damianus when he approached did not sit well with the man. A scowl rose on his face and Sebastian saw a spark of fury rising. Before said a word, the herald pounded the king’s staff into the ground three times, signifying a missive from the king.

  Stentorian voice echoing throughout the bailey, the herald began his declaration. “Knights of the Order of Gabirel and the High Council, harken this day the words of his Majesty King Ercanbald, Guardian of Cynneweald, Defender of Naevean. Under the terms of the Ban, a Writ of Censure has been issued, and the Council is hereby commanded to appear before the King at Cinaeth on winter’s night to answer charges. You are to bring no more than a score in escort for each member of the council as guard of honor and to bear witness. The Order of Knights is furthermore commanded to lay down their arms until such time as the Writ is suspended.”

  “At Cinaeth before the King, the council will answer four charges contained in the Writ of Censure. First, Gabriel has defied both the Ban and the Treaty of Ha’vehl’on in removing the Eligius Ealadha from its place of sanctuary. Gabriel has violated the Ban a second time and has stolen the Eligius Muliach from the Dwarven Council in the Hallvard. Again, in defiance of reason, Gabirel has seized the Eligius Psuchia from the Krenon Brotherhood, violating the agreements yet a third time. Finally, Gabirel has refused outright the lawful demand to return the three Eligium into the hands of the Arch-mage Iacchus. Should the High Council of Gabirel fail to appear before the King at the appointed time, the Order will be declared outlaw, it’s leaders subject to death, and its followers and adherents anathema. So says King Ercanbald. Long live the king.”

  Military discipline only went so far. At that last the stoic silence of the assembly broke in indignation and the herald rose his voice to overtop the angry shouts. Damianus held up his hand to silence the assembly. Such was the respect he held that every man and woman present fell silent. For a moment, he looked old and tired. Even at the end of Sterling Lex’s occupation of Dazhberg, Sebastian had not seen him so tired. He paused before speaking, choosing his words with care. “Long live the king,” he echoed. “The King’s Herald and his guard of honor are welcome here. The Seneschal will see to your needs and the provisioning of your mounts for as long as you remain.”

  “We are enjoined to return to the king forthwith and shall depart in the morning with what message you may have for the king in response.”

  Damianus nodded, relief evident in his face that they would not need to play host to this Herald for long. He turned to the assembly, “Given the King’s summons, I am suspending the Challenge. The High Council will meet in one hour’s time to consider these matters. You are dismissed.”

  Sebastian slipped away in the ensuing chaos, not caring to return to the barracks with his cohort and face the inevitable questions and stares over his duel with Loanan. He had never heard of Iacchus. It had to be Sterling Lex, he was sure of it. He had faced Sterling Lex and been pursued by the sorcerer. Seen the change wrought in his friend, Cenric. Lex's machinations had not affected the rest of his squad so personally. The sorcerer was a myth and a rumor to them. A bogeyman to be feared. In contrast, Sebastian knew the reality they faced.

  “Ahhh…young Sebastian, there you are.” Recognizing Breandan’s oily voice he froze, closing his eyes and hoping the wizard would keep moving and leave him alone. “That was interesting, very interesting. Was it not?”

  Sebastian half-turned toward him, “You heard the Herald’s proclamation?”

  The wizard took hold of Sebastian’s arm, dragging him along the boulevard. “But of course I did. You remember that theory I posited to you, I’m sure. It seems that the King must subscribe to the same belief I told you about.”

  “Which belief would that be?”

  “Why, Sterling Lex IS the rightful Arch-mage.”

  “You believe the king knows this Iacchus is actually Lex?”

  “I consider it likely that he does.” Sebastian had no response to that. To his mind the King’s decree acknowledged Sterling Lex. “A Writ of Censure is most serious, you know. Used only for the most serious violations of the Ban. The High Council must be in a state of near panic.”

  “Maybe the King is just going along with Sterling Lex to bring the Council in to help him?” Sebastian protested. “Maybe he had no choice.”

  “Oh, very good! Loyalty to the King and Gabirel. You’re trying desperately to see the best in everyone aren’t you? To hear people talk that’s more a trait of your friend Cenric than you. Or at least it was before his time with Sterling Lex.”

  “Master Breandan, what is it you want of me?”

  “Want of you? I want nothing of you young Sebastian, other than to be very wise in the coming days. The shape of our world is changing around us. I suspect you are a survivor, Sebastian, and I do not want to see you throw it away out of a misguided sense of loyalty.” Breandan paused and looked sideways at the boy, “They won’t let you go after your friend you know.”

  Sebastian turned ashen, “How do you know about that?”

  “Valeria told me of course. You don’t expect she would keep something so important from me, or from Master Darden? Mark my words, the council's focus on Sterling Lex will cause them to dismiss out of hand any notion of other purposes. I despair to think of the young lady languishing in a dwarvish prison.” Breandan stopped and Sebastian realized they had arrived outside the Aodhan Bret. “Ah, here we are. Why don’t you come inside and listen to the debate? I think you’ll find it most instructive. Trust me, no one will notice you there.” Still holding onto Sebastian’s arm, the wizard pulled him into the chamber.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  With frustrated tears obscuring his vision, Sebastian fled from the High Council. He did not know what to think anymore. About Sterling Lex. About Gabirel and the High Council. About Breandan and Valeria. About the King. Most of all, about what he was going to do.

  As Breandan had predicted, his presence in council had gone unnoticed while the debate raged, at least at first. The council had contemplated every possible scenario from agreeing to the terms of the Writ of Censure, to attempting prepare for a siege and fortify the Dazhberg, to disbanding the order and going into exile. There was no satisfactory solution.

  Wandering through the halls, he could hear the intermittent whisperings of doubt and concern as he passed small knots of off-duty soldiers and on-duty servants. Speculation as to the council's decision was rampant. Sebastian knew, he had heard the decision made, but he did not want to discuss it with any of these strangers, nor even his fellow recruits. He knew he needed to discuss it with someone.

  Once again he found himself outside the hospital. Although his earlier conversation with Cenric had not gone well, the boy was the only real friend Sebastian had in the Dazhberg with Krystelle gone. Stealing up to Cenric’s bed he passed the unconscious Loanan. Pausing there for a few moments, Sebastian looked at his rival. He was not sure what came over him, just that when the rage hit him he lost control. Reflecting on the last year, he was thankful that the rage at Loanan had not manifested further through his wild elven magic. The only thing worse would have been if Loanan had burst into flames there in the bailey. With one last glance, he pushed on into Cenric’s room where he found the boy sitting up and practicing his letters on a wax board. “Cenric, you’re looking well.”

  With a broad grin on his face, Cenric set the board aside to greet his friend. “Sebastian, I’m glad you came back! Did you hear about the King’s Herald? I’m sure you did. You were in the proving ground at the Challenge when he arrived. What did you think about what he said? Do you think the council will do what the king wants? I am feeling a lot better. The healers say they will let me go soon and then I can get back to my studies. Great, isn’t it? One of the new wizards came by to see me and gave me this board. He said I could come see him once the healers let me go and he’ll teach me more. I’m really excited about that! But, what happened with the council? Tell me! And where is Krystelle
? I haven’t seen her at all in some time. She came to visit before you did and I miss her a lot.” This was more like the old Cenric. It was a strange relief to Sebastian to hear the boy babble as he had before Sterling Lex had taken him.

  “One question at a time Cenric! I’ll tell you everything.” Satisfied with that promise, Cenric settled back as Sebastian outlined what had happened in Council. In the end, they had decided not to follow the King’s directive exactly. Oh, they would go to Cinaeth at the appointed time. Instead of a simple honor guard, they would ride in full muster and bring the issue of Sterling Lex to a head, with force if needed. Lord Marcello was riding out that afternoon to carry a message to the disgraced Dragon Guard, hoping to enlist the support of the remnant of their forces. It was a move that spoke of desperation.

  “Is it what I said, Sebastian? Is Gabirel turning traitor?”

  Sebastian shook his head, “No,” he said,. “Not that. The council believes that sorcery is at play. There have been rumors and stories of groups of farmers going crazy and killing their neighbors for no reason. Even one of our patrols attacked a village and massacred them. The only explanation that makes sense is that Sterling Lex is causing everything.”

  “How could he be doing that?”

  “I don’t know, Cenric. But that is what the council believes. Both Valeria and Darden think so too. They think he has gained control of the Soulstone from the Krenon.”

  “What about Master Breandan? What does he think?”

  Sebastian didn’t want to talk about Breandan’s viewpoint with Cenric. The wizard had strongly supported complying with the King’s order to the letter. Much too close to capitulation for Sebastian’s taste. He moved the conversation to the other point of discussion. “It doesn’t matter what he thinks. The decision is made. But, there’s something else I wanted to talk to you about. I had a true dream last night.”

  “A true dream! How do you know?"

  “It doesn’t matter how I know, I just know it was true. Anyway, it came out toward the end of council. Cenric, you know Krystelle was sent to Hallvard, don’t you?” The boy nodded. “The dwarves are enraged that Gabriel has not turned over the Dragonstone. They’ve taken her prisoner. That was what my dream showed me and Valeria says it was a true dream.”

  “Did the council believe you? What are they going to do? Are they going to go get her out?”

  “They believed me. They don’t believe anything can be done. Damianus was insistent that the focus be on the King and Sterling Lex. Cenric, I’m just sick about the whole thing. I can’t bear the thought of her locked up in a dwarven dungeon.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  In that moment, Sebastian decided. “I’m going to go get her out. I don’t know how, but I am.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Even with Gabirel’s military discipline it took most of the next day to prepare the army to move. The king’s herald departed with the sun, along with a missive to the King that Gabirel would attend him at Cinaeth on the appointed day. He could not miss the preparations going on around him and would no doubt have his own report to King Ercanbald detailing Gabirel’s preparations. Close on his heals came the scouting parties ranging ahead of the main force to guard against ambush.

  Halfway to noon the First Calvary rode out, leading the order of march, with squads of spearmen and archers close on their heels. Next came the High Council and the cadre of wizards, with the Swordsmen as escort and an additional squadron of spearmen close on their heels, followed by the supply train. Just behind that, Sebastian rode along with his squad and the other squires. They operated as a reserve force and to help protect the supplies during the march. This would be their trial by fire. At the end of the caravan, the Second Cavalry operated as a rear-guard.

  In order of march, strict discipline was not expected, and the recruits were free to ride as they would. Martino and Sebastian rode along at a ground eating pace, discussing the events of the past two days. “I’d not thought when I joined Gabirel we’d be riding to war so soon. What do you think Sebastian?”

  Distracted, Sebastian had not been listening to his friend, “What do I think of what?”

  Martino leaned over to punch him on the shoulder, “Riding to war! The grand adventure. Isn’t this why we joined Gabirel?”

  Sebastian looked at his friend, “The grand adventure hasn’t ever turned out how I thought.”

  “Oh, come now. You can’t tell me you’re not excited to be out of the Dazhberg and riding out to battle! I would have thought you at least would be ready to defeat Sterling Lex once and for all.”

  “What makes you so sure we’re going to win?”

  Martino laughed at him, “You are a foul mood today, aren’t you?”

  Before Sebastian could respond Loanan choose that moment to ride past, head wrapped in a bandage. Bumping his horse into Sebastian, he sneered at the boy to his two companions. “Look at this one, a lump of hay in his saddle. I’ve not forgotten what you did yesterday and whatever Jarmo Dale decides, I’ll make sure you regret it.”

  Sebastian gripped his reigns tight, struggling to contain his sudden anger. The horse frisked beneath him, picking up on his mood. Martino came to his rescue, positioning himself between Loanan and his friend. “I’d be more worried about myself, were I you Loanan. I hear they will use your little bout yesterday as a case study. You’ll get to give lectures every year on how you got pummeled by a farmer in your first Challenge. Imagine what your dear father will say.”

  Loanan’s face flushed beet red at Martino’s jab and he laid a hand on his sword. For a moment, Sebastian wondered if he would call Martino out. The moment passed as a ripple of surprise flowed over the cohort with the sudden arrival of two riders from further up in the march.

  Sebastian turned in his saddle to see Damianus and Valeria riding towards them. They pulled up short and eyed the five young men. Damianus scowled at the scene, reading the mood. “Loanan, you and your friends there ride on. We have somewhat to say to Sebastian. Martino, you go on as well. Sebastian, ride with us a moment. You can return to your friends in a while.”

  Loanan scowled one last time at Sebastian and jerked his horse around, followed by his two friends. There will be trouble there, thought Sebastian. Or at least there would if he intended to stay. Martino gave his friend a worried look and rode off, careful to keep the bulk of the cohort between himself and Loanan.

  Sebastian pulled his horse alongside Valeria and the High Councilor, waiting for them to begin. He worried that they divined his intentions. “I am glad to see you still with us,” Damianus began. “I had a thought you might go off after Krystelle on your own.” Sebastian shrugged. “That would be unwise after this morning's news.”

  “What news is that, Councilor?”

  “You have not heard the rumors?” said Valeria. He shook his head. “Breandan departed during the night without a word and took Cenric with him.”

  Sebastian was confused. Why would Breandan leave and why would Cenric go with him? Damianus continued before he could ask the question. “I fear he has gone on with the King’s Herald. He’s gone over to Sterling Lex. They both have.” Sebastian nodded, it made sense after everything Breandan and Cenric had said to him.

  As if reading his mind, Valeria honed in on that thought. “Did either of them say anything to you about Sterling Lex?” That unleashed the floodgates and Sebastian poured out everything the two had told him about Sterling Lex and the suggestion it was Gabirel who was in the wrong. “Listen Sebastian,” said Valeria when he finished. “Sterling Lex is a liar and he has no true claim to the power of the Arch-mage. He has stolen that power and is using it against its intended purpose. Never doubt that. Doubt will eat at your heart like a plague and destroy you. You’ve been in the presence of his associates and you’ve felt the evil in your heart. You’ve seen what that corrupting influence did to your friend Cenric. Trust yourself and you will do well in all that comes.”

  Damianus nodded, “He
ed Valeria’s words, I’ve found her counsel to work out well. One thing more before we leave you though. I know your heart would take you north on some foolhardy quest to rescue Krystelle. Were I you, I would feel much the same. That is not your battle lad. We will free Krystelle in due course, but for now we have a bigger battle to fight. Do you understand?”

  Sebastian nodded and the two rode off, satisfied. The thing Sebastian had not said was that he knew in his heart that freeing Krystelle was part of that larger battle. Perhaps the most important part. He knew it in his core and he knew he was the one that had to do it. Urging the horse to a trot he hurried to rejoin his cohort and resume planning his escape.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  The sun was two hands above the horizon when Lord Commander Teoma called a halt for the day. They had reached an expansive green valley with a good sized stream running along the western edge. The valley allowed for plenty grass for the horses and a chance to restock their water supply. With a force this large, a shortened daily travel time ensured that the cavalry horses remained fresh for the looming showdown at Cinaeth. This was not a forced march.

  While the soldiers cared for their gear, the cooks and stewards busied themselves preparing for the evening meal. Cook-fires built up and stockpots set to heat, while they prepared stocks of roots and game for cooking. As always, soldiers on watch ate first. Taking up fresh horses from the remounts, they rode out within the hour to relieve the scouts who would ride back to the camp to give their report.

  Sebastian set to rubbing down his horse alongside Martino, still pondering how he would break away and slip past the guards. Each day that passed took him further and further from the north country where the dwarves held Krystelle. He had it in his mind to leave that night even though he had not figured out how to find Hallvard. One obstacle at a time. Martino had picked up his mood after the altercation earlier in the day and had respected his need for silence, but Sebastian knew his friend had questions for him. The news that Breandan had fled in the night swept through the army, with it the rumor that Cenric had gone with him.