When Saffron passed through the room on her way about the tower, she was astonished to see the entire common area transformed into a living work of art. The streets of Fairloch, as they had been before the war, came to life. People were walking going about their affairs as Sayana’s memories made them real. Saffron walked about in a daze, only coming to her senses when she attempted to walk into the picture and smacked straight into the wall the images were displayed upon.
Sayana dispelled the living art with a gesture and apologised to Saffron, who shied away from her and found other, more important things to be doing. Sayana was momentarily concerned, but became distracted when she touched the wall. The stone of the tower was ancient, and laced with a dark metal which ran like veins through the structure. When she touched it, Sayana could feel a connection she hadn’t anticipated.
She could almost sense the earth where the stone had been wrested from, eons ago. There was as stillness within the rock and something more, something akin to music emanating through the very fabric of its existence.
“Sy?” Robert asked, suddenly appearing at her side.
You startled me, she remarked, having been lost in the song within the stone.
“Yeah, I figured that,” Robert grunted. He appeared to be more refreshed and many of the bruises on his skin had cleared up. “Terinus wants us in the lab, unless you’re too busy fondling the wall to join in.”
There’s no need to be unkind, Sayana admonished him, sensing his discomfort. We need to talk about the two of us at some point.
“Later, maybe,” Robert replied. “Work comes first honey, and you promised Criosa a ride to Fairloch.”
I forgot about that completely, Sayana remarked, silently chastising herself for becoming lost in her own pursuits. She flashed past Robert and arrived in the laboratory moments later, where all of her companions awaited her arrival. Both Criosa and Aiden wore dreamy expressions and appeared a little tired. To Sayana’s enhanced sight, they seemed to share the same energies, which caused the ascendant sorceress to blush.
“Ah, you’re here,” Criosa remarked as she noticed the blue-skinned, red-haired woman float into the room. “It’s well past time I returned home.”
I am sorry for the delay, Highness, Sayana said in apology. I found myself easily distracted.
“I can’t imagine why,” Aiden observed dryly. Sayana glanced at him and wondered if she should warn Criosa about his true nature. Given what they had just shared, it seemed likely the princess was already able to guess much of Aiden’s change.
Sayana quickly turned aside from that line of thought before her enhanced mind could follow it, and provide her with vivid memories of her brief time with the real Aiden, years ago.
“This is where we part ways,” Criosa said to the assembled group, “at least for the present. It is my fond hope you will succeed in your quest and return to Fairloch, alive and well, for I have plans for all of you in the rebuilding of our kingdom.”
“I don’t think I fit into those plans,” Pacian responded. “I’m a wanted criminal in civilized society. When we’re done with this last thing, I’ll be travelling far, far away.”
“Perhaps, though it remains within my power to pardon you for your crimes, if I see fit.”
“Would you?” Pacian challenged her. “Am I deserving of absolution?”
“I will think about it when time permits,” Criosa assured him. “There may be some penance involved, but honestly, if you are willing to risk your life for Aielund, that will go a long way to absolving you of your past indiscretions. It worked for Robert, it can work for you.”
“Yeah, I’m a shining beacon of hope, in an otherwise bleak and desolate existence,” the mercenary said with a straight face.
“You don’t give yourself enough credit, sir,” Criosa said. “Even now you are here, working to help the kingdom with no monetary incentive whatsoever, for which I thank you.”
“Oh, you’ll pay eventually, Highness,” Robert replied with a wink. “You can expect my bill upon our return.”
“The kingdom is bankrupt, so there will be no reward.”
“Bugger. Can I at least keep all the stuff we get?” he asked of Terinus.
“Unlikely, given the power of the equipment I hope to procure,” the wizard rasped. “I do not wish to see it fall into the wrong hands.”
“We’ll talk about that shortly,” Robert said, suggesting he wasn’t giving up just yet. “Well Highness, it’s been a pleasure and a bloody pain in the arse working alongside you.”
“We’ll be done with this in a week or two, then come join you,” Aiden added with a dour look at Robert.
“I wish I could go with you, but my first duty is to my country,” Criosa replied wistfully. Nellise came forward and embraced her tightly.
“Bless you, Criosa,” she whispered. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they get back alive.”
“I can always count on you, Nel,” the princess replied with a fond smile. “And you, Aiden. You’re not as weak as you might think. In spite of everything, you’ve always managed to win at the end of the day and I expect no less of you this time. Above all… come back to me.”
“I promise,” Aiden replied, folding her in a long embrace. When they finally parted, Aiden produced something from his pocket. He held out two familiar amulets, the rare and highly prized phoenix stones he had recently acquired.
“I've been deliberating on who should get these,” he said. “Staving off death could spell the difference between victory and defeat. Who wants one?”
I have no need of such things, Sayana responded. Someone else should gain their benefit.
“Count me out,” Robert grunted. “Coming back from death is the least pleasant thing I've ever gone through, and I've no interest in experiencing it again.”
“My life hasn't been so brilliant that I would wish to prolong it,” Pacian said evenly. “If something is strong enough to take me down, so be it.” Aiden nodded thoughtfully, then looked to Nellise.
“It strikes me the two of you stand to benefit the most,” she hinted, looking to both Aiden and Criosa. “You are the only heir to the throne, Criosa, and if — heaven forbid — something were to happen to you, the kingdom would degenerate into a struggle for who would control the throne. The last thing Aielund needs now is more infighting, so I would suggest you take one of those stones.”
“Sound advice,” Aiden agreed.
“You should take the other, Aiden, nobody else is going to and I hate to say it, but you seem to be the most vulnerable of us.”
“How astute of you to notice, Nel,” he grumbled, handing one of the stones to Criosa. A spark of excitement appeared in her eyes and she caught Aiden's attention with a light touch of her hand. She raised the necklace over his head, and placed it around his neck. Catching on, he reciprocated, placing his stone around her neck in a manner not unlike the exchange of rings during a wedding ceremony. Evidently, Sayana wasn't the only one to notice this.
“I now pronounce you hopeless romantics,” Nellise remarked with a roll of her golden eyes and a broad smile, drawing embarrassed laughs from both of them.
“When you get back, we'll talk about the real thing,” Criosa suggested, giving Aiden a chaste kiss. She smoothed down her dress and turned to Terinus, with all trace of levity quickly vanishing from her face.
“I may pardon Robert and Pacian for their past actions, but your crimes, sir, I can never forgive. They are of such magnitude, only God can pass judgement.”
“If my plan is successful, I think it will go a long way towards atonement,” the wizard rasped. “But no, I neither expect nor want forgiveness. I live only for vengeance, and I shall have it.” Criosa considered this for a moment, then nodded in understanding before turning to Sayana.
“Alright Sy, show me what you can do.”
I shall return in a few minutes, Sayana said to the others. Then, she pictured the main street of Fairloch within her mind and with a shunt of directed
energy, parted reality around them. The violet swirl of mist that was the Aether surrounded the two women, and a heartbeat later, the image of the street became reality. She had successfully teleported them with pinpoint precision, something even accomplished wizards would have trouble with.
A cool autumn breeze ruffled their hair as Criosa and Sayana stood in the middle of the street. Around them, the rubble caused by the events of their last visit had been mostly cleared, enough for the citizens to begin moving around anyway. Behind them, the empty space where the castle once stood loomed over the street, its absence casting more of a shadow than the building ever did.
The people working in the street hadn’t noticed their arrival, and became startled when they turned and saw two striking women standing in their midst.
“Pardon me, sir,” Criosa asked of a burly man in dusty clothes. “We are looking for Sir Gabriel Duquesne. Do you happen to know where he has set up his administration?”
“The senate building, m’lady,” the man replied, recovering from surprise. He stared at Sayana, who merely hovered over the dusty street impassively.
“Thank you,” Criosa said with aplomb, and then glanced at the sorceress. Taking her cue, Sayana pictured the senate building in her mind and shunted them directly to its steps. Unlike other parts of the city, the senate district seemed to have survived more or less intact. This time their arrival caused a stir, as a platoon of Tulsonite infantry standing guard at the front of the illustrious building immediately drew their weapons, and watched the newcomers with uncertainty.
“Fetch your commander,” Criosa ordered an armoured man who towered over her. Sayana had always been impressed with the way the petite woman wielded authority, without the need for weaponry or magic to back her up. The soldier, used to taking orders, nodded and bellowed out a request in Tuscara.
Moments later, the double doors burst open and Sir Gabriel marched out with his entourage in tow. He was no less imperious than he had always appeared, with his neatly groomed moustache, piercing eyes and chiselled jaw. His gaze swept over the scene and alighted not on Sayana but on Criosa, whom he recognised immediately.
“Princess Criosa. It is both a surprise and an honour to see you here once more,” he greeted her in his rigid voice. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“Sir Gabriel, you are well I trust?” Criosa responded politely, without expecting an answer. “I see you’ve been putting my city back together again, for which you have my thanks. Your services will no longer be required however, as there has been a change of leadership in your homeland.”
“I do not understand,” Sir Gabriel intoned with furrowed brow.
“Quite simply, sir, I would like you to remove yourself and your army from my city,” Criosa answered succinctly. “If you return to Lanfall, you will discover the answers you seek. I am reclaiming Fairloch as my own and as a gesture of good faith, will allow you and your forces one day to depart.”
“Preposterous,” Sir Gabriel laughed along with his aides. “My authority comes directly from the King of Tulsone, and I do not recognise your authority Criosa.”
“You will address me as Queen Criosa, or Your Majesty,” Criosa instructed mildly.
“I will do no such thing,” Sir Gabriel snorted.
I will do no such thing, ‘Your Majesty’, Sayana prompted, drawing his attention for the first time since their arrival. His eyes widened at her appearance, both in recognition and astonishment.
“Sayana Arai? Is that really you?” he stammered.
Hello General. I am here to ensure the will of the queen is carried out.
“King Osric installed me as governor of this city, and I will not relinquish my station to her or anyone else. Criosa, bring me Osric’s orders with his official seal and—”
You are speaking to the Queen of Aielund, Sayana thundered in their minds, sending motes of dirt vibrating across the ground within a large radius. YOU WILL KNEEL OR BE KNELT. She levitated higher into the air and, with an outstretched hand, she reached out to his mind and forced Sir Gabriel to his knees. He gasped but was unable to resist her will.
The effect upon the gathering crowd was stunning. One by one they followed suit, until everybody was kneeling before the young queen. Criosa looked up at Sayana, almost as surprised as everyone else. The thunder of boots approached from the south as dozens of soldiers approached their position. Their archers took aim at Sayana with their crossbows and shot at her.
Sayana sensed it coming before they had even pulled the triggers. A large kite shield being held by one of the soldiers flew out of his grasp and hovered in the air before Sayana, intercepting most of the bolts aimed at her. Those that passed were incinerated with a wave of her hand. She had no desire to kill these men, and immediately thought of a way to deal with them safely.
Summoning vast energies, she reached out and sent a rippling wave of warped reality over the oncoming army. The soldiers disappeared in little puffs of violet smoke, sending up a wail of protest from the General.
“You are a monster!” he gasped, still unable to rise to his feet. Criosa merely stood and watched, agape at the display of her power.
Do not be concerned, she assured them. I have merely sent your army back to Tulsone. Your power base is gone, General, so you should probably listen to what the queen has to say.
“The entire army?” Sir Gabriel mumbled. “How is this possible? I…”
Does the queen have your cooperation, or shall I send you home as well?
“I will listen,” the general muttered, crestfallen.
Good. Majesty, will you have further need of me?
“I believe you have made our position abundantly clear,” Criosa replied slowly. “Thank you for your assistance. I believe I can handle things from here.”
I will be viewing ongoing events remotely, and if I sense any danger for the queen or her associates, I will return, General, and I will not show as much restraint. The shield dropped to the ground with a resounding clang which shook the stunned onlookers out of their reverie. Sayana summoned an image of the Black Tower’s laboratory and with a casual thought, teleported back through the Aether.
Chapter Seven
“There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you all,” Aiden said to the others after Sayana disappeared with Criosa in tow. “Why are you still here?”
“As far as questions go, that one was rather abrupt,” Nellise remarked. “Could you clarify it a little?”
“You and Pacian got wrapped up in this business by accident,” Aiden began to explain as he settled into a chair. “So, did Sayana for that matter, and Robert was simply doing his usual work for money. But the war is over now and none of you are being forced to continue with this particular mission.”
“He means ‘why haven’t I run off yet?’ Pacian supplied dryly.
“I should think my motives were obvious,” Nellise answered. “The future of the kingdom is at stake, and I am nothing if not dedicated to its continued existence. I suspect, however, you weren’t referring to me.”
“Not exactly, no,” Aiden confirmed, looking to Robert and Pacian. “We’ve no hold over you Pace, and you’re right to think that you will be brought to account for your crimes at some point. Yet here you are.”
“Here I am,” Pacian responded, looking up at the ceiling. “There is the prospect of a pardon, but honestly, it feels disingenuous. It’s a nice thought, to start over again hundreds of miles from here. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted to vanish, but regardless of what you all think of me, I still feel like I owe you my loyalty for one final task. Maybe it’ll help assuage my guilt a little more if I finish what we started.”
Nellise gave him a weak smile and put her hand on his, the closest thing to affection that had occurred between them for a long time.
“I take it you’ve stayed on for the chance of revenge against Osric,” Aiden suggested to Robert.
“You better believe I am,” he replied. “He owes me hundreds
of gold sovereigns for bringing his damned army through the Fens, and he welched on the deal. I was hoping to take a chunk out of his hide as payment, but the slippery little bastard got away, clean as a whistle. You want to know why I’m still here? I’m going to hunt him down when we’re done with this ‘the world is ending’ thing, and make him regret breaking the deal.”
“So, it’s not for any other reason?” Aiden prompted. As if on cue, Sayana reappeared in the room in a flash if violet light. She staggered to one side as her feet hit the floor, almost collapsing and the mercenary leaped forward to steady her, giving Aiden his answer. Things seemed to be strained between them, but clearly she was still a factor in Robert’s continuing presence.
“What happened?” he asked with concern.
“I think I just found my limits,” Sayana said with her spoken voice, strained from sudden fatigue.
“Is Criosa okay?” Aiden asked worriedly.
“She is,” the sorceress confirmed, leaning on Robert for support. “I sent most of the occupying force back to Tulsone so they won’t have anything to fight with. Even now, Criosa is gathering allies within the city.”
“You teleported how many people against their will, exactly?” Terinus asked, somewhat incredulous.
“Four hundred and fifty-three,” Sayana answered. “It wasn’t done individually though. Technically it was one invocation. There are still mercenary units within the city limits, but they’re not actively involved with the occupation anymore.”
“Four hundred and fifty-three,” Terinus repeated quietly. “The benefits of your additional augmentation appear to be exponential, but you are still mortal. Do not forget that.”
“I’ll be fine,” Sayana said, shrugging off his warning. Aiden exchanged a wide-eyed glance with Pacian at this casual dismissal of such an exercise of power.
“As you say,” Terinus remarked. “Now, to the task at hand. I have searched the tower’s records and uncovered several destinations which should yield results. It seems there is another vault, an obscure reliquary likely storing powerful relics which could aid us.”
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