Fate of the Crown

by Paul J Bennett

  "Much as I would like to, I fear we've already taken far too long on this trip. We were only supposed to be gone a few days, and already we've been over a week. The army is ready to march, and Gerald is waiting on our report to make some decisions."

  "I suppose you're right," she replied, then changed the topic. "Tell me, what did you make of Aldus Hearn?"

  "An interesting fellow," said the mage. "I should love to have the chance to sit down and talk with him at length, once this war is over. Do you think he'd be interested in marching with the army?"

  "Hard to say, I don't know him well."

  "But you introduced us," said the mage.

  "Yes, but I only met him once before, back when Mattingly had a problem with their livestock."

  "He seems very competent," mused Revi. "I have a feeling we've only seen a small sampling of what he is capable of. Let's hope he decides to join us."

  "I'm sure he will, eventually, but he's needed here to help hold the north."

  They mulled the situation over quietly as they rode. Hayley, deep in thought, unexpectedly broke the silence, "Revi? Can I ask you a question?"

  "Of course," he replied, "anything you like."

  "Do I distract you from your studies?"

  "What do you mean, 'distract'?"

  "It's just that I've been told a number of times that mages don't marry. Most people believe that mages can't reach their full potential with the distraction of a relationship."

  "That's all a load of nonsense, Hayley."

  "How can you be so sure?" she asked.

  "Think of it logically. We know that magic is passed down from generation to generation, correct?"

  "Yes, I've heard that too."

  "Well then, if mages didn't marry, who would carry that magic? We'd have no mages after only a generation."

  "I suppose I never thought of it that way," she mused.

  "I think most mages marry, it's just that the history books only ever talk about their magic. It's the same with heroes of the past. Think of a great warrior or great leader. Do you hear about their families? Of course not, and yet they must have had them, or they wouldn't have had descendants."

  "You're right," agreed the ranger. "When you put it that way it seems quite obvious."

  "Of course, if we should have children they would likely eclipse us in the history books."

  "Why would you say that?" she asked.

  "Well, with my magical potential and your ranger skills they would be unstoppable." He grinned, his boyish nature showing through.

  "Does this mean you want to have children?"

  Revi blushed, "Eventually, of course, but let's get this war over with first. Besides, we're not even married yet."

  "We don't have to be married to have children, Revi."

  "I know that, but I'm old fashioned."

  "Is that a proposal?" Her eyes lit up.

  Revi, who by now was beet red, coughed. "Well...that is to say...I should very much like to propose...eventually."

  Hayley reached out to place her hand on his arm. "That's all right, Revi, there's no hurry. We'll finish this war off first, then we can look to our own future."

  * * *

  Three days later they arrived at Wickfield. The first sign of civilization was a small group of men in a boat catching fish on the river. They waved as Hayley and Revi rode by, seemingly oblivious to the brewing war.

  "They look so calm," mused Revi. "I wonder if they know the danger they're in."

  "The king is likely more concerned with Bodden," said Hayley. "Baron Fitzwilliam is more of a threat to the king than these villagers."

  "True," he replied, "but it wouldn't take many men to subjugate the area."

  "Yes, but any he left here would be less he'd have to attack Bodden."

  "How can you be so sure?"

  "I've spent a lot of time with Beverly," she replied, "and, after all, I am a Knight of the Hound."

  "True," agreed the mage, "in fact, there are only three of you now, so it's a very select group."

  "I'm sure the princess will reconstitute the order once the war is over."

  "I don't think she will," speculated Revi.

  "Why would you say that?"

  "The days of knights are over, I think. There is a new world coming, one in which the common man has as much of a say as the noble."

  "Wherever did you get that impression, Revi?"

  "The princess wants justice for all and a legal system where all folk are equal under the eyes of the law."

  "That doesn't mean there won't be knights, though," she warned. "Beverly has already begun training a professional company of heavy horse. I think it's only a matter of time until people realize how truly effective they can be."

  "Knights, heavy cavalry," said Revi, feigning ignorance, "what's the difference?"

  "Oh there's quite a difference," the ranger began with enthusiasm, "knights are very unreliable in battle. It's true that they're very effective when they get in among the enemy, but they seldom follow orders and often go charging off on their own. Imagine harnessing all that military might into a highly disciplined army. They would be unstoppable."

  "Unless the enemy has mastiffs," Revi added.

  "Well, I grant you, there is that," she said, "but they're very rare on the battlefield. We likely have the only mastiffs in this entire land. If it hadn't been for Beverly, they would have ripped us to shreds.” She looked at Revi, who was grinning, "but you knew that, didn't you?"

  "I did," he confessed, "though I must admit to some amusement at watching your passion shine through. Your whole face lights up, it's wonderful to see."

  "Speaking of wonder," continued Hayley, "I wonder where Beverly is now? We've been away for so long, she's likely looking for us."

  "I know exactly where she is," said Revi.

  "Oh? How is that?"

  He pointed toward the village, "I can see her right there."

  Hayley looked to see the distinctive red hair and smiled. "She must have grown tired of waiting for us. Who's with her?"

  "I don't know," replied the mage, "likely someone from the village."

  As they drew closer, recognition dawned on the ranger's face, "It's Albreda."

  Finally, they were close enough to talk and they both dismounted. Hayley looked at Beverly with a keen eye.

  "Something's different," she mused. "Is that a new weapon?"

  "It is," replied Beverly. "It's 'Nature's Fury'. Aldwin made it for me."

  "Nature's Fury?"

  "Yes, Albreda enchanted it."

  Hayley turned to Revi, "Why is it you've never enchanted anything for me, Master Bloom?"

  "I'm a healer," he replied, "what would I enchant?"

  "A valid point, I suppose."

  "Here, take a closer look," offered Beverly, handing over the weapon.

  The ranger examined it in detail. "Very impressive work. What kind of metal is this? I've never seen its like before."

  "It's called sky metal," offered Albreda. "Aldwin took great pains to find it."

  "Albreda, it's good to see you again," said Revi, "though I'm surprised to see you here. Surely we're a long way from your home."

  "I was drawn to the eastern edge of the Whitewood by a vision," she replied. "It was there that I found Beverly."

  "And you just happened to be carrying this hammer?" asked the mage.

  "No, of course not. We went to Bodden."

  Revi wore a look of surprise, "That would take weeks, wouldn't it?"

  "I think you forget your geography, young mage. The distance to Bodden is scarcely more than the distance to Mattingly."

  "Through thick forest and overgrown hills," defended the mage, "and if you took the road, it would be almost twice as far."

  "True enough," said Albreda, "but as it turns out, we used another mode of transportation."

  Beverly, about to speak when she noticed a brief shake of Albreda's head, quickly changed the subject, "Albreda gave this weapon the power
of the earth."

  "What exactly does that mean?" asked Hayley, returning the warhammer.

  "There are a number of spells on it, but I've yet to use it in battle. I'm told it will speed up my attacks, as it unleashes a fury of blows. I've seen the effect it had on a chest plate. It punched clean through."

  "I thought you hadn't used it in battle?" asked Hayley.

  "I didn't, Aldwin did."

  "You've seen Aldwin? You must tell me all about it."

  "Later, this is neither the time nor place."

  "Well," interrupted Revi, "we should be on our way. We have to return to Queenston. It was very nice of you to escort Beverly, Albreda."

  "Oh, didn't I mention it?" said Beverly. "Albreda's coming with us. I've been in discussion with my father, and we have a proposal for the general."

  "Then we'd best get a move on," said Hayley, "or we won't get to the gate before nightfall."

  Fifteen

  The War Comes North

  Spring 962 MC

  The chill morning air had laid a layer of frost across the grounds but Lady Aubrey Brandon's excitement at the day's activities had thoroughly warmed her on her walk to the old manor house. She removed her coat as she entered the casting room, eager to continue her studies.

  The tome left by her great-grandmother had proven to be of immense benefit. Already, she had learned a few new spells, though most, in truth, were variations on her healing. Today, she had decided to expand her knowledge and try a spell of a different nature. It was referred to as 'spirit walk', and she wondered what that might portend.

  Tossing her coat onto the table, she made her way to the centre of the casting circle, wherein lay the lectern with the book open to the new incantation. She had read it over many times, and yet still the words were difficult to articulate, the mindset requiring the utmost concentration.

  She closed her eyes and took a steadying breath. The first part of the spell was easy, the incantation flowing from her mouth effortlessly. The magic circle, now cleared of all dirt, began to glow and she felt the power pour into her. The words continued, and she began to trace the intricate patterns that would release the magic within. Small lights appeared in the air before her, forming ancient runes of magic and then she heard a sharp snap.

  After a momentary sense of falling, as if the floor had given way beneath her, she staggered back. Someone stood in front of her, and it took her a moment to realize it was her! She looked down to her hands to see them glowing slightly, the residual magic still evident. Something felt wrong, and she struggled to focus her mind. Everything was somehow muted as if most of the colour had been drained from the view before her.

  She watched as her body slumped to the floor and her mind struggled to come to terms with her situation. She looked down at her body, which now looked devoid of life and then panic set in. Had she managed to kill herself?

  She could sense the floor, where her feet supported her, but couldn't feel it. It reminded her of a cold winter day, years ago, when she had stayed out too long, and her feet had turned numb. Was this what death was like?

  She stepped over her own body with a sense of dread to stare at the book of magic. She tried to flip the page, but her hands passed through the book as if it didn't exist.

  "Calm yourself," she said aloud, her voice echoing slightly. "This is a spell of spirit walking. I must be in the spirit realm."

  She turned, walking to the stairs, but when she tried to ascend them, her feet passed through, leaving her with no way to escape her prison. Reaching out with her hands, she learned that they, too, passed through the bricks. The room had been quite chilly when she had entered, but now she felt...nothing; neither hot nor cold.

  Walking around the room, she examined things in detail, growing ever more used to her surroundings and their representation in the spirit realm.

  Finally, she perceived a tug. It was almost a compulsion and then she felt herself being pulled back into her physical body, the spell having expired.

  It all ended with another audible snap, and then she opened her eyes to see the room, once again returned to its natural state. The cold stone floor pressed against her cheek and she laughed aloud for this was proof enough that she was still alive. She rose, returning to the book, now even more determined to understand all its contents.

  * * *

  Resolved to master this new incantation, she delved into the book with great intensity. The pages were littered with notes, often scribbled in the margins, and these she paid particular attention to. According to her great-grandmother, concentration was required in the spirit realm to navigate successfully, a mentally draining exercise. After three weeks of careful study, she decided to re-attempt the casting.

  She prepared herself carefully, getting a full night's rest and eating sparingly that morning. She took the precaution of laying furs down on the casting circle, the better to keep her body warm while she was out of it. It was quite easy to see the problems with the spell, for her physical form would be left unattended and alone. To her delight, she found the spell could be cancelled at any time, though there was a warning not to be too far from her body when doing so or she might risk remaining a spirit for all time. It was then that the full danger of what she was about to attempt hit home.

  Standing before the tome, she began the incantation. This time the words came more easily to her mind, and the spell spilled from her lips almost without thinking. There was the anticipated snap, and then she stepped back as her body fell to the floor. Perhaps, she mused, in future, she might lay down to cast the spell to avoid bruising.

  She waited for her mind to adjust to the change in colours. It was almost like dunking one's head in a bucket of ice, while the brain tried to keep up. She closed her eyes, concentrating on the spell, feeling a sense of calm washing over her.

  She opened her eyes to the new world unfolding before her. The room still looked the same, but the hues were somehow off as if an artist had mixed together the wrong colours for his canvas. She made her way to the stairs, pausing at the lower landing. Concentrating on the stone step, she lifted her foot. It was a strange sensation, for she could see the step beneath her, but couldn't feel it. Up she went with a sense of euphoria at her success.

  The library above was as she had left it. She was about to head to the front door and then remembered she didn't need to. Taking a deep breath, she stepped through the wall to the outside world.

  The grass was beneath her feet now, the early morning dew still evident. She knew it was a chilly day, with a stiff breeze coming from the east, and yet she couldn't feel it here, in this strange otherworld. The rustle of leaves was muted as if cotton was in her ears. It all took so much effort that she had to close her eyes a moment to concentrate.

  Her study of the book indicated the spell would have a lengthy duration, perhaps as much as an hour or two, and so she set off toward the town, determined to take in the sights.

  She had only taken a few steps when the wind carried a scream that pierced right through her. Looking eastward, a plume of smoke greeted her eyes. She instinctively rushed toward it, concerned by the thick black cloud that bloomed in the air. Clearing the estate grounds, she found herself on Teland Street, a crowd rushing towards her in a panic. She tried to get out of the way, but they ran through her, a most distressing feeling. Looking up the street, she saw soldiers; they were torching the town, setting fire to the thatched roofs. A sense of dread overwhelmed Aubrey as she realized they were wearing the king's livery.

  She sprinted to her family's manor house in a panic, fearful of what might have befallen them. The sight that greeted her sent a shudder through her body. Soldiers swarmed the front lawn, picking over the furniture and clothing that had been dumped there. Others were ransacking the house, but the true horror was the tree, for the great oak which decorated the estate had been used to hang her entire family.

  She fell to her knees in anguish, her eyes riveted to the scene before her. No one had been sp
ared. Whoever was in charge here had killed them all; Mother, Father, her brothers Tristan and Samuel, even the servants. She wanted to retch, but her spiritual form had no such stomach for it.

  A shout dragged her attention from the scene before her to spot a well-dressed man, a noble by the look of him, though she knew not his identity. He gave an order, and she watched as two men carried her father's desk from the house. The noble pointed at a wagon, and the two soldiers loaded it up.

  Aubrey screamed in rage, to no avail. No one could hear her, and they continued their orgy of plunder uninterrupted. Her fingers began the movements, her voice uttering the words that would put them to sleep, but nothing happened. It appeared that normal spells would not work here, in the spirit realm.

  "We found a few more servants, my lord," a soldier announced.

  "Ask them where the coins are and if they give you any guff, tell them Duke Valmar is here. That ought to sweat it out of them."

  "And if they cooperate?"

  "Grab it and then kill them. Remember, no prisoners. We will crush this rebellion once and for all."

  Another man ran up to them, his helmet removed. He bowed respectfully and waited.

  "Well man? What is it?" demanded the duke.

  "There's another building back behind the estate, Lord."

  "Well don't just stand there, go and search it!"

  Aubrey's mind panicked. They had found the old manor house! If they were to discover her body, she would be trapped here forever. She fled the scene, rushing back to the casting circle and her physical form.

  She dispelled the incantation, hearing the now familiar snap as her spirit once again joined her body. She rose, conscious of the necessity for speed. Grabbing her cloak, she was about to leave when her eyes were drawn back to the book. Closing the massive tome, she tucked it under her arm and rushed up the stairs, not a moment too soon for as she exited the library, the front door opened, revealing a startled soldier.

  His unpreparedness saved her, for as he struggled to draw his sword, she cast the sleep spell and he let out a deep yawn before falling silently to the ground. She ran forward, spotting his companion. She swung at him with the book, its metal-bound spine smashing into the man's face, felling him instantly. Not bothering to look back, she ran for the trees.