by Sandell Wall
Commander Narin stopped in her tracks. “Commander Narin, returning from assignment.”
“You’re early. You were not expected back for at least another day.”
“We encountered unexpected good fortune. A Rune Guard survivor made contact with our patrol. We must bring her to the emperor immediately.”
“A survivor? Really?” an armored head poked over the edge of the wall. When its owner spotted Aventine, Holmgrim, and Saffrin he shouted, “Open the gate! Commander Narin is passing through the wall!”
Twin iron doors were pushed open from the other side. Aventine had never seen solid metal doors, and these were ten feet tall and a foot thick. She could sense their awesome weight as they groaned on unseen hinges. When the doors stopped moving, they passed under the wall and into the province of Amalt. The gate was secured behind them as soon as they were through. Looking down on them from the top of the wall was a squad of Amalt soldiers. Clad in golden armor, they wore the red, white, and black crests of Amalt. The white tower of the emperor’s citadel was centered on every chest.
“Ho, commander,” the gate captain called. “Will your entire squad be escorting you to the city?”
“Of course not,” Commander Narin replied. She spoke to one of her soldiers, “Stay here and help man the wall. I’ll return in several days.”
Holmgrim placed Saffrin on her feet while they waited for Commander Narin to make arrangements with the gate captain. When she was done, Commander Narin was all that was left of the armed escort.
“The city of Amalt is a four-hour march from here,” Commander Narin said as she walked past Aventine and her companions, heading away from the gate. “We could get there quicker, but I won’t push you harder than I already have.” She cast a disparaging glance at Saffrin. “I wouldn’t want anyone to be…uncomfortable.”
The three of them fell into step behind Commander Narin as she set out down the well-trod stone road.
“I don’t carry her because she’s weak,” Holmgrim rumbled. “I carry her because I’m strong.”
Saffrin patted his arm and smiled. “And I thank you for it. I’d not have made it this far without you.”
“Who are you, that someone will carry you through a war zone?” Commander Narin said.
Saffrin looked at Aventine, a question in her eyes.
“She’ll find out sooner or later,” Aventine said with a shrug.
“I am Lady Saffrin of Umgragon,” Saffrin said. “The Lady of the Black Citadel.”
Commander Narin tripped and almost fell. When she spoke again, her voice was chastened. “My apologies, lady. I had no idea.”
“I took no offense,” Saffrin said.
“I’m eager to hear how you came by your companions,” Commander Narin said to Aventine. “But not yet.”
The next four hours felt like a leisurely stroll compared to what Aventine had been through to get here. The war raging outside the protective border of Amalt had not yet penetrated the province itself. Farmers worked lush fields. Traders and merchants traveled the well-groomed road next to Aventine and her companions. The only signs that anything was amiss was the number of people and soldiers.
“These can’t all be citizens of the province,” Aventine said as they walked. “How many sought sanctuary here?”
“Thousands,” Commander Narin said. “Emperor Pontius will turn no one who is loyal away.”
“Can you feed so many?” Saffrin said.
“No,” Commander Narin said. “We’re draining our stores far faster than we can replenish them. We’ll be out of food within two months.”
“But the emperor has a plan, right?” Aventine said. “He can’t just let all these people starve.”
Commander Narin’s face looked grim. She set her mouth in a hard line. “You can ask him yourself.”
When they crested the next hill, the coastline stretched out before them. Perched on the high cliffs above the sea was the fortress city of Amalt. Under the light of the sun, its towering white walls were so brilliant that they hurt the eye. Massive, majestic, and impregnable, the ancestral home of the line of emperors had been the capital of the empire until the imperial palace had been built. Castle Solis guarded both land and sea from its clifftop perch overlooking the city. In the middle of the glorious citadel, a white tower soared higher than any building. At the tower’s pinnacle a colossal ruby runestone shone in the sunlight: the Bloodstar of Alkomia.
“We’ve not had to build shacks outside the walls, thank the gods,” Commander Narin said. “But the city’s full to bursting.”
From their vantage point, they could see the stone road wind its way through the fields and up to the massive gates of the city. The road itself was a marvel—a hundred thousand paving stones fit together with flawless perfection.
Holmgrim stomped his foot in appreciation. “Best damned thing the empire’s ever done is build a solid road.”
“Before we reach the city, there’s something you should know,” Commander Narin said. “House Drackon stood with Emperor Pontius against the traitors. The leader of their house, Lady Athlain, believes this entitles her to certain…responsibilities.”
“What are you saying?” Aventine said.
“I’m saying that the Rune Guard now competes for the emperor’s trust. Lady Athlain places the blame for the revolt on our shoulders and encourages the emperor to turn over protection and oversight of the realm to her house. She watches everyone who enters and leaves the city. I’ve no doubt we will be challenged, so don’t be surprised when it happens. Let me handle it.”
Aventine nodded. A growing dread gnawed at the pit of her stomach. She had traveled across the entire empire, she had fought the enemies of the emperor, she had won free to return to his side. It was unthinkable that politics and petty rivalries should threaten her mission now. Yet at the time when it was most critical that loyal Alkomians be united, they were still divided across the same ancient lines of contention. How could Emperor Pontius allow this to happen?
This does not bode well.
Within the hour they were staring up at Amalt’s impregnable fortifications. They were the tallest Aventine had ever seen. Without crack or blemish, the walls swept up into the sky to breathtaking heights. Aventine did not think she would have been able to shoot an arrow over them into the city. To call them white did not do them justice. The whiteness of the stone was so pure it burned. She imagined that if she splashed paint onto that scintillating stone, it would melt away, its color devoured by the brilliance beneath. If she stared too long, she went snow-blind.
“Impressive,” Holmgrim said with a grunt.
“I’ve only ever heard tell of the white city,” Saffrin said. “As Lady of the Black Citadel, I suppose if I step foot inside, I’ll vanish in a puff of smoke.”
“No,” Holmgrim said. “You’ll just turn gnarled and old, like me.”
Saffrin gasped with mock horror. “I’d rather be smoke!”
Commander Narin raised her eyebrows at Aventine. Aventine just shrugged.
They passed through the open gates. At least twenty feet high, the massive wooden doors did not reach up to even half the height of the great walls. Several soldiers wearing the black, closed-eye crest of House Drackon stood in the road, inspecting everyone who passed by. When one of the soldiers caught sight of Commander Narin, he raised a hand and ordered them to halt.
“You’re not due back for at least another day, commander,” the soldier said.
“My comings and goings are not your concern,” Commander Narin said, her voice cool.
“On Lady Athlain’s orders, I’m afraid they are. If you will come this way please?” The soldier gestured for them to follow him to the guard quarters built into the wall. The gateway tunnel was at least twenty feet in length, which left plenty of room for a small barracks and watchpost to be carved out of the thick stone.
Commander Narin complied with the soldier’s request. Aventine and her companions had no choice but to follo
w. They weaved through the foot traffic passing in and out of the city. Holmgrim gave the squat, stone doorway one look and decided to wait outside.
“I’d have to fold myself in half to fit through there,” he said. “I might not be able to get back out.”
Saffrin chose to stay with Holmgrim. Only Aventine accompanied Commander Narin inside. Within, Aventine was surprised to find several rune warriors jammed into the small room, but then she saw Lady Athlain. The leader of House Drackon, Lady Athlain was a harsh-looking woman with long black hair. She wore her hair in a braid that she kept draped over one shoulder so that it fell down her chest. Ornate silver clasps decorated the plaited hair every few inches. She did not carry herself like a warrior, but the lady wore a spectacular suit of rune armor covered in sharp spines and blades.
It’s a wonder she doesn’t slice herself to shreds walking around in that armor.
Lady Athlain’s hard face was accentuated by dark makeup around her eyes. When she blinked, her eyes vanished into black sockets—the unseeing eyes of House Drackon. She looked up from the map she had been consulting.
“M’lady,” the soldier who had escorted them said. “You asked to be informed when Commander Narin returned.”
“And her squad?” Lady Athlain said.
“No sign of them, m’lady. She’s traveling with this woman here, and two others who waited outside. One of them’s a massive brute. Biggest man I’ve ever seen.”
Lady Athlain’s eyes narrowed. “Very well. Return to your post.”
The soldier bowed as he retreated out the door. “As you command, m’lady.”
Lady Athlain considered the two of them for several heartbeats before speaking. When she did, her voice was as severe as her scowl. “You’ve returned a day early and without your squad. Were you defeated so quickly?”
“Our patrol was a success,” Commander Narin said, keeping her voice calm. “I cut it short and returned to the city because we encountered a Rune Guard survivor. She has valuable information that must reach the emperor.”
“A Rune Guard ‘survivor?’ ” Lady Athlain’s voice was acid. “Surely you mean ‘tragic disappointment.’ Your order was entrusted to protect Emperor Pontius and the realm and look where it got us. Is this girl the one? She can speak to me, and I’ll decide if the emperor should be bothered.”
Commander Narin shook her head. “I tolerate your meddling because the emperor orders me to, but there are still lines you cannot cross. As the acting commander of the entire Rune Guard, you have no authority over us. We go straight to Emperor Pontius from here.”
Lady Athlain stalked around the table toward the two of them, taking slow, calculated steps. “You think you’re better than us, you always have. You Rune Guard have lorded your station over us for a hundred years. Well, now you’ve failed. Your time is over. Very soon, Emperor Pontius will understand this. And when he does, you will answer to me.” Her voice rose as she spoke. “So I would advise showing me a little more respect!” The last words were shouted. They echoed loudly in the small space. Lady Athlain stopped in front of Commander Narin, her dark eyes blazing.
“My duty has ever been preserving the safety and sanctity of the empire and its citizens,” Commander Narin said, unflinching in the face of Lady Athlain’s challenge. “While you cower behind these walls, scheming and plotting, the Rune Guard is laying down their lives to protect the emperor and those loyal to him. He will never forget our sacrifice.”
Commander Narin turned smartly toward Aventine. “Come, the emperor awaits us.”
Together, they turned to leave the guardhouse.
“Who says I’ll let you leave?” Lady Athlain said, her voice quiet but full of malice.
Commander Narin stopped in her tracks. Slowly, without any hurry or concern, she looked over her shoulder. “Empty threats don’t become you. They show the lie of your fearsome act and foolish appearance.” She stepped through the door without waiting for a response.
Aventine followed Commander Narin back into the street. Holmgrim and Saffrin rejoined them as they passed out of the shadow of the gate and into the city proper. Commander Narin walked hard, taking out her anger on the paving stones of the street. The roads of the city inclined upward, leading toward the summit and Castle Solis. Inside the great walls, the fortress city was packed. Tents were set up in the street. Aventine saw entire families living under a flimsy piece of fabric stretched across a narrow alleyway. Magnificent buildings scraped the sky, their ornate and gilded architecture the finest in the empire, and in their shadows, panicked people lived in squalor.
“Every house, tavern, and shop is full,” Commander Narin said, as if guessing Aventine’s thoughts. “People live in the streets because that’s the only place left. It’s either that, or outside the walls.”
As they walked toward the castle, Aventine spotted a wagon trundling down a side street. Hundreds of people mobbed the ox-drawn cart. Armed guards walked alongside, and a man in the back tossed loaves of bread into the crowd.
“This city is on the verge of anarchy,” Saffrin said quietly. “We may not find protection here.”
“I’m sorry,” Aventine said. “You might have been better off not coming with me.”
“Stow that talk,” Holmgrim said. “We’ll stick with you till the end. You might need us before this is over.”
They turned the last corner and ahead of them stood Castle Solis. Built from the same white stone as the rest of the city, the home of the emperor possessed an elegance and grandeur found nowhere else in the empire. Huge, open-air windows looked out over the countryside and the sea. Clean lines and perfect arches made the castle look like a palace, not a fortress. Aventine was surprised at the lack of embellishment. The citadel was a work of art: open, airy, and she had to admit, beautiful. At the top of the tallest tower, the Bloodstar of Alkomia watched over the province.
“The emperor has not turned over all guard duty to House Drackon, thank the gods,” Commander Narin said. Rune Guard soldiers manned the open castle gate, saluting as they passed by. Commander Narin acknowledged the salutes with a nod. Once inside, she stopped and turned to the three of them. With one hand, she beckoned an attentive servant over.
“Your companions can wait in the guest quarters,” she said, addressing Aventine. “The servant will show them the way. Please feel free to request whatever you need: food, drink, or even supplies. Stores are limited, but we will try to accommodate you.”
Saffrin bowed her head. “That is very kind of you. Given the desperation we witnessed in the city, we’ll do our best not to be a burden.”
Holmgrim looked at Aventine, his expression grave. “Will you be okay without us?”
Aventine smiled. “I’ll be fine. For once, we don’t find ourselves in the fortress of an enemy.”
Holmgrim cast a wary eye over their surroundings. “That remains to be seen. If you need us, we won’t be far.”
Aventine nodded and watched as Holmgrim and Saffrin were led away.
“You have loyal friends,” Commander Narin said when they were alone. “Value them. Such companions are rare.”
“We’ve traveled far and been through a lot together,” Aventine said. “I would never have made it back without them.”
Commander Narin motioned for Aventine to follow her. Aventine fell into step beside the other woman as they walked through the quiet halls of the castle.
“But you did make it back. You’re the only one to have returned,” Commander Narin said. “We thought Lorent hunted down and killed every Rune Guard not already in Amalt.”
“How many of us are left?” Aventine said.
“Very few. Only those who were in the imperial palace when it was attacked managed to retreat to Amalt with Emperor Pontius. Since then, we’ve lost more than we can afford in the fight to hold the province. At my last count, there are less than one hundred Rune Guard still in the emperor’s service. As the only surviving officer, I’m the acting commander of the entire Guard.
”
Aventine stopped in her tracks.
“Aye,” Commander Narin said, her voice grim. “The once-great Rune Guard, reduced to the size of a town militia.”
Commander Narin glanced up and down the corridor, and when she saw no one else, pulled Aventine into a private alcove.
“I have to tell you the truth,” Commander Narin said in a hushed voice. “Emperor Pontius is no longer the man you looked up to. He’s grown weak and paranoid. His strength is fading and his mind unraveling. Lady Athlain sees this and hovers around him like a vulture sensing death. I’ve done everything that I can, but I’m losing what small influence I have.”
“Why tell me this?” Aventine asked, her eyes wide. “What would you have me do?”
“When you speak with the emperor, do your best to defend the Rune Guard. Tell him that we did everything we could, but were undone by corruption and traitors from within. Because that’s the damned truth. If we don’t renew his faith in us, Lady Athlain’s threats will become reality. And if she supplants us, I fear her next step will be to take the throne for herself.”
Commander Narin must have seen the anger and frustration in Aventine’s eyes, because she spoke before Aventine could reply. “I know you must have braved a great many dangers to return here. I know this is not what you expected to find, but the Rune Guard needs you more than ever. I need you. Continue to do your duty as long as we have an emperor to serve.”
Aventine bowed her head. She thought of her mother, who had died serving the emperor. She thought of her father, who she had left behind as an enemy because her duty demanded it. A single tear trickled down her cheek. “I will do my best,” she finally said, looking up.
Commander Narin’s expression had changed. She chewed on her lip, obviously wanting to say something else.
“What is it?” Aventine prompted.
“What of Brax?” Commander Narin asked. “Was he slain?”
“I don’t know,” Aventine said, surprised. “The last time I saw him he was charging into the enemy so I could escape. He gave himself up so that I could get away.”
Commander Narin slumped, staring disconsolately at the floor.