Of Heroes And Villains (Book 4)

by Julius St. Clair

  “Exposure,” he finally decided upon. He chuckled after he saw Arimus nod in reply. “Geez, how do you do it? Just make these life-changing decisions?”

  “Are you saying that you don’t? If I recall, you have a throne chair right next to Catherine.”

  “Eh. She does all the deliberation. I mainly just sit there. The only time I speak is when a member of the Order stops by.”

  “And even then,” Arimus chuckled. “It’s not too stressful. Not with me being on one of the seats on the inside.”

  “How did they feel about that anyways?”

  “They weren’t happy,” Arimus replied, putting his only arm on his hip. He remembered all too well how he had lost his other arm. A Quietus—gnawing it off.

  “It’s still nice having some eyes and ears in the place. Speaking of, we haven’t received a report in a while.”

  “They haven’t called an official meeting in months,” Arimus sighed. “I believe that a few of the ten are meeting in secret to discuss the future of the Order.”

  “Oh, that sounds wonderful.”

  “They are quite crafty.”

  “That they are,” James yawned. “You sure you’re okay with the exposure route? We can go stealth if you like.”

  “No. No. Not at all. We can get everything done quicker this way. You have your eidolon taking notes?”

  “Yes I do,” James said proudly. He didn’t reveal the palms of his hands, but he knew Arimus trusted him. Arimus nodded and took a step forward, toward the heart of the forest.

  “At least this way we can continue talking,” his mentor said. James followed right behind him. “Tell me, do you feel that if you were in charge of making life-threatening decisions, you would become a better Sage?”

  “I already told you,” he grunted, leaping over a cluster of thick roots. “I’m not even sure if I am a Sage at this point.”

  “Well, would making those kind of decisions help?”

  “I have no idea. Not that I’m itching to make them.”

  “They are necessary in the heat of battle, but it’s still a gut reaction. Nothing wise about it.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “That it’s not the quick decisions that determine how wise you are. For example, you chose exposure. It might seem like the best plan at the time. But for all we know, we could be walking right into a trap. Perhaps the Quietus have gotten stronger than you over the years, or they have gotten better at their stealth. What did you base this entire decision on? Just the fact that we can do it quickly, and that you can ‘observe’ with your eidolon while they are observing us. That is all. It is very risky.”

  “So…,” James trailed off, beginning to sweat. “It was a bad call?”

  “The future will let us know,” Arimus replied with a grin that James couldn’t see.

  “Then what makes me wise?”

  “You must train yourself to become tuned into the world around you. You must go beyond observing. You must understand why something is the way it is. You will quickly find that there is nothing being performed without reason. Everything we see, hear, feel, touch and smell, are results and consequences—decisions made by our ancestors. Decisions that we are still feeling the result of today. You must think long term, James. Not just the immediate. Of course, this is harder than it seems, because there will be times in which you only have a split second to make that decision. However, if you train yourself. If you steel yourself and learn, it will get easier.”

  “Is this what you came up with in your spare time?” James chuckled.

  “I would be lying if I said that Ashalynn and I didn’t spend long nights deep in conversation. Since I don’t have to worry about the Kingdom as much, I have time to dwell on matters. It has been very soothing. I realized that whether you act or not, a decision is always made. But they don’t have to be. You can know, in almost every situation, what the right course of action is. Don’t just act on whims. Remember that in the face of opposition, a person’s first inkling is to run. That’s how people are destroyed.”

  “It sounds really hard.”

  “Just keep practicing. Understand that what you say and do has long lasting effects on everyone. You can only become wise through practice, and practice comes through a willingness to strive for more, and at times, sacrifice. You may not think of yourself as a Sage now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t act like one.”

  “Hmm,” James considered his mentor’s words as they continued walking. Arimus brushed his hand against the bark of one of the trees he passed.

  “It’s amazing how quickly they healed and regrew from the damage we caused.”

  “Hopefully, they won’t be damaged again,” James replied.

  “Picking up anything?”

  “Nothing. No wildlife. No Quietus. Nothing. It’s dead here.”

  “Interesting,” Arimus said, thinking carefully. “How far can you read?”

  “The entire Quietus Kingdom,” James replied. “I’m tapping into my Quietus blood to enhance my senses. There’s nothing here, unless the survivors are hiding beyond an eidolon’s capabilities.”

  “Unlikely, but let’s keep on checking.”

  “Agreed.”

  * * *

  He barely felt the chains on his wrists. They dug into his skin, and they were so tight that they were leaving welts, but they didn’t hurt one bit. They should have hurt. It would have been what he deserved. But instead, he was denied even that. The two adults that had brought him in were both of the Allayan Order, and they were big and strong, but even they couldn’t hold him if he didn’t want them to. He was slowly coming under the impression that no one in Allay could.

  And he didn’t know what that meant.

  He didn’t want to know what that meant.

  He was thrown to his knees on the hard throne room floor. He kept his visage on the Queen, but one of the adults grabbed him by the neck and “forced” his head down. He could hear her rising from her throne chair, slow and uncertain.

  “What is this?” Catherine demanded, to which one of the adults cleared his throat.

  “Your Highness, this boy has committed murder.”

  “Murder?!” her voice was appalled, with both shock and disbelief. He could feel her icy gaze upon the back of his neck. “There hasn’t been a murder in nearly half a decade. Are you sure?”

  “There were witnesses,” the man continued.

  “Seeker…what happened?”

  “He was play fighting with eidolons in the meadow and—“

  “—so it was an accident.”

  “No, your Grace. It was not. This boy had already broken another’s nose and so help was sought after. When we arrived, we personally saw this boy break the eidolon of another. It was Master Torill’s son.”

  Master Torill? Bastion’s eyes went wide. That’s who Mason was? A child of the Order of the Allayans? No wonder he was so brash.

  “Was Mason cared for?” he heard Catherine ask.

  “Yes. He is well, considering the trauma.”

  “So no murder was committed.”

  “There might as well have been!” he shouted, to which he then cleared his throat again. “I’m sorry, Your Highness. It’s just that…there might as well have been. We know all too well what happens to someone when their eidolon is broken. There is the risk of death if the wielder is weak.”

  “But…there was no murder.”

  “There was so,” he insisted. “A murder of the boy’s character and spirit. He has lost the confidence and tenacity that he once showed. I fear that he may not fight again. He will deny his acceptance to the Academy, and seek a life of mediocrity. He will waste his life away when he could have been a great warrior. If the kingdom is attacked, his lack of participation will be the end of—“

  “—that will be enough,” Catherine said, doing her best to stifle a snicker. Bastion took the chance and raised his head. Catherine indeed was fighting back a smile. “No murder has been committed. The eid
olon was broken, but it hasn’t even been a day. If he truly is Master Torill’s son, and he is to become this legend as you say, he will be fine. I understand that Master Torill wants the best care for his son, but I hardly think—“

  “—I came in Master Torill’s stead.”

  “Wait. Does he not know you’re here?”

  “He told me not to bother.”

  “Seeker,” she sighed. “Then why are you here?”

  “Because this boy must be punished!” he spat. “No one can attack, let alone kill, the son of our leader and get away with it! This boy obviously has violent tendencies. He should be dealt with.”

  “And what is your suggestion? Please don’t say dea—“

  “—death!” he shouted, his voice echoing off the walls.

  “Death,” she sighed. “Of course. Listen, Seeker…the Order is not above anyone else in this Kingdom. They are no higher or lower than the villagers, the Sages, this court, or our friends from the other Kingdoms. Your position is an office like mine. It is a privilege, not a right.”

  “With all due respect, that is easy to say when you’re living in a castle.”

  “Were you there when we were discussing that very topic?” Catherine smiled sweetly. “It was only a few weeks after our battle with Thorn. I said that I wanted to leave it torn down. Expand the meadow. Make it a training ground for the people, but guess what? The people wouldn’t have it. They said that I needed a place to call my own and a platform in which to rule from. A place that outsiders would travel to and respect. I didn’t want it…but they did, and so I listened.”

  “So if the people changed their mind?” Seeker asked innocently.

  “I would have it torn down,” Catherine replied. “In a heartbeat. But…that is not what’s up for discussion. We’re here to talk about—“

  “Bastion,” Seeker said with disgust. “He lives on the outskirts, with his mother and father. They also want nothing to do with him.”

  “Oh, so it’s that Bastion,” she replied. Seeker raised an eyebrow.

  “Your Grace?”

  “Not your concern. Is there anything else that you want to say?”

  “Just that the boy should be removed from society.”

  “And what do you have to say about it, Bastion?” Catherine asked.

  “That it’s not how it sounds,” he replied. “We were playing…and Mason wanted to see my eidolon. I refused, and a girl named Daisy came to my aid. Mason pretended to leave, but then he went to attack Daisy with his eidolon. He was aiming right for her head. I had to stop him! I didn’t mean for his eidolon to break! I just wanted to stop her from getting hurt! He’s the one that tried to kill her!”

  “Is this true?” Catherine turned her attention to Seeker. Her face was as stone.

  “Mason claims it is not.”

  “You didn’t see Mason attempting to hit Daisy with his eidolon? If you saw Bastion intervene, you should have seen that as well.”

  “I didn’t see it because that isn’t what happened,” Seeker replied. “The boy is lying.”

  “Well,” she said, putting her hand to her chin. “This is a dilemma. Two different accounts. But you know, I really shouldn’t rule until I have had the facts investigated myself. After all, a life hangs in the balance. For now, I will have Bastion separated from society as you suggested. He will live here in the castle, and he will be forbidden to go beyond the meadow’s edge until opening day of the Sage Academy. At that time, I will decide his fate. He will either go to the school, or he won’t.”

  “My Queen,” Seeker said in shock. “Is it wise to allow this boy, this murderer to stay in your castle? He might…what if your judgment is wrong? What if…”

  “I am well protected,” she said. “Don’t worry about me.”

  “If that is what you wish,” he said. He looked over to the other man that had apprehended Bastion. He reached into his pocket and revealed a key to the chains. Catherine clapped her hands together and the man looked up in wonder, then he threw her the key.

  “Good afternoon,” Seeker said. He bowed, and then the two men left Bastion to her. Catherine nodded over to the guards.

  “Cancel any other meetings,” she said. “I have work to do.” The guard nodded back and she stepped down from the throne platform. Bastion cast his eyes low as she approached. He didn’t dare look into her eyes. He didn’t want to see the condemnation. The disgust. Surely she had only put on a good show for the Order. Now she would have him cast into a dungeon, or actually executed.

  His thoughts raced wildly as he heard her footsteps close the distance between them. When her bare feet was right under him, she took her hand, and cupped his chin into her palm. She lifted his head, until his eyes met hers.

  She took his breath away. It was like looking into the face of the divine.

  The sunlight was streaming in freely through the open windows, and a few blue bird had come in from the outside to splash around in the fountains. The guards were still in the room, but at the far walls, and they were as silent as statues. No one spoke. Nothing echoed—but the soothing and sweet sounds of nature. He felt at peace, and it was like she had cast it upon him like a spell. In an instant, he remembered the stories. The stories of the loving and merciful Queen. The heart and soul of Allay. The revered Catherine. He felt safe.

  “Are you hurt?” she asked him, letting her hand go from his chin. This time, he kept his head in place. He did not lower it. “How were you treated on the way here? I see no bruises.”

  “I’m fine,” he whispered, gazing into her curly hair. She reached down and quickly undid the locks holding the chains together. She ripped them off of him with surprising strength, considering her slender frame. She grabbed the backs of his elbow and helped him to his feet. She stood only a few inches taller than him.

  “Bastion,” she said with a smile. “Welcome to my castle.”

  “I don’t understand,” he found himself saying. “Aren’t I in trouble?”

  “No,” she laughed. “I have eyes and ears all over this Kingdom. My bodyguard saw the whole thing. Well, more like felt.”

  “What?”

  Catherine smiled again and looked behind her. From the shadows, coming off the side of the throne platform, Talia emerged. She was small, but stocky. Her hair was in a long braid with interchanging colors of black and dark purple. Her face was like a mouse—almond eyes, button nose and tiny lips. The features almost seemed out of place on her hardened chin and dirty cheeks. She wore slender steel armor, all in a blue silver. Her gauntlets and breast plate appeared to be shimmering like water was falling upon it. He squinted his eyes and came to the conclusion. She was manifesting her armor. They were part of her. Talia nodded in their direction before she moved backwards into the shadows.

  “Talia is very talented,” Catherine replied. “There isn’t a moment that goes by in which she’s not using her eidolon. I don’t even think she sleeps with it sheathed. She was able to explain to me in detail the emotions running through the two of you before Seeker even arrived.”

  “She sensed it all from that far away?” Bastion asked in awe.

  “It’s not hard,” Catherine said. “Not for someone as talented as her. I’m sure you could do it easily. At the most, a little practice and you’ll have it down like a master. I can sense how strong you are.”

  Bastion looked over to the left, where Talia had been standing. It was the first time he couldn’t sense someone’s power. At least, not without his eidolon. He wanted to unsheathe his blade and take a read, but he wasn’t sure how that would play over with the Queen. Come to think of it, he thought. I can’t sense the Queen’s power either, and she’s standing right in front of me.

  “So you’ve noticed,” Catherine gave him a smirk, once their eyes met again.

  “But…Master James…”

  “I’m stronger than my husband,” she said with confidence. “At least, until he taps into his Quietus side.” Bastion scrunched up his eyebrows. Was
that the only reason he thought he was stronger than James? Because he was merely sensing one side of his true potential? Was James really that much stronger when he let everything go?

  “But,” Catherine began. “From what I can tell, you might have us all beat.”

  “You can read me?”

  “A little. But it’s kind of like looking down the side of a mountain from atop the summit. It’s almost impossible to truly see the bottom.”

  “You can’t even sense my bottom?”

  “Well, even in the analogy of the mountain, I may be able to see the bottom, but only at the right angle. Perhaps I’m just not looking into you the right way. Bastion, you have potential beyond anything I have ever seen or felt before.”

  “What does that mean?” he asked. He desperately wanted to know.

  “I’m not sure,” she admitted solemnly. “It both scares and excites me. For too long, the Allayans were scared of their own collective strength. There were few Sages born, and now, there is an explosion. For every ten villagers or so, there is one who has released their eidolon. However, I have not met anyone like you. And I include myself in that statement. I wonder if this is a sign. The beginning of a new era for Allay.”

  “Or a sign of danger,” Bastion replied. Catherine’s smile fell, but her eyes remained vibrant.

  “Or that,” she said slowly. “And I don’t mean you, Bastion. It’s just that I have found there is a great deal of balance in the world. Someone like you can’t be born without another phenomenon of at least equal value, arising on the other end of the spectrum.”

  “What spectrum?” he asked, to which she turned toward her guards.

  “Guards, please leave us. Talia, that means you as well. I want to speak with him alone.”

  The rushing of footsteps exiting the throne room did little to calm his nerves.