"Lord Sirus," the small boy began, obviously out of breath. "Your presence as well as that of your new recruit Master Garret has been requested at first light at the palace." Panting, the boy finished.
Nodding his understanding, Sirus dismissed the boy with a wave. He charged back out the way he had come, obviously to deliver another message to more people of import.
"I had hoped for us to leave in the morning to go and join the rest of our men," Sirus observed. "I wonder what it is that is of such importance? But what is more odd is that you too have an invite to the castle Garret." Sirus ended, now lost in thought for a moment.
Garret too wondered about the implications. He could think of no reason for the king to even know his name, let alone request his presence. Garret had learned of his brother's choosing in the weeks past and knew that Seth trained to be a shield, a guardian of sorts to the king, so maybe this had something to do with the summons. Then Garret realized that even his brother's training would not be reason enough to call him to the castle, unless something had gone wrong. Maybe Seth had been injured or worse, even killed in his training? Maybe even now they prepared his twin’s body for burial? All these thoughts assailed Garret but he tried to quickly brush them away, knowing that if Seth had indeed come to some harm, Sara would have found a way to get the message to him herself.
The knights mused the implications of the messenger’s request amongst each other for a while, and all of them finding the circumstances overly odd, resigned to simply waiting until morning to discover the meaning behind the summons. Before they each departed for bed, Sirus sent Philip to race toward their army in the south and intercept any messengers he may find bringing word to Sirus and return by morning with the messages himself. With a nod and a handshake, clasped at the wrists, to each of his fellow knights, Philip departed without hesitation, disappearing into the night beyond the garrison. Philip gone, the other three men retired to their own rooms, to pray to their god and eventually get some sleep, which came quickly to all three of them.
Chapter 6
Found Potential and Founded Fears
Seth awoke as Sara stirred in his arms. Opening his eyes he found that daylight had not yet come, but was not far off. He gently woke the woman he loved, kissing her neck softly and they rose together to dress in preparation for the day. Wanting to look the part, Seth chose to wear one of the simple gray robes given to him by Jud in lieu of his normal tunic and pants combination. Not feeling wholly prepared, though, Seth also grabbed his belt and strapped the sword given to him what seemed like an eternity ago to his waist. Sara and Seth spoke little, both of them anxious as to what the day might hold in store for them. Seth hoped he would see his brother, but was unsure if his twin even remained within the city. Looking each other over, assuring each other of their preparedness, they left the room hand in hand, extinguishing the candles before they departed.
Judilanthaliz had arisen early as well and gracefully strode down the hall just as Seth and Sara emerged from Seth’s room. Jud of course knew of their romance, any halfwit that was not blind could see what was going on, but as they tried to keep their passion a secret, Jud pretended not to notice. The half-elven man greeted the young couple good morning, and mentioning the time, he bade them follow him to the castle proper. Thus the three of them began the climb down the dozens of flights of stairs to the expansive tiered courtyards outside the tower. Finally reaching the bottom, Jud led the way to the palace where Seth would be tested to appraise his worth to the kingdom.
As they had done the night before, Seth followed Jud through the many narrowing courtyards that made up the fortified entrance to the palace, and as before the guards waved them through as he approached. Instead of actually entering the palace itself this time, when the trio reached the last set of exterior guards they were then directed through an iron side-gate. Taking that led them to a passage around the outside of the palace for a short distance where they came to yet another stone wall with another iron gate. Guards there directed them through what was an identical courtyard to the one they had previously been in, and then through another iron gate to another passage like the first they had been directed to follow. It dawned on Seth that they were skirting the outside of the palace itself, and each side of the palace held identical fortifications, with small narrow passageways interconnecting the courtyards like rings around the palace. Before long they reached what Seth knew now to be the back of the palace, if the palace had a back, and once there guards stopped them before entering the next courtyard. They spoke briefly to Jud who then relayed what he had been told to the young couple.
"Seth, you are to remain here until your test is prepared in the courtyard beyond this gate. Sara and I are to watch your test from a safe distance, together with other people up on the walls above,” Jud said. Then thinking to himself briefly, Jud continued speaking. "Your test will be comprised of several levels, each increasing in difficulty. You may or may not be given instruction as to the purpose of each test before the level begins. Conserve yourself, as not even I know the extent of the trials that await you."
Without further word Jud beckoned for Sara to follow. She swiftly turned, and rising up on her toes gave Seth a quick kiss on the cheek, holding back tears, trying to be brave for him. Then she rounded on her heel and strode after Jud.
Seth watched Sara and Jud leave, and now found himself alone with the guards a few yards away. He closed his eyes, calmed his nerves and gathered himself. Going over all he had learned in the small grotto yesterday, he prepared himself as best he could for whatever might await him. He still had the power of two animals he had drained yesterday, and hoped that, if not given another source, it would be enough to sustain him through the tasks ahead. Mentally ready for what lay ahead Seth walked to the nearest wall and leaned upon it, resting his back against the cool stone. He knew today was an enormous opportunity. Today was his chance to better not only his life but Sara’s as well. Today was his chance to prove himself to everyone who would be judging him, including the heads of all the orders of mages and the king himself. Seth hoped he would be given the opportunity to not only back up all the claims he had made the previous night, but also to do it in such a way as to leave all those in attendance awed by his abilities. Seth knew, however, that he had to be careful not to disclose the secret of the source of his power, and not to push the attending crowd too far as to fear him more than admire him. In any case, Seth told himself, it was going to be one hell of a show.
* * * * *
Sirus woke Garret well before dawn and the two ate a quick breakfast before preparing to leave for the castle. Unknowing what they may be facing there, Sirus instructed Garret to wear full armor, even though in his blessed form he would have no need for it. Sirus explained that now that he was a member of the knighthood, Garret would be expected to uphold not only the traditions of the knights and the honor of the kingdom, but also the appearance expected of someone with the title of a lord. Garret hadn’t realized the implications of becoming one of the knights. He was not royalty per se, but now, as a Knight of Valdadore, Garret would be granted land and a manor, and a pension to sustain it all, not to mention he would be required to guard the king himself if the need arose. Garret reeled at the realization, having not even thought of it before, and hoped he would soon see his brother to tell him of the great fortune that had befallen him. Now not only would they have a home in Vineleaf, but they too would have a home and lands elsewhere in the kingdom. Garret swelled with pride as he donned his armor, and if it were possible after being blessed yesterday, it appeared that he even walked just a little bit taller.
Sirus and Garret left the garrison in full regalia. Each of the knights was armored from head to toe in gleaming armor. No detail had been spared; every engraving filled with gold filigree was precise, every joint perfect, even the enamel used to create the color in the crest on their breastplates looked to have been freshly painted on. The armor was polished to shine like a mirror, and the
joints were oiled to move freely and silently. Perfection embodied in armor, the two knights strode across the tiered expansive courtyards towards the palace, each of them striding in step with the other, carrying their helms on their uplifted forearms. Garret was sure that not only did he now look the part of a knight, but that he was indeed one of them, and would strive to further their cause.
* * * * *
Many men and even a couple of women were already in place as Jud led Sara to the uppermost parts of this section of wall. A large canopy had been erected sometime in the night or early morning and now beneath it sat the most powerful people in the kingdom. The king was in attendance, speaking to a few of his many advisors. The heads of all the orders of mages too had seemed to have arrived, now that Jud was here as Sara checked them off her mental list. Also there were men that Sara assumed were associated with the army milling about and jesting loudly with one another, their camaraderie obvious even from afar. As these men moved to unobstruct her view Sara saw another familiar face. Sirus sat in full armor beside the king, nodding his head in agreement to some comment his ruler had made, and opposite the king sat another knight also nodding his head. Recognition struck Sara and she froze in her tracks, not believing what she was seeing.
Garret sat in full armor identical to that of Sirus, marking him as having been chosen by the Knights of Valdadore and also as a man blessed by the god Gorandor. Though Sara was both in shock and awe, she knew immediately that the man had changed enormously. Garret held the weight of his armor effortlessly, and even encased in metal as he was, Sara could tell that Garret had grown immense. His neck bulged out from the armor like the trunk of a tree, and his jaw muscles looked like those of some great hound, chiseled perfectly. Her amazement finally wearing off, Sara rushed to speak to Garret and as she approached him, he turned, recognition lighting up his eyes.
"Sara!" Garret said rising to is feet. "You look well." Garret greeted the woman and wrapped her tiny body in his immense arms for a friendly embrace. Sara just nodded, still coming to terms with the sudden surprise of seeing him in his current condition.
"I am well," Sara finally answered, stepping back to again appraise Garret. "You look more than well, I must admit." She said smiling to her friend.
"How is my brother?" Garret asked quickly, his expression turning to one of concern.
"He too is well," Sara admitted. "In fact he is here. I'm sure we will see him shortly," Sara added not wanting to ruin the surprise. With her last comment Garret’s face lost all looks of concern and his huge smile that not even weeks of strenuous training could change emerged. He beamed, looking around the crowd for his brother. His search unsuccessful, Garret turned back to the woman his brother loved and beckoned her to join him, offering her the seat at his side, opposite the king. Sara sat graciously, and the two of them chatted a few moments, trying as quickly as they were able to tell of their past weeks, their new lives, their new duties, and how happy they both felt to see a familiar face.
Several minutes had passed as a few others joined the party, and as the last of them finally settled into place, the king motioned to a guard posted atop the wall opposite them. The man relayed some sort of message to someone below, and in moments nearly a hundred archers topped the wall from staircases at either end. Taking their places, they surrounded the entire courtyard, each taking a knee and knocking an arrow. That command completed, the guard to whom the king had originally signaled strode across the wall to where Sara herself had climbed to the top of the wall. Peering over, he again gave a command to those below, and in the courtyard beneath them, all the spectators watched as an iron gate swung silently upon its hinges and a lone figure strode through it.
Seth, following the directions of the guards before him, marched to the now open gate. Almost as an afterthought, before stepping through he pulled his cowl up over his head, completely hiding his face in shadow. Taking one last deep breath, Seth entered through the hole in the giant stone wall and listened as the gate swung closed behind him and heard the click of its bolt sliding home, locking him within the courtyard. Seth attempted to peer up at those watching him without revealing his face to them, but the sunlight cresting that particular wall where all those of import sat left them all as empty silhouettes to his eyes. Upon the other walls were archers by the dozens prepared to fire into the courtyard below. Knowing his eyes would avail him nothing else, Seth reached out with his senses and could immediately determine the majority of those who watched him from above. Using the people’s auras, and knowing the gods to which each person was aligned, Seth located the heads of the orders of mages, as well as three aligned with Gorandor whom he assumed would be the king and two of his knights. Borrik was there as well, behind the rest of the gathering, and also several others who were of little importance to Seth at that time.
Seeking beyond what he could see with his eyes, Seth found that past the wall opposite him, on the other side of another gate, there was a mass of auras of the like Seth had not experienced within the city. This he guessed would be his test, and feeling the pull of each of those auras, he knew that he would have all the power required to perform any act he chose. Only seconds had passed since Seth first entered the courtyard, and looking skyward to those who would judge him, Seth reached up and pulled back his cowl.
* * * * *
Garret sat under the canopy, between his king and Sara. He watched as the robed man entered the courtyard and the gate closed behind him. He looked the hooded figure over, still unaware of what was transpiring. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Sara lean forward in her seat, smiling. Looking closer at the man below, recognition once again dawned upon him. He couldn’t see Seth’s face, but the black scabbard that hung at his hip and the sword it held were unmistakable. Garret recognized his twin brother just as Seth reached up to pull back his cowl, revealing his identity.
* * * * *
Seth waited for a moment patiently looking up at the small crowd gathered above him, and watched as the head of the order of red-robed battle mages stood and stepped to the edge of the wall to look down upon him.
"Young mage," the elderly red robe said, pausing to be sure he had everyone's attention. "You claim to be more than a common mage, more versed in magic than any of our brethren, able to perform magical tasks that to the rest of us are unobtainable." Vladmere accused more than spoke, looking down his nose at the young man who stood below him. He smirked to himself before continuing. "Yet you stand before us a liar, cloaked in robes of an order well respected among all the orders of magi, yet you have not earned them. You have not been blessed by the goddess they represent, and I presume, as your attire is a lie and an affront to all who have worn it before you, so too are your claims." Vladmere said sneering at Seth below him.
Seth knew immediately what the mage above him intended with his accusations. Vladmere already feared him and was jealous of his claims. He knew the old mage was trying to make him lose faith in himself, but Seth wasn't the child he had been on the trek to Valdadore. With his newfound power, gone was the child who constantly second guessed himself, gone were his doubts of what he could or would become. The mage sneering down at him from above had not managed to dishearten him in the least. Instead the words angered Seth, and without thought, Seth decided to teach the sniveling man of a mage a lesson he would not forget.
Seth unleashed the power contained within him and forced his will upon it. Instantly Seth was engulfed in a massive pillar of yellow-green flames. The tower shot so high, so quickly, Vladmere had no time to escape. Only missing him by inches the heat of the ghastly flames singed the hair from his face and arms, the acrid stench soaking into his own robes. Just as quickly as Seth summoned the column of flame, he reined in the flow of power rushing to escape him, enjoying the ecstasy that overtook him, locking the remaining power away. Seth stood defiantly looking up to the man who had verbally berated him just seconds before and saw the man's jaw hanging slack, as many sounds of inhaled breaths escape
d the crowd and archers above. A few “ohs” and “ahs” even rose from the crowd.
"Does this suit you better?" was Seth’s only reply.
* * * * *
As Seth summoned the giant pillar of unnatural fire, all Sara and Garret could do was watch and gasp in both fear and wonder. They saw as Vladmere staggered back from the heat of the blaze, small curls of smoke issuing up from his face and arms. As quickly as the magical torrent of flame had erupted skyward, engulfing Seth below them, it vanished. Seth remained in the courtyard below, still looking up to the crowd above, his arms extended to his sides, palms upward. Where his light gray robe had once been draped over his body, now hung a robe of darkest night. The mantle was so dark it appeared to be woven of shadow itself. The belt scabbard, and sword remained undamaged through the transformation. Looking up defiantly, Seth stared down the man who had attempted to belittle him, and clapping erupted from several locations atop the wall around the courtyard. Vladmere turned on his heel and retreated to his seat, where he quickly sat like a berated child.
* * * * *
As if by some unspoken command the iron gate across from Seth opened, and a steel cage rolled into view behind it. Within the cage stood a creature Seth recognized instantly as a goblin. A blade was tossed onto the grass in front of the goblin’s cage as the front of it slid upward, releasing Seth’s first challenge.
Age of the Gods: The Complete, twelve novel, fantasy series (The Blood and Brotherhood Saga) Page 45