Seeker (The Source Chronicles Book 1)

by MJ Blehart

  Shaking, Norvil Rivarr bowed at the waist to him, then straightened his back. “I swear to you, Varlock-Sharron Anduin, my unswerving loyalty, as your humble servant, in whatever place you wish of me. I serve you, and the Kingdom Sharron, and none other.”

  Varlock-Sharron inclined his head, and Sir Tulock presented Baron Norvil Rivarr a scroll, a staff, and his crest, augmented by a coronet to show their elevated status.

  Varlock-Sharron took his sword from his Captain-General of the Guardsmen, and tapped each shoulder of the new Baron. “By the sword of the Crown of Sharron, I seal this man as a Baron of the Kingdom.” He turned, and re-sheathed his blade.

  The King offered a hand, and helped the still obviously stunned Norvil Rivarr to his feet. “It is done. Go forth, Baron Rivarr, and greet the other Barons of Sharron.”

  Sir Tulock banged his staff twice upon the shield. “For the newest Baron of the Kingdom of Sharron! Hoo-zah!”

  “Hoo-zah! Hoo-zah!” cried the assembly.

  A cheer arose from the assembled Barons and Council, and Baron Rivarr stepped down, shaking hands with everyone before him, then moving through the other ten barons, before coming to his son. Nadav had left Cam’s side and gone forward to congratulate his father.

  Cam could not hear what passed between them. But after a moment, with obvious relief on his face, Norvil Rivarr took his son in his arms, and tears of joy at their reunion were shed.

  Sir Tulock banged his staff to gain the attention of the assembled crowd.

  “His Majesty will address those assembled once again,” stated Sir Tulock loudly.

  Varlock-Sharron arose, and walked the lip of the platform. “There has been much talk of my new rule of Medaelia. Many rumors, many speculations. I want to lay these to rest, and take care of several matters.”

  He paused for effect, then began. “My first decree as King of Medaelia, is the release of the Province of Anar. The land will be returned to the people, and again become Anaria. Until such time as a government is put in place, or a King or Queen is chosen, Anaria will be protected by the Crown of Sharron and the Crown of Medaelia.”

  A few shouts of elation, a few cheers, and the assembled crowd muttered among themselves, then were again silent.

  To his own surprise, Cam felt a certain sense of pride in having taking part in the actions that had freed the land of his birth.

  Varlock-Sharron was clearly not done.

  “This ground we stand upon now, a sight of many conflicts between Sharron and Medaelia, was once fine, fertile plain. The River Mendanaria flows near, and provides a source of water for these lands. But none has wished to settle here, where battle rages every few years. In honor of the dead on this field, I call all the architects of Sharron and Medaelia, and even of lands beyond our borders, to come forth. For I decree that a grand city, a place of peace and study, trade and commerce, be built upon this site.”

  He let that sink in a moment, then continued. “The city will also serve another purpose. The rumors are true, that I wish to merge the Kingdoms of Sharron and Medaelia into one.” The assembled crowd started to make noise, and Varlock-Sharron raised his hands to silence them, before he went on. “But this is not a process that can be done quickly, not without a heavy toll on all the people of these lands. When the time is right, this city will become the Capital of the unified Kingdom that will occupy the place held by the Kingdom of Sharron and Kingdom of Medaelia.”

  Voices arose, complaints, cheers, angry mutterings. Sir Tulock had to bang his staff on the platform nearly a dozen times to restore order.

  “This brings up an important point I must needs address. If I do not rule a single, unified Kingdom, I rule two. Can one man govern two nations in a just and fair manner, providing equal attention to the people and lands therein? The answer is a resounding no. Until the new Capital is ready, and a unified military and bureaucracy is in place, these two lands cannot and should not be ruled by only one man.”

  Varlock-Sharron was interrupted by more mutterings, and again Sir Tulock banged his staff for attention.

  “There is, therefore, but one choice before me. I must turn over one of my Kingdoms to another. I call before me my daughter and heir, Lyrra-Sharron Anduin.”

  The Princess arose, and looked at the faces of her officers, and the proud expressions she found there. She glared momentarily at Cam, who found himself wearing a sheepish expression, having known all along what would be happening here.

  She broke into a smile for her comrades, and moved towards the platform.

  Lyrra-Sharron approached her father, bowed, and knelt before him.

  “We have not been close as father and daughter,” he began candidly, gesturing to her. “But I want all here to know just how proud I am of the woman that you have become.”

  Varlock-Sharron spoke up to the assembly. “For your rebellion against me, I pardon you. As you have forgiven me my mistakes. For your most recent actions, for taking my name and claiming the crown of Medaelia therein, I reward you, though that reward, you will find, is often a burden…but one I do not doubt you are capable of bearing.”

  Sir Tulock took up a scroll, and handed it to the King. He read of it, as Lyrra-Sharron remained knelt before him. “By my decree, as King of Sharron and King of Medaelia, do I, Varlock-Sharron Anduin, on this the First day of Prisatuary of the year five double-ought five, set down the path these lands will take to the future. On these, the plains of the Vann Region, beside the River Mendanaria, a new city shall be built.”

  He paused, looking up at the crowd. “Appropriate that this be declared on the first day of the Season of Planting.”

  He returned his eyes to the scroll. “This city shall be a place of learning, trade, commerce and peace. This city will also one day serve as the Capital of the united nation that once was the Kingdom of Sharron and the Kingdom of Medaelia. As my heir to the Crown of Sharron, Lyrra-Sharron Anduin, or her heir, will rule that unified realm, come the time of my death, or my abdication of the Crown of Sharron.”

  A mix of reactions ran through the assembled people. Varlock-Sharron continued.

  “I, Varlock-Sharron Anduin, have claimed the Crown of Medaelia by my right as Second Prince of Medaelia. It is my decision, thus as King of Medaelia, to pass that crown to my daughter and heir, Lyrra-Sharron.”

  Cam could only imagine at this point how Lyrra-Sharron was reacting to this unexpected action.

  “By the power vested in me, as Ruler of Medaelia, I hereby relinquish the Crown of Medaelia to Lyrra-Sharron Anduin. Until the day the nations of Sharron and Medaelia are united as one, she shall rule as Queen of Medaelia. When the time is right, she, or her heir, will rule the United Kingdom born of the Kingdom of Sharron and the Kingdom of Medaelia.”

  The pavilion exploded with various shouts and cheers.

  He set down the scroll, and stood. A pair of Guardsmen carried in another throne, and Sir Tulock took up a velvet pillow, upon which rested the Crown of Medaelia. Lady Marna came forward, and draped a robe of state over Lyrra-Sharron’s shoulders. Taking up the crown, Varlock-Sharron placed it upon Lyrra-Sharron’s head. He offered her his hand, and she placed her own upon it, arising proudly.

  “I present to you Lyrra-Sharron Anduin, Queen of Medaelia. All hail the Queen! Long live the Queen!”

  “Long live the Queen! Long live the Queen!” the assembled crowd responded enthusiastically.

  Varlock-Sharron took both of his daughter’s hands, and looked into her eyes. He reached out to her, and she fell into his arms. They hugged tightly a moment, before Varlock-Sharron held his daughter at arm’s length. She smiled, and he grinned back, kissing each of her cheeks. He gestured, and she sat beside him on the throne of Medaelia.

  “Her Majesty, Queen Lyrra-Sharron, calls forth the nobility of Medaelia!” intoned Sir Tulock.

  The nobility, one by one, bowed before their new Queen, swearing fealty to her.

  The Falcon Raiders took the break in the general court to talk amongst t
hemselves.

  “She got to be Queen after all,” commented Torman bemusedly, holding Neva’s hand.

  “I’m not surprised,” remarked Nadav. “Not the Kingdom she was after, but she’ll rule it well, I am sure.”

  “This is a proud moment for her,” said Neva.

  “She will serve well,” commented Dak, a sad look upon his face.

  “You do realize, my friend, she’s not going to be happy with you if you leave now,” Cam said quietly to Dak.

  Dak shook his head. “She is a Queen. I am a soldier. My place in her life cannot be what I would wish of it.”

  Cam placed a hand on Dak’s shoulder. “You love her, Dak. And clearly she loves you, as well. She’s an unconventional woman. Don’t write off your place with her just yet.”

  “Why would a Queen want to be with a soldier?” questioned Dak.

  Cam chuckled lightly. “Love ignores rank, far as I can tell. Stay, Dak Amviir, and wait.”

  When the nobles of Medaelia had all sworn fealty to Lyrra-Sharron, she and the King, along with Tulock, were holding a silent conference. When they were done, Tulock stepped forward, and they each sat back in their thrones.

  “Their Majesties, King Varlock-Sharron of Sharron and Queen Lyrra-Sharron of Medaelia, call before them Cam Murtallan.”

  Cam stood, finding himself completely unnerved, and walked slowly to the front. He stepped carefully up to the platform, bowing to each of the royals before him. He knelt between them.

  “I think I hate this part,” remarked Cam under his breath, feeling completely exposed.

  “You have done too much here to simply be ignored, Cam Murtallan,” said the King softly, grinning.

  “Some things cannot go unsaid,” remarked Lyrra-Sharron quietly, also smirking.

  Varlock-Sharron cleared his throat, and spoke up for the benefit of those assembled. “Cam Murtallan. Were it not for you, none of this would have transpired as it has.”

  Lyrra-Sharron gave a nod of her head towards the King, and continued. “You have saved Sharron. You have saved Medaelia. Your actions saved countless lives on the field of battle.”

  Varlock-Sharron took up the narrative once more. “You put a stop to a terrible slaughter. In the end, after a long, hard road, you have served this Kingdom and its people, in many more ways than any can truly take into account, a service we can never properly thank you for.”

  “You prevented a terrible error of judgment,” took up Lyrra-Sharron. “You prevented a civil war, you helped stop a traitor from destroying the Kingdom, and brought peace between my father and myself. Your unselfish actions cannot and will not be overlooked.”

  “It is known throughout the world that Sorcery is banned in the Kingdom of Sharron,” started Varlock-Sharron. “But you have shown me that this edict stands for no good reason any longer. You have shown us all that Sorcery is a tool that can be used to serve the greater good. Thus, by my decree, I hereby lift the forbiddance of Sorcery in Sharron. With knowledge of the Crown, Sorcery and all related arts may be practiced in the lands of Sharron. Only Sorcerous activities practiced without the knowledge of the Crown will be punishable.”

  “By my decree,” started Lyrra-Sharron, “I hereby formally allow the practice of Sorcery in Medaelia, with the knowledge of the Crown. Only practice of Sorcerous acts without said knowledge will result in capture and punishment of any such practitioners.”

  The assembled crowd murmured among themselves, a dull roar, until Sir Tulock banged his staff several times to regain their attention, and their silence.

  Cam felt a sense of pride at having brought about such a drastic change.

  “But that is not enough,” continued Varlock-Sharron. “I speak for myself, and for her Majesty, Queen Lyrra-Sharron, on this matter.”

  Lyrra-Sharron gestured first to her father, then to Sir Tulock.

  Sir Tulock acknowledged her, and addressed Cam.

  “Cam Murtallan, by order of King Varlock-Sharron Anduin of Sharron, and Queen Lyrra-Sharron Anduin of Medaelia, you are hereby elevated to the nobility of both Kingdoms.”

  “So state I, Varlock-Sharron,” said the King.

  “So state I, Lyrra-Sharron,” said the Queen.

  Cam was rendered speechless.

  “The least thanks we can offer you, Lord Cam,” said Varlock-Sharron.

  “The least thanks any can offer you,” added Lyrra-Sharron. “Few will ever fully understand all you have done for the people of both Kingdoms.”

  A cheer arose among the assembled, particularly loud from among the Falcon Raiders.

  The newly ennobled Lord Cam Murtallan arose, bowing before both heads of state. They each stood, and each embraced Cam.

  Months earlier, Cam Murtallan, friendless street orphan of the occupied nation of Anaria, had illegally practiced his skill in this nation, and nearly died for that sin. Now his arte was legal, and his powerful new friends had made him a nobleman. He had come quite a long way indeed.

  “There being no further business, the Court of His Majesty, King Varlock-Sharron Anduin of Sharron, and Her Majesty, Queen Lyrra-Sharron Anduin of Medaelia, is hereby adjourned!” exclaimed Sir Tulock, banging his staff upon the platform.

  Chapter 40

  The King of Sharron and new Queen of Medaelia sat in state, speaking briefly with any who approached them. Cam Murtallan was standing once more in his place amongst the rest of the assembly, with the Falcon Raiders.

  Dak approached Cam, and offered his hand.

  “Congratulations, Lord Cam.”

  “Thank you,” was all Cam could say. Dak embraced him.

  “I must leave,” said Dak for Cam’s ears alone. He held up a hand to stop him from speaking. “I will address Lyrra-Sharron first. I’m going to say goodbye.”

  “She’s not going to let you go that easily.”

  Dak shrugged. “She will not be able to stop me, either. This is how it has to be. Farewell, my friend. Good luck on your quest.”

  Cam could say nothing more, and watched Dak walk away, to stand in the line of people approaching the thrones.

  Nadav, Torman and Neva, Andim, Kallan, a few of the others congratulated Cam. Several of them walked off to join the reception line waiting to offer their support and praise of the new Queen, and the sovereign King.

  Members of the Council came to offer best wishes as well. Lady Marna hugged Cam. Sir Garvol took his hand, beaming. The Warlord of Sharron looked even more pleased with himself than usual.

  “What has put such an unusually bright smile on your face?” Cam queried, having learned that the sneaky man had a twisted and infectious sense of ironic humor.

  “I have just received word that my finest spy escaped Penkira, and that she is safely home,” commented Sir Garvol. “I’ll have to make His Majesty aware of young Dariana’s role in supplying us with our best data from Wilnar-Medira’s palace.”

  “I never thought I’d see sincere emotion from you like this,” chided Cam.

  “I never thought I’d see the day Sorcery would be practiced in Sharron again,” remarked Sir Garvol dryly. “From what I have seen, Cam Murtallan, you are truly quite unique. I don’t believe there is another noble Sorcerer anywhere else in the world.”

  Cam started to chuckle at that. “I certainly didn’t see this coming.”

  “Me neither. And it’s my job to see such things,” remarked Sir Garvol.

  The Generals, Bodrir and Sopirr, both approached Cam, along with other members of their staff. They all offered congratulations, and thanked Cam for his services. They all saluted him, before moving on.

  Cam joined the line and waited to speak with the King and new Queen again. He saw Dak nearly to the front.

  The sorcerer also observed Andim and Kallan approaching a large, burly man, who looked like an older, stronger version of Kallan. Nadav had pointed him out earlier as Garen Val-Sharron, Herald of the Common, and young Kallan’s father. Cam glanced between them and Dak, hoping for the best tidings for his friends.


  *****

  Kallan was nervous as he approached his father. He turned again to Andim, behind him.

  “I don’t know if I can do this, Andim,” said Kallan, again.

  “You can do this, son,” replied Andim. “He’ll be proud of you.”

  Garen Val-Sharron’s back was to them, as he was speaking to one of the officers of the Royal Guardsmen. Soon, they were just behind him. Kallan, still nervous, made no move. Andim cleared his throat.

  *****

  Garen Val-Sharron turned from his conversation with the officer he remembered instructing as recruit long ago, and faced his youngest son. Even though the Falcon Raiders had been back for days, they still had not had the opportunity to speak. When he learned of their mission, and Kallan’s place at the new Medaelian Queen’s side, he’d found himself to be proud of the boy.

  Garen recognized the man behind his son, Andim Noros, a great swordsman, and former Sergeant of the Guardsmen, back when Garen was still a Guardsman himself. He’d heard that Andim had been drummed out, supposedly for insubordination. He also knew the old soldier to be an honorable man, and that the charges had been false, to cover a nobleman’s son’s mistake. Garen bowed his head to Andim, who did the same in return.

  “Son,” Garen said to Kallan.

  “Father,” he replied. He looked terrified.

  Garen Val-Sharron found his eyes wet, and reached for and embraced his son.

  “I’m proud of you, my son. So very proud.”

  Tears welled up in Kallan’s eyes.

  Andim simply stood by them, pride for his young protégé clear on his face, smiling at the sweet reunion of father and son.

  *****

  Queen Lyrra-Sharron sat on her throne, receiving congratulations from nobles of both nations, friends, and others looking to make a good impression on the new monarch.