“Rael!” Gabriel said, crossing the distance and clasping his new-found friend by the hand. “I’m surprised to see you here.”
“Likewise,” said Rael, returning the handshake. “How do you feel?”
“Much better, thanks to you. I can repay you for your help.”
Rael waved a hand. “Not at all, it was my pleasure.”
“But surely you need it more than I do.”
“Watchers are not underpaid,” said Rael. “And besides…”
But he cut off as the tall man cleared his throat. “If the gentlemen could please refrain from conversation, the queen will see you both now.”
Rael and Gabriel glanced at each other but nodded, saying nothing. The tall man returned their nod and sprung one of the large iron latches on the door, then heaved to swing it forward. Both Rael and Gabriel entered the room.
The audience chamber was far larger than even Gabriel expected, and he’d seen a lot in his travels. There didn’t seem to be a corner anywhere that wasn’t decorated, though the architecture itself held a majestic simplicity that Gabriel could appreciate. The queen sat on the throne, which was perched on a raised platform at the opposite end of the room.
Both Rael and Gabriel approached, noticing only then how much ceremony they were probably skipping. They hadn’t changed into more appropriate dress robes, the tall man hadn’t announced them, and there was no one else surrounding the queen. It appeared to be a rather informal meeting.
The queen rose from the throne as they approached. “There they are. My two heroes.” She smiled at them both.
“Thank you, my lady,” said Rael. “But begging your pardon, my companions among the Watchers deserve the same praise.”
“I have already met with them and expressed my gratitude,” said the queen. “I understand you helped this gentleman rather than rush to my side.”
“He was in need of medical attention, my lady,” Rael said, standing resolute as he faced the queen. “I felt it prudent to see to his needs and confident my companions could protect you after we eliminated the primary threat. I will submit myself for disciplinary action if my judgements were in error.”
What? No that wasn’t right. If it weren’t for Rael...
“No need,” said the queen. “Your commander was not exactly thrilled, but upon learning of your situation, and the role you played in stopping my attackers, I convinced him to exclude punishment.”
“Thank you, my lady,” said Rael, bowing slightly.
“And as for you.” The queen turned to face Gabriel. “I understand it was you who raised the alarm about the foreign assassins.”
“It was, my lady,” said Gabriel, copying the honorific Rael had used. “I merely saw one of them moving towards your position with a dagger. I did what anyone would have.”
“Unfortunately, not what everyone would have,” said the queen, sighing. “Regardless, you have my thanks. I owe you both my life.” She met Gabriel’s eyes. “I understand you’re a professor at the College of Skyecliff. Tell me, what do you know about these foreigners. It seems strange to me that they would act so rashly against me, when my steward has been trying to establish friendly relations with them for quite some time.”
“I can only assume that they must be part of some fringe group, my lady,” said Gabriel. “I don’t see this as a government attack.”
“And why not?”
“Because it doesn’t fit their culture. I have travelled to the east and have met many among their people. They are largely peaceful, and I find it very unlikely that any but their extremists would wish you harm.”
“And yet, only those who were well placed within their government would have any reason to care about me and our kingdom.”
Gabriel hesitated. “That is true, my lady. But I ask you not to take this attack as a representation of their people.”
The queen frowned. “Well perhaps not, but we will have to be more careful who we allow in our cities from now on. We cannot afford to have another attack like today. Thankfully, no one was permanently hurt or killed in this attack, but there could be more.”
Gabriel didn’t like the idea of restricting access to foreigners. He himself had been a foreigner in other lands on several occasions and found that the most hospitable nations and tribes were by far the safest. But he supposed the queen was right to be cautious.
“If I may, your majesty.” Rael spoke up. “Perhaps it would be prudent to reach out to these eastern people and show them we hold no ill will. Perhaps a show of forgiveness will convince them that we hold their best interests at heart.”
Gabriel nodded. “That does sound like a good idea, my lady.”
“Do the two of you suddenly think yourselves my advisors?” The queen pursed her lips, though Gabriel thought he saw a hint of amusement there. “I already have plans on how to deal with the eastern nations. Worry not, I won’t overreact, but I must show a firm hand now that I am queen.”
Rael inclined his head. “Of course.”
He didn’t use the honorific this time. The queen pursed her lips again. “And that firm hands extends to both of you as well, don’t you forget it. For your help today I plan to see you both handsomely rewarded. The Lord Chamberlain will provide you with a pouch of coin on your way out, and you will have access to some of the amenities of the palace should you desire, as long as I am not using them myself.” She smiled at them both. “The Royal Bath houses are quite enjoyable.”
A sack of coin and access to bath houses? Gabriel hadn’t expected any kind of reward, but these did seem like odd ones to say the least. Gabriel shrugged inwardly. Well, what had he expected, to be raised to nobility? It was honestly surprising that they were receiving this much.
“Thank you, my lady,” said Gabriel, bowing again. Rael followed suit.
“You may go,” said the queen with a wave of her hand.
Rael did an about-face and stroad towards the giant oak doors. Gabriel turned to follow.
“And professor,” the queen said. Gabriel turned back to look at her. “I may require your knowledge of the eastern realms in the future. I trust you will be accommodating?”
“Ah...of course, my lady,” he said, then turned to leave once again. He honestly wasn’t sure he felt comfortable sharing such information with the queen anymore. Something about this meeting told him that she wouldn’t use all of that knowledge for good. But it was just a gut feeling. Hopefully, he just imagined it.
Gabriel joined Rael outside the Royal Hall and accepted his coin pouch from the tall man who must have been the Lord Chamberlain the queen referred to. Rael was holding his own pouch before him, as if contemplating whether to keep it. Well, at least this way he was compensated for Gabriel’s medical expenses. They began walking towards the exit to the palace.
“You don’t look too pleased,” said Gabriel to Rael once they were out of earshot of the Lord Chamberlain.
Rael shrugged. “Just apprehension, I guess. If there’s ever a war in the east, we’ll be the first to fight.”
“You’re worried that you and your Watcher friends will die? Is that not a danger of signing up with the Watchers?”
“That’s a danger for every soldier. No, I’m worried for the safety of those we fight.”
Gabriel let that sink in. The Watchers were exceptional warriors, and usually possessing some of the best brands. From what Gabriel knew of the eastern reaches, the Watchers could wreak havoc. But it surprised him that a man like Rael would care so much for his potential enemies.
“I’m sure it will not come to that,” he said, trying to improve the mood.
“Hm, perhaps not,” said Rael, but he still looked troubled.
They exited the palace and found themselves overlooking the city and the lands to the west.
“I hope your travels to Foothold fair well,” said Gabriel. “And that you have a joyous reunion with your wife.”
“I appreciate that,” said Rael. “Perhaps, the next time we’re in Skyec
liff we can have supper together. The two of you can talk of scholarly things.”
Gabriel smiled. “I think I’d like that very much.”
The new friends proceeded down the pathway, their visit with the queen all but forgotten.
Part 2
Warning: This part contains spoilers for Out of Shadow (Roots of Creation Book 1)
Rael stared into the wintery darkness of night. Clouds covered the moon, making it difficult to see anything. It was his turn to keep the night watch, while the rest of his fellow Watchers slept peacefully. Privately, he enjoyed standing watch. It was a quiet time for him to calm his mind and think through the coming day. But he hated the reasons that made night watches necessary.
He sat on a large rock and groaned, planting his spear in the snowy ground next to him. It had been several weeks since they left Skyecliff, and they were in the foothills of the Hollow Peaks, patrolling the area near Foothold. The mountain pass wasn’t far, and that would lead them south into the mountains.
He’d hoped to find his wife waiting for him at Foothold, but word had come that they were still in the mountains somewhere, and hadn’t been seen long after they were scheduled to arrive. That was the main reason they were here, to enter the mountains and find the lost group of scholars. The area was filled with caves, which gave the Hollow Peaks their name. Honestly, the chances of finding the scholars were slim. But Rael was determined to look through every hole in every mountain if he had to. He would find his wife even if he had to leave the Watchers and search on his own to do it.
Rael tensed as he heard footsteps crunch through the snow. He tightened his grip on the spear, but soon relaxed. It was Kuldain, one of Rael’s better friends in the band, a junior officer, and Rael’s relief for the evening.
“Ho there, Rael.” said Kuldain as he drew closer. “How goes the watch?”
“Quiet,” Rael answered, “Just how I like it.”
“I don’t doubt it. How are you holding up?”
“I’ll be fine.”
Kuldain chuckled and stared at the ground. “I don’t know how you do it Rael. If it were my wife, I’d be out of my mind with worry.”
“You don’t have a wife.”
“Yeah, well. If she’s anything like I imagine…”
Rael cracked a grin for the first time that evening. “If she’s everything you imagine she’d probably have no interest in a man like you.”
Kuldain stood silent for a moment. Then both of them laughed, a slow laugh that started small but soon both of them were clutching their sides.
“Oh, Rael. Stop. Go on and get some rest now, the world doesn’t need more of your mirth.”
“The world doesn’t get enough of it I’ll wager.”
When they both quieted, Kuldain reached out and placed a hand on Rael’s shoulder. “We’ll find her, Rael. Have heart, it will all work out.”
Rael nodded, grateful for the support.
His beloved Karlona was a Gifter, particularly knowledgeable in the study of alchemy, the branding of physical objects. She had left several months ago with the expedition. They had been scheduled to return a few weeks ago. So far, none of them had been seen again.
And so it was the Watcher’s job to seek them out. Rael and his band belonged to the Foothold garrison, not the most exciting outpost to be assigned to, but often a training ground for young officers. Rael hoped to be one of those someday. Assuming he could find his wife, that is. He wouldn’t leave until he found her again.
A crashing through the underbrush brought Rael and Kuldain out of their thoughts. They both froze and their armor creaked as weapons were brought to bear. A noise came through the dark snow-covered trees, a sound of feet crunching through snow. Was another of the Watchers awake at this hour?
Rael glanced at Kuldain and waved his hand in the direction of the noise. Kuldain nodded and they both began to walk in that direction, spreading out as they did so.
The crunching sound stopped and so did the two soldiers. They kept their ears turned, trying to locate the sound again.
Suddenly, a shape hurtled out of the darkness, launching itself at Kuldain.
It was a demon. Even in the moonlight, Rael could make out its gray skin glistening with sweat despite the cold. Its long fingers and teeth gleamed in the night.
The force of the creature knocked Kuldain to the ground, and the beast persisted, gnashing its teeth at Kuldain who held it back with one arm.
Rael activated his brand.
A crisscross of lines on the back of his left hand began to glow like white-hot metal in a blacksmith’s foundry. The lines almost looked like a bird in flight, the symbol of a Telekinetic.
The demon rose off of Kuldain, hanging in the air. It looked confused, still swinging its arms at the soldier, but unable to reach him.
Using his brand, Kuldain set the creature down on the ground, pinning it there while Kuldain rose to his feet.
“Well, I’m awake now.” Kuldain said, brushing the snow off his armor.
The demon kept wailing and thrashing, but Rael’s telekinetic force kept it in place. He barely had to lift a finger and already the demon was at his mercy. Telekinesis was a powerful gift, one Rael did not take lightly.
Rael ran through what he knew of demons. He knew they were beginning to roam the land in far greater numbers than before, which was why they kept night watches. Not long ago, the demons were oddities, tragic results of poorly-used magic. But most were a mistake, a sad error from inexperienced Gifters.
But now, all evidence pointed to rogue Gifters intentionally creating them. Rael still could not fathom the reason why anyone would wish to do such a thing. But they were increasing almost exponentially. Scholars in Skyecliff were beginning to wonder if demons were breeding, something most had assumed impossible. Rael didn’t like that idea either, but at least it was preferable to the possibility of Gifters intentionally creating demons.
Rael pitied them, even though he had never actually seen a demon with his own eyes until this moment. The creature in front of him matched the stories. Almost too well.
“Why didn’t you use your Blood-burning on it?” Rael asked Kuldain. His friend was one of the only Watchers authorized to wear a Blood-burner brand. It allowed the bearer to instantly burn someone from the inside out if he made contact with the skin. Kuldain had received his because of his close connections with Queen Telma’s family. Rael didn’t approve of the brand, but he wondered why Kuldain had failed to use it while being in such close contact with the demon.
“I knew you had it under control. Besides, I think we could learn more with it captured than dead.”
Rael agreed. He had never seen a demon up close. “Do you think there are more of them?”
“Maybe, but from what I’ve heard these demons tend to roam free, not in packs. At least for now. We know so very little about them. Look at the brands on its arm.”
Rael did so and noted the demon’s multiple brands. A human could only sustain one brand and keep their sanity. Most died if receiving two brands, but the rest became demons.
“Looks like this one was a Gifter before he turned.” Kuldain said, “I wonder if he tried to give himself the second brand. Looks like Strength to me. Perhaps the man wanted more than just his ability to give brands. Quiet selfish of him.”
“The poor wretch.” Rael said, keeping his eyes on the beast. He still kept his brand active, forcing the demon to the ground.
“It’s hard to believe these beasts were once human.”
“Not for me. They still are human, just...broken.”
Their heads whipped around as another Watcher approached from the camp, probably wondering what all the noise was about. The darkness made it hard to make the man out, but the figure must have known what the demon was, for he turned around and bolted back toward the camp.
Rael sighed. Zefron, their leader, would hear of this now and come running. Kuldain realized the same thing and spoke, “I suppose we should kill it. T
he Colonel won’t want to keep it alive.”
Rael hesitated. He knew that Kuldain was right. Knowing their leader, Rael guessed that Zefron would never tolerate a live demon. The misuse of magic, in any form, was something the Colonel spoke passionately against.
He simply stood there, lost in indecision. He didn’t think he could bring himself to kill these creatures, even when they were so far gone as this. Not when they were helpless.
Kuldain also stood motionless, but his eyes were fastened on the demon, watching it writhe. He seemed almost...curious, like he was trying to take in everything he could about the demon before the Colonel arrived and ordered its execution. Rael pitied it. Whatever happened, it would not end well for this fallen human.
Footsteps running in the snow announced the arrival of Colonel Zefron, their commander. He was accompanied by several others in the band.
The Colonel glanced from the demon, to Rael who kept it in place with his magic, to Kuldain who stood to one side, a mildly interested expression on his face.
“Well done, soldier.” Zefron said to Rael. “For containing the threat. Now, would either of you care to tell me why it isn’t dead yet?”
Rael opened his mouth to speak, but Kuldain beat him to it. “We thought we might learn something by keeping it alive.”
“And have you?”
Kuldain paused, his mouth still open. “Ah, no sir, not yet, nothing more than what we already know.” “That’s what I thought.” Zefron said, his voice sharper than before. “We have no use for it, kill it immediately.”
“Sir, these creatures used to be human.” Rael cut in. He barely noticed Kuldain shaking his head at him. “Do we really have a right to murder them like this?”
Zefron stared at him like he had gone mad. “Whatever humanity these creatures possessed they lost when they chose to dabble in magic they should never have sought out.”
“We don’t know that it was his choice, sir. If a rogue Gifter were to…”
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