Wielder's Fate

by T. B. Christensen

  Traven stepped outside his tent and took a deep breath of the cool morning air. They had arrived near the outskirts of Candus the previous afternoon and set up camp. Preparations for the victory parade and celebration had been completed, and this morning there was a sense of excitement in the air. Despite the early hour, the soldiers were already awake and beginning to break camp.

  “Shall we get ready and pack up?” Darian asked as he stepped out next to Traven.

  “We might as well,” Traven replied.

  Darian already had on his cloak. They had managed to keep secret his elven identity so far. However, Traven knew Blaize was suspicious of his cloaked companion, and he planned on telling his friend everything once they reached the city. Everyone else had been satisfied with the explanation that Darian was simply his servant. Traven ducked back into the tent and donned a fresh set of clothes. He had laid them out the day before in hopes of getting the wrinkles out. He wanted to look his best for the parade.

  When he was ready, they quickly packed up the tent and supplies, ate breakfast, and mounted their horses. The army would be leaving early and marching the rest of the distance to Candus. The victory parade was to take place just after sunrise, and Traven had been given a position of honor at the head of the army. The baron’s casket would be at the very front of the parade. Behind the casket would ride Gavin and Kalista. Next would be Traven, Blaize, the other generals, and then the rest of the army.

  He had tried to decline the invitation to ride so near the front of the procession but had been pressed by both Gavin and the princess to accept the honor. He had given in to their wishes and agreed to the princess’ request. This would be his first time inside the walls of Candus, and it would be interesting to see the city from a position at the head of a parade.

  Darian stayed close by as they made their way towards the front of the army. The camp was speedily being broken down. Everywhere soldiers hurried to finish taking down their tents and packing their gear. They had been restless ever since they had set up camp the previous afternoon. It appeared everyone was excited for the parade and the day’s festivities.

  Traven was happy to find Blaize already in position at the head of the army. He didn’t feel as out of place with his old friend nearby. Several of the other generals were also there. They nodded to him as he arrived but didn’t say anything. He nodded in return. He always felt uncomfortable around them. Several seemed to not like him. He wasn’t sure if they didn’t trust him or if they were just resentful of his position of honor within the army.

  “It looks like it’s going to be a nice, warm day,” Blaize announced as Traven pulled up beside him. He turned from looking up at the clear sky and glanced between Traven and Darian. “No need for cloaks today.”

  Darian kept his head down and showed no sign of hearing the comment that was obviously meant for him. He had played the part of a meek servant well ever since they joined with the army. The elf had adopted a slight limp and had begun to slouch. Blaize had made several comments relating to Traven’s cloaked companion but hadn’t asked about him directly. He was sure that Blaize knew there was more to Darian than met the eye.

  “It does look like it’ll be a nice day,” Traven replied, ignoring the cloak comment. “I’m glad the weather’s cooperating with the army’s plans.”

  Blaize chuckled and stopped looking at Darian. Traven smiled and glanced back over the gathering soldiers. Most were still packing but some were already beginning to line up in their formations. It wouldn’t be long before the army was ready to march the rest of the way to Candus.

  Gavin and Kalista had continued on to Candus the previous afternoon, accompanied by a small group of soldiers. They had taken the body of the baron with them to allow a viewing and vigil to be held before the festivities of today. The vice baron and the princess would meet the army outside the gates and ride at the head of the soldiers as they marched through the city to the palace. Commander General Blaize would be leading the army until it reached Candus.

  Blaize motioned and a trumpet sounded, signaling that the march was about to begin. The last of the soldiers hurried to gather their equipment and move to their designated positions in the ranks. Traven watched the final remnants of the camp vanish. Soon, all the soldiers were in their ranks. Blaize signaled again, and the trumpet sounded a second time. The army surged westward in unison towards Candus.

  The sun rose at their backs, warming them and bathing the path ahead in light. Traven stared forward, keeping a look out. He knew it wouldn’t be long before he would be able to pick out the city walls against the green fields on the horizon. He also had to admit that he was searching the horizon for a glimpse of the Princess Kalista.

  She was still very much on his mind. The princess hadn’t disappeared from his visions as he had expected. He thought that once he saved her life she might disappear from them. Instead, he had not only dreamt of her every night since, but she was always next to him, comforting him in some way. He was beginning to lose hope that being near her would help him sort out his true feelings for her and move on. His visions were so real that he had a hard time separating his closeness to her in them from the gulf that existed in reality. He had only briefly spoken with the princess a couple of times within the last week, and yet he felt as though he were spending extended time alone with her every day.

  Behind him, the marching of the army thundered loudly in his ears. He questioned again whether it was wise to spend any time in Candus at all. It might be wiser to head directly back to Faldor’s Keep. However, he didn’t want to miss the parade, and he wanted to sleep in a comfortable bed before the lengthy journey back to the keep. He didn’t think it would hurt to spend a few days at the palace.

  In the distance, he finally saw the sun glinting off the walls of Candus as the city slowly came into view. Traven straightened in his saddle and then slumped back down feeling slightly foolish. It would still be awhile before anyone in the city would even be able see the army. When the other soldiers finally began to spot Candus, an excited murmur made its way through the ranks.

  As they marched closer, Traven was able to pick out the small group that was waiting a short distance outside the city gates. He could see the princess, Gavin, the coach that held the body of the baron, and roughly forty guards. Traven straightened in his saddle with a smile while the rest of the soldiers tightened their formations and stood taller. Now was the time for the army to look as grand as possible.

  Blaize signaled, and a sharp burst of the trumpet brought the army to a halt. They waited as the party outside the gates made their way to the front of the procession and settled into their positions. Kalista was wearing an elegant dress of blue under her long purple cloak. Her golden hair was dotted with small white flowers and flowed softly in the light breeze. She flashed a dazzling smile at Traven in greeting before turning her back to him.

  He let out an involuntary sigh. He wished she was next to him like she had been in his recent visions. Instead, Gavin was at her side in a crisp uniform embroidered with gold and a long cloak of royal blue fluttering in the air behind him. Traven knew he would never look as grand as Gavin and could never hope to compare to the future king of Kalia. He supposed he should just be grateful the princess had spared a smile for him.

  Once everyone was in position, a sharp blow of the trumpet informed the army that it was time to continue marching. The soldiers surged forward once again but at a slower pace than earlier. Traven smiled back at Darian and then turned forward, watching with excitement as they rode closer to the city walls. The enormous east gate of the city was wide open, inviting in the heroes of the recent battle.

  Through the gates, Traven could see that the sides of the main avenue were teeming with people. As the carriage carrying the coffin of the late Baron of Candus passed through the large archway of the city, multiple trumpets sounded from the walls high above. The waiting crowds looked on respectfully as the casket passed. The victory parade had begun.
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br />   Traven was momentarily bathed in shadow as he passed through the city walls and into Candus. As he emerged into the city, the onlookers began to cheer, infusing him with excitement and energy. Color and sound were everywhere. The sides of the streets thronged with people of all ages cheering and waving colorful fabric. Buildings rose several stories on both sides of the large avenue with people crowded in every window. Many were tossing flower petals, scraps of paper, and fabric down on the procession.

  Traven smiled widely at the jubilant citizens. He scanned the sides of the street as he made his way deeper into the city. Many of the citizens were pointing towards him. He wondered what the people had been told. He shook his head with a smile as a copious amount of petals showered down on top of him. Looking up with a smile, he noticed an attractive young woman leaning out of an open window and earnestly blowing kisses his way. His face flushed with embarrassment, and he turned away.

  As the procession continued through the city towards the palace of Candus, he found himself almost constantly bathed in the crowd’s confetti. It seemed as though he had become the specific target of the celebratory projectiles. He wondered if he should create a small shield around himself but quickly dismissed the idea. He didn’t want to appear ungrateful for the attention. He satisfied himself with carefully brushing them from his face every so often.

  He glanced back several times, wondering if the rest of the soldiers were receiving as much attention as he was, but it was hard to see through all of the falling confetti. He did notice that while the princess and Gavin were mostly spared, Blaize was covered in numerous small pieces of vibrant color as well. Traven smiled and rode tall in his saddle as the inhabitants of Candus continued to cheer the victorious army.

  The procession finally reached the great square at the center of the city. The open area accommodated a much larger crowd than the streets had, and the volume of the cheers increased noticeably. Being away from the windows of nearby buildings allowed Traven a respite from the constant showering of confetti. He breathed in the clear air and took in his surroundings, free from the petals and scraps that had previously impeded his vision.

  Before him rose the palace of Candus. It wasn’t nearly as large or magnificent as the Royal Palace in Calyn, but it was grand nonetheless. It climbed several stories into the air and took up the entire north side of the square. The palace had three large domes in its center and one short tower on either side. It appeared to be made primarily of granite. The light grey building was entirely surrounded by extensive gardens full of trees and bushes. The gates to the palace grounds were wide open, and a path lined with palace guards led to the front of the large building. Traven followed as the carriage crossed the square and passed through the palace gates.

  Once inside the gates, the volume of the cheering diminished greatly and seemed as though it was far in the distance. The plants and trees of the palace grounds effectively muffled the noise from the chaotic square nearby. Traven stole a quick glance back at Darian. He knew the elf would feel much better now among trees than he had in the middle of the large crowd. Traven felt better as well and soaked in the relative tranquility after the deafening ride through the city.

  He slowed down as the procession reached the palace steps and halted. The carriage turned and continued on to the side of the palace where the burial of the duke would take place later in the day. The princess and Gavin dismounted and joined the Baroness of Candus on the palace steps. There were also a number of dignitaries on the steps and a small crowd of special guests seated nearby. Traven dismounted and joined the generals in taking the open seats that had been left near the steps of the palace. Darian took Pennon’s reins and led the horses away.

  While the main body of soldiers would be turning at the palace gates and continuing through the city on the way to the barracks, Traven, along with the leaders of the army, had been invited onto the palace grounds for a medal ceremony. One by one they were called forward to receive their proper insignia and golden medals in honor of their victorious service in the recent battle. Traven smiled as Blaize was called forward and officially designated as the Commander General of the Kalian Army. Even while kneeling at Kalista’s feet to receive his medal, the large Balthan was almost as tall as she was. Once the medal was placed over his head, Blaize stood back up and took his place alongside the other generals at the foot of the palace steps.

  “Master Wielder Traven.”

  Traven stood and made his way to the steps of the palace, feeling slightly uncomfortable. He had known that eventually his name would be called, but he didn’t like being the center of attention. He stopped in front of the beaming princess and knelt.

  “Master Wielder Traven was the key to the Kalian Army’s victory,” the palace herald announced. “He not only defeated the invading wielder but also personally saved the High Princess Kalista’s life. For his service, he will be given the honorary rank of general, receive a victory medal, and receive the Victory Crown.”

  Traven blushed at the announcement. He had expected a medal but definitely not the other two honors. The honorary title of general surprised him, and being awarded the Victory Crown left him in awe. It was the highest honor that could be awarded after a victorious battle and was reserved for great heroes who were deemed responsible for saving the entire kingdom.

  He remained completely still as Kalista reached forward and pinned the insignia of a general on his shirt. She then placed the golden medal around his neck. Lastly, she carefully set the thin golden crown of intricately carved leaves on his head. The weight of the crown reminded him of his recent visions. They suddenly made sense. The crown in his dreams had represented the Victory Crown he had just received, and he had received it from the Princess Kalista. He wondered if his dreams would now change as they had after he’d found the cave earlier that year.

  His mind returned to the present ceremony as the princess stepped back and motioned for him to stand. He rose to his feet and turned to face the crowd. He blushed again under their intense stares and moved to stand next to Blaize and the other generals.

  “I present the protectors of our great kingdom!” the herald announced.

  The relative quiet of the courtyard was instantly replaced with applause and shouts as the crowd rose to their feet and cheered for the leaders of the army. Traven couldn’t help but smile. He felt the weight of the medal around his neck and the weight of the crown on his head as he stood tall and proud in front of the crowd. He supposed he really was a hero.

  2

  Kalista reached up and wiped the tears from her eyes. She was having a hard time falling asleep, just as she had every night for the last week. She was thankful for the soft bed and the luxurious room, but the comforts of the palace did little to soothe her mind. When she had arrived in Candus the previous afternoon, she had hoped that being back in a city and a palace would help her forget, but it hadn’t.

  All the luxuries in the world could not hide one’s guilt. The distractions of the day had helped her not to think of it. She had enjoyed the parade and the medal ceremony in the morning. During the funeral for Baron Mikel, she had been more concerned for Gavin and the baroness than she had for herself. The rest of the day had been busy as well, but now that she was alone in the dark, she couldn’t hide from her thoughts any longer.

  It had been her fault, and she knew it. When she closed her eyes, she couldn’t help but see the face of the head guard and the other guards who had died while accompanying her on her foolish escapade. If not for her, they would still be alive. If not for her, they would be celebrating the victory with the rest of the soldiers or at home with their families. The last thought brought more tears to her eyes.

  When she had been abducted by the vile assassin earlier in the spring, all of her guards had been killed. She had had plenty of nightmares about the ordeal but hadn’t thought much about the guards who had died while on duty. They had merely been fulfilling their assignments and had died through no fault of hers.<
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  However, this time had been different. She had led the guards to their deaths. Not only had she disregarded the guards’ efforts to keep her away from the battle, she had actually forced them to follow her. Her rash, dangerous, and foolish decision to race onto the battlefield and take a shot at the invading wielder had been the direct cause of the loyal guards’ deaths.

  She wiped the tears from her eyes once again. She had always considered herself to be a rational individual, but many of her recent decisions seemed to prove otherwise. It had all started with her decision not to stay in Candus and had snowballed from there, culminating in her foolish attack of the Balthan wielder. Looking back over the last couple of weeks, she still could not understand what she had been thinking.

  If she would have listened to Gavin and stayed in Candus as they had originally planned, she would be feeling much different at the moment. Instead of lying awake, wrestling with her poor decisions, she would have been joyfully celebrating the return of the victorious army with the rest of the citizens of Candus. She would have been ecstatic and relieved to have Gavin safely back with her, and she would have been ready to support him during his struggles as he mourned for the death his father.

  As it was, she was dealing with the emotional consequences of her own poor decisions and doing a dismal job of raising the spirits of her fiancé when he needed her most. Perhaps she really was nothing more than a spoiled young princess. Maybe she wasn’t worthy to be called Princess of Kalia and future High Queen.

  Gavin had been devastated by the death of his father. He had done a good job of masking his grief in public but had not been able to hide the pain he felt when they were in private. He had broken down several times in her presence, and she often found him with red rimmed eyes. She knew from his complexion that he was having as hard a time sleeping at night as she was. His jovial mood had disappeared and been replaced with somber formality.