by Callie Kanno
Marath looked exactly as it had before Idris’s journey. He knew that he had only been gone a couple of months, but it felt like years to him. So much had happened to Idris, he felt that there should be some matching change in the city he had learned to call home.
In the company of Prince Cyril’s entourage, they were greeted by a royal reception. The king’s standard flew along every street, the citizens crowded to see the returning prince, and King Nikolas himself stood at the gates of the Water Palace to welcome his half-brother.
Idris couldn’t find excitement in the festive atmosphere of the city. He rode his horse at the rear of the group, cradling Fenris in his arms. He felt as though he was carrying Cowan’s body to the friends who had never had the chance to give him a proper farewell.
Drusi stood to the side of King Nikolas, her eyes fixed on Idris as they approached. The long scar across her face puckered slightly, emphasizing the expression of sorrow. Behind her stood the remainder of the members of the Royal Guard, all looking equally sober.
Queen Arminell stood on the other side of King Nikolas, looking beautifully dressed in her finest. She gave Idris a sympathetic glance before turning her attention to Prince Cyril. The two young princes had their usual bored expressions, but Princess Zorina waved excitedly at Idris when she saw him.
King Nikolas stepped forward, prompting a hush over the gathered crowd. “We are most pleased to welcome Prince Cyril back to Marath after a long absence,” he said in a booming voice. Although, Idris thought to himself, the king sounded less than sincere. “In a time of war,” King Nikolas continued, “it is important to have those we trust close by.”
Idris frowned. A time of war?
He must have declared war on Roshum while we were away, Iona commented.
This information sat uneasily with Idris, but he set aside his feelings for the moment. The king was still speaking to the assembly.
“I declare today to be a holiday, in honor of Prince Cyril’s arrival,” King Nikolas announced. “And tonight there shall be a feast and a ball.”
The crowd cheered at the king’s words, dispersing to spread the news. Cyril mounted the steps of the Water Palace, bowing as he drew near to the king and queen. “Thank you for your welcome, brother,” the prince said loudly.
King Nikolas’s expression twitched at the familiar title used, but he quickly forced a smile. The king and queen led the procession into the palace, but Drusi did not follow. She stepped to the side, allowing everyone to pass by except for the three youngest Royal Guards. She gestured for them to join her.
Once they were alone, Drusi spoke to them. “I have read your report, but I would like to hear it from your own lips. The other members of the Royal Guard have questions. Take your belongings to your quarters, change into your uniforms, then join us in the meeting room.”
Hildar and Aherin nodded, moving immediately to obey. Drusi stopped Idris by placing a hand on his arm. “Not you,” she murmured to him. “You will bring Fenris and come with me.”
The new leader of the Royal Guard walked up the steps of the Water Palace, followed closely by Idris. Their path took them over a small golden bridge that spanned an artificial river, then down a hall to the left. As usual, there were two palace guards standing in front of the door that led down to the Treasury entrance. They saluted sharply as Drusi approached, opening the door to let her pass through.
They walked down the stairs, through the waiting area at the bottom, and into the room where the ornate door to the Treasury stood. While Drusi spoke to the soldiers who guarded the entrance, Idris’s eyes drifted over the king’s crest depicted in gold and jewels on the door.
He knew now that the royal crest of Calaris was meant to reflect the dragon for which the kingdom had been named. Yet, the artist that had designed the sigil had definitely taken some liberties. The dragon in the crest was more serpentine than what Calaris had looked like in reality. The color of the scales was right, but the eyes were shown as blue instead of their true green.
“Idris,” Drusi called, gesturing for him to follow her into the Treasury.
The enormous underground cavern was just as Idris remembered it. Mountains of coins and jewels dazzled his vision, along with beautiful pieces of art and other valuables. There were bolts of cloth, tokens to denote livestock, weapons and armor aplenty. Drusi walked past all of these things as if they were nothing.
Idris couldn’t help but stare at his surroundings just as he had almost a year ago. He knew that there was a constant flow in and out of the Treasury, for everything that was taken had to be paid back eventually. He was sure that if he were to take particular note of which pieces of art he saw, they would prove to be different from the ones from his first visit. Even so, the sheer mass of wealth before his eyes was staggering.
Drusi took a winding path through the Treasury, passing down narrow openings between the jeweled displays. Idris, too, knew the way, even though he had only walked it once before. Tucked behind a large case of helmets, a small door led to a dimly lit side room of the Treasury.
Drusi held her halberd in her hand, making it glow with power. The light from the weapon illuminated the small room where other weapons of power awaited a master. In the past Idris hadn’t been able to see any of the items with detail, but the glowing halberd made it possible at that moment. There were three swords, five bows, a breastplate, an axe, two polearms, a pair of gauntlets, and what appeared to be a torch. Idris wanted to study the items closer, but Drusi cleared her throat meaningfully.
There were several holders along the wall where weapons could be placed. Drusi indicated to one of the metal brackets. “Return Fenris to his place of rest.”
Idris unwrapped the staff from Cowan’s cloak, taking care not to touch it with his bare hands. He placed the weapon on the wall, bowing his head with respect.
“That which was taken is now returned,” Drusi intoned. “That which has faithfully served is now given rest.”
A lump formed in Idris’s throat. He swallowed hard, trying to rid himself of the sensation. They walked from the side room, back to the main cavern of the Treasury. Idris handed Cowan’s cloak to Drusi. “I think he would have liked you to have this,” he offered.
Drusi accepted it with a sad smile. “Thank you, Idris.”
“I wish we could have brought Cowan’s body back,” he murmured.
Drusi nodded thoughtfully. “I think what the Forger said concerning the matter was correct. You did what was right, and you have fulfilled your final duty to Cowan.”
Idris’s thoughts ranged back over the events that had occurred since first leaving Marath. They had accomplished their goal, but the cost had been so much greater than Idris had imagined. It was difficult for Idris to know if the sacrifice had been worth the gain. He knew that Hildar was tormented by that very question.
“The king will give Cowan a proper memorial as soon as the welcome for Prince Cyril is complete,” Drusi went on. “I know he feels Cowan’s loss very keenly.”
Idris didn’t trust himself to answer. It certainly hadn’t seemed like King Nikolas cared all that much about the death of the captain of the Royal Guard. He hadn’t mentioned it at all when they arrived back in Marath.
Do not judge him too harshly, Iona advised. A king must learn to put his own feelings away in order to do what needs to be done. Think of how Prince Cyril would have felt if he had been brushed aside after so long an absence.
“Idris,” Drusi prompted. “Are you alright? I know that what you have been through has not been easy.”
He sighed softly, his eyes fixed on the stone ground instead of the wealth of the Treasury. “I cannot help but feel that we failed,” Idris admitted. “We left in order to strengthen the Royal Guard, but we lost our leader in the process.”
Drusi considered his words for a moment. “It is easy to think of such situations in terms of numbers. Trading one soldier for another does not seem like a gain. However, Cowan told me that he believed H
ildar’s potential to be greater than his own. She has much to look forward to, as do we all. I think he would have seen his sacrifice as an investment in a greater future.”
When Idris didn’t respond, Drusi continued. “I fought beside Cowan during the last war. I mourned with him when we saw members of the Royal Guard fall. I witnessed when the king made him captain.” She shook her head. “It is never easy to say goodbye to those who become like family. I doubt that any situation would make us feel like it was right to lose Cowan, but I can promise you that he would tell us it was.”
The two soldiers fell silent as they left the Treasury behind. They walked across the palace grounds to where the Royal Guards’ quarters were located. Idris pondered what Drusi said as they went along. She had given him a lot to think about.
Cowan had served the royal family for almost forty-eight years—his entire life had been dedicated to the king. There was no doubt in Idris’s mind that Cowan thought nothing of giving his life for the greater good. But did that make him right? Just because a man was willing to die for a cause, did that make the cause a worthy one?
That is something only you can decide, Iona told him. Sacrifice only has the meaning that we give it.
Her comment brought to mind something that Idris had heard his mother say a couple of years ago. She had been talking to Dafina, who had been complaining about her fate to do nothing but live on a farm and have babies.
Prydwen had said, Being a mother is a dreary fate only if it means nothing to you, my love. It is true that I have given much of myself to my children, but I would gladly do so again and again. It is my privilege to take part in shaping the future of the world.
Idris could suddenly hear Cowan’s voice in his mind saying the same words, only as a soldier instead of as a mother. Cowan wouldn’t have seen his sacrifice as a burden, but as a privilege. He had given Hildar the opportunity to shape the future of the world—he had given that chance to all of them.
Idris could feel his heart swelling in his chest. Now that King Nikolas had declared war on Roshum, it would be more important than ever for the members of the Royal Guard to honor the opportunities given to them by their predecessors. He squared his shoulders with a small smile on his face, walking upright and proud.
Let us see what we can do, Iona said with determination in her voice.
Glossary:
· Acko (A-ko): a port on the coast of Breen.
· Adwen (ad-WEEN): youngest daughter of Cadell and Prydwen, sister to Idris.
· Aherin (ah-HAIR-in): a new member of the Royal Guard, along with Idris. He is the son of a famous soldier, and he wields a magical bow named Liuz.
· Arminell (ar-mih-NEL): wife of Nikolas the Bold and queen of Calaris. She is the daughter of the king of Zoma, a kingdom across the sea to the west of Calaris. Her marriage to Nikolas was part of a peace treaty.
· Blood vines: a form of carnivorous plant that grows in the wilds of Calaris.
· Breen: the country south of Calaris; homeland to the mother of King Nikolas.
· Bunarat (boo-NAR-at): the capital city of Roshum.
· Cadell (cah-DEL): father to Idris, a farmer in Rest Stone Valley. His farm is among the most prosperous in the area, and he runs it jointly with his brother-in-law, Tegryn.
· Calaris (ca-LAIR-iss): the land in which this story takes place. It is a kingdom ruled by King Nikolas (also called Nikolas the Bold).
· Cowan (CO-wan): Captain of the Royal Guard, wields a magical staff.
· Cyril (SIH-ril): the half-brother of King Nikolas.
· Dafina (dah-FEE-nah): daughter of Cadell and Prydwen, younger sister to Idris and twin to Deri.
· Dagmar (DAG-mar): a ship belonging to Hildar, given as a gift from her grandmother. The ship is named after Hildar’s deceased sister.
· Demas (deh-MAS): a member of the Royal Guard and friend to Idris. He wields a magical sword named Mahira.
· Deri (DEH-ree): son of Cadell and Prydwen, younger brother to Idris and twin to Dafina.
· Drusi (DROO-see): a member of the Royal Guard who wields a magical halberd.
· Duwado (doo-WAH-doe): a word that means “little brother” in the native language of Dia.
· Elain (ee-LAYN): daughter of Cadell and Prydwen, younger sister of Idris.
· Emeric (EM-er-ik): the man in charge of Hollow Cry Tower.
· Farah (FAIR-ah): a member of the Royal Guard and teacher to the newest recruits.
· Fayren (FAY-ren): the second wife to King Lukas and step-mother to King Nikolas. She is the daughter of the Duke of the Mountains Province.
· Firespring: a Wellspring where the magical source is fire-based.
· Forgers: a group of people that are part-human and part-giant. Their giant blood allows them to use rune magic, which is how items of power are forged.
· Goodwoman Tale: the owner of the inn The Three Sparrows.
· Hernan (her-NAHN): Lenora’s grandfather and king of Breen.
· Hollow Cry: a ravine in Breen where the wind makes haunting sounds.
· Hollow Cry Tower: a repository for all of the accumulated knowledge regarding magical items.
· Hildar (HIL-dar): daughter of Lord Wythe, Duke of the Hazelwood Province. She is among those chosen to train as a member of the Royal Guard, due to her choice of a magical dagger named Savion.
· Hunters, the: see Order of Tivan
· Idris (IH-dris): son of Cadell and Prydwen, and grew up on a farm in Rest Stone Valley. From the Treasury he chose a magical partisan named Iona, which earned him a place to train as a member of the Royal Guard.
· Iona (eye-OH-nah): a magical partisan shaped like a dragon, claimed by Idris from the Treasury. Her former master was the legendary warrior Marlais, and she has a deep distrust for her new master.
· Javyln (jah-VIL-n): the main city of the Mountain Province in Calaris.
· Jerin (JAIR-en): a member of the Royal Guard who wields a magical sword.
· Jith: the country farthest south on the same continent as Calaris.
· Koyo (KO-yo): a city in the northern part of Breen.
· Kurag (KER-ag): one of the last surviving Forgers.
· Lennon: the second-in-command on Hildar’s ship, Dagmar, and her childhood sweetheart.
· Lenora (le-NOR-ah): the granddaughter of the king of Breen, who often spends her time at Hollow Cry Tower.
· Liuz (LEE-ooz): a magical bow shaped like a phoenix that is wielded by Aherin.
· Lot: the king of Roshum.
· Lottin (LO-tin): the crown prince of Roshum.
· Lukas: father to King Nikolas, former king of Calaris.
· Lyndham (LIND-ham): the first king of Calaris, which was founded with the help of Marlais Dragonspear.
· Mahira (ma-HEE-ra): a magical sword shaped like a leviathan that is wielded by Demas.
· Marath (mar-ATH): the capital of Calaris, and the location of the Treasury.
· Maren: a serving girl at The Three Sparrows.
· Marlais Dragonspear (mar-LAYS): a legendary hero that is said to have battled with giants and even Death itself. He is given historical credit for helping to found the kingdom of Calaris, and he is the former (and first) master of the magical partisan, Iona.
· Meic (meh-IK): a boy the same age as Idris, also from Rest Stone Valley. He dislikes Idris, and has dreams of joining the army.
· Morn: the captain of Hildar’s ship, Dagmar.
· Neron (neh-RON): older brother of Lenora.
· Nikolas the Bold (NIH-ko-las): king of Calaris and famed warrior.
· Order of Tivan, the: an organization that grew in power about twenty years after the death of Marlais Dragonspear. They blamed the Forgers for the creation of dark items of power, and decided to take action. They are sworn to destroy all Forgers, along with the knowledge of forging/rune magic. They are also called Hunters.
· Osian (OH-see-an): son of Cadell and Prydwen, younger brother of Idris.
· Palti
(PAL-tee): a member of the Royal Guard who wields a magical sword. He looks like a foreigner, but he was raised in Marath by his refugee parents.
· Piton (PIH-ton): one of the instructors in charge of training recruits for the king’s army.
· Prydwen (prid-WEEN): wife of Cadell and mother to Idris.
· Ramat (RAH-maht): a deity worshipped in Dia, closely associated with umatep serpents.
· Rest Stone Valley: a valley surrounded by low mountains, where there are numerous farms. Idris grew up in this valley.
· Revelin (reh-veh-LIN): a soldier who has served as a palace guard for almost a decade.
· Roana (ro-AN-ah): mother of King Nikolas, a princess of Breen. She died when Nikolas was a teenager.
· Rolant (RO-lant): son of Cadell and Prydwen, younger brother of Idris
· Roshum (RO-shum): a nation directly east of Calaris. Tensions between the two lands are high, and there are occasional conflicts.
· Roth: a member of the Royal Guard who wields a magical bow.
· Samnis: a member of the Roshum nobility, and a renowed soldier.
· Savion (SA-vee-on): a magical dagger shaped like a chimera that is wielded by Hildar.
· Tahir (tah-HEER): Palti’s magical sword, shaped like a basilisk.
· Tannin (TA-nin): the nation to the east of Calaris and Roshum.
· The Three Sparrows: an inn in Acko.
· Tilna (TIL-nah): the queen of Roshum, King Lot’s first wife.
· Treasury, the: repository for the wealth of the kingdom of Calaris. It was decided by the third king of Calaris that the treasures of the kingdom should belong to the people. So each subject, upon their fifteenth birthday, is allowed to enter the Treasury and choose any item (or items, depending on what it is) to keep. The only requirement is that the value is repaid to the Treasury upon the death of the recipient.
· Umatep (OO-mah-tep): an extinct magical creature—a feathered serpent that could channel lightning.
· Velia (veh-LEE-ah): the wife of Marlais Dragonspear.
· Water Palace, the: the primary residence for King Nikolas (and his family), and the location of the Treasury.