The Book of One: A New Age

by Jordan Baker

  “Thank you Nathas.” Aaron told him.

  “Don’t mention it, lad. I had very little to do with it but I’m happy for you.” Nathas stretched and looked at the Maramyrian coat of arms above the entrance to the small office. “You know the oath?” he asked. Aaron nodded. “And, as I am your witness, do you swear to it?”

  Aaron nodded again. He knew the oath of fealty to the Maramyria crown as well as every man in the Maramyrian army did. It had been part of the morning roll call since his first day at the Academy.

  “Then congratulations, young Captain. Serve Maramyr well and keep our fair princess safe.” Aaron shook his hand and bid Nathas farewell.

  *****

  A short while later, Aaron presented himself at the palace wearing his new uniform of fine black fabric fringed with gold threat and bearing a symbol of the red and gold standard of Maramyr on the shoulder, under which was sewn a silver chevron that marked his rank. No longer a student, he had unwrapped his own sword and the hilt sparkled in the sun in contrast to the deep colors of his new uniform. The ruby blade hanging on his left mirrored the emerald one on his right and when Aaron caught a reflection of himself in a windowpane he hardly recognized himself, looking every bit the official Maramyrian captain and nothing like the country lad he had been not so long ago.

  He found the ten members of the escort already in the palace courtyard, securing the wagon and checking over their weapons and horses. Aaron recognised several of them from the escort that had accompanied Borrican’s uncle, the Kandran Duke Boric during his visit to the palace. They snapped to attention as he approached, though he noticed several of the men's expressions appeared to be somewhat unenthused and perhaps even skeptical. Aaron realized that several of them might be twice his age, but as an officer he now outranked them, and that likely rankled their pride. From their perspective, he might appear to be nothing more than a fresh graduate from the Academy, given the appointment through some connection or favor, rather than having earned it. Aaron conceded that both things were true, but he realized he would probably have to win the respect of the men, regardless of what he had done to earn this position. He nodded respectfully to them the same way he had seen Nathas do when he was done giving out formal commands and the soldiers went back to their tasks.

  Aaron heard voices approaching and he turned to see a familiar face accompanying the princess. He smiled at his friends, surprised to see Borrican up and about, with no sign that he had been drinking heavily the night before.

  “Captain Coromay!” Borrican called out loudly, clapping Aaron on the back. "I thought I would come see you off on your journey. How does it feel having troops to command?"

  “I was just saluted for the very first time,” Aaron said. "Not sure if I'll ever get used to that." He turned to look at the men, who were once again standing at attention. Aaron realized that they were waiting for him to address the princess. "Speaking of which, Captain Aaron Coromay, reporting for service, your highness."

  Aaron saluted Ariana and she cast a commanding look over him and the men behind him.

  “Everything looks fine here, Captain,” she said. Aaron turned to the men and one of them stepped forward. He was younger than the others, closer to Aaron's age and was one of the few who did not look at him with the same skepticism that the others did.

  "Your orders, sir?" he asked.

  Aaron looked over the men and realized he really was the one in command. He was also thankful that the man had prompted him, though a little embarrassed at the same time.

  "What's your name, soldier?" Aaron asked him.

  "Grant," the man said. "Corporal Grant."

  “All right, Grant. You're first scout." Aaron pointed to the others. "You three will ride ahead, you four in back, each of you on either side of the wagon." Then Aaron pointed to the one remaining soldier who was the biggest of the bunch, a great hulking man and who looked like he could crush a horse just by sitting on it. "And you. You're driving the wagon. Positions will rotate every day."

  “Exactly what I would have done,” Ariana told him.

  “Good thing you got to it first, Aaron. In case you hadn't noticed, the Princess isn't known for her patience,” Borrican teased. Ariana frowned and elbowed the prince in the ribs. “I’ll be surprised if you get to give any orders the whole trip. You might be of better use to her highness if you learned how to sew. Apparently she’s atrocious at it.” Borrican laughed.

  "That is just about enough out of you, prince Borrican," Ariana scolded. Borrican laughed then took her hand in his, giving her a solemn look.

  “In all seriousness, Ariana. I wish you a safe journey and that you may return safe to Maramyr with good speed.”

  He reached out to give her an embrace but Ariana pulled away from him, then she briskly walked over to her horse, stepped into the stirrup and swung herself up into the saddle.

  "When next we see each other, Borrican," Ariana said. "I should hope you would show a few more manners." She nudged her grey stallion forward, proceeding toward the gate.

  "What did I say?" Borrican asked, giving Aaron an exasperated look. Aaron stifled a laugh as he mounted his horse. Borrican shrugged and smiled. The escort and the wagon began to move in concert with Ariana but Aaron reined back his horse to say his goodbyes to the Kandaran prince.

  “I am leaving Maramyr in two days," Borrican told him. "My uncle Boric is travelling back from the eastern ranges where he has been investigating these stories of Kandarans raiding the Xallan lands. Something is up with the Xallans and with them getting so chummy with Ariana’s uncle, it might be safer for me to return home.” Borrican looked at the princess briefly but Ariana only sighed. There was nothing she could do for him while her uncle still ruled. He turned back to Aaron. “I hope that you will visit me in Kandara some day Aaron.” Borrican extended a hand. Aaron reached down from his mount to clasp it.

  “I hope so,” he told the prince. Borrican smiled.

  “Good. Now you best be off to protect the people from the beautiful and dangerous princess, I mean protect the beautiful princess,” he joked as he watched Ariana’s train disappearing. Aaron nodded and smiled as he nudged his mount forward to catch up. Borrican waved at his friend as he disappeared past a tall stone wall.

  The sun was warm for this late in autumn and seemed to shine a good omen for their journey. By the time they had left Maramyr behind, the sun had started its journey across the sky. It would take at least three weeks in the mountains to reach Iron Gate Keep to the north and they would pass near the southern range of the Kandaran mountains. Aaron wondered how his friend Borrican fared at home. Perhaps after this business at Blue Island, he could visit his friend. Blue Island, he thought, wondering what strangeness lay in store for him at the magical island. Aaron decided to ask the Princess what she knew about it and pushed his mount up the line to where she rode.

  Within a few days of riding at a brisk pace as they followed the road through the trees into the mountain forests, they made their way beyond the foothills and into winding passes of the mountain range to the northwest. The weather held out for the first week, then the snows came. Lightly at first, a few tiny specks came drifting out of the dark grey skies then after a day or two of that, the specks of snow increased to full-fledged flakes and started descending in droves. They were passing near the edge Kandara now, Aaron thought they must already have a lot of snow being situated that much higher as well as so far to the north. It was too bad they would not be visiting Borrican's country because he would have liked to see the legendary mountain city his friend had told him so much about.

  *****

  Dakar opened an old volume he had been studying of late. The book’s magic was from an older time when there were many more mages walking the land. He studied the notes of the mage who had worked this particular spell so many times in the past. The mage had been a jailer, charged with the task of subduing the power of rogue mages who had used their power against the kingdom and the now disbanded Mag
es’ Council.

  Once mages who had served their sentences were set to be released from their imprisonment, the Mage’s Council would set a kind of probation on them, a spell that would track their movements and ensure that they did not go back to their ill ways once returned to the world. This spell would allow Dakar to keep an eye on the Princess and ensure that once she reached Blue Island, that she would come into contact with the right people. He had worked hard to build up the political strength of the Priesthood at Maramyr and he wanted to make sure that when Ariana returned, her loyalty was not only to the one faith, but to him as well. The spell would ensure that Dakar’s own brethren among the priesthood would not be able to betray him and seize the princess as a pawn for their own political gain.

  Dakar breathed deeply and summoned his power to him, feeling it surge around him, augmented by his subservience to the book. A powerful mage on his own, Dakar was all the more powerful as a priest. He felt the connection to the book as it filtered power to him from the many mages of the priesthood that he had ensorcelled with the book's power. They would feel him working magic, but it did not matter. The spell was powerful, but not overly so. Should any of them ask about it, he would tell them he had been given the task of scrying on the Xallan capital. Such an explanation would certainly suffice.

  He focused his will and his eyes turned smoky black from the magic. His vision grew until he flew along at an eagle’s pace from the palace and from Maramyr, into the forests to the east along the trail the princess rode. They had left only days ago and would not be too far along their journey. He felt her briefly somewhere in the distance, among the trees but somehow, he could not find exactly where she was. He summoned more power. The spell demanded that he first locate her with his mage’s sight before he could begin the second part of the magic that would track her, but for some reason he could not find her.

  Frustrated, Dakar swore to himself and redoubled his efforts. Where he thought he had felt the Princess, he found only the forest and its many creatures. Rabbits bounded away, frightened as they felt his magical gaze upon them and deer paused from their grazing to stare back at the emptiness that was interrupted by the presence of the black-robed mage. Where was she? Dakar felt sweat beading on his forehead. He felt nothing and saw nothing but forest. The Princess was gone.

  Dakar refused to believe it. Though his power told him one thing, logic told him that Ariana should be there. He calmed himself and refocused his will. His power should easily last and he would not rest until he found her. Dakar hoped he would not have to call on more power from his link to the one book. The other mage priests might start to ask questions if he took too much more than he already had.

  *****

  As Aaron was unpacking his saddlebags for the night, he noticed that the humming in his head had gotten stronger again. It had started a few days after they left Maramyr and it had come and gone. But now, it seemed to be increasing in frequency and intensity as well. Some magic was at work, but he knew not what. He knew the princess was not doing anything, that much he could tell, but some power was affecting him. He stood still for a moment, shaking his head in an effort to clear it. Aaron swore softly to himself. He dropped his things where he stood and leaned his hand against his horse.

  His head throbbed as every sound grew sharp in his ears. Even the rustling of his clothes and the leather of his boots creaking from his weight were deafening. The fading light of the sun burned his eyes and the cool air that seemed to whip against his skin even though Aaron knew it was only a light breeze, whipped across his face, stinging his eyes. His throat felt dry and he reached for his water skin. The skin fell to the ground and Aaron followed moments later.

  As he lay on the rocks clutching his head, one of the soldiers noticed him and came running. His footsteps thundered in Aaron’s ears. He tried to tell him to stop stomping on the ground but all that emerged from his mouth was a dry croak.

  “It’s the Captain!” he heard another bellow and more feet pounded up near his head.

  Aaron tried to cry out. Why were they yelling so loudly?

  “Quiet, please...”he tried to beg. Still, his voice failed him. The voices of the others rang in his ears. The rustling of their clothing was the sound of a waterfall. Their hearts, beating faster as they approached, echoed against the pounding in his head. Aaron felt like he would die. Why could they not be quiet. Finally, his voice broke through.

  “Quiet!” he thundered, his voice amplified to an unnatural level. The soldiers who had rushed to help Aaron stopped in their tracks. Never before had they heard so inhuman a sound. The power of it flooded into Aaron’s own ears and he felt the world waver as his face met the cool stones on the ground.

  Aaron awoke some time later to a cool feeling on his forehead. He could tell that he was drenched in sweat but he was laying on something soft and a voice seemed to be talking to him. He turned his head to the direction of the voice and opened his eyes a crack. The dim light blurred for a moment then cleared as the world came into focus. Beside him, talking into the darkness overhead lay the princess. She lay with her eyes closed, talking about something. It was her childhood she was telling him about, some time when she had been ill. Aaron coughed and her eyes flitted open. She turned her head and found him looking at her through darkened eyes.

  “You’re awake,” she whispered.

  “What am I doing here?” he whispered back.

  “Don’t you remember?”

  “Not really...” he tried to move his head but the movement sent pain shooting up his stiff neck. She rolled onto her side and propped her head up on her arm. Her green eyes seemed to glow in the faint candlelight.

  “You made quite the scene. It was terrifying. You were rolling around on the ground, trying to say something and all the soldiers rushed up to see what was wrong. Then you screamed at them. It was so loud I thought the mountains would come down around us. You eventually passed out and I had them bring you here. I didn’t want to take any chances.” Aaron thought he could feel wooden boards beneath the cushioning on which he lay.

  “Where am I?” he asked.

  “In my tent,” she told him quietly. Aaron’s eyes widened. He tried to push himself up and found that he could barely move. He felt under the sheet and realized he was naked underneath the thin covering. “My clothes, where are they? Princess, it's not proper that I am here.”

  “Aaron, you have slept in my tent for the last three days and I don’t think any of them are worried about my safety. You have been completely unconscious. You’ve had a massive fever since you fell ill. If it weren’t for the cool air of winter, I doubt you would be in any shape at all. The safest place for you is here. The mage, Calthas taught me some healing magic and I’ve tried to use some of it on you. Don't worry, I met with him before we left Maramyr and he showed me a way to use my power without affecting you too much. It’s difficult though. That ward of yours doesn’t let much through though it seems as though it is getting easier. Or maybe I’m getting better at it. I can use my sight a little more now, too. I hope you don't mind, but in order to use the healing spell, I had to read your mind a little. I tried to ignore it, but I think you were dreaming. Did you really grow up near the Eastern forests, out in the middle of nowhere, with no one else around except for you uncle? I’ve ridden through that part of the country but never had the freedom to just explore the woods as you seem to have.” She rolled back and looked at the canvas overhead. Aaron could feel a slight touch on his thoughts, as though she was still speaking but not aloud.

  “Yes, I did. I really wish you wouldn’t read my mind like that,” he said, feeling a little embarrassed that she had been able to see his thoughts. When he was at the Academy, as far as anybody knew, he could have been anything from the eldest son of a Duke or Baron to a Country Squire. It had never bothered him much that he wasn't of noble birth, but he had felt a little important having been given the rank of captain. Now, with the princess having seen the simple world where he gr
ew up, it was obvious that he was just a common back-country boy. The charade was over but in a way, Aaron was glad not to be pretending anymore.

  He felt the touch on his mind again.

  “Please, don’t,” he asked. Ariana gasped.

  “How did you... I mean, what did you just do?” she asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  “How did you know I was looking at your thoughts?” Aaron could not tell her.

  “I don’t know. I just kind of knew. Its hard to tell though, over the noise.”

  “What noise?” she asked, trying to hear. It was dead quiet in the camp. He explained about the humming sound that usually accompanied his attacks and how this time it seemed to linger a bit.

  “Its still there, just not so strong.” he felt a flicker at the edge of his mind and he squinted an eye at her.

  “Sorry, just trying to hear the noise.” she said and clasped her hands together and went back to staring at the ceiling.

  “I should leave. It's not proper that I’m here in your tent. What will the soldiers think? It would not do for there to be such gossip about the Crown Princess."

  “Who cares,” she said. “Let them talk. Besides, if all reports of Blue Island are correct, I don’t think anyone they should care in the slightest who rooms in my tent. People lead, shall we say, freer lifestyles at the Crystal Palace, so I'm told. Besides, if they think you’re my consort, then maybe they’ll feed you better food when we get there,” she teased gently.

  “But Princess...”

  “No buts, Aaron," she said, cutting him off. "You’re in no shape to do anything and until I decide you’re entirely well, you’re staying right here. That’s an order, and I doubt you could move anyway.” As much as he wanted to protest, he couldn’t disagree. His arms felt like lead and the rest of him even heavier. “Now get some sleep,” she told him, put her head down, and rolled her back to him. Aaron decided not to argue. He was very tired.