by CS Sealey
ABOUT EQUILIBRIUM: EPISODE 2
Generations after the Spirits abandoned the mortal plane, two empires stand on the brink of a final battle to end a centuries-old conflict.
Three years since the last of the twelve legendary mages were revealed, the politics of war have shifted. Determined to try for unity, King Samian reaches out to the Ronnesians with an offer of marriage, a bloodless end to the war and a vision for a peaceful future. However, Queen Sorcha is wary of deception.
While politics govern the leaders, others are moving in secret to deal the Ayons a fatal blow in the hope of tipping the balance permanently in the Ronnesians’ favour.
But instead of faltering, the Ayons swiftly retaliate and the first wave comes crashing down. As the northern defenses strain and begin to buckle under the force of the crimson army, the Ronnesian mages are forced to break the unwritten rule to save their empire from destruction.
CONTENTS
ABOUT EQUILIBRIUM: EPISODE 2
MAPS
EPISODE TWO: 367 Third Era
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
ABOUT CS SEALEY
COPYRIGHT
EPISODE TWO
367 Third Era
CHAPTER 13
Tiderius had felt the sensation numerous times before; even so, he was still unprepared for it. He felt his body compressing impossibly and the damp garden of his childhood home began to disappear. As his chest constricted, he found he could no longer breathe. As always, when the encapsulating mist arose, he wanted to run, but Emil’s reassuring hand on his shoulder clamped him close. Everything grew cold and the ground below him suddenly dropped away. Ashamed that he was still so afraid, he closed his eyes tight and waited for the ground to return. A wind rose up around him and intensified into a swirling vortex.
“Here we go!” Emil shouted.
Tiderius grew dizzy and his ears popped. He felt the urge to retch but just managed to hold it back. His feet touched solid ground again. Air burst into his lungs and he gasped desperately. The hand on his shoulder loosened its grip and the swirling mist dissipated into nothing.
He stood on the castle forecourt, facing the city that stretched out across the slope below him. The sun was dipping toward the horizon, sending a wash of warm orange light over the landscape. Blue flags fluttered in a slight breeze, pleasant aromas drifted up from the middle city taverns and eating houses, and, one by one, the bell towers tolled the hour.
“Don’t forget yourself, Tiderius. We can’t linger a moment longer.”
“Of course,” Tiderius replied, turning away from the city. “You couldn’t possibly tell me more, could you?”
“The queen can explain everything herself.”
Tiderius Auran hurried after the shaman as he headed for the castle gates. The guards, who knew all the members of the Circle, admitted them without question. Whenever Emil, Markus or Kayte were compelled to travel in their supernatural fashion, the guards were ordered to keep the castle forecourt completely clear of civilians. This was so that, when the magicians returned, none would see their extraordinary acts or, more importantly, be engulfed in their transportation spells, which would be fatal.
“The forecourt is safe, men,” Emil told the guards as he entered the castle.
“All right, Master Latrett.”
The castle had been designed many generations ago under the supervision of both Kayte’s and Markus’s ancestors. Consequently, the structure was built from much more than stone and marble. It was impossible for any mage to transport themselves directly inside, as spells had been weaved into the mortar that cemented the stones. Though this seemed like a hindrance to Tiderius, it was the perfect protection against hostiles.
He had little time to enjoy being back as they hastened up the main staircase and along the open corridor to the meeting room.
“I don’t understand,” Aiyla was saying as they entered. “Why does he persist? He must know we won’t bow to his threats.”
“I think you should write to him again, Your Majesty,” Markus Taal said. “If one of us were to deliver it – ”
“No, I have tried reasoning with him.”
“What are the developments?” Tiderius asked, taking his seat at the long table opposite Angora.
“The king has ordered his army to attack our northern border,” Markus said. “We have tried to discuss other options but this young king is even more stubborn than his father was.”
“Why don’t we just go up there and put an end to him, Your Majesty?” Tiderius asked. “I’ll personally cut his throat!”
“That is quite out of the question, Tiderius, you know that,” the queen said. “I would agree with mobilizing our forces but we do not have the numbers to risk a frontal assault. We would be overrun. I will not sacrifice my men.”
“But that seems to be the only option. We’re not going to let him advance without a fight, are we?” Tiderius asked. “What does General Kaster say?”
“He is formulating battle plans for a number of different scenarios with his commanders,” Kayte said. “But the king has given us an alternative to fighting.”
“Which is?”
Queen Sorcha cleared her throat. “He has offered me his hand in marriage.”
Tiderius’s jaw dropped.
“But the Ayon Empire has been your enemy for generations,” Kayte said. “The people will not accept it.”
“Exactly,” Tiderius agreed, finding his voice. “One swipe from a blade can easily solve all our problems.”
“No attempt will be made on his life, Tiderius!”
“Then we must send messengers to every corner of the empire, order an enlistment, and send to our allies for aid!” Tiderius exclaimed. “If I understand correctly, Your Majesty, we are looking at a full-scale invasion if you refuse his hand.”
“Letters have already been drafted,” Queen Sorcha said, motioning to a pile of papers on the table. “But we cannot afford to engage the Ayons until reinforcements arrive.”
“But that will take months!” Tiderius exclaimed.
“How long will it take for a force of Tareks to assemble?” the queen asked her chief adviser.
“Two weeks to sail,” Markus Taal replied, “but at least three for him to summon the number of men we need.”
“We cannot afford to wait that long,” the queen said dismissively. “We must alert our garrisons to spare all the soldiers they can and send them north. It’s the only way to hold them off, for now. Take the men from the southern borders and any other garrison within two weeks’ march of Menthenae. We can replace them with conscripts.”
“We will act as envoys, ma’am,” Markus offered, nodding to Kayte.
“But what about the forces currently at the front line?” Tiderius asked. “They’ll need all the help we can give them.”
“Emil, you must go and see what you can do about slowing the Ayon advance. Get to Kilsney and help them prepare.”
Emil nodded wordlessly.
“I can get there faster than any recruits you may find,” Angora said, “and the Ayons wouldn’t dare cross the Divide if they saw some of the beasts I can summon.”
“No, I want you here,” the queen said, shaking her head.
“What? I must stay while the others go?”
“I’m staying,” Aiyla said, but Angora ignored her.
“Tiderius and I are both capable of slowing the Ayon advance. I recall we managed it before.”
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�Yes!” Tiderius agreed, looking hopeful. “I haven’t been north for twelve months!”
“I must have some of you here with me,” the queen insisted. “Should a fleet of ships sail down from Delseroy and dock in our harbor while all of you are gone, Te’Roek would burn faster than a field of wheat.”
“But we cannot stay here and do nothing,” Angora protested. “What if the Ayons were to break through the northern defenses? There are hundreds of farmsteads between Kilsney and here!”
“Angora, I have made my decision.”
“But who would be the barrier between the – ”
“That is enough!” Emil said, looming over her chair. “The queen has spoken, Angora. Be silent.”
“But this is not fair!” Angora exclaimed. “Tiderius?”
Tiderius bit his lip absently and averted his gaze. Though he agreed with her, he would never stand up to the queen or Emil; he had been in Sorcha’s service much longer than Angora and knew when to keep his counsel. “Look,” he said, turning back, “it’s not up to us.”
“You do not mind staying here while your brother is facing a force three times the size of his? He could be killed!”
“Of course I’m worried about him!”
“Angora, I understand your concern,” the queen began, “but this has to be thought through carefully. You said yourself that mages should never fight against the ungifted. Would you put aside your own tenet so readily?”
“You can protect one without attacking the other,” Angora insisted angrily.
“I don’t want to hear any more of this,” the queen said, shaking her head. “I have made my decision and will write my demands. Markus and Kayte will visit King Dallus and his sons in Milena and then aid Emil at the front line. Tiderius and Angora, you will remain here with Aiyla. In the meantime, I will see how much time we can gain by stalling my reply to King Samian’s proposal.”
“That cannot be your decision!” Angora exclaimed. “What about – ”
“Angora,” Emil warned.
“No fleet of ships will come to attack this city if he is waiting for an answer to his proposal. Send us north to prepare the farmers for the assault, at least! We could begin evacuating! Please!”
Tiderius put his head in his hands and sighed. If the table had been a little narrower, he would have aimed a kick at her.
The queen rose from her chair and looked angrily down the table at Angora, who fell into silence at once. Tiderius glanced at her and saw that, while she had lowered her eyes, they were sparkling with anger. In the three years since Angora had joined the Circle, their attempts to tame her had been nothing short of wasted.
“Angora, we have been through this time and time again,” the queen said, sighing. “When will you stop asking me?”
“When you say yes.”
“It is a death wish.”
“It is my duty.”
“You nearly lost your life the last time they broke through the front line! You were not made for carnage like that. You can summon all manner of beasts, I know, but not a shield! Had that arrow been just a little higher, you would not be here today. The last thing we need right now is to have the balance tipped further in the Ayons’ favor, so I will not put you in unnecessary danger!”
“Is that all you care about?” Angora asked angrily, standing. “Numbers? The damned equilibrium?”
“Moderate your tone,” Emil said harshly in Angora’s ear. “Remember where you are.”
“Do you think a single day goes by when I forget?” Angora asked, rounding on him. “That is why I must go north! The Ayons cannot do to the mainland what they did to the islands, what they did to my island!”
“I understand your concern, Angora, but I cannot let you go,” the queen insisted. “You are too valuable to me.”
“Valuable? Elitar nienter dros or esela…This is going against the Spirits’ wishes, against everything we stand for!”
“Sit down, girl!” Emil pushed Angora back down into her seat.
“Aiyla, have you had any luck trying to find the last of their six?”
“Still no luck,” the seer replied grimly. “I know they have all six, though, as I heard Varren mention it once, but I don’t know who it is. Could it be possible that he is not, in fact, in Delseroy at all but away on other business?”
“Unless he doubles as a diplomat, then they would be together with King Samian,” Tiderius reasoned. “No use having a swordsman stationed miles away from what he’s protecting.”
Angora glared at him.
“What?” he said, putting his hands up defensively. “We should stay where the queen needs us.”
“I cannot believe this,” she muttered and rose from her chair again. She moved over to the window and grasped the sill. “People have been dying ever since I arrived here and no one has done anything about it. No one has listened to a word I have said in three long years!” She turned around, her cheeks pink with anger and her eyes glistening with tears. Tiderius’s eyes widened, for he had not seen her cry since the day he had met her. He instinctively rose from his chair, ready to comfort her, but the words that exploded from her lips froze him in his place.
“I do not know why I bother to come down from my tower every day! It most certainly is not to be asked for my opinion in these meetings! What is the point in having six protectors if you only ever value five? No!” She threw her hand out angrily in Tiderius’s direction, stopping him from protesting. “I have had enough of this. I am not a child!”
She moved away from the window to one of the shelves on the wall and opened a small chest. Inside were the six oaths, the signed promises that each of the Circle had made to protect Queen Sorcha and her heirs until the day came when death embraced them or the queen saw fit to release them. Angora clasped her hand around the top one, her own, and held it out to the others.
“This states that I will protect those who share my cause; all your oaths say it too. The Ayons threaten invasion, that means marching south and killing any who stand in their way. Do you know how many farmsteads, villages and towns are between here and the border? Do you?”
“Angora – ”
“There are hundreds! Yet, you are willing to do nothing to protect all those innocent people from the crimson wave of the Ayon army! By refusing to let me go north, you are denying me the ability to do my duty. That breaks my oath!”
“But – ”
“And why is it that you, Tiderius, have returned home eight times since I joined this council and I have not left the confines of the capital without strict supervision? Why is it that you are allowed to journey north with the soldiers on occasion but I am made to stay behind? Why? I will tell you why. Even after three years of servitude, none of you trust me. Admit it!”
“Nonsense,” Markus muttered. “If we didn’t trust you, why would we give you such a powerful weapon?”
“Because you need me for your precious balance. I was pulled up here like a dog and that staff was thrust into my hands when I knew nothing of what it was! Then I was told to sign a piece of paper I could not read. You do not trust me any more than you did that day.”
“Angora, that is simply not – ”
The girl stamped her foot, cutting the queen off. “Mor eltar sol lavard! Briss segar!” she yelled, her eyes burning with anger. “I thought you cared about your people!”
“Silence yourself this instant!” Emil bellowed, startling Tiderius. He had never heard the shaman shout so before.
“Angora, whether you believe our trust in you or not is irrelevant,” Markus said stonily. “Of course we care about the people and preparations will be made for their safety, but we must first do all we can to stall the Ayons’ invasion. We don’t want you putting yourself in unnecessary danger at the front line. The queen has made her decision, you must accept that.”
“Fine!” Angora exclaimed. “Then I have made mine.” She dramatically ripped her oath in two.
The moment the two halves hit the floor, pand
emonium ensued. Emil hastened to her side, grabbed her arm roughly and demanded she apologize to the queen. Markus clasped the table and shouted that she had no right. Aiyla leaped up from her chair and begged Angora to calm down. The queen and Kayte, however, remained silent, watching the events unfold.
Tiderius, too, had watched the parchment fall to the ground and was still staring at it when Angora wrenched her arm free of Emil’s grip with a cry of fury in her own tongue and forced both her hands into the shaman’s chest. The effect was explosive. A bright light pulsated at the impact point and the shaman was thrown back several yards, bumping into Markus.
The two men disentangled themselves and glared at Angora. Everyone was silent, shocked.
But she stalked across the room, chest heaving, and wrenched open the door. She paused.
“Do not worry, I will not switch sides. The Ayons care even less about innocent lives than you do.”
Then she pulled the door shut behind her with a loud bang.
CHAPTER 14
Angora ripped off her shawl as she stormed down the corridor. Gathering the front of her dark dress in her hands, she flew up the stairs two at a time. She did not realize she was crying until she tasted a tear on her lip. She brushed it away angrily and slowed only when she reached the roof of the castle. From there, she could see the whole of Te’Roek, the docklands and the river, and the surrounding farmlands stretching in all directions beyond the city walls. The little black specks far below were all she could see of the city folk enjoying their everyday lives, blissfully unaware of the troubles ahead. They were not burdened by politics or foreign affairs; instead, they concerned themselves only with trivial matters such as the price of fruit or the state of the pavement. In that moment, she was bitterly jealous.
“Hey, wait! You dropped this!”
Angora reluctantly turned. Tiderius was approaching, the shawl grasped in his hand. She glared at him and snatched it back.
“What’s got into you?” he demanded.