Home (Hidden in the Reed's Book 1)

by Declan, Brian

  “I’m not sending unarmed men and women anywhere without knowing what happened,” answered Dominick.

  Duke Eikard not only had the best trained and supplied army, he also had openly opposed Dominick’s claim on the throne. In fact, Eikard claimed there should be no king. Hence Dominick was always keeping Lord Blundus on a tight leash. A muzzle would be better, thought Rocious.

  “King Dominick, we can assist with training,” announced Alvi Grey, the ambassador from Stormhelm and the Count of Stormhelm’s oldest daughter. Stormhelm was different from the rest of the realm. In their culture they taught everyone how to fight: men, women, children. As a result it seemed like the entire county was in a constant state of war. Half the time Stormhelm’s various clans fought each other, the other half the time they fought invaders from Laza or pirates that crashed on their rocky coast.

  “Thank you Alvi, that won’t be necessary,” replied Dominick with a smile. Dominick liked Alvi, straightforward and pretty. “Rufus?” continued the king.

  “Yaa, yes, Your Majesty?” replied Lord Rufus Secundus, the second cousin of Nero Secundus and ambassador from the coastal duchy, Lucitania. Rufus was a halfwit and probably had already forgot the topic, if he was even listening to begin with.

  “Do you have anything to add?” prompted the king, strategically offering him an easy out by wording the question to have as simple an answer as possible. Rocious smirked at Dominick. Rocious may suck at politics and conversation but Dominick knew the dance well.

  “No,” sighed Rufus taking a seat and probably turning off his brain again.

  Dominick raised his hand to signal that he had heard enough. He looked around the room reading, each face in turn, ending with Master Rocious. Keeping his eyes fixed on his friend he announced his decision.

  “The people will stay in Dominion. Samuel, find them some place to sleep in the third ring. Send orders to the seventh legion to return and help with construction of the city’s expansion. Lord Werval, send word to Antioch. We’ll need whatever supplies Camilla can spare. As for Fort Reed,” Dominick paused “Praetorian Lockland, is there something more you have to add about Fort Reed?”

  “The Fort is secure,” answered Rocious.

  “You can’t know that!” accused Lord Blundus.

  Rocious’s eyes flicked to Blundus then back.

  “Blundus. Sit. Silence,” said Dominick.

  “How is the Fort secure if there is nobody there to guard it?” asked Dominick.

  “There is some spell or barrier that blocks entry to the city. It extends across the full length of Reed Valley and continues into the mountains,” answered Rocious.

  “How?” inquired Dominick

  “I can’t be certain,” said Rocious, disappointed. This was the moment Rocious was hoping to avoid. It would lead him and Dominick down a dangerous path. The king knew what Rocious wanted and was asking anyway. It meant Rocious had to dance to this court’s tune.

  “How?” asked Dominick.

  “I believe it was Count Reed,” answered Rocious, disappointed that his friend was pushing him into a corner.

  “Bullshit,” said Alvi.

  “Count Reed was not attuned,” said Blundus.

  The four ambassadors began to argue but were cut off as Dominick used his amulet to amplify his voice, “Silence.”

  “The Reeds are an old family, Praetorian Lockland, probably older than everyone in this room. Several of us here have even known the Count personally for years. In that time he has not once shown the slightest magical ability. And never in the Reed’s history has an attuned been identified. So you must understand the skepticism we have in your claim?” asked the king.

  “I do,” answered Rocious.

  “Then what in all the world has lead you to this belief?” Dominick asked.

  Master Rocious took a step back turned ninety degrees and motioned toward the door, “Falcon Reed!” he announced.

  Chapter 3

  Friends

  Earlier Rocious had entered with a stunning display of confidence playing off his reputation to remind everyone he looked upon that he could turn them to cinders if provoked. And Falcon put him to shame. If he had been nervous for the past two hours it was only to piss out every last drop of doubt and uncertainty. Where Rocious entered with determination, contempt and purpose, Falcon entered as if he was the purpose. No contempt, he did not give them enough attention for contempt to even matter. Rocious had an aura that said don’t fucking look at me. Falcon had an aura that said here I am. You’re welcome.

  Rocious had shown confidence with fear and contempt but it was also a reminder that he did not want to be there. Falcon, entering with pure delight, said far more. The boy may be eight but he was raised in the limelight by a Count and was obviously comfortable in the king’s court. He was also a mystery to everyone in the room, and he knew it.

  Falcon took his place in the center of King Dominick’s throne room, bowed his head to Master Rocious then, as was customary, bowed to the king.

  “Welcome, Falcon Reed,” said Dominick gesturing for Falcon to stand.

  “Thank you for receiving me in your home and for helping my people, your majesty,” said Falcon.

  “Of course, I assume you have heard the conversation from the antechamber?” asked Dominick, careful not to look at Rocious.

  “To be precise your majesty, I heard from just inside the throne room beside your two Praetorian,” answered Falcon honestly.

  “Ah, then you know what we need you to clarify?” asked Dominick glancing disapprovingly at his guards.

  “Yes, I am the son of Count Reed,” answered Falcon simply.

  “So is Praetorian Lockland’s claim correct?” asked Dominick.

  “I don’t understand,” said Falcon.

  “Was your father attuned boy?” blurted Blundus.

  This time it was not the king who silenced him. It was Alvi, but she did it with a goblet to the head.

  “Thank you, Alvi. Falcon, was your father able to use magic?” asked Dominick.

  “Hmm, I don’t know. I don’t know any of the attuned except umm, Praetorian Lockland and he isn’t anything like my dad,” answered Falcon.

  “Do you know who put this barrier around the city?” asked Dominick.

  “Umm, I don’t know what that is,” answered Falcon.

  “It’s like the walls and gates that protect the city but with magic,” said Rocious.

  Falcon looked over at Rocious, not sure if he was supposed to follow the advice from earlier to only pay attention to the king. Falcon looked back to Dominick.

  “My dad protects Fort Reed,” said Falcon resolute.

  “Hmm, I do not believe Count Reed was much of a soldier. Werval, you knew the Count better than the rest of us,” said Dominick.

  “I did, what are you asking Sire?” replied Werval.

  “We all know he defended us from Laza, but how?” asked Dominick.

  “Until now I would have said he had well trained soldiers, loyal and experienced. But maybe there was something more to it,” answered Werval.

  “Did he fight with them?” asked Dominick.

  “I never so much as saw him pick up a sword,” answered Werval.

  “My dad did not practice swordsmanship,” said Falcon.

  “Sire?” injected Alvi.

  “What is it, Alvi?” asked Dominick.

  “I saw him fight. Best hand to hand fighter I’ve ever seen,” said Alvi.

  Dominick looked critically at Alvi, “Where was this fight?” he asked skeptically.

  “Um, a tavern in Valencia,” answered Alvi.

  “Hardly the best place to gauge a man’s ability,” said Werval.

  “Hardly,” agreed Dominick.

  Dominick looked back at Rocious and scratched his chin, “Loyalty, perhaps there was more to that… What do the soldiers call you Frederick?”

  “Rocious,” answered Rocious, annoyed with the question.

  “No, the other name?”
asked Dominick.

  Rocious flicked his fingers dropping sparks on the floor, “Is there a point to this?”

  “Yes, you inspire loyalty because of the things you can do,” answered Dominick.

  “The soldiers are loyal because I fight with them,” corrected Rocious.

  “No. I have also fought with them countless times. It is not the same. I believe we underestimated Count Reed. His people were loyal to him in the same way my legionaries are to you,” said Dominick.

  “I’m not even part of the army,” said Rocious.

  “I will send scouts to verify your claim about this barrier, unless we hear different the matter is settled,” said Dominick.

  Dominick got up to leave but was stopped mid step when Rocious cleared his throat.

  “What is it Frederick?” said Dominick.

  “If we all agree he is Count Reed’s son, we need to have the boy tested and trained,” said Rocious.

  Rocious knew the only way to keep the boy out of the throne’s politics and greedy motives was to get him in front of a more powerful group: the attuned.

  “Why can’t you train him?” asked Dominick.

  “I’ve never helped another walk the path, the academies will need to give their approval,” said Rocious.

  “There is an academy in this city, is there not?” asked Dominick.

  “He’s a noble and I’m, well, me. We will need to involve all of them,” said Rocious.

  “Fine. I’ll send messages for the schools to come test the boy. Until then, he’s your ward,” announced Dominick with finality.

  “Wait, what?” said Rocious to deaf ears.

  King Dominick ignored everyone as he left the room out behind the throne. The rest of the ambassadors and Curia left out the side entrance, leaving Rocious and Falcon alone aside from the unconscious Ambassador Blundus.

  “Fuck,” said Rocious.

  “What am I supposed to do now?” asked Falcon.

  “Come on,” said Rocious as he left the throne room.

  “Where are we going?” asked Falcon.

  “To find someone to take care of you,” answered Rocious.

  Rocious did not have many friends and those he did have were exclusively men. Most of them had also been through some fairly bloody battles leaving them like Rocious: a bit hateful and ill equipped to care for a child. What Rocious did have however was money and an idea to make sure Falcon got the loving care of a woman, several if he was lucky.

  Falcon quickly jogged to catch up as Rocious purposefully marched thru the streets of Dominion. After Dominick’s family began seizing power, roughly three generations back, they built this city from almost nothing. The center of the city was originally a fort built into a solitary mountain called Drake’s Roost, named after King Dominick’s great-grandfather Primus Pilus Drake Maximus. Since then it had expanded out in three concentric rings with streets connecting them like spokes on a wheel. Once the city reached a critical mass the city would expand again. First they would erect another solid stonewall outside the current border, and connect the roads. It was the secure way Dominick’s ancestors had devised to keep everyone safely inside the city and still expand.

  “Why did the king say you were to be my guardian?” asked Falcon, struggling to keep up with Rocious.

  “What?! He didn’t say anything like that. I’m just supposed to keep you safe for a few days. Besides, this will be safer for both of us,” said Rocious as he marched down the streets with purpose.

  “I’m your ward, that means you are my guardian. Not someone else,” said Falcon with certainty.

  “Ah, here we are. Wait… Never mind, you’re coming with me,” said Rocious remembering the last time he left the kid alone.

  “The Pink Oasis?” said Falcon reading the sign as they walked up to the door.

  “No kids,” said a large man putting his hand on Rocious’s chest to stop his entry.

  “There a problem here, Vitus?” another man said stepping outside.

  “Guy’s got a kid with him,” said Vitus. Rocious just stood looking Vitus in the eye and said nothing.

  “We ain’t babysitters. If you want a twirl come back without the kid,” said the smaller man.

  “I’m here to see Tatiana. Now move,” said Rocious.

  “Ha ha, funny old man,” laughed Vitus.

  Rocious did not wait any longer; that was enough response for him to know they were not going to make things easy and he did not have time for their shit. He simply used two tiny slivers of magic in each hand. The first to create an explosion a few inches from Vitus’s chest whose concussive blast sent Vitus through the wooden food stand next to Tatiana’s and halfway down the street. The second sliver of magic Rocious used to create a lingering fire at his finger tips, which he waved in front of the smaller man’s face.

  “Move,” he said again. This time the man must have shit his pants trying to get out of the way.

  “He poops fast too,” laughed Falcon.

  Rocious smiled and shook his head, “Come on kid.”

  “You should be saving that energy for later,” said a young woman as they entered. She could not have been more than fifteen years old. The building did not look very large from the street, but inside you could tell it was actually connected to the buildings next door and the walls had been knocked down to make a large lounge area. There was a bar on one side and private curtained booths lined the rest of the room. Women and prospective clients were lounging on couches in the center of the greeting area.

  “Master Lockland, you told me you’d be traveling, but I won’t complain,” said an older woman greeting Rocious with a bright smile.

  “Hey Tatiana, ran into some trouble.”

  “I know we say to bring some friends but we do have age restrictions,” said Tatiana.

  Rocious raised an eyebrow and glanced at the girl that greeted them, “Can we talk alone in the back?”

  “Always straight to business. Sabina, entertain our young friend,” said Tatiana to the young girl.

  “Of course, Tati,” said Sabina taking Falcon by the hand.

  Tatiana led Rocious behind the bar to an office in the back where they could speak in private.

  “What can I do for you Frederick? I hope you aren’t trying to find someone for the boy? He’s a bit young for my girls,” said Tatiana pouring drinks for them.

  “I need someone to watch over the boy for the next two days. No sex, just keep an eye on him and feed him,” said Rocious removing a pouch of gold from his pant’s pocket and tossing it to Tatiana. She caught it but did not open it.

  “What do you think we are here? Most of my girls have kids of their own. We’ll take care of him but keep your fucking money. Now get out!” said Tatiana throwing the pouch back in his face.

  He stood stunned. He thought it was going to be difficult to convince her to take care of Falcon so he brought more money than this brothel would make in a month. Maybe it was too much.

  “Thank you,” said Rocious. He placed the money on her desk then turned and went back to the greeting area. Sabina and Falcon were sitting on the bar stacking cards. Falcon had built what seemed like a mansion out of cards, and a few of the girls were cheering him on. Rocious went to join them when one of the cards slipped causing the whole mansion to collapse.

  “Hey kid,” said Rocious to get Falcon’s attention.

  “Yes. Are we staying here? This place is fun,” asked Falcon.

  “Umm…” stammered Rocious. He was not even sure why he stopped to say good-bye to Falcon. He should have left out the back. Must have been thrown off by Tatiana.

  “I have to go, but you are going to stay here for a few days,” said Rocious hoping Falcon would be happy with the answer.

  “No, you can’t leave. I’m your ward,” complained Falcon, jumping off the bar.

  “Trust me, it’s for the best,” answered Rocious catching Falcon and putting him on the floor.

  “Best for you. I thought you were goin
g to teach me,” said Falcon as his face filled with tears.

  “Well, I’m not. I’ll be back for you in a few days,” said Rocious. He left before there was any more drama. Falcon did not watch him leave. He simply picked up the cards and began stacking again.

  Falcon did have a fun time staying with Tatiana and her girls. A few of them had children close to his age and he made fast friends with two boys, Thomas and Lucius. Thomas’s father was a soldier that died in some meaningless battle a few years ago and Lucius never knew his father. They did not believe him when he said he was Count Reed’s son. It seemed that in Dominion there were huge class differences and nobles’ children did not play with the rest of the kids. Nor could you play with kids from other neighborhoods. Falcon did not understand. They thought he was making up stories but that did not stop the three boys from having fun together.

  In Reed, Falcon had not been treated differently because he was nobility. When Paul gave him a black eye, his dad invited Paul’s family for dinner. Then Falcon and Paul spent the next three months cleaning floors and weeding the city’s garden. You’ll learn to work together, his father had said. Instead they spent most of the time scheming how to get out of working. Which only got them in more trouble, but they did become friends. The next time their parents had dinner, it was to discuss keeping them separated. He felt a similar closeness to Lucian and Thomas, perhaps because of their shared loss.

  Rocious decided to use the back door this time, best to avoid any drama with the two bouncers at the front. Plus he was able to avoid Tatiana. He found Sabina and asked her to send Falcon out the back.

  “What are you wearing?” asked Falcon as he emerged from the back door.

  “An empath’s formal robes,” answered Rocious. Normally he wore grey knit pants with a white double-breasted knit shirt and a grey cloak lined with dark red. But today he was dressed completely in a one-piece grey robe hemmed and lined with dark red like his cloak.

  “As you walk the path your robes will mark your achievements and your abilities. It is one of our oldest traditions and as an attuned you will respect it. For now you wear plain black,” said Rocious tossing Falcon a small black robe.