“It’s a bit early to be down here isn’t it?” asked Colville.
Falcon continued pumping the bellows of his workstation, “Felt like making something.”
Colville took a seat at Falcon’s workstation, “What are you making?”
“Sword,” said Falcon pulling it out of the furnace and resting it on his anvil. He went to his workstation and checked a scrap of paper.
“Who’s it for?” asked Colville.
Falcon grabbed a hammer and went back to the sword, “Drake.”
“You want a hand with it?” asked Colville.
He shifted the sword slightly and took a solid swing.
“No,” he said then moved the sword slightly and swung again.
Colville sat and watched Falcon hammer again and again as if he was not there.
After a few minutes of silence Colville finally got up, “Well, if you change your mind, let me know.”
Falcon continued working without giving a reply. Colville lingered for a moment before walking away. He went to another workstation and started working on his orders.
Falcon worked ceaselessly, referencing his notes from time to time, but otherwise focused entirely on Drake’s sword. Colville went by a few times to take breaks, but he kept to himself letting Falcon work in peace. As the day drew to a close Colville cleaned and organized his workstation then took a seat at Falcon’s.
“It’s an awfully big sword,” said Colville.
Falcon did not reply.
“Anyway, I’m headed up for dinner. You should take a break and eat something.”
“I will soon,” said Falcon.
Colville stayed seated a little longer, but when it was clear Falcon was not going to say anything he got up, “I best start cooking.”
Soon turned out to be several hours later. Falcon poured a single scoop of spring water down the blade to cool the surface and hung it above the lava flow. Finally able to take a short break, he flipped the hourglass on his station and went to get some food. After working non-stop all day, he was glad to find stew waiting for him and even more thankful that Colville had already gone to sleep.
He devoured the first bowl of stew and took a second bowl back to the forge along with Albatross’s journal. When he got back to his workstation he checked the hourglass then sat down to continue reading. The journal began on the day Albatross watched his wife die. For Albatross it was a profound moment of sadness and pain that opened his eyes to an entirely new world. Her death was also what guided him to find what he called the divinus cupla: the twenty-third rune.
Albatross described the divinus cupla like a marriage between two beings: an unbreakable, immutable bond. Once created it could never be broken, binding them together for all eternity. As romantic as that seemed, Falcon started to have reservations about using the divinus cupla. At first it seemed like finding the divinus cupla was Albatross’s greatest achievement. But the later entries were focused completely on destroying all trace of it.
As he ran out of pages to read, the hourglass also ran out of sand. He hesitated only for a moment before jumping up. He snatched the blade and stabbed it into a barrel of sand to continue the cooling process for approximately two more hours. The exact moment he was looking for was when the blade turned a dark blue hue allowing it to be engraved. Once engraved Falcon would need to clean the blade thoroughly, heat it until it glowed a gentle red, and finally quench and harden the blade completely in pure water.
He had about two hours to change the engravings. He walked around the forge thinking about what he truly wanted the sword to be. He stopped at his station and jotted down a few basic runes to establish the sword’s purpose. The runes would allow the blade to absorb and contain magic. He took another lap around the forge before stopping to sketch a series of runes to create various magical constructs. Next, he added the fire rune. Drake was not attuned, but he had an affinity for fire so that was an easy choice.
He lapped the forge five times and still had not settled on the hardest part: to use the divinus cupla or stick with a basic closed bond. Even before reading Albatross’s journal Falcon thought the divinus cupla may have been intentionally hidden, not accidentally lost. After reading the journal he decided never to share that knowledge. He even decided to keep Albatross’s entire story to himself. He did not entirely trust himself with the knowledge, but he was stuck with it now. The only question now was: did he trust Drake with its power?
He went to check the blade again. The tip was dark blue, the rest would be ready to engrave soon. He secured it to his workstation, took a piece of wax to mark out the pattern of runes on the blade. When he reached the tang, where he would put the divinus cupla, a thought occurred to him. Maybe there was another way.
Falcon sketched two runes repeated down the length of the tang followed by the divinus cupla. Satisfied, he reached for his engraving tools.
Falcon opened his eyes, “Huh, what?” he said.
“I asked how long have you been down here?” asked Colville.
Falcon blinked the sleep from his eyes and stood up, “I must have fallen asleep. Shit! The sword.”
Colville put his hand up stopping him, “It’s already finished. I found it on my way down here.”
Falcon rubbed his head, “Oh, where was it?”
“It was sticking out of one of the springs,” said Colville.
Falcon glanced back at his workstation; his engraving tools had all been cleaned and put away. The only thing on the table was an empty bowl from dinner.
“I don’t remember doing that,” said Falcon.
Colville sat, “Working with dragon scale is a long and tiring process, that’s why you usually take shifts. I wish you had told me,” said Colville.
Falcon looked down, “I had to do it myself.”
Colville stood up and touched Falcon’s shoulder, he looked up.
“I understand, know I’m still here for you. What happened with Frederick is regrettable, but it doesn’t change anything between us.”
Falcon pushed Colville’s hand off his shoulder and stepped around him, “I’m leaving for Dominion today.”
Falcon turned to leave and Colville took a step closer, “You should get some rest, and stay the night.”
“The plan was to leave today and I don’t want to be late for Drake’s Coronation,” said Falcon.
“Take one of the horses then,” said Colville.
“I can move faster alone,” he said and walked away before Colville could argue anymore.
Falcon went to his room to prepare for his trip back to Dominion. As he was packing it struck him how few belongings he kept here. He had spent so much time here and yet his room looked almost vacant. Back in Dominion he had a closet full of clothing, stacks of books and writings. He had dice and cards from the legionnaires, pictures from Floriana and countless other trinkets collected over the years. All of them tied to some memory or experience.
Normally he disliked leaving Spring Forge, but as he realized how little he had put his mark on this place it somehow became simple, nothing. It was as easy as brushing a bit of sand off his hands. He closed his pack and went to grab his cloak. In the closet he found Albatross’s cloak—freshly cleaned—hanging next to his own. Now that it was clean he realized it was nothing like his own. Albatross’s was made of some strange material and subtly embroidered with runes on the inside. As far as he knew, runes had to be engraved in order to work.
“Full of secrets,” laughed Falcon. He tossed it around his shoulders and slipped out, leaving his old one behind. On the way he snatched the sword from the spring, and to his surprise not only was the sword engraved, the guard hilt and pommel were attached.
Rocious heard a knock on the door, “Go away!”
When the door started to open he threw a ball of fire at the door, but ended up hitting the wall next to the door.
Dominick shoved open the door, “What the hell are you doing?! You were supposed to find me when you got back.”
>
“Well, you found me,” said Rocious from his balcony.
“You’re going to burn the damn castle down,” complained Dominick as he put out the flames.
Rocious leaned over his balcony, “I don’t care.”
Dominick shoved him, “What’s gotten into you? Did something happen to Falcon?”
Rocious took a long pull from his bottle of wine, “Falcon’s fine, I had an argument with Tom.”
Dominick grabbed the wine and took a pull, “What about the outpost?”
Rocious took his bottle back, “Took a while but Falcon used his ability to reach the outpost.”
“What did you find? I need details,” snapped Dominick.
Rocious huffed out a breath, “Falcon’s ability was ideal for both reaching and opening the outpost. When we got inside we found a dragon scale, a master’s cloak and the journal of Albatross Reed.”
Dominick bit his lip, “Not what I expected, but it’s a good find. It’s a safe bet that was Falcon’s ancestor. Anything useful in the journal?”
Rocious shook his head.
“Colville kicked me out for wanting to give it to you.”
“What do you mean? You just let him kick you out?” asked Dominick.
“Just because he gave up the sword doesn’t mean he’s gone soft. Could have killed me if he wanted to. Why don’t you go fight him?” Rocious waited for Dominick to answer but he said nothing, “Yeah, that’s what I thought, so shut the fuck up.”
“He would never vow to serve me,” said Dominick.
“I thought he did,” said Rocious.
Dominick huffed out a breath, “No, he vowed to serve the realm. I will need to make sure he isn’t a problem,” he said as he turned to leave.
Rocious grabbed Dominick’s arm, “He’s doing what he thinks is right.”
Dominick pulled his hand free, “It makes no difference. He’s stopping me from protecting the realm.”
Rocious shoved Dominick, “Drop it, Colville is no threat. Besides, Falcon has the journal. He’ll give it to you after Drake’s Coronation.”
Dominick jerked his head away, “Fine, but I need to ensure Colville’s loyalty. Is Falcon ready for the test?”
“Yeah, he’ll be fine. I think,” said Rocious.
“What do you mean you think? Is he ready or not?” asked Dominick.
Rocious leaned on the balcony again, “The test has three areas he must pass. Control, that’s easy. Healing, for Falcon, also easy. And finally, expression. Most pathos have over ten years of practice with expressive magic before taking the test. Falcon has had barely three months.”
“Connelly is planning something. Over the past week master pathos from around the realm have shown up in the city unannounced,” said Dominick.
“They could simply be here for the Coronation,” said Rocious.
Dominick leaned on the balcony.
“I don’t have another play for time.”
“Praetorian or not, I won’t let them take Falcon,” said Rocious.
Dominick placed his hand on Rocious’s arm.
Falcon reached Dominion early the morning of Drake’s Coronation with plenty of time to get to the celebration before he was crowned at midday. That is if he could get past all of the people flooding the city. It took him almost an hour to get through the outer gate, and even longer to reach the second ring. People from all over the realm had come to the city for Drake’s coronation.
As he pressed closer to the celebration he was forced to duck into a side ally, but it was not the amount of people that forced him to stop. It was the onslaught of emotions. Even untrained attuned would be affected by the excitement and joy filling the city. He sat against one of the buildings in the alley and turned his thoughts to the day his best friend Paul died. Grief replaced excitement and cut off the onslaught of emotion.
He wiped his eyes and continued walking. Back on the streets of the second ring he could not help but notice the vast array of people. He saw tattooed Lucitanian men, and women drinking and laughing while they bet over dice. He looked the other way and saw a pristine group of Valentian men in casual conversation. Near the gate to the center ring he caught sight of a group of northern men grappling and could not help but stop to watch.
Right as he reached the group, one of the fighters flipped onto his back and tapped out. Falcon was then surprised to see the winner was Alvi Grey, Count Grey’s oldest daughter, and the man on the ground was easily twice her size. The joy of her victory ran through the crowd and hit him like a charging bull. He fell to his knees and quickly turned his thoughts to the moment he held Lucian’s dying body, to block out the crowd.
He felt someone pull him to his feet and opened his eyes, “Careful blondie, this lot will crush ya,” said Alvi.
Falcon brushed the dirt off his hands, wiped his face with his cloak, “Thanks, congrats on the fight.”
“Was nothin’, you up for a round?” asked Alvi, pointedly ignoring his tears and leaning closer, “I’ll split the winnings with ya.”
Falcon laughed, “Maybe next time, I have to get to the ceremony.”
Alvi frowned but nodded, “Oh, I almost forgot.” Alvi turned away slightly and then quickly turned back and punched Falcon in the gut, “That’s for running away.”
“Ooof,” breathed Falcon putting his hand up in surrender.
Alvi clapped Falcon on the shoulder and turned back to her people, “Welcome to the family.”
Falcon could not help but smile as he walked through the center ring to the castle’s central courtyard. This close to the ceremony he expected it to be packed shoulder to shoulder, but instead the streets were merely busy. He reached the courtyard gate with little effort and casually walked through the east gate until Centurion Percy signaled his men to stop him, “That’s far enough.”
Falcon looked up at Percy, “Excuse me?”
Percy flicked the air with his fingers, “Move along.”
Falcon glanced at the legionnaires. He recognized most of them as Greko’s men from the tenth legion, “Stand down, Centurion.”
“I said move along before I have you detained,” replied Percy signaling his men again.
Falcon triggered a ring of magic he held around him, sending a wave of force in all directions. The legionnaires bounced back. Falcon took a few steps through the gate and triggered another ring of force knocking them back further. He sent a third ring of force knocking them back and clearing his path to the courtyard.
On the other side of the gate he ran into another problem: the courtyard was packed shoulder to shoulder with people. Probably why Percy had been ordered to stop anyone trying to enter. He looked farther ahead and found a raised platform where Dominick and his family stood preparing the ceremony.
He honed in on the platform; compared to the cliff it was a huge target. Falcon turned back to give the legionnaires a wave right before he launched himself across the courtyard. His aim was off slightly and he landed on the edge of the platform. He also misjudged his speed and was forced to drop into a roll.
As he bounced to his feet the crowd burst into sudden cheers for the unexpected show, Falcon gave a quick bow. The guards around the platform reacted rushing forward, but Dominick stopped them with a wave.
Drake looked at him emotionless, “You’re late.”
Falcon shrugged his shoulders removing his pack, “I’m always late.”
Drake shook his head and pulled him into an embrace, “I’m glad you made it.”
Dominick stepped between the two of them and motioned for Falcon to move back, “I’m glad you made it, but I suggest a little punctuality in the future.”
Dominick’s advisor Samuel came over and bowed, “It’s time, Sire.”
Falcon tossed his pack next to a chest on the platform and stood between Fafnir and Rocious. Fafnir smirked at him, and put his fingers in his ears. Falcon wrinkled his forehead then winced as Dominick’s voice boomed through his amulet. Rocious covered his ears.
&n
bsp; Falcon moved closer to Rocious, “You look like shit.”
Rocious shrugged, “I feel like shit.”
Falcon watched Drake take a knee facing the crowd.
“You shouldn’t drink so much,” said Falcon.
Rocious leaned on his shoulder, “After I present my gift, you present yours. You did remember didn’t you?”
Falcon bounced Rocious off his shoulder, “I did.”
Rocious glanced at Falcon suspiciously but said nothing. Falcon ignored him and the two watched Dominick finish his speech. Dominick walked to the chest and removed a simple loop of gold with a single red jewel. Falcon could feel pride fill Dominick as he placed the crown on Drake’s head and stood next to him. Drake rose igniting cheers from the crowd around the pedestal.
Pride emanated from Dominick and like an uncontrollable fire spread across Dominion. Falcon’s own pride opened him to that fire and for a third time the onslaught of emotions threatened to consume him. But this time he was prepared to face it. He drew a slow breath, basking in the overwhelming amount of magic being drawn by the same emotion resonating from so many people.
Instead of blocking it out he let his pride intensify and opened himself to the others. That pride drew in magic from every corner of the city. Like a wild animal it threatened to tear him apart. He steadied his breathing and slowly brought his own pride under control. Then turning his attention to the others, he wrestled the pride of the nation. Beating it into submission, claiming so much magic it made his skin tingle.
As he relaxed Rocious grabbed his elbow and pulled him close, “What the hell are you doing?”
Falcon shook his arm free, “What?”
Rocious grabbed Falcon around the shoulder and pulled him in even closer, “Using these people to call all that magic.”
Falcon shoved Rocious, “I need it.”
Rocious turned back to the ceremony. Octavia was placing something around Drake’s neck.
“Every pathos in the city likely felt that,” he said.
Falcon turned back to the ceremony and watched Drake receive gifts from Octavia’s family. Next, Fafnir stepped up to give him an ornate box containing ink and quill. Rocious stepped up to Drake and pulled a simple ring from his pocket and handed it to him. Drake put on the ring and bowed his head, but clearly did not understand the significance. Rocious rolled his eyes and raised Drake’s hand to the crowd. The ring emanated a dome of distorted red light. Drake looked over at Rocious, still confused, so Rocious pulled a handful of nuts from his pocket and tossed them at the dome. The nuts melted into little puffs of smoke. Drake bowed his head to Rocious and thanked him.
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