Home (Hidden in the Reed's Book 1)

by Declan, Brian

  “Where are we going to go? We’ve built homes and lives here. People are not going to want to give that up again,” said Mary.

  “Fort Reed. Try to convince them, but don’t force them. It has to be their choice,” said Falcon.

  “You’re going to lead them back and what? Sit outside the walls?” asked Mary.

  Falcon looked her in the eye, “Not me, you. You’ve done more for them in the past ten years. I’m sorry to ask even more but there’s nobody else,” said Falcon as he opened the door.

  Mary shoved the door closed, “What about the barrier?”

  “It’s coming down. Even if it kills me, it’s coming down,” said Falcon.

  Chapter 21

  Logic and What’s Right

  Falcon had jogged up to the main courtyard’s western gate when he heard Thomas panting behind him. He ignored him and went through the gate with a quick wave to the guards. A group of soldiers were engaged in practice matches while Drake and Fafnir stood with a group of instructors watching. Falcon slowed to a walk and approached them.

  Thomas caught up still panting, “Fuck you’re fast. So what’s the plan?”

  Falcon put his hand on Thomas’s chest and stopped, “The first thing is you stop following me. Then I go talk to Dominick.”

  Thomas pushed Falcon’s hand away, “King Dominick? How is he supposed to help?”

  Falcon started walking toward Drake again, “Yes, King Dominick. I’m not sure exactly but if we’re getting out of the city I need his permission.”

  “Just tell me what you need,” said Thomas.

  Falcon stopped walking and looked Thomas in the eye, “I get that you want to help but this isn’t your fight. If it goes south you don’t want to be involved.”

  Thomas stood up straight, “I lost one friend because I walked away too soon, I won’t lose another making the same mistake. You say this isn’t my fight, but you’re wrong. I’m not sure about much, but helping my friends is something I have no doubt about.”

  Falcon sucked in a breath, held it for a moment then he let it out and nodded. “Thank you, but I need to talk to Dominick alone.”

  Thomas opened his mouth but Falcon held up his hand, “Aren’t you supposed to be training with the soldiers anyway?”

  Falcon and Thomas walked over to the group of soldiers. Drake was in the middle of a duel so they went over to Decimus.

  “Where have you two been?” asked Decimus.

  Thomas’s eyes flicked to Falcon then back, “Went for a little run is all,” said Falcon.

  “Alright, get ready for the next match: you and me,” said Decimus.

  “I thought you said to wait until the next challenge match?” asked Thomas.

  “I changed my mind, but only bound swords,” said Decimus.

  Thomas cracked his knuckles and went to get a bound sword.

  “I need to talk to Dominick, do you know where I can find him?” asked Falcon.

  “I’m not sure, but he was looking for you earlier. Drake told him to check your room. He’s probably headed there now,” answered Decimus.

  “Thanks,” said Falcon.

  Falcon worked his way through the castle. He kept his eyes open for Dominick, but only caught a glimpse of the back of his head right before he slipped inside his bedroom. He started jogging to catch up but Lucina turned the corner and bumped into him.

  “Oh, there you are,” said Lucina.

  Falcon grabbed her arm to keep her from falling, “Here I am.” Once she caught her balance Falcon continued walking, “Sorry, I’m in a bit of a hurry.”

  “Wait, I came to tell you Master Connelly is looking for you,” said Lucina.

  “Okay, thanks,” said Falcon as he waved over his shoulder.

  “You have to meet him at the academy,” Lucina shouted down the hall.

  When Falcon opened his door Dominick was standing next to his bed opening his travel pack, “I heard you were looking for me,” said Falcon.

  Dominick turned around, “Oh, there you are.”

  Falcon motioned toward the fireplace. Dominick took a seat and put Falcon’s pack next to his chair, “I need to know about your ancestor’s journal.”

  Falcon glanced at his travel pack then sat across from Dominick, “What do you want to know?”

  “It’ll be easier if you give it to me,” said Dominick.

  Falcon swallowed, “I can’t give it to you, but I can help you get your ancestral armor.”

  Dominick grabbed the arm of the chair and leaned forward, “What do you mean you can’t give it to me?”

  Falcon inched forward in his seat, “The journal wasn’t meant for you,” he asked.

  Dominick lowered his voice, “I am your King.”

  “You are my King but the journal was meant only for me. The armor is yours and you can still earn it,” said Falcon.

  Dominick stood up and walked around to the back of his seat, “Earn it? I don’t need to earn it. It is my birthright. But none of that matters; you have the source of it’s power,” said Dominick.

  “You don’t know what you’re asking. The divinus cupla is not a weapon,” said Falcon.

  This time Dominick stared into Falcon’s eyes. Falcon felt the weight of that stare and sat back.

  “I gave you a home, my home. Raised you like a son and now you deny me a simple book?” said Dominick.

  Falcon put his head down and closed his eyes for a moment then stood up and watched the fireplace, “I came to ask you for help and in truth I was going to share my ancestor’s secrets with you,” Falcon moved to the edge of the fireplace and looked at Dominick, “But if your ancestors will not share their power with you, nor shall I.”

  Dominick stepped in front of Falcon’s pack, “Don’t be like your father. He let some trivial ideals divide our people, and Eikard is no different.”

  Falcon’s eyes flared and he ground his teeth, “I’m nothing like my father.”

  Dominick became very still then in a flash he grabbed at Falcon’s pack but Falcon was faster. He slammed his hand on the wall activating a network of binding runes carved around the room. Dominick stopped cold, unable to speak or move.

  Falcon stepped around him and walked onto the balcony ignoring the pack, “Thank you for giving me a home and a family,” he turned back to Dominick, “It’s not too late to earn your armor. Good luck.”

  Falcon released the magic holding the room in place and launched himself into the courtyard. Rocious was right. Using magic to jump was pretty easy after you practiced. Like throwing a ball, except you were the ball and if you did not throw straight you could die. Easy.

  The group of soldiers watched Falcon as he landed. Even the men who had known him for the past ten years had never seen anyone except Rocious jump off the tower. They gave him the same awed stares they usually gave Rocious when he casually used his abilities. Falcon glanced at the next duel to find Decimus and Thomas circling each other.

  Falcon jogged over to speak with Drake, “Hey,” Falcon motioned toward the west gate with his thumb, “We need to chat quick. Just us.”

  Drake said something to the group of instructors then walked with Falcon toward the gate, “I wanted to ask you something also.”

  Falcon waited until they were out of ear shot, “Some of my people need my help. Actually a lot of them.” Falcon paused to think of the right words.

  Drake put his arm around Falcon’s shoulder, “If I heard nothing more I would tell you to help them.”

  Falcon smiled, “What if helping them has terrible consequences?”

  Drake continued walking for a moment in silence, “Sacrifice is part of life. But keep your wits, and remember what father says. The world changes every day. If you don’t change with it, you’ll be left in the past.”

  “I remember the saying differently. Sometimes the world changes you and sometimes you change the world. Anyway, what did you want to ask me?” asked Falcon.

  Drake tapped the pommel of his sword, “I’ve ne
ver bonded anything before, or I guess had someone bond it. Does it always feel like this?”

  Falcon could not help but smile as he suddenly felt like Rocious, “Feel like what?”

  Drake took the grip in his hand, “It’s hard to explain. My emotions are erratic. I almost jumped in to stop the practice matches.”

  “That’s Altor: he is a protector. He will help protect the ones you care about,” said Falcon.

  “You talk like it’s alive,” said Drake.

  Falcon stopped walking, “It’s a matter of respect because in some ways he is. Magic is tied to emotion. Altor is magic.”

  “You mean I am feeling my sword’s emotions? Do you know how crazy that sounds?” asked Drake.

  “I just flew off my balcony and you’re saying a desire to protect people is crazy?” asked Falcon.

  “You have a point, but I’ve never heard of a sword having feelings,” said Drake.

  Falcon smacked Drake on the back, “It’s not Altor’s emotions you’re feeling. It’s yours. The magic makes them…” Falcon turned his palm up toward Drake.

  “More intense,” suggested Drake.

  “Yeah, more intense. You’ll get used to it, hopefully,” said Falcon.

  “I’m glad I’m not going crazy,” said Drake.

  Falcon glanced back at the castle. Dominick would probably be here soon if he was coming.

  “Not yet anyway. Thanks for the advice,” said Falcon.

  Drake tapped Falcon’s shoulder with his fist, “I should be thanking you. Good luck, tell me how it goes at dinner.”

  Falcon wasted no more time; he went straight for the gate, fighting the urge to run or look back at the castle. He made it less than a block away before Thomas caught up with him.

  “You sure are persistent,” said Falcon.

  “Well, I thought you were going to let me help. What did the king say?” asked Thomas.

  “It doesn’t matter. I do have something you can help with. You know Dominion better than anyone. Help Mary find a way to sneak everyone out of the city,” said Falcon.

  “What do you mean sneak?” asked Thomas, “ten-thousand people don’t sneak.”

  Falcon pulled Thomas into one of the side streets, “I just need you to get them to Fort Reed. I don’t care how you do it,” said Falcon.

  “What do you mean me?” asked Thomas.

  “I have something else I need to take care of,” said Falcon.

  “What’s more important than leading your own people home?” asked Thomas.

  Falcon checked the road behind them for any sign of Dominick, “Look, I don’t have time to explain. If you’re going to help, help. But if not, get out of the way.”

  “I told you I’m in,” said Thomas.

  “Then talk to Mary, come up with a way to get them out of the city,” said Falcon.

  “We’re gonna need horses to get out of the city and outrun the tenth,” said Thomas.

  “What?!” blurted Falcon louder than he intended.

  “General Greko is camped outside the city with the tenth,” said Thomas.

  Falcon slammed his hand into the building next to him, “Shit! Fuck! I don’t have time to deal with this,” said Falcon.

  “Then go, I have an idea. Not a good idea but an idea,” Thomas cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders.

  Falcon hesitated.

  “Seriously, go.” said Thomas, “I’ll get them there. We might have an army on our tails, but I’ll get them there.”

  Falcon tapped Thomas’s shoulder, “Thank you, I owe you for this.”

  Thomas caught Falcon’s hand and clasped wrists with him, “No, you will never owe me. This is for me. Now go.” Thomas smacked him on the back and took off running farther down the side street.

  Falcon checked the main street one last time, and ran like the wind.

  Chapter 22

  The Tower of Wind

  “Your husband cannot delay forever.”

  Octavia signaled a group of servants, “My husband is not delaying, Master Connelly. He is a King. As King he is a busy man.”

  Connelly waved off the servants presenting food and drinks, “He has had three months. If Master Lockland and his student do not walk through those doors in the next ten minutes, we will be forced to get them. Trust me, you do not want that.”

  A middle-aged woman in master’s robes stepped in front of Connelly, “What Master Connelly meant to say is, thank you for your hospitality. Please remind your husband we are waiting.”

  Octavia bowed her head, “Thank you, Master Agrippa, I will pass that along.”

  “Please call me Drusilla, Master Agrippa is my husband,” said Drusilla.

  “My apologies. Speaking of your husband, I’m glad he took the time to come visit. I hear he is to make a second attempt at the trials,” said Octavia.

  “I wish he hadn’t made the first, but there is no stopping him,” said Drusilla.

  A moment later the doors to the throne room slammed open. Rocious entered and flicked his hand, dimming the torches that illuminated the room then held the door open for Octavia to leave with her staff.

  “Would you like me to give you a tour of the castle?” asked Octavia.

  Master Agrippa pulled back the hood of his dark blue trimmed cloak and touched his wife’s hip, “An excellent idea,” said Drusilla without hesitation.

  “After you,” said Octavia.

  Rocious waited for them to leave and closed the door, “Your student found me,” Rocious flourished his hands, “Here I am.”

  Connelly waited for the other masters to join them, “Yet your student is not with you.”

  “I am not his wet nurse, perhaps you should have given your student better instructions,” said Rocious.

  “If your student is not here in the next ten minutes we will be forced to consider him a rogue,” said Connelly.

  Rocious looked into the eyes of the masters standing before him, “You will do no such thing,” warned Rocious.

  “It is not your decision. In fact, this matter has brought your judgment into question as well,” said Connelly.

  Rocious flicked sparks on the floor, “I am Praetorian. My judgment is not yours to question.”

  “I too am Praetorian, and I have the support of this council,” said Connelly.

  Rocious looked at his nails then flicked more sparks into the air, “So you say. Agrippa, anything to add?”

  “The council is united in this decision,” said Connelly.

  Rocious ignored Connelly and waited for Agrippa to reply, “No one questioned Praetorian Caldwell when he left the path. Perhaps if you explained why you have broken convention,” said Agrippa.

  “It’s too late for explanations,” said Connelly.

  Rocious flicked sparks in Connelly’s directions as he walked across the throne room and climbed the steps to Dominick’s throne. Dominick entered through the doors behind his throne with Lucina and stood on one side of his throne, Rocious stood on the other. Lucina walked down the steps.

  Connelly snapped through the shadows to stand next to Lucina at the base of the steps in front of the throne.

  “Where is Lockland’s student?” asked Connelly as the other masters joined him in at the base of the steps.

  “I spoke to him in the hall but he seemed to be in a hurry,” said Lucina.

  Dominick glanced at Rocious then back down the steps, “I believe he has fled the city.”

  Connelly immediately addressed the other masters, “I will go after the rogue. The rest of you will put Master Lockland into isolation at my academy.”

  Rocious flicked sparks at Dominick then walked back down the steps, “Let’s cut the bullshit,” he walked down the steps locking eyes with Connelly and the various masters as he spoke, “Today was not about Falcon at all. You wanted my title,” Rocious put his hand out palm up, “I am right here. By all means try to take it.”

  “Don’t be foolish. There are eight of us,” said Connelly.

  Ro
cious started laughing, “You claim to be Praetorian,”

  Connelly motioned for the other masters to surround Rocious.

  “We did not need to be enemies, Lockland.”

  “See, I’m not the enemy you need to worry about,” Rocious raised his hand toward one of the masters making a fist, “Fear,” the man dropped to his knees then fell on his side and started twitching frantically. Rocious raised his other hand making a fist, “Contempt,” another master let out an agonizing scream and collapsed.

  “Stop all magic!” shouted Connelly.

  “It makes no difference,” Rocious put his hand toward a third man and took a slow breath, “Passion.” The third man struggled for a few seconds then fell to his knees panting and sweating.

  Rocious closed his eyes for a moment turning his ear toward Connelly then opened his eyes, “Arrogance.” Connelly clutched his chest in pain.

  “This is your enemy,” said Rocious.

  Connelly controlled his breathing and relaxed. Rocious moved closer to him, but Connelly hopped back and with a snap disappeared.

  Rocious walked toward Agrippa, the other masters huddled behind him, “I will go after Falcon. You will make sure no one interferes.”

  “Rest assured Praetorian, we came under the pretense of ensuring your student was not dangerous,” said Agrippa.

  “He is not. You have my word,” said Rocious.

  “I have no doubt in your judgment Praetorian, but I run a small school. Connelly and the others have far greater influence,” said Agrippa.

  “Quality over quantity,” said Rocious.

  “We cannot challenge Praetorian Connelly. Not without your strength,” said Agrippa.

  “Not strength, confidence,” replied Rocious.

  Agrippa nodded, “I suggest you hurry.”

  When Falcon left Dominion he thought he had the perfect plan to get what he needed from Duke Eikard. Now that he was in Keld he realized how terrible his plan truly was. If magic had not solved all of the problems he would have failed, or worse, been dead. Magic cut the week of travel down to three days and the risk of being caught was rendered almost impossible. Jumping over half of the city solved even the difficult task of sneaking into Eikard’s castle.