by Xander Jade
Cori yelled, "Why are you telling us this?"
Others were asking questions but she didn't hear them, instead focusing on Maximus. He has a hard road ahead. She turned her head back the group and calmly said, "I have seen it in my visions. The reason why I am telling you, is because your destiny is now intertwined."
"Are you saying that you're clairvoyant?" Shea asked with wide eyes.
Cassie took a deep breath settling her nerves. She didn't want to say anything but he has to start getting support from the kingdoms. "I sometimes have these visions that come to me, but I'm not an oracle or seer. I'm trusting you with this not to panic, but to warn you and your people. You will need to start preparing. Max will become the mage that the kingdoms will look to for leadership. He will need all the support we can give him."
"Who are you, really?" Shea asked, almost demanding for the mage to tell her.
"I'm here to protect him, guide him. He will need instruction and support. I'll leave you on those thoughts. Goodnight all." Cassie got up and left. There was silence in the group for several minutes trying to make sense of what was said.
Shea got her thoughts together first, "No one speaks of this until we can talk to High Mage Edward. He may know who she is and why she has told us this astonishing news. I don’t want our kingdom in a panic."
"This was supposed to be a trip to relax and celebrate," Estelle moped. "Now it’s turned into something else entirely."
"I agree Lady Shea, we should let them discuss our next move," Nathan stated calmly. "We just need to go about our business and for now act like nothing is happening. Focus on the announcement of the heir apparent and celebrations."
"How are we supposed to do that after what was just said?" Cori asked reluctantly. "She knows things that nobody outside of our circle should know. If this whole situation is true, how can we let Maximus leave tomorrow?"
"There’s nothing we can do about that," Nathan chuckled. "It’s not like we can make him do anything. His two massive beasts and his personal mage won’t let us."
They decided to go to sleep and regroup tomorrow. None of the Whitehurst group got any sleep, but Maximus slept dreaming of his home.
Chapter Eleven
I woke up the next morning refreshed, just thinking about home got me in a better mood. Herc and Reap were still asleep. I wonder how I’m going to explain this to my parents. ‘Hey mom, guess what? I brought home someone else to live with us. He’s just a big teddy bear.’ Hmm…he will tear her garden up for sure. I’m in trouble, big trouble.
Groaning, I got up to start getting my gear ready for the day and noticed there were group discussions to my left and right. The left was the Whitehurst group and the right was the Oakenshore group. Neither group looked especially cheery this morning. Sighing loudly, my feet took me towards my pack for some provisions to eat. I wasn’t going to get mixed up in that mess, so happily chewed on some jerky, cheese, and bread. Thinking about the two massive predators, I went and got some fresh meat for them and tossed it on the ground by their paws. They woke up from the smell and devoured there meal as usual. After a while, the group dispersed and Sir Yells a Lot bellowed a couple of orders to his men. Sir Nathan did the same for his, and so they started mounting their horses. I got to my mount to find Cassie had already loaded our stuff on him. Hmm…that’s weird. Why is she putting her stuff with mine? We started out slowly, but picked up speed once we got down the road a few miles.
A few hours into the trip, we topped a hill and I looked upon Oakenshore for the first time. It was much bigger than my town, and I could see the castle from miles away, it seemed the caravan was at least two or three hours away. The knights brought our convoy to a stop by a stream and let the horses drink, after a few minutes we started out again to end the journey for the Whitehurst group. When just outside the gates the caravan stopped, Cassie and I got off the mounts and got our stuff. We put our packs on Herc and Reap for the trip home and handed the reins to our mounts to one of the soldiers, he took them inside the gates. Sir Yells a lot came over to us as the caravan went through the gates.
Sir John sneered, "I will wait for your return brigand; know you will meet me in the circle to settle this little matter."
"Can’t wait. I’ll be ready, Sir Yells a Lot." I smiled and tried to get a visual of me pummeling the asswipe.
***
The Whitehurst unit watched the diverse group led by Max walk off into the horizon. They had mixed emotions about him leaving: disappointment, fear, and impatience which was among the top. As they moved through the city gates they tried to forget the discussion last night, at least for now. The group moved slowly toward the castle, Sir Nathan spotted the impetuous knight waiting for them and groaned at the thought of spending more time with this imbecile.
Sir John bowed, "Ladies and sir knight, may I escort you to the castle?
Cori sighed loudly. Shea tried not to be irritated at the moron but her voice betrayed her, "Sir John, are you to take us straight there, or annoy us more?"
John was stunned and didn't know what to say at first. "Milady, I mean no offense. I was to escort you by the duke's orders. He wants to hear about your situation immediately."
"Okay, good, lead the way," Shea said.
"Do you think we will see him again?" Cori asked with a sigh.
"If you were to listen to Lady Cassie, then that's a certainty. I'm not sure about the visions she's seeing though," Shea told her as she kept walking towards the castle gates.
"I know we've had a couple bad days. So let's just breathe the fresh air and maybe get some rest today," Estelle softly suggested.
"I don't know if I can relax," Cori stated. "Even if those statements that were told to us aren't true, it's hard to believe that meeting Maximus was a coincidence. The things he can do, are unusual."
John chuckled out, "You think he's anything other than just a commoner? He hasn't shown me anything extraordinary. Those two beasts took care of those orcs for him and he just took the credit for it."
Princess Cori and the others stopped in the middle of traffic. She turned to the knight with anger on her face. Shea tried to stop her with a hand on her shoulder, but Cori shook her off and got right in his face. "What is wrong with you? That man saved us. You may think he's a boy, but you didn't see what he did to those orcs and wolves. He then with his animals took them on by himself in the woods to save Lady Cassie," she took a deep breath, "all I've seen you do is bark orders and wait for people to serve you. Have you even fought against orcs?"
John looked at her with embarrassment and stammered out, "Umm…no y-your highness. I haven't had the pleasure."
Cori looked at him with frustration and asked, "Then why is it you have taken to berating Maximus? He has been most understanding of your poppycock attitude over the last couple of days. I for one would have you put in the stocks."
"But Your Highness, he is but a lowly commoner. Unfit to be in your presence," Sir John smiled.
"Sir John, that lowly commoner saved the princesses, me, and my men. In my book that puts him as my brother in arms, don't disrespect him again. Remember my words, when it comes to him titles don't matter," Sir Nathan stated and walked off with the others following.
They went to the castle and was escorted to the main hall. As the group walked through the castle, they noticed the eclectic art and beauty that the castle displayed. It was different than the palace, but still beautiful nonetheless. The architecture was truly remarkable and someone spared no cost with the building. They were led to some double doors and were let in by the duke's guards. A throne was set up on a dais with a tall man presiding over court.
Duke Ackley was older, mid-fifties, dark hair with a little grey mixed in, and a fare complexion. His two sons were up on the dais with him and looked like they were wrapping up when they came in. Duke Ackley and his sons saw them, they immediately came over and bowed to them. "Princess Estelle, Princess Corisande, Lady Shea, it's good to see you. We were wo
rried when your riders came in to let us know you were attacked," he said quickly.
"Duke Ackley, thank you for sending protection for us," Lady Shea curtsied. He nodded and looked over at the knight that was with them and reached out to welcome him.
"Sir Nathan, it's great to see you again. I was hoping you made it out alive."
Sir Nathan grasped his arm in the greeting and nodded, "Thank you, Duke Ackley. We were in a pickle for sure."
The duke looked at his knight and asked, "I trust there wasn't any problems, Sir John?"
The knight's face flushed and fidgeted, "Nothing I couldn't handle my lord. We had some unexpected guests last night, but we got it under control."
Duke Ackley was surprised and asked, "Unexpected guests? Who was it?"
"Your Grace, we need to discuss in private the events that we were involved in," Lady Shea advised.
"Yes, of course, Lady Shea. Forgive me, let's go to the war room. I want a full debrief of your travels. The king and high mage have already been notified of the events of the ambush. I'll have refreshments brought. Your group must be starving."
Duke Ackley called out to some servants as they walked down the corridor to bring sustenance for the weary group. When everyone was gathered inside, refreshments were on a table waiting for them. They each gathered some food and sat down eating in silence. As they ended their meal the doors were closed for their meeting.
"Alright, I'm all ears ladies and want to know all the details. I've heard some wild stories coming out, but wanted to hear it from the source," Duke Ackley said.
Shea and the others looked around to see who would start. "Sir Nathan, would you start since you were on the scene first?" He nodded and started telling the events that had occurred the past week. He told them about being ambushed by orcs and wolves. The ladies breaking in at certain moments to tell their sides. He continued with how arrows started coming out of nowhere, to the roar that stopped the battle, then Maximus coming over the hill. He explained at the end of the battle where his men were given treatment which ultimately saved their lives, and Nathan talked about the lad helping them with food and supplies.
"Who is this Maximus? Where does he come from?" The Duke asked.
"We don't know, milord. He wouldn't tell us," Shea replied and sighed.
"Why wouldn't he tell you?" Duke Ackley wondered. "It's odd that he would help, but wouldn't tell you anything about himself."
"Yes, it was odd milord, but that wasn't why he was guarded," Lady Cori stated.
The duke looked at her in confusion. Cori continued, "We mentioned the roar but not the creature it came from," she stopped and thought about her words then carefully said, "The roar was made by a siba, milord. That's why Maximus didn't want to tell us where he was from. It was because people would seek him out."
Duke Ackley stared at Cori to see if she was telling the truth. "Are you certain, Your Highness?" At that moment, Gordon Ackley bellowed out, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, you saw a siba?" He asked wide eyed and she nodded. Then he started describing how the siba looked, and the group looked shocked. Gordon chuckled out, "Holy Shit! You met Reaper, didn't you?" He laughed at the shocked looks which meant he knew who was there. "Ladies and Gentlemen, you met up with Max Drago. His siba, Reaper, that’s one massive cat. He hardly leaves Max's side."
"How do you know this Gordon?" The duke asked.
"Because I stayed with him for a few weeks. His father is a blacksmith and his mother is the town herbalist. They grow everything they need and if they don't have it, Max goes in the woods to find it." The group was stunned and looked at each other knowing that he described Maximus to the letter. "I've seen him and his mother heal some nasty injuries."
"Why haven't you told us any of this, son?" Duke Ackley's demanded, his voice filled with irritation. "That's vital information. He could be a danger to the kingdom!"
"I didn't tell you because he's my friend, and everyone will want to seek him out to see the legendary creature. The kingdom isn't in danger from him. The only people who are in danger are the ones that cross his path unjustly," Gordon stated with emphasis.
Lady Shea cleared her throat, "Sorry milord, but you know where he lives? The king and high mage will want to know. Also... we haven't told the whole story yet." The Ackley's stared at her confused that there was more to the story. "Yesterday, Max went out to hunt again. He was gone for a long time, that's when Sir John and his company found us. At that time we heard two distinct roars, one was Reaper, and the other was an unknown. After a few minutes it was quiet again, so we thought the worst for Max. It was about an hour later that we had unexpected guests come to our camp," she stopped and looked over at Sir John, who was blushing with embarrassment. Duke Ackley noticed the look she gave him and was going to ask about it. "The camp was prepared for an ambush, but it was Max returning to camp. He wasn't alone though, and we found out what the second roar was. It was a kodiak, sir, and he was following Max with Reaper by his side." The Ackley's were stunned. Not only did he have a siba but he has a huge bear too? She continued, "Max also had a mage with him. He came upon ten orcs with boars that were trying to apprehend an escapee. Max saved her with help from his creatures. She was unconscious at the time. We talked with her and found that she wasn't the only one captured. I'm not sure where they are keeping the captives, but you might want to have someone look into it. ......we also found out that he's bonded with both of them." This shocked the Ackley's the most. This was definitely unprecedented territory.
"Who was this mage? Did you recognize her?" Duke Ackley asked quickly.
"No, milord, but her name is Lady Cassie," Shea softly said. He didn't recognize the name but that didn't mean anything, mages were everywhere. He took a deep breath and asked if there was anything else. They looked at each other and said no.
"Okay, before I inform His Majesty and the high mage of these events, what's the issue with you and Sir John?" The Duke asked.
"Let's just say that your knight thought Max was beneath him and us," Princess Cori answered and the others nodded. "He also degraded him in public and called him a brigand."
The duke and Gordon's face were red with anger and it was the silent brother that voiced his opinion. "Who cares, he's a commoner. They are a dime a dozen. Who cares if he has animals with him? They can be killed," Blake smugly said.
Duke Ackley was outraged. "So you two nitwits think it was a lucky coincidence that he showed up at the right times and got lucky saving these people?"
They nodded and it was Gordon who yelled out, "Do you idiots even know what a siba is?" They shook their head no. "Well, let me enlighten you. Those legendary creatures haven't been seen in centuries. They are very in tune with the environment and very cunning. They can kill instantly, not to mention the size that Reaper is. That's not all, this one is bonded to a commoner as you say, and he could have killed you with a snap of his fingers. Now, he has a kodiak, which will do the same if he asks. There is no one known that has ever been bonded to a siba. We are now in unknown territory, and have absolutely no idea the ramifications that will happen since Max is bonded to Reaper." Gordon then looked at his father with trepidation. "I didn't know he was bonded though. He never told me that father. I'm sorry, I would have told you if he'd had." The duke looked annoyed at his apology but didn't say anything.
Duke Ackley looked at his knight and eldest child then advised, "You two from now on will show respect to everyone and I mean everyone. Don't let me hear otherwise or the consequences will not be to your liking. Do I make myself clear?" They nodded. "Sir John, when we see young Max again, you will apologize until you're blue in the face," he nodded and Duke Ackley continued, "the king and high mage will definitely want to know where Max is. As of right now, he is top priority."
"Where's Max, if he was with you?" Gordon asked concerned.
"Why do you care brother?" Blake asked sarcastically.
Gordon looked at his brother and smiled, "You’re still pissed that he beat you, aren't
you?"
Blake looked irritated and bellowed, "He cheated!"
Gordon cackled loudly and then said, "He beat you honorably. I was there, remember?"
Sir John asked carefully, "Are you saying that Max is the one that bested you?"
"He didn't just win. He annihilated him," Gordon chuckled while Blake was red faced with anger. Blake barked out, "If you hadn't interrupted us, I would've beat him!!"
Gordon shook his head, "And I suppose the archery match was fixed too?" Blake put his head down, but didn't say anything. The group collectively didn't know what to say, so the room was in silence for a few minutes.
"First and foremost, where is Max now?" Duke Ackley asked.
"He left after he escorted us to the city, Your Grace. We tried to get him to stay, but declined to go make sure his family is safe," Shea answered.
"Okay, there's nothing we can do at this time. I'll let the king know what's going on. Lady Cassie, where is she?" The Duke wondered.
"She went with Max, says she is protecting him," Cori spat. The Ackley's and Shea turned to look at the princess. She just shrugged and looked away.
"Hmm... Is he in some sort of trouble? Although, not much can stop him if he wanted trouble," he chuckled.
"No, she was just adamant about being his protector," Shea said looking at the others, making sure they didn't say anything about Cassie's visions.
"The celebration and ball is in two days, we should hear back from the king by then. Until then, I must make haste to deliver this astonishing news myself. Your Highnesses, your company must be tired, rest and we’ll meet at dinner," Duke Ackley proposed and the princesses nodded. He left the confines of the room while the others just sat thinking about their next move.
Silence ruled the room until Gordon spoke. "What was it like to see Reaper in action? Was it like the legends go?"
"I have never see the like," Shea softly replied. "The ferocity and savagery within the battle was hard to watch."