The Path Of Peace (The Cremelino Prophecy Book 3)

by Mike Shelton

  It was late in the evening when they arrived, but the kitchen staff had obviously been waiting for them. Walking into the dining room, Sean felt his stomach growl and contract. The little food they had given him on the day-long ride was hardly enough to satisfy him. His long legs felt weak, and his mouth watered at the sight. A large formal wooden table sat laid out with platters of meat, vegetables, fruits, and steaming fresh-baked rolls. They all sat down at the table. Sean raised his hands, grabbing the prince’s attention.

  “My Lord?” he asked, needing the ropes removed.

  The prince returned the question with a nod, and a guard untied his wrists. There was quick pain as the blood recirculated, but the smells of the food distracted him enough.

  Sean was surprised by the mixture of servants and nobility. A stranger to Sean, the local lord of the manor joined them. All were silent as food was passed around. The men tore with eagerness into the flavorsome pork and venison. Wine was passed around to all, the talk started again, and soon all were laughing with exploits and adventures that grew bigger and bigger.

  All except Sean. He didn’t know quite what to make of what was going on. The prince sat a few chairs down from him on the opposite side of the table. After Sean tried to get his attention through the meal, the prince finally turned to speak to him.

  “I’m sorry about your rough treatment. We had to be careful.” His accent was heavy, but Sean understood him nevertheless. “There are eyes everywhere. I am Prince Bronwyn Anwar.”

  Sean relaxed slightly at the words, relieved that he had indeed found his contacts, and they intended him no further harm.

  “I am Sean San Ghant.”

  Bronwyn continued, “I am hesitant about a man who would sell out his own kingdom.”

  Sean winced at the slap but answered calmly, “I have been a faithful and strong servant of the Realm, but the Realm has fallen under the influence of a new King. He is young and brash and does not deserve what he has. He has powers that…”

  “Powers?” the prince interrupted.

  “He is a Wizard King, my Lord, with little training in magic and an even smaller sense of how to run a kingdom. I do not see myself as selling out the land of my birth but as a patriot concerned about its future.”

  The prince brooded for a moment. “Another wizard sticking his nose where it does not belong. I understand your frustration, Sean San Ghant. The world would be a much better place without wizards meddling in our affairs.”

  The large wooden door at the end of the dining room crashed open. Sean watched as a large elderly man with graying hair and a full beard walked purposefully into the room. His hefty girth was draped by a large green robe and riding cloak.

  “What about wizards, Prince Bronwyn Anwar?”

  The room went silent with the presence of the newcomer. Anger flashed in the eyes of the prince.

  “Just that there seems to be more of them lately, High Wizard. We were commenting on the new Wizard King in the Realm.”

  “Ah,” the large man said, “I see.” He glanced around the room, his eyes settling on Sean for a few moments, but passed by without a word. Sean felt as if the man knew what his motives were.

  All of a sudden, a higher female voice broke the uncomfortable silence. “Olan, wait up for me.” A young curvy girl came up behind the High Wizard. She stopped suddenly, eyes on the table full of men. Her full cheeks flushed; a broad beautiful smile split her face. “Bronwyn.” She rushed up to the prince and, among the chuckles of the men, gave him a big hug. Hardly reaching his chest, she had to stretch her arms high to grab him around the neck.

  “My little sister, Danijela. You have grown. I haven’t seen you in over a year. Looks like you are finally losing some of that baby fat,” the prince teased, pinching her cheeks.

  Danijela smiled but not so warmly now. Her hands moved to her hips, and she stood her ground against her larger and older brother. “Bronwyn, that’s not nice to say to a woman.”

  “A woman now?” Bronwyn said.

  “I turned sixteen earlier this year, and you missed my party if I remember right.”

  Bronwyn did wince at that. “I was out meeting our people. Anyway, what are you doing in the company of the High Wizard?”

  “Haven’t you heard by now?”

  “Heard what? I’ve been traveling the far reaches of our kingdom, first with Mother and then with my council of men here. We just recently arrived. I had heard you were traveling with Wizard Sallir but hadn’t heard why.”

  Danijela brought her hand up and spun it around. All of the lamps in the room brightened considerably.

  Sean watched the prince. His features hardened, and his breathing deepened. He stood up, knocking his chair on the floor.

  “What is the meaning of this?” he questioned, striding across the floor toward the High Wizard.

  Sean didn’t know what a High Wizard was, but from the short conversation moments before, he understood that Bronwyn did not like wizards. He wondered how the prince would react if he knew that the Preacher was the benefactor in this mission of his.

  “She is a wizard in training, an apprentice under my care,” voiced High Wizard Sallir loudly.

  “What did you do to her?” the prince demanded, standing directly in front of the wizard.

  Danijela moved between them. “He did nothing, Bronwyn. I knew I had powers for years; I just didn’t know what to do about it. He invited me to train with him at the Wizards’ Conclave.”

  Bronwyn looked at Danijela. “You are playing at things you don’t understand, little sister. Come back home with me where you belong.”

  Danijela stood up in front of her brother, not even reaching his chin. Her short blonde hair framed a face that still held a fullness of youth. Her lips tightened as her hands moved to her hips. “I am not little anymore, big brother. I am sixteen. This is what I choose to do.”

  Bronwyn reached to grab his sister’s arm. Instead he was thrown in the air by the stone floor pushing him off his feet. The stone turned to liquid and flowed over the floor. It surrounded the prince and began to make a wall around him, hardening again as it formed. The prince’s men rose from the table and drew their swords. Sean sat back and smiled. Oh, yes, these people could be manipulated for sure. Bronwyn’s hatred of magic was apparent.

  “Enough!” High Wizard Sallir boomed. “Danijela, stop this immediately.”

  The men still stood with swords out and ready to fight. The High Wizard flicked his wrist and every sword flew to the ground.

  Bronwyn stood. His face filled with rage and murderous intent. “You manipulated my sister, Wizard.” He spat.

  “I am the High Wizard, Prince Bronwyn, and you should not forget that. I have advised three Kings and now do advise your father. He asked me to come and ask you to meet the new Realm King in his place as he is taking care of other matters on the other side of the country. Your lack of control and judgment make me question your ability to do that or to rule in your father’s footsteps. I had hoped to raise Danijela to be your advisor.”

  “We don’t need wizards advising us anymore. You take too much power to yourselves and meddle in our affairs. When I succeed my father, there will be no advisor. Neither you or my now-accursed sister.”

  Danijela started to say something, but the High Wizard stopped her with a touch of his hand on her arm. Tears streamed down her face as she regarded her brother. It was obvious he had upset her.

  The High Wizard lowered his voice, almost to a whisper. “Bronwyn, I will excuse this behavior from you because it is late at night. You are young and tired. But make no mistake further. Your succession is not guaranteed. Do not presume too much at this young age.”

  Bronwyn moved to speak, but the High Wizard put up his hands to stop him. He turned to Danijela. “We are obviously not wanted here tonight. We will go to the inn to rest instead. Come.” The two turned back to the doorway they had entered.

  Right before leaving the room, Danijela turned back. With a sweep
of her hand the stones that had been reshaped, slid back to their original position as tiles in the floor as if nothing had happened. She nodded to the lord of the manor and turned back around.

  Complete silence filled the room after the two wizards left. Sean waited for someone to say something. He took a long drink of wine, finishing off his glass. The prince remained standing where he had been left. Sean could take the silence no longer. He stood up out of his chair.

  “Now is as good a time as any to get back down to business, my Lord.” He was getting tired of doing nothing.

  All eyes stared at the foreigner, as if they had forgotten he was in the room.

  “I don’t think we want to get down to business, as you say, right now. I don’t think you would find me a very tolerable person.” Bronwyn scowled for a few minutes and everyone fell silent.

  “However,” the prince started again, “this might be a good night to take care of this situation once and for all.”

  The guard's faces in the room piqued in interest and slight surprise.

  Prince Bronwyn came closer to the group. “Later tonight we will ride to the inn and take care of that overweight meddling wizard once and for all.”

  “What about your sister?” someone asked.

  The prince ignored the comment. The group dispersed to their own rooms to prepare for the attack later that night. The prince came up to Sean and asked to speak with him in private.

  They walked outside and stood on a deck with a view of the mountains to the east. The air had cooled, and the stars shined bright in the clear night air.

  Sean watched the prince carefully, not knowing where he stood at the moment. Things had not gone according to his expectations.

  “Ever been out in the desert?” the prince asked. It was an unexpected question.

  “Only the White Sand Desert south of Mar. I went with my father a few years ago. I have never been to your kingdom’s great deserts. I am sure they are beautiful.”

  Prince Bronwyn laughed. “Don’t be too sure. Oh, we tout that our strength comes from our desert living, and that may be. And though there are times of beauty and solitude there, for the most part it is a harsh, unforgiving environment. I rather like it here closer to the mountains.”

  “Have you ever been further? To the Black Forest or to the Blue Sea?

  “Sadly, no.” The prince motioned for the two of them to sit down on some stone benches. “The wealth of what the Realm contains must be incredible.”

  Sean could see where this was going, and he decided to be bolder with the young prince. “So having a part of the Realm’s resources under your control could be an advantage to you?”

  The prince frowned and looked around. “You must be careful of what you say, sir. The Realm has a new young leader.”

  “Young, yes. He is not experienced in statehood and did not desire his position. People like us—you and me—we want power, we want control. Am I right?”

  “Let’s just say I would like to take advantage of the weak situation in the Realm right now. An annexation of part of that fruitful land into the Kingdom of Arc would make me very popular here.”

  “Even more so than your father?” Sean ventured, enjoying the conspiratorial conversation.

  The prince leaned back in his chair and looked up at the sky. “Some might call me an ambitious man. But what do you get out of this?”

  “I get power and control over Darius,” Sean almost spat with vehemence. “He doesn’t deserve what he has. If he is weakened or even removed, then opportunities arise for me and my benefactor.”

  “Speaking of your benefactor.” The prince frowned slightly. “I was not informed of who he was or what his plans are.”

  Sean had to be careful here. He knew that the power of wizards was not popular with Arc’s next ruler. “He is a man who prefers to work behind the scenes right now. He has contacts in Belor, Mar, and Sur, and even the eastern kingdoms. Once unrest and discord is spread throughout the Realm, he, too, is looking for power. That is his plan.”

  The prince stiffened.

  Sean continued. “However, he is more than willing to share a piece of the pie with those who help him. He seems to be a reasonable man.”

  One of the guards came out of the building and motioned toward the prince to get his attention. “We followed the High Wizard and know where he is staying, my Lord. All will be prepared for an attack tonight. He will not expect it here or now. He will not have time to react.”

  “Good. Good.” Prince Bronwyn’s smile lit up his pale face, made more so with the contrast of the black clothes he still wore. The kingdom elite, although desert dwellers, prided themselves on their pale skin. Those that were tan were lower caste and worked outside. “Just make sure you do not harm my sister. I am sure she has been brainwashed by that trickster.”

  The guard went back inside, and Sean turned back to Bronwyn. “Then we have a deal? We can count on you to begin to spread discord down into Sur and the Realm?”

  “Oh, yes, my friend. And I know the perfect time to start. As you heard, my father has asked me to meet the new royal couple.”

  “Remember he is a wizard also.”

  The prince’s face hardened and his teeth clenched. “All the more reason to destroy him.”

  Sean smiled and laughed softly. Oh, how he longed to see Darius and his little pet girl from the farmlands destroyed.

  Bronwyn broke through Sean’s revelry. “First, we destroy the High Wizard. Are you ready, my friend?”

  Sean nodded and followed.

  Chapter Five

  A TRAITOR IN THE MIDST

  Prince Mezar Alrishitar, second heir to the throne of the Empire of Gildan, sat in the library of the wizard’s school on a hill overlooking the city of Gildan. He kept his black hair long, currently tied in a ponytail behind his neck so as not to bother him as he read. Mezar had been researching the history of King’s and Emperor’s in the western kingdoms and their connection to the three wizard powers. He had promised his friend Darius that by the time he and his wife arrived later in the fall, Mezar would have some background information to help Darius understand the heredity of the power of the throne along with a history of Wizard Kings.

  As a wizard of the mind, Mezar absorbed and remembered all the information he read; however, there were a lot of writings going back over hundreds, if not thousands of years, in multiple kingdoms. He stood for a minute to stretch his legs and paused at a gold-framed mirror hanging in the ornately furnished ancient room. His reflection was a little distorted, but his tilted dark eyes and tanned features looked back at him. His eyes seemed tired, and his face drawn. He marched back to the desk, closed the book, replaced it on a shelf, and headed outside. He needed to breathe some fresh air and move around. After his excursion into the Realm earlier in the year, he had grown restless and tired of reading.

  Before opening the door to the balcony, he caught the sound of whispered voices behind a short wall to his left. Earlier he hadn’t noticed anyone else enter the room. The school, closed for a week of holidays, was empty, and he had found himself alone most days. Mezar moved with quiet steps closer to the whispered conversation.

  “Everything’s all ready, sir. The plans are in place,” a man said, his voice low and scratchy.

  “All the plans? You know he will not be pleased with any failures. He is a hard man,” the second man said.

  Mezar didn’t know who they referred to, but it was obviously someone they feared to disappoint.

  “There won’t be failures,” the first voice continued. “The first part will be easy. It will appear as if the Kingdom of Arc took the girl. The Realm and the Kingdom of Arc will wage war against each other and forget about us to their south.”

  Mezar became alarmed and knew he had to do something, but he didn’t recognize the voices. What if they were more powerful than he? He started to move closer, stretched out his hand, and felt the power build up in his mind. He thought about what he could do before he act
ed.

  “And here in Gildan?” the second man asked. “That will be more dangerous.”

  “Yes. It will be slow. No one will notice anything. In a few months, his bad health will have seemed to happen in a most natural manner.”

  “He is old at that.”

  Mezar could almost perceive the second man smile.

  “The empire will be sad to lose our beloved leader,” the second man responded.

  Mezar froze. This was an assassination plot. He could jump out and take care of the men, but what he really needed to know was who was behind the plot. He listened further.

  “Where will you keep the girl?” the first man asked.

  “Her Majesty will be kept safe. The less people that know the location, the better.”

  Once again, Mezar was surprised. Who were they talking about? The Emperor’s wife had passed away years before. Were they talking about Christine? Darius would not let his new wife be anywhere unguarded.

  Mezar peered around for a place to hide. If they happened to walk his way and see him, they would know he had been eavesdropping. He hid himself behind a bookshelf. The men continued to talk for another minute, with no new revelations for Mezar, then footsteps receded.

  He had to find out what kind of traitor supervised this horrible plot. Once he did that, he would bring the news to the Emperor and his father, the general. He crept behind the men, using his powers to hide his approaching steps. Using magic this way was taxing on his mind but necessary. The two men parted ways.

  Mezar decided to follow the one that seemed to be issuing the commands. Maybe he would report back to whoever had sent him. The man glanced back occasionally, but Mezar stayed hidden. He didn’t recognize the traitor from behind. For them to be in the wizard compound, the other man must have been a wizard, which made the potential events even more dangerous.

  Once outside the gates of the school, they entered a part of town housing wizards and other high-ranking nobles of the city. Evening crept up, but it was still light enough to spot the tops of the domed buildings lighting the darkening sky. Mezar had always loved this time of night. Each domed building had oil lamps that were lit from below and circled the domes underneath their eaves, setting off a soft glow throughout the city. In recent years, some of the more fashionable nobles had begun experimenting with different colors of glass around the lamps, so even though most of the buildings were a soft yellow, a few had dazzling colors of green, blue, and even red.