In Defence of the Crown (The Aielund Saga Book 2)

by Stephen L. Nowland

  “Or it could be a family heirloom,” she exclaimed.

  “No, there was nothing on it to indicate any sentimental value,” Pacian assured her. “Besides, it has one of those gems what focuses magic, or something. Might come in handy, you know?”

  “Whatever, I really don’t care,” Aiden remarked distantly as he watched the tower doors close behind Sayana and her escort.

  “Don’t worry, she’ll be fine,” Pacian remarked. “From what I could see, they didn’t bother taking away her axe, so look at it this way - she’s allowing them to take her prisoner.”

  “Fair point, I suppose,” Aiden replied, settling down somewhat. His attention was caught by the sight of Sir William waving to them from the top of the cathedral steps. Nellise was by his side, and a number of the clergy were at the door, looking at the commotion and talking amongst themselves. Aiden headed over to speak with them with the others sauntering along behind him.

  “Aiden! What in God’s name happened here, sir?” the knight asked as they took the stairs.

  “Our investigation ran into a little problem,” Aiden explained ruefully. “The man who fell to his death was responsible for the destruction of the pavement on Renown Street, and the evidence we found indicates he was forced to do this by some shady interests. I’ll have a talk to Ronan later on about who might be in the business of loaning out money.”

  “And the explosion?”

  “He had a dart, magically empowered to explode with great force,” Aiden continued to the benefit of everyone standing nearby. “I can only assume he had another just like it to use on the pavement. In any case, that doesn’t give us much to go on. Sayana was just taken away for using sorcery - would you care to enlighten me as to why this has happened?”

  “I did warn you,” Nellise answered, alarmed at the news. “I suppose circumstances demanded she act, however.”

  “She was falling to her death at the time,” Aiden confirmed. “So why the paranoia about sorcery? I don’t recall reading anything about any such restrictions over the years.”

  “I’m not privy to all the details,” Nellise remarked in hushed tones, “but in the past there were certain individuals born with tremendous power, who used it… unwisely. The Church lost a lot of good people trying to rein them in, not to mention the civilian deaths that occurred before the Church became involved. It’s been many years since a natural wild talent has shown up, but there are protocols are in place to deal with such people.”

  “What are they going to do with her?” Aiden asked, suddenly fearful for Sayana’s safety.

  “Questioning, mostly,” the cleric continued, “under the watchful eye of a room full of wizards ready to obliterate her if she tries anything dangerous. I don’t think we need to be concerned, as her talents seem to be relatively limited compared with those seen in the past.”

  “Wait, are you saying she’s less powerful than the sorcerers of old?” Pacian asked incredulously.

  “That is the general consensus, though as I said, I don’t have all the details. That sort of information is kept strictly secret by order of the Archieros, and the Arch-Chancellor of the University.” Aiden noticed that Nellise seemed far more pensive and preoccupied.

  “Are you alright, Nel? What’s been going on in our absence?”

  “I have been discussing my recent decisions with Archon Price, representative of the Resolute Heralds chapter here in Fairloch,” Nellise explained quietly. “He has much to say on the matter, though I will admit that it’s going better than I had expected.”

  “Did you mention rescuing the princess?” Pacian prompted. “That might impress him a bit.”

  “Yes, I informed him it was the singular reason for taking up arms as I did, even if it was something of a lie. But this is a personal matter, and I don’t wish to burden you all unduly. Aiden, I want you to come and meet the Archon - he’s interested in speaking with you.”

  “And why is that?” Aiden asked suspiciously.

  “You know why,” she replied cryptically, with the hint of a smile on her features. Aiden suspected it was to do with his return from the dead, during their time in Akora.

  “I can spare a few minutes to speak with him, but I think he’s going to be disappointed,” he warned, stepping inside the doorway.

  “You all go ahead,” Maggie advised. “I’m going to stay out here and see if I can give these people a hand sorting out this mess.”

  “I’m sure the City Watch can handle it,” Aiden said.

  “You’re missing the point,” Maggie replied, raising an eyebrow. “Do I have to spell it out?”

  “Oh, the whole religion thing,” Aiden observed. “Yes I suppose it might be uncomfortable for you.”

  “Staying out here might be for the best,” Nellise agreed hesitantly.

  “Okay, we shouldn’t be too long,” Aiden advised. “Oh and you did well, back there, by the way. You’re definitely not what I was expecting.”

  “I hear that a lot,” she replied with a knowing wink as she turned and walked back towards the crowd. Stepping inside the cathedral, Aiden was immediately overcome by the awesome beauty before him.

  The building itself was roughly the same size as the halls of knowledge across the compound. The vaulted ceiling was open and clear nearly all the way to the pinnacle of the structure.

  The walls were made of polished stone and marble, and vast columns along the length of the cathedral held the weight of the massive structure. Fine wooden pews could seat perhaps a thousand people, although only a few dozen were currently in attendance. The whispers of their prayers echoed around the large stone and marble interior, lending an air of peaceful contemplation to an already extraordinary experience.

  Stained-glass windows positioned high up in the walls allowed sunlight in, and from what Aiden could see, an array of mirrors reflected the light down below, creating a brilliantly lit interior space. The symbolism of this was not lost on him, though a part of his mind knew the designers had wanted to convey awe upon entering the structure. It worked.

  “Is this the place where you speak with your ancestors for guidance?” Valennia asked.

  “No Valennia, this is where we commune with God,” Nellise explained patiently.

  “And this God, he speaks with you only in this place?”

  “No, God is always with us, though his voice is not something we hear with our ears, but in our hearts,” Nellise told her sagely.

  “Amongst my people, shamans convey the wisdom of those that came before us,” Valennia said, looking around unimpressed. “We do not need a large hall of rock to hear their voices.”

  “I think it’s an incredible building,” Aiden offered, trying to soften the akoran woman’s harsh sentiments.

  “Magnificent, is it not?” Nellise remarked, her voice softened with similar feelings as they gazed upon some of the finest architecture in the known world. Even Pacian, cynical to a fault, was quiet for a time as they slowly strode the length of the hallway towards the lectern at the far end. His silence didn’t last, however.

  “So, you wouldn’t welcome a druid in your little church?” Pacian teased Nellise. “She’s really small. I doubt she’d be much of a threat.”

  “It isn’t that she would not be welcome,” Sir William answered before Nellise could, “but she might find it uncomfortable standing within these hallowed halls in the presence of a deity that isn’t her own.”

  “I sense we could get into a theological debate here,” Aiden interrupted. “And it’s probably not wise to be getting mired down in an argument. I’m just going to speak with this priest and then we have to move on and continue the investigation.”

  Nellise guided them towards a man of middle-aged appearance and unremarkable height with short grey-hair and an expression of contentment upon his round face.

  “I trust everything is under control out there?” he asked Sir William.

  “In a manner of speaking, yes,” the knight replied. “I doubt we’ll b
e interrupted by any further explosions, though I am sad to say that a young man lost his life in the incident.

  “A man involved with crime, as it happens,” Pacian pointed out, “so don’t be too upset at the thought of him falling to his death.”

  “Any death is a loss to the community,” the priest replied evenly, “regardless of your opinion of his character, sir.”

  “Archon, this is Aiden Wainwright,” Nellise said, smoothly redirecting the conversation. “Aiden, allow me to introduce Archon Ashwyn Price, who represents the interests of our chapter here in Fairloch.” The priest’s eyes focused on Aiden, the scrutiny making him a little uncomfortable. He believed Ashwyn would be sorely pressed to find anything divine about Aiden’s face.

  “I’m pleased to make your acquaintance,” the priest greeted him personally. “Nellise has told me some interesting things about you, and I was wondering if I might speak with you alone for a few minutes?”

  “I suppose so,” Aiden reluctantly agreed. “I hope the rest of you don’t mind waiting.”

  “Not at all,” Sir William replied, “I’m going to find my old friend Corvyn Elward and introduce him to our lovely young Sarient.” Nellise seemed to blush slightly at this compliment, and she completely missed Pacian’s dark look at the knight.

  “The Patriarch is indisposed at the moment,” Ashwyn informed them, appearing nervous all of a sudden. “Archioness Quinn can tell you more, why don’t you go and speak with her?”

  “I knew that Corvyn’s health was deteriorating, though I had not been informed that he had taken a turn for the worse,” Sir William remarked crisply. “This man is a pillar of the community and more than that, an old friend. I should have been informed of any developments.”

  “It is a rather delicate matter, sir knight, and I would beg your indulgence. Olivia? Come and speak to Sir William, if you please?” Ashwyn called to another robed priest nearby, who walked over and conferred with him in whispered conversation for a few moments. She was a plain looking woman, thin, with brown hair and small brown eyes.

  “I demand to know what is going on here, at once,” Sir William barked. “Your conduct is reprehensible sir, and I shall take this matter to the highest office if I this veil of secrecy is not lifted immediately.”

  “Sir William,” the priestess named Olivia addressed him delicately, “you will understand the nature of our reluctance when I tell you of what has happened. Please, step this way and I shall tell you in private.”

  “That’s more like it,” the knight replied gruffly. “Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, while I get to the bottom of this nonsense.” As the two of them walked away to speak in private, Ashwyn motioned for Aiden to walk with him in a different direction.

  Curious about what was happening with this patriarch, Aiden gave Pacian a meaningful look. Pacian nodded slightly, then began sauntering innocently over to where Sir William was engaging in a quiet yet heated discussion with the Archioness.

  “So, Aiden,” Ashwyn began, probably wondering how to start a conversation that involved asking ‘did you meet God?’ “Nellise tells me that during a terrible fight, you were mortally wounded.”

  “I prefer to think of it as ‘knocked down’,” Aiden replied. He was attempting to dispel Nellise’s opinion that God had sent him back from heaven. At the same time, Aiden didn’t think they’d believe his story about seeing a dragon in a misty, purple coloured realm any more than his companions did.

  “Although I am rather unfamiliar with battle, it is not so difficult to believe that an axe lodged into one’s forehead would indeed be fatal,” Ashwyn countered. “Nellise’s companions saw you fall, so I am left to ponder the implications of you standing here before me, drawing breath.”

  He leaned in closer and looked carefully at Aiden’s forehead. “I see a slight scar running vertically down from your hairline, which would appear to be compelling evidence that you did indeed take a mortal blow during the fight. Can you tell me what you experienced after that moment?”

  “Darkness,” Aiden replied flatly. This was a surprisingly unpleasant area of discussion for him. “Then a sensation of floating along in some sort of purple mist. I awoke on the cold ground, in pain but determined to rescue my friends.” Ashwyn rubbed his chin thoughtfully, pondering Aiden’s words.

  “A curious recounting, Aiden. I sense no duplicity from you, yet I cannot help but feel you are holding things back.”

  “If it helps at all, one of my other companions believes I am in the thrall of a dark, extra-dimensional entity that eats souls,” Aiden confided.

  “Such things are not beyond the realms of possibility, but let us restrict ourselves to the facts from your perspective, shall we?” Ashwyn replied smoothly. “I understand you might have reservations about describing the entirety of your experience. There are certain details consistent with divine interventions, as recorded by the Church over the years which are present with each individual case. A renewed feeling of purpose in one’s life, for one. Another aspect of relevance to your case is an overwhelming desire to share the experience with others.”

  “So… what are you saying, exactly?” Aiden asked.

  “I think, perhaps, the stress of the situation has distorted Nellise’s memory of events,” Ashwyn stated. “I believe that she believes what she is saying is the truth, but this appears to be nothing more than a young man’s will and determination to overcome a terrible injury and save those close to him.”

  “That’s what I was trying to tell her,” Aiden pressed. “When I awoke the axe wasn’t lodged into my head, for one thing, so I’m certain the blow simply knocked me out.”

  “More lies, I see,” Ashwyn replied curtly. Aiden felt a little embarrassed to be caught lying to a man of the cloth.

  “Sorry, Archon, I’m… honestly, I don’t know what happened, but I definitely did not run into God while I was unconscious.”

  “That, I can believe,” came the reply, accompanied by a raised eyebrow. “Tell me, have you had much contact with the Church in your life?”

  “A small chapel in Coldstream held services once a week,” Aiden explained. “I found myself up to my nose in books for the most part and never seemed to find the time to attend.”

  “I see,” Ashwyn nodded sagely. “The loss is yours, but I must confess that we are still having difficulty getting our message out to people in the frontier towns. The old religions hold much sway with country folk, so I can’t really blame you for your indifference.” The priest glanced around briefly then took a step closer to Aiden. “Before I let you go, I wanted to ask you about Nellise.”

  “What would you like to know?”

  “I am concerned about her attitude,” Ashwyn began, “especially since her recent experiences. Have you noticed a change in her personality of late?”

  “Very much so, though it’s perfectly understandable,” Aiden replied. “She did tell you everything, right?”

  “I’m afraid so,” the priest sighed. “It must have been terrible for her, and this is the reason I ask you for your perspective on her conduct.” Aiden considered this for a moment.

  “When we first met, she was very pleasant and compassionate, almost to a fault,” he told the priest. “Ever since that foray into akoran lands, she has been pensive, cynical and afraid, particularly of men. We try not to draw attention to it, but it’s hard to miss.”

  “The fear explains her increasing interest in weaponry,” Ashwyn mused. “Unfortunately, when one is clouded with doubt, anger and fear, one is less likely to channel the power of the divine, as well.”

  “Are you saying that her ability to heal will be compromised?”

  “One must be in a state of complete peace when communing with God, to allow the divine light to flow through her and into the world,” Ashwyn said. “She must push aside doubt and anger, and above all, she must have faith. This is one of the reasons we of the Resolute Heralds frown upon taking up arms, Aiden. The destruction of another life, even in the
cause of good, stains the soul. Other chapters feel differently about this, of course, and there are even those in our own ranks who question the path we walk, but I believe it is a righteous one, regardless of those who might seek a return to a more… militant approach to the faith.”

  “I take it you are referring to the situation a little over a hundred years ago, when the church had more power than the King,” Aiden stated, and received a nod from the priest in reply.

  “You have no idea of the magnitude of our shame,” Ashwyn said quietly. “The clergy at the time abused their power, and many suffered needlessly as a result. It took years for the people to trust the Church again after that, and we cannot squander that trust by taking up arms, for whatever reason.”

  “Have you told her this?” Aiden asked.

  “Of course,” the priest confirmed. “She has been somewhat difficult to read, as it were, and I needed more information in order to…” Ashwyn’s voice trailed off as his attention was drawn to a scene across the hall. Aiden turned to look, and saw Sir William and Pacian, along with the priestess Olivia, at a stone door. It seemed that Olivia was trying to prevent Sir William from opening it, and the short-tempered old knight was having none of it.

  “Good heavens, they’re trying to enter the mausoleum,” Ashwyn breathed, and quickly rushed across the hallway with Aiden following closely behind. As they closed in, the heated discussion going on with hushed voices could be heard.

  “Sir William, please,” begged the priestess, “this door must remain closed.”

  “If my old friend is being kept in there, then that is where I am going,” he said stubbornly. “Stand aside, madam, or I shall be forced to remove you.”

  “Wait a minute, what’s going on here?” Aiden asked as Ashwyn moved to stand by the distressed Olivia.

  “Patriarch Elward is ill, and for some reason the Church is trying to keep it quiet,” Sir William complained. “I honestly don’t care about the need for discretion, as I have given my word of honour that I shall not discuss whatever secrets are being kept, but trying to prevent me from seeing my old friend in a time of need is intolerable.”