The Warden's Sword

by Paul Summerhayes

  “Of course. I will deal with this today, after the ceremony,” said the prince, clearly concerned. “Until then.” Anthon bowed and kissed her hand lightly and then left the room.

  “The boy is kind-hearted,” said Wolfgang as he closed the door behind the prince. “But too stupid to see what’s going on around him.” The foul man moved close to her. His nearness repulsed her. “Don’t look for the king’s help,” he continued. “He’s still in the capital. The master will be his representative today.”

  There seemed like no hope of escaping these madmen.

  “I will kill myself then!”

  “And the master will bring you back to life. That will make things easier for us.” Wolfgang moved to the door. “I’ll be standing with you at the ceremony and if you open your mouth or try anything, you will regret it. You’re on for show, nothing more. Do I make myself clear?” Without waiting for a response, he left the room banging the door behind him, making Anna jump.

  Anna sat on the end of the bed as the reality sunk in. It seemed that everyone around her was blind to the master’s insanity. Or maybe they were all a part of it. And the most disappointing, Prince Anthon was turning a blind eye to what was happening. She thought of him as a gallant prince and a good man but it appeared she was wrong. The possibility of escaping now seemed remote—I’m doomed!

  Chapter 20

  Finn stared at the eldon sitting across the table from him. He had waited his whole life to meet his father and now that he had, he was speechless. They sat in a quiet tavern in a poorer sector of Parma. Severus was digging in to a hearty breakfast of spiced meatballs and a soft yellow straw-like food called pasta.

  Severus looked up from his meal. “Not hungry?”

  “Why did you leave us?” Finn ignored his father’s question as he studied his scarred face.

  The older eldon stopped eating and sat straighter in the crude wooden chair. He finished chewing his food before he answered, returning his son’s gaze. “I didn’t want you boys living the life I have...”

  “We deserved the choice. It was hard growing up without a father and even harder for my mother without a husband.”

  “I’m a wanted man. I have been hunted across many lands for the last twenty years. I didn’t want you killed…it was safer that I left.”

  “What did you do that was so bad?”

  “I killed people. Important people,” Severus spoke calmly.

  “You’re a killer?” Finn spoke louder than he intended.

  “Yes.”

  Both were silent and stared at each other across the table. Severus said, “I grew up in the Brotherhood of Shadows. Have you heard of them?”

  “Isn’t that an old assassin guild? I thought it was just a legend.”

  “So they would have you believe.” Severus stopped talking as the barman walked past. “The Brotherhood is more powerful today than ever before. There are Brotherhood representatives in every government and in positions of great power. They’re willing to kill all that stand in their way. I was used to send a warning to the Brotherhood’s enemies. I was lied to and then cast aside…I will make all the men responsible pay…or I’ll die trying.”

  “You’re a killer…” Finn didn’t mean for it to come out like that and searched for the words to apologise to his father. He had dreamt of this moment all his life and now that they were finally face to face, he had nothing. “Have you been spying on me in Freewater?”

  “I have watched you grow up over the years. But I only heard a few weeks ago that a giant eldon with pale skin lived in Freewater and I knew that it could only be Garm. I have only been there a short time.”

  “For a year someone has been watching Garm and me. A few months back they killed the old warden’s dog, Bucket…” Someone else watched us.

  “My guess would be it’s the Brotherhood. Maybe they tracked you down and were waiting for me to turn up.”

  “What are your plans now?” asked Finn.

  “I will help you find your friend and then I must go before I am discovered here. The Brotherhood has eyes in every town and in every corner of the world. Being near me is dangerous.”

  “I thought we made a good team but I wish you had mentioned whose house that was before we broke into it last night.”

  Severus smiled for the first time since Finn had met him. It softened his scarred features. “I thought it was strange that you were breaking into a high priest’s house but who am I to judge?”

  “In my defence, it was only two houses away.” Finn grinned.

  Parma’s northern gate opened at sunrise and a dwarven warrior strolled into the sleepy city. He was an impressive sight in his metal armour as he was almost as broad as he was tall. He adjusted the large axe strapped to his back as he walked. “Now,” muttered Karok. “Where’s that troublesome young eldon?” No one spoke or made eye contact with the dwarf as he passed, including the gate guards who wisely got out of his way.

  Chapter 21

  Anna lay on the bed and looked up as the bedroom door opened and Eula walked in. The young girl held a long pale yellow gown. “Hello, milady.” Her smile looked forced. She was scared.

  “I’m not wearing that!” fumed Anna. “I’m not going to their stupid ceremony.”

  “Please, milady, Sir Wolfgang said he’ll beat me if you are not ready on time. I fear for my life.” The girl’s eyes were shiny with unshed tears.

  Anna felt lightheaded as anger built up deep within her chest and for a passing moment she imagined tearing Wolfgang apart. When that thought disappeared and her head cleared, Anna stared at the frightened maid. The young girl looked pale, as though she might faint.

  “I won’t let that monster hurt you.” Eula still looked scared and shied away from Anna when she came close. “What’s wrong?” asked Anna.

  “Your eyes, milady…”

  “What about them?”

  “They…they turned black…”

  “Black? That’s impossible.” The girl is traumatised. “You must be seeing things. Sit on the bed and I will get you a glass of water.” Anna poured water from a crystal decanter into a glass and handed it to the seated girl. The young girl’s hand shook as she gulped the water down.

  Anna took the glass. “Better?” Eula nodded but her knuckles were white as they gripped the gown. “What’s happening out there?” She indicated outside of the room—her prison.

  “I’m not sure, milady. The other servants said the king’s daughter, Princess Maria, has arrived. I haven’t seen her but they say she is beautiful.”

  “What about the master—I mean, Lord Tollis?”

  “He and Prince Anthon have left for the temple.”

  “And Wolfgang?”

  “He’s downstairs...he gave me this gown and said that you are not to be late to the temple.” Eula looked close to tears. “Please, milady, he is not a man to make angry. He…scares me.”

  “And me,” said Anna. “Let’s have a look at this dress.” She took it from Eula and held it up. It was the most beautiful gown she had ever seen. It was a pale yellow colour and was inlaid with what looked to be real gold thread and small blue gems. “Wow,” she said, despite herself. “That’s what I call a dress.”

  At that moment the door opened and Wolfgang stood in the entrance. “I see you are admiring the prince’s gift. Now, be a good future princess—and put it on!” There was malice in his voice.

  “No.”

  “I wouldn’t be too hasty to disobey.” He drew a long, thin knife from his belt. “You will find the people around you will pay the cost for your defiance.” He waved the knife in Eula’s direction and the young girl let out a cry.

  “All right, I’ll do it.”

  Wolfgang turned to leave.

  “If I am as powerful as the master thinks, I will kill you first,” she said coldly. Even Wolfgang seemed shocked by her malice and closed the door without a retort.

  “I won’t let him hurt you, Eu
la,” said Anna as silent tears streaked down the young girl’s cheeks.

  Anna slipped out of her clothes and put on the gown. It fit like it had been made for her. How long has the master had been planning all this? “How do I look?” Anna twirled and the bottom of the gown fanned out.

  “You look beautiful, milady.”

  “Enough with calling me ‘milady’. Us girls have to stick together. Please, call me Anna.”

  “As you wish, Lady Anna.”

  Chapter 22

  In a cheap room in the roughest part of the city, Severus changed from his black clothes into more mundane clothes. They would stow their gear here and Finn expressed his concern that things might be stolen. Severus smiled like he knew something but said nothing.

  Both eldons strapped on their swords and donned cloaks to help conceal their weapons. Finn had suspicions that his father carried more weapons than just his curved sabre but thought it best not to ask.

  “What’s the plan?” asked Severus.

  “Getting to Parma was my plan…now I need to find Anna and get her home. Any ideas?”

  “I would attend the ceremony today and follow her back to where they are keeping her. When the opportunity presents, we’ll break in and rescue her.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I was thinking, too.”

  “To save Anna, people will die. In my experience people always die.”

  “I don’t want anyone to die but I must help my friend.”

  “You have a kind heart—like your mother...”

  Finn was not sure why but he felt a little embarrassed and tried to change the subject. “Let’s get to the temple early so we can get in a good position.”

  Father and son left the dirty inn and headed out into the city. It was midday and the streets were full of people moving in the same direction as them. Many spoke of Princess Maria and the mysterious fiancée of Prince Anthon—the one they called Lady Anna of Tarmia.

  Severus indicated that they put on their hoods as two pale eldon would stick out in a crowd of humans. Especially as they were both half a head taller than the average human. Severus’s scarred features could also draw unwanted attention.

  Arriving early at the temple had not guaranteed a good position as there were several hundred people there already. “Let’s move forward,” said Severus and he started to push forward. Several people told the eldon to wait his turn but quickly backed down once they saw his face. In no time they were at the head of the crowd and waiting for a glimpse of Anna.

  Old King Ferdinand was a popular king and the crowd was disappointed as the rumour spread that they wouldn’t see him today, but were overjoyed that Princess Maria was present. She was respected by all and was loved by the younger citizens.

  The bedroom door opened and a guard stepped inside and told Anna and Eula that it was time to go. Anna wore the yellow gown and her straight black hair had been made into tight ringlets that flowed down her back. Small white flowers were also woven into her hair. Eula wore a simple light blue dress and had a matching blue ribbon in her hair. The young girl didn’t look happy.

  Both young women complied with the guard’s orders and left the room. Outside, Wolfgang leant against the balcony railing. “Aren’t you two the most beautiful women in the land.”

  “Remember, you’re the first one to die,” threatened Anna.

  “We’ll see. This way to your carriage, milady,” he said with an exaggerated bow.

  The small group went outside and Wolfgang, Anna and Eula entered a carriage displaying the royal crest—a golden eagle head on a dark blue background. Two guards climbed up beside the driver and two guards stood on the running boards at the back of the carriage. Wolfgang tapped the roof and the carriage moved off.

  “Now isn’t this pleasant,” he said, smiling. Both women ignored him and silently stared out the window.

  I hope Finn is here somewhere…

  During the afternoon, many dignitaries rolled up to the entrance of the high temple and disembarked from lavish carriages. Some stopped and greeted the crowd waiting patiently at the bottom of the stairs that led to the tall doors but many quickly walked past, not wanting to rub shoulders with the common folk.

  Princess Maria didn’t ignore her people. She stopped and spoke to many people and listened to what they had to say. She walked close to where Finn and his father stood and he saw how beautiful she truly was. She was a similar age to Anna and she, too, had long black hair but she was slightly shorter than Anna. Their appearance was so similar, in fact, that Finn thought Anna and Maria could have been cousins.

  After some time, a red-robed priest approached the princess and whispered in her ear. She waved to the crowd who cheered for her and then she walked up the stone stairs and passed through the tall doors with the other dignitaries. There was no sign of Prince Anthon or the master.

  Just as he had given up hope of seeing his friend, a carriage arrived and Anna, a maid and a man he would never forget, Wolfgang, got out and walked up the temple’s wide stairs. Anna looked more beautiful than he had ever seen her before and his heart ached to be near her again.

  Whispers went through the crowd like a fire through dry grass. Who was this mysterious beauty? Was it the prince’s new fiancée?

  Anna didn’t see him in the crowd of faces, which was probably for the best. Wolfgang held her tightly by the arm and guided her through the tall temple doors and out of sight.

  “Was that her?” asked Severus.

  “Yeah.”

  “At least she’s alive.”

  “The man with her was Wolfgang. He works for the master...he’s a cold-blooded killer.” They watched in silence as the temple guard closed the thick doors.

  Now, we wait.

  Chapter 23

  Wolfgang’s grip on Anna’s arm was painful but she suffered in silence. I won’t give him the satisfaction, she thought. He pushed her up the stairs and through the large temple doorway as fast as he could—without it looking too obvious.

  “Keep moving,” he threatened softly. “Or you’ll regret it.”

  The outside grandeur only hinted at what lay inside the temple. A high-domed ceiling was supported by massive marble columns and stained glass adorned every window—taller and wider than the height of a man. Statues of saints, gods and winged beings looked down from the walls onto rows and rows of wooden pews in which the city’s wealthiest citizens were seated. They all wanted to be seen supporting the prince and the crown at this event. It wasn’t wise to miss an official function as it was rumoured that hidden clerks recorded all who attended and reported back to the high priest. The gods didn’t look favourably on those who didn’t support the temple.

  Anna was in awe of the sheer size of everything and equally disgusted by the obvious show of wealth. She wondered how many of the common people went hungry so this temple could be built. How many lost their lives in its construction.

  Wolfgang led the two girls along carpet to the front of temple where they sat in a front pew. Not far from them sat a dark-haired woman of similar age. Anna leant over and asked Eula who the woman was.

  “She is the Princess Maria, King Ferdinand’s only daughter and second in line to the throne of Krystoria.”

  “Has the king a son?”

  “Yes, and by all accounts a cruel man—”

  “Enough prattle,” said Wolfgang, his hand resting on the finely crafted knife at his waist. Anna understood his meaning and sat silently. Eula did the same and wiped away a wayward tear that rolled down her cheek. Anna grabbed her hand and the young maid held her tight. Anna nodded in encouragement and Eula nodded back.

  An orange-robed high priest and two red-robed acolytes moved from a hidden back room to stand at the front of the temple on a raised dais. The high priest wore a thick gold torc in the shape of bird wings around his neck and when he raised his arms, the assembled crowd went silent.

  “We are gathered here today to witness a man’s commitment to the serv
ice of his country.” The high priest’s voice carried loud and clear across the temple, his gaze constantly travelling across the wide room surveying the city’s wealthy. “Is there anyone here willing to serve and lay down his life for his king and country?”

  The crowd was silent as Prince Anthon walked slowly down the corridor of polished wooden pews and up the dais to stand before the high priest. “I will serve my king and country.”

  “Kneel, servant of the people.” The prince obeyed. “Are you willing to serve the people, protect the realm and be humble before the eyes of the five gods and to reject the nameless one?”

  “I am,” replied Anthon.

  “Are you willing to sacrifice your life in defence of your country and for the honour of your king, Ferdinand the Just?”

  “I am.”

  The high priest was given a gold sword by one of the acolytes and he presented it to the prince. “Rise, Prince Anthon Cisaro, and accept this sword as a symbol of your new office as the king’s Protector of the North.”

  The prince stood and took the gold sword. He turned to face the crowd and held it high over his head. The gold sword shone as sunlight caught its blade and the lords and ladies cheered. The prince walked slowly down the dais to the temple’s main doors which the temple guards opened. He walked outside and stopped at the top of the wide stairs. As he raised the sword, the assembled people of Parma cheered loud for their new protector.

  He seems popular, thought Anna. Now I need to escape—

  “Sit just for a moment and then we’ll head back to the palace,” said Wolfgang. “I need to see someone but I will be watching you—so don’t try anything.”

  Still holding hands, the two young women sat close to each other and said nothing as Wolfgang moved to a priest a few yards away. He bowed before he started talking but stood so he could watch them. People stood up and gradually move out of the temple doors behind their prince.