The red-fringed Bluecloak frowned, reining his horse back. “Regardless, it has been a pleasure training an apt student, Tallen. I look forward to seeing what Varana and this rogue can draw out of you.”
“So do I.” Boris led his stallion closer, the black beast chomping at the bit. “Take care, lad. I wish I could stay with you longer, but duty calls me to the king’s service – as it always does.”
Tallen opened his mouth to speak, but the clatter of a single rider galloping up from the command barracks interrupted. He recognized the thin man who sat upon the High Council.
“Lord Marshal Magdon.” Boris saluted his superior, who trotted his horse up to the head of the long line of Bluecloaks. “Have you come to give us a personal send off?”
“Nay, My Lord Earl, I come to join you.”
A scowl of confusion swept over Boris’ face, and the other officers muttered amongst each other. Magus Britt shook his head, as if he had already predicted this occurrence.
“Why, Lord Marshal?” Boris slow walked his stallion forward. “Just yesterday I received this command by King Arathan’s order. Has he ordered me to stay?”
“No, he has not.” The Lord Marshal shook his gray, thin face. “The king has ordered that I take command of Highspur – to ensure the security of the kingdom.” The Lord Marshal held up a scroll of fresh paper. “He signed the orders this morning.”
“The chancellor strikes again,” Magus Britt muttered in an angry tone.
Boris shook his head. “There is nothing to be done but follow the king’s decree.” He looked at his superior officer. “Then I cede my command, My Lord. The detachment is yours.”
Marshal Magdon ducked his head, sad eyes looking out under bushy eyebrows. “This is not what I wanted.”
“We must all do things that we do not want.” Boris gestured to the head of the line. “The battalion awaits your orders to march, My Lord.”
The Lord Marshal spurred his horse forward. He gave a clipped nod of farewell to Paladin Tomas, who returned it. Dorias stared at the battalion, his eyes unfocused. Tallen noticed that the huge black bird upon the wizard’s shoulder watched the troops with far more attention.
The marshal, his four silver stars catching dawn’s light, nodded to the giant Bluecloak with four bronze discs. “Give the order, Master Sergeant.”
After his salute, Sergeant Hall gave Tallen a short, confident nod. “Battalion! Ho!”
The several hundred-yards of flesh and steel lurched forward as one. The wagons at the rear, stuffed with barrels and sacks and covered mounds of goods, rolled over the cobblestone with an echo that rattled in Tallen’s ears. Brawny jogged over to him, nudging his hand with a huge snout. He gave the wolfhound a good ear scratching. Brawny licked his fingers before loping back to the front of the line.
Tallen caught a glimpse of Boris leaning toward the Lord Marshal, whispering from behind a gauntleted hand. Magus Britt hung close. Jaerd looked back over his shoulder and nodded once at Tallen, before turning his face back to the front.
The pain behind Tallen’s eyes swelled and threatened to burst forth in a flood of tears. He held his breath. When Maddi slipped her arm through his, patting his wrist, Tallen did not see her. He stared at the single green cloak in the mass of blue. He did not blink for fear of the trickle of salty sorrow that would flow down his cheek. When the head of the column disappeared underneath the front gate of the palace, Jaerd flung his hand up in a final wave.
“Let us go get some breakfast together,” Tomas Harte whispered, placing his hand upon Tallen’s shoulder.
“Yes, let’s.” Dorias rubbed his hands together. The raven on his shoulder cawed and hopped from one foot to the other. “Merl agrees.”
Tallen let a small smile slip out at the raven’s dance.
Maddi squeezed his elbow once before releasing it. “Food always helps a sad mood.”
Paladin Tomas nodded in agreement. “You will make a very powerful healer, miss, and not just because of your Talent. You have so much potential. If I had the time, you could possibly even become a paladin.”
“Doubtful,” Maddi said, her nose wrinkling. “I don’t put any stake in your Balance.”
Tomas’ tone did not change. “That is why you should become a Doctor.”
A slow day passed. After a breakfast of bacon, eggs, and summer berries, Dorias excused himself to the city, claiming a need to find supplies. Maddi seemed in no hurry to leave the palace, and a silent agreement occurred to spend the day together before Tallen’s ship left with the morning tide. Tomas, his watchful eye never roaming too far, remained close. His presence intruded on Tallen’s desire to spend time alone with Maddi, though he knew the paladin only sought to protect him. But I doubt orcs will come after me inside the palace.
They sat under an ancient, spread black oak, the paladin lost in meditation, while Tallen and Maddi watched the blossoms of the palace gardens bounce in the summer breeze. At Tomas’ request, a servant brought them lunch. The food soon disappeared, and mugs of ale sat half-empty. Tomas made the excuse of nature’s call and left Tallen alone with Maddi as the sun tracked its way toward the western wall.
Tallen twisted a blade of grass between his fingers. “Tell me about your family, Maddi.”
She leaned back against the trunk of the tree and eyed him over the rim of her mug. “Why do you ask?”
Surprised at her sudden suspicion, Tallen dipped his head. “I don’t mean to pry. I’m just interested in you.”
He saw a smile creep around the corners of her mouth. She took a sip to hide it.
When the mug came down, her eyes sank in sadness. “My father raised me until I was almost ten. He only told me that my mother died bearing me.” Her gaze roamed toward the tower tops. “He died in the Bloody Flux.”
Tallen sucked in a quick breath. “It took my father, too.”
Maddi tilted her head at him, and then nodded, her eyes cast downward. “We have loss in common, I suppose.” She pulled her legs up, wrapping her arms about her knees. “I was a lucky orphan, I guess, especially for Dern. My father’s cousin, Renna, took me in. She is a Talented healer. She taught me almost everything I know. It was Renna who told me I had the Talent to become a Doctor.” Her gaze drifted back to the tower tops. “She told me to come here, but I never really believed it would happen.”
Tallen patted her hand and she clasped it for a brief moment. “I know what you mean,” he said.
A flutter of strong wings on the air rustled over Tallen’s head. Merl the raven alighted on the oak tree, flapping to settle his balance. He cawed a greeting.
A smile formed on Maddi’s lips. “And the same to you, Merl.”
“We thought perhaps you two might like to join us for dinner.” Dorias’ feet crunched on the crushed gravel path that led from the cobblestone to the oak tree. “I know of a wonderful place on Tarathine Hill, not far from the Avenue of Flowers. Tomas will meet us there before sunset.” The wizard ducked under the tree to cast his raptor gaze back and forth between the two young people. “It’s very quiet, very tasty, and I’m buying…”
Tallen stared at Dorias, hoping he might get his silent message. I know they want to protect me, but I do not need a mother hen watching everything Maddi and I do and say.
The wizard did not grasp it, but from her wry smile, Tallen thought maybe Maddi did. She said nothing, however, and followed Dorias toward the west gate. Tallen huffed before he joined them.
The Baron’s House stood not far from the Palace, across a bridge between the two hills. “It was once the townhouse of a southern baron who long ago sold it for newer digs.” The wizard rubbed the quilted leather vest covering his flat stomach. “An entrepreneurial friend of mine purchased it, and ever since, Baron’s House has served the best beef steaks in Daynon.”
Maddi laughed at Tallen’s contented moan as he took the first, lu
xurious bite of his sirloin. However, when she put a bite in her mouth she made much the same noise. He laughed back.
“I told you.” Dorias waved a fork with a piece of dripping pink beef skewered upon it. “Best in the kingdom.” He stuck the bite in his mouth and chewed, eyes closed. He opened them and smiled, pointing with his empty fork toward the jug in the center of the table. “Try the wine. It’s an Avarosan Red, House of the Red Tower vintage 484 -- just fabulous.”
Tallen sniffed the bouquet before he sipped, fruity and oaky. The hearty wine warmed his insides as it went down. He smiled at Dorias with a nod of thanks as his nervous anticipation of tomorrow slipped away.
Cool night breezes, full of salty sea air, swept up from the Bay of Hope during their walk back to the Palace. Tallen could not help but jump at every shadow that moved along the thoroughfare, despite the satisfaction of his full stomach.
“Fear not, lad.” Tomas nodded to him with confidence. “I assure you, no danger hovers nearby. I would sense any threat.”
The towers of the Ivory Palace danced like ghosts in the moonlight under the shadow of thin clouds scudding through the night sky. Tallen saw only the brightest stars shining through the penumbra glow of the city lights. The scent of lilac bushes hung in the air as he walked onto the grounds.
The bulk of Garrison Tower cast a shadow over Tallen and his companions as they approached the gated yard. Within the tower, two hallways ran off to wings full of officer’s quarters. As guests of Earl Boris Mourne, Tallen and Maddi stayed in rooms several flights up along the stone-carved staircase.
Tomas Harte turned the key to his room. “I will keep watch for the night with my paladin senses, so rest with ease.” He nodded goodnight before closing the door behind him.
Merl burbled on Dorias’ shoulder. The wizard turned to look at Tallen. “You can trust that. Many’s the night on the road I awoke at dawn to find him still in his trance, the campfire still glowing.” He stood there for an annoying moment, a strange smile on his face, until a caw from his raven echoed up the spiral tower. Dorias started as if woken from a nap. “Ah, yes. Fair enough, Merl. Goodnight to you both.” He left them alone in the hall.
Tallen turned. “Well…I guess this is—”
Maddi’s soft, sweet lips found his. He fumbled to put his arms around her and returned her kiss with passion. She held him for only a moment before pushing back, faced flushed and her breath quick.
“I…” she stammered, putting a hand to her mouth and a smile forming behind her fingers. “I should go to bed. I don’t mean to tease, but I wanted you to know how I felt before you leave. Fires, I don’t even know how I feel.” Her nose wrinkled in that cute way, and a cloud of emotions crossed her face. She squeezed his hand. “Goodnight, Tallen.”
Maddi scratched at the door with her key, having difficulty finding the lock. Even in the dim light, Tallen could see the crimson blossoming on the tips of her ears.
When the door at last opened, she looked at him. “Breakfast before your ship leaves?”
“Of course.”
With a soft wave, Maddi closed the door behind her, leaving Tallen alone in the corridor, frustrated and elated in equal measure. Huffing a confused sigh, he turned toward the comfort of his lonely bed.
Few words passed among the four while they broke their fast. Tallen found no flavor in the eggs and the sausage too rich for his stomach. He drank his tea and ate a handful of rolled oats, hoping to settle the nervous movement in his gut. Dorias and Tomas ate their meal with haste, before excusing themselves to wait out in the sunshine. Merl cocked his head at Maddi and clacked his beak. She waved a soft farewell.
“My ship leaves in just over an hour.” Tallen moved his eggs back and forth across the plate with a fork. “I will write you if I can.”
Maddi nodded, her eyes fixed on her own untouched breakfast. “Please do. I promise I will write back.”
Tallen tossed the fork down and rose to his feet. “I suppose I should go. It might take a while to find this ship.”
Setting down her fork, Maddi shrugged and said in a spooky tone, “The paladin can probably sense it nearby.” She fluttered her fingers around her face while she spoke.
Tallen laughed and held out his arms for a hug. Maddi hopped up into them, wrapping her own around his chest.
“Don’t forget me when you are a wizard,” she whispered into his ear. Her lips brushed his cheek before she stepped back.
“How could I?” He held her at arm’s length. “You’re amazing.”
Maddi’s eyes popped open. “I almost forgot…” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a little piece of gold, handing it to him. It was wrought in the shape of a noble’s cup, but no bigger than a thimble. It sparkled when he spun it between his fingers. “It is Greal, the Fifth Talisman. The Talismans are important to the folk of the Free Cities, especially Greal. It is a symbol of peace between the races, as it was in the Elder Days…before the Dragon Wars came and the Cataclysm destroyed it all.” She bit her lip. “I have had it for a very long time.”
“It’s beautiful.” Tallen examined the intricate scrollwork surrounding the cup, stem, and base. “Thank you, Maddi.”
She cleared her throat. “They also say that the Talismans and the Aspects are connected, and that Greal is tied to Psoul. Since you are a Dreamer I thought it appropriate.”
Tallen gazed upon the tiny cup with more reverence. There is so much I must learn.
When she looked at Tallen, tears floated between her eyelids. She put her arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips, reminding him of their moment alone last night. This time she ducked away even faster.
“Goodbye, Tallen,” she croaked, turning and dashing from the mess hall.
Watching her go left his throat dry and a heavy pressure behind his eyes. He swallowed and hoisted his rucksack. Dabbing his cheeks upon a sleeve, he left the hall in the opposite direction, following the wizard and his paladin friend.
“I see things were not easy,” Dorias said when Tallen joined them in the courtyard of Garrison Tower. “They seldom are with women.”
He forced a smile. “Exceptionally so with me.”
Dorias patted him on the back. “Well, on the Isle, you will have little time to think about it. I remember my first few months…a long time ago. I hardly slept, ate everything I could get my hands on, and learned almost as much as I’ve learned since.” Merl fluttered his wings, and the wizard reached up to scratch under the raven’s beak. “Almost.”
They passed beneath the main gate of the Ivory Palace and entered the twist of city streets. Tallen watched the bird closely. “Merl is a special raven, isn’t he?”
Dorias laughed, while the raven flapped over to settle on Tallen’s shoulder. Merl rested far lighter than he had guessed from the bird’s size. Noticing the soft grip of his talons, Tallen copied the wizard’s regular gesture and reached up to scratch the raven’s beak. Merl’s eyelids fluttered with pleasure, and he chortled with joy.
“He likes you, but you can probably tell.” A smile broadened the wizard’s sharp features. “Merl is my familiar, a bond only we Dreamers can create. What’s more, he is a friend. Wise beyond most humans–and fast…so fast.” He smacked his hands together, one shooting off toward the sky. “I saw him outrun a pair of wyverns once. Left one with a broken wing when he drew it too close to a baobob tree.”
Tomas nodded. “I remember that. Jahad is a vast land of beauty.” He sighed. “Perhaps I might retire there.”
The wizard smoothed a momentary frown, his steps quickening to join the paladin. “You will retire to Harte Castle, and I may join you there.”
Pursing his lips, Tomas watched the constant crowd of people travelling along the avenue toward the docks. Tallen’s eye followed the paladin’s as they descended from the palace to the sea. He watched a dozen children playing hayball with the help of
a few excited dogs.
“I may never see the stones of Harte Castle again,” the paladin said with a sad tone, “or the beauty of Crystal Lake in summer. Arathan has taken from me what has been in my family since before his ancestors set foot upon these shores.” His thumb rubbed the hilt of his sword. “However, it would pass to some other house upon my death, regardless. I suppose it is for the best that it happen now.”
Dorias reached out and tapped the ruddy-bearded man’s shoulder. “You could get married and have children.”
Tomas shook his head again. “You know that the vows to my order forbid that.”
“Who cares?” Dorias barked. “Did you notice how that order treated you in the High Hall? The High Elder schemed with Chancellor Vyce to turn the king against you. Arathan has understood your position for years. He accepted that you would manage the lands of Harlong, but you would not sit in council. Why has that changed now?”
“Because it was convenient,” the paladin murmured. “Because the elder knows I oppose him. Because Arathan is losing his grip.”
Dorias hushed his friend, casting his hawkish eyes about. “You should not let anyone in this city hear you say that. You are not on good terms with the king as it is.”
His lips tight, Tomas nodded. “Fair enough. But I can sense it Dorias, as certainly as I could sense a broken arm. He is full of rage, sorrow, and regret – they all eat away at his sanity.” He looked at the wizard. “And the chancellor is full of hate. It is directed, though I could not tell at whom.”
Dorias hooked his thumbs behind the belt of his leather vest. “We have larger problems than the scheming of a royal court. That happens all the time. The darkness we have sensed, the shadow obscuring the Dreamrealm, these are things that have not happened before – at least, not since I began watching things.”
A Balance Broken (Dragonsoul Saga) Page 25