“Present, my lord,” Lox said standing.
“And what of Commander Venoc?” the king added.
“He is not here,” Lox answered.
“Have him brought too, then,” the king told his guard. The guard bowed, then left the room with a handful of men.
“I want everyone else out,” the king shouted. “Unless you are a councilman or high-ranking officer—out!”
There was a general outcry of complaint and confusion. Ladies and lords in fancy attire, along with handmaidens and servants, left. The councilmembers remained, crowded as they were around the head of the table. Lox stayed, and Scanth. There were a handful of lieutenants and captains present as well, though neither Raand nor Jaxom were among them.
Molec eyed me. “Now I want to know who you are, and what your rank is!”
“My name is Cyric Dracla. I’m a soldier under Lieutenant Scanth.”
“You mean you’re not even a sergeant?” the king demanded.
“He trains in the new recruits district, my lord,” interjected one of Lox’s captains. “He is rather renowned.”
“He’s my best man, as I said,” Scanth added. I thought he was probably trying to draw attention away from Lox’s captain—who was obviously unaware of the plan. It was important that none of the councilmembers suspected that I was working for Lox; otherwise they might distrust the evidence.
“Talk of this soldier is not the priority,” Lox broke in. He’d just finished looking over the papers. He set them down on the table. Nearly everyone else had read them. “If this is true, we must talk strategy. War could be upon us.”
“The date mentioned for the battle is not two days from now,” one of the councilmembers added in fear.
“There’s no proof,” said another. “We haven’t heard anything of King Milos’s death.”
“If you’ll remember, Lord Seracuse,” said Lox, “We haven’t had any news from Karatel in weeks.”
“That could be a coincidence.”
“We sent three envoys that never returned,” added in a council member.
“But to think that Prince Nain would kill his own father,” said a woman.
“If Nain was out to destroy Akadia, he would have to kill his father. Milos would never have broken the treaty. It was forged on his order.”
“I don’t see what there is to question,” cried a young councilmember. “All the evidence points to the accuracy of the letters.”
“Karatel has envied our success for decades,” added the woman.
One of the heavily-robed members slammed a fist on the table. “Papers found on the word of a simple soldier are not proof enough to risk war.”
“But the lack of communication with Karatel proves it!”
The squadron of soldiers that had left on the king’s orders suddenly burst into the room. Ahead of them walked Commander Venoc and Commander Tarful. Venoc looked like he had just gotten out of a bath. Tarful had obviously been out in the training grounds.
“What’s the meaning of this?” asked Tarful. “I was ordered to come without explanation.”
“Someone hand Venoc the papers,” said King Molec. “And I want the guards to stay on hand.”
Tarful took a wary glance at the soldiers around him. He considered the entire room in the evaluative way that I had expected him to. I didn’t miss his moments extra hesitation on Lox.
“We have proof of your betrayal, Tarful!” one of the councilmembers suddenly shouted. “We know of your alliance with Nain.”
“What?” Tarful said, his features darkening.
“Silence,” the king commanded. “Tarful, there have been claims made against you, that you have been conspiring with Prince Nain of Karatel. Do you have an explanation?”
“How can I have an explanation?” Tarful asked. “I know nothing of this.”
“Of course he would deny it,” protested one of the councilmembers.
“We have the proof!” added another.
In the time Venoc had been given to read the letters, his face has gone white. Tarful looked at the papers in Venoc’s trembling hands and reached for them.
“Don’t let him have them,” Molec demanded. “Not until he’s been questioned.”
The guards took the papers from Tarful.
“A wise decision, my king,” said Lox.
Tarful stared at him with livid eyes.
“Commander Venoc, what do you make of the letters?” asked the king.
Venoc tried to speak, but he kept stuttering.
“Remember that it is not just written proof that is held against Tarful,” Scanth spoke up. “He has taken more than one trip to Karatel in the past month. I can attest for a fact that he offered that I join him in his betrayal, but I refused.”
“You lie!” shouted Tarful.
“Enough of this,” said the king. “I want to know where this Karthus battlefield is located. How many days ride is it? How many soldiers can the Katellians be expected to have? I need answers.”
“The Katellian army is great,” Lox answered unhastilly. “Perhaps five or six hundred men. The battlefield mentioned in the letter is located thirty miles beyond the borders of Karatel, but unless Nain receives word from Tarful that the battle will go on as planned, it is highly unlikely that they will be there. Nain would probably choose to attack from a different position. He could choose not to attack at all.”
“What does that matter if they broke the treaty!” a councilmember shouted. “They must be destroyed before they can find allies.”
“What if they call the Yanartians?” someone broke in. “We can’t stand against chimera.”
The single word brought more regard than all the previous comments had. King Molec’s face paled. For the first time since the letters had been brought forward, I saw what Lox had said would keep Molec from responding with action if not forced to. His anger had only been a thin mask. King Molec was a coward.
“This is all a farce!” Tarful repeated. “This is another lie spun by Malatos Lox. Can you all not see? It is Shaundakul repeated!”
“You will keep silent, Tarful!” Molec shouted.
“The destruction of the Shaundakulians has brought us great prosperity,” a councilmember interjected. “They have successfully joined our society.”
“By that you mean you and the other lords are successfully enjoying your new Shaundakulian handmaidens,” Tarful spat. “This is injustice. A country cannot run on such disorder.”
“Listen to him! He is a traitor!” a member declared. “He speaks treason!”
“You make your king out to be a fool,” another accused.
Molec seemed hardly to be paying attention to the argument. He looked as if he were trying hard not to shake with fear.
“My king, if I may,” Lox interjected. “I can see that you have concerns for the possibility of war. Whatever you decide, I would like to assure you that Akadia is strong enough to defeat the Katellians. Our forging operations below ground have supplied us with enough weapons for all the new recruits we’ve amassed from Birmha, the far-west lands, and Shaundakul. You know how aptly the spoils from our recent conquests in the west have filled our stores. We have everything we need to launch a full-scale attack on Karatel.” Lox thought calmly. “If it was necessary for us to invade the city, we would... acquire just as many men as would be lost in battle. And as far as supplies, well… you’re aware of the wealth of Katellian lands.”
For once the hall was completely silent. The councilmembers almost all wore wide, even hungry expressions. Tarful stared with horror at the king, though his shoulders were slumped in defeat. The king’s expression was switching back and forth somewhere between uncertainty and greed. Lox’s words of the Katellians’ wealth had worked just as well on him as the council. Suddenly Molec’s eyes widened.
“But what about the chimera?” he asked.
Lox paused. He thought, then said. “There are soldiers that I could commission to fight with us. They own flying beast
s.”
“He speaks of the goblins!” Tarful interjected.
Lox did not respond to him.
Molec started fidgeting with his hands. Before he could speak a solider burst into the room. From his garb he was a sergeant. “My King, Raand and Jaxom have left Akadia. “
“What?” Molec exclaimed. “How?”
“We were told to bring them in, but they had already left their posts. They were caught riding out of the city. It seemed they escaped with councilman Sersk.”
Molec’s arms coiled as his face turned bright red in anger. I looked over the councilmembers present long enough to catch that not all of them were still there. Clearly one of them had read the letter and gone to warn the lieutenants.
Molec slammed his fists on the table. “As of now, I declare the treaty between the land of Akadia and Karatel devoid. They are our allies no more.” Molec pointed a finger at Tarful. “You are stripped of your rank and sentenced to a life-sentence in the mines for treason. Commander Lox!”
“Yes, my King,” Lox replied, bowing.
“You are to gather our forces and wage immediate war on Karatel. Take whatever measures you deem necessary. Commander Venoc will join you with his battalion.”
“What of Tarful’s replacement?” Lox asked. “Lieutenant Scanth is his only remaining successor.”
“Then let Scanth succeed him,” Molec demanded. “I don’t care. Just see to it that our soldiers are prepared before the Katellians’. I want this battle fought on Katellian soil, not in Akadia.”
Lox bowed. For a moment everyone in the hall was frozen, then King Molec exploded. “You have your orders! Why is everyone standing around? Prepare for war.”
In less than a moment, every man or woman in the hall was active. Soldiers found their superior officers. Venoc approached his captain, while a crowd of men formed around Lox. Scanth ordered Tarful sent away. The councilmembers formed packs of discussion, or left the hall completely. Molec stormed out.
I noticed Lox moving towards the exit with a group of soldiers. I wanted more than anything to talk to him. I wanted to know that I’d done everything right, and I wanted him to tell me what my part in the battle would be.
All the same, I knew I couldn’t approach him now. I watched him exit the hall, then looked for Scanth. He was already headed towards the exit. Without hesitation I followed him, but thanks to the crowd around him I didn’t overtake him before he got through the door.
I was in the hall following after him when I heard my name called.
I turned to see Lox standing in the adjoining hall. I found it hard to keep my expression impassive. He waved for me to come closer. The few other men near his position were gone before I’d reached him.
“You’re moving fast,” he said.
“I just thought with the battle… that I should get my orders from Scanth.”
Lox laughed. “Are you already treating him as your commander?”
“Of course not,” I said.
“All the same, I’ve spoken with him, and he is planning to instate you as one of his lieutenants.”
“But… I’m not even a sergeant yet,” I said.
Lox waved a hand. “I’m only sorry I don’t have a place for you among my lieutenants. Perhaps after our conquest of Karatel that can be remedied. But before you can be promoted, I have a job for you.”
I waited for him to give it.
“You heard that Lieutenants Raand and Jaxom have escaped? I want you to track them down and deal with them—before the battle takes place. As long as they’re free, there’s a danger that they could warn Karatel of our attack. With your ivoronsu, it shouldn’t be difficult for you to overtake them.”
“Wait. What do you mean deal with them?” I asked. “You need me to bring them back here?”
“They’ve already been sentenced to death, Cyric,” he replied. “They’re deserters. They must be killed.”
It took me minute to respond, not that I meant for it to. “But why me? I’m not an executioner.”
“Lives are at stake,” Lox dismissed. “I don’t trust anyone else to handle it.”
At my hesitation, Lox went on. “You do realize this is war, son? You will be required to kill.”
“I know,” I said. “Of course.”
“Then I can entrust you to handle it? I want their death confirmed before the battle begins.”
I met his eyes, then I nodded.
“Good. Once you’ve dealt with them, head straight for Karatel. We will wage the attack from the west plains. You should be able to catch our tracks easily enough.”
“Do you know which way the lieutenants headed?” I asked.
Lox nodded. “I have suspicions. The councilman that escaped with them, Sersk, owns a fort between Akadia and Karatel. There’s a good chance they would stop there for reinforcements on their way to Karatel. It’s located just south of the town of Cathum. If they’ve already left, you should be able to rely on your ivoronsu to some degree, it has a talent for tracking, due to its enhanced senses.”
“How many extra men will the councilman have?” I asked, a little incredulously. “It’s already three to one.”
“I only care about Raand and Jaxom,” Lox said. “Just be smart and you won’t have a problem. You’re the best swordsmen I know, Cyric. Once you’ve dealt with them, head for the Plains of Tel—that is where we will launch our attack on Karatel.”
I drew up a map of Karatel in my mind. The Plains of Tel were very close to the city, on the west side. I had little doubt Lox intended to conquer the kingdom in one battle.
“Alright. I understand,” I said.
“I’ll see you in Karatel, then,” Lox replied. He put a hand on my shoulder.
He had already walked little ways down the hall when I called after him.
“Will the Warriors of Cirali really be in the battle?” I asked. He looked back. “Will we have to fight with goblins?”
“It all depends on whether the Katellians have time to call the Yanartians, and if they will come. But in case that they do, we must have the goblins ready.”
He held my gaze for a moment, and then he left.
I made sure not to think as I headed to the stables.
~ ~ ~
CHAPTER EIGHT
ELLIA:
*
Knowledge, ingenuity, and dexterity, the three pillars upon which a Cirali Warrior fights—Lucian had told me this many times. But apparently it was also the pillars upon which a Warrior climbed.
Little had I know when we’d left before the sun was up that it would take till afternoon to reach the top of the volcano. If I hadn’t gone through the training I’d had with Lucian, I wasn’t sure I could have done it. There were places where the rocks were perfectly vertical and we had to scale them. There were six foot wide caverns we had to jump over. We made climbing ropes out of vines. We had to avoid holes that would randomly spurt out fire.
Every once in a while I saw the other two apprentices with their trainers, but the groups were kept separate on purpose. It was meant to be a time to bond with your teacher. Lucian was so capable I was grateful that he was my escort. He reminded me so much of his brother today it was frightening. It may have been in part because of how much sun we were travelling under. It turned his skin darker, like Tobias’ had been. We were both sweating from exertion and we had our sleeves rolled up to our shoulders.
“Has anyone ever mentioned,” I began to ask, hefting myself over the final edge of a cliff, “that you may have too many trials?”
Lucian laughed. He was already standing. Now that we had mounted this wall almost everything to see was below. The trees, and all the mountain land we’d crossed. And of course the ocean was visible in all directions; I could even see the thin strip of land that made Yanartas an isle and not an island, though the land it connected to was just uncharted jungle.
“I just hiked through the forest with Estrid yesterday,” I went on. “Couldn’t we have ridden Arrin up here?�
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“And have someone else’s chimera be the first you ride?” Lucian said. “After all this time you’ve waited? You would have regretted it.” He passed me a canteen. I took a drink, then we both started walking on.
“In Shaundakul we practice riding on another’s dragon first.” I found easy footing on the now flat rock. “But I suppose we don’t have any tests to become a rider either.”
“That’s right, your dragons are passed on through bloodlines, aren’t they?”
I nodded. “There aren’t always enough for the eligible riders, since dragon’s are so seldom born, but each bloodline is ranked—the highest receiving the first available dragon, and so on going down the list. Solidor is first, of course. Then Valerian. Bostoas. Padril.”
“But you’re a Solidor. So, none were born in your lifetime? Or…”
It wasn’t the first time I had thought of Kraehe today. In fact I’d thought about her since Alek had mentioned receiving our chimera last night. If she were not dead, I would have felt it a sort of betrayal to bond with another granted animal. Even now I had reservations. “Or Akadia is as evil as I have said,” I finished. “She was just a child.”
Lucian frowned, pausing a step in our walking. The wind kept blowing his hair over his brows. I hoped he wasn’t thinking of his brother. I was sure that Tobias never had a part in killing the dragons.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “If a Warrior loses their chimera, well… some have not recovered.”
We passed a lively crystal-blue stream, which was exceptional in that it flowed in a trench of rock, right over stone. There had been many such streams and waterfalls on our climb thus far. I also heard the sounds of voices. I was sure the other two apprentices were getting closer.
“As far as the trials go,” Lucian said, “They are made so difficult to display the value the chimera hold in Yanartas. Regular citizens are allowed to travel here to see the chimera, but the creatures have never bonded with a person that hadn’t passed successfully through the caves. The trials prove our respect.”
“So the caves are a requirement of the chimera?” I asked in surprise.
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