Rise of the Citadel (The Search for the Brights Book 2)

by Aaron Thomas

  Watching Bowie work, Kilen took a moment to look around the camp beyond the red haired girl watching him. Each man looked happy and prideful. Each person running to do as Bowie had commanded. He knew that Bowie had truly become a commander of men. They trusted his judgement. They strived to do the best they could do because he required it.

  The tents had all been erected. Campfires burned hot, surrounded by men not idly lounging around; arrows were being made and food was being cooked and passed to those who could not eat at the fire. Training was being conducted in bandages, fletching, archery, and even surgery. The whole camp seemed to buzz with activity, passing Kilen in their chores as if he did not exist. The troop only stopped to glance at the elementals that shadowed him. Here, Kilen was an outsider.

  Kilen began to wonder where he did belong. The people of Humbridge would never look at him the same. Because of the trial, the nobles of Deuterium would not allow him to live without looking over his back. The Elder Wizards would not accept him until they felt he had fulfilled his duty to the world. He belonged nowhere.

  He pulled the chainger out of his shirt to examine the two large rings his father had willed him. Each with its own imbuement of earth magic, these rings had altered his life and his plans. No, the choice to accept these rings had altered his life. He abandoned his mother and hometown. He had given his best friend over to a life of a soldier. His sister resting in a castle dungeon would be sentenced to a life of anger and flame. He had killed two men, taking them from the world. Another man had given his life to try and help him escape, and still he had disobeyed the order to run.

  Kilen knew that the decisions he had made were the right ones at the time, and he wouldn’t have changed them. He had put every effort into protecting the ones he cared for, and this is the only thought that made his choices justified.

  Bowie walked over to where Kilen was standing.” Everything okay?”

  “Yes, I was just thinking about how we ended up here.” Kilen looked Bowie in the eye. He knew that Bowie had accepted his choices with confidence and knew he must do the same. “Shall we get to training you in wind, or do you have other obligations?”

  Bowie shook his head, “I think I’d better do all I can now.”

  Kilen nodded, “You said the girl had an earth imbuement?”

  “Auburn, yes. Ria has been teaching her to renew the troops and grow plants. She picks it up quicker than me.” Bowie waved the overprotective girl over, “Auburn, remember me telling you about my friend, the weapon bearer? I would like you to meet Kilen.”

  Reluctantly, the red headed girl relaxed the tension on her bow and bit her lip as she held out a hand. The arrow was still knocked on the string at the ready in her off hand. Kilen carefully grasped her hand with earthen imbued strength, trying not to crush her. He always tried to remember his strength could crush rocks.

  Without letting go she stared into his eyes, “Are you a friend or an enemy?”

  Kilen was unsure how to answer the question, “I’m not sure we can ever be one or the other. I am sure there will be something you don’t like about me. You can trust me that I mean no one harm here. I already have too many demons in my head to control.”

  Her eyes narrowed but she seemed to accept his answer as a friend.

  “Auburn, can I teach you a way to use your new earth magic? It will help you to protect my friend,” Bowie asked.

  “I would like that very much, but I have to train the troop here.”

  Bowie cut in, “I will have John get them started. I am sure Kilen can offer you training that Ria may not be able or willing to. It may very well help keep me alive.”

  She nodded and Max started to walk away.

  Kilen waved her towards Max, “You will train with my elemental. He will be able to teach you while my wind elemental teaches Bowie.”

  “Wait, no. I thought I would be staying with you. I- I can’t leave him.” She nodded towards Bowie.

  Kilen spoke in a more commanding tone, “We have little time to prepare and much must be done. I have to split my efforts to train you all for what may be coming. If you want to protect my friend, go with my elemental.”

  She shuffled after Max, passing the watchmen surrounding the camp and looking back at Bowie the entire time.

  Bowie clasped Kilen on the shoulder, “Thank you. I thought I wouldn’t be rid of her for a moment.”

  Kilen did not look as pleased at Bowie, “You need to find an empty space. Alone where you can train. I will be there in the form of a wind elemental. Take your bow and whatever else you will carry into battle with you.”

  Bowie didn’t say anything only stared at Kilen.

  “Like you said, we don’t have a moment to rest. I fear even if this battle is stopped and the armies go their separate ways I will not be able to stay to train you. You have to learn this now, while I am able.”

  Bowie nodded and waved John over. “John, this is Kilen. If he needs anything you get it for him straight away. I also need you to see that the fletchers all get the training they want with the bow.”

  John clasped his fist to his chest and ran to do as he was ordered.

  “He has been stoic since he received his imbuement,” Bowie said.

  Kilen watched him run away, “I won’t have time to teach him.”

  “Ria may find the time if you ask her nicely,” Bowie gave Kilen a sort of half smile and jogged off.

  Kilen felt Jace brush his face with the wind as he followed Bowie through the camp.

  John began barking out orders and filing ranks amongst the fletchers. Some looked too old or too young to pull a bow, but each gave a huge effort to do the things John asked. A short description was given of how to hold the bow, how to breath, and how to aim. The session did not fall on deaf ears and each man seemed ready and eager to learn.

  Kilen listened as John shouted the commands that would be given during a battle.

  “Knock, raise, loose!”

  Each man followed his command with empty bows as the orders were given in a repeating fashion.

  Kilen found a log used to sit on and rested. Joahna stood beside him, fluttering his wings from time to time. Kilen lowered his head and rolled his shoulders as if they hurt. His shoulders were fine, he just needed to speak to Joahna.

  “I need you to go and heal these men. Find their aches and pains and renew them. Keep a close eye on Auburn and Bowie, as I’m sure Jace and Max will be less than unforgiving in their training.”

  Without any audible acceptance, Joahna flapped his wings and walked amongst the men, reaching out to some that ducked to avoid his touch. Tucking his wings in, he approached a man from behind on silent footsteps. The man gasped when the icy finger touched his body and began healing his traveling wounds.

  When Joahna was finished the man stood and looked at the elemental and then turned to Kilen, “Thanks.”

  The man began talking with others who then stepped up to be healed by magic. Kilen knew that this experience was probably one they would not turn down since it was so rare amongst a normal person.

  All three of Kilen’s elemental friends were busy preparing the men of the camp. He found himself alone to ready himself the only way he knew how; he opened his book and started writing.

  Chapter 20 - Making friends

  Each man was complaining of minor inconveniences and Captain Lorusk did what he must to keep them in line. His men had grown soft in Deuterium. He knew he would have to bring them back inline. It had been a long time since King Atmos had taken his wielders out of the castle to a fight. Many of them should have been retired, but springing a new war required all the men the king could find.

  Most of the soldiers held imbuements, even if they did not know how to use them. Chit was no different in his ability to use magic. Riding beside Lorusk, Chit finally managed to restore his own horse’s energy. The stupid oaf was now laughing at the troops behind him as he purposely steered his horse into loose dirt to stir up dust clouds. Chit had almost r
un into Lorusk twice, trying to hit a patch close to his horse. Lorus knew the boy was an idiot, and if he continued acting like one the rest of the troop would probably kill him.

  King Atmos had ridden hard trying to catch up with the archers troops. Lorusk often wondered how the archer had gotten so far ahead that one hundred of the kings best knights were having trouble keeping up with one thousand archers. Most of the archers had to be on foot since supplies and mounts were scarce. He knew it would possibly be a few more weeks until the rest of the army could cover the ground. The archer’s troops could be crushed by the time the army arrived if the Fire Realm decided they wanted the battle practice.

  Lorusk was disgusted by how many soldiers in the king’s army were new recruits, or those hired by nobles to guard their treasures from bandits. He knew they would be fighting the best the Fire Realm had to offer. He had heard of the Crimson before and had nightmares of fighting men who were deadly with the sword or with flames like the wizard Mary. He looked back at her, still as angry as ever, muddling to herself and cursing at the king’s so-called Champion.

  Most new recruits would be mucking out stables or standing in towers until they could stand no longer, but Chit had risen in inexplicable haste. Lorusk had to give it to him though, the boy had strength. The Captain had done all he could to beat the insolence out of him and failed, only to make it worse. Lorusk smiled, hoping today was the day the Champion was dispatched.

  In the last month of traveling Chit had acquired a full set of battle armor. He usually stole pieces from other men’s armor lying about the camp. He watched and laughed when they couldn’t find it. Not one spoke up though, just in case they offended the king’s new pet soldier. He knew soon enough Chit would have to prove himself.

  Lorusk turned in his saddle to inspect the line of men, they were keeping pace for as far back as he could see with the dust Chit stirred up. The day before he had sent Chit to the back to see if everyone was keeping up hoping the Champion would coke on his own dust. The boy had returned too soon for Lorusk to stir up much to add to it. He would have to wait for a narrow area in the road so that Chit couldn’t pass and would have to ride at the back of the column. It would show him how the rest of the men felt riding behind a jerk.

  The captain pointed out a small creek ahead. He knew the king would want to stop and water the horses. Brent, their water wizard, had given out too many imbuements before departing the castle and was still too weak to provide the water. Some water bearers restored their horses on the ride, but it was taxing on their strength. He watched as his king gave the signal to slow. Chit seemed disappointed to slow his ride, and his horse probably needed more water than most from jumping from side to side to avoid Chit. It was a wonder the horse hadn’t broken anything yet. Lorusk laughed at the idea of Chit and horse tumbling end over end just to be stomped on by the wizard’s mounts. Perhaps if it did happen, something would get through that thick skull of his.

  Lorusk repeated the order as did lieutenants down the line. Finally, they pulled their horses to a stop and spread out along the water’s edge to drink. Water skins were filled and horses were provided food. No one really spoke to one another, they knew they would be on the road again soon enough. As soon as their horses were done drinking they would cross to the other side and wait. Lorusk crossed first to water his horse on the far side away from the muck the others stirred up. Chit followed like a pet dog. Lorusk watched as Chit pulled the strange horse-headed blade from his back and looked around the trees as if something was about to attack. Lorusk felt like he was taking a kid on their first hunt.

  Lorusk bent down and removed the plug from his water skin while his horse drank. He felt a gust of wind from behind and turned his head to see Mica gently touch a soft soled shoe to the ground.

  “Captain, I have just come from Sgt Crescent’s camp. The weapon bearer has arrived and already passed through the Fire Realms army,” Mica said looking about for the king.

  “Are you staying to report to the king?” Lorusk asked.

  “Yes, I will report directly.” Mica walked to the water and eye’d Chit, still looking around at the trees.

  Chit noticed the weird look Mica was giving him and sheathed his sword. He watched Chit examine the trees while his horse drank without the so-called Champion watching over it. Mica walked over and retrieved the reins so that the horse would not wander off.

  Little by little, one hundred of the finest wielders of the Earth Realm passed across the water and tightened their saddle straps for the rest of the ride. The king crossed amongst the middle of the men in case of an ambush.

  Mica waved to him and finally clasped his hand to his chest as he held the reins to the king’s horse “My lord,” he cooed.

  “Your report, Mica.” It was a command, not a question.

  Lorusk liked how the king was always straight and to the point, especially on matters concerning the war.

  “My lord, the weapon bearer has arrived at Bowie’s final camp no less than a half day’s ride from here. He apparently spent a few days with King Rekkan and the Fire Realm.”

  The king almost smiled at what Mica said, “So, he is a traitor.” His voice was almost a whisper as he spoke the words. “How long did he stay in our camp?”

  “I left less than an hour after he arrived to report to you. I believe when I left he was preparing to train some of the wielders in Sargeant Crescent’s camp.”

  “There are more wielders in the camp?” Lorusk asked.

  “Yes, my lord. Ria has given Corporeal Curtain, and a fletcher woman both imbuements of earth magic.”

  “Is there anything else you need to report?” The Captain asked.

  “A couple of things, sire. The weapon bearer claims to be a True Weapon Bearer appointed by the Elders. If this is true-”

  King Atmos cut him off by holding up a gauntleted hand, “I know they appointed him. I know what it means. Have you seen Alexander?”

  “I haven’t seen him. Kilen has stated that if I continued to attack Elder Wizards, that I would be one of his targets,” Mica said seeming shrinking in size.

  Atmos uttered a growl, “We won’t have to worry about him much longer.”

  “My lord? I have also seen large amounts of movement in the area. Peasants are scattering from the Fire Realm’s defenses. Their wagons are laden with tools. They keep to the roads less traveled.”

  “They helped prepare the Fire Realm’s defenses?”

  Mica nodded in response.

  “Mica, fly ahead and see if you can halt some crossing over this main road. We will try to catch up and teach these peasants a lesson,” The king said as his face turned the shade of a furious red.

  Mica inclined his head and pulled wind magic into the folds of his clothes. One yank of the sash holding back his robe sent the wizard to the heights of the tree tops.

  Atmos did not wait for the wizard to disappear from view. “Captain, bring Wizard Tarka up here and all others bearing the earth emblem.”

  “The Councilwoman Tarka has not crossed the water as of yet. I will gather the ones here first.” He clasped his fist to his chest.

  Atmos raised his hand, “Captain, we need to be back on the road as soon as possible. When you find an earth weilder, have them start restoring others until the entire troop is ready. The archer and his friend Kilen may be causing more trouble. It’s time they both be reined in.”

  Lorusk bowed his head and carried out the king’s orders. He grumbled under his breath as he departed, still not understanding the king’s obsession with the boy.

  **********

  Kara was still not use to life in the castle. After all it had only been four days, and the change very dramatic. She had gone from the dungeons under the castle to one of the emptied rooms set aside for councilmen. Mary had been very gracious to let Twilix stay with her and had given her permission to use it until she returned from battle.

  Kara was use to waking early in the morning, but the shutters and heavy
curtains blocked out the sunlight coming through the windows. She stretched and walked about the room in her new nightclothes. She practiced tiptoeing and walking slowly and then fast, trying to get use to her new adult body.

  She didn’t quite understand how she had aged so quickly. Twilix had been stuck in a thirteen year old’s body for years awaiting the time she would age. Kara on the other hand, had only recently been awoken as a wizard and should have had to wait some time. Twilix said that it was probably because she was so close to the time when she would have started puberty naturally. Apparently, when Twilix had her awakening she was still some time from starting puberty.

  Kara looked at where Twilix slept. The large bed with curtains covering it from every side blocked out much of the remaining light in the room. Most mornings Twilix slept while Kara waited looking about the room. Twilix wouldn’t wake until Kara had fallen over or accidently knocked a cup off a table with her new long arms. Some mornings it took more than one accident to inturupt the sleeping water wizard.

  Kara saw the wood in the fire place and decided to practice a bit. She felt the fire magic and pulled the red waves of heat she saw in the air from the warmth of summer. A sphere of fire grew in her hand as it swirled inside of itself. The sphere turned colors as she pushed its shape smaller, like pushing flour into measuring cup. With barely an effort, she tossed the ball into the large hearth and watched as it splashed on the unlit logs. The glow from the fire filled the room and added to the flame vision, coating the surfaces of the room.

  She had felt this way of viewing the world was much like being hit on the head too hard; things in the room wavered as if a curtain gently blowing in the wind. With her eyes open she could see everything normally and a second layer of the heat vision wavering back and forth. The combination of the two visions and her new body made it near impossible to walk a straight line or pick up small objects.