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

by Aaron Thomas

  Auburn shook her head that she had not seen any either.

  Brent went back to the window, “Good, that’s at least something. We will be able to investigate our best avenue to get inside the castle walls with little interruption. I know a couple inside routes to the cellars. I think coming up from below to the dungeons is the better than coming through the castle from above.”

  Auburn nodded her head in agreeance.

  Ria stepped away from the door, “We will need you both to be ready with a bow if needed. I assume you will be able to collect items to make your arrows before we enter the castle grounds?”

  “Deuterium is still the next town over. All I need is a bit of iron to make the arrow heads. I have the mold and will have to build a fire on the way to melt the iron. If I can, I will buy some in town,” Bowie said.

  Brent sat down beside Bowie, “No, let me. They blacksmiths may have been given a description of your face. I saw a few scattered posters on the way into town. Let Auburn collect the rest of the items.”

  Auburn cleared her throat,“Won’t people recognise you?”

  Brent laughed, “I did grow up in Deuterium, but I rarely got out of the castle walls, let alone to the next town over. Most have heard of me, yet they have never seen my face. I will be less likely spotted than our fletcher here.”

  Ria sat down next to Auburn, “Bowie, I will remind you it is at utmost importance that no one know we are here. For some reason the king wants you more than the others. Perhaps it is because of your connection to Kilen and his sister.”

  Bowie laughed, “It could be because I refused him. I will do my best to stay out of places I don’t need to be. When do we make our attack on Deuterium?”

  Brent and Ria looked at each other, “It will not be an attack. We were hoping to get in and out without harming anyone.”

  Bowie laughed as if it were a joke.

  Brent continued with an irritated look on his face, “Collect your supplies for the arrows. When you have made enough, travel into Deuterium with Auburn and find the inn that we stayed in when you first arrived. Do you remember it, Bowie?”

  “I do. Won’t the guard remember me?”

  Brent smiled, “I think it more likely the wenches would remember you. The owner is a friend of mine and loyal to the Water Realm and water wizards. I will arrange for a new guard and workers to be there. Marcum is the owner and is who you will ask for. No one else. To be sure everything is arranged, come in the back and have Auburn fetch us inside. We will maintain our separate parties to avoid recognition. I hope that by the time you arrive we will have a more solid plan on getting inside the gates.”

  “Once we get inside there is no reason to take Auburn. She can stay with our things so we can get out of town quickly.” Bowie said, trying to keep Auburn from performing her normal amount of protective heroics.

  “No, I will show you the way to the dungeons but it will be up to you two to get Kara out. I have some things that I need to collect and I must also speak with my brother,” Brent said.

  Auburn’s swinging feet froze on the bed, “You are not coming with us? What if we can’t handle Kara?”

  “Come now. I have trained you how to subdue a fire wizard using that ring of yours. Using that, combined with her knowing Bowie, you should be able to calm her down enough to get her out and on the road. Ria however, will stay with the horses to help get you on your way.”

  Bowie spoke again, “You aren’t coming with us to help the Elders either?”

  “I hope that I can convince my brother to come with us. If I cannot, there is a chance he may imprison me.”

  No one argued with Brent, so Ria finally spoke up. “If this is all, remember your story and stick to it. If anyone causes a problem, tell them to come to Auburn with it and we will help deal with them. We will get the arrow heads and give them to her before we leave. Make the arrows and be on your way. Anyone that stays in one area for too long will become suspicious. We need to keep moving, especially if they are searching inns. Bowie, you better go get some sleep while you can.”

  Bowie knew that was his cue and departed the room after Ria looked through a crack to make sure no one would see him leave. He went directly down the stairs and started through the accumulating crowd. The musician was quite good; any other day and Bowie would have stuck around for a dance or two. The barmaid smiled as he walked past, he winked again before disappearing out the door.

  Once outside, the sounds of the musician were drowned out by the sound of the rain splashing on the roofs and puddles. Bowie now knew why the inn’s dining area had been filled so quickly. Another light summer rain had put a damper on the town. Bowie pushed the hair out of his eyes, tucking it behind his ears. He stepped out into the rain from beneath the inn’s low angled awning. He walked around the side of the inn and into an alleyway.

  The ground here seemed to be more mud than stone pavement. Bowie cursed as he felt the mud flow through the small hole in his boot. He really hopped it was mud and not manure, he would never get the stink out of his boots if it was. Picking his path carefully, he trod through the water-filled alley to get to Charger in the stables behind the inn. His clothes were already soaked so he would need to change before laying down. At least he would have an excuse for not wearing his jacket in the morning.

  The wind picked up unexpectedly so Bowie tried to rush a little faster, hoping to avoid any oncoming downpour. Before he could take another step, the wind pushed him backwards and he noticed a sphere of wind lowering itself before him. He immediately reached for the imbued dagger in his belt line, readying himself. He hoped the shadowy figure inside the rain-covered wind bubble was not Mica coming to eliminate him.

  Alexander smiled and maintained his umbrella of wind keeping himself dry, “My boy, that is not a good look for you. I almost did not recognize you. I’m glad I checked the stables for your horse, otherwise I could have passed you on the street without knowing the difference.”

  Seeing the face behind the screen of wind whisking water away from his body, Bowie eased his grip on the knife behind his back. “You shouldn’t sneak up on people in dark alleys, Alexander.”

  “Oh right. You are a war hero now.” He took a step closer and winked, “To deadly for a wind wizard to approach, it seems.” Alexander muttered something under his breath and walked away from Bowie.

  Bowie followed him into the stables where Alexander started to brush down Charger. “You know I love to ride horses, but never seem to have time to do so.”

  Bowie ignored his comment, “Ria says we shouldn’t use magic because it could draw attention.”

  “That is why I have stopped wielding.” He turned to Bowie, “Where are you going, Master Crescent?”

  “I was coming here to get a change of clothes and some sleep,” Bowie retorted.

  “That is not the question I am asking. Where are you and your friends going?”

  Bowie checked the stall to see if anyone else had taken up a bed in the same place as him tonight. When he was sure no one was in the stable he came close to Alexander and spoke at a whisper, “We are going to Deuterium. We are going to get Kara out of the dungeon so Kilen doesn’t attempt it himself.”

  “Very good, Master Crescent. This is what I’d hoped you would try and accomplish. I will inform him of your loyalty if I see him before you. Where will you take his sister?”

  “We will be seeking out the Elder Wizards to aid in their search for the soul wizard. I was hoping our path would cross with Kilen’s.” Bowie started searching through his bag he had set aside. He pulled out a black jacket with deep green embellishes and then immediately stuffed it back in after pulling out a grease-stain covered wool shirt.

  Alexander stopped brushing the horse, “I am sure your paths will cross when they are destined to. I will take a walk through the city before using anymore magic so as not to upset Ria. I wish you luck in your journey, Master Crescent. I will wait for your arrival back in the Water Realm.”

&nbs
p; “The Water Realm? Is that where the Elders are going?” Bowie said as Alexander stepped out into the rain.

  Alexander turned to face him, finally getting his robes wet in the rain. Bowie was unsure if the wizard would be able to fly with his garments laden with water.

  “I cannot speak of where or what the Elders are about, but that would be a good place to start looking.” He winked at Bowie before he walked away back into the dark alley.

  Chapter 27 - Upbringings

  The day had gone almost exactly according to the plan the wizards had set, despite Bowie’s doubts. He woke with a small kink in his neck and his skin itched furiously from where the hay had manage to poke through his moth-eaten blanket. When he sat up, Auburn and the barmaid were hard at work making arrows just outside the stables.

  After a better breakfast than he had received since arriving, they departed for Deuterium, only a couple hours ride from the outlying town. Auburn hadn’t said much for most of the ride, she just smiled to herself and giggled every once and awhile. Bowie pulled an arrow from the quivers hidden inside rolled blankets on Charger. Auburn had truly perfected what he had taught her. In some ways her arrow crafting had superseded his own. Bowie accounted it to her tiny fingers. The string woven into the arrow’s fletchings were woven tight and uniform in distance. Then they were covered with the thinnest layer of wax to prevent moisture damage.

  “How did you get the barmaid to help make the arrows?” Bowie asked.

  Auburn seemed to come out of her trance and glanced back at Bowie from where she rode a horse length in front of him. “I told her Jarrad’s story.”

  Bowie, lifting an eyebrow, “What was Jarrad’s story?” Jarrad was the name they had taken to calling Bowie since leaving King Atmos.

  She smiled and let her horse slow to walk beside Charger, “I told her that Jarrad was my best friend growing up. I told her that after I had been wedded to my older, richer betrothed, Jarrad never stopped being my friend.”

  “Jarrad doesn’t seem too special. I don’t see why you would get any help from a bar maid.”

  She laughed, “Well, that’s not what got the extra attention. I also told her that one night my husband, while drunk, started to beat me. Jarrad heard my screams for mercy and came to my rescue, killing my betrothed. I told her we were running away from that life where the townspeople would have hung you for murder if we hadn’t fled. I told her that Jarrad refused to marry me because of his guilt for sentencing us to a life of traveling.”

  “So because I saved you from this make-believe husband, she made me a good breakfast, and helped you with my labor?”

  Auburn laughed, “She said she would have married you if I hadn’t said I still wanted too.” She continued to laugh.

  Bowie felt as though his wool shirt had suddenly become too hot.

  “I see what you are thinking, do not get any misconceptions. The story was all apart of farce to get her to be your friend. Do not think that I will be whisking you away to a noble to marry us,” Auburn said.

  Bowie grunted in response instead of letting her twist whatever words would come out of his mouth, “We need to pick up the pace if we are to get out of Deuterium tonight.” He spurred Charger to take the lead, turning his head just enough so he could make sure she was keeping pace. Bowie was never sure of Auburn’s intentions for being with him. She had put her life on the line for him, slept in his bed, and given up her life in her hometown to help save his friend. On the other hand, she had repeatedly told him that she wanted nothing to do with having a relationship. Bowie wasn’t even sure himself if he wanted a relationship with the woman. He knew one thing was for sure: if she continued to be around him, he was just going to get more confused.

  It didn’t seem to take long for them to finish their ride to the outskirts of town. Bowie stepped off his horse and lead Charger and Auburn’s horse by the reigns. He kept his head down to avoid notice. Auburn greeted everyone she came across in an attempt to take their eyes off of him. When they arrived at the inn, Bowie had not seen one guard. If they were to be successful in freeing Kara, this was as good of a sign as any.

  The innkeeper was of little help; only telling them that the couple they were looking for said they wanted to meet in the market. Bowie nodded his head and tossed the man a silver crown for his trouble. Bowie helped Auburn to quickly re-mount her horse. He was now on edge since they were not admitted to the inn. Either things with Brent and Ria had gone well or very very wrong.

  Bowie led Auburn down the less popular alleys of the city, often going out of his way to avoid the eyes of too many people. He knew the market would have a few guards, but it was also the busiest place in the city. He had found many people trying to steal items and vendors cheating customers.

  Outside the market Ria sat on the seat of a wagon full of hay. The front of the wagon had two horses ready to pull it and four others tied to the pole on the side. She held up a sign said that she had horses for sale and listed her price. The price was twice what any normal person would charge. He laughed because he knew anyone wise would not approach her to inquire about buying one. She just needed a reason to be sitting just outside the market so she wouldn’t be questioned.

  Bowie and Auburn rode their horses up and tied them next to the others. Auburn made her way to the back of the wagon.

  Ria spoke, “Your brother is in there trying to get us a new rug. You take Jarrad and go and find him. No dawdling. I mean it this time, get in there, fetch him and get out. We don’t need to spend anymore money. I have to already charge more than these horses are worth.”

  A man started looking over Charger then overheard her and walked away. Auburn’s eyebrows were furrowed in confusion, clearly not catching on to Ria changing their stories.

  Bowie waved Auburn to continue walking. “Your brother the farmer, remember? Emerald, did you have to much to drink again?” Bowie asked Auburn, smiling.

  Auburn didn’t utter a response and Bowie followed her into the throng of people shopping. The ground was still thick with mud from the last couple days of heavy rain. People sloshed through the market, trying to take advantage of the sunlight to get their supplies. The day was warm and sticky with moisture. Auburn picked her skirt off the ground and chose her steps carefully, tiptoeing through the heavy muck so it wouldn’t get muddy.

  Bowie laughed under his breath at the awkwardness of her steps. He had to pull Auburn by the shoulder when a man was shouting to them amongst the people.

  “M’lady Emerald, the man is calling for you. I believe your brother is there,” Bowie said pointing to a man selling tapestries.

  She smiled back at him, “Yes, or course. Thank you, Jarrad.” She watched her step as she moved through the rain-soaked ground and into a throng of carpets . Near the back there were cloth artwork hanging from poles displaying hunting scenes or heroes of legend; Tilrick the Warlord carrying his giant hammer, and Balran apprentice to Heathmos, Temprest Companion to the Brights.

  Hidden amongst the tapestries was a napping wizard. He had tucked himself as close as he could to the stone wall that divided the kings training grounds and market. The wall had no doors to connect the two directly so all the soldiers in the past had to walk around the wall through most of the city in order to visit the market place.

  Brent was easily woken by the light of the sun when the tapestry was pulled away from the wall. Doing so not only revealed Brent, but also a small wooden door half the size of a man.

  “Ah about time you two showed up,” Brent said as he pulled a small key from his pocket and unlocked the wooden door.

  Behind the door stood a stone wall blocking their way. Bowie first thought Brent received some bad information on how to enter the castle, but Brent stood staring back at the two and waited.

  “Go ahead,” He said.

  “Go ahead where? There is a blasted stone wall behind the door,” Bowie replied as if he was the only one that saw the wall.

  Digging the bows from underneath the ski
rt of her dress, Auburn shoved them into Bowie’s chest. “You have been a wielder a lot longer than me and you still don’t understand?”

  Bowie scratched his head still confused.

  “Get out of the way, Master Crescent.” Her voice dripped of sarcasm as she called him by the name, master. Auburn stepped up to the stone wall and closed her eyes. Soon the stone melted away much like a candle placed too close to a hearth. “Can we stop messing around now and go get this girl?”

  Bowie, clearly impressed, nodded.

  Brent picked up a leather satchel from the ground. “Here you are, Auburn. I think you may be more comfortable in this. You should go inside and change. I don’t know when we will have the opportunity to do it next and a purple dress like that will stand out in any crowd.”

  She took a look inside the satchel and gave Brent a nod.

  He let the tapestry fall in front of the small doorway she had opened. Brent then turned his attention to Bowie. “When we are inside remember to do your best not to harm anyone. If you can, get in and out without being noticed.”

  Bowie just stood there holding the bow and quivers in his hands, listening.

  Brent’s eyes had a sense of urgency to them. “Go on, string those weapons and get ready to go! You won’t get another chance. I’ll take you as far as the hallway leading down to the dungeons. Find where they’re keeping Kara and get her out of here. I’ll head to the wizard’s quarters to collect a few things. Hopefully, I will follow shortly after and meet up with you and Ria.”

  Auburn stepped out from behind the scene, still tucking in her linen shirt. Taking the quiver from Bowie, she slung it over her shoulder and stretched her bow. In a natural motion, she pulled an arrow free of its leather confines and knocked into place. One finger holding the arrow in place, she met the men’s eyes. “I heard everything. Are we going to stand here all day or would you two like to dice a bit?”

  Bowie put the chainger for his dagger into its proper place and copied Auburn’s one handed carry of the bow. “Thank you both for helping me,” He whispered.