Spellscribed: Provenance
Page 49
Chapter 35
Endrance stood on the trampled and packed dirt where once his longhouse stood. Wrapped in heavy winter furs, he watched the construction crew as they worked. Men dug foundations, and workers chiseled at the stone wall that the longhouse had been built up against. As he watched, a mason measured the pass back to the hot springs, shouting orders to the men working under him.
Joven stood nearby, the both of them grim faced in the gray morning light. It had been one month since the kingdom had risen up to overthrow their king, and while it was still in political turmoil, the regular people, the ones who served in the military, worked the farms, or built homes, had returned to a relative normal in the face of the coming winter. The month had been the hardest Endrance had ever experienced.
“General Balen says they found no sign of the child or the demoness Kalenden had posing as his wife.” Joven reported. “They did find a skeleton of a woman in the dungeons; Balen says it’s probably his real wife.”
The mage nodded. “I figured that was what had happened. She probably escaped with the child within the hour we defeated Kalenden.”
Another silence passed. Endrance watched but not paid attention to the work building a new, stone structure longhouse. He had consulted directly with the masons in the redesign, and in time it would be better than before.
“Selene said she was going to stay with Bridget a while longer.” Joven said, placing a hand on Endrance’s shoulder. “She’s having trouble adapting to using her left.”
Endrance sighed, fogging the air in front of him. He couldn’t let himself cry, his tears would freeze in his eyes. Now, like his physical body, his heart ached. “I did what I could.”
“I know,” Joven said comfortingly, “No one else could have saved her life. She’s glad she lost only the arm, even if she won’t admit it to you.”
“I know. I know.” The mage muttered. He returned to silence, staring at the work crews but not watching them. Tears threatened to fall as the wintry winds picked up.
A few moments passed uncomfortably before Joven looked back at him. “You know… Anna was a great woman. I’m certain she is glad to see you moving forward.”
Endrance glanced back at his bodyguard. In addition to the normal weaponry he carried, a short spear and metal shield had been added. He shut his eyes, filtering through the pain that clenched at his heart. “It hurts like this every time, doesn’t it?” he asked. “Every time you lose someone.”
“Yes.”
“I don’t suppose the pain goes away, does it?”
“No. It just… becomes easier to bear, I guess.”
“And I have to do this again, won’t I?”
“For as long as you live, my friend.”
Endrance stood watching for a while longer. The king’s body had been thrown aside, and the pillar carved with his deeds was being defaced in the light of his deeds. There was talk of some of the other barbarian tribes making their way to Balator with intent on claiming the throne for their own. Endrance knew not what kind of effect it would have on the people here, but he guessed one lord’s rule would be just as bad as the other.
A man on a light horse rode up to the two of them. Joven’s hands touched the axe of his father, which he now carried with him at all times. “What is it?” he demanded of the messenger.
“General Balen sends you a message!” the rider called. After Kalenden’s death, the magic he had used to corrupt Balen’s mind had faded, and the general was appalled at his behavior. Since then he had been doing everything in his power to keep the military in line and maintain the peace within the walls. Word had been sent to the armies abroad to return to the city.
“General Rohl is returning with twenty thousand men. The remaining ten thousand will be fortifying our borders.” The runner relayed. “He says that there’s trouble coming from the southwest.”
“Trouble?” Joven asked. “Our southwest borders end on the icy shores of the ocean.”
“I’m just relaying what he told me.” The runner admitted, wheeling his horse. “Last, there is a visitor here to see the Spengur.”
“A visitor? Here?” Joven asked.
“We kept him at the front gates.” The runner answered. “He comes from Ironsoul.”
Endrance’s attention perked. “I haven’t heard any message from my homeland since I arrived here.” He stated. “I’d like to hear what this man has to say.”
An hour later, they rode up to the grand gates of Balator. There, a man rode upon a black horse, wearing heavy fur clothing against the snow and still his teeth chattered. Escorting him were six men in the winter armor of Ironsoul’s military. They didn’t look any more comfortable than their emissary did.
“I apologize for the delay, but it takes time to ride up and down a mountain.” Endrance said, riding up near the man in furs. Joven eyed the six men and scowled. “Please, do you have a message for me?”
“You are Endrance from Wayrest? The… Spengur of Balator?” the man asked, looking at the lean man who sat before him.
“Yes. Yes I am.” Endrance admitted, feeling more certain of who he was now than when he had set out nearly a year before. “I am Endrance, the Spengur of Balator and Wizard of the Circle of Magi.”
The man nodded, pulling a thin scroll case and holding it out to the mage. “It took us some time to find you, and request allowance through the circle, but we are finally here.” The man spoke in an officious tone.
Endrance opened the case, retrieved the scroll, and read through it. With surprise on his face, he looked up at the man before him. “What is the meaning of this?” he demanded.
The man drew himself up, giving a declaration. “By order of High King Mastadon, and with approval of the Arch Magus of the Circle, for the murder of a regional magistrate and four soldiers of the royal army, Endrance of Wayrest is to be put under arrest and brought back to the capitol for judgment.”
End of Book One.
Look out for the continuation of Endrance’s story in the next Spellscribed book!
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 01
Chapter 02
Chapter 03
Chapter 04
Chapter 05
Chapter 06
Chapter 07
Chapter 08
Chapter 09
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35