The Paladin Archives Book Two The Withering Falseblade

by Jason Psilopoulos

  “Way to put a button on that,” Jack said smartly, slapping Uther on the shoulder. Uther didn’t smile.

  “This does not change anything. They will try again.” Jack clapped a hand on Uther’s shoulder.

  “Let ‘em. I could do this all day. Besides, I like beating up bullies.”

  It didn't take long to get everyone together. Marcus had listening devices on everyone. Ellis was on point. He'd be eyes and ears for this one. Uther was sticking to the nighttime shadows, listening carefully and standing ready to pounce if things got rough. Jack was sitting along the fire escape, watching for any unusual fowl. Only Mary was missing, taking her turn guarding the Falseblade again.

  The rooftop was dark, covered over in the blackness of the Littlefield night. The only lights that threw any illumination on them were the decorations being fitted around the Holodrome in preparation for the wedding. Jennifer and her press corps were footing a hefty bill this time. It made Marcus wonder why she was doing so much.

  Ellis stood nervously in the middle of the roof, trying to look natural. He was apprehensive about this. It wasn't the first time he'd talked to this bird. It was just the first time it had been to trick it into saying something. Ellis fiddled with his unkempt hair, making sure it was covering the small earpiece that connected him with Marcus.

  "Stop playing with your hair," Marcus said in frustration. Ellis let his hands drop to his sides. "Next class, we're working on controlling your nerves." Ellis grimaced a little, trying not to let his reactions show on his face. Everyone grew quiet, listening intently for any sign of their winged friend.

  "You haven't been here in quite a while my young friend." Ellis turned, looking for some sign of the bird. Instead, he saw only the shadows around the rooftop.

  "Yeah, well I've been preoccupied." Ellis started walking about, hoping to catch a glimpse of the long-necked bird he was so used to speaking to.

  "That does happen when Marcus Kasidyne is involved," the voice said quietly. Marcus could hear the voice, even without Lacey's pick-ups. He had the AI run a voice print ID. It was just a quick confirmation. Marcus knew who the voice was. He only needed Lacey to confirm it for him.

  "So where are you anyway?" Ellis asked, without any subtlety. Marcus grimaced a little. The boy needed some serious work on his communication skills.

  "If you're looking for the bird, you will not find it. Vraid will not be joining us tonight." Marcus wasn't sure who 'Vraid' was. Ellis looked a little nonplussed, but he took a seat and continued as planned.

  "You're not the bird then?" The voice chuckled a little. Marcus knew that chuckle. It was entirely too familiar.

  "I am as removed from the skies as a fish is from dry land. But I can understand why you would think that." The moment was very quiet all of the sudden, as though both Ellis and his faceless friend had both lost the ability to speak. Finally, the voice perked up again, this time a little bit louder.

  "You know I can feel you here Marcus. There's no sense in hiding." Marcus growled inwardly, standing from his hiding place. "And the other boy as well. Roykirk." Jack came out from behind a large section of brick wall, his claymore drawn and ready.

  "We're here. Now show yourself," Marcus demanded. The voice made a 'tsk' noise.

  "Sorry. That's not a part of my- UGH!" Uther came out of the shadows, his clawed hand clutched around a pulsating red nodule of flesh. The node was surrounded by a slight blue film. Marcus gave Uther a knowing smirk as the boy dragged what looked like an unrolled carpet of the transparent membrane toward them.

  "I always keep an ace in the hole,” Marcus said quietly, motioning to Uther. “Welcome back to Littlefield, Kelwren Faultov." The membrane shifted its mass until it was solidly humanoid again. Uther kept his grip on the fleshy node, intent to not let Kelwren free.

  "He's coming Marcus. I'm here to warn you."

  Chapter 28

  Everything You Think You Know

  "Can you ease up the grip a little? I’m already injured." Uther gave the node a tender squeeze, causing a slight spasm to go through Kelwren. His membrane fluttered a little.

  "I am sorry. But I do not trust you. You can understand my caution." Kelwren nodded quickly. Marcus stepped forward, his face nearly nose to membrane with the Alisian.

  "You've been tracking my students. You’ve been spying on me." Kelwren nodded.

  "Of course." Uther realized why he had sensed a presence watching him and Ellis. "The faucet in the Holodrome was dripping. And the ground inside the simulator was wet in one corner. And this roof is always wet for some reason. It was you all along. That second presence I felt." Ellis wasn't having the same epiphany, but he understood. "Why are you watching us?" Uther tightened his grip slightly, sending a surge through Kelwren.

  "To make sure you don't screw up." That wasn't what anyone expected to hear. Uther slackened his grip a little. Kelwren seemed to ease. "I am not the enemy Marcus. I never was." Marcus folded his arms across his chest, his posture deadly serious.

  "And how can I believe that? You kidnapped Jacob. Probably killed him." Kelwren shook his head.

  "Jacob is in Alisia, under heavy guard." Kelwren paused. "We Alisians were called upon to safeguard the line of the paladinhood. Whenever a crisis is forthcoming, specially trained defenders like myself are called to secure and defend the Paladin Sovereign until the incidents in question have abated. Jacob’s release is dependent mostly on what you do in the next twenty-four hours.” Uther firmed up his grip, keeping Kelwren from saying anything else.

  “Assuming that’s true, why not just stop the Innova?” Jack asked, rather matter-of-factly. Kelwren tensed a moment and answered.

  “Because we are not a warrior people. We can be called upon to fight, but mostly, we are neutral. The conflicts of men are not our concern. Only the balance of the paladin lineage of authority.” Marcus shook his head. He’d never heard anything about this from any Alisian he’d known.

  “So, you wait until something goes wrong, kidnap the current sovereign, then place him back when the problem is over?” Kelwren nodded. Marcus gave a dismissive grunt.

  “That sounds pretty lame if you ask me,” Jack said. Marcus nodded his agreement.

  “You’ve got him hostage-” Kelwren made a face that Marcus could tell meant he needed to speak. “Loosen up a little Uther.” Uther relaxed his fingers, and Kelwren slumped down a little. His humanoid form wavered a little as he let the tension leave him.

  “Questioning me is useless right now. Mordred is coming.” The group was silent. Not a one of them needed to hear that. Uther let go of Kelwren’s node, and the Alisian collapsed onto his simulated knees.

  “He wants the Falseblade, doesn’t he?” Ellis asked. Kelwren signaled correct.

  “My job is simple. I’m supposed to keep things from going irreparably wrong, until you two figure out what you’re doing.” Kelwren pointed at Marcus and Uther. Uther stiffened visibly at that. “I don’t know much, but I do know that whatever’s happening, it’s gonna be big. And if you guys aren’t ready, then we all lose. If you cannot interpret that dream in time, then it’s over.” Uther looked at Marcus, hoping for the calm reassurance his confidence seemed to give. Marcus glanced at Uther for a moment. He wasn’t exactly bleeding confidence, but he did seem positive. Uther took heart.

  “What about Rebekah?” Marcus asked, his voice gruff. “You’re supposed to keep balance, right? Why didn’t you help when Darius attacked?” Kelwren slunk over to a small ledge and morphed down to a half-amoebic state. He looked tired.

  “The bird I mentioned named Vraid is a Manticore. He is a hallomancer after the Order of the Earth God, Cerastes the Agile Serpent. He has never actually set foot on the campus. He sees through animals and other conjured creatures. Like that feathered dragon you saw." Ellis looked stunned. He hadn't realized he was seeing a dragon. "He thinks I’m his pupil. Or he thought it. That’s why I told you the things I did Ellis. He was always watching me. I was forced to give you the informatio
n that they wanted you to have, and the slant that they had concocted. It worked to my advantage, since it put you and Marcus in the same sphere.” Ellis looked pensive. “The night before the Tumbler, I tried to dig up some info on what the Dreads were planning. Vraid caught me and I had to make a run for it. We fought to a standstill until he punched me in the chest and bruised my Centrix before I got away." Kelwren pointed at his node and showed the bruise there.

  "The rainstorm was conjured to keep me from interfering. Vraid invoked the Observer of the Air, Iaculus to bring rain.” Marcus frowned. It made perfect sense. Alisians couldn’t hold a solid form in the rain.

  “How would rain stop you?’ Jack asked curiously.

  “Alisians exist in sea water in an amorphous state. It’s a natural state which we have no control over. A torrential rainstorm of fresh water would set my body’s instincts into overdrive. The downpour would’ve overridden my ability to hold a shape.” Jack wasn’t sure he understood all that. But the image of a senior paladin turning into a puddle at a critical moment came to mind.

  “But the Observers . . .,” Uther trailed off, a thought occurring to him.

  “They are in the Still Realm, yes,” Kelwren said tightly. “But they are only the wardens of the elemental authorities. The Innova do have some sway in that area. The Observers were at the creation of the world, but they are bound to the authorities of the creator. The Dreads have a portion of that authority to command. That is why they can use magic.” Kelwren’s explanation was informative to say the least. But it was also rather bone chilling. To think that the Dreads had any real authority over the elements was startling.

  “So, what’re we supposed to do then?” Jack asked, quickly changing the subject. “Stand around like stupid people?” Kelwren made a kind of shrug, closing what for him passed for eyes.

  “Run or fight. Neither choice is wrong. But you need to safeguard that blade. If Mordred is coming, he’ll go right for it. He’s finished with sending in his lackeys. I don't know any more than that. But whatever it is, it's gonna be soon. I figure Mordred needs a little time to get here. Assaulting the Academy isn't exactly easy. But in a little less than a day, he'll be here. I suggest you be elsewhere.” Kelwren slumped down further, a bluish head atop a great blue puddle on the roof. “That's all I have. I haven’t rested in days. I’m just too tired. I need to rest.” Kelwren’s head began to sink into the puddle.

  “Wait!” Ellis blurted. “The Wraith in the blade said I’d do. What’d it mean?” Kelwren rose up a little to answer.

  “It means you’re important. Only those chosen to do good works are deemed worthy of evil’s attention. The great dragon Khasarinth would tear down your destiny if he could. In the end, you are precious Ellis Burke. Just like your sister.” Kelwren melted down into his water-state and remained there. Lacey did a quick scan, informing Marcus of Kelwren’s status. He was in a healing trance.

  Marcus looked around at the boys and tried not to show his confusion. He wasn’t sure what to do next. Jack seemed to be screwing up his courage. Uther stared at the water for a long moment, feeling out whatever he could from Kelwren. Only Ellis looked bright in that instant. Kelwren Faultov had told him something that he obviously needed to hear.

  "I'm not going," Mary said, folding her arms in defiance. Her thick-framed glasses slid down her nose a little, but she refused to move. She was upset and unhappy.

  "You can't be gracious, huh?" Jack said. He and Ellis were both dressed in their formal wear, ready to go at the drop of a hat. Mary just stood there in her grandmother's living room, her face pinched together in girlish anger. Grandma wasn't too far away, dusting one of her porcelain puppies and trying to stay out of the conversation. But heaven forbid her not listening in.

  "The wedding's in an hour Mary. Uther's waiting. And you know he won't dance if you don't show." Ellis could tell by the tweak in her face that she thought that was funny. But Mary wasn't about to relent. She was not going.

  "He can't marry her. It's not fair. I won't stand there and be 'gracious.' I don't feel like it." Jack made an exasperated sound and started for the exit. Ellis watched him go.

  "Fine. Be a stick in the mud. See if we try to help you cheer up again." Jack stopped, holding the door open, waiting for Ellis to move. "You coming?" Jack asked as he opened the door. Ellis shook his head.

  "I think I'll stay too. Besides, she shouldn’t be alone with the you-know-what. Give Ian and Aiko my best." Jack nodded, giving them both a two-fingered wave before closing the door behind him. Mary stood there quiet for a long moment, not saying a word. Ellis stuffed his hands into his pockets and tried to look occupied.

  "You don't have to stay here. You can go if you want to," Mary said finally. Ellis tilted his head and smiled.

  "I know. But you don't want to stay here by yourself with that whozit in your basement. Besides, I can't dance either and you sound like you could use a partner in misery. Who knows misery better than me, right?" Mary tried to keep her sullen composure, but found herself smirking a little.

  "You know something? You're really not my type." Ellis waved her off. "But you're a good friend when you try."

  "Yeah, well it's funny what rubs off on you when you have good people around." Mary smiled a little brighter at that. She started for the basement door. As much as she was miserable about Ian, she was glad Ellis was there.

  Marcus was in his finest formal apparel, walking from the hospital after a visit to Rebekah. He had his field uniform in a duffel bag on his shoulder. He'd been told in no uncertain terms by Sir Lefein that he would be competing for the swordsmanship title, at Aiko's request, for the reception. He found that a little odd at first.

  Aiko had explained that Erikan weddings had a ceremonial blade dance performed for the bride and groom. The mythology was complicated, so Aiko had skipped it, opting for an edited version. The blade dance was performed to hopefully draw away any contentious spirits from the marrying couple. It seemed to be a fairly unnecessary ceremony to Marcus. It was an ancient and superstitious ritual, steeped in the old demi-gods of the Erikans. Then again, he didn't have a gift for the two. Beating Cole Remec at swordplay seemed to be all he could muster. That also meant that he, Cole, Ian, Aiko and the attending Erikans would be the only people in the whole of the Holodrome with weapons. Again, Sir Lefein insisted.

  "How is Princess Rebekah doing anyway?" a nasally voice said from Marcus's left. Marcus didn't look over. He knew who it was. Instead, Marcus quickened his pace. Simon Houghton came rushing out from behind a tree with his digital recorder mounted on his eyes and a wireless microphone in hand.

  "Come on Kasidyne. We can't get a straight answer. The hospital's locked down and no one's talking. We heard something from the Council about a car accident off campus. Care to comment?" That doesn’t sound right, he thought. Marcus kept moving, not even gracing Simon with a glance. Simon kept moving, still very undeterred.

  "What about those two headless corpses and some guy fitting the description of Elite High Captain Darius March in custody? Someone went to a lot of trouble to hide all that. Some of my sources say you did it. Is that true?" Marcus could feel his blood pressure rising. Simon was nothing if not persistent. Marcus 'had' gone to great lengths to keep Darius's capture from the general public. The story about a car wreck with the Ironhorse was, he assumed, entirely for the public. But Simon was true to his reputation. It's too bad he doesn't report anything noteworthy.

  "And this incident on the Triumphant? Sounds like we might have a few Innovan terrorists roaming the campus. Any statement?" Marcus stopped. He'd heard enough. Simon stood a little taller, shoving the mic into Marcus's face. Marcus wasted no time snatching the small rod from Simon's hand.

  "I'll say this once Houghton. You're digging too deep. Pull it back before you aggravate someone who has no qualms about killing you. And as for your questions." Marcus closed his fist, smashing the microphone into powder. Simon looked at it in shock.

  "No comment." The y
oung paladin dusted his hands and walked off, leaving the reporter there with his smashed equipment.

  Ian was smoothing out his sash in the mirror. He'd finally given the Paladin Dress code pamphlet a perusal. This time, he wouldn't show up without his dress finery in good order. He was going to look his best for his bride to be. Aiko was going to get the best-dressed, most handsome husband she could ask for. That was the one thing Ian knew he could take care of.

  The planning of the wedding had gone pretty much without a hitch. Jennifer had taken care of most of the details. Marcus had kept his distance for the most part, opting to keep away from his former fiancé. Ian really couldn’t blame him. He figured that was the last thing anyone needed.

  Ian hadn’t seen Aiko in almost a day and a half now. Not that he expected to. Aiko was supposed to be unseen. But then, other than sleeping, the two hadn’t really been apart for the better part of four days. It was a little odd to spend the morning away from her now. A knock sounded at the door.

  “Enter at your own risk.” Ian chuckled to himself. The joke wasn’t funny, but Ian was in a good mood. It was amusing enough. The door swung open and Tetsuo stepped in, with a very angry samurai in tow. Ian turned and swallowed hard. The samurai did not look happy.

  “My risk is exceedingly low Ian,” Tetsuo said smartly. Ian smirked a little. He’d found in the last day that Tetsuo did have a very sharp sense of humor.

  “To what do I owe this visit Sir?” Ian asked, trying to be respectful. The angry samurai came to attention, almost as though he were waiting for the order to move. His eyes were hard as he stared directly at Ian’s face.

  “There is an old tradition in Erikan culture Ian. It says that an arranged marriage can only be . . . canceled,” Tetsuo said, trying to choose the right words, “if the previous suitor dies in ritual combat.” Ian had to consciously close his hanging jaw.