Shardon's Guise

by Stephen Lucas Lacroix

  Sevidon only looked at Tamiron who could do nothing but bow.

  End of chapter XVII

  XVIII: Orderian Treachery

  Aderon sat quietly, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the table, staring blankly into space. He took a small breath and glanced over his father who he contacted earlier using an owl.

  “Are you listening to me, boy?” his father suddenly said.

  He snapped out of his own trance and was jolted to sit properly. “I was, father,” he answered. But his father only stared at him coldly.

  “Good. Then you understand that the old royal tomb is well guarded and fortified?” his father said.

  “I suppose,” he seemed to agree. “But father, at least heed my warning for now. The other kingdoms’ tombs and temples are being attacked —”

  “We are not weaklings like them, Aderon!” his father shouted. “Do not compare our people to those lowland dwellers. We are the mighty High Eagles! I am insulted that you are even capable of making such a comparison!” his father mocked him. He felt his father’s cold eyes piercing right through him.

  “You are spending too much of your time with those so called allies of yours that you are beginning to think like them. Pathetic,” his father’s words hit him as his palms began to sweat. He looked down, ashamed, as he tried to avoid to make eye contact.

  “Do not worry about the High Kingdom, I know how to run and secure the damn place. Make sure to represent our people and make those lowlanders realize the might of the High Kingdom. Do not disappoint me and never disturb me again with such nonsense,” his father said sternly.

  “But father I—” he tried to say something but the message was immediately cut off.

  His heart sank. He threw himself back in his chair and held his face as he tried to calm himself down. With a heavy sigh he stared blankly on the table. He thought his father would be happy about what he had done. At least for now, he was the United Forces Commander. He thought it would at least warrant a smile from his father.

  It was all he hoped, but it only made his father more irritated of him. His shoulders felt heavy as he thought about it more. He remembered why he was like this. He blamed Sevidon for his mother’s death after all and being named after the storm that struck his day of birth was a reminder that he was.

  Another heavy sigh came from him as he tried to compose himself then he struck the table in half, his frustration towards his father with it.

  “Is, everything alright, Sire?” the guard asked. He only looked at him angrily. He did not want to be disturbed for now. “I’ll be going then.”

  “What is it?” he sighed as he rubbed his forehead.

  “Prince Glaivel and Princess Kaira are here to see you, Sire. Should I send them off?” the guard replied as he stood up.

  “No, let them in,” and ordered, “and bring me a new table while you are at it,” as the guard promptly left.

  Kaira and Glaivel came in, much to their surprise.

  “What happened?” Kaira curiously asked.

  “Nothing,” he replied snobbishly as he tried to clean up.

  “Well, I’m sure it wasn’t,” Glaivel said, further making his blood boil, but he tried his best to keep his cool as he breathed deeply to not snap at them.

  “So what do I owe the pleasure?” he asked as he fixed and stacked the papers that were scattered on the floor. Kaira tried to help but he stopped her.

  “We finished scouting everything beyond the Pass of Rondag. Everything should be good. I could have several battalions move and set up camp there, then we could have more come in over time,” Glaivel said as guards came in with a new table.

  “And I had my assassins scout the area beyond the Pass and all they’ve seen were the Xerxecians who seemed to be heading here.” Kaira pointed on a city in a crude map of the Shardon continent she had laid down on the table.

  “Quenttrax?” he said, confused as to what the enemy could be planning. He bit his thumb as he looked over the map drawn by Kaira’s latest intel. “This doesn’t make any sense. Do you have any more intel about this city?”

  Kaira only gave her a look and said, “No, why?”

  “We need to know what’s going on there. Can you assemble a team to do it?” he asked her to which she thought more about it.

  “I will have to lead them myself then. If they are indeed gathering their forces there, it will be heavily guarded I suppose.” Kaira then looked at Glaivel. He stood up and looked at the map and carefully analyzed it himself.

  “Are you sure you should be leading that?” Glaivel asked her.

  “Yes, might as well go with them. In case we need to make any decision from there on,” then Kaira looked at Aderon. “In the event that we needed to act by then.”

  He slowly realized what Kaira meant. “No, I disagree. Stay here while your unit do their job. I can’t risk losing you deep within enemy territory,”

  “But what if they need to make a critical decision while I’m away? They can’t just bring any owls with them,” Kaira protested.

  “I don’t care. This is not a simple or a routine intel gathering, Kaira. You need to know that. We lose you, the united forces will lose an advantage,” he said as he tried to persuade Kaira.

  He did understand what Kaira tried to say, but needless to say, she was far too important to go there. It was too risky.

  “Aderon, with all due respect—”

  “That is an order, Princess Kaira. Stay put and let your assassins do their duty,” he told her in a stern voice. Kaira wasn’t able to react and had no choice but to follow.

  “Glaivel, for now let’s hold off with your idea. It is good, but if we don’t know anything about how many exactly are in Quenttrax. We could get run over by the enemy. Take two imperial battalions with you and solidify our hold of both the exit and entrances of the pass. Let us at least try to hold the Pass until everyone is here,” he explained to him.

  “When will everyone be here, anyway?” Glaivel suddenly asked.

  “The Kra’ens should be here any day of the week now. Last I heard from them that is they were crossing Huertian. The elves will be a bit later but probably the same with the Kra’ens, but you know the elves, they’re slow,” he answered with a controlled tone.

  “I’m going to pretend you did not say that,” Glaivel said with a little annoyance.

  He could march the entire camp and setup a new one as Glaivel suggested, but at the risk of getting overran by the enemy was his biggest concern. They had the advantage for now as well in terms of field for they had cleared things up in Termosad.

  As they continued on with more planning, Ravaen finally arrived, entering the tent abruptly followed by another eagle guard.

  “I’m sorry, Sire, I tried to stop him but he insisted to head straight here,” the guard explained.

  “No need, go on,” he told his guard as he looked at Ravaen, “You look weary. How is the southern quadrant?” he immediately asked him.

  “Did Evangeline report anything to you about the southern quadrant?” Ravaen immediately asked him.

  “No reports from the Orderian so far. I do believe they are still seizing Oroz’Kram citadel.”

  Ravaen then looked at him grudgingly. The others certainly noticed.

  “Is there something wrong, Ravaen?” Kaira asked.

  “She is out of control! That is what’s wrong,” Ravaen said.

  “What do you mean?” Glaivel asked.

  “Oroz’Kram has fallen. Their siege ended several days ago,” Ravaen said to them, but defeat somehow was painted on his face.

  “Then what’s the problem? She told us that the citadel is being used as a factory for armor and weapons. Isn’t that a win for us?” Glaivel clarified.

  “Are you sure she hasn’t reported this yet, Aderon?” Kaira asked him but he only shook his head.

  “I fail to see the problem here.” Glaivel tried to make sense of Ravaen.

  “The problem is she took it down herself. E
ven her army was helpless. She didn’t just take the citadel, she burned it to the ground!” Ravaen said as his lips trembled. “She’s different now. I confronted her about this as to why the sudden move but she talked as if something was terribly wrong. It’s like I’m not even talking to Evangeline at all,”

  “I don’t think Evangeline could do what you are saying. And even if she did, it was probably for the best,” Kaira defended her.

  “No, I was there myself. Yes, there were Xerxecians there, but not as many as she reported. The place was pretty much deserted. No tools or weapons were there. I don’t know why she did that, but what I do know is that she is out of control. Even her own army is afraid of what she did,” Ravaen said.

  “Look, the enemy is gathering here at Quenttrax. Maybe that’s why the place was almost deserted as you claim to be,” Kaira once again tried to defend her friend.

  Ravaen slammed his hand on the table and said, “Then what is the reason she burned a solid rock and stone citadel to the ground?” Ravaen made his point.

  Evangeline’s actions were indeed unacceptable.

  Aderon screamed out of anger as his wings suddenly appeared. He breathed loudly as he tried to hold himself together, “I am done being undermined like I’m nothing!” he finally snapped. The guards outside frantically entered, not knowing what happened as they look unto him.

  “Aderon, calm down,” Kaira said but he only pushed her away with his wings.

  “I cannot calm down if people keep undermining me. First Ravaen, then that Venis general Sevidon, and now her! I will not stand for this!” he shouted. “Get me an owl now and contact Evangeline immediately!” he shouted to a guard.

  “What are you going to say to her?” asked Ravaen.

  “I need her to explain what she just did. I will not have myself be humiliated any longer,” he explained as his hands clenched into fists.

  “I am sorry to put this much pressure on you then, Aderon,” Tamiron suddenly said to everyone’s surprise as he entered the tent with Sevidon.

  “What are you doing here?” Aderon said, startled by Tamiron’s sudden appearance. “And you,” he pointed at him and approached him immediately. “How dare you leave the camp without my permission?” he said to Sevidon’s face.

  “I did not intend to undermine your authority, Aderon. I simply needed to leave to investigate something back home,” Sevidon explained but he was not having any of it.

  “I don’t care! You deserted the camp without even notifying me directly! Do you honestly think Glaivel or your brother Prince Wraponreth will be enough?” he argued.

  “Enough, Aderon. I understand what they did. Punishment can wait. We need to discuss something,” Tamiron tried to calm him.

  “What? Are you out of your mind? This will set a bad example to the troops and the entire forces!” he argued with Tamiron, but he only shook his head. “This is ridiculous!”

  “Enough! I will be taking back command now, Aderon. You did your job well, do not worry about that part, a more pressing matter needs to be discussed,” Tamiron said.

  He was dumbfounded. His title of commander was taken back from him. He was shaken, shaken that left him speechless.

  “What are you talking about, Tamiron?” Kaira asked immediately.

  “Sevidon has something important to say about Evangeline,” Tamiron said and Sevidon began to explain to them what had happened and what he had found out.

  But he wasn’t able to concentrate. He went to the corner of the tent to calm down and silently listened to what Sevidon was about to say.

  “Go on, tell them,” Tamiron said.

  Sevidon looked at the others and took a deep breath first before he began. “The one attacking our tombs and temples. I know who is behind it,” Sevidon said and out of everyone Ravaen was the most eager of them to hear it. “It was Evangeline.”

  Everyone was dumbfounded. Stunned by what Sevidon just said.

  He was stunned like the rest unable to comprehend what Sevidon just said. “What are you saying, Sevidon? You better be sure of what you are saying because that is not a good joke at all,” he said.

  “I agree with Aderon. That is a very serious accusation. I expected that from Glaivel,”

  “Hey!” Glaivel reacted but Kaira cuts him off with a finger.

  “But from you? What proof do you have?” Kaira finished.

  “Look, I know it is hard to believe but—”

  “It is hard to believe. Come on Glaivel, it will take her two weeks just to get from the tomb in the Empire to Mt. Mjior. The attacks happened at a very short period of time from one another,” Ravaen defended his friend.

  Sevidon was disappointed but tried to explain. “I know. It is hard to explain, but I already had suspicions and it was confirmed to me when she appeared in front of my very eyes.”

  “What do you mean? Out with it,” he asked him as he crossed his arms. He will simply not buy into this accusation by Sevidon.

  “She appeared in the middle of the Grand Elven Library. She came out from a pink orb and—”

  “That is ludicrous, Sevidon!” he laughed as he cuts him off.

  “Aderon, let me finish. She came out of a pink orb and disappeared as she was swallowed by one. She was the one who burned our library.”

  “Sevidon just stop it.” Glaivel stood up. “You need to stop your accusations now. She did not mention that she has a spell that can instantaneously send herself to a different part of the world in a snap of a finger,”

  “I called out her name and she looked at me!” Sevidon suddenly shouted. He looked at each and every one of them. “When she looked, this tomb raider had the same eyes that she has, the same ring that she has. It was her. The way she paused and looked at me before burning down our Grand Elven Library, it was definitely her.” Sevidon looked everyone in the eye, but he could only see defeat in them.

  “I’m sorry Sevidon. It’s just impossible,” Kaira said and Sevidon sighed and rubbed his eyes out of frustration.

  Aderon had had it. He walked up to Tamiron and said, “If this is your second in command then I don’t want to be a part of this.” He was too frustrated to even stay in one place with them. Aderon left the tent. The others tried to stop him but he didn’t listen to their plea. All he knew was he needed to get far away from the camp as possible. He prepared to fly off when Evangeline appeared back in the camp.

  “You,” he uttered as walked towards her. “How dare you!”

  The others heard him and immediately went out of the tent.

  “Why did you not report the fall of Oroz’Kram?” he demanded the answer from Evangeline.

  “I do not need to report myself to you, Aderon,” Evangeline said as her own guards assumed defenses.

  “Seize her! Under my authority as the High Eagle Commander, seize her at once!” he ordered the surrounding soldiers.

  “Stop this now!” Tamiron shouted from the back.

  “You are going to let her get away as well with insubordination?” he growled at Tamiron as they stood toe to toe. Imperial troops flooded the scene and he was already expecting him to stop them, but to his surprise, the soldiers pointed their spears towards Evangeline.

  She was surprised herself and so was him. “Tamiron,” was all Evangeline could utter.

  “No, but there are processes that we need to follow in dealing with her, Aderon. Calm down,” Tamiron tried to reason with him and calm him down as he tried to hold him by the shoulder but he just slapped his iron hands away from him.

  “I don’t care about the processes you speak of, Tamiron! We are the Unibeltrasian Forces, not the Seven kingdoms and the Orderian army!” he shouted.

  “She has autonomy, Aderon, and you know it!” Tamiron said.

  “Then why!” he wanted to know why Evangeline was treated that way, especially outside their own chain of command.

  Tamiron seemed to answer as well, and everyone got the very thought, not just him.

  “I demand an answer, Tamir
on. If you can’t provide it, then the majority of the commanders need to decide, and by the looks of things, I may have most of the sympathies here,” he said and he then turned to Evangeline. “Explain yourself, or else.” He made his final threat felt.

  The guards closed in with the magisters backed towards Evangeline.

  “Fine,” Evangeline finally said. “I already told Tamiron that I will find a way to win this war. But the chain of command hinders me from achieving such goal so I requested to be outside of it. He just gladly obliged,” she explained.

  “Do you honestly expect me to believe that, Evangeline? You need to come up with a better explanation or else!” he pressed on as he did not believe that Tamiron would even bend that easily, even after what had happened to him.

  “Evangeline, enough of your lies!” Sevidon suddenly said and drew a sword at her. “I know it was you who attacked the tombs and temples!” Sevidon confronted her and that surprised Evangeline the most.

  She finally reacted as he held the soldiers back for now and he let Sevidon do what he needed to do. Even Aderon was not aware of what he had said, maybe he should’ve stayed in the tent a while ago a bit longer.

  “What are you saying?” Evangeline stuttered as she stepped back, her lips trembling.

  “Don’t play games with me, Evangeline! You burned down the Viris Grand Elven Library! Why?” Sevidon pressed on.

  Flabbergasted, he did not know what was going on. He thought Sevidon went to the Venis kingdom. What was he doing in Viris territory? Questions now began to come in to his head as he tried to follow what was going on.

  “Enough! Everybody just calm down. We can’t afford to be fighting one another like this!” Kaira tried to plea with the rest.

  “Stay out of this, Tigris! Might as well get everything out on the open. We can’t afford hidden agendas running our own operations here,” Aderon said as he blocked her with his wings.

  “How dare you, Evangeline,” Ravaen said with sword in hand. “We trusted you and you stab us in the back?” he then pointed his sword towards her.

  “Ravaen, not you too. Stop this at once!” Kaira pleaded with him.