Yara moved closer to him and he noted Ashleen drawing her eyes from time to time where she stood with the other wizards. “I can go with you, if you want. Some people respond more favorably to healers, no matter if I am from Southwall instead of Sileoth.”
He nodded and smiled, “And another pretty face never hurts.”
Blushing at the compliment, the healer looked towards Annalicia and added, “Having Anna along certainly covers that and she is royalty besides.”
“As long as people believe that Gerid is the Grimnal of legend, I think he will draw more eyes than the lady for once. Still, we don’t want to make our group too large when we try to meet the king or at least one of his lords high enough to properly convey the worries of Helsen and Sileoth’s other towns in Litsarin. Tarmand should be as safe as any other big city, but having battle mages and guards are expected by royalty, I would think.”
Gerid was already moving towards the walkway to the dock and called over as he stretched his arms overhead lazily, “Well, we won’t know until we get there. Sileoth was never the easiest of the royal families to deal with in my day, but maybe their descendants have learned to relax more. So let’s go.”
The big man, followed by his much smaller rune warrior guard, quickly stepped down the walkway slowly rising and falling with the waves lapping at the Sea Dragon. He was quickly followed by Maura and her wizards as well as Annalicia and her people. Holding back to fall in at the rear, Sebastian walked with Yara and his pair of battle mages. None were dressed in the official uniforms of falcons, however.
Sebastian had a strange feeling that being from Southwall was best left to the discovery of the king or whichever lord they were pawned off on when they reached the king’s castle. Tarmand was supposed to be an allied city, but in their brief stopovers along the way, he had heard men trying to stir up the people in the streets. Most in Litsarin preached separation from King Qeyless and Sileoth. ‘Self rule for Litsarin’ many had proclaimed, though few citizens seemed sure of the idea.
They had stopped in two towns in Sileoth and worryingly, similar men were shouting that Sileoth should take back the land of their ancestors. Why these men thought the southern cities of Southwall were theirs was beyond the mage though. Anyone who had seen the maps of the old North knew that the island and only a bit of land beneath the straight between the two nations had ever been in Sileoth’s hands.
Others preaching about taking the riches of the mainland or rejoining the North made more sense not only to the battle mage, but many zealous listeners. The idea of conquering a portion of Southwall for new land when their large island was heavily populated sounded good to those living in poverty and probably even to merchants who preferred not paying taxes to Southwall’s king in tariffs on their trade.
The walk to the castle brought out more of that worry as Sebastian and his people heard more of those dissenters calling for invasion of Southwall for profit and expansion. He didn’t know if the crowds forming around these men would have become violent if they had known battle mages from their proposed opponent walked among them. Mecklin and Frell looked both frustrated and angry at the men so commonly found calling on the people to pressure the king to conquer the northern land to bring wealth and food to the kingdom.
Drayden was beside the mage seeming to appear from nowhere as he mused, “So many calls for taking back land that isn’t theirs and yet if they shouted about going to war, most would turn away I think. No one wants war, but taking something from others... now that seems much less messy.”
“I just can’t believe that so many men would be leading these rallies both here and in Litsarin,” Sebastian said in turn as he looked at one of the men standing on a crate most likely emptied to stand on and be moved around from place to place as the local constabulary made them relocate for being a nuisance. “It seems like more than a coincidence to me.”
The older man nodded. “Darterian has been saying how much activity showed on that little warning device he has. If the emperor is moving men to stir up trouble, then we might assume that most of these speakers are actually from Ensolus.
“Should I maybe ask one for you?” Drayden asked in a way that made Sebastian worry about how the man would truly ask his questions and what he would do to get an answer.
“Do it carefully and meet us back at the ship if you are going to be awhile,” Sebastian replied drawing a surprised look from Yara in the process. He wondered if the girl thought he was stepping over the line. As a battle mage, he understood that sometimes to maintain peace they might have to do some things that were anything but polite or peaceful.
In a blink, the captain disappeared into the crowd almost as quickly as a mage could use a stealth spell.
“We are visitors here, Sebastian. You can’t go sending him to do something just because you think that the emperor might be behind it,” Yara complained in a lowered tone to the mage. Her green eyes looked both incredulous at his audacity and angry that he could do it so callously. “If this is supposed to be a mission to warn our allies about Litsarin, then why would you risk sending Drayden to...”
Her words faltered as the girl couldn’t finish what she was saying without worrying over someone hearing her. Sebastian played it off with a bit of a joke as he replied, “I only told him to talk to them to find out what he could. There’s nothing wrong with talking.”
“Don’t try to laugh this off, Sebastian. I really don’t know what has gotten into you lately. Where did that caring man go that I fell in love with when he took care of a hapless girl on her horse?” the pretty blonde asked obviously disillusioned by his perceived actions.
Releasing a deep breath, Sebastian leaned a little closer explaining something that was fundamentally different between the two of them, “The world doesn’t always act honorably. Sometimes we need to get our hands dirty. Maybe as a healer, you can’t see that; but it’s true, Yara.
“Wars are fought. Men and beasts die. Sometimes men like Drayden do things that we can’t talk about in public.”
While the girl frowned at him, Sebastian tried to understand what he saw reflected in her eyes. He loved Yara, but there were times that he could see that she neither understood his actions nor did she approve. One of the few mages who could heal, Sebastian understood much of the pain that she saw and how much it hurt her as it did him; but he was a realist and knew that not everything could be solved without bloodshed.
“You’re a healer too. Why can’t you see that you shouldn’t be able to give those orders so easily?” the blond haired healer asked in frustration. “I know it isn’t a perfect world. You rush in to help people and protect your friends against the emperor’s soldiers or giant crabs or various monsters. Intentionally doing harm without being provoked is wrong.
“You can pretend that Drayden won’t have to harm those men to get information from them if they are what you fear them to be. I’m not stupid or so naive, but how can you be so callous about it?”
The surety that this conversation was unlikely to end in either of them giving in on their points caused Sebastian to look away at the crowds around them. Stone and wood buildings standing two, three or even more floors above them reminded the mage that they would be horribly outnumbered if these people could be driven to turn against their long standing allies.
If these dissidents trying to stir up Sileoth to attack Southwall succeeded, the emperor would certainly benefit. North Wall would lose soldiers, mages and wizards for defense if they needed an army to drive their allies away as enemies. Surely the people of Sileoth couldn’t believe that Southwall stood as an enemy holding their lands like a thief. If they wanted more land, Litsarin was ripe for expansion with few that would resist settlers if they came.
“If I am to lead or simply be a falcon, I need to be able to make decisions that I believe are in the best interest of Southwall and my people. Arguing about that will get us nowhere.
“We can argue when we get back, if we must; but for now we need t
o be focused on what needs to be said to the king,” the mage said trying to end the quarrel before something was said that would cause more trouble between them. Yara said that he had been different for weeks, and whether she was right or not; the mage had to lead the way he thought best, even if the healer didn’t agree with it.
They passed through a gate in the massive outer wall of Tarmand and thankfully there were no more men shouting about attacking Southwall inside. Still, the feeling of the city seemed tense to the mage, but he couldn’t be sure exactly why as they walked to the inner walls of the king’s castle.
A man, backed by large guards in dress armor colored purple on the smaller accent pieces and breast plate, wore purple finery with silver highlights. Sebastian would characterize the look as foppish, but in spite of his appearance the official held the authority to bar any petitioner.
“What is your business with the king?” the man asked raising his nose snootily.
Annalicia spoke for the group since she had the most influence as a lady of Malaiy. “I am Lady Annalicia de Malef Eremia from Malaiy. I bring word from Litsarin, notably from Mayor Peres Lothman of Helsen. With me I have messengers with word from Southwall as well.”
While Sebastian would have thought that the man couldn’t possibly deal with nobles of Anna’s rank on a daily basis, the man seemed unimpressed and his attitude didn’t alter at all as he replied, “The king will receive petitioners from his kingdom today. If you wish to join the line, you should be able to see him sometime this afternoon.”
Looking around the girl, he rudely called, “Next!”
Gerid moved forward looming over the man imposing his presence on those from Sileoth. “I don’t believe you understand the importance of the young lady’s message for the king. Maybe if you check this ring’s seal, you can find a way to speed up our meeting. While I do appreciate the customs and processes of seeing your king, we are here on rather important business that affects Sileoth greatly.”
Rolling his eyes at the giant even as the guards’ halberds angled towards the looming threat, the functionary replied drolly, “I am sure that everyone who comes here believes their news is more important than the next person’s. While I can see that you are quite large, examining some ring that you think will move you to the front of the line is quite unnecessary. You will see the king in due course.”
With an annoyed sigh, Gerid reached into his pocket drawing a small knife. Sebastian thought that it would only be good for peeling prapples, but the guards nearly jumped as if he was threatening them with wild swings of a sword. The giant didn’t even bother to acknowledge their actions as he stabbed the palm of his hand. Blood pooled in the cup of the hand though it bled for only a few seconds.
Dipping the ring from his other hand into the blood, the Grimnal rolled it across a piece of paper on the attendant’s book. Sebastian noted with curiosity how a G and A seemed to stand out in the midst of the swirls around it. The ring had never seemed so obvious in appearance to him, but now he could make out the letters easily.
“Check it against seals from the northern kings. You may need to go back a bit since the Grimnal hasn’t been here in awhile, and still your people continue to make things harder than they have to be,” Gerid ordered taking a step back from the pulpit like table the functionary stood behind.
Scoffing at the idea, the man retorted, “The Grimnal has been missing for centuries and now you want me to check for his seals of all the kings and royals you could choose?”
Gerid held up the wounded hand revealing no mark remaining on his palm to the man. “The Grimnal healed swiftly and lived for centuries before he disappeared. You think a couple centuries mean anything to someone like me?”
The soldiers looked shocked and took a step back. Their weapons shook slightly magnified by the length of their halberds.
While the two guards were suitably impressed, the functionary had gone white, but he tried to play it off saying, “A wizard or even street magician could do the same trick.”
Giving an annoyed sigh, Gerid stepped forward grabbing hold of one of the halberds. His strength could have wrenched it from the man even if the guard fought him, but the man’s grip had gone loose in shock. Even the functionary’s attempt to debunk the man’s miraculous healing ability, couldn’t make the soldier believe other than what he had just witnessed.
Plunging his open hand onto the end of the halberd’s pointed blade, blood spurted as the weapon went clean through the flesh and exited showing three or four inches of metal on the other side. Pulling free, those in front or behind could see a three inch long cut showing light through the wound. Even as he held the hand before the man’s face, everyone could see the wound closing as it sealed with minimal blood loss.
Gerid said to the man who looked ready to faint as the hand continued to heal, “Now can we agree that I am the Grimnal? I really would hate to get blood on my shirt from needing to stab myself through the heart next. Though if you can manage to convince yourself after seeing this, where no magic could possibly have been cast, I doubt that would convince you either.
“That would just leave me snapping your neck with one hand, I guess. We could skip to that if you want,” the giant laughed at his morbid attempt at a joke.
Stumbling back into the guards, the official’s legs looked to have gone rubbery while his face remained white. “I-I-I will send word to the king, Lord Grimnal.”
While the man disappeared leaving the line behind them waiting in his absence, Sebastian said to the giant, “Did we really need to be so theatrical?”
Maura frowned complaining, “You wish to announce to the world that you have returned? Surely the emperor will want to send assassins to stop you from ever returning to Southwall. Even our allies might attack us, if it meant taking you as a prize!”
Shrugging at the wizard in particular, Gerid retorted, “Wasn’t the basic idea that you would find the Grimnal and show him off to the world to rally people to fight the emperor? I think word will spread that much faster if we start letting them know sooner rather than later.
“After so long hidden away on that island, maybe it is time to give people a show to remind them that I am still here.”
Maura had no response to that and merely spluttered a couple attempts before slipping into sullen silence.
A new man appeared with a handful of guardsmen in parade uniforms even more impressive than the guards still standing in awe of what they had seen.
“His lordship, King Qeyless, master of Tarmand and the land of Sileoth, bids the man holding the Grimnal’s ring to come for an audience,” the messenger stated apparently not believing anymore than the first functionary.
“I am the Grimnal, Gerid Aramathea to be more exact and these are my people. We will attend as one,” the giant replied trying to sound appropriately highborn. History had hidden many things, but Gerid had told Sebastian of his simple beginnings and he certainly not been born to a royal family.
The man shrugged and led the way through the near doorway. It wasn’t the main entrance or at least not the one they had seen petitioners directed to throughout the morning for those approved by the official. Hallways decorated in golden treasures, paintings and other fine works of art led the group to eventually step into a massive room. The Hall of Petition, as it was formally known, had a ceiling more than three stories high. Windows made of stained glass let light in from one end, while a mix of candelabras, lamps and hanging chandeliers helped light the far end of the chamber hundreds of feet away. Banners of purple and silver or even accents of gold hanging around the hall assaulted his eyes with the colors of Sileoth.
A thick line wound its way to a closed gate manned by more officials and guards. Eyes moved to the side door as the Grimnal led the others in following the guide. They had bypassed the main line, but a man remained speaking to the king sitting on his throne as they waited their turn.
After the man had stated his case, something to do with a land rights dispute
between him and a neighbor that Sebastian only caught the ending part; their party was escorted towards the petitioners’ carpet about twenty feet away from the king. Sebastian noted a boy sitting on the king’s right with a simpler crown compared to his father’s. He knew that the boy was likely to be his son if only because the facial features of both looked so similar though separated by about thirty years.
The king did not stand to greet them as his visitors inclined their heads in respect. Brown hair was graying while the king’s gray eyes were alert and looking to discern the truth of what he had been brought.
The man escorting them started the introduction loud enough to be heard by the petitioner line behind them. “The Lord Grimnal, Gerid Aramathea escorting Lady Annalicia de Malef Eremia and messengers from Southwall, my lord.” Even as voices rose in a murmur at the declaration of the legendary name of the Grimnal, the announcer turned to face those wishing to speak with the king and added, “His Lordship, King Qeyless, king of Sileoth, Sentrias and the colonies of Litsarin will now hear from his visitors!”
Stepping back to the handful of guardsmen remaining close in protection of their king, though dozens more were close enough to be able to encircle the king should the need arise, the mage watched as the king seemed to be trying to stare down the giant who declared he was a legend thought dead.
“You are the Grimnal?” the king asked appearing dubious though he was not rude in questioning someone believed dead for nearly two hundred years. Few men lived beyond one hundred so the stories of the immortals often bred doubt in those hearing them, even if the men were standing before them. “You certainly have the silver hair and giant stature of the one from legend, but he has been believed dead for a very long time. If you are he, then why have you hidden for so long?”
Battle Mage: A Hero's Welcome (A Tale of Alus Book 8) Page 39