by David Ekrut
Every dozen steps led to a platform with a door and another set of stairs leading to higher floors. The captain marched upward at a steady pace. Each step reminded Zarah she had recently been unconscious, but after a few minutes, the movements helped to work out some of her aches. She was fortunate nothing had been broken in that fall.
He finally stopped on the twentieth or so level where four guards lounged on the steps. They stood to attention under his gaze. One opened the door, where another dozen guards stood to either side of a well-lit hall. The captain returned their salutes without stopping. The corridor ended at a four-way junction. He turned right, going straight through five more intersections, then went left, passing dozens more guards along the way. The hall ended in a large wooded door covered in eloiglyphs.
A woman with far more honors than the captain frowned at Zarah, then to her escort. “What are you doing here, captain?”
The captain saluted. “My apologies, General Gaiyalin. This is Zarah of house Lifesong, daughter-heir of Justice, seeking audience with the king.”
She studied Zarah with obvious skepticism, until Zarah showed the woman her sigil. She nodded to the captain and said, “Wait here.”
The glyphs on the door came alive at her touch of the handle. She disappeared for less than a minute. When she returned, the door opened wide, revealing a large antechamber.
“You are dismissed,” the general said to the captain.
He saluted once more, pivoted, and marched away.
“What is your business here?” Gaiyalin asked.
“We have discovered means to defeat the dragons, and we need access to the king’s library.”
“If you know how to defeat them, why do you need the library?”
Deciding she did not care for the general’s tone, Zarah lifted her chin and said, “That information is for the king.”
Gaiyalin studied her for a moment, before turning her gaze on Feffer. She dismissed him within a second and said, “If you tame, I’ll see you dead within a breath. Understood?”
“I will not tame,” she promised, feeling a slight pang of guilt for taming earlier.
“If you do,” Gaiyalin pressed, “I will end you. Do you understand?”
As Feffer opened his mouth, Zarah said in a rush, “I understand. Your caution is admirable and well-founded. These are difficult times. I do not take your blunt words as an insult.”
Gaiyalin nodded, not abashed in the slightest. “Good. Your servant may come as well.”
Once more, she spoke before Feffer could spit out something to embarrass her. “He is all that is left of my men. Most of my soldiers were killed at the docks by brigands. Some may have survived in the woods, but I am not hopeful. Then, we had some trouble from the guardians, and Feffer lost his sword.” She took the extra weapon from her back and handed it over to Feffer, surprised not to have lost it in her tumble. When he took it, she added, “And though he may not look it, Feffer is an elite guardian of the white hand.”
“My apologies for your men,” she said, voice sincere for the first time. “As you can imagine, we have fallen on rough times. After your meeting with the king, I will supply your guard with any additional weapons he might require.”
Zarah inclined her head. “Thank you, general.”
“Come,” she gestured. “The king and queen are awaiting you.”
The antechamber gave way to another waiting room. Rather than lavish furnishings like she would expect for private quarters, two thrones rested against the far wall. Though empty, petitioner’s chairs were pushed to the side.
A man of aged years sat atop a plump cushion. His crimson cloak concealed broad shoulders. A lavish crown rested on silver hair. Next to him was a woman of an age with him in a rich gown of violets with lacy trim.
Gaiyalin raised her voice. “Zarah of house Lifesong, Daughter-heir of the royal throne of Justice, pillar of the Island Nations and loyal ally of Alcoa.”
Zarah curtseyed. Noticing Feffer gaping like dullard, she whispered, “Bow.”
His legs buckled. He dropped gracelessly to one knee.
“Rise and come forth,” King Alcoa said.
She stood and walked forward, hoping Feffer followed her lead and would keep his mouth shut. Stopping several paces in front of the royal couple, she gave a brief curtsey and waited.
“You are well-met, Zarah. How is your father? I lost touch with him when my rod of sending was stolen.”
“Stolen?” Zarah asked. “From the palace?”
“Aye. From the reception hall in the main compound. It was a warder. We are much more cautious than we were in those first days.” He waved a dismissive hand. “What news do you bring from Zaak? And why have you come to us during such troubled times?”
“Thank you for granting me this audience, your grace.” She inclined her head. “And my condolences for your difficult times. We come because we believe we have discovered a means to defeat the dragonkin. First, we seek information about the Melcoas. Our records indicate they possess an ancient sword we believe to be a heartblade, a weapon capable of killing the dragons.”
“A heartblade,” he said, voice almost introspective. “Yes. I remember reading tales of such swords as a boy. They each began with ‘Once upon a time.’ My favorite were of Faragand Wyvernbane. But none of this is of any consequence. Even if the stories were true, the Melcoas are no more. They were amongst the first family to fall to the dragons. Their estates are reduced to mostly rubble. The few survivors live here, in my castle.”
She had expected this answer or something like it. Fate was forcing her toward the ruins. After her Vision, how could it have been any other way?
“You do not appear surprised,” the queen said.
Zarah shook her head. “I have been given a Vision. I know where I need to go. There are two heartblades in the ruins of Abadaria.”
“Yes. Of course,” Alcoa said. “In the early days of my reign, I desperately sought artifacts of power. You see, one of the members of the Sacred Order, my most elite elementalist warriors, had the Gift of Visions. Athina told me of the dragons return. I had hopes to stop this from coming to pass. Alas, any truth she saw could not be avoided. I sent parties into every forgotten ruin to search for a way to stop, or even stall, the Awakening. That included Abadaria. None returned from that cursed place. I now know why. There is an order of magi protecting the dragons who sleep there. You will need to disable their incantations to pass through the traps. Since the Vision of the Awakening was revealed to me, I have sought high and low for the incantations. After all these years, I have but one tome on the magi. It does not reveal any secrets on how to wield their power, but it does discuss the written form of the incantations. If it holds keys to disabling the dangers of Abadaria, my scholars could not ferret them out, but if you wish it, the book is yours.”
Somehow it would show her through the ruined city, of course. She had been using a tome in her Vision to remove the traps.
“Yes, thank you, your grace.”
“Tell me more of this Vision. Did it show you how to defeat the dragons?”
“No. And as you know, Visions are often symbolic.”
“But you do not believe what you’ve seen to be symbolic,” the queen said. “I see the pain in your eyes.”
“If there was more time, I would give you every detail. But there is not. Lives depend upon retrieving the weapons.” She considered telling them of her mother, but she could not make herself say the words. Instead, she said, “Suffice to say, sacrifices must be made, but I will recover the blades.”
The king nodded to himself. “I believe you will.”
“As do I,” said the queen.
“I still control the northern docks to the river,” he said. “I can only spare a single ship and single regiment to escort you as far as Delcoa. My writ will get you more supplies for the res
t of the journey. Our nations have a long history of unity. I count your father as a loyal ally and trusted friend. I wish I could do more.”
She bowed her head in a deep curtsey. “I understand, your grace. Thank you.”
“If there is any chance artifacts exist that can stop these dragons, it will be worth the risk. How soon would you like to depart?”
“I would like to leave at once.”
He nodded as if this was the expected answer. “You are your mother’s child.”
She flinched at the compliment but said, “You are kind, your grace.”
“Tell me, why have your parents remained behind?” he asked.
She hesitated. She could not tell the truth, but neither did she wish to lie. “We have troubles of our own in Justice.”
The king and queen studied her for several moments. They exchanged a glance. After a moment, the queen nodded.
“I will have the tome waiting for you in the private cabin,” Alcoa said. He turned to Gaiyalin. “General, ready a ship and a cohort. Give her any supplies we can spare.”
“At once, my king.”
Zarah gave a final curtsey, then turned to follow the general out of the king’s chamber. Once in the hall, Gaiyalin said, “Your Vision. How did it end? Do you really get the heartblades?”
“Yes,” Zarah lied. Well, not exactly a lie. She tried not to dwell on the image, but she could still see herself as a statue, hand outstretched to the blade.
“And you are certain the weapons can strike them down?”
“No, but there is strong evidence that they will.”
“Good.” Gaiyalin nodded as if Zarah had given the affirmative.
When the first soldier came into sight, Gaiyalin barked orders for him to run ahead and make ready for departure.
Gaiyalin escorted them a different way than they had come and exited the palace grounds through a northern gate. Several of the homes throughout Alcoa Proper had been destroyed. Char marks covered much of the rubble. Most were untouched. People stood in windows or in gardens, watching the procession. Children played in the streets as if nothing was out of sorts.
By the time they reached the wharf, hundreds of guards stood alongside the citizens of Alcoa, either saluting or cheering the general. The portcullis was up, allowing for free passage, but at least two hundred more soldiers guarded the way to the pier.
Merchants and fishermen offered goods along the wide, stone walkway to the wooden piers. Few gold pieces changed hands. People, mostly commoners, traded with other goods or precious gems. All commerce stopped at the general’s approach. She and Feffer received many curious glances.
Gaiyalin stopped to speak to the dock master, who pointed to a carrack at the front of a long row of merchant ships.
“Wait here, your highness,” Gaiyalin said. “I need to round up some of my men.”
“So,” Feffer said as the general marched away, “we are going to Abadaria, then. How long will it take us to get there?”
“I am going to Abadaria. You are going back to Justice.”
“And you go on your own?” He shook his stubborn head. “Not a chance.”
“You will do as I order. This is for your own good. You are going home.”
“With all due respect, your highness. No. I will not. I am here under the order of the king.”
Despite knowing he would say as much, she felt a twinge of anger. “You would disobey a direct command from your daughter-heir?”
He met her glare without flinching. “If you try to send me away, then yes. I would. I will not stand by while you walk into danger. King Lifesong will agree with me.”
“Feffer,” she said, forcing her voice to be calm, “I need you to return to Justice and speak to my father. Tell him his sword is definitely a heartblade. He needs to learn its name. That will help him to master it.”
“Wait, what? How do you know?”
“The swords I saw in my Vision. They look just like the weapon he carries, down to the symbols running along the center of the blade.”
“Then we can just go home, right? If he already has the artifact, we do not need to risk Abadaria at all.”
“No. If we can get our hands on one of the manuscripts, we may be able to unlock the secrets of my father’s heartblade as well as have additional weapons. I cannot turn back yet.”
“Then neither can I. We could send one of Alcoa’s men as a messenger. I don’t trust them to protect you the way I will.”
“As I recall, I have saved you twice. All you manage to do is get in my way. You are barely more than a farmer and should have never been promoted to my guard.” She hated herself for the pained expression he gave her. But this was necessary. If he came with her, he would die. So would she. She pressed on, putting all her resolve into making him believe her words. “If a pigeon could cross the Tranquil Sea, I would send the dumb animal in your stead. Not because I need you, mind. Judging from the rest of your blunders, I doubt you will make an adequate messenger, but you will have to do. Do you think you can try to do this right, at least? Tell my father what we know.”
“If that is how you feel,” he said, turning away from her.
The pain in his bruised face made her stomach clench into knots. She wanted to apologize and tell him how much she wanted him to come with her.
Instead, she forced her voice to be steady as she asked, “Where are you going?”
“To find supplies. I have a long journey.” He tried to hide his limp and the way he favored his right side, but she could see it clearly.
She let him go, knowing she had done what was right, but for some reason she felt heavier as each step carried him farther away. Feffer vanished into the crowd and never looked back.
Zarah jumped when Gaiyalin’s voice spoke beside her. “That one would give his life for you. Are you certain it is wise to send such a loyal soldier away?”
“Yes. I know he would die for me. I have seen it. In my Vision. Every time I look at him, I see that arrow through his eye, and I question my quest. I want to turn around and go back to my father and drag that fool boy with me. But I cannot. This is too important.”
Something changed in Gaiyalin’s expression. “You wish to change the future. From what I understand, such a feat is not possible. He who is fated to die will die. Sending him away will not change this truth. You will just lose the rest of your time together.”
“I once believed that as well,” she admitted.
“What changed?”
Zarah wanted to give the general a sophisticated answer, but she could not. In truth, she did not know. But Feffer was gone. He would stay here. He would not die in Abadaria. She could only hope he would survive this.
“Please take care of him,” Zarah said.
“Of course.”
Chapter 36
The Hamlet
Galivant,
I do not owe you these truths, but your protections in Abadaria have been compromised. A formidable group of adventurers makes haste toward your precious city with the intent to steal from the aeries. Let it be known, it is not the Farseers who have betrayed you. We know not who, but others conspire to share your secrets.
~Arduri, 2999 A.S.
~
Jax stepped on the road before Elwin, feeling only mildly childish at the thrill of being first. Despite asking for his help, the kid wanted to fight him at every turn. Going east and circling north made the most sense. He kept walking, trying to push through the fatigue. He could not see the sun through the trees but knew it would be dark soon. He could no longer hear the hounds, but they were still back there somewhere.
“Is this the Eastern Road?” Elwin asked.
“Nope,” Jax said, walking again. “It leads to Disputon. Once we find a hamlet and resupply, we’ll head northeast.”
Moving up to walk alongside
them, Daki pulled out a parchment and unrolled it. “My map does not show any city between here and Disputon.”
“Wow,” Jax said, looking down at the markings on the yellow page. “That is old. Doesn’t even have Barnham on it. City grows the best tangerines around.”
Frowning, Daki returned the map to his satchel.
“Anyway,” Jax continued. “Your map has all the major cities, but I didn’t see a single township on it. There are dozens along all the kingsways. Better than that, this close to the capital, there are inns everywhere. With any luck, we won’t need to sleep in the dirt tonight.”
“I don’t care where we sleep,” Daren said. “How long has it been? Two days or three?”
Jax shrugged. “Three, I think.”
“Is it wise to stay at an inn?” Elwin asked. “The hunting parties will be looking for us.”
Jax waved a dismissive hand. “We likely covered over fifty miles or more on the speedway. Doubtful word could have spread so swiftly to these hamlets.”
“Is it worth the risk?’
“For the love of Life,” Jax said. “Must you argue over every minor detail? We won’t discover a cursed thing without an inn. Or do you hope to extract information from the trees?”
According to legends, the Chai Tu Naruo could do precisely that. Before Daki could open his mouth, Jax said, “I didn’t think so. Besides, how else are we going to find horses? You are in a hurry, right? You have a month to get this blade from Abadaria? For mounts, we need a town.”
“Fine,” Elwin said. “If we reach an inn, one of us should gather information, but after we purchase the horses, we should move on.”
“I agree,” Daren said. “And no gambling.”
“Ridiculous,” Jax said. “How else are we going to find someone to speak to us?”
“Um,” Elwin said in a sarcastic tone, “I suggest walking up to the person and asking questions.”