City Of Light

by Darren Deegan

  ‘It would seem congratulations are in order.’ He said. The group letting out a long sigh. ‘Never have we had such a large group pass the trials.’

  ‘We owe that to Neesha, sir. She kept us going when we wanted to give up and got us to the keep.’ The girl who had complained, had something nice to say.

  ‘Aye, and she pushed me through the forest when I thought my legs wouldn’t carry me.’ A meek voice from the back.

  Neesha remained steadfast before the commander, giving nothing away.

  ‘It would appear you have a fan club.’ Issy’s voice in her ear.

  ‘Congratulations to you all, we shall feast tonight after you are each initiated into the Tuath Dé.’

  The Commander and his guard filed out of the room and down the staircase the youths had so painstakingly climbed just moments before, all for that moment, for the honour of passing the trials of the Tuath Dé.

  THIRTY FOUR

  The grass crunched beneath his feet, still frozen from the night before. The path would have been easier to walk on, but he was in no mood to waste time, and cutting across the palace lawns was a far shorter journey. Thyle had been at odds the past few days, ever since he’d come so close to getting information about the kidnappers. Sightings had come in from all over, but nothing had led to anything as close as his encounter with the two men and the young woman that night. Sleep had come in dribs and drabs, the idea of all the missing children, haunted him.

  ‘Commander.’ A loud familiar voice came from far behind him.

  Thyle turned to see Captain Ferras rushing across the lawn towards him.

  ‘Commander,’ he began, out of breath. ‘I’ve been looking everywhere for you.’

  ‘What is it Ferras, please don’t tell me there has been another kidnapping.’ He said, fearful for the answer.

  ‘No, Commander, quite the opposite. We received a report a few hours ago that all the missing children are back in their homes, returned early this morning.’

  ‘What? Your men found them?’

  The Captain was still panting, gasping for every breath, it appeared he had been neglecting his training for some time. A curse of people in his position, they spend most of their time behind a desk, and feel it no longer necessary to exercise, or train in combat.

  ‘They say local commoners came for them. The children had been kept in the sewers by men matching the description of the ones you killed, and yesterday, they were rescued. Each one has been returned to their family, from what we can gather. My men are still confirming numbers, but it appears the report is correct. You should also know, that my men went to the location in the sewers, all the kidnappers were dead… Killed in mysterious circumstances.’

  Commoners? How could they rescue anyone from trained soldiers?

  ‘I see. I will need to visit the sewers for myself, but send word when you complete your check, Captain. The king must be informed at once, you will excuse me, Captain.’

  The Captain nodded, and saluted Thyle, before turning and heading back the way he came. While Thyle felt a weight lifted from him, he couldn’t help but wonder who the rescuers were, and how they’d achieved their goal. But that would wait, he needed to inform the king of the news, and Torren wouldn’t thank him for delaying.

  He raced forward in long strides, cutting across the lawn towards the centre of the palace. The king would still be eating breakfast, and while not an ideal time to interrupt, it was convenient for Thyle as it meant the king wouldn’t be engrossed in meaningless audiences with land owners and nobles.

  Once he was within the palace, Thyle took a few short cuts open to him and arrived outside the king’s personal study in minutes. He knocked twice on the large oak door and entered once the king’s voice sounded from within.

  ‘Your Majesty, apologies for interrupting your breakfast, but there is urgent news.’ He said, bowing to Torren.

  King Torren was seated at a small rectangular table next to the window, overlooking the palace gardens. It was big enough for only one to dine and reminded Thyle that the king had never been one for company. There had been speculation about the king over the years, far too much for Thyle’s liking, but he supposed it was unusual for a royal of his age to be unmarried, and no heir to the throne in waiting.

  ‘Not at all, Thyle, come in, I’m just finished.’

  ‘I just received word from Captain Ferras.’

  ‘Oh yes? Something good for a change, I hope?’

  ‘Indeed. The Captain informs me that all the children have been returned to their homes.’ He said.

  The king jumped to his feet and rounded the table to Thyle. ‘Returned? By the gods, Thyle, why didn’t you barge in here saying that, no need to stand on ceremony with this in your pocket.’

  Thyle smiled a little and nodded to Torren. ‘That is not all, my lord. He says they were rescued by some commoners in the Warehouse district yesterday. No soldier or City Guard was involved in the endeavour. His men are still confirming numbers, but we think it safe to say, every child has been returned.’

  ‘And the men holding them? Were they found?’ The king asked, almost hesitantly.

  ‘Ferras tells me they are all dead. Their deaths are a mystery though, I would need to investigate for myself before commenting on details, Majesty.’

  Torren stepped away from Thyle and paced the length of the room before stopping in front of the early morning fire in the hearth. Thyle hadn’t thought the deaths of the kidnappers would trouble the king, better they had all been killed, rather than escaped, but something was bothering the king.

  ‘Lord, forgive me, but I thought you would be happier at the news of the children’s return and the slaying of those monsters.’

  ‘Hmm? Oh, I am, Thyle, I am.’

  ‘But something troubles you?’

  ‘I hoped to interrogate one of those men. I remembered something, something I had not thought of in many years. When I was young, my father would be forever engrossed in the diaries of my grandfather. He would never allow me to read them, of course, but many times I saw symbols drawn on the pages of the diaries. I spent the past few days searching those same diaries, long forgotten, hidden away in his, now my, personal study. One of those symbols I saw those long years ago, a symbol I have found again within the pages of my grandfather’s diaries, resides on the hilt of that dagger you brought me.’

  Thyle was taken aback by the king’s words. Somewhere in their history, these people had come to their shores and kidnapped the citizens of Emeer. This information could have been helpful if not crucial in stopping them sooner. Why the king’s family would not have shared the information before, was beyond him.

  ‘I wish we’d had this information sooner, my lord. Knowing these people had come to Emeer and done this before…’ He was cut off by the king raising his hand.

  ‘Not quite. While they had been here before, it wasn’t to kidnap children, nor did they arrive in Emeer. These people are from Emeer, or I should say, they were from Emeer.’

  ‘How can that be?’ Thyle moved across the room to face the king.

  ‘Thyle, what I am about to tell you is knowledge that only the Royal family has, it has long been forgotten by others within the Kingdom, and all records were destroyed, save for these diaries.’ He pointed to several leather bound journals upon the reading table by his leather chair.

  ‘I understand, my Lord.’

  ‘Over one hundred years ago, our people lived alongside another race, a race of immortals known as the Zin. We lived in peace together, even had families together, and it was this that a small group of their people didn’t agree with. A faction emerged, a faction against the mixing of our races, they said Zin blood shouldn’t be diluted with mortals.’ The king sat in the chair next to the fire and gestured for Thyle to sit opposite him.

  ‘The faction grew larger than anyone, Zin or Emeerian thought possible. They called themselves Magi, and believed the only way to ensure their race’s survival, was to rule over Emeer, a
nd control how the races lived. A great war ensued, Magi attacking Emeerians all across our lands, then they moved on the capital. It was only through the efforts of the Zin that we survived. Together we fought, and the Magi were forced to retreat, and leave Emeer for good. Or at least that is what we thought.’

  The Commander couldn’t quite grasp what he was hearing. Another race. A great war. Immortals? And none of it known by anyone save the Royal family.

  ‘How could this be possible? Surely stories would have been passed down from generation to generation, someone would know.’ He said to the king, forgetting all etiquette.

  ‘My grandfather was a young king when this occurred. He feared that immortals and their magic would ruin his Kingdom again someday, so he banished the Zin from our lands. Their numbers severally depleted, they agreed, he also outlawed the use of magic. To speak of the Zin, or even a whisper of magic, would be punishable by death. An extreme measure to be sure, but he was younger than even I, and I can only imagine how powerless he must have felt against a race gifted with immense power.’

  ‘Why now?’ The Commander asked.

  ‘I wish I knew, hence my disappointment at the loss of all the Magi kidnappers. I can only surmise that this is a prelude to a greater move, Thyle, a move that may see our lands in war once more.’

  ‘War? Why would they wage war now? They haven’t set foot in Emeer in a century.’

  ‘I have nothing else to share with you, my friend, no thoughts that have grounding, no evidence to substantiate any claim I may make. But I can tell you this, if this was a prelude to war, it is a war we can not hope to win. A century has passed, their numbers will have been replenished, and this time, we have banished the only people that could offer hope in what is to come.’

  THIRTY FIVE

  The North-West gate of the city stood before her, the news of the previous day reached the City Guard, as the numbers manning the entrance had been returned to a normal level. Neesha was glad for this, for it meant an easier passing for her people and the children that would accompany them that night. They would leave the city in small groups, a few Zin to each group of children, so as not to draw too much attention.

  ‘My Lady.’

  Neesha turned to see Velias, her second in command, and one of her best scouts, the same scout who discovered the Magi hideout not days before.

  ‘Velias, what news?’

  ‘Final preparations are being made, the children who wish to join us are all ready, twenty-five in total.’

  ‘I’d hoped for more, but I do feel comfort in knowing, that the Magi did not take a single child from this city.’

  ‘Unfortunately, most of those children taken by the Magi, could not be convinced to come with us.’ Velias said, a defeated looked on her face.

  ‘They suffered a traumatic experience, Velias, it is understandable that they would want nothing to do with our world. Do not blame yourself for their choices.’

  Velias bowed her head, ‘thank you, my Lady. And the one you assisted, will she join us?’

  Neesha looked away, staring out into the distance, north towards the Iron Mountains. She had been contemplating that question since returning Selene to her home. Even though Selene never gave her an answer, she always felt hopeful, that is, until Gareth’s death. Hope all but left her since then, and now she prayed to the gods, that she wouldn’t be forced to seal Selene’s power, and leave her in Eitane.

  ‘She will decide this evening. I will join you at the camp tomorrow at first light, with or without her.’

  ‘Of course, my Lady. I must return to finalise our leaving. Good luck with your charge, we shall see you at dawn.’

  Velias placed a fist over her heart and bowed to Neesha before disappearing around the corner of the building next to them.

  * * *

  Three rasps on the old, worn, wooden door. Selene waited patiently, but she was glad for the wait, for she hadn’t yet thought of the words of comfort needed to console a mother who’d just lost her only son. Nor what she would say to Gareth’s siblings, so young and innocent, she wished she could have spared them this tragedy. Lost in thought, she hadn’t noticed the door open. A girl, not even up to Selene’s belt, stood in the doorway.

  ‘Selene?’ Tears filled the young girls dark, reddened eyes.

  ‘Hi Cara,’ before she finished the sentence, Cara threw herself at Selene, wrapping her little arms around her waist.

  ‘It’s okay, sweetie, let it out.’

  Muffled sobs came from the girl who’s head was buried deep in the folds of Selene’s coat.

  ‘Cara, who’s at the door?’ A voice came from within the house.

  Cara stood back from Selene, took her by the hand and led her into the living room. The room wasn’t large, but it somehow fit about two dozen people. Selene recognised some as neighbours, others were local merchants, and business owners, people whose businesses had been kept safe by Gareth. She was pleased to see they appreciated his efforts enough to pay their respects in person, she knew his mother would appreciate it even more. His mother sat upon a chair, at the centre of the large group.

  Selene only made it a few feet inside the room, when Gareth’s mother waved her over, not waiting a second longer. She knew she should have come sooner, but there were preparations to make, and it had taken all morning to get through them. She visited the local undertaker who had already been contacted with plans, but she changed them, paying the extra to get the service she knew he deserved.

  After that, there were merchants, and tavern owners, all of whom owed Gareth more than they might ever repay now, so they offered what they could, to give him a proper send off. Then there was the priest, he had been the hardest to convince, for Gareth wasn’t of noble blood, which meant his funeral would be nothing more than a short prayer, over a wooden box being unceremoniously lowered into the ground.

  It had all been taken care of though, and she was ready to face Gareth’s mother, ready to face whatever words she had for her.

  ‘My dear, where have you been? We’ve missed you here.’ His mother said, no sign of anger or resentment in her voice.

  ‘I’m sorry, apparently I passed out yesterday and didn’t come to, until this morning.’

  ‘My word, are you okay? I knew this would be as hard on you as it has been on us, but now you have me worried.’ She raised her hand and grazed Selene’s cheek, holding her hand at the base of her neck for a moment.

  ‘I’m fine, thank you. I guess yesterday just took a lot out of me.’

  ‘The twins told me everything, how you all saved those poor children, and the people who took them…’ her voice trailed off for a moment. ‘The people who took my boy.’

  Tears filled Selene’s eyes, and they fell uncontrollably. She had told herself that she would be strong for Gareth’s family, that she would put on a brave face and allow herself to grieve later, when it was all done. But now that was impossible.

  At the first mention of Gareth’s death, it had all come rushing back, every moment of that fight, the cruel laugh, the blood soaked blade, and the look in his eyes as he knew the end was nigh. More tears, a soft sob, and before she could do or say another thing, Gareth’s mother was embracing her in a hug that would take the air from her lungs, but she didn’t move.

  ‘Everything will be okay, my dear, we’ll get through this, together.’

  She felt more arms around her, this time at her waist, then again a little higher on the opposite side. Selene opened her eyes to see they were all hugging her, sisters and mother. She didn’t know where they got their strength from, she still couldn’t allow herself to imagine a future without Gareth, any time she got close, tears came. While she always imagined herself to be a strong person, these women truly amazed, she could see now where Gareth’s strength had come from.

  ‘Come and sit, let’s talk for a while. We have a few hours yet before we have to make our way to the graveyard.’ His mother said, gesturing to the chairs behind them.

&nb
sp; * * *

  The night’s were getting darker early, winter would be upon them before they knew it. Selene loved that time of the year, everything was lit up early, and even though the snow and frost would come, people always seemed in good spirits in the months leading up to Yule. But that would all change, from that year on, it would always be the time she lost her best friend, the one who had changed her life forever.

  She had wanted to find her way to the back of the precession, but Gareth’s mother wouldn’t hear of it, so they led it. His mother, and sisters, Selene, followed by his closest friends, Eric and Marisa, with Rob and Tom close behind. The rest of the guild had shown also, they each wore a black band around their arm, signifying their loss.

  Behind them, it appeared to Selene, as if the entire slums had come to pay their respects, she had seen nothing like it. Gareth had been a thief for far longer than she, but criminal or not, he went out of his way to help the people of the slums, in whatever way he could. She never imagined he had helped so many.

  Respect was a thing you couldn’t buy, not with all the king’s gold, it had to be earned, and he had earned more than most.

  ‘What is that up ahead? Are we in the right place?’ Gareth’s mother asked as the section of the graveyard came into view.

  ‘I hope you don’t mind, but I changed some arrangements you’d made. I wanted him to have a hero’s funeral, because he was nothing less.’

  His mother smiled and nodded to Selene. ‘Thank you,’ she laughed then, ‘his head was large enough without something like this, maybe you shouldn’t have done it.’

  They all laughed a little, and continued along the path, the priest now within earshot. Behind him lay a tall pyre, just being finished by two men, the thing Gareth’s mother had been wondering about. Only royalty were ever cremated on a pyre, not even the nobles would do it, although their funerals were far more elaborate. Selene had convinced the priest to do the ceremony with the pyre and bribed the graveyard attendants to build it. The look on his mother’s face, told her it had been worth every coin.