by Tim Paulson
Buckley followed him, “I see. So we're no longer allowed to defend ourselves.”
Aaron was right behind him, stepping up on the stone palm. The hand brought them up to the top of the head, which had been hollowed out to create a sitting area complete with a railing and two benches. In its center, sat a golden throne.
“Correct,” Narael said, taking his seat upon the throne. “We have returned. You no longer have a need.”
* * *
“Tell me, Greta, what do you remember?” Mia asked. Her arms were wrapped around Greta's waist as the goliath strode forward. It was odd that, even though she wasn't strapped in, just being close to the harness, gave her a sense of what was transpiring outside.
Greta sighed. “You went out ranging with the light goliath group. I stayed behind with the heavy goliaths. Everything went to hell. The Baron escaped with the Baroness and her children-”
“You know that's wrong right?” Mia said.
“No Mia, it's not. That's... that's what I remember.”
“The Baron was killed by his own men. They cut him to pieces and strung him up across the battlements in Aeyrdfeld. Then...” Mia said, trailing off. Was it worth it describing Christine's ill-fated attempt to bring him back? What about Liam's destruction of him? Probably not. Though she ought to explain the Baroness.
“Then what?” Greta said.
“Then I was stupid enough to trust the Baroness. I came back here to try to take back the castle. We freed you from the dungeon during the attempt. Don't you remember that at all? Being captive by the mercenaries employed by Veil? I believe Aaron and Liam were involved.”
“Wait...” Greta said as the thudding of her goliath's feet pounded the ground outside. “Aaron...”
“Right! I don't know what happened between you and him but there was definitely something. He remembered you Greta. I saw it in those golden eyes.” Though Giselle would not be happy about it.
“Golden... Oh my God!” Greta exclaimed. Mia almost felt the rush of it all returning to her. Outside the goliath slowed. It seemed it too was concerned for its knight.
Greta sobbed.
“Why did you have to remind me...” she said. “Poor Aaron! I felt so terrible for him... Oh, that piece of shit Buckley and his fucking witch creature. I'll skin them both alive. I'll crack their bones with my bare hands. I'll-”
The goliath stomped its agreement with this sentiment.
“Oh God... the Baroness. She's a monster. She took my memories of all of this. She took yours, I saw it!”
“I know,” Mia said. “But she's not very good at it, grazie a Dio. I've learned much these past months Greta. Who I really am, where I belong. But there's something you have to know.”
Greta started them moving again, in the direction of the cavalry unit camp Mia had told her about. The goliath moved tentatively though, not sure what would happen inside its center.
“Tell me, Mia, I can handle it,” Greta said.
“I think... Aaron can be saved.”
“WHAT?!” Greta shouted.
Both of them went weightless for a second as the goliath they were in suddenly leaped for joy, just as Greta had surely thought to do.
“I'm not certain... but I've seen enough now. We have to save Adem. He's important. Christine wanted him, Vex wanted him. They said he's very powerful. I know he can fix this. I feel it in my heart.”
“Whatever you have to do. I'm with you,” Greta said.
“We have to find him. I've been told he's in a place called Senfdorf.”
“I know that! It's just outside of Magenberg, farming country. Near Brezel.”
Mia shrugged. “As long as you can get me there,”
“I can. We're only about a week away right now.”
“What if we didn't have to feed your goliath?”
“That cuts it down a lot. This red veil powder is garbage. Sure he moves faster, but he has to be fed twice a day, three times if I actually fight... but how is that possible?”
“I can do it,” Mia replied. “Who have you been with?” Mia asked her.
“I was with the Nordfort division, led by Helmut Anders, but that was destroyed a week back. I had two knights with me, but both were killed. Since then I've been scavenging the emergency powder cubes from downed goliaths. There were a lot of those. I had a small stash going for a while but used the last of them yesterday... How can you feed a goliath without powder?”
“We're going to stop at the camp and pick someone up. Then I'll show you what I mean.”
“Is this something illegal?” Greta asked. Mia couldn't help but hear the note of excitement in her voice. She suddenly had the feeling that Greta and Celia would have gotten along.
“Let's just say, we shouldn't let any Marlinists see me do it.”
“You're a witch!”
“I don't actually think so...”
“Oh... that's right! You fought with a flaming sword! That sorcerer, he called you some name.”
“It's something Christine did to me...” Mia said. “I'm not sure how I feel about it.”
It was useful, surely, her power kept growing seemingly by the day and the things she could do with it also. But the way Wen had fled from her on the field... it was worrying. Was there something broken about her now? She didn't know.
“We're here,” Greta said.
The cavalry camp was set at the northwestern side of a copse of trees. They didn't provide a great deal of cover as there were only a few conifers among them but it was something. The rolling hills had been smoothing as they proceeded west. It was what Mia would expect given they were getting farther away from the Aeyrd mountains.
Thinking of the Aeyrds made her think of the dragon and Adem. Why had it sent Adem away? Was there some plan for him? It was frustrating. Though she wasn't the boy's mother, she did care about him.
Soon Adem. I'm almost there.
“Ah I see you are return with a bigger stone man!” Piotr said, ambling up as he picked his sharp teeth with a small stick of wood. “Impressive.”
“I didn't steal him if that what you're asking,” Mia said.
Piotr held up his other hand, “No no... I did not think that... Ok, I did. I thought it.”
“How is Giselle?” she asked.
“Fever is down, she is sleeping now. Worst is over. Useless doctor is taking credit,” Piotr said.
Mia nodded. “Good, It would be nice if she could travel by horse. I no longer have a goliath to carry her.”
Piotr frowned. “What you mean? Is right-”
“My goliath can carry her, and you,” Greta yelled down as she slipped out of the port on the goliath's back, dropping on to the rope ladder that hung to the ground.
Mia watched Piotr's eyes widen. “Uh oh...” he said quietly.
“That voice sounds...” Greta said as she was climbing down.
“I have... things,” Piotr said, turning quickly on his heel.
“You!” Greta yelled. “Get back here you thief!” she yelled.
Mia turned around, smiling in spite of herself. “So I see you've met Piotr?”
“Met?” Greta snapped as she dropped to the ground. “That weaselman stole half of everything I own, including a gold ring with the sigil of my house. Last I saw him he was being carted off for the Halett dungeons in Aeyrdfeld...God... like four months ago.” She cupped her hands to her mouth. “Where's my ring, you cretin!”
“Who... is this?” said the lieutenant, riding on her black and tan courser.
“Ah Meredith, this is Greta... I was unseated earlier and she came to my rescue. She's an excellent goliath knight.”
“I can see that,” Meredith said, smiling.
“Well.. Meredith can show you around, get some food, I need to have a chat with the commander.”
Meredith nearly jumped from her saddle. “Wonderful to meet you Greta,” she said.
“Uh... you too. Mia...”
Mia turned back, waving. “I'll be back. Have fun.�
�
Commander Bartold was in his tent, drinking tea and staring at a map. When she entered he looked up.
“Did you make contact with anyone?”
“Yes and no,” she replied. “We found the republic. Lost my goliath and Derek as well but I ran into another knight from the Nordfort division.”
“Is Derek alright?”
“He didn't make it,” she said.
Bartold grimaced. “So that's it then, you two were the last of our goliaths.” He stared into space. “Nordfort... that's Helmut Anders. Did you learn anything?”
“They were destroyed. As far as I can tell Greta is the last of them.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Greta? Is she blond, with blue eyes?”
Mia shrugged. “You mean like every other northern girl? Yes, she is.”
“As I'm sure you know, not many women become knights. Not because they don't have the talent... I used to say it's because they aren't as often foolish enough to try.”
Mia folded her arms. “You may not know but I am, in fact, a woman.”
Bartold chuckled. “Well yes... What I mean is... She might be a woman I've heard of, one from an important lineage. One of the commanders has had his eye on her for years.”
“Claus,” Mia said.
“You always know far more than I expect you to. You want to explain that?” he asked.
“Occupational hazard,” she replied.
“I see.” He sighed. “Well there's little we can do to stall the enemy advance without goliaths. Best we make full speed to Magenberg and report to the command there. Hopefully the lion's share of the army made it ahead of us. I don't care what Buckley brings to bear. Nothing gets through those walls.”
“Am I free to break off then?”
“So you plan to get the boy from my sister and run? Where to?”
“I don't know,” she said. “Maybe I'll take him back to Kiag and have a chat.”
“You mean the dragon?” Bartold said, pointing at his pin.
Mia nodded.
“You know that's just an idea right?”
Her eyebrows raised.
“The dragon is a symbol in the order. The wings cover us and the teeth and claws defend us. It's a creed, a commitment to serve all of God's beings.”
“So there is no dragon?” she asked, trying not to smile.
“Of course not, it's an ideal... a... What's so funny?”
Mia waved her hand. “Nothing. I'll be going ahead with Greta to find the boy.”
“Go... just be careful. My sister isn't someone to trifle with. She's taught children like him for decades. She used to be a monk before the children started disappearing left and right. She went digging into why and someone tried to kill her, twice.”
“I thought you were a Tian?” Mia asked. It was rare to hear a godly man criticize his own church, that sort of sentiment was typically reserved for the churches of others.
“Oh I am, but the book and the people who run the church aren't one and the same, despite what they tell you. Actually there's a quote from the book of acts that perfectly illustr-”
Mia held up her hand, “No... I'm leaving. Thank you for your help.”
“Be careful Mia. Those children are dangerous, mind what my sister tells you.”
“I will... consider it,” she replied.
Bartold shook his head. “May God be with you, stubborn one.”
She nodded to him and left.
* * *
Harald paced the stone floor impatiently, his hands clasped behind his back. Outside the window of their flat the sun was setting, casting pinkish-orange bars of light through the lowered blinds. On the other side of the room hands worked, feverishly writing in one of the large assortment of books open before her.
“I asked you to stop that pacing,” she said. “Now I'm telling you. Stop.”
Harald paused, not because he wanted to, but because Christine had made it an order. He had to.
“For my new name... what do you think about Jane?”
“Sounds kind of plain,” he replied. Rhymes annoyed her. “However, if you plan to bore your enemies into submission, it might be a good choice.”
She frowned at him.
“Now I remember why I preferred working with Vex,” she said.
“The salmu terrorist?” Harald replied. “I suppose I shouldn't be surprised given the shape you left the last castle you lived in.”
Christine's eyes shot daggers at him. “Shut up. It was a mistake. I set up too close to the empire this time. I should have known my perfect city would attract envy. That's why we're here. Porticciolo is a moderately sized fishing city. If we grow it in trading capability we could outstrip Lontano easily.”
“And exactly how would that not cause envy?” Harald asked her. “You do realize that when a struggling city suddenly becomes a haven for trade and development, people notice, especially the cities nearby who lose out.”
“That's why we'll absorb them,” she replied. “I'll take over Lontano and then Calen. Soon the entire country of Calacia will be under my sway. We'll create a new Aeyrdfeld, but better, stronger. Won't we my dear,” she said, turning back to look upon the giant green globule in the corner.
“Who is this man that you keep remaking?” Harald asked, walking up to study the form growing inside. It wasn't the most efficient method for creating a living body, but it was obviously the best one a low-level wizard like her could accomplish, especially given her limited knowledge.
“It's none of your business Harald, now hush and leave me alo-” Christine paused. Her hands were shaking.
Harald felt it too. There was a change in... everything. He knew what it was immediately... But how?
“What's happened? What did I just feel?” She asked him.
“A tower has been created. Oh... I can feel it. All the functions should now be available again,” he replied. It had to be that sorcerer he'd seen. That one that had been wearing a very nice homonculus frame, one of the best models Harald had ever seen. But to be human now... they must be unbound and they must have shiimti to become flesh. He hadn't even imagined that would be possible. But if they were unbound where had they been for so long? Why did they not already own the world?
“Really? Wonderful!” she said and raised her arm.
“No you fool!” Harald snapped at her.
“Don't you dare talk to me like that criminal!” she said.
Harald shook his head. “I'm sorry... but you must understand. If someone has created a tower it means one of my kind, a true living sorcerer, has returned.”
“So? Won't that mean I can learn from this person?” Christine asked.
Harald shook his head. “No... that's not how it is among my people. You're too weak. You'd be a servant at best.”
She frowned at the word servant. “Why can't I use this tower? I used the previous one.”
“Because the one who made it is surely tethered... they might want you to use it... then they'll know who you are and where you are.” Harald said. Not being able to pace, he started turning in circles, trying to think. “Whatever you think you know about this world, about what it means to be alive, to be free. That's all going to change.”
“How? How will it change?”
“In every way possible.”
Chapter 20
“The Albtraum is the standard for close combat on the modern battlefield. Heavily built with eight chest mounted cannons to back up her bulk, she is the pride of the Holy Ganex Empire and the mainstay of the Imperial Army.”
-Ganex General Albuin Heinig Von Brahm from the pamplet, On the Imperial Military, published 1609
Celia screamed until her eyes watered and her throat was hoarse and raw. It seemed no matter how many times she did, no matter how hard she bit down on the block of oak that had been forced between her teeth, it never stopped. The pain was beyond unbearable. She wanted only one thing in the entire world at this moment and that was for it to end.
Tho
ugh it felt like it had lasted forever, this scorching ripping feeling in her entire body, suddenly, without warning, it began to ebb. She felt like a poker pulled from a fire-pit, singed and smoking, but intact, and cooling.
Her eyes opened.
The owahpi stood over her, his long horse-like snout oriented in her direction. He adjusted the green spectacles he wore.
“Ah... she is awakening,” he said. “Quicker than I expected.”
Celia looked up at him, his blood-stained apron was missing, as were his tools: the inks, the needles and the tiny hammer he hit them with.
“Where... tools?” she asked, gasping for breath. It felt like she hadn't breathed for days, but she must have.
“Tools gone dearie, we finished yesterday.”
Celia's eyes widened.
“I'm here to check the healing.”
“And how is it?” asked another voice from her left. Vex.
The owahpi turned his head. “You were right, it took a full twenty-four hours for her pain to end. The inks look perfect. I've never seen anyone heal this cleanly after only one day.”
“That is the shi glyph,” Vex replied.
“Mmm...” replied the dierlijt, twitching his long ears.
“You don't sound happy.” This was a new voice from another part of the room. No... she was entering. A door had opened.
Celia still felt a little woozy though, like she'd just downed a full pitcher of ale. Still, she managed to lift her head a little and what she saw astounded her. It was a new kind of dierlijt she'd never seen before, with a head like a pure white lizard.
“I mean no disrespect mother,” the owahpi replied. “But... I worry. It was one thing to do the inks when they were just a form of art... now...”
“They are weapons,” the lizard creature said.
Was this the old mother? What had Vex called her? A chimera?
“Lower your head Celia,” Vex said. “Let yourself rest.”
Celia did, but she tilted her head some, so she could see him. The lizard dierlijt walked over to Vex.