by Jason Kenyon
‘Good morning, Supreme Commander,’ Aleks said. ‘Will you not take a seat?’
‘I do much of my daily organisation seated,’ Salestis replied. ‘It does me good to stand sometimes.’
Aleks had a few sheets of paper in front of her, and she rustled them as she sorted through them. Salestis waited, assuming that this was some empty attempt to make her nervous. The Central Council was quite mistaken if they thought they could put her on edge; the only emotion they could inspire in anyone was irritation.
‘Supreme Commander, we wanted to talk some more about the running of Valanthas,’ Aleks said. ‘First, we did want to, in fact, congratulate you. We feel there has been some definite progress since our last meeting.’
Salestis tilted her head.
‘Public reception to the affairs in Ferrina has been positive,’ Aleks continued. ‘There was some concern at your hard approach, but the citizenry is mostly relieved that the matter is resolved, and moreover that there is no longer any talk of cult or demon activity there.’
‘I am honoured by your kind words,’ Salestis said.
‘Still, the question remains,’ Aleks said. ‘What next? The Knight Champion is camped a distance outside the city, and he is unwilling to discuss matters further until you release all the knights that you currently hold prisoner.’
‘Surely you must understand that this is a risk we cannot take until we are sure they are not dangerous?’ Salestis asked. ‘Need I remind you of the price Aldrack paid?’
‘No, Supreme Commander, you remind us of it every time we discuss this,’ Aleks replied. ‘The Knight Champion also communicated that he finds your terms that he “turn over” Valia Relassis to be unreasonable. He stated that he has no idea on where she is, and stressed that she is a rogue knight, and acting without his authority, or indeed on the authority of anyone official within the Knights of Valanthas.’
‘That is all well and good,’ Salestis said, ‘but he does not mention that I requested that he aid in the search for Valia, and he turned that option down.’
‘Ah yes, he did discuss that with me too when I visited,’ Aleks said.
Salestis ground her teeth; so now the councillors were not just exchanging letters with the Knight Champion, but also meeting with him in person? This was unacceptable.
‘He told me that while he is willing to assist in the search for Valia, he wants to do so in an official capacity,’ Aleks said. ‘So long as he and the rest of the knights are treated as traitors, he has no interest in supporting your own goals.’
‘They are not my goals, but those of Valanthas entire,’ Salestis said. What a mess. She’d actually strengthened her own position enough now to stop bullying the Knights of Valanthas, but did she really want to look weak by inviting them back into the fold when they pressured her? She had no choice other than to decline! ‘You gave me the purpose of stopping these cultist disasters, and I have done so. There have been no more Aldracks, or Ferrinas, or indeed assassinations. I have returned peace to Valanthas as you wished. Did I then do wrong by restricting the actions of rogue factions?’
‘The Knights of Valanthas have long been the protectors of the throne and kingdom,’ Aleks replied. ‘They are no more a rogue faction than the King himself was.’
‘Alright, so what is it that you want me to do?’ Salestis asked. She then cursed herself as she thought back over the question, which had come out far more childish and petulant than she’d intended. She needed to get a hold on this conversation again.
Aleks smiled indulgently and took hold of a particular sheet of paper. ‘You are still arranging that tournament to celebrate the end of hostilities in Valanthas, correct? We have talked about this in the council, and we have a suggestion.’
Salestis did her best not to groan.
‘We would like you to invite the Knight Champion to the tournament,’ Aleks said. ‘We would also like for the Knights of Valanthas to be offered spots in the tournament itself, to compete with others in the events.’
The Knights of Valanthas, competing in her tournament? Salestis was furious, and she could feel her cheeks go hot. She just hoped that it didn’t show outwardly. Why, if the Knights of Valanthas were allowed to just turn up and act as though nothing had happened, it would go completely counter to all she’d done to ensure they were secondary to her own faithful holy knights.
Then again… no, this was actually a perfect idea. It worked with her own plans beautifully. Let the knights turn up, and then…
She smiled at the Central Council. ‘I believe that the Light has blessed your words with wisdom, councillors,’ Salestis said. ‘You are correct; I will extend this invitation to the Knight Champion, so that we may work together towards a more certain and secure future for Valanthas.’
Aleks’s eyebrows raised. Presumably, she’d expected more of an argument. ‘I am glad to hear it! You would like me to deliver this news to him personally?’
‘I would indeed,’ Salestis replied. ‘And let us, as a sign of good faith, release those knights who we have captive. It is possible that I am so fervent in my desire to do what is right that I have, mayhap, been over-cautious. Please deliver this news to him, and extend to him my warmest regards.’
‘I will do so, Supreme Commander,’ Aleks said. ‘Thank you for listening to our words.’
‘Of course,’ Salestis said. ‘With the resolution in Ferrina, we have turned to a new chapter in our history. I believe that I, together with you, can lead Valanthas on to even greater heights.’
The Central Council all murmured appreciation, and Salestis could see that they enjoyed being associated so closely with the leadership of the kingdom. None of them wished to take on the full responsibility of rule, but they liked to work closely with the figurehead.
The meeting continued on for a while after that, but the rest of Aleks’s papers were focused on more mundane issues, such as farming concerns and the price of goods from Deyna. From being particularly irritated at first, Salestis now felt at ease, and she returned to her chambers later with a spring in her step.
Free of her restrictive ceremonial armour, she sat at the table in her private chambers, while Lyssina stood formally near the door, as though on guard. Salestis noticed after a minute of reading through some of the papers Aleks had given her, and frowned at her.
‘What are you doing over there?’ she asked Lyssina. ‘Come and sit down.’
‘Yes, Your Radiance,’ Lyssina said. She took a seat opposite Salestis, and folded her arms in her lap.
‘Something’s the matter,’ Salestis said. ‘What’s wrong?’
Lyssina looked out of the window, and then at her own reflection in the polished table surface. ‘That meeting went well, didn’t it?’
‘I think so, yes,’ Salestis replied.
‘Are we done, do you think?’ Lyssina asked.
‘Done with what?’ Salestis asked, starting to get irritated.
‘We don’t need the plan any more,’ Lyssina replied. ‘Everything’s already worked out.’
Salestis sighed. Here it was. ‘Worked out? Don’t be naïve, dear. The Central Council speaks with sugared words, but their intention, and that of the Knight Champion, is to secure themselves power.’
‘So you’re still going to go through with it?’ Lyssina asked.
‘Of course I am,’ Salestis replied. ‘There’s been far too much work done already for us simply to abandon the plan. The Shield and I are in agreement. We do this one last act, and we will consolidate our positions as rulers of Valanthas for years to come.’ She smiled. ‘In fact, the council’s insistence that the knights attend the tournament will only make it work that bit better.’
‘I don’t like it,’ Lyssina said.
‘I did get that impression, yes,’ Salestis said.
‘It’s not worthy of you,’ Lyssina said.
Salestis groaned. ‘Come on, Lyssie, don’t hassle me about this. We’re this close to securing a proper place for the Light in the
future of Valanthas, after generations of Supreme Commanders have squandered our reputation.’
‘The Light is not about lying and murder,’ Lyssina said.
‘The Light knows that sacrifices must sometimes be made,’ Salestis said. ‘The Central Council and the Knight Champion want to undermine me by proving I was wrong to take harsh action against the knights. This now gives me the chance to show that I was right.’
‘But you are wrong!’ Lyssina said. ‘By the Light, I think sometimes you actually believe your own lies! You listen too much to people like Malthanes, who are brutes and killers. You’re better than this.’
‘Oh, so it’s about Mal,’ Salestis said. ‘I should have guessed.’
‘No, listen to me,’ Lyssina said, getting to her feet. ‘The whole Shield seems to be off. They’re mad, and so are you for listening to them.’
Salestis rubbed her forehead with her finger and thumb, and shut her eyes. ‘Lyssie, they’re the closest to the Light aside from me. We’ve thought it over, and if we’re to get the council off my back – and now we have the chance to do the same with the knights – then this one last act and sacrifice will do it, and save us years of work when we’re already running out of time.’
‘You’re a good person inside,’ Lyssina said. ‘I know your heart. And you’re smart. You can run circles round the council and the Knight Champion if you want.’
‘But I won’t be around to!’ Salestis shouted, slamming the table with her fist.
That shut her up. Lyssina sank back into her seat and stared at the floor in silence.
Salestis got up and walked around to the table, where she crouched at Lyssina’s feet and took hold of her hands. She smiled gently at her. ‘Listen to me, Lyssie. I can’t rely on maybes any more. I want to be sure that our Order goes on to live a long and prosperous life, leading Valanthas into a future of spiritual ascendance. I love the people of Valanthas with all my heart, but sometimes a child does not understand what she is told until she is shown it. Ferrina is far away. Aldrack is too. But Arenfel is here, and the centre, and this is going to make a difference. I swear it.’
‘I don’t know,’ Lyssina said, unable to look into Salestis’s eyes.
Salestis reached out and pinched Lyssina’s cheek. ‘Trust me, Lyssie. I will make the kingdom perfect. I will leave you this new Valanthas where you can hold your head high and tell the world that you serve the Light with all your heart, and they will love you for it. As I love you.’
Lyssina trembled.
‘Will you stay with me, by my side?’ Salestis asked.
‘I… I want to,’ Lyssina replied, squeezing her eyes shut as tears began to cloud them.
Salestis stroked her hair. ‘There. I rely upon you, Lyssie. I need you.’
‘I am s…’ Lyssina drew heavy breaths, sobbing.
Salestis drew her into a hug. ‘There, there. There’s nothing to be sad about, silly. Everything will be perfect, as we wanted. Are you happy now?’
‘Yes, I am,’ Lyssina replied, a slight smile breaking out. ‘I will be at your side, always.’
‘I knew I could rely on you,’ Salestis said. ‘Now come on. Let’s get some food, and forget about all this bother.’
*
Ithalna shook her head.
‘There is no point in looking like that, Master Forseld,’ she said. ‘You made the condition that I teach you more magic, and I mean to pay you as promised.’
Archimegadon only managed to look even sulkier. He’d been enjoying sitting by the river here, watching the clouds drift by, while Anjilo was in the nearby town restocking on supplies. Mellara had followed her, with a promise not to actually enter the town, trying to harass Anjilo into buying her a new bow. Anjilo hadn’t given any guarantees, but since her hands were likely to be quite full with the supplies, she wasn’t too sure she’d be able to carry a bow as well.
‘Perhaps,’ Archimegadon said, ‘the true magic that we need to know is in the passage of life all around us.’
‘Or perhaps you are simply lazy,’ Ithalna said.
Grumbling, Archimegadon relented, and he followed her into the nearby cover of trees, where they could practice magic without being spotted by any errant paladins. It still felt wrong to do magic without a staff, but since he was in disguise, had destroyed the Staff of Antagules, and hadn’t kept hold of any replacements for long, Archimegadon had been forced to suffer his diminished appearance.
‘Now, today I intend to teach you a little about wind magic,’ Ithalna said.
‘Can we not learn something useful?’ Archimegadon asked.
‘Excuse me, Master Forseld, but wind magic used correctly is one of the most potent schools of magic,’ Ithalna replied.
‘You didn’t even bother using it at the bridge!’ Archimegadon said.
‘There are different situations that call for different spells,’ Ithalna said. ‘From observing your own spell use, I have identified that you seem to feel that every situation calls for flamebolt.’
‘It is a multi-purpose ability,’ Archimegadon said.
‘Well, I intend to make you multi-purpose as well,’ Ithalna said. ‘So far, you are merely a cannon, to be positioned on the castle battlements and fired at the enemy. Yet with varied magic, you could be so very much more!’
‘I know a handful of other things,’ Archimegadon said. ‘I can even cast icebolt!’
‘Another bolt,’ Ithalna said, rolling her eyes. ‘We must work on this approach you have to what constitutes variety. Now then, let us return to the subject of wind magic. What is it about wind magic that makes you mock it so?’
‘It’s rubbish,’ Archimegadon replied. ‘Have you ever heard of a famous wind mage?’
‘Elbert the Wise was a wind mage,’ Ithalna replied.
‘Who?’
‘Perhaps we need to address more than just your practical magic knowledge,’ Ithalna said. ‘Did you have any other reasons for your scorn?’
‘Erm, well, can you even blow things up with wind magic?’ Archimegadon asked.
‘Master Forseld!’ Ithalna said. ‘There is more to the delicate arts of the arcane than merely destruction.’
Archimegadon stared at her blankly.
‘You were enjoying the cool breeze by the river, were you not?’ Ithalna asked.
‘Well, yes,’ Archimegadon replied.
‘Consider, then, that you and your friends are stuck in a desert, with the heat overcoming you,’ Ithalna said. ‘With proper application of wind magic, you could manipulate the air about you all, creating a more reasonable temperature, so that you might not perish.’
‘As I said, wind magic is boring,’ Archimegadon said.
Ithalna rolled her eyes. ‘You can also make whirlwinds that destroy everything.’
Archimegadon sat up. ‘Now that sounds like something worth teaching me.’
Ithalna giggled helplessly. ‘I can. But you need to be patient with me. You cannot simply create tornadoes instantly. You must first learn the basics of how wind magic works. Try to sense the air around you.’
Feeling incredibly foolish, Archimegadon tried to work out exactly what Ithalna was after, and paid close attention to any air that brushed past him. When the air seemed more eager to be still, he blew impatiently at it.
‘That is not magic, Master Forseld,’ Ithalna said with a smile.
‘I don’t know what you’re babbling about!’ Archimegadon said, waving his arms. ‘What infernal thing am I supposed to be sensing?’
Ithalna took hold of his arm. ‘Try to sense it through me. When you are attuned to the wind, you will be able to sense its currents and flows as though it was water surrounding you.’
Archimegadon scowled, but indulged her anyway. He felt a glow of energy surround them both, and then, steadily, he felt her share her own awareness of the wind. It wasn’t like he could suddenly see it, or even hear it, but he somehow knew that it was there, around him, invisible and waiting for him to make use of it. Ithalna r
eleased his arm, and the sensation faded.
‘Do you see now what it was that I meant?’ Ithalna asked.
‘Erm, yes,’ Archimegadon replied. ‘But how on earth am I supposed to do that myself?’
‘Relax, and try to feel the breeze again,’ Ithalna replied.
‘I did that before, and nothing happened!’ Archimegadon said.
‘Try to sense it for longer than five seconds,’ Ithalna said, grinning.
Archimegadon shut his eyes and held his hands up in the air, trying to feel the currents of the air again. His frustration steadily built, and he wondered if Ithalna was laughing at him behind his back, but stubbornness set in and he concentrated harder. It seemed like an age, but then he felt it. He could sense the wind around him, glorious and majestic in its promise. Archimegadon opened his eyes and spun on the spot, running his hands through the currents in jubilant understanding of Ithalna’s words. He was one with wind, and it was one with him.
‘Ah… tornado,’ Archimegadon said, not knowing what the usual spell words were, and he gestured with a hand.
A light burst of air rushed into his face and made him flinch.
Ithalna couldn’t help but laugh at his expression.
‘It is a start, Master Forseld!’ she said.
Archimegadon felt foolish indeed. ‘I don’t know that wind magic is the right thing for me.’
‘Nonsense, you only just started,’ Ithalna said. ‘Your problem is that you expect results without effort. If you take nothing else from learning wind magic, then try to remember that hard work over time will get you results.’
‘What a load of tosh,’ Archimegadon said.
Chapter Fifteen: The Legacy of Ferrina
Tharanor sat in the darkness, staring at a small patch of moss in the middle of his cell. He was not particularly paying any attention to it, though occasionally he imagined that he could see faces in the small patterns and contours. No, he was lost in thoughts of the past year, where his life had changed in such huge bounds.
He missed his time as a city guard, when things had made sense. It had been just him and Yuriath against the world, fighting the plots of Sordath and the Clerics under the nose of their uncaring commander. Ever since Archimegadon had arrived at Ferrina, everything had changed beyond recognition. Sordath and the Clerics were long gone, Ferrina had been altered and reformed under the rules of first Marr and then the Paladin Order, and Yuriath was dead, lost forever.