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“Which leads me to another issue,” Ariel continued. “That dragon was reported heading for the Stonegaard mountains, and until I can confirm that the road is safe, I’m going to have to prohibit travel along the highway until further notice. All supplies will have to come and go by ship.” |
“I need to get to Fairloch, as soon as possible,” Criosa said. |
“I’m sure Captain Sir Denholm will be happy to provide you with transportation. I will advise him to travel north for a day or two before heading east, in order to ensure you do not pass too closely to the coast in the area I suspect the dragon to be.” |
“A sea voyage would be acceptable,” Criosa agreed. |
“With your leave, Highness, I will speak with the captain and make arrangements for you and your entourage to be taken aboard the Redoubtable.” |
“Of course; I will be here when you have news,” Criosa replied absently. |
Ariel nodded, then slowly limped out of the church, glaring at a soldier who threatened to offer help. Aiden turned to Sayana, who had been silent through all of this. |
“You haven’t said a word since we arrived,” Aiden observed. “I was curious what your next move was. I know you have your doubts about me, but you’ve been invaluable help over the past few weeks, and I, for one, would be sorry to see you leave.” |
“Where else would I go?” she asked simply. “I have enough coin to stay here for years if I wanted, but I do not feel comfortable in a town with so many people. I have no desire to return to my previous existence, either, and until Morik Far-Eagle asserts his authority and makes some changes, I can’t go back there.” |
“Please come with us,” Criosa asked earnestly. “You’re such a fascinating person, and I’d like to pick your brain about your magical training.” |
“I will come, if you wish it,” Sayana answered hesitantly, then smiled as Criosa’s face lit up at the prospect. |
Nellise rejoined them at that moment, with a puzzled expression on her face. “After surviving our journey to Akora, you may recall that I said I was going to stay in Culdeny after this was over,” she said, as she sat on the pew recently vacated by Ariel. Her voice was flat and emotionless. |
“Yes, and I perfectly understand your reasons for doing so,” Aiden replied. |
“I just spoke with the Archioness, and once she learned the princess had requested we accompany her to Fairloch, she virtually ordered me to go. She says it is providence I was with you during all of this, and as one of the acolytes gifted with healing, it is my duty to go with you.” |
“I’m blessed to have you by my side,” Criosa responded, her eyes lighting up like a child about to receive a gift. |
“Promise me that there will be much less excitement when we get there,” Nellise begged. |
“A conspiracy is afoot to topple the royal family, and all our lives could be at risk,” Pacian summarized. “I’m sure it’ll be boring and uneventful.” |
“Part of the reason is that my novitiate is officially over, and I have been granted the title of Sarient of the Order of the Resolute Herald, and this must be ratified at the Cathedral in Fairloch by the Hierarchy,” she continued, her voice showing no strong feelings for any of it. |
“Congratulations,” Aiden offered. “You earned it, though I have the feeling most acolytes don’t have such an arduous education.” |
Nellise said nothing, and merely bowed her head and wrapped her arms around herself as tears began to trickle down her cheeks. |
Several minutes later, as Aiden and his companions headed for the door, an influx of people entered the already-crowded church. Several men and women, wearing the colors of the Royal Rangers, were bringing in wounded. |
“I’ll walk you out, and then I’ll stay and help out my mates around here,” Colt said, drawing an exchange of looks among Aiden’s companions. |
“You’re not coming with us to Fairloch?” Aiden asked. |
“Ships and I don’t get along, Aiden,” Colt explained as they made their way outside. Smoke from recently-doused flames hung in the streets on the still-foggy morning. “I don’t fancy spending the better half of this week with my head over the side.” |
“I guess this is goodbye, then,” Aiden told him, feeling strange about this rude, offensive man who had somehow, over the course of the past month, become one of his friends. |
“Don’t start crying, Aiden, you’ll look weak in front of the women.” |
“I wasn’t…” |
“I’m joking, mate,” Colt grinned, offering Aiden his hand. “You’ve done all right, kid. If you’re ever in the area, stop by and we’ll have a beer together.” |
“You know something, Dante?” Aiden remarked with a small smile. “You’re all right yourself.” |
“Take care of yourself,” Nellise said quietly. “I’ve never embraced anyone while wearing armor before, so I’ll spare you the pain.” |
“I appreciate that,” Colt grunted. “You got anything to say to me, Sy? You look like you do, but you’re keeping quiet.” |
“I’m not burdened by armor,” she replied softly, coming forward to embrace Colt fondly, the big man’s bulk all but obscuring her slender form in the process. |
“I’ll pass on the hug,” Pacian said to Colt, dryly. “Unless you really can’t help yourself.” |
“None of that for you,” Colt growled at him. “I think I’ve gotten to know you pretty well, these past few weeks, and I don’t like what I see.” |
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Pacian replied defensively. |
“You’re a hard man, Pace. You’ve killed more than one man in cold blood right in front of my eyes. Maybe that’s what the situation demanded, and maybe it ain’t, but to me, you’re almost as bad as the bastards we fought.” |
“I can’t believe I’m hearing this,” Pacian remarked, looking around at the others in disbelief. “I killed murderers and traitors, I did it really well, and I’m not apologizing for it.” |
Colt leaned in close, and the next words he spoke were barely audible. “The others may not see who you really are, but you’re not fooling me. If I hear that you’ve hurt Nellise in any way, I’ll hunt you down and kill you myself.” |
“I would never hurt her,” Pacian growled back in a harsh whisper, “but if it came to it, one way or another, you’re welcome to try.” |
“Enough bluster; we can hear you, you know,” Sayana interrupted, her arms crossed and a stern expression on her face. |
“We’re done here,” Colt replied, as if nothing had happened. “I hope your trip to the capital is smooth, but at this time of year, I think you might be regretting the decision to go by sea. Farewell.” |
They waved goodbye to the big ranger as he headed over to a nearby damaged house and set about assisting a small group of people pulling valuables out of the wreckage. Culdeny had been hit hard by the attack, but Aiden knew they’d rebuild and life would go on. |
On the way to the pier, his hand strayed into a pouch on his belt and absently touched the small metal cube he’d recovered from the depths of Ferrumgaard, forgotten amongst the more pressing matters of recent events. Idly, Aiden withdrew it and looked at it from all sides, uncertain if it really meant anything, and was even worth the effort they’d gone to. |
As he was about to shove it back into his pouch, his thumb must have squeezed something along the cube’s side, for a tiny hatch clicked open on one side, revealing a dark aperture lined with runes scrawled in the same language he’d seen on the crystal sphere he’d broken long ago. |
Aiden came to a standstill, oblivious to the world around him as he stared at this discovery, slowly coming to the dim realization that there was far more to this box than met the eye. |
About the Author |
Stephen L. Nowland resides in Frankston, Australia, where he spends his time creating stories, games and art to astound and entertain. |
http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/sln |
Further information on this novel and upcoming titles can be found at his website, and you can follow his progress on Facebook and Twitter. |
https://www.facebook.com/stephenlnowland |
www.stephenlnowland.com.au |
@stephennowland |
The Aielund Saga |
Soldiers of Winter Soldiers of Avarice Soldiers of the Crown Soldiers of Ruin Soldiers of Legend Soldiers of Tyranny Soldiers of the Heavens |
Other titles by the same author |
The Ballard Trilogy |
In the Wake of War The Fortress of Gold Upon the Ashes of Empire |