Defying Destiny

by Andrew Rowe

  Once again, he closed his eyes and concentrated, trying to sense source of the lantern’s power. He thought he felt something, but not enough that he could make use of it directly.

  Another mark against my supposed heritage. If I really was Aendaryn’s child, this should be one of my strongest dominions. He was a master of spirit sorcery, if the legends are true.

  That didn’t mean that learning to use it would be impossible. Day by day, his sense of the lantern’s aura grew stronger, as long as he used it for at least a little while. That seemed consistent with what was happening with the Sae’kes, even if he still didn’t understand why that was happening.

  Sometimes someone could learn a new type of sorcery by practicing with an object, but it generally took a significant period of time and effort. He hadn’t heard of other sorcerers picking up new types of abilities simply through exposure, and certainly not in just a few months.

  If I’ve got a talent for picking up sorcery from items, I need to make use of it. Maybe I can buy some other dominion bonded items when I’m done with this assignment and see if I can pick up some other sorcery types. Motion would be nice.

  An hour later, Taelien finished his morning exercises and went back inside the tavern. He found Wrynn shortly thereafter. “You don’t happen to have anywhere I can wash off, do you?”

  “We’ve got a tub in one of the upstairs rooms, and I’ve got one of those water calling things to fill and empty it, but it isn’t heated.”

  “That’s good enough for me.”

  “That’ll be two silver, or one if you empty the bath out and clean it yourself.”

  After sighing and paying the lower fee for the bath, Taelien went and washed himself, emptied and cleaned the tub, then redressed and prepared to leave.

  “You ready to get moving?” He asked Wrynn.

  “Sure thing. But did you want me to stow those dominion bonded of yours somewhere safe first? No need to lug them around for our trip, unless you’re planning to try to trade them to Kyestri. I don’t think he’ll want anything aside from Sculptor.”

  Taelien considered, then shook his head. “I’ll deal with the extra weight. I trust that you’re right, but I could run into someone else that wants to trade something. I’m sure we’re not the only ones visiting for an early look at the auction goods.”

  More importantly, I might actually need some of these if things go poorly. Especially the purestone.

  “Fair.” Wrynn nodded. “Shall we go, then?”

  ***

  Wrynn wove her way through the woods, and Taelien followed.

  There were no roads this deep in the forest, but Taelien was able to judge their general direction from the Dawnfire’s location in the sky. It wasn’t what he’d expected. “I thought Lord Kyestri lived in Xelxen Reach. Isn’t that to the south of here?”

  “That city is on his lands, but he doesn’t live there. Hasn’t in years.” Wrynn smirked. “You’ve been away from home for too long.”

  Taelien shrugged. “I’ve been busy.”

  “You visit your parents yet?”

  She was talking about his adoptive parents, of course. He still hadn’t figured out how he’d been born. That was business he’d have to ask Erik Tarren about eventually. “As I said, I’ve been busy.”

  “I had that excuse, too, back when my parents were alive. Make the time. You’ll regret it if you don’t.”

  “I’m sorry to hear about your parents. I didn’t realize...”

  Wrynn shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. That was a long time ago.”

  “Right. It’s easy to forget how old you are.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever told you how old I am.” Wrynn snorted. “And you’d be wrong if you guessed.”

  “Sure. It’s tough with rethri in general. And you’re a prime lady, so...”

  Wrynn paused, turning to look at him. “What makes you think I’m rethri?”

  “Uh, the eyes? Definitely the eyes.” He waved a hand. “And prime lady is a rethri title?”

  “Lots of things can make someone’s eyes look different. Even your eyes look a little different from when we first met, you know. More gray in them. Or silver, maybe.”

  Taelien blinked. “Really?”

  “Yep. Take a close look in the mirror sometime, you’ll see it. Subtle, but it’s there.”

  “Okay, sure, but the title...”

  “Anyone can challenge for prime lord or lady position, it’s just that rethri usually win. Age and experience and all that. But I’ll wager Hartigan could handle being Prime Lord of Fire if he wanted the job.”

  Taelien shook his head. “That’d be a huge scandal.”

  “With Hartigan? Sure. He’s high profile. But if no one knew you weren’t rethri...”

  “You’re saying you’re a human in disguise? An immortal sorcerer, like Haritgan or Theas?”

  “I’m not saying anything of the sort. I might be implying a few things, but let’s not get caught up on that too much. We’re almost there.” Wrynn resumed her walk, quickening her pace.

  Taelien followed behind her, pondering her motivations behind the odd turn in the conversation. Wrynn was notoriously strange in general, but he liked to think he had a good grasp on her motivations after knowing her for years. Admittedly, he’d been wrong before.

  It wasn’t much longer before they reached their destination — a manor house wrought from dark wood in the midst of a clearing of similarly dark trees.

  Ravenoak, most likely, with the growth accelerated by the use of wood sorcery. Someone really wanted to go for the ‘haunted house’ aesthetic.

  Wood sorcery wasn’t the same as stone sorcery, but they were connected, much like stone was connected with metal. As the Prime Lord of Stone, it made sense that Kyestri might have some mastery over wood as well. Or perhaps he’d simply hired someone else to handle the décor.

  There were no gates around the building, just a rectangular wall of trees with a single gap to mark the entrance. As they passed through that section, it led them into a statuary garden, with human-sized statues of ancient heroes — and villains — lining the path to the building’s doors.

  These are very lifelike. Almost disconcertingly so.

  Taelien paused to inspect one particular statue of a muscular gladiator with his sword raised in strike. His expression wasn’t one of anger or determination as one would have traditionally expected, but of horror.

  Lord Kyestri apparently has a taste for the macabre.

  They reached the door a moment later, with Wrynn still taking the lead. “Let me do most of the talking. Don’t interrupt either of us. And don’t do anything rash if you see someone or something you don’t approve of.”

  Taelien folded his arms. “What do you know that you’re not telling me?”

  “A whole lot of things. Be more careful with your questions next time. For the moment, we’re out of time.” She smiled and knocked on the door.

  The door opened a few moments later, revealing a tall gentleman in a grey and white suit. His outfit matched the color of both his hair and his eyes, but he was clean shaven. “Prime Lady Jaden, it’s always a pleasure.” He bowed at the waist, then turned to Taelien. “Ah, and you must be Prime Lady Jaden’s guest. I’m Frederick Conway, Prime Lord Kyestri’s manservant.”

  Taelien nodded. “Pleased to meet you, sir. May we come in?”

  “Of course, of course.” He took a few steps back, clearing the entrance, then paused. “I’m afraid you’ll need to leave your sword here, however. No swords inside the house. I’m sure you understand.”

  Taelien’s mouth opened and then closed again.

  That’s...eminently reasonable, actually. But I can’t take the risk that it’ll be stolen.

  While he was pondering how to reply, Wrynn shook her head. “I’m sure you can make an exception for a sacred relic?”

  “Hm. That does put me in a difficult position, Prime Lady Jaden. I’m sure your friend understands the necessity
to disarm our guests, especially if you’d like a tour of the auction goods. While I’m certain neither of you would ever think to initiate anything untoward, there are certain precautions that must be taken for the safety of my master.”

  Taelien unslung the bag from his shoulder. “That’s perfectly understandable, but I’m afraid I can’t take my eyes off of it. I can’t go in without it. I’m sorry. Lady Jaden,” he used her title to maintain the appearance of formality, “Would you be kind enough to handle any trading with Lord Kyestri for me?”

  Wrynn waved a hand at him. “Don’t be ridiculous. You can make your own deals.” She turned back to the manservant. “And besides, he has no business confiscating anything. That isn’t Frederick.”

  The manservant raised an eyebrow. “Pardon?”

  “You can drop the act, Lord Karheart. Taelien is with me, and as entertaining as you might find it to run off with his sword, we don’t have the time for your games.”

  The false Frederick rolled his eyes, then his image shifted, revealing a much younger-seeming rethri man wearing shades of purple. He smirked. “What gave me away?”

  “Your performance was exemplary, but after a moment, I recalled that Frederick is vacationing with his family in Tesri Rethil. And you’re likely the only person brazen enough to try to steal something from another one of the prime lord’s guests.” Wrynn sighed. “Taelien, may I introduce Lord Karheart, the Prime Lord of Deception and Crown Prince of Keldris.”

  Oh, lovely.

  Taelien bowed just slightly, his jaw tightening. He loathed dealing with these sorts of tricks. Having Jonan as something resembling a friend was bad enough. “Crown Prince, it’s an honor.”

  “Please, no need to be so formal. You can just call me ‘Prime Lord’. Anyway, I’m on the way out. Without your sword, sadly, at least for today. I’m sure we’ll meet again.”

  I most certainly hope not.

  Taelien moved out of the way — far out of the way — as Lord Karheart walked out of the house and past them. “Always a pleasure, Lady Jaden. You should visit me at my own manse sometime. I believe you’d enjoy it.”

  “I believe that you believe that.” Wrynn stepped into the manor. “Come on, Taelien. We’d best get moving. He won’t be the last shark you have to deal with today. Best to move before too many of them scent the blood in the water.”

  “I’m not entirely sure I like that image.”

  “You shouldn’t. Come along.”

  Taelien followed Wrynn into the house and shut the door behind him.

  I thought I was prepared for this, but apparently, I need to study the prime nobility more closely. Everyone has an angle here.

  Fortunately, the servants they encountered within the manor didn’t make any further uncomfortable demands, and one of them swiftly led the pair deeper within. After traveling up two flights of stairs and down a hallway lined with yet more statues, they reached a large door.

  The servant who had led them there knocked once on the door, then retreated.

  The door opened a few moments later, but without anyone standing directly behind it. Instead, it simply revealed a large chamber where a tall, broad-shouldered man stood in front of an incomplete statue.

  The room was ringed with more statues, all of whom appeared to be large animals and fantastical monsters. The central one that he appeared to be working on was some kind of large bird, almost human sized, but with three heads, each from a different type of animal.

  At present, the room’s resident had his hands inside the midst of the central statue’s chest. The surface of the statue glimmered briefly, then shifted in color and texture, changing from a mud-like consistency into something more like marble. The man withdrew his hand a moment later, turning toward the entrance.

  “Ah, my guests have arrived!” The man turned toward them. Now that he was facing them directly, it was clear that he was wearing a mask — one that covered his entire face, and made of stone.

  Not the mask I’m looking for, Taelien noted. The one I need is made of metal and only covers the upper half of the face.

  “Prime Lord Kyestri, Titan of the Northern Reaches,” Wrynn bowed. “Thank you for allowing our visit on such short notice. I hope we’re not interrupting you.”

  Kyestri bowed in return. “Prime Lady Wrynn Jaden, Witch of a Thousand Shadows. I have to admit, I’ve always rather liked your title more than mine. Did you bring any shadows today?”

  Wrynn snorted. “Just one. Or two, really.” She jerked a thumb at Taelien. “He’s a little more solid than the type you’re thinking of, though.”

  “Excellent, excellent. I’m thrilled you’re here. Just allow me to clean up for a moment.”

  He raised his hands, and some mud-like residue flowed off, floating into the air and settling into a tub near the statue. Similar stains pulled themselves free from his otherwise immaculate garments a moment later, then moved to the same container.

  After that, he dipped his hands into a barrel of water at the side, dried his hands with a nearby towel, and then turned back toward them.

  “Apologies for the mess. I should have stopped some time ago, but I always find it difficult to judge the time when I’m working. Please, come in, and feel free to look around.”

  Wrynn walked into the room, offering her hand, which Lord Kyestri took and pressed to his chest. “It’s been far too long, my dear.”

  “I suppose it has, at least from your side.”

  “Ah. I always forget how your...condition tends to influence your perception of time. Have you been well?”

  Condition?

  Wrynn shrugged a shoulder. “As good as can be expected, thank you.” She pulled her hand away a moment later, looking a bit awkward. “I’d rather not talk about it.”

  “Of course. Forgive me. And I’ve been terribly rude; please introduce me to your friend. Is this the swordsman I’ve heard so much about?”

  The masked man walked toward Taelien, extending a hand. Taelien pressed it against his chest in acceptance of the greeting, much as Kyestri had with Wrynn. It was a common rethri gesture, meaning, “I trust you with my heart.”

  Taelien didn’t trust this man, of course, but he also wasn’t going to insult him by ignoring tradition upon their first meeting.

  “He is indeed,” Wrynn explained. “This is Taelien Salaris, and he’s an old friend of mine. We met just after he’d gotten out of his Thornguard training, and we’ve kept in touch on occasion ever since.”

  “A pleasure to meet you, Prime Lord Kyestri, Titan of the Northern Reaches.”

  I hope he doesn’t expect me to keep repeating that. Formality has never been my strength.

  Taelien released the other man’s hand, and fortunately, the prime lord took a few steps back and smiled.

  “How wonderful! And you actually go by Taelien? That’s marvelous. It’s been too long since those Tae’os followers actually had a symbol that their gods are still paying attention. It might actually make Vaelien pay attention for a change, too.”

  “And you think that’s a good thing?” Wrynn walked to Kyestri’s side. “I’m surprised. I figured the gods would be bad for your business.”

  “Nonsense.” Kyestri slipped off his mask, revealing a handsome man with stark white hair. He tossed the mask and it floated to sit on a nearby pedestal. “They’re the ones who built many of the treasures in my collection, after all. A bit of competition between them might lead to more opportunities.”

  Taelien concealed a bit of surprise at seeing the mask come off, having expected the mask to be a part of the theatricality of the prime lord’s appearance, but it was possible it was just an item for enhancing his stone sorcery. Or maybe he was just comfortable enough in Wynn’s presence that he didn’t feel the need for it.

  Oddly, his eyes weren’t the dark brown or grey that Taelien would have expected from a stone-using rethri — they were bright green. That indicated a connection with the Dominion of Life, rather than stone. His particular shade
was a tinge darker than Aladir’s, but similar.

  Rethri could learn spells outside of the dominions they were born with the strongest bond to, but it was generally much more difficult. Being the Prime Lord of Stone without an inherent connection to the dominion implied a tremendous degree of talent and focus, even beyond what a prime lord would be expected to possess.

  Perhaps items were a large source of Kyestri’s stone shaping abilities — if so, that explained why Wrynn thought that Sculptor would be an appealing tool.

  Kyestri turned toward Taelien. “Speaking of my collection, I understand that you’re interested in making some early offers, prior to my coming auction. Given some of the people I’ve invited have been known to make grand offers for the types of antiquities that I collect, I’m skeptical you can offer enough to make it worthwhile for me to skip the public display, but I’m willing to entertain the notion.”

  “Thank you, Lord Kyestri. I’ve brought a few trinkets that I think might interest you.”

  The lord raised an eyebrow. “Mere trinkets and curiosities aren’t likely to be worth much to me.”

  Taelien mentally winced at his poor phrasing. “Ah, perhaps I phrased that badly. I’d like to think the quality of the items will be sufficient to change your mind, however.”

  “Very well. Is there anything in particular you’re here to look at?”

  Be careful, he told himself. Can’t give too much away and drive the price up.

  “I’ve heard you have a shield that once belonged to one of my paladin mentors, Herod Morwen.” The statement was true, even if it wasn’t his primary objective.

  “Ah, yes, of course. It was found on a battlefield near the old capitol of Xixis, some twenty-odd years ago. I understand that he was taken wounded, and forced to leave it behind.” Kyestri shook his head. “Unfortunately, I’ve already sold it.”

  Taelien raised an eyebrow. “Someone else came here before the auction?”

  “A few people, actually.” Kyestri nodded. “I have many valuable items, and you’re not the only one who wished to beat the competiton.”

  Taelien nodded. “I don’t suppose I could ask you who bought the shield? Perhaps I could offer them a deal for it.”