“Please, Gabriel,” El said. “I am your sister. You can tell me anything. Surely you wouldn’t withhold this kind of information from me. Please, tell me.”
“I’m sorry, but I cannot.”
“I would tell you if our roles were reversed,” El said with a wry smile.
Gabriel stopped dead in his tracks, halfway between the third and fourth floor landings. “Oh, really? Let’s see. I remember several years ago, you bested Father in a game of King’s Table. He said you could have one request of him, and if it were within his power to grant it, he would. You asked him a question. Tell me, dear sister, what was that question you asked Father? And what was his reply?”
El angrily pursed her lips together as Gabriel cocked his head to the side in mock expectancy. She had sworn to her father that unless her life depended upon it, she would never reveal what he had told her to anyone. She could not tell Gabriel, and he knew it. To her recollection, this was the first time he had bested her logically, and she did not like it one bit.
“Fine!” she spat. “Keep your little Order secrets if you must.”
They continued up the stairs, entering the fourth floor hallway. Several of the council members had their offices here, and at the end of the hall, two Defenders stood in ceremonial armor outside of the Templar Majoris’ office. Gabriel approached the door, unsure what to say. His uncertainty was short-lived as the guard on the right pulled the door open for him.
Inside, the waiting area was empty. The knight who had opened the door for them walked to the office door and knocked gently. A voice form inside bade him enter, and he closed the door behind him. El took a seat on one of the many benches as Gabriel paced about the room, examining the paintings that adorned the walls. As he was admiring one entitled ‘Brother Michael and the Rain of Hellfire,’ the inner door opened and the knight stepped out.
“The Templar Majoris shall see you now, Brother Gabriel,” he said.
“Thank you, Brother,” Gabriel replied, not knowing the knight’s name. “El, would you care to join me?”
“No, I’ll wait here,” she said, suddenly intimidated by the thought of standing before the leader of the Holy Defenders.
Gabriel shrugged and stepped inside the office. He pulled the door closed as he entered and glanced around the room. Although the Templar Majoris was a man of great importance, his office layout was extremely practical with very few frills. A shield with the five cross standard of the Holy Defenders hung on the rear wall with two decorative swords behind it. The office’s two windows overlooked the Coldar River, the top floor of the building being slightly higher than the walls that separated the University from the rest of the city.
Behind the simple wood desk sat the Templar Majoris, reading through some parchments. In front of the desk were two simple wooden chairs. The leader of The Order did not acknowledge Gabriel’s presence as he picked up a quill pen and scratched his signature across the bottom of a parchment. He replaced the quill in the ink well and glanced up to the newly initiated Knight.
“Has your quest become clear to you, Brother Gabriel?” he asked.
“Yes, sir, it has,” Gabriel replied. He drew the knife from his tunic and offered it handle first to the Templar Majoris, who took it in hand.
“Very fine craftsmanship,” he said while looking the dagger over. “What does this have to do with your quest?”
Gabriel took a deep breath. El’s words of doubt began to creep into his mind under the scrutinizing eye of his leader. What if she was right? No, Gabriel thought, this had to be what the Archangel was speaking about. “My lord, you remember the tragedy that befell my family? This dagger belonged to my father, and was purchased several days after the attack by a boy that I believe was my brother. He was last seen in New Portsmouth, and I would like permission to venture forth to retrieve him from whatever has befouled him.” As Gabriel spoke the words, a spiritual strength filled him. He felt reassured. The Templar Majoris’ deadpan stare turning to a wide smile underneath his mustached face told him he had chosen the correct path.
“Brother Gabriel, I am pleased you overcame your doubts and acted on faith. The Archangel told me of your quest last night. Your permission is granted.” The Templar Majoris picked up the parchment he had just signed and handed it to Gabriel. “This is a voucher for the gold you will need for your journey.”
A soft knock interrupted the meeting. The knight who had shown Gabriel in opened the door and stuck his head in. “Pardon the interruption, my lord, but Bishop Sentius is here to see you.”
“Very well. I shall be a moment longer.”
Gabriel turned back to the Templar Majoris. "Thank you, sir!"
"Brother," the Templar Majoris began, a look of concern crossing his face. "Might I remind you of the words of Saint Matthew, that no one can serve two masters?"
"My lord?" Gabriel asked, confused. "I do not serve material wealth. I tithe above and beyond what is required, and even requested! I care little for gold!"
"No, Brother, that is not the master of which I speak." The Templar Majoris motioned towards the door. "Your sister. I have noticed that since tragedy struck your family, you have considered yourself her guardian. Your sense of duty towards your earthly family is of what I speak. That is your second master, and I fear it shall one day come into conflict with your service to the Almighty."
"Ah," Gabriel said. "My lord, I understand your fear, and have fretted over it myself, losing many a night's sleep. However, in finding my brother, a serendipitous result shall be that he may be El's protector. And since we are on the subject of my sister, I would like permission to take her with me."
The Templar Majoris stood silent in thought for a few seconds, then nodded. "There has been an outbreak of the Snakepox in New Portsmouth. As a healer, she would be valuable to your mission by demonstrating Christ’s mercy. She may accompany you, but she shall do so as a representative of the Church.”
Gabriel tried to suppress a smile, as he knew this would mean he would be expected to be her protector. The conflict of two masters was resolved, albeit temporarily. No matter. It would give him enough time to find David, and then all of his problems would be solved. The Lord had truly smiled upon him this day, Gabriel thought.
* * * * * *
The following morning, Gabriel and Eleenia were met outside the Cathedral grounds gate by Janelle Argos, Holle McLeod, and Liam Branvold. When they came upon the trio, Janelle was chatting with Liam, while Holle hung back giving Liam a discreet appraising once over.
"So what I heard is true," Liam said in his characteristically deadpan voice, mindlessly running his finger over the hilt of Gabriel's double-edged longsword sheathed in its plain leather scabbard strapped to his horse's side. "Do you honestly believe he is still alive?"
"With all of my heart," Gabriel replied from atop Thunder, his black charger given to him by his father as a gift on his fifteenth birthday. The horse nickered, eager to get on the road, not used to the amount of gear and supplies placed upon it.
"May God go with you, my friend. And may your quest be successful."
El sat uneasily in the saddle of Nightingale, her dappled palfrey. She had not ridden in a number of years and had lost a good bit of her muscle tone. Saddle bags were slung across the horse in front and behind her saddle. The bottles that contained her elixirs and powders rattled from within as the horse impatiently stamped its front legs.
Janelle handed her a sheathed dagger. "Just in case. The road is dangerous this time of year. Bandits, thieves, Aragil guards, wickaraks..."
"There is no such thing as wickaraks," El replied. "But thank you for the dagger. I shall return it to you, hopefully unused."
"Yes, there are! Felix fought one last Emberlight on the border of the Cursed Lands after he caught it trying to eat one of the company's horses!"
“Aye,” Holle sai
d, in her thick Caledonian accent. “They are much more common up north. Haven’t seen one m’self, but me Ma has. Killed her father and mother!”
El rolled her eyes and gave an exasperated but good natured sigh. She would miss her unrefined best friends terribly these next few weeks.
"I wish I could come with you. I'm sure you could use some intelligent conversation," Janelle said, loud enough for Gabriel to hear.
Gabriel glanced sideways at her and gave half a chuckle.
"Be careful." Janelle took Eleenia's hand and gave it a squeeze.
After saying their goodbyes, Gabriel and El began their fortnight's journey to New Portsmouth.
* * * * * *
David found himself at the bow of the ship, looking out over the jib. In a mere four years, he had amassed so much wealth that he could retire. With the heat on Karinga, it may be time to toss around leaving the Waverunner. He loved the tranquility of the sea, and he loved the thrill of taking on much more experienced merchants, but with Gaceric and the guild being so vindictive towards Captain Jaxom and his crew, it might be time to lay low and think about a land-based trading career.
Edge came up behind him and put his hand on his shoulder, startling David and bringing him back to the present. "Davey," Edge said in a concerned tone. "As you know, I am not good with my gold. I'll be broke in a week if left to my own devices."
David turned to face him. "That would be unfortunate, my friend. I imagine we will be stranded in Bord de la Mer for at least a month. Possibly for a month and a half! How much gold do you have saved up?"
"Twenty-eight gold."
David laughed. "Edge, you could live like a Lord for two months on that much!"
Edge nodded with a hint of embarrassment in his dark, close-set eyes. "I know, but I tend to get into the revelry of the moment! Some ale, some whiskey, some women, some gambling..."
"So what do you want from me?"
Edge met David's eyes. "I want you to hold onto my gold for me. Pay for my lodging then only let me have two gold and five silver a week. Could you do that for me?"
David nodded with a smile. "Of course! After all you've taught me? Tricks and technique that my..." He caught himself almost saying his fighting tutor. "My mind would never have come up with on its own? Don't worry. You'll have money to spare when we put back to sea."
The big man heaved a huge sigh of relief. "Thank you, Davey. I owe you big."
David turned his attention back to the sea after Edge strode off, anxiety no longer written across his face. His thoughts turned back to his land-based trading. He would have to learn Gaulian to be able to effectively trade with the merchants there, and learning foreign languages was not his best skill. They all seemed so ass backwards in their structure.
He started doing mental calculations in his head of the cargo they had on hand. A bit of it would fetch a good price in Port Cauldwell, such as the remaining silk, the whiskey they picked up in Port Maynard and the crates of preserved meats and seafood they got in Northpoint, and he could use the profits from that to load up on copper and iron before heading to Bord de la Mer, were both were in extreme demand right now.
A stop at Lady Malcoeur's would do for the whiskey, and he could sell the foodstuffs himself at the market while Captain Karinga was having some minor repairs done on the ship. Four days, Fyke had said it would take. More than enough time to hawk some rations, which would more than double their profits that they would receive from Malcoeur, Segovax, or any of the other dozen or so warehouse merchants in the city. Plus, the fact that they were going to be there for four days meant he could use the time to his advantage with Lady Malcoeur, saying that he could sell the whiskey to the taverns himself.
No, he thought, he would stay with the Waverunner for as long as possible. This life just had far too much to offer to leave it behind.
* * * * * *
Sitting back, Eleenia let the warmth of the bath water replace the aching that seemed to penetrate her down to the bone. Four days on the road, sleeping on the ground in way stations, eating hardtack and cheese, made the contrast of the Wayfarer's Inn seem utterly luxurious. Tomorrow morning, they would set out for Gillingham, then cross the newly redrawn border into Aragil. But for tonight, it was a restful bath, wild game pie, sweet wine by the fire, then sleep in a warm bed with a down pillow.
El hated traveling in Summerlight. Rain, muddy roads, and waking up covered in sweat. Well, better now than in Winterdark. On their return trip, it should be a good bit cooler, although Gabriel's disappointment upon the realization that he was on a fool's errand would make the trip none too pleasant. She was sure he would self-righteously punish himself, and her along with him, by forgoing all comforts and sleeping out under the moon. And probably on rocks.
She was eager, though, to get to New Portsmouth. She had read about the Purple Pox, or Snakepox as it was also called. The disease only seemed to show up during hot summers. She had a few ideas about treatment that she wanted to try out. Word had it that Lord Eddington's wife had been struck by the malady and wasn't expected to survive. That was where she would start. At least staying near the lord's manor would afford some comforts.
A serving girl came into the room and placed a cup of sweet wine on the small table next to the tub.
"What is this for?" Eleenia asked. "I didn't order anything."
"My compliments, m'lady. I understand you are a healer and..."
"Are you sick, girl?"
"Oh, no! Not me, m'lady," the serving girl said nervously. "Its me da. He has the runny bottom. He has spent most of the last two days in the outhouse."
"Ah," El replied. "It will usually go away by itself. Tell me, what does your father eat?"
"Mostly leftover stew I bring home with warm ale."
"Try feeding him rough grain bread and hard yellow cheese. Trust me, I've been eating that since we set out from Avonshire, and I haven't been able to go in two days. Oh, and lots and lots of water." El took the cup the girl had laid there and took a sip. It hit the proverbial spot. Not too strong, nice and sweet, and much of the flavor of the grapes still in it. "And thank you very much for the wine, miss."
The serving girl smiled. "Oh, it’s the least I could do. Thank you, m'lady." She smiled and left the room.
El relaxed in the cooling water. If only every sickness was that easy to cure, she thought.
* * * * * *
Gabriel was having an ale at the table next to the small fire, empty bowl of stew and bread crumbs in front of him. Two men, dressed like him, only with red cloaks, walked into the common room from outside. 'Fallen,' he thought. One was a little older than he, about two fingers short of six feet tall. The other was five feet and two hands, middle aged, and they were both sturdily built. Clean shaven, brown hair, and with all the dust on them, they were obviously fresh off the road.
"I'm going to get us a room," the older one said. "Get us a table and some meat and taters. I could choke at the thought of another bite of travelling bread."
"Yes, Brother," the younger one said. He walked towards the tables when he saw Gabriel's blue cloak. "Brother! Always good to meet a fellow member of the order. I am Brother Phillip, and my companion is Brother Maxwell."
Gabriel stood up and offered his hand. "I am Brother Gabriel." As they shook hands, Gabriel felt the spiral brand on the man's hand given to him by his failing the test of the Angelic blade. "Please, won't you and Brother Maxwell join me?"
Phillip eagerly took a seat. "Thank you."
"I have to admit, you are the first Fallen I have met."
"Oh, we're not much different from you. Not as many obligations, more travel, and the work is far more interesting."
Gabriel cocked his head sideways. "Truly? I thought the Fallen merely stayed in Co
ldar's Spring and meditated on their... you know..."
Phillip gave a loud belly laugh. "Is that what they told you? Too funny! No, we do spend some time meditating, but we do a lot of the Church's dirty work. For example, Maxwell and I are returning from Port Cirril. Some bandits were robbing the priories along the Thane River, so we tracked them down and dealt out some holy justice."
The serving girl came over to the table. "What can I get you, m'lord?"
"Two servings of meat and taters, and two pale ales," Phillip said.
"Rabbit or beef, m'lord?"
"Hm. They both sound good. How about one of each. Whichever one Maxwell doesn't choose, I'll have."
She curtsied and took her leave.
"What did you do when you caught them?" Gabriel asked.
"Cut off their hands. They won't be using them to reach into the Church's pockets no more, eh?" he laughed.
Gabriel sat back a bit aghast. "I had no idea!"
"And before that we were sent to Denning where a priest was accused of raping altar boys. We actually walked in on him in the act! So we did a bit of altering ourselves. Although I hear he sings beautifully now!"
Gabriel gave off a nervous laughter, crossing his legs.
Brother Maxwell came over to the table and sat down. "What'd I miss?"
Phillip motioned to Gabriel. "Just telling Brother Gabriel here about our adventures."
"Ah, pleased to meet you, Brother." They shook hands. Again, Gabriel was able to feel the brand.
The serving girl brought the ales over and a bowl filled with salty sticks. Maxwell drained his tankard and ordered another.
"You don't look like you've been a knight for very long, Gabriel," Maxwell said after wiping the froth from his mouth. "Under a year, from the looks of you."
"Yes, I was raised to the cloak a mere week ago."
"Well then, congratulations are in order!" He raised his newly refilled tankard. "To Brother Gabriel! May God grant you long life and happiness!"
"Hear, hear!" Phillip said, raising his tankard.
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