The Spirit of the Realm

by Rachel L Brown

  “I’ll go speak with her.”

  Felix made his way to the shoreline.

  “Your Majesty! It’s time to return to the castle! You aren’t safe out here!”

  The Queen didn’t respond. Instead, she held the spear aloft, waiting to strike something Felix couldn’t see. Then her posture relaxed, and she brought the spear to her side.

  Felix’s left eye twitched when the Queen repeated the motion a few more times.

  “Your Majesty, we don’t have time for this,” he said and waded into the lake. The cold water took his breath away. How the Queen could stand being in the water for long periods was a mystery to him.

  The Queen ignored his words and continued her bizarre movements. He reached out and grabbed the spear handle.

  “Let go!” the Queen shouted. Her eyes were unfocused and cloudy. “I must stop them from coming out of the water!”

  Felix tightened his grip and he inspected the water around them. There was nothing but rocks and mud.

  “Do you see them?”

  He met the Queen’s gaze again, “no.”

  This wasn’t the state he’d expected the Queen to be in. He’d expected she’d be upset and cursing the Gods. Not fishing for invisible fish.

  Something was wrong. Either the Queen was feverish...or something unseen was attacking her.

  “Alvar, get over here now!” he shouted and let go of the spear.

  With surprising strength, the Queen used the spear to knock him off balance. Water splashed around him and he had only a few seconds before she began trying to stab him with the spear. His foot slipped on a rock right when the spear tip grazed his arm.

  “Get away from me foul creature!” the Queen cried and then she was frozen in place. Felix scrambled to his feet and saw Alvar directly behind her, rune stones hovered around him.

  “What in the hell did you say to her?” Alvar asked.

  “Nothing! I told her she needed to go home!”

  Alvar gently removed the spear from the Queen’s hands and tossed it to Felix. Then he waved a healing rune in front of her face.

  “Anything?”

  “No, she doesn’t have a fever and there are no spells.”

  “What does that mean?”

  Alvar’s runes floated back into his pouch and he scratched the back of his head.

  “Not sure, I’m going to have to discuss this with Svendir.”

  “Why am I standing in the middle of the lake?” the Queen asked when Alvar’s magic dissipated. Felix noticed her eyes were clear and she seemed normal.

  “That is what we were wondering, you’ve caused quite an uproar in the castle,” Felix said. His teeth started to chatter; his clothes were soaked through.

  “Your Majesty, let’s return to the shore,” Alvar said.

  Once they were on dry ground, Alvar used magic to dry them.

  “Your Majesty, you truly don’t remember anything?” Felix asked.

  The Queen shook her head, her skin was turning paler with each step she took.

  “The last thing I remember was going to the temple to pray.”

  “Do you remember seeing anything out of the ordinary?”

  The Queen hesitated and clenched her fists at her sides.

  “Prince Felix, I already said I didn’t see anything,” she turned to Alvar, “take me back to the castle.”

  Felix ran a hand through his hair as he watched the Queen mount a horse and promptly fall off. He started to laugh, but the laughter faded when she didn’t move from her crumpled heap. He raced over, Alvar was right behind him. Gods, if the Queen died right now...

  Alvar’s healing rune hovered above the Queen.

  “She’s unconscious, likely from exhaustion,” Alvar said.

  “You there, ride back to the city and bring a carriage!” Felix shouted at one of his men.

  “You aren’t going to throw her onto the back of your saddle?” Alvar asked.

  “We don’t need the entire city to go into a further panic,” Felix said.

  “How hard did she hit you? I would’ve thought you’d be dying to play the dashing hero. Unless you’re embarrassed you got knocked over by a woman?”

  “Not now Alvar.”

  Felix watched the Queen, if there were no signs of magic or sickness in her, then why was she acting this way?

  An image of his father flashed in his mind.

  No, he refused to believe the Queen was suffering the same fate. There was no way the Spirit of the Realm would choose someone like his father. Yet, what other explanation was there?

  THE NEXT DAY, FELIX was in the Royal Council room. Waiting for the Queen to arrive. Lord Rover had also been summoned since he was to take command of the Northern army. His mother was not in attendance, she was busy overseeing preparations for the coronation.

  “While we are waiting, I was wondering if you could give me an update on the status of Oddlehill?” Felix asked the High Vestral.

  Surprise flickered across her face.

  “You know about the situation in Oddlehill?”

  “Yes.”

  “It’s nothing you need concern yourself with. I have the matter handled.”

  “I can send my men to assist, who knows what this madman has in store.”

  “Madman? What in the hell is happening in Oddlehill?” Lord Greensdale chimed in.

  “A man claiming to be the God of Justice and Mercy is creating an army of Vestrals,” Felix said.

  “The God of Justice and Mercy is alive?”

  At the sound of the Queen’s voice, Felix and the rest of the council rose to their feet. As the Queen sat, Felix noticed her pallor hadn’t returned to normal. Dark circles had formed under her eyes.

  Lady Ethelbright took her place beside her. Her face was lined with worry and she too looked like she hadn’t slept.

  “The God is not alive, it’s a mere imposter,” The High Vestral said.

  “Gods, I knew this was going to happen. Damn peasants,” Lord Dovesbane muttered.

  “The Library of the High Vestrals has not sent word that their statue of the God has lit up in any manner. I’m afraid this person is an imposter who seeks to create chaos and take as much power as he can,” the High Vestral said with a slight shrug of her shoulders. “I have also received word that a former Vestral to the God of Justice might be involved. If we hit them soon enough, the new Vestrals won’t have enough training in magic to deal any actual damage. Do not worry; they will be dealt with swiftly. That former Vestral will be hanged for their crimes.”

  Felix exchanged a glance with Lord Rover. The High Vestral seemed overconfident. Who knew what powers this so-called God of Justice had? If the High Vestral was not careful, she could cause more harm than good.

  “I will send some men from the north to help deal with this,” Lord Rover said.

  “Lord Rover, your men are farmers and peasants playing soldier. They would do nothing against a Vestral, even one who was not fully trained.”

  “They can if they have a competent War Vestral among them, and I am proud to report Alvar and his lesser Vestrals are,” Felix said.

  “The answer is no. The matter is handled, and I will not hear any more talk of it,” the High Vestral snapped. She pointed at the map on the table. “What I am here to discuss is how quickly we can pull our men back into the mountain passes.”

  “If we do that, we will lose our advantage come spring when the Western Marshes will surely begin their march south,” Felix said. “Not to mention there is still a good amount of wildlife left in the borderlands. In the mountain passes they would starve to death.”

  “Then what do you suggest?”

  “We hit them hard now. We’ve already sacked one town. I would move the men to the larger towns on the border,” he said and pointed at a few places on the map. “Those towns will likely be the first targets; they have an extensive amount of grain stored and are on the major roads leading into Sodervia.”

  “I would also suggest we conscr
ipt anyone who is of age and able body,” Lord Rover added. “There are not enough men in the army to keep the Western Marshes at bay for long, and who knows if King Olric can gain an ally.”

  “Speaking of allies,” Lord Dovesbane said, wiping the wine from his chin. “I have sent messengers to the Vestlig Isles and Roltia. They have been rather friendly with us in the past and I am confident I could get them to see our side of the story.”

  “Won’t they take the side of the Western Marshes?” Lord Greensdale asked. “The Marshmires were poisoned on our soil.”

  Lord Dovesbane pressed the tips of his fingers together. “Now that I am aware of our problem in Oddlehill, it won’t take much to convince people that this was the work of a madman.”

  Felix took a long drink from his goblet. This was one thing Felix hated the most, court politics. Too much backstabbing and underhanded dealings. He wondered how in the hell Lord Dovesbane slept at night. Only the Gods knew how many ghosts lived in his thoughts. At least those Felix had slain in the interest of protecting the kingdom had known it was coming.

  “Let me get this straight: you are going to peg the person who is claiming to be the God of Justice as the culprit?” Lady Ethelbright asked. “Any Roltian worth their weight in salt will think Sodervia has become weak and blind to problems in the kingdom.”

  “Well, that is where you come in Lady Ethelbright; surely the Roltians will listen to one of their own?” Lord Dovesbane asked.

  “I will see if they would send their ambassador back to meet with me. As you recall, most countries, save for Acrilla, have recalled their ambassadors. I fear the damage has already been done, Lord Dovesbane,” Lady Ethelbright said.

  “You misunderstand me. I want you to travel to Roltia once I have figured out a way to frame the imposter in Oddlehill.”

  “Lady Ethelbright stays with me,” the Queen said, her voice was weak and lacked any power.

  “Tsk, tsk, Your Majesty, I would have never thought you to be so selfish,” the High Vestral said. “The well-being of Sodervia hangs in the balance. Countless lives could be lost all because you couldn’t give up one of your ladies for a few months. Is Lady Janel not good enough for you? Or has Lady Ethelbright converted you over to her blasphemous way of thinking?”

  The Queen remained silent, her eyes downcast.

  “As you well know, High Vestral, the Queen is of her own mind and will say things on her own initiative,” Lady Ethelbright said, keeping her voice level and emotionless.

  “Lady Ethelbright is also a member of this council,” Lord Greensdale said. An awkward silence filled the room. “And based on her history, why would we entrust her with such an important task?”

  “No need for us all to get worked up. For now, we shall send letters and our ambassadors to them,” Lord Dovesbane said. “If they cannot make waves, then I shall seek other options.”

  “Can we return to the issue on the border?” Lord Rover asked, but the Queen held up a hand. Lord Rover sat back in chair, shaking his head at Felix.

  “What other options?” the Queen asked, targeting Lord Dovesbane with a pointed stare.

  “Your Majesty, I wouldn’t dare utter such things in your presence. I fear they are not pleasant topics for polite company,” Lord Dovesbane said.

  The High Vestral gave him a look that would scare the most grizzled of men. “Lord Rover, I want you to move your men into the mountain passes for the winter. Once we get an idea of what is happening with the Western Marshes armies. Prince Felix will oversee running the armies, unless the Spirit of the Realm deems another course of action,” the High Vestral said.

  “Holy One, if I may, the Spirit of the Realm-” Felix began.

  “Has seen more wars play out than everyone in this kingdom,” the High Vestral said and turned to Lord Rover. “I would like you to leave today.”

  If the Spirit of the Realm was going to take over every tactical decision, then he was only a warm body on the council and someone for people to blame should things go wrong. He was wishing more and more he had flown Berserker over the mountains never to be seen again.

  “B-but, the coronation!” Lord Rover sputtered.

  The High Vestral smiled over her goblet. “Unfortunately, the current state of the kingdom calls for a sacrifice from us all. Don’t worry. I will have one of my Lesser Vestrals write up a report for you. You and Prince Felix are dismissed.”

  With that, Felix got up and left the table. Lord Rover swiftly grabbed his cloak and followed, then both men walked in silence down the stairs of the tower.

  “Like hell I’m going to listen to what she says! We are going to split up and try to keep Endsdale and Vatanhal in our hands. I will not lose men because a stupid Spirit couped up in a temple thinks it knows better than we do,” Lord Rover said, his face crimson. Felix couldn’t recall a time he had seen Lord Rover this angry.

  “Prince Felix!” Lady Ethelbright called after him. She hurried down the steps after them.

  “Yes?”

  “There is an urgent matter I need to discuss with you.”

  “What is it?”

  “I think the Queen is going mad.”

  18

  The Rite of Attunement

  WORD HAD SPREAD QUICKLY of the God of Justice’s return. Sending a stream of newcomers from all over the country, desperate for hope and food. Sade weaved her way through a small crowd of people watching a puppeteer. Who was enacting the fateful banquet where the queen had doomed their entire kingdom by letting the Marshmires die.

  Sade turned away, anger rising in her. How could the queen be so foolish and allow such a thing to happen? The High Vestral surely had a stranglehold upon her now. Soon those around her would be forced into a war no one wanted, all because their queen wasn’t strong enough to stand up against the dark forces in her court.

  She looked down at her cloak. The runes for the God of Justice glowed a soft orange in the sunlight. She smiled as she tugged the cloak tighter around her.

  She made her way into the workshop where Jerrick was hard at work carving runes. He paused when he saw Sade and motioned for her to sit.

  “I was afraid you didn’t want to come near us after what Adora tried to do,” he said and he handed her an earth rune to inspect.

  Her fingers ran along the cold stone, checking for any roughness.

  “I came here to apologize for lying to you,” Sade said.

  Jerrick threw back his head and laughed. “No offense Sade, but you are the worst liar I have ever met. Not to mention you were a little too good at catching all the flaws in the runes, as if you had experience with them blowing up in your face. I get your reasons, lass, so I didn’t want to say anything.”

  “Thank you. Jerrick. You are one of the kindest souls I have ever met,” Sade said and tossed the rune in the pile meant for good runes.

  “Sade, no matter where the God of Justice takes you, understand that our home will be open to you,” Jerrick said.

  “Would you like some help with that pile?” Sade asked as she shrugged off her cloak.

  “I don’t want to tear you away from your duties as a Vestral,” Jerrick said, “but I won’t say no to an extra pair of hands.”

  “Where is Ferdi?”

  “The lad is gathering more stones for me.”

  Sade nodded and worked on a fire rune. Time moved quickly and she was almost done with the carving. When she heard a quiet knock on the door.

  “Sade?”

  Sade turned to see Adora standing in the doorway, holding a compact bundle. The smell of fresh bread filled the air and Sade’s mouth watered.

  “I wanted to say I’m sorry for trying to get you hanged,” she said and placed the bundle on the table next to Sade. “This is for you; it’s fresh bread and cheese. I will be going to stay with my daughter for a few seasons, but before I leave, I wanted to seek your forgiveness.”

  She knew Adora was only looking out for her family, but she never gave Sade a chance. Instead of being gratefu
l she hadn’t burnt to a crisp, she tried to have her executed. She was only sorry because of the God of Justice’s return. Without him, Sade would be in the God of Death’s halls.

  No, she would never forgive her.

  “Adora, I’m afraid that is something you will never receive,” Sade said her tone cold and Adora bowed her head as a tear fell down her face. “But I thank you for the food and I hope you have a safe journey.”

  “May your God watch over you.”

  “Farewell, Adora,” Jerrick said softly as she left. He sighed as Sade nudged the bundle of food with her hand toward him. “I’m glad she is going to see her daughter; it might warm her heart up a bit.”

  Sade didn’t respond, instead focusing on filing away the rough edges on the stone. They both sat in silence for a time, the only sounds were the tools scratching against the stones.

  Another knock on the door, and before Jerrick could ask who it was, Henry was standing in the doorway. His bight orange hair was ruffled, and his eyes looked sunken in. It was the first time Sade had seen him since the revelation the God of Justice still lived.

  “Vestral Henry! What brings you here? The order isn’t quite ready yet,” Jerrick said.

  “I need to speak to Sade,” he said, his voice was quiet. Long gone was the carefree man Sade had known at Plainspire; in its place was a stranger.

  Sade grabbed her cloak. “I will be right back Jerrick.”

  She followed Henry, who walked at a brisk, urgent pace, until they reached the temple. He waved away a group of people as they offered various objects.

  “Is the God of Justice inside the temple? I have come to request his blessing,” a woman asked as she held up a cracked tankard.

  “He doesn’t live in the damn temple, he lives up in the northern part of the village,” Henry snapped, and the group hurried away.

  Henry stormed into the temple, where a small bed was tucked away in the corner. It hadn’t been there when she had helped Henry with the shrines earlier that week. The God of Justice’s shrine had replaced the Spirit of the Realm’s in the center of the room, the runes of the God of Justice’s statue glowed a soft orange. She looked around but saw no trace of the Spirit’s shrine.