Soldiers of the Crown

by Stephen L. Nowland

  “No, they’re mostly human,” Maggie replied, “and I certainly didn’t join up to start a revolution against the Kingdom.”

  “Are you saying these men and women are taking up arms against us?” Sir William pressed.

  “Quite so,” Maggie confirmed. “They’ve fortified the forest around the lost city of Feybourne, and are planning to expand their area of control to include Amalis. They’ve even threatened to destroy the city in order to return it to its natural state, much like what happened with the city of Feybourne, before the collapse.”

  “How do you lose a city?” Sayana asked, a fair question but one that had Pacian smirking at her.

  “I recall reading something about that in a book last year,” Aiden said. “Feybourne was one of the earliest cities constructed in Aielund until it was struck by an earthquake, eighty years ago.”

  “It was more than that,” Maggie added. “The ground is quite swampy down in that region, and when the quake struck, it opened a crevasse and the city sank. Thousands were killed, and the place was abandoned in favour of the sturdier ground a little further north.”

  “I’m astonished a city like this could be destroyed so quickly,” Sayana remarked in awe.

  “Never underestimate the power of nature,” Maggie warned, though with a softness to her voice.

  “Though you spoke of only two dozen members of this order, I take it they have formidable abilities which go beyond their limited numbers?” Sir William inquired, getting back onto the subject at hand.

  “Yes, although I’ve no idea if they’re capable of doing what they claim,” Maggie said. “No druid I have ever heard of, alone or in a group, has tried to destroy a city before. Recreating a natural event like that earthquake would be beyond anyone in my sect, of that I’m certain.”

  “There’s a first time for everything,” Nellise remarked grimly. “Have you brought this to the attention of the Lord of Amalis?”

  “Yes, but he was an old man and was in poor health when I spoke with him last week. He mentioned that he was in a dialog with their representative — probably a man named Bowen, a highly influential member of the sect — but that was about all. Given the weakness of the city garrison at this time, I don’t expect my brothers and sisters to be in much of a talking mood.”

  “I know our task is somewhat more local,” Sir William said, “but if the Duke of Amalis needs more support, we should give serious consideration to providing this lady with our services.”

  “I agree, though our primary concern must be to our investigation here, first” Nellise observed.

  “I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” Maggie interjected, “but if you’re willing to help me, I am willing to help you. We have some time before I believe something more ‘explosive’ could take place in Feybourne, so if I can be of service…”

  Aiden nodded, content to listen to everything that was being said while he pondered the ramifications of dealing with something this large outside their purview. Margaret seemed to be even-tempered and willing to be reasonable, and it might serve their cause to bring stability to the region. There was one pressing issue however, that needed to be resolved.

  “I understand your predicament, but I have to ask — what exactly are you capable of in a city?” Aiden inquired. Maggie gave him an odd look, and then it dawned on her as to what he was referring to.

  “You seem to be under the misconception that I need to be in the wilds to have my prayers answered, and I assure you all, that is not the case,” she said. “There is much I can do to support you, should the need arise, although I will admit I’m not quite as powerful as I would be outside the city gates.”

  “Why?” Sayana asked.

  “The power I channel is derived from life,” Maggie cheerfully explained. “Cities may be full of people, but the buildings are stone, rock and dead trees. In a place like the swamps, there is so much more life, it radiates around us and I can tap into that more easily.”

  “Well, so long as you know how to handle yourself, I’m fine with bringing you on board, so to speak,” Aiden finished, impressed with her so far.

  “I thought you were looking for strong warriors, not even tinier women,” Valennia observed stridently.

  “Well, we already have you, so more warriors would be redundant, right?” Pacian replied without the hint of a smile on his face. Valennia appeared to process that statement for a long moment before answering.

  “Yes, I am more than a match for any foe you might meet,” she agreed. “You will need to stand clear of me though, so I can do my work without fear of stepping on someone.”

  “I think she means you,” Pacian said in a loud whisper to Maggie, who laughed briefly.

  “Alright, I accept, on the condition that you tell me what exactly you need me for,” the diminutive druid answered. Aiden spent the next few minutes outlining their task, and showed all of them the letter of commission with the duke’s seal upon it. Maggie seemed adequately impressed, and showed no objection despite the problems her Order seemed to have with the Crown.

  “If all of you are ready to move, I think we should get to work,” Aiden declared after they had finalised the deal. He tossed a silver noble to Valennia’s outstretched hand, which seemed to buy her quiet assent. “I want to talk to Ronan about a few of his old contacts, but it can wait until he’s had time to rest.”

  “For now, the damage done to the main street needs to be looked at a little more closely, since I’m almost certain that it was done to divert us into that narrow alleyway. Our first stop is the University of the Arcane to speak with the Archmage and see if he can give us any insights into who may be involved.”

  “Oh, that reminds me,” Nellise said. “You and Sayana have certain talents the University would be very interested in, and not necessarily for good reasons. I suggest you refrain from any sorcery while you’re here, just to avoid complications.”

  “Of course,” Aiden assured her. “I doubt we’ll be in need of burning the place to the ground so it shouldn’t be a problem. When we get the chance, I’d like to know what all of that is about.”

  “I promise,” Nellise replied. There was nothing further from anyone else, so the group stood up from the table and made their way to the exit.

  Chapter Seven

  A heavy snowfall clogged the streets to the point local citizens couldn’t move about with ease. Only those who absolutely had to be out at this early hour could be seen, clothed in warm winter cloaks and coats, trudging through the streets without enthusiasm. Aiden and his contingent, unfortunately, were amongst those forced to brave the freezing conditions, huddling down in their clothing to keep the chill at bay.

  It was Aiden’s first look at the city under the light of day, and he was even more impressed with the scale of Fairloch than he had been the previous evening. Most of the buildings in this part of the city were two or even three storeys high, made from stone bricks, giving the city a grey, monolithic look.

  They crossed the main street and noticed barricades had been erected to divert people around the damaged ground while workmen cleaned up the mess. Within a few minutes of leaving the inn, Aiden and the others had made their way through to the University.

  Three soaring towers dominated the skyline, one of them white and graced with tapering spires that gave one the impression that it was reaching to the heavens with graceful fingers. The other two towers were the same grey stone as the rest of the city, but decorated with colourful banners bearing symbols of various noble houses.

  As they approached the gates, it became apparent that the white, vaulted building was in fact a grand cathedral. Judging by its size, it was most likely the place where the head of the Church of Aielund — the ‘Archieros’ in Olde Aielish — saw to the governance of the faith. Aiden hadn’t realised the cathedral was built right next to the University — indeed, the cathedral and the towers were built within the same walls, suggesting a connection he never anticipated.

  O
f the two towers, one of them was clearly prominent, the exterior being heavily adorned and several storeys higher. The other tower seemed to be older, smaller in all dimensions and far less extravagant.

  Stepping through the large, gilded gates onto the University grounds was a bittersweet moment for Aiden, for this was a place he had longed to visit ever since his original encounter in the cave near his home town of Coldstream.

  His parents hadn’t been able to afford the exorbitant fees required to enrol him here, even if they had believed his story about the vision. If any place possessed the knowledge to decipher the mysteries he had encountered in that cave, it was here, and although he hadn’t said anything to the others, this was an exciting moment in his life.

  The central yard of the university was decorated with tdy little gardens that were mostly snowed over at this time of year. It was almost deserted, except for a few robed men and women carrying large books to and from the towers. Aiden turned to Nellise with the intention of asking about their proximity to the cathedral, until he noticed she seemed pensive.

  “What is it?” he asked of her.

  “I am expected to report in upon my arrival in Fairloch,” she explained, her golden eyes filled with trepidation. “They are likely to notice that something is amiss with me, which will require an explanation I’m not inclined to give.”

  “You’ve nothing to apologise for,” Sayana told her directly.

  “I don’t intend to do so, but there will be consequences for my choice to take up arms,” Nellise continued, looking up at the magnificent doors of the cathedral in consternation. “I might as well get this over with.”

  “Though I do not pretend to understand the reasons of which you speak, my lady,” Sir William said, “you have nothing to fear from the Church. Through those doors lies not judgement, but healing and forgiveness. This is your first time in the Cathedral, yes?”

  “I have been here several times over the years, though this will be my first as an indoctrinated member of the clergy,” Nellise clarified.

  “Permit me to accompany you, then,” the knight offered. “I have been lax in my attendance of late, and I would benefit from a visit. I can introduce you to one of the patriarchs — Corvyn, an old friend of mine.”

  “I’m quite alright to go on my own, but… I suppose if you’re going anyway,” Nellise replied reluctantly.

  “It’s no trouble, I assure you,” Sir William offered.

  “Very well,” she finally relented. “I regret having to leave you for a while Aiden, but I think you’ll manage in our absence.”

  “I know where to find you if Pacian gets stabbed again,” Aiden drawled, drawing a rueful grin from the young cleric.

  “Don’t forget what I said earlier,” she said under her breath as she walked up the stone stairs with Sir William by her side.

  “What was that?” Pacian hissed as Aiden and his remaining companions moved on towards the larger of the two towers.

  “Something about perhaps needing some sort of registration to use magic openly in the city?”

  “Not that,” Pacian pressed. “The old bugger offering to ‘walk her in’ like that.”

  “Sir William?” Aiden asked in surprise. “He seems to be a very traditional sort of knight, so I wouldn’t read too much into it. Chivalry and what-not, I suppose.”

  “He was showing her a lot of attention last night too, and you can’t tell me he was just being nice,” Pacian continued.

  “You’re right, I’m sure he has a diabolical plan to get inside the blouse of a girl young enough to be his granddaughter,” Aiden said with a straight face.

  “You think so?” Pacian asked, clearly missing the subtle sarcasm in Aiden’s statement.

  “Of course not. Sir William is nothing if not chivalrous, so do yourself a favour and just stop thinking about it.” Pacian lapsed into a brooding silence. Aiden thought nothing more of it as they opened the large double doors into the main tower, and stepped into the vaunted Halls of Knowledge.

  The short entry corridor opened into a large, circular chamber with chiselled stone columns around the periphery, and a metal statue of a warrior standing prominently in the centre of the chamber. Many robed students were walking to and fro as they went about their studies.

  It was familiar to Aiden, who had not only read about such devices, but seen them in his dream vision of the Battle of Fort Highmarch. This ‘golem’ was a much smaller version and far less imposing, but nonetheless was of a similar design.

  “It is a metal man,” Valennia declared after a moment’s observation. “Someone has made an effigy to decorate the hall of this place.”

  “It’s more than just a statue though,” Sayana breathed, looking at it with fascination. “It’s practically glowing with power.”

  “I can’t see anything glowing,” Valennia countered. “It would appear your eyes are playing tricks on you.”

  “You just have to be able to see the right way,” Sayana stated somewhat cryptically, unwilling to waste more time on the conversation. Aiden focused his vision and, in a moment, he was able to see what she described — a halo of shifting green energy surrounding the construct.

  “What is it supposed to do?” Maggie asked.

  “I think it’s a guard,” Aiden surmised, peering at it closely. Nearby, he heard the sounds of stifled laughter and saw that he and the others were apparently a source of amusement for the students.

  “Why do they laugh at us?” Valennia asked, looking at the students across the hall.

  “We probably look like a bunch of ignorant tourists, gawking at their metal man,” Pacian growled. Valennia levelled an intimidating glare at their audience and the laughter quickly silenced. As they were beginning to disperse, Aiden suddenly had an idea.

  “Wait a moment, I need to speak with you,” he said to the closest students. A young man with dark hair and regal features, a girl with brown hair and large, inquisitive eyes looked at him curiously. Both were clutching large books and seemed to be in a hurry.

  “We’re late for class, so if you’ll excuse us,” the young man said while walking briskly through the hall.

  “Don’t mind my friend here, she’s being paid to be menacing,” Aiden continued dismissively. “I just have a few questions for you regarding the explosion on the road over near Foundation Circle.” This statement caused both students to stop and look at him in a new light.

  “What sort of questions?” asked the young lady.

  “Well, to start with, do you know who did it?”

  “I wouldn’t know anything about that,” she replied with a nervous laugh,

  “Okay… what would possibly cause such an explosion,” he continued. “Could it have been an incantation, or some sort of device?”

  “If it was an incantation, only one of the faculty would be capable of using it,” the male student explained. “You should probably go and talk to one of the teachers, Dean Desmond Foster, on the fourth floor. He’s usually dabbling with things that should be best left alone.”

  “Thanks, I’ll go and speak with him immedi—” Aiden’s voice trailed off as a memory flashed through his mind. The name “Desmond” was mentioned by the dragon Salinder, during their time together on the aetheral plane. Salinder instructed Aiden to seek him out, but in the flurry of events afterward, he’d forgotten all about it until now. The two students looked at him oddly and then scurried off to continue their studies.

  “Smooth,” Pacian offered as a wry compliment as he watched the two students depart. “I liked the part where you stopped talking mid-sentence. You didn’t start drooling, did you?”

  “Shut up, Pace,” Aiden murmured, his thoughts elsewhere.

  “You look like you’ve had a revelation,” Sayana observed. “What is it?”

  “We need to speak to Desmond, I think he has something important for me — us,” he said, quickly recovering. He led them across the hall to the stairwell before any questions could be asked. A small sign i
n front of it read — “Practical applications” going down, and “Classrooms, Library, Artefacts” and “Faculty” going up.

  The fourth floor, as the student had informed him, was where Desmond was to be found, in the section labelled ‘Artefacts’. This piqued Aiden’s interest in more ways than one. Taking the stairs upward, he passed two floors crowded with people either studying or researching.

  “Why do you people make such difficult stairs,” Maggie muttered as the raelani woman struggled to keep up.

  “I guess they don’t have a lot of raelani coming to visit,” Aiden remarked. He offered his hand to assist her, which she gratefully accepted. Presently, they arrived at the door to the artefacts section labelled with a sign with “Do Not Disturb!” written upon it. Aiden rapped on the metal-bound door.

  It silently swung open, revealing a dimly lit room with shadows cast by large, objects sitting against the wall. The door seemed to have opened by magic, which in any other building might have been strange.

  Stepping inside, Aiden peered through the dimness and saw a tall man in dark robes standing in front of a large, round bench on the other side of the chamber. Spread before him were countless oddly-shaped metal pieces, along with small metal tools arranged on the table.

  “Just put it on the desk near the door, Sidney,” he called without turning from his work. “And tell Harold I’ll get to it when I’ve figured out this nonsense.”

  “Pardon me, are you by any chance Desmond?” Aiden asked, his voice echoing across the open space. The robed man turned and levelled a stare at the small group before putting down his tools and advancing on them.

  “That’s ‘Dean Foster’ to you, sir. This area is off-limits to non-university staff or faculty, barring a dispensation from myself or the Arch-Chancellor,” he intoned with impressive volume.

  “What about a representative of the Crown?” Aiden countered, pulling out the letter.

  “Let me see that,” Desmond grumbled, seizing the piece of paper and squinting at it. Brown eyes looked out from under a brow bristling with white hair, and a long white beard tapered down the front of his robe, which upon closer inspection, appeared to be stained with dirt. He was very tall, thin, and what little of his face could be seen was wrinkled with age.