He worked hand in hand with Melfon, who Baron quickly learned had abilities as a Builder, though only minor. And he didn't refer to himself as a Builder, but rather a forger. It was just one more way Corcoran and his people had distanced themselves from the old world. Melfon could manipulate common stone enough to turn the iron ore into workable armor.
But Melfon was more skilled in the blacksmithing craft than the Builder. It intrigued Baron greatly, for he hadn't anticipated the giftings of the old world to be at work among Corcoran's people. And they could build amazingly strong armor with only weak Builder ability. Though Baron wanted to know more, he asked only few questions of his accomplice.
What information Baron could glean from Melfon wouldn't really benefit him. But the risk that Melfon could grow in skill and power was too great. Baron remembered what it was like after Blair had encountered King Euthor in a vision – how his power was instantly magnified. Now, whenever Baron touched the same stone as Blair, he could feel a surge and could mold a stone with ease that had resisted his touch before.
Baron had learned much from Blair in those early days. Now, Baron did what he could to ensure that the same thing didn't happen with Melfon. The last thing Baron wanted to do was to train a Builder for Corcoran that he could use after Baron was gone.
Baron hadn't been entirely sure that wasn't Corcoran's real plan. But Melfon hadn't tried working directly with Baron. He was content to remain on the other side of the workshop. It was possible they didn't know that the power of a Builder could be heightened just by contact with a much more powerful practicer.
That surprised Baron. For Corcoran was familiar with the ways of the old world. But perhaps it ran deeper than that. Baron had received his skill from Blair, who had gained his power during a vision from King Euthor. Perhaps Corcoran wouldn't stand for his minions rising to power, ultimately knowing it came from King Euthor.
But pride always ended in ruin. Unless what Corcoran had told him was really true...that the war was almost over. Baron could scarcely believe it. But the fact that Corcoran had Pallin's staff and an orb of Shade Stone couldn't be lightly argued away.
It didn't matter anyway. If the war really was already coming to a close, Baron didn't want to live in a world dominated by Corcoran's tyranny. But if Corcoran was lying and the war would continue for years to come, then the things Corcoran would force Baron to do in his service wearied him to consider. Whatever was to come, Baron wanted no share in it.
So he lost himself in his work. Taking one of the suits of armor Melfon had finished, he smiled to himself as he strengthened the stone component of the breastplate. Melfon had made basic mistakes, the same kind Baron had made when first seeking to fortify stone. Baron eagerly wanted to teach him, but he dare not.
So he merely took what Melfon gave him and applied his own skill. The armor still wasn't nearly as strong as what Blair had created from the sands of the island. But the metal component made the armor surprisingly resilient, able to stop a dozen arrows before fracturing and failing.
As he gazed at the armor in his hands, he was struck by something that stole the wind from his lungs and nearly knocked him from his feet. The faintly swirling pattern in the stone looked identical to the pattern in the pendant he had fashioned for Ariadra when he had first began to court her. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled the blue and white stone from it and let it dangle before his eyes. It took everything within him to keep from breaking down into tears. He stood there for long moments, hands shaking at his sides.
“What are you doing?” Melfon demanded and approached Baron.
“Nothing,” he replied and shoved the pendant back into his pocket, making Melfon halt.
“Was that her's?” he asked.
“Who?”
“The woman you lost.”
Baron shot a look of anger that a stranger would speak of his loss as though he knew him.
“Madrigan told me.”
Baron clenched his jaw.
“Is that right? Well, what else did he tell you?”
“To leave you alone and not ask too many questions. To let you work in peace.”
The statement surprised Baron, as did Melfon's referral to his ruler merely as Madrigan, without a formal title like 'lord' or 'king', or even as Corcoran.
“Why do you follow him anyway?” Baron asked.
“Because when we had nothing, he gave us strength.”
“That's the story as he tells it,” Baron countered.
“And your own histories...the ones you put your faith in...are they not recorded by your forefathers and handed down by them?”
“My forefathers didn't wage war against the entire world.”
Melfon smirked.
“If something is stolen, is it not your right to take it back by force?”
Baron's heart beat quickly. The offer of Corcoran once again flashed through his mind – to see Ariadra's smiling face again. Was it really wrong, what Corcoran and his forces were doing? If the people of the Three Houses really did abuse them in the old world, forcing them out of their kingdoms...didn't they have a right to fight back?
From everything Baron had seen, Corcoran didn't seem like a malevolent ruler. Though he did have an air of arrogance about him, he hadn't been brutal or savage. Baron didn't know what to think anymore. They had trusted King Euthor and he had let them down – Baron most of all.
Baron worked the rest of that day in silence and returned to his room that evening. Pacing the confines back and forth, his mind pounded with anxiety. Baron had been here nearly a week and they were almost done with the suits of armor. Baron couldn't be having second thoughts. But seating himself on his bed, he gazed at the pendant in his hands.
“Please tell me what to do.”
Baron knew he was on the edge of giving in to Corcoran and the prospect frightened him. The thought of seeing Ariadra again in the flesh was almost overwhelming. He couldn't think about the possibility for more than a moment without feeling like he'd go mad with emotion. What he wouldn't give for that chance. And Corcoran was offering it to him.
Seeing her again, even for a moment, would be his greatest joy. But the cost of it might lead him to his greatest despair. For if Ariadra saw what Baron had to do to bring her back, she could end up hating him for it. Baron considered what a world would be like where Corcoran was king and Ariadra walked among the living, yet hated him for what he'd done.
The thought made Baron shudder to the core. Yet he knew how close he was to choosing it. He didn't trust himself anymore. But he knew what he had to do. The choice he had made was the right one.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, again feeling the peace wash over him that soon he would be free from the tragedies of this world. Still, the fear remained in his heart that he had almost given in to Corcoran and his schemes.
Then, suddenly, a knock on his door. Baron shoved the pendant into his pocket, then arose and opened it. He was surprised to see Corcoran standing there.
“I hope I didn't wake you,” he said.
Baron shook his head.
“I didn't think I had. I didn't sleep for weeks after being parted from...”
He stopped, took a deep breath and turned to Baron.
“I need a progress report.”
“Can't Melfon tell you?”
“While he appreciates your assistance, he's said you've been quite an unsocial companion.”
“I'm sorry. I just...”
“It's not a problem. I only need information.”
“If we get an early start tomorrow, we may finish by the evening.”
“Perfect. I'll leave you to get your rest.”
Corcoran turned to leave but Baron spoke up.
“I appreciate that you didn't try to use me to train Melfon. I'm sure it was tempting.”
Corcoran paused and turned to him with a friendly smile.
“I knew your trust couldn't be earned cheaply. And I respect that. You've done your part, Baron. An
d I promise I'll do mine. In time, you'll come to put your faith in me.”
Baron nodded slowly. Corcoran lingered a moment and then departed, leaving Baron alone. Baron slept little that night, his heart racing to carry out his plan and be done with life.
In the morning, Melfon joined him again in the armory. They had made dozens of suits, stronger and lighter than those Baron had first encountered in the alliance city. Baron remembered what that small, elite force clad in such armor had been able to accomplish. Now, Baron had helped to construct even more of it, and of higher quality. But he would make things right before the end.
Baron worked tirelessly, making sure each piece of armor was as strong as could be, knowing they'd be tested. By evening, it was completed...more than four dozen pieces of armor constructed. Baron tried not to think what an elite force more than fifty strong could accomplish for Corcoran.
“What do you think?” Baron asked Melfon.
“I pity the citizens of Eulsiphion.”
Baron only nodded slowly.
“You've done well,” Melfon commented. “I'll inform the master our work is complete.”
Melfon turned to leave, walking out and leaving Baron alone with the suits of armor. If he had wanted, he could have sabotaged them then and there. But he needed to be patient. And so he waited. Minutes passed, enough time that it caused him a bit of alarm. Why were they leaving him so long alone in the armory? Were they giving him time on purpose?
But at length, the door swung open again, revealing Corcoran and Melfon.
“I'm told the project has been a universal success,” Corcoran said.
Baron nodded low.
“With this armor, Eulsiphion will fall at your feet.”
“We'll see.”
Then Melfon took a piece of the armor and strapped it to his body, standing in an open area of the armory. Corcoran, with a bow and arrow in hand, only ten paces from him, drew an arrow and aimed it squarely at his chest. Baron's heart beat quickly. What was he doing?
“Shall I fire?” Corcoran asked. “Melfon has assured me this armor will stand the test.”
Baron clenched his jaw but nodded. He heard the whip of the the bowstring and the loud sound of the arrow impacting the breastplate. But the arrow bounced free, leaving Melfon unharmed.
Corcoran lowered his weapon with a smile, approaching Melfon and examining the damage to the suit. Tiny fractures emanated from the place the arrow had struck, but the damage was minimal. The suit of armor would take much more abuse than that before failing.
“Incredible,” Corcoran declared.
“I did what you asked,” Baron replied. “Now fulfill your promise.”
“The army mobilizes tomorrow at first light. Within days, you will have your bride once more at your side.”
At the declaration, a flash of emotion struck him but he only nodded his approval. Baron turned to leave.
“Wait,” Corcoran commanded.
Baron hesitated and turned round slowly.
“You will help us plan the assault on the city. You've been inside and seen its battlements.”
“Please. I'm very tired.”
“Of course. Get your rest. But in the morning be ready.”
Baron bowed low and then departed, back to the room assigned to him. It was strange that he still didn't know where he was, whether on the Banished Lands or the Eastern Realm. But if the army was mobilizing tomorrow from wherever they were now, it had to be a secret fort somewhere on the Eastern Realm.
Malfur had been building such a fort before his defeat at Ogrindal. It was what had initially sent Baron, his brother and Durian on a fool's errand to Thob Forest. Baron smiled, considering how far they'd come since that night at Walloway's Tavern. Baron had longed for greater things than the drudgery of simple village life. He had certainly gotten it!
It was strange to consider his life in such terms. How he had longed, as a young man, for something more than simple country life. But once he had found it with Ariadra, he only wanted to disappear back into the humdrum of uncomplicated living. It was strange that he could long for both so strongly.
But that was all past now. Baron only had one thing yet to do. He waited until the night wore on. Then, rising from his bed, he analyzed the spot in the floor he had already determined to be sound and began making a tunnel out from his chamber toward the northwest. He had gleaned enough intelligence to know how far and in what direction the armory lay.
Though the walls of this mystery fort were built with wood, the floors were of stone, and laid atop bedrock. Baron could move to and fro as he pleased. As he tunneled beneath the fort, it was exhilarating to consider that he moved at will below an army ready to conquer his homeland.
At length, Baron reached the place he thought to be just below the armory. There, he waited for many moments, his hand placed against the stone, feeling for movement from up above. But all was quiet.
So Baron risked his appearance, tunneling upward and very slowly poking his head through to the darkness. As he emerged, he hesitated. A wall was just behind him, which was troubling. He had hardly emerged in the middle of the room. As his eyes wandered about, he saw familiar sights. He was indeed inside the armory.
Pulling himself from the tunnel, Baron wandered around the room a bit. All was empty and quiet. He could do his work in peace. Approaching one of the suits of armor and taking it in hand, he examined it, running his hand along its features. It really was a work of art and seemed a shame to destroy. This suit of armor would give a common soldier an infinite advantage over those in heavy chain mail.
Corcoran would outfit his best troops with this armor, thinking it impenetrable. But after Baron was finished, they would shatter upon first impact, leaving the wearer helpless. It was the only thing Baron could do to save the alliance and salvage what he could of his destiny. He would use his Builder ability to do something for the greater good.
So Baron placed his palm upon the armor, creating a small fracture in the stone, one which permeated the entire armor and would shatter the piece upon first impact. Standing back, he gazed at the finished work. It was the same as before. Corcoran would never suspect. All of his greater forces would perish within the first few minutes of the assault. But would the alliance ever know what sacrifice Baron had made?
It didn't matter. Only Ariadra mattered. She had pleaded with him not to abandon his destiny and he wouldn't let her down. Though Baron was no longer with the alliance, this was the best he could do to help them. It was what Ariadra would've wanted.
So, applying his Builder ability to all the suits of armor he had constructed, Baron satisfied himself that his work was complete and headed for the tunnel back to his own room. But having been in the armory, he had acquired a dagger.
Then, masking his presence, he sealed the tunnel from both sides and reemerged in his bed chamber. All was now set. There was only one more thing to do.
But Baron was suddenly struck by the stillness of the night. Now that his anxious thoughts were gone, he was somehow able to fully appreciate the beauty of the early morning watches. It brought a pang of sadness, knowing he'd never before stayed awake long enough to appreciate the stillness when all others had gone to sleep.
He arose from his bed, walking to the high window and gazing outward. Even through the clouds, he could see that the moon was high and full in the sky. He wondered what it would be like to see Ariadra again among the dead and hoped for Suriya's sake that Corcoran would be too busy dealing with the loss of his best soldiers to consider taking his revenge against Baron's hometown.
Then, with a deep breath, Baron returned to his bed, taking the dagger he'd stolen from the armory and running his finger along its edge. It produced a cut, which bled in a growing drop of blood atop his finger. The blade was sharp...ready for killing. It would see its first victim here. Baron raised the blade above his head and closed his eyes.
Cormak Castle
Estrien and the coalition forces sped into the
lands of Kester, leaving the valley of Corcoran's forces behind. Their mission was simple now: find a place to ambush them and keep out of the sights of Kester's scouts.
They had the advantage now. The siege works of Corcoran could only travel through reasonably level terrain. They could predict which route his armies would take and where they would strike. And they had taken the horses from Corcoran's cavalry – an unexpected bonus.
Straiah left immediately, but the rest lingered awhile, giving Drogan and his warriors the chance to join them. Nothing was stirring and they were forced to depart as the day began to dawn. Worry filled Estrien's heart. Had Drogan and all his warriors been slain? And what were they about to find in the lands of Kester? They'd been on their heels for months now, reacting to the moves of Corcoran and never able to step back and form a real plan.
Estrien and her small band of warriors left the valley behind, which opened into a broad grasslands. Estrien had been hoping the terrain was more rocky to funnel Corcoran's army. They rode until midday and Straiah finally returned.
“What have you discovered?” Estrien asked.
“Nothing suitable for an ambush. But two forces met in the hinterlands a few leagues beyond and left together, headed north.”
“Rovak's army and another?”
“I assume so.”
“We should follow them.”
“Rovak will be none too pleased to see us.”
“He'll come around. How much of a head start do they have?”
“Only a few hours.”
They headed off with all speed, day darkening to evening. But the tracks grew ever fresher as they followed. They'd ride all night if they had to to find them. By dusk, a plume of dust could be seen in the places ahead, many hooves trampling the ground. They could overtake them in the night if they wished. But it was risky to ride upon an army after dark. They would take it as a threat.
Instead, Estrien and her forces made camp themselves, trusting that the scouts of Kester would find them in the night and report their position. And that's just what happened. For by first light, the forces of Kester had already marched to surround their small band at a distance. Once the coalition was fully enveloped, a group of riders broke off and came into their midst.
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