Horizon (In the Absence of Kings Book 3)

by Lee LaCroix

  “Who goes there?” Kayten shouted into the woods and the direction of the beaten path.

  Novas stood up as a rustling was heard from the path, and a man wearing a leather vest, pants, boots, cap, and white linen shirt appeared before them.

  “My, my. How difficult it has been to find you,” the man spoke, panting and out of breath.

  “What is your business in these woods?” Novas asked as he walked towards the man.

  “I’m just a simple courier. I’ve been paid some tasty tetra to come deliver this to you,” the man replied as he rummaged into his bag.

  “Here you are,” he continued as he passed the letter to Novas, who wandered back over to Kayten while the courier idled nearby.

  “Novas,

  I hope you and Kayten have fared the winter in good health. Pray excuse my absence, but I thought you were most deserving of respite from the affairs of the wider world. As you have guessed, Malquia is in need of your service again. An attempt was made on Berault’s life last night, and he believes it to be the King’s assassin. Come to the harbour today, so we can meet a contact of Tamil’s with more information. I have charged the courier with delivering a horse, so you can make it here before sundown.

  See you soon,

  ~ Garreth.”

  Before he headed into the cabin, Novas passed the envelope to Kayten, who began to look over the message. After she had read the letter, Kayten folded it up into the envelope and looked into the forest beyond.

  “Where are the horses?” Kayten asked the courier when she didn’t see them in sight.

  “I’ve tied them up on the eastern side of the woods. I have been charged to see you to them,” the courier added.

  Kayten nodded and turned back towards the cabin. Inside, she found Novas with his pack sat upon the table and the goods that had begun to pile up around and inside it. They would be in Amatharsus before long, but he still felt it necessary to pack two skeins of water and a portion of salted pork lion. Kayten caught Novas staring into an opened box they had kept sealed since they had returned to the cabin in autumn. She walked over and looked down into the crate, which was filled with polished ringmail coats of iron and shining steel and sunsteel armour pieces. They have not had to lift a sword since Deepshine, but they could still recall the weight of that steel on their bodies as well as the protection it offered.

  “Do you think we’ll need it?” Kayten asked.

  “When it comes to the Vandari, I’ll be taking no chances,” Novas stated as he grabbed his ringmail coat from inside the box and threw it over himself.

  Diligently, they began to dress again for battle, donning their mail and helping each other secure their armour pieces onto each other. They both pulled over their blood red tabards of the Crown Aegis. Novas bound the shining sword Dawnbringer to his side, and Kayten equipped her emblematic shield and father’s sword to herself as well. They left the cabin and moved the log wall in front of the door, sealing it for any curious animals or visitors. The two turned to see the courier standing in mild shock, for he saw the reclusive couple reappear as fully armed soldiers from the capital.

  “Lead on,” Novas told the courier.

  “Right away,” he replied with a quick bow of his head.

  They made their way through the woods without trouble. Novas conversed with the courier to find where the horses were tied, and Novas guided the three towards their destination on the path of least resistance. Before long, they found the horses, which neighed and threw around their heads at the return of their master. As there were only two horses, Novas threw his boots in the straddle, helped himself up, and then gave Kayten a hand up to his backside while the courier took the other horse. They continued together in silence, passing out of the forest and onto the earthy plains of golden grasses. Novas led them past the waypoints that he memorized. There was a dried watering hole, a bull’s skull mounted to a tree, and a pair of arched trees that all marked the way to the Great South Road, which was the fastest, straightest, and most commonly traveled route to Amatharsus from the southern expanse. The horse’s hoofs echoed as they struck the well-traveled road and the boulders leveled flat into its face.

  “Well, I have more deliveries to the south. Thank you for your business and good luck to you!” the courier offered with a nod and a wave of his hand.

  Kayten and Novas bid him a kind farewell and watched as the courier whipped his horse and pulled away, his bag bouncing behind him.

  “So, when did you learn to ride a horse?” Kayten asked as he held Novas close by the chest, chin resting on his shoulder.

  “I haven’t,” Novas said with a grin as he whipped the horse in similar fashion.

  The horse broke into a speedy trot and took off down the road, leaving Kayten’s nervous laughter trailing behind.

  Chapter Four

  With his arms crossed and his keen eyes overlooking the sea, Garreth leaned against a shipping box on the docks outside of the Lower Quarter gates. Against the norm of that busy, seaman’s workplace, Garreth went undisturbed because the fisherfolk recognized the insignia on his back that had gained him the moniker of “the Eagle”. Unmistakable was the resplendent sword Darkbreaker that hung from his side as its hilt and pommel still shimmered brightly in the sunlight; his golden, sunsteel talon. He was just beginning to become impatient when there was a tap at his shoulder, and he slowly turned about, taking his attention from the rippling waters.

  “You’re here early,” Tamil remarked as she smiled, meeting him.

  “I have little time to spare, and I feel Berault has the same,” Garreth explained with a set face.

  “You’re right,” Tamil replied with a nod.

  “So, where is this contact?” Garreth pried.

  “He should be coming in by ship at any time,” Tamil said, peering across the body of water.

  “That looks like the one now,” Tamil spoke as she pointed southwest.

  Garreth stared out into the water to see the large galleon he had spotted earlier begin to grow as it floated towards the harbour. The ship featured three rectangular sails of a deep green, which hung on a mast of a golden brown wood that shone bright despite its age. Even the hull of the Amberclast reflected the sea’s shining waters, and the boat could have been sent from the sun given the lighted sphere had sat upon the horizon. Garreth watched as the ship pulled into one of the larger ports of the city, and its crewmen began to toss anchor and tie its mass to the dock. Before long, the ship was secure and the crew who were not tasked with unloading began to depart, heading into the city.

  “Ah! Sevrad! You have finally arrived,” Tamil called out to one of the men in the crowd.

  Shortly, a man, tall and as tanned as Tamil, made his way from his crew and approached her with an open embrace.

  “Sister, it is good to see you again,” the man stated as he hugged her, noticing her pronounced stomach with a smile.

  Garreth’s hand twitched, almost flying towards his sword, when he caught sight of Sevrad’s blood red eyes but relaxed as Tamil brought Sevrad towards him.

  “And this must be Garreth of the Crown Aegis? I have heard of you. It is good we could meet,” Sevrad announced with a smile, extending his hand.

  “The same,” Garreth replied, shaking it.

  “So, the captain says we will be taking you across to Kal’resh? As the only crewmember native to those shores, he had to consult me chiefly,” Sevrad questioned.

  “This is news to me,” Garreth spoke as he bent his brow.

  “Ah, yes, yes. The orders just came in this morning by courier. We were docked in the Stoneshores when we received contract from ‘General Berault of the Crown Army’ to take you across the sea,” Sevrad explained.

  “Well, that sounds like Berault to me… not a wasted moment,” Tamil concurred.

  “We are scheduled to depart before sundown. I will meet you here then,” Sevrad told Garreth.

  “Very well. Until then,” Garreth concluded, and Tamil took Sevrad by th
e arm.

  Garreth watched them depart and vanish around the corner of the gates to the Lower Quarter, and he stared back at the Amberclast. He had traveled to every end of Malquia and could travel down most paths by simply closing his eyes. Travelling to a new land revived something inside of him that he had not felt for a very long time it had seemed, and against his doubts, he was beginning to look forward to it. Before he turned away to head towards the Upper Quarter gates, Garreth was stopped by a familiar voice.

  “Garreth! Father!” the voices cried out from nearby.

  Garreth turned and smiled as Kayten and Novas hustled towards him.

  “It is good to finally see you again,” Garreth stated.

  “It has been too long,” Novas said, hugging his father.

  “Too long indeed,” Kayten agreed, embracing Garreth and pecking him on the cheek.

  “I’m afraid you’re a moment too late. Our contact has just departed,” Garreth began.

  “Blame it on, Novas! He nearly got us thrown off the horse three times on the way here,” Kayten explained, slapping at Novas’ shoulder.

  Novas rolled his eyes and shrugged, and Garreth laughed.

  “Come with me. We must go and speak with Ilsa. There is much news to discuss,” Garreth explained as he waved them on.

  Novas had to raise his hand to his eyes to deflect a glaring light from one of the well-polished bronze statues on the sidewalk of the Upper Quarter streets. To Novas, the Upper Quarter seemed to be even more prosperous than after the Battle of Deepshine and shortly following the liberation of the city from the Blackwoods. The influx of citizens from the Trade District and the Lower Quarter, once forbidden by social status, gave the residence of the privileged more life as their presence seemed to bolster activity on the once quiet and rarely crowded streets. Novas was amused to think that Garreth and Berault made their beds in this part of town, for both men were unrefined but none-the-less successful. Garreth, Kayten, and Novas stopped for a passing carriage, resumed their paces across the intersection, and then made their way into the Cornerstreet Arms.

  “Welcome home, master Garreth. A pleasure to see you again, master Novas, lady Kayten,” the building manager Maxus greeted with a smile and a bow from behind the front desk.

  They each offered him thanks as they moved through the lobby of polished wooden floorboards and tapestry-clothed walls. The three walked upon a pine green rug with golden tassels, which was surrounded by an assortment of loveseats and padded chairs on either side. They made their way up to the circular staircase that wound around the front desk and made their way up to the fourth floor and through the landing to the old Vemsdower residence. In reality, it was still owned by a Vemsdower, but that wouldn’t be so for much longer if Garreth had his way.

  “Hello darling,” Ilsa called from a chair near the window, her lethe fingers wound between an open book and a glass of wine.

  “Ilsa, we have guests,” Garreth explained as he entered the room with Kayten and Novas.

  “Oh my,” Ilsa gasped as she beheld her visitors and sat up, “Off to war again are we?”

  “Not quite, but it is something we must all discuss,” Garreth replied.

  Ilsa nodded and pursed her lips.

  “It has been too long, Kayten. I am surprised you are not with child. This handsome boy is hard to resist, I bet,” Ilsa teased as she hugged Kayten.

  Kayten bared her teeth before putting out her tongue.

  “A pleasure as always, Novas. Come in and do unburden yourself from your armour. It must have been quite a journey wearing it,” Ilsa offered as she embraced Novas and nudged the sturdy bindings of his shoulder plate.

  “Will do,” Novas nodded as he began to unstrap his bracers from his arm.

  Before long, the four were sitting around a half-circle tea table positioned against a wide window, allowing the occupants in their lounging chairs a view of the Upper Quarter intersection.

  “What is on your mind, Garreth?” Ilsa asked.

  “I met a man with blood red eyes today, the same eyes as the King’s killer and Berault’s attacker, and I nearly drew my sword on him. However, Tamil claimed it was her brother Sevrad, who migrated to Malquia with her when they were children. Red eyes, it appears, are not found in Malquia but are not impossible to find across the sea. Sevrad claims that the Amberclast has been hired by Berault to take us across to that land, so we may begin our search. It is clear what the general intends for us,” Garreth explained, folding and unfolding his fingers.

  “Well then, what are we waiting for?” Ilsa asked as she pulled a small knife out of a box filled with books, twirling it in her hand.

  “Sunset,” Garreth remarked and stared out the window, trying to will the sun down.

  At the harbour, Kayten caught hold of Novas’ hand and gave it a squeeze as they looked upon the water, and in particular, the miniature fisherman’s dock cast out to sea. Shortly after arriving in Amatharsus for the first time and a long day of training in the courtyard, the two had once taken the makeshift contraption of waterproofed barrels and wooden panels onto the water themselves. She hoped he recalled the memory, of conversation and recollection, as fondly as she did. His smile in response gave her hope that she was right. The two couples stared upon the golden galleon of the Amberclast and felt a modicum of safety in traveling abroad on its length.

  “Have you ever been across the sea, Garreth?” Kayten inquired.

  “Oh no, never. I have always been content with Malquia… so much so I could swear my blood runs green. I only go this far for my friend and the King,” Garreth explained.

  “For Berault, for the King,” Novas echoed.

  The four looked onto the sea for a time. Shortly later, Sevrad appeared with a large bag slung over his shoulder and approached them.

  “Sevrad, this is Ilsa, Novas, and Kayten,” Garreth introduced as he pointed to each of them.

  “My my, this is quite the crew. It is lucky for me I am not the one that you hunt,” Sevrad chuckled as he gave each of them a look up and down.

  It was true that each of them were ready for war. Even if they did not admit it to each other or themselves, they felt they were traveling to meet the Vandarian Order itself and would find their way to its heart before they were through. They were definitely equipped as such. Aside from Novas and Kayten’s armour that was forged for the Battle of Deepshine, Garreth and Ilsa had also changed into their traveling blacks; flexible and fleecy dark cloth that was reinforced with thoroughly polished leather to hold up the glossy black scale mail along the arms, shoulders, chest, and legs. Garreth had his faithful bow and a bustling quiver filled with arrows alongside the scabbard of the sunsteel longsword Darkbreaker. The deep lustre of Ilsa’s polished slate daggers reflected the light of sundown like a marbled mirror, and the blades hung against her hips. Ready to face the new world, they followed Sevrad up the gangplank and onto the middle deck of the ship.

  “If you’ll follow me, I’m sure the captain is waiting to meet his charges,” Sevrad explained as he waved them towards a room built into the floor of the upper deck.

  Sevrad opened the steel door and waved them inside. The captain’s desk sat in front of a set of wide window panels that took up most of the back wall and gave a clear view of the sea behind the ship. On the walls surrounding the desk, there was an assortment of wares and curios like a pair of crossed scimitars with silver edges and golden hilts, a finely woven fishing net strung across a length, and a painting of a tiny island with a boat in the distance that could have been the Amberclast itself. The captain sat at his desk, surrounded by the things dear to him, and scratched on parchment.

  “Come in, come in,” he asked as he waved the quill around, spraying flecks of ink around.

  As he signed the document and stood up from the table, the captain’s blonde hair exposed his face. He wore a layered vest of green over a fine shirt of gray and loose pants accustomed to sea folk.

  “These must be the Crown Aegis. A privil
ege to work with you. I’m Vern, and I’m looking forward to seeing Kal’resh for the first time. How do you do?” the man asked.

  The four introduced themselves, and the captain led them outside onto the deck.

  “We should be departing anytime now, and we’ve reasoned it should take us, three nights to cross the sea. We’ve got lots of food and water below, and a guest room for you four. Now, if you’ll follow me,” the captain asked as he took them into the ship’s hold.

  It was the first time any of them had been on such a large ship, and the swaying floor beneath them was nothing but strange and disorientating. Vern came to a stop in front of a door, unlocked it, and then opened the door. Against the far wall, there was a table under a wide window. On either side of the table, there were four single beds with two stacked on top of each other in pairs. There was a plain red rug in the middle and a lamp to light in the far corner.

  “This is your room. If you need anything else, be sure to notify Sevrad or myself. We should be departing any moment now, and you will be woken for breakfast. Till then,” the captain explained as the four made their way into the rooms and placed their packs down.

  With a short bow, the captain left them to their own devices, and they each had a seat. Kayten and Ilsa sat upon a bed, and Garreth and Novas in the chairs.

  “Three more nights? Suppose I wasn’t expecting that. What are we going to do till then?” Novas asked.

  “I should have brought some books,” Ilsa moaned as she lay down across the bed.

  Garreth smirked and looked out the window, which gave him a view of the seaside training circles and the merchant bazaar. Novas passed around what remained of the salted ham he had packed for the journey, and the sun had soon set. From the back deck of the Amberclast, the four watched the reaching lights of the Amatharsan watchtowers recede on the horizon and then extinguish to nothing.