“Is that so?” Sirus asked, turning to his robed companions for verification of Garret’s magical ability.
“He is strongly gifted, Sirus. Perhaps he would be better suited wearing a robe than armor,” the man in the red robe stated coldly.
“Trying to swell your ranks are you, Vladmere? You have already chosen seven to my one. Let’s allow Garret to decide his future and loyalties, shall we?” Sirus stated, more as an order than a request, and he watched them as they nodded their agreement. “So what of you, Garret? Would you like to continue your path and join the Knights of Valdadore, or would you choose another path to become a powerful mage fighting your battles from afar?” Sirus already knew Garret’s answer, having gleaned the information from his wife.
“I should like to join the Knights of Valdadore if they would have me, Lord Sirus,” Garret replied, trying his best to sound noble.
“We should indeed be happy to embrace you, young master Garret. Now, if you will see Heath and then go stand with Zorbin Ironfist the dwarf there, I will see you again shortly.”
Garret nodded with a smile and strode happily to meet with Heath, glancing over his shoulder briefly to his brother. He knew Seth didn’t want to join the army, but that didn’t make him want Seth to join with him any less.
CHAPTER 133
Seth
Seth was next in line and composed himself as best as he was able, not wanting to join with any portion of the army be it common soldier or knight, and as such coming to terms with his current situation. Giving Sara’s hand one last squeeze, he released it to face those coming before him alone. As the four main members of the procession stopped in front of Seth he realized that Sirus was again smiling, this time at him. Seth did not return the man’s smile. Instead he waited patiently for someone to speak to him, trying as he waited to keep his composure.
“You must be Seth,” Sirus stated matter-of-factly. “My wife mentioned that Garret and you were twins.”
Seth nodded, not sure if he could speak due to his nervousness.
“Seth, I must ask, as is my duty, do you have any particular talents and do you yet worship any of the gods?” Sirus asked in his mock ceremonious tone.
Mustering his courage Seth chose his words carefully before he spoke.
“I too have the talent to control magic, but I have yet to align my soul with a god,” he stated coolly, trying to emphasize his distaste on the religion subject.
“I see.” Sirus said, seeming to understand Seth’s tone. “Have you put much thought into what station you had hoped to be chosen for?” he asked, seeking Seth’s intentions further.
“I have indeed, sire. However, I have only just recently learned of my ability to wield magic, and although I am not inclined to take another's life, it feels as if it is something I need to pursue. Other than that M’lord, I am afraid I do not know what positions exactly that I might best be suited for.” Seth hoped he might be offered options rather than being picked for a particular duty.
“Well, young Seth, let’s see if we can’t discern a couple of possible paths for you, shall we? With the ability to wield magic your options are several, and all of them lead to a path with possibilities of great power and great rewards. Let’s see if we can dwindle down the choices a bit more.” Sirus asked rhetorically before continuing. “The druids seek those who are one with the land, those who would not harm plant nor animal unless there was no other option. The path of the druid is one of patience, for their craft sometimes takes years to bear fruit. Are you so inclined to live from the land and not harm the animals that live there?”
“I enjoy hunting, sire,” Seth stated simply.
“In that case, perhaps, like your young friend, you should like to heal those that have been injured or become sick. The healers whose souls are sworn to Lorentia live a life of servitude to others. Their sole purpose and calling is to those who require healing. They give no preference, they deny no one, and so if asked for their service they shall give it. Are you so inclined, Seth?” Sirus asked, raising one of his bushy red eyebrows.
“It is an honorable position for sure, sire, however I do not feel so inclined and I am afraid I would be poorly suited for that station,” Seth answered honestly.
This piqued Sirus’ interest so he then offered the position he hoped Seth, like his brother, would choose.
“Perhaps then you should like to remain by your brother’s side and join the elite ranks of the Knights of Valdadore. All of us within the ranks possess the gift, though our wise god Gorandor chooses to give the ones he blesses each a single blessing to help them perform in battle. The blessings vary slightly, but usually they are for the same purpose. We are a small portion of the kingdom’s vast armies, choosing only the best. We live by a code of honor at all costs, even at the cost of our own lives. Is this the path that you can foresee yourself venturing down?” Sirus again asked.
“I would like to stay with my brother,” Seth stated while thinking of the other person he refused to be away from. With the thought, Seth accidentally let his eyes wander to Sara where he viewed her for a fraction of a second in his peripheral vision before returning his gaze to Sirus and continuing his response. “But I do not feel any drive to join the army I am afraid,” Seth finished.
CHAPTER 134
Sirus
With Seth’s answer Sirus’s eyebrows knotted in the middle of his head and he nodded solemnly. He had noticed Seth’s sideways glance and already understood its meaning. Sasha had told him of the young love affair, and even if the boy did not want to be a knight, he would try to see to it that he could carry out his wife’s wishes.
“I see,” Sirus stated once again. “Perhaps then you wish to wield magic as one of the powerful battle mages who don the red robes. They fight with the army though they live and train separately. Most of them worship Zeranthil, though some have been known to worship other lesser gods in times past. Their powers are quite formidable and their blessings vary from person to person. Some have many abilities, yet others are limited to just one or two. They live by their own set of rules, though I do not know them precisely. If that does not suit you then perhaps you might find interest in the gray robed mages. They specialize in defensive magics. They too help the army though they do not fight. They instead use their power to protect those of us who do fight. Their abilities vary as well, some of them can bless armor to make it impenetrable, and others can form invisible shields to deflect blows. Gray robes are a rare enough sight as most with the ability choose to join the red robes. Judilanthaliz is the head of the gray robes and he teaches a life of discipline and honor much akin to that of the knights. All who don the gray robes throughout history have worshiped Saranadia. Those are the two primary options left to you young Seth. However, I must warn you. Should you choose to join the ranks of the mages you are given a limited time to choose a god to swear yourself to, and then if you do not receive a blessing from your chosen god you will be removed from their ranks and given a position elsewhere. The same goes for my knights. However, I choose them carefully and have never had to turn one away afterwards. Does either of these positions seem a likely choice to you?” Sirus asked for the final time.
“M’lord, since I am being given a choice then I feel I am best suited for a gray robe. I like to help others, and I do try and protect them if I am able. I feel this would be the best option for me.” Seth decided a guardian role suited him nicely.
Sirus turned to the man in the gray robe and nodded to him.
“It seems he is all yours then, Judilanthaliz,” Sirus said.
CHAPTER 135
Seth
The man in gray nodded his cowled head and took a step forward towards Seth and then pulled back his cowl, revealing his face. Seth inhaled sharply at the sight but composed himself as quickly as he could. Judilanthaliz was older than Seth had imagined him to be. His hair was the same shade of gray as his robes. But this was not what had shocked Seth. The man’s face was split in two by a wid
e, jagged scar that started at his left temple, sliced straight through his sightless left eye, across his nose and down the opposite cheek, all the way to his neck. His mangled features were the first thing that Seth registered, but they were not the only thing that caught him off guard. The man was also not human, at least not completely so. His face was narrow and slightly elongated. His cheekbones were a bit too high under his almond shaped eyes that slanted slightly. But the main signs that readily gave him away as non-human were his long pointed ears which labeled him unmistakably as an elf. All this Seth was able to take note of in the time it took for a single intake of breath. Composing himself immediately he waited for the man to address him.
“Hello, young Seth, my name is Judilanthaliz. I share both the bloodlines of humans and of elves and being so I am an outcast to the elven race. I am the head of the order of those in gray robes. We are known as the guardians, though some refer to us as shields. Ours is a life of discipline. We spend time each day studying both magic and religion. All among us now alive worship Saranadia. It is not always an easy road as one in the gray robes as you may tell by my face, but it is a rewarding path to protect those in need of protection. Choose wisely, young Seth, but choose now.” Judilanthaliz said giving Seth a moment to think before continuing. “Have you come to a conclusion?”
“I have, sire, I should like to join your ranks if you would have me,” Seth announced, knowing at this point that, more than likely, he would be a gray robe for the remainder of the day and then he would be fleeing the city with Sara.
“We should be happy to have you, young Seth. Please go to see Heath and he shall point you in the right direction,” Judilanthaliz said.
Seth did as he was told, looking to Sara first before walking away. Giving her a slight nod, secretly reminding her of their plan, Seth walked the few paces required to speak with Heath. He watched as Heath wrote down his full name, age, where his home was and his newly appointed position before finally sending him to stand only a few paces from his brother. As Seth approached his brother and the dwarf, he smiled to his twin but stopped short of joining him, saying without so much as a word that they had not been chosen for the same purpose. Seth did find it a little odd, however, that out of the seventy or more people already chosen, he was the first to join the ranks of the gray robes. Seth stood alone, already separated from his brother, anticipating separation from Sara as well, his shoulders slumped and head sagged in defeat.
CHAPTER 136
Garret
Garret watched as his brother approached, appearing broken and defeated. He had taken the meaning of Seth’s sudden stop and smiled to reassure his brother before turning to watch what would become of the woman his brother loved.
CHAPTER 137
Sara
Sara had listened to the conversations between those doing the choosing and her three companions already chosen. She had gleaned the names of all four people who came to stand before her now and she quickly committed their faces to memory as well. Sara then just stood with a blank expression on her face, completely obscuring the fear she fought within, and waited for them to speak to her.
“Hello young lady, you must be Sara,” Sirus stated, his steel eyes alight once again.
“Yes sire, that is correct,” Sara answered.
“You were the last standing in the test earlier alongside Garret, were you not?” Sirus asked. Sara simply nodded her reply, keeping her blank expression in place.
"Well, I must say that Sasha is quite fond of you and it seems Felix has grown a bit attached to you as well,” Sirus told her with a wide smile. “I must first ask you if you have any special skills and I must also ask if you worship any of the gods.” Sirus said not trying to conceal his boredom at repeating the same thing over and over again.
“As far as I am aware, M’lord, I do not possess the gift of magic, nor do I have a religion,” Sara replied, simply wanting this moment to be over.
"Women are rare in the army, but with your survival so long in the battle earlier I cannot help but ask if you would wish to join the army?" Sirus asked. With this question, all those with Sirus leaned nearer, awaiting the small woman's reply.
"I don't believe myself suited for the army, M’lord. It was due to Seth, Garret and Ashton that I remained in the competition as long as I did," Sara answered. Sirus thought a second before continuing his line of questioning.
“Do you have any other skills that you are particularly good at?” Sirus asked with an unfamiliar tone in his voice.
“What do you mean, m’lord?” Sara asked unsure of his implication.
“Is there anything at all that you are good at that might be useful to the kingdom?” Sirus asked this time, not trying to hide that he wanted her to say something.
“Well, M’lord, I am fairly good with figures, and I can memorize things rather quickly.” Sara hoped that would answer the knight’s question.
“Can you read and write as well?” Sirus asked.
“Yes M’lord,” Sara answered.
CHAPTER 138
Sirus
Sirus stood for a moment, trying his best to pretend he was deep in thought about something, already knowing exactly what he intended.
“Judilanthaliz, aren’t you currently without a messenger?” Sirus asked as if trying to recall some detail.
“Yes Sirus, in fact I am,” Judilanthaliz nodded. “I am happy you have reminded me. I had not thought to find myself one today.”
“Does this young woman suit your needs?” Sirus asked the man in gray.
“She might indeed. Let’s give her a small test shall we?” Judilanthaliz asked in a musical voice that was too sweet to be wholly human.
“What do you have in mind?” Sirus asked the older man.
The man in gray thought a moment and turning his gaze upon Sara he asked his question.
“Young woman, can you recall some details of the conversation we just had with the man who stood beside you a moment ago?”
“Yes M’lord,” Sara answered.
“Well then, young woman, what do you recall?” Judilanthaliz asked.
“M’lord, your name is Judilanthaliz and you are the head of the gray-robed guardians. You worship Saranadia and live to protect those in need of protection. The man in red here is Vladmere, the head of the red-robed battle mages. He worships Zeranthil, as do most of the battle mages. They fight with the armies of Valdadore. The beautiful woman beside you in white is Karishtala, the head of the order of healers. They worship Lorentia and live to heal those in need of healing. Sirus here is the head of the Knights of Valdadore and he and his men worship Gorandor. They fight with the army though they hold a much higher council than those of the regular forces. The man behind you in green is an elf and I assume as such that he is the head of the druid order, though I know not his name. Behind him, Heath stands with a large tome in which the names of those chosen are recorded, the location of their homes as well as their new station in life. Beyond him representatives of the regular army as well as a representative of the king’s house stand. Is that sufficient, sire?” Sara asked, impressing Sirus if no one else.
“Indeed, young woman, your memory is sharp,” Judilanthaliz observed, and turning to face the knight he continued. “I think she will fulfill my needs of a messenger quite nicely.” He smiled.
“Sara, go and see Heath and tell him you are to be messenger to Judilanthaliz and follow his instructions,” Sirus said, grinning once again.
Sirus watched as Sara passed and he could not help himself but to smile. His wife had given him instructions not to allow her and Seth to be separated, and though he knew it was not entirely up to him, he had played his cards properly and by doing so had not disappointed his wife.
CHAPTER 139
Seth
Seth watched for many long moments as Sara spoke to those gathered before her. He was close enough to see who was speaking and when, but too far away to clearly hear their words. He could clearly see through Sara’
s mask to the fear she was trying to hide. The same fear that twisted within him. He watched as she spoke for a long time, speaking more quickly than she normally would, as if in panic. He then watched as Sirus and Judilanthaliz exchanged words and Sara left them to go to Heath. Seth watched even more intently as Heath inscribed Sara’s information in his book and, finishing with his quill, again raised his head. Heath said a few words then to Sara and turning his head he pointed directly at Seth. Sara nodded her understanding and with a giant, beautiful smile turned to meet Seth’s eyes with her own amber gaze. Seth suddenly realized what was happening and all fear rushed from his body to be instantly replaced with gratitude and love. Sara strode confidently to his side, where she belonged, and took his hand, interlacing their fingers once again. For all that had gone wrong since the night before Seth left his home in Vineleaf, something had finally gone right. He was to be separated from Garret he knew, but it was a realization he would have to come to terms with. Garret dreamed of glory and honor, whereas Seth wanted a quiet life with Sara.
To Seth it was as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Though neither Seth nor Sara had spoken of it frequently, they had both been carrying the fear of separation with them for many days now and it had slowly eaten its way through them. So certain they each had been that they would be separated that both of them had already planned by themselves when they would flee and what route they would take back to the inn. Now, however, it was all for naught. The fear, the anguish and the planning had all been for nothing. They were together just as they were meant to be. Finally each of them was able to relax and the tension that had been building dissipated quickly. Seth almost felt as if the heavens were smiling down upon him. Almost.
Age of the Gods: The Complete, twelve novel, fantasy series (The Blood and Brotherhood Saga) Page 32
